2008 General Rules

GENERAL RULES
1.You are required to maintain a sportsmanlike demeanor at all times at the track. Rude behavior, verbal abuse, excessive whining and/or the inability to control your temper will not be tolerated and will only serve to adversely affect whatever your cause is. When in doubt over any of the rules or procedures for Rattlesnake Speedway, refer to this rule before you do anything. Any item thrown (i.e. helmets, tools, and car parts) well be confiscated, signed by the offender and auctioned to the fans. The proceeds will go to LARA. This rule will be strictly enforced within the LARA’S limits to do so.
2.Two track officials shall have responsibility for rules and regulation enforcement at LARA weekly sanctioned events. At discretion of track official(s) in charge, any competitor may be disqualified for rule violations, hazardous equipment or hazardous actions. All disputes developing as a result of track rules must be settled at the track.
3. No driver or crew member may enter the racing area until he/she has completed all releases, registrations and/or entry forms. No person will be allowed to sign release and waiver sheets for anyone other than themselves.
4. Consumption of alcoholic beverage by a driver or his/her crew in advance of, or while competing in any LARA sanctioned program is strictly forbidden. Any driver showing evidence of alcohol consumption will be required to leave the premises immediately and may be subject to a fine of no less than $250. Use of illegal drugs at any time shall be cause for immediate, indefinite suspension and/or fine of no less than $250.
5. No driver changes will be made at any time without previous notification of officials. All changes must be made in the pits only, at discretion of officials.
6. The driver is qualified and receives points, not the race car. Any driver wishing to change cars must be qualified to compete in the race for which he/she is changing cars, and must start at the rear of that race. Once a driver has changed race cars, he/she must finish the program in that race car. Drivers changing race cars are not eligible for provisional position. Once race cars are staged, no driver changes allowed. Any driver allowing another driver to use his/her race car forfeits any points earned in that event. 7.A driver must petition the board for a driver change, prior to the start of the races (1 time per season). Under certain circumstances however, a driver may substitute for another driver. The substitute driver must complete with the petitioning driver's ORIGINAL car. Driver substitutions must be approved by the board.

8. No driver, pitman, or spectator shall participate in any fight on the premises, or take part or participate in any action or activity considered detrimental to LARA racing.
9. No driver, pitman or spectator shall subject officials to abuse or improper language.
10. Driver is sole spokesman for car owner and pit crew in any and all matters pertaining to the race and the driver only shall take part in any arbitration with the officials.
11. Driver is responsible for the conduct and actions of their crew members. Unsportsmanlike conduct by drivers, owners and/or pit crews shall be grounds for disqualification and/or punitive action by LARA
12. LARA reserves the right to inspect race car at any time. They further reserve the right to disqualify any driver and race car from competition. It is the responsibility of the driver and crew to disassemble race car for inspection when requested to do so. Refusal to comply will result in disqualification and forfeiture of prize money and points.
13. Approval of a race car by inspector shall mean only that it is approved for participation in a competitive event and shall not be construed in any way to mean that it is guaranteed mechanically sound, safe, or completely legal. LARA and/or the inspector shall not be liable for any mechanical failure nor for any losses, injuries or death resulting from same.
14. Any car, under protest taken from premises without first clearing with official in charge will subject car and driver to disqualification and forfeiture of prize money and points.
15. Any driver or race car under suspension may not participate in any LARA, Reno-Fernley Raceway or Lovelock Speedway event, until further written notice is given.
16. No driver, car owner, or mechanic shall have claim for damages, expenses or otherwise against LARA, promoter, or any officials, by reason of disqualification, or damage to, either race car or driver or both; and car owner, driver and mechanics agree the track is in safe condition if they take part in racing activities.
17. All drivers, car owners and mechanics assume full responsibility for any and all injuries sustained including death and property damage, at any time they are on the premises, en route thereto or there from.

Paint and Numbers:

(A) All cars must be neatly painted.

(B) Cars must be washed prior to race day.

(C) Car numbers must be on both doors and roof, at least, 24" in height and of a contrasting color to the color of the car no more than two numbers and one letter.

(D) Vehicles running a letter with a number, the letter must be at least half the size of the number and must follow the number.

(E) Symbols will not be recognized as part of a car number.

(F) No gold, silver or reflective numbers.

(G) If the number cannot be instantly recognized, the car may not be allowed to compete.

(H) If numbers and/or letters cannot be easily read by the scorekeepers, the car may not be scored.

(I) All numbers and letters on cars must be neat.

(J) No spray can numbers or letters will be allowed unless stenciled.

(K) Driver’s name recommended to be on roof above driver’s door.

(L)Take pride in the appearance of your car.

PROTESTS
1. Protest must be in writing and filed with promoter within a reasonable time, at discretion of officials, after feature race is completed, and must be specific in alleged violation to determine whether protest is allowed or rejected. No protest of any type will be allowed after prize money has been paid. One item per protest per event only. Drivers may not protest more than one car per event, another driver finishing in a position behind them, and may not protest same driver more than once per calendar year.
2. All protests will be handled by the board and must be accompanied with a $30 cash deposit. $10 of the deposit goes to the track and will not be refunded, regardless of the outcome of the protest. If item being protested is found legal, entire deposit will be forfeited. If found illegal, $20 deposit will be refunded to protester.
4. The party against whom a protest is made has a right to know the charge and have a written copy thereof so that they may adequately defend themselves against any action. No person will be placed under permanent suspension without review by LARA.

AUTOMATIC PENALTIES
1. Fighting and/or physical assault: First violation, minimum $250 fine and/or suspension. Second violation - minimum $500 fine and minimum two-week suspension. Third violation - minimum one-year suspension.
2. Unsportsmanlike conduct and/or verbal assault: First violation, minimum $100 fine and/or suspension. Second violation - minimum $250 fine and minimum two-week suspension. Third violation - minimum one-year suspension.
3. Rough driving - Penalties including fines, suspensions and points to be at discretion of track officials, and LARA may impose penalties based on severity of incident.
4. Any driver intentionally using his/her vehicle in a malicious manner: minimum $250 fine and/or suspension at discretion of officials and LARA.
5. Physical assault of an LARA or track official, or promoter. First violation - fine of no less than $1,000 and/or suspension of driver of no less than 21 days.
6. Fuel sample may be taken from any car at any time. Penalty for illegal fuel is disqualification from event and $250 fine - first offense.
7. Repeated violations of LARA rules may result in permanent suspension. All penalties imposed by LARA are cumulative, not on a per-year basis.

Safety: All cars are subject to inspection at any time. It is the responsibility of the driver, car owner and mechanic to have their car in a safe racing condition. All safety equipment must be in car at time of inspection.

(2) Roll Cages/Body:

(A) Cars must be completely stripped. No factory interior, no chrome, absolutely no glass anywhere, no plastic, no lights, etc. Indicator lights O.K.

(B) All roll cages must be made of 1.5" or larger .095" wall mild steel tubing minimum. 1.75" or larger and .095" wall is Mandatory for hobby stocks and Pro stocks. Cars in competition in the 2006 race season will be grand fathered in but if deemed unsafe by the tech inspector will not be allowed to race.

(D) Hoops must be continuous.

(E) Cage must be mounted at no less than 6 points on at least 6X6 plates or sub-frame of vehicle. Foot protection is highly recommended inclusive in roll cage.

(F) Every cage must have at least one halo bar.

(G) Main cage must include gussets, 1 gusset per perpendicular joint.

(H) All welds must be stick, mig or tig, no soldering or brazing allowed.

(I) No offset cages. Offset halo O.K.

(J) Driver door bars must be in a minimum of 3 horizontal and 2 vertical bars. Passenger door bars must be a minimum of 2 horizontal and 1 vertical bar. Top door bars must be within 8" of original window height.

(K) Minimum 18-guage plate must be securely attached and cover the exterior of door bars on driver’s door. If you have a two seater, must be on both sides.

(L) Roll Bar padding is mandatory where driver can come in contact with the cage. All roll bar padding in driver’s compartment must be fire retardant.

(M) Transmission blankets or scatter shields are MANDATORY. Homemade scatter shields are subject to tech approval.

(N) All transmissions must have a 1" inspection hole in bell housing so that the tech inspector can see clutch, flywheel and torque converters. If they cannot be seen, car may not be allowed to compete.

(O) Nerf bar may extend up to 2" beyond factory body and must terminate inward and contain no sharp edges.

(P) Additional bracing outside frame rails for bumpers are not allowed in any class.

(Q) Radiator may have one continuous roll bar hoop for support no larger than roll bar material.

(R) Radiator must be mounted in front of engine.

(S) Vehicle must not leak any fluids. Catch cans and reservoirs are highly recommended.

(T) All doors are to be fully attached to vehicle.

(U) All hoods and deck lids are to be securely fastened (i.e).

(V) Firewalls & floor pans can be removed in the Pro Stock division only and must be replaced with a minimum of 18-gauge steel plate completely sealing off driver from engine and trunk area.

.(W) Bumpers must terminate smoothly into body at ends or have smooth heavy gauge metal straps secured from bumper ends to the bodywork. No sharp edges may exist anywhere on the external bodywork.

(3) Driver’s Compartment:

(A) Driver’s compartment must be sealed from engine and fuel cell by at least 18-gauged steel sheet. Driver must do everything possible to keep the driver’s compartment completely sealed off from engine and trunk area.

(B) All batteries must be mounted with 2" X 1/4" steel strap.

(C) One automotive battery only. If mounted in the driver’s compartment, batteries must be mounted in a container as to provide protection from battery acid spill in case of rollover. Subject to tech approval.

(D) Any fluid transfer through cab must be double walled steel and securely fastened and to be shielded from the driver. Subject to tech approval.

(E) No loose objects in the cab.

(F) A battery kill switch is mandatory and switch must be painted red or yellow.

(G) Battery kill switch must be labeled and within drivers reach.

(H) The battery kill switch must also be accessible to track officials.

(I) Battery kill switch must be clearly marked, in contrasting color, and must be operable.

(J) Vehicles running electric fuel pumps must have a functioning inertia switch.

(K) No mirrors allowed in any class.

(L) At least one steel vertical support and steel mesh strong enough to support 150 lbs is strongly recommended to replace windshields and go from pillar to pillar.

(M) All exhaust systems must exit outside or beyond body.

(4) Helmets:

(A) **Drivers must have SNELL 95 or better helmet.

(B) The strap and clasp must be in good functional condition.

(D) Helmet must be worn at all times the vehicle is on the track and must accompany vehicle at time of inspection.

(5) Driving Gear:

(A) Driving suit, gloves, shoes or leather boots and neck braces are mandatory and must be sfi-approved fire retardant. Sfi approved socks and Hans or Hutchins devices are highly recommended. Drivers using a Hans or Hutchins Device are exempt from using neck braces. No driver will be allowed to race with street shoes.

(6) Belts:

(A) Seat belts must be five-point and three (3) inch minimum.

(B) All belts must be roll bar type or secured with OEM hardware and attached with grade 8 bolts having either, self-locking nuts or nuts with lock washers.

(D) No worn or sun rotted belts. Tattered fibers, nonfunctional clasps and insufficient mounting points will be cause for vehicle to fail tech.

(7) Window Nets:

(A) Window net will be mounted so latch is at top left corner as seen from outside of vehicle facing window.

(B) Webbed nets only, minimum size of 16"x20".

(8) Seats:

(A) All vehicles must have aluminum racing seat fastened to roll cage.

Side bolsters and side impact head supports recommended.

(B)Seat must be attached to roll cage at shoulder height. Subject to tech inspection.

(D) Seats must be mounted with at least 4 - 3/8" bolts at least 3 points.

(E) Must have head support. Head bolsters recommended.

(9) Fire Extinguishers:

(A) Each race team must have a fire extinguisher on trailer or rear of tow vehicle.

(B) Fire extinguishers must be visible and accessible.

(C) In-car fire extinguishers must be securely mounted. If not secure, it will need to be remounted or removed. No zip-tied extinguishers.

(10) Drive Shaft:

(A) Drive shaft loop must be a full 360 type and to be mounted 6" from the front U joint.

(B) Drive shaft loop must be at least ¼ wall x 2" strap and be mounted to cage.

(D) All cars running Methanol must run the letter A or Ribbon tec’s choice

(11) Fuel Cell:

(A) Racing fuel cell is required.

(B) Fuel cell must be mounted by at least 2-2x1/4" steel straps completely surrounding cell.

(D) Each fuel cell must be fuel tight and have a functional rollover valve.

(E) Fuel system must not contain over 3 feet of rubber hose.

(F) Only steel fuel filters are to be used. No plastic or glass fuel filters allowed.

(G) Fuel transfer must not be the lowest point of vehicle. No bottom pick-ups, fuel line must not touch the ground at any time. Fuel cells must have a ground clearance of at least 10".

(H) Unless otherwise stated, only pump gas is allowed. Absolutely no additives or nitrous. No methanol allowed in any class. No forced induction.

(I)Must have Ground strap on fuel cell.

(12) Ballast:

(A) Any ballast used, if allowed in your class, must be painted white and have the vehicle number painted on it.

(B) Ballast must be secured by two half-inch bolts or equivalent structural engineering. Subject to tech inspection.

(17) Suspension

(A) Wheel stud threads must protrude from lug nuts. MUST have ALL lug nuts.

(B) 1" diameter lug nuts are mandatory in Hobby Stocks,Pro Stocks and are recommened in the 318 modifieds.

(18) Non-Safety Issues:

(A) All vehicles must possess the ability to start and move forward and backward without assistance at time of pre-tech.

(B) In no class shall electronic traction control devices be used.

(D) All fastening points for suspensions, drive train and body must appear functional

(E) Speed limit in pits is 5 mph for all vehicles, racecars, ATV’s, bikes etc.! Excessive speed through the pits, for any reason, could be grounds for disqualification. No questions asked!

(F) All classes must tech off trailers and driver must accompany vehicle at time of tech inspection.

(G) A tech inspector has the right to change classification of any vehicle after tech inspection.

(H) Two (2) pit stewards and race director have the right to change classification of any vehicle after heat race.

(I) If not passing tech due to a safety issue, there will be no grace race.

(J) Each vehicle will be entitled one (1) grace race. Grace race is last place money and points.

(K) Absolutely no chemical softening of tires allowed in any class

(L) No titanium parts are to be used in any vehicle

(M) No carbon fiber parts to be used in any vehicle.

(N) Aluminum Radiators are allowed in all classes

(O) All cars at all times will meet a 95 DB at 100 ft

.THESE SAFETY RULES ARE FOR YOUR PROTECTION!

Flags

(A) GREEN: Start of race.

(B) YELLOW: Caution!!! All cars racing to the yellow be cautious! Any driver causing two (2) yellow flags, in one race, may be subject to a black flag.

(C) RED: Stop at once!!! Danger!!! This lap will not be scored. Do not get out of your car unless it is on fire. No working on your car or receiving of assistance form pit personnel off the track.

(D) WHITE: One lap before checkered.

(E) CHECKERED: Race is completed.

(F) RED and YELLOW: Complete restart. Go back to original starting position.

(G) ROLLED UP BLACK FLAG: Warning for rough driving, intentional or unintentional, lack of control of vehicle. Next incident may result in full black flag.

(H) BLACK: Rough driving, intentional or unintentional, excessive causing of yellow flags. Driver must leave track immediately and may be disqualified with loss of points and money for the night.

(I) BLACK WITH ORANGE DOT: Mechanical problem with car. Excessive smoke, flat tire or loose body parts, etc. Driver must leave track immediately. After problem is fixed, driver may return to track. This flag will only be given twice to any one car during any one race. If this flag is not adhered to, the driver will be given the black flag and may not finish that race.

(J) BLUE WITH YELLOW STRIPE: Move over to the outside of the track at a safe time as soon as possible. If a driver does not heed this flag, the driver may be black flagged and removed from the track.

If a driver should abuse or continuously disrespect these flags when given he/she may be suspended for the balance of the season.

Racing Procedures

1. All classes are required to pass their cars through safety and tech for each event prior to driving on the racetrack. The safety and tech pads are located in the center of the pits adjacent to the white steel building. Safety and tech officials will normally begin their procedures two hours prior to race time. Please be considerate in that tech officials are normally racers as well and your being late interrupts their race preparation time.

2. After completing safety and tech, all cars and drivers are required to wheel pack the track surface. This normally begins approximately one-and-a half hours prior to race time. If you fail to wheel pack, you do not get to draw a random number for heat race start and will be placed in the back of the field. The prcedure for wheel packing will be single file, no spinning tires and top to bottom formation.

3. Hot lapping occurs after wheel packing and is optional. Keep in mind that hitting other cars while hot lapping is considered a sign of poor driving skills and is held in extremely bad taste (it can also result in a black flag).

4. All drivers must attend the driver's meeting, which is held immediately prior to racing. Pit crews are also encouraged to attend. Roll calls may be done randomly through the season. If you are not present you will be placed in back of field for all heats, trophy dashes, and main events for the night.

5. Drivers should be aware of what events they are racing in and must line up promptly! In particular, drivers should check to ensure if they qualified for the trophy dash and watch for the call to line up for that event. Quite frequently a lead driver will bow out of the dash making a third or fourth place heat race finisher eligible to run the race. All drivers will be treated equally regardless of their class of racing.

6. While most events consist of heat races, trophy dashes, and feature events, management reserves the right to remove trophy dashes from the program as required to keep race program length acceptable.

7. Upon entering the racing surface you will be lined up in the order of the start of the race.

8. If you are late to the line-ups or cannot start your car under its own power, that car must start at the rear of the field.

9. Pit crews are not allowed on the on ramp.

10. When cars are entering the track surface the lead cars are to maintain a nice even speed not fast but not slow.

11. If the track has been just watered then the flagger will motion the drivers to speed up and work it in. Do not do so until motioned to.

12. The flagger will then give the signal to line back up in you’re original positions and will most times but not always give the one to go.

13. Pay attention to the lights in turns 2 & 3 and the flag stand.

14. If a driver jumps a start that driver will be sent to the back at the next yellow flag.

15. A race will only receive one complete restart. All drivers starting a race have to complete the first lap for a race not to be restarted.

16. After a race has used its restart the next start will be the outlaw restart.

17. This track races to the Yellow flag. When the yellow flag comes out race safely to the yellow flag.

18. After racing to the yellow flag get in a single file line until the flagger signals you to cross up and get into the "OUTLAW" re-start position.

19. "OUTLAW" re-start is when the first position goes out by itself, second position will go to the inside behind the leader and third position will move to the outside behind the leader and so forth all the way back through the field. After this is done the flagger will turn off the yellow light meaning that the next time by will be a green flag start.

20. If caught in a wreck on the track please stay in your car unless it is on fire. If you are o.k. please lower your window net to show that you are o.k.

21. If a red flag is displayed then come to a stop as soon as safely possible and shut down your car and do not move until the yellow flag is displayed. Do not leave the track under a red flag. If you do you will be black flagged and cannot return to the track. Stay in your car with all of your safety gear on.

22. Do not leave the track without your car unless you are instructed to go with the safety crew. If you leave your car on the track it will be towed to the infield and will stay there until the end of the last race. Then it can be retrieved.

23. If you are given the move over flag move to the outside as soon as you can. Do not race the leaders. If you receive this flag twice and do not heed it you will be black flagged.

24. The mechanical black flag means you have a mechanical problem with car. Excessive smoke, flat tire or loose body parts, etc. Driver must leave track immediately. After problem is fixed, driver may return to track. This flag will only be given twice to any one car during any one race. If this flag is not adhered to, the driver will be given the black flag and may not finish that race.

25. If you receive the Black flag you are to leave the track right away and are not able to return for that race. If you are given this twice and do not leave a yellow flag will be thrown if you still do not leave a red flag will be thrown and you may be towed off the track. If this happens you may be suspended.

26. If you spin twice unassisted, the second time a driver spins, that driver could be black flagged and/or disqualified for that race. A self-invoked spinout to avoid an accident is not considered a spinout under this rule. However, you still must go to the back of the line up for the restart of the race. Any car leaving the track for any reason has to start at the back of the line up.

27. A driver leaving the track under a yellow flag will be given two courtesy laps to get back out. The race will restart after two laps.

28. At the end of your race take one cool down lap and then leave the track so that the next race can start.

29. The track needs to be watered from time to time. Do not talk to the officials about the watering. Be sure to work in the track totally. The better you work it the better it will be.