2011 Drivers and Competition Rules

New drivers who have not raced with Brazos Mini Sprint Association before will be considered rookies, and start in the rear of all races for a period of TWO BMSA sanctioned events. However, if a new BMSA driver has been racing with another association or track and provides proof, they are not required to go to the back. If the driver is truly a rookie or does not provide proof, they must start in the back for two races. All drivers must pay the $10 pill draw regardless of where they start and must complete a driver’s information form the first time they race with BMSA.

Minimum Age

The minimum age for competition in BMSA Sportsmen’s and A Class will be 10 years of age. Ages 10 and 11 are REQUIRED to run restrictors per track insurance regulations. (They must participate in either the Sportmen’s or A classes and will be scored accordingly.)

Car Numbers

All available numbers will be given out on a first come first serve basis for current registered members after March first as long as the member has a race car. The number “1” will be reserved for the prior year’s champion of each class. If the champion does not wish to run the number “1” then it may be given out after March 1st. The champion will also reserve the number they ran during the previous year while they run the number “1”. Non-members will not be able to reserve a car number for the entire year.

Car Inspections

All cars are subject to mandatory pre-season and periodic technical inspection at ANY TIME during the race season. Race cars involved in an accident, eliminating them from competition, shall be inspected prior to the next event.  All cars will be subject to tech/safety inspection prior to the start of any sanctioned event and may be prohibited from entering if deemed illegal.

Injuries

1.       Any driver requiring medical attention as a result of an accident while participating in Brazos Mini-Sprint Association racing event, must obtain a written release from the attending physician before allowed to race again with BMSA.

2.       Any driver involved in an accident that requires release of medical personnel (trip to the hospital by ambulance) may be subjected to drug testing. If any illegal non-prescription drug is found, that driver will be subject to suspension determined by the Board of Directors.

Confrontation

Any confrontation with track or association official(s) can result in loss of points for that event, or for the season. Protest procedures are in place, so use them. Absolutely no one is to confront the flagman or any race official.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Drivers are responsible for their actions and for all of those associated with them. Any conduct that is deemed unsportsmanlike can result in loss of points, loss of money, and loss of trophy, for that event. If conduct does not improve, suspension from participation in BMSA events for a period of time could result. The Board of Directors would determine the length of suspension.

Amendments

Any amendments to the rules can be made at any given event with a majority vote. This will be for that event only.

Racing Rules

1.       A race shall be considered “OFFICIAL” if and when:

A.      All heats are completed

B.      If the feature event is shortened due to unusual circumstances, it shall be considered official if 50% or more of the scheduled laps have been completed under green flag conditions.

2.       All competition decisions will be made by the BMSA spotters/officials.  BMSA officials have no responsibility for restart positions or final finishing order; it is determined by the track.  The decisions of any officials are “FINAL”.

3.       Sign in procedures:  All drivers shall sign in at the specified area, at all tracks as soon as they enter the speedway. All drivers that are not signed in at least 30 minutes before the race event is scheduled to begin shall be placed at the rear of their heats. (For example, if hot laps start at 8:00, you must be signed in at 7:30.)

4.       All cars may be subjected to tech inspection, AT ANY TIME DURING THAT NIGHT’S EVENT.

5.       All drivers must attend all drivers meetings.

6.       Always pre-grid for the heats and features. Know your starting position.

7.       Any driver that changes cars after the heat race will go to the rear of their qualifying main.

8.       The pole sitter sets the pace. Never pass the pole sitter. Do not jump the start or change lanes. Jumping the green flag will not be tolerated; it will result in a warning on the first violation and on second violation, driver must go to the rear of the field.  Racing starts when the green flag drops.

9.       The will be NO shifting on starts and restarts.

10.   Lineup on all restarts: Single file with leader in front, and all lap cars to the rear in their prospective positions. All cars must remain in single file line until you reach the cone or flag stand and then you will be allowed to pass.

11.   Absolutely no rough driving or retaliation.

12.   There shall be no racing to the yellow flag. Slow down and fall into single file position. Your position shall be given to the flagman by the scorers.

13.   All restart positions will be determined by the scorers last completed lap and shall be given to flagman for your placement.

14.   Any driver who causes a caution and comes to a complete stop will be sent to the rear of the field for the restart.

15.   Any driver causing two yellow flags during a race shall receive an automatic black flag and must leave the track.

16.   When a red flag is waved or displayed, all cars must come to a complete stop in a safe and quick manner. Do not continue to circle the track. Keep the center of the track clear and stay away from the accident. Failure to stop for a red flag shall result in disqualification of the car and the driver for that day of racing.

17.   Drivers are allowed to work on race cars under red flag conditions, provided the track permits. Work must be done in designated area. This will be determined and discussed at the driver’s meeting.

18.   If you should spin into the infield and can keep your car running you may return to the track when it is safe to do so. Purposely causing a yellow flag shall result in disqualification.

19.   Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited.

20.   Any use of prescription narcotic drugs shall be reported to the board of directors prior to the participant's entry into the speedway. The participant may or may not be allowed to participate in that days event at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

21.   A participant is any person taking part in any of the BMSA in any form, including but not restricted to DRIVERS, CAR OWNERS, MECHANICS, PIT CREWS, SPONSORS, TRACK OFFICALS, AND/OR PIT AREA OBSERVERS. All such persons shall be considered public figures who have, by their choice, become involved in mini-sprint racing events of BMSA. They shall abide by the rules and regulations established and published or announced by this Association.

22.   All penalties are set at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Points System

1.       The point system is based on the driver.  Any driver with more than 10 races the previous year will be ineligible for the Rookie of the year competition.

2.       Scoring of the races will be done by the track scorers and points will be awarded by the BMSA.

3.       There will be no membership fee required to race any BMSA event. The pill draw will be $10 for members and non-members. However, to be eligible for points and awards, a driver MUST be a Registered BMSA member by May 01 of that calendar year (and pay $35 membership fee). If you are not a paid member, BMSA will not track points after May 01. A member must race 50% of the races to be eligible for any prizes and payout at the end of the year.

4.       There will be no membership fee required to race any BMSA event. However, to be eligible for points and awards, a driver MUST be a Registered BMSA member by 5/1/11 (and pay $35 membership fee) and must race 50% of the races.

5.       You must take the green flag in each race (heat and feature) to be eligible for points.

6.       The lowest 2 finishes for the season including DNS’s will be dropped from the final point standings.

Line-Ups

1.       Heats – Drivers will draw a pill at designated area for heat positions.  The top 2 finishers of each heat race will determine the dash competitors. (if allowed to run a dash per track)

2.       No more than 24 cars will run the “A” main event.  A “B” main will be run if there are 25 or more cars.  Top 16 cars from the heat races will automatically transfer to the “A” main and will draw a pill for starting positions in the order they finished in the heat race.  The balance will run the “B” main. Starting positions for the “B” main will be determined by pill draw.  The top finishers from the “B” will complete the 24 car field for the “A” main.  No dash will be run and the starting positions for the “A” main will be determined by a pill draw for the remaining positions behind the pre-qualified cars.

3.       A Dash will be run using the top two (2) finishers in each heat race.  The cars will line up with the first heat winner in pole position and the second heat winner in second position and so on to fill the field of the dash.

4.       D.N.F. - If you do not finish in the heat race, you shall start in the rear of the feature in front of the rookies.

5.       A driver who wins a BMSA sanctioned points race feature, will start in the rear of the field (in front of the rookies) at the next BMSA sanctioned points race the driver attends.

Disqualification and Suspensions

1.       The driver of an illegal car will lose all event points, purse, and available contingencies at the event, even if the driver was not aware that it was illegal.

2.       If the car driven by an event winner is found to be illegal, all following cars will move up one place in the event they finished, behind the event winner, and accrue points and purse according to their adjusted positions.

3.       The driver of an illegal car will lose all points accrued during the previous race events of that year provided that it can be determined that driver knew the car was illegal prior to entering competition.

4.       Any car/driver being disqualified must be told of the disqualification by an official immediately after the race in which he/she was disqualified.

5.       Any car/driver that has been disqualified must submit to an inspection and gain approval by the competition committee upon return to compete.

6.       Any driver that is disqualified for illegal components, forfeits voting rights at the next rules meeting.

7.       Any driver disqualified 3 times in one season will be suspended for the remainder of the season.

8.       If you hit a car with intent to harm you will lose points/purse and will be disqualified from that night’s event. You will also have to answer to the Board of Directors.

9.       All designated cars must report to the designated tech area IMMEDIATELY after the race (except feature winner receiving trophy, at which time they will also immediately report to tech area, after presentation is complete). Failure to do so will result in a disqualification for that night’s event, possibly losing points, purse and trophy for that night’s event. Tech area will be designated before the race begins by the highest ranking BOD official at that night’s event. (E.g. If you go to your pits before you report to tech you will be disqualified)   NO EXCEPTIONS.

Protest Procedures

1.       Motor Protest:  In the event of the protest of a car’s motor, which requires teardown (engine protest ($500.00) five hundred dollars) of the car will be taken to a neutral site (that night) for teardown the very next day with the car owners/driver, owners/driver mechanic, and at least two board members present. The purse will be held from the night before if in conflict with the out come of that night’s feature race pending tech. Results, in the case of a car found illegal, the money will be returned to the protester, and those found illegal will lose all money and points accumulated and will pay a penalty of $25.00.  No checks will be accepted.  Cash, cashier’s checks, and/or money orders only. If protested item is found to be legal, the $500 will be awarded to the owner of the protest.

A.                  The car owner or crew will be responsible for disassembling the protested car with Board members present. Refusal to do so will be considered the same as an illegal car.  Only the driver/owner from the protesting car will be allowed in the tech area at the time of inspection.

B.                  You must state exactly what you are protesting and that will be the only item you will see inspected. If some other items are found during this inspection of the tech. Official, disqualification will be assessed at that time and points and money going to said car will be forfeited.

2.       Brazos Mini Sprint Association Board of Directors reserves the right to refuse any claim and/or protest if it is felt the claim is under a retaliatory or malicious condition.

3.       If you have a dispute about your finishing position you must present it in an orderly fashion. We will not tolerate abusive language or actions. This could be grounds for suspension, loss of points and/or fined.