Rules for the 2008 Season are complete and posted below! 2008 BMSA RULES                                                                              FORWARD                                                                              The Board of directors is pleased to present this rulebook, in anticipation that it will allow all competitors and associates an equal opportunity to enjoy our sport of mini-sprint racing.                                                                                    The members of the Brazos Mini-Sprint racing Association are race cars utilizing motorcycle engines and drives components. Their specifications are restrictive in ability in order to emphasize driver ability rather than design or preparation of the car.                                                                                           The association is a non-profit, family oriented organization dedicated to the enjoyment of mini-sprint racing. The association’s formats provide a high level of camaraderie and opportunities for racers to share a wealth of knowledge and assistance.                                                                                          It has been proven that those who follow the rules and regulations have the most successful operations. Therefore, we urge everyone to do his or her part.                                                                              We realize that there are certain circumstances which make local track rules necessary, however, these rules should be held to a minimum and they should be printed and posted, in such a manner, that all competitors shall have full knowledge of them.  The association cannot assume responsibility for enforcement or interpretation of these rules.                                                                              All meetings of the board of directors are open to the general membership.   BMSA Articles of Agreement & Disclaimer BMSA By-Laws Restrictor Addendum BMSA Outlaw Rules These following rules are written in black and white.  There are no gray areas written in these rules.  If the rule does not say you can, then you cannot.    ATTENTION: IT WILL BE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH DRIVER TO INSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ALL BRAZOS MINI-SPRINT ASSOCIATION RULES, REGARDING ENGINES, CHASSIS, AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT ETC…                                                           SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS                                                                    1.    Nomex fire suits are mandatory, as well as, Nomex gloves, racing shoes, neck braces, and arm restraints. Arm restraints shall be adjusted to keep driver's hands below the top of the roll cage. All equipment MUST be worn whenever the car is on the track.                                                                              2.    All helmets must be S/A 2000 rated or newer. If the helmet does not have a Nomex lining then a Nomex sock must be worn. Helmets must be full face with an unbreakable shield. No class M series helmets allowed.                                                                              3.    Safety belts must be 5 point harness with metal latches only. Seat belts must be securely attached to the chassis, no more than 3 years old, and used at all times.                                                                                        4.    It is mandatory to install a cross brace behind the seat, at the shoulder height, to support the shoulder harness.                                                                              5.  All cars must have 2 fuel valves, a manual shut-off and a rollover valve.                    6.  Head rest or Head net is mandatory on the right side.                                                                    7.  Chain guards will be installed on all cars where chains are exposed to the driver and/or other participants. The chain guard, using a minimum of .090" aluminum material or equivalent, will run on top of the chain from the front of the drivers opening to extend at least to the rear of the drivers seat. The guard must be installed in such a manner that the driver cannot touch the chain and/or sprockets while sitting in the cockpit.                                                                              8.  Any car equipped with a shifting mechanism should have this device mounted in the driver's compartment unless shielded for driver protection. Shift levers may be mounted outside the driver's compartment on the opposite side of the car from the chain drive (unless the car has an inboard chain). All mechanically operated devices must be mounted below the driver's shoulders.                                                                              9.  All wet cell batteries mounted in the cockpit must be covered and vented outside the cockpit area.                                                                                                           10.  Any car may be disqualified for any infractions of safety regulations and specifications.                                                           CHASSIS AND MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS   1.    Stock means as the motor was received from the factory, in the motorcycle, and must be in production (not manufactured) for at least three (3) years.  An allowance will be made for proper installation in the car chassis.  (Exception R-1 in Restrictor Addendum).                                                                              2.    Any after-market air cleaner will be allowed because the factory air box will not fit in some chassis.                                                 3.    Any after-market exhaust will be allowed for the same reason, but it must be equipped with a muffler, and kept silent.                                                                              4.     All injected engines must run pump gas from a public gas station, with no additives allowed.  The use of alcohol on injected motors is prohibited. Injected motors must have stock throttle bodies and number of injectors.   5.     Fuel injected engines must remain injected and carbureted engines must remain        carbureted.  (Exception R-2 in Restrictor Addendum).       6.    Carburetors will be allowed to run max 108-octane fuel (racing fuel) or alcohol, with no additives. Carbs must be the same brand and type as original equipment, modified for alcohol use, no flat sides.                                                                              7.    Aftermarket ignition (CDI's) will not be allowed, even factory hot boxes, programmable ignition systems are not allowed. CDI's must be unaltered and be of original equipment for year, make, and model on engine being used. If numbers are wiped off the CDI it will be considered illegal. Aftermarket timing devices are illegal.                                                                              8.    The engine must have stock rods, pistons, crankshaft, clutch, and cams. No ported heads, lightened cranks, lightened pistons. No head milling allowed.                                                                              9.    All 600cc sport bike motors shall be manufactured by Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, or Suzuki.                                                                              10.  Engine displacement shall not exceed 600cc.   11. O.E.M. charging system must remain in the motor and be functional.                                                                              12.  All cars must be equipped with cockpit operated electrical starter and an on-board battery capable of starting a 600cc multi-cylinder engine. On and off switch must be on the dash, top of cowl, or on the steering wheel. Switch must be connected and functional.                                                                                                                     13.  Cars must have an operational manual lever clutch.                    14.  The car must remain chain driven off original counter shaft.                                       15.  Wheelbase is from the center front axle to the center of the rear axle. With a maximum of 70" and a minimum of 50"                                                 16.  The width is a maximum of 48" and a minimum of 32" from center of tires; 50" on 1/4 mile or larger tracks.                                                                              17.  Tires will be Hoosier or American Racer brand tires with a minimum durometer of 50 on the right rear. The right rear must have a compound no less than D35 for Hoosier and MD57 for American Racer. The left rear D20, both front tires must be at least a D15 for Hoosier and SD44 for American Racer.                                                                              18.  Wheels will not exceed 10" diameter or 12" in width. The only wheel allowed to be 12" is the right rear all other wheels must be 10" or less in width.  Wheels may be made of steel, carbon fiber, or aluminum.                                                                              19.  No cockpit adjustable devices for suspension, brake, or wings. Devices shall not be adjusted during a racing event.                                                                              20.  Minimum weight of car and driver will not be less than 750lbs.  Car weight will be determined, with driver, as the cars come off the track, the way they finished the race.                                                                               21.  Any material used for the purpose of adding to a car's total weight must be firmly attached as part of the car's structure. No liquid or lose ballast, i.e.:   water, fuel, oil, sand bags, rocks, and/or log chains etc., allowed. Any added weight shall be painted white.                                                                    22.  Cars must be equipped with a roll cage. The roll cage shall have gussets at the intersecting bars to the upright. Roll cage must be a minimum of 3" and a maximum of 6" above the driver’s helmet.                                                                              23.  Roll cages shall be at least;            A) 1 inch .095 wall thickness            B) 1 1/8 inch .065 wall thickness            C) 1 1/4 inch .065 wall thickness                                                                                       24.  Roll cages shall be made of chromoly steel or equivalent in strength with a 1/8" inspection hole drilled in it for the measurement of the material used. The front section of the cage must be no further back than the steering wheel. Roll cage must have sufficient fore and aft bracing. Bracing must have at least 3" radius. No square or pointed corners permitted.                                                                              25.  Fabrication of critical parts must be welded. Critical parts are identified as follows:            A) Frame B) Running gear attached brackets C) Cowl frames D) Back rest and fuel tank mount          E) Front axle F) Steering mechanism G) Engine and exhaust mounts                                                                              26.  Cars must have bumpers extending beyond the front and rear tires. Nothing may extend beyond a tangent line from the outside edge of the tires to the bumpers. Nothing may extend behind the outside edge of the tires or wheels, whichever is the widest point. No sharp corners or design so as to hook or damage.                                                                              27.  There will be no plastic mudguards, side panels, tops, or body encasements allowed.                                                                              28.  No rear view mirrors, nor any item positioned in such a way that it can be used as a rear viewing device.                                                                                29.  All cars must have complete bodies i.e.: hood, and tail pieces must be in place during competition.                                                                              30.  There must be a metal firewall between driver and engine compartment.  The minimum specifications are steel (24 gauge) or aluminum (.0624 thickness)                                                                              31.  All cars must have legible numbers in color contrasting to the background on both sides of the top wing, rear tail piece, and on the nose wing. Minimum height of the numbers on the nose is 8".  Minimum height on the tails and wings are 10". Car numbers are to be separated from advertising so that they will stand out and are readable.                                                                              32.  Top wing may be no more than 12’ square and a maximum of a 48" side panel.  No mechanical or electrical adjustment devices allowed from cockpit or during any event.  Top wings are mandatory to enter a night’s event, but may finish without one if no replacement is available.                                                                              33.  Nose wings are allowed and cannot exceed 18” x 24” and must carry car number as described above in #30.   34.  No radio communication is allowed in the car or on the driver. DRIVERS AND COMPETITION GUIDELINES                                                                              Every driver without exception shall be a paid in full member of Brazos Mini-Sprint Association in order to race at any association events.   All new drivers who have not raced with Brazos Mini-Sprint Association before will be considered rookies, regardless of prior racing experience, and start in the rear of all races for a period of five BMSA sanctioned events. All rookies must display a yellow flag on the race car for those events.  All rookie restrictions can be lengthened or shortened at the discretion of the Board of Directors.   1.  Minimum age for competition in BMSA will be no less than 14 years of age during that calendar year.  For anyone under the age of 14, they must first apply to BMSA, meet with the Board of Directors, and then after this process is complete, he/she must show the Board of Directors that they indeed can control and compete in a safe manner.  It takes a majority vote from the Board of Directors to allow an underage person membership and be allowed to compete.  Current BMSA registered drivers between the ages of 12 and 14 will be considered grandfathered and exempt from the age requirement.  (Exception R-3 in Restrictor Addendum)   2.  Car Numbers: All available numbers will be given out on a first come first serve basis after March first as long as the member has a race car.   3.  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.                                                                    4.  Injuries:    A.   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.   B.  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.   5.  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 use them.  Absolutely no one is to confront the flagman or any race official.   6.  Un-sportsmanlike conduct:  Drivers are responsible for their actions and for all of those associated with them. Any conduct that is deemed un-sportsmanlike can result in loss of points 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.                    7.  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 track officials/spotters.  BMSA officials have no responsibility for restart positions or on-track incidents.  The decisions of the 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, please be on time. All drivers that are not signed in before heat races begin shall be placed at the rear of their heats.   4.  All cars may be subjected to tech inspection.   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.  All race cars shall enter the track in single file formation and cross over to double file as soon as it can be done safely. 9.  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 and penalties shall result.  Racing starts when the green flag drops.   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 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 car involved in a caution and comes to a complete stop will be sent to the rear of the field for the restart.   15.  Any driver causing three 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.  Absolutely no work shall be done on any race car, on any track, at any time during a race, yellow flag, or red flag.   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 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.  To be eligible for points you must be a current paid member of BMSA in good standings.  You must take the green flag to start the race in the feature.   4.  Starting on March 1st, all heat winners will be awarded 5 points per win, 4 points for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th. All points’ races will end the last weekend in August.   5.  The lowest 2 finishes for the season including DNS’s will be dropped from the final point standings.                     2005 BMSA points system                                                           position    feature 1 100 2 96 3 93 4 90 5 88 6 86 7 84 8 82 9 80 10 79 11 78 12 77 13 76 14 75 15 74 16 73 17 72 18 71 19 70 20 69 21 68 22 67 23 66 24 65 25 64 Point system is based on the feature race and position in heat. To receive points you must start the feature race (take the green flag). Points will be kept by the secretary and posted on the websight as soon as possible. Any disputes on the points will be decided by the committee and will be final. Rookie of the year points will be posted separately. Again points are kept on the driver not the car. Points start on the 4th of March 2006                                                                              LINE-UPS                                                                              1.  Heats – Drivers will draw at designated area for heat positions.  The top 2 finishers of each heat race will determine the dash competitors. 2.  No more than 24 cars will run the 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.  The balance will run the “B” main.  The top 4 from the “B” will complete the 20 car field for the “A” main.  No dash will be run and the invert for the “A” main will be determined by a pill draw. 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.  The winner of each dash will receive $25.00 extra in their purse at the end of the night. 4.  No inverting of the feature.  The winner of the dash would start on the pole.  If there is no dash, then the 1st place winner of the first heat starts on the pole and so forth. 5.  The feature winner each week will start in the rear of that racers’ next feature start, in front of the rookies, and behind the remainder of the field.  Should a feature winner miss the next BMSA sanctioned event, they would start in the front of the feature winner of the previous race. 6.  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. 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 a point winner is found to be illegal, all following cars will move up one place in the event they finished behind the point 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.  Should any member of the competition committee be the subject of or have involvement in a disqualification or violation of the rules, he/she may remove themselves from the committee and be replaced by an alternate. 7.  Any driver that is disqualified for illegal components, forfeits voting rights at the next rules meeting. 8.  Any driver disqualified 3 times in one season will be suspended for the remainder of the season. 9.  If you hit a car with intent to harm you will lose points/purse and will be disqualified from that night’s event. You could also have to answer to the Board of Directors.   Protest and Claims 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 that night and will pay a penalty of $25.00.  No checks will be accepted.  Cash, cashier’s checks, and/or money orders accepted only.                                                                              A. The car owner or crew will be responsible for disassembling the protested car.  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.                                                                    4.  There will be a $1,000.00 “A” Main claim on the first three finishers by the 10th finisher forward.  If your motor is claimed, you will retain the complete exhaust system including the exhaust nuts, the carburetors and/or fuel injection (EFI and/or mechanical) and air cleaners, oil pan (if aftermarket), the coils and spark plug wires, the CDI (black box), the voltage regulator, and the wiring down to where it plugs into the motor or into the connectors coming from the motor, shift lever, the chain drive sprocket and bolt, plus all of the plates, bolts, etc. required to mount the motor.  The person claiming the motor gets the motor with all covers, pan (except it oil pan is aftermarket), starter, charging system, carburetor boot, water neck, head and valve cover intact.  (Exception – R-4 in Restrictor Addendum)             A. $150.00 claim on shock absorbers             B. $300.00 claim on CDI box             C. $600.00 claim on carburetors/complete throttle body assemblies-no air box   Claims procedures are as follows: