2007
Rule Book

Washington
 Midget Racing
 Association

 

 

WASHINGTON MIDGET RACING ASSOCIATION 2005 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President:   Kenny Ferris 253 964-2828 racerken@aol.com
Vice President:   Glen Seidelman   253 535-5849 glenrace@hotmail.com
Secretary:   Chris Melby 425 432-1052 mrp1700@comcast.net
Treasurer:   Randy Manners   253 841-3586 manners5@earthlink.net
Business Manager:   Rob Lindsey   425 308-1162 rlindsey@pga.com
Board Member:   Steve Gatrell  503 761-1271 profabracecars@comcast.net
Board Member: Dick Voss 253 833-9645 vossracer45@msn.com
Board Member: Kenny Wood 425 232-9401  

New rules for 2007 are in bold and underlined.
 
The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events. These rules shall govern the conduct of all events, and, by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATIONS OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS.  They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participant, spectator, or official.

The race director shall be empowered to permit minor deviations from any of the specifications herein or impose any further restrictions that in his opinion do not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM SUCH ALTERATION OF SPECIFICATIONS.  Any interpretations or deviations of these rules are left to the discretion of the officials. Their decision is final.

The Washington Midget Racing Association Board of Directors

 

GENERAL RULES

1. MEMBERSHIP PARTICIPATION

  1. All owners and drivers must sign a WMRA release and pay dues before participating in any WMRA race events.
  2. Visiting owners and drivers from other midget associations will be allowed to participate in two sanctioned events before being required to join the WMRA. There will be no points earned without being a member of the WMRA.
  3. Minimum driver age will be 16 years. Junior mechanics will be permitted at age 14 unless local track rules override this rule.
  4. Payoff checks for car owners and drivers are subject to deduction of fines or other sums due to the WMRA.

2. DUES

  1. $50 per year for junior mechanics and associate members
  2. $75 per year for owners and drivers
  3. $50 per year for mechanics

3. ELIGIBLE VOTERS

  1. Eligible voters for all rule changes and elections shall consist of all owners of WMRA registered cars or drivers who are WMRA members and who have competed in at least 3 WMRA sanctioned races in the recently completed racing season or in the current racing season.
  2. There will be only one vote per eligible car. If no eligible voter is available to vote, another WMRA member may vote for them if the member submits to the board a written proxy signed by the eligible voter, at the time of the election.
  3. All motions for rule changes must include the motioning member’s name.
  4. Eligible voters for the Dave Smelser Sportsman Award and Best Appearing Car and Crew shall consist of the general membership.
  5. Eligible voters for the Most Improved Driver Award shall consist of all drivers who have competed in at least three WMRA races during the season.

4. ADMISSION TO PIT AREAS

  1. Pit passes are required for admittance to the pit area and must be presented upon request. Pit personnel determined to be with the WMRA entering a WMRA event must sign in on a WMRA car number.
  2. Pit passes are not transferable.
  3. Cars and crews whose appearance detracts from the character of the program shall be excluded from the program. A minimum fine of $25 will be assessed for each infraction.
  4. The driver will be responsible for all pit persons. Anyone not signed in with a car shall pay immediately or be ejected.
  5. Individuals admitted to the pit area must comply with WMRA rules. Penalty for the second offense during the same program will be exclusion from pit area for the remainder of the day's events.

5. CANCELLATION OF PROGRAM

  1. When a program is stopped on account of weather or other conditions over which the promoter has no control, the program will be considered complete if over 50% of the A-Main competitive laps have been run. This is for points only.

6. CAR NUMBERS

  1. The car numbers for WMRA members are limited to the whole numbers between 1 and 99 and number 00, with no letters or duplications permitted. Cars not adhering to this rule will not receive any WMRA season points.
  2. The first 10 cars may use their earned numbers and retain their previous number for a period of one year. Other participants wanting to use a number between 1 and 10 must obtain permission of the owner earning that number the prior year.
  3. The numbers 11 through 99 and number 00 are issued on a “first come, first served” basis, except that to maintain a number used the previous year, dues must be paid by the first meeting in March, or in absence of a March meeting, the next WMRA meeting.
  4. If a car is sold, the number resides with the previous owner.
  5. Any car without a number will not receive points or money for the program.
  6. All cars must be numbered on both sides of the tail tank and nose in contrasting colors (i.e. light color on dark background).  Numbers must be block type numbers (no scroll or script) and must be at least ten inches tall by 14 inches wide.  Double digit numbers must have a space between them.  No foil numbers allowed.
  7. Changing numbers to other than the assigned registered number will not be allowed.
  8. Visiting cars with conflicting numbers will be required to change their numbers for the event.

7.  INJURIES

  1. Any driver deemed unfit to race due to the injury will be restricted from competition events by a WMRA official upon advice of attending medical personnel or until a doctor's release is presented.

8. PARTICIPATION OF OFFICIALS

  1. No track official shall be connected with any car in active competition except with the approval of the Board of Directors.

9. ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

  1. A driver is eligible to be considered for the Rookie of the Year award if the driver is a WMRA member and has competed in four or less full midget races previous to the current year.
     

 

RULES OF CONDUCT

1. COOPERATION WITH OFFICIALS

  1. All pit crews, drivers, and owners must cooperate with officials at all times to help put on a good show.

2. RESPONSIBILITY

  1. The car owner and/or driver will be responsible for the conduct of all persons associated with that car.
  2. Any person, with the exception of WMRA officials, who goes to the tower or flag stand will be assessed a fine of $25 to be charged against the car owner or the car that person is associated with.

3. UNBECOMING CONDUCT

  1. Any driver, car owner or crew member who at any time uses improper language towards anyone may be immediately reprimanded, expelled from the track and/or be subjected to a fine. Unbecoming conduct in front of the fans will be cause for suspension and/or a minimum of $50 fine (to be paid in cash).
  2. Any driver, car owner, or pitman, who at any time shoves, jostles, strikes, or attempts to strike an official will be fined $100 and suspended up to one year, dependent upon the decision of the Board of Directors.
  3. Any member found fighting in the pits or infield will be fined a minimum of $100 and/or suspended dependent upon the decision of the Board.
  4. Any car or crew detracting from the appearance of the show, or anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs, shall not be allowed to compete in the races be in or about the pit area. Drinking or drugs will not be tolerated in any manner and carries a $50 fine and/or 30 day suspension dependent upon the decision of the Board.
  5. If, in the opinion of an official, a car stops on the track unnecessarily, the car shall be disqualified from the remainder of the event.
  6. Any driver getting out of his/her car during an event without an official's permission or because of an emergency situation will be subject to a $100 fine, loss of points, and black flagged for the rest of the night.

4. PIT MEETING

  1. All owners drivers and pit crew members are strongly encouraged to attend the pit meetings.
  2. A pit meeting will be held before the first competitive event. All drivers must attend the drivers meeting immediately after warm-ups or be fined. The meeting will also include discussion on:
    1. The designated restart area
    2. Any changes in the standard program
    3. Any precautionary, safety, etc., items the race officials may want to expound on
    4. Passing flag rule
  3.  
  4.  

5. STANDARD PROGRAM

  1. When a shortage of cars occurs, or unfavorable track conditions prevail, the Referee and Pit Boss will have the authority to change the program to suit the occasion.
  2. In all main events, regardless of number of laps, the last three laps must be completed under the green flag unless circumstances such as track curfews or driver safety are in question. Driver safety shall be in the judgment of the Flagperson or a WMRA official.
  3. All dashes and heats will be totally inverted by qualification. B Mains will run straight up by qualification. The A Main invert pill will be pulled by fast qualifier.  The pills will consist of the following numbers: (1) #2, (1) #4, (2) #6, (3) #8, (2) #10, and (1) #12
  4. Passing points will be awarded as follows: 2 points will be awarded for each car passed in the main event only.

6. WARM-UP LAPS

  1. No car can be fired until the driver is attired as specified in the Safety Rules Section #1, and the track officially opened. Firing engines without push starting is permitted within the track noise curfew window. Anyone failing to comply will be fined $25 for the first offense (second offense of the day, suspended for the day).
  2. Warm-up laps will be started approximately two hours before the start of the racing program or one hour before qualifying. There will be no hot lapping during the warm-up period.
  3. Hot laps will be permitted after warm-ups, usually in two separate groups after getting the green flag.
  4. After the start of the first event, all cars access the track for other than starting a given event must have permission of the Pit Boss.

7. QUALIFYING

  1. There will be two qualifying laps per car. A spin on any of the two qualifying laps will mean loss of that lap. If a car does not qualify, it will start at the back of the slow heat and the back of the slow main event. In the event that there are rookies in the field, the non-qualifying car will start in front of the rookie drivers.
  2. If there are two drivers for one car, one lap will be given per driver and only two laps per car.
  3. Numbers shall be drawn to determine qualifying positions at least one half hour prior to qualifications. Qualifying will usually be two laps in a row. Any car not able to qualify according to the qualifications draw will go to the rear of the lineup and lose one lap. After a car is presented for qualifications and is not started within two minutes, it must go to the rear of the lineup.
  4. If it is not possible to run qualifications, the starting lineups for the heats will be determined by totaling the combined season points of the driver and car. The heat races will be run progressive with your finishing position in the heats determining your feature starting position. Should a driver without points finish high enough in the heat race, he will not start on the pole but at the end of the invert.

8. SPEEDING IN THE PITS

  1. A $25 minimum fine will be levied for excessive speed in the pits. A $100 fine will be levied for the second infraction during the same season.

9. INEXPERIENCED DRIVERS

  1. All inexperienced drivers must start in the rear of all events for a minimum of three complete main events or 100 main event laps, whichever comes first.  At this point the officials have the option of pulling the rookie flag.
  2. Inexperienced drivers shall have orange flagging on the back of the roll cage.

10. SUBSTITUTE DRIVERS

  1. In case of one car with two or more drivers, each driver must qualify to earn points. The fastest qualifier will drive in the A-Main in his own earned positions; or, the substitute driver must start in the rear of the field.
  2. If other than fastest qualifier wishes to run the heat he qualified for, driver and car points to fastest earned heat only.
  3. A competitive event is an event other than qualifying.
  4. Sub-drivers must notify the Pit Boss before event or points will not be awarded for that event.
  5. In any given event, if there is more than one driver in any car, no driver or car points will be awarded.
  6. If for any reason, a driver change is made in any event, that car must start at the rear of the field.
  7. In the event a driver attempts to qualify two or more cars, only the time of the last car he drives will be used. The previously qualified car will be recorded as a non-qualifier.

11. VACANCY IN THE LINE UP

  1. In the event of a vacancy in the field, all cars will move up one position in the row the vacancy occurs.
  2. In the Trophy Dash, substitute starts on pole.

12. THE START

  1. The pole car sets a consistent pace for starts in all racing events. Both front row cars must be side by side as they reach the designated starting point. Should either front row starter jump the start, both will be moved back a row for the restart.
  2. Only the first car stopping for repairs after being pushed off to start a race of ten laps or more will be given two minutes to get back into position. If, after the two minute period, the car gets started and the other cars have been repositioned, it must drop in at the rear of the line-up. WORK WILL BE DONE ONLY IN THE RESTART AREA OR THE CAR WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. NO WORK IS TO BE DONE ON THE CAR WHILE ON RACE COURSE.
  3. The restart area for the track in use will be designated by the Pit Boss in the pit meeting prior to the race.
  4. Anyone pulling out of line or jumping the flag before the green flag is dropped will be sent to the rear of the field or set back at the end of the event at the starter's discretion. One warning per race will be allowed.
  5. Any cars passing the front row cars during warm-up laps will start at the rear of the field.
  6. Any car weaving after given the one-lap-to-go-sign will be sent to the rear.

13. RESTARTS AND SPINOUTS

  1. If the yellow flag is displayed before the field completes the first lap, a complete restart shall be made with the exception that any cars not completing the first lap, or stopping, shall be placed at the rear of the field. The other cars will move forward in the lines, with no crisscrossing.
  2. If three or more cars are involved in an incident in turns 1 or 2 of the first lap, the race will be a complete restart, with all cars retaining their original starting positions.
  3. If a second restart is required, the cars will restart in single file.
  4. If the field completes the first lap under the green, the first lap shall be scored and any subsequent yellow flags shall result in the cars lining single file and the restart lineup determined by the last completed lap scored under the green.
  5. Any cars not completing the lap in which the yellow was displayed shall be placed at the rear of the lineup.
  6. With the exception of the red flag, one restart will be allowed per car per race.  In the event of a red flag, all cars will be restarted except those who were involved in the red flag incident and who have already had one restart.  Two restarts may be allowed at the discretion of the officials.
  7. Any car weaving after given the one-lap-to-go-sign will be sent to the rear.
  8. Any car that stops during a yellow flag except when instructed by an official or to avoid hitting a worker or track vehicle will be placed at the rear of the field (official's discretion).
  9. With five or less laps remaining in the main event, all lapped cars will line up behind the cars on the lead lap.
  10. All restarts will be single file starts.  All cars must stay single file (nose to tail) until they have reached the designated starting cone or line (usually positioned in turn four).  Anyone passing or getting out of line before this point will be sent back two (2) positions for every position gained.  This may be done at the next yellow flag or at the conclusion of the race.

14. FLAGS

  1. GREEN - Start of event. Any car taking the first green will be considered officially started and will be scored accordingly.
  2. YELLOW & RED (RESTART) - No start, line up again.
  3. YELLOW - Yellow flag means caution - maintain position, do not pass car in front of you. The driver of the lead car will hold the pace the Starter wants and the rest of the field will form a single line behind the lead car. The driver of any car that does not comply with the Starter's command while running under the yellow flag will be fined $5 per lap. In all races the standings are the same as at the last completed green flag lap. In all races of 49 laps or less, yellow flag laps do not count.  If a race is called after a yellow flag, the finishing order will be the same as if the race were restarted.
  4. RED - STOP IMMEDIATELY, WITH DUE CAUTION, OR BE SENT TO THE REAR. No work may be done on the car while on the race course during red flag.  No refueling, no tools, or air gauges are allowed.  One person per car is allowed to check on the driver.  If a car goes to the pits to be worked on it will restart at the rear of the field.  If a race is stopped by the use of a red flag and is ruled complete, the finishing order will be the same as the line-up if the race had been restarted.
  5. WHITE - Start of last lap.
  6. BLACK - Pull off the race course with due caution IMMEDIATELY. Any car not maintaining a competitive speed or driving irregularly may be black flagged from the track. Car will not be scored if it does not stop after second lap. Any car liberating an excessive amount of oil or smoke will be subject to immediate removal from the track.
  7. CHECKERED - End of event. Car must finish under its own power.
  8. BLUE/YELLOW - Passing flag for cars to be lapped. Cars being passed should hold line.
  9. ANYONE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH ANY FLAG WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY POINTS OR MONEY FOR THE EVENT.

15. FOUL DRIVING

  1. Deliberate spinning, hitting, excessively bumping another car is strictly forbidden and carries a black flag, a $25 minimum fine, the loss of one lap and/or the loss of points for the event. This decision is rendered by the Referee. Any driver who intentionally cuts the pole will be penalized by the Referee whose decision will be final.
  2. Any driver or car owner competing in the program may protest any finishing positions, as determined by the lap scorers, by making a protest in writing and depositing $25 with the Referee. If the protest is upheld, said deposit shall be refunded to the protester. In the case of a protest, the position involved will not be paid until the protest has been settled. Protests must be made within one half hour after the finishing positions are posted.
  3. Any car owner or driver competing in the program may protest a contestant's car by depositing $250 and a signed request within one hour after the completion of the racing program. The engine will be sealed or painted and taken to a clean, adequate area for tear down. The area will be at the discretion of the Board. If the car is illegal, the money will be returned and the guilty car owner will forfeit all money and points for the race and may be fined, suspended, or both. If the car is legal, the $250 will be paid to the owner of the car protested.
  4. Protests will be decided by the Board of Trustees within 6 calendar days after completion of the protested event. No Board meeting will be held on the telephone.

 

SAFETY RULES

WARNING: The following safety rules are to be used without warranty, expressed or implied. No warranty or representation is made as to these minimum requirements ability to protect the user from any injury or death. The user assumes all risk.
 
The safety rules shall be those contained in the 2007 Car Construction Rules, with the following additions:

1. DRIVER’S EQUIPMENT

  1. Driver uniforms, described in USAC section 426.B, must at least 2 ply.
  2. Roll cage nets, described in USAC section 426.D, are required on both sides of the roll cage.

2. PHYSICAL CONDITION

  1. Drivers must have a physical examination only when requested by the Board of Directors.
  2. Corrective lenses worn by drivers must be of a safety type glass or safety type plastic. NOTE: Contact lenses are not advised, due to dust and foreign material in the air.

3. TRACK SAFETY

  1. Always make a mental note of where the ambulance, fire extinguishers, and exits are located at any track.
  2. Running onto the speedway during a race or immediately after the flag has ended an event is strictly prohibited and is subject to a fine or suspension.
  3. In the case of an accident on the track, only appointed safety crew, medical personnel and persons with cars involved will be allowed on the track.
  4. Car owners and drivers are responsible for their crew.
  5. Every entrant must have in his possession in the pit area a fully charged dry powder fire extinguisher of minimum two pound capacity, rated UL3A-40-BC. There will be a $10 fine for violation of this rule. It is recommended that the fire extinguisher(s) be placed outside the trailer in a readily accessible place prior to fueling or firing the car.

 

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

The technical specifications shall be those contained in the 2007 WMRA Car Construction Rules, with the following additions and modifications:

1. ENGINE SPECIFICATION CHANGES

  1. All changes to engine specifications must be made by December 1 to affect the next racing season.

2. ADDITIONAL PERMITTED ENGINES

  1. Single Overhead Camshaft Type Engines:
    1. Maximum of six cylinders in line or V-type (maximum 90 degrees), water cooled two valves per cylinder - Maximum 155 CID.
  2. Double Overhead Camshaft Type Engines:
    1. Four cylinder inline water cooled, maximum of four valves per cylinder - Maximum 133 CID (2180 cc).
    2. Maximum of eight cylinders, inline or V-type (90 degree maximum) two valves per cylinder air cooled - Maximum 128 CID (2098 cc).
  3. Motorcycle engines:
    1. Maximum of four cylinders, inline, two valves per cylinder, air cooled, turbo-charged - Maximum 90 CID (1475 cc.). Turned 90 degrees.
  4. Any OEM engine installed in a vehicle on a production line with original type cylinder head/block/crankshaft assembly mated at time of production. No after-market crankshafts. Electronic ignition and electronic fuel injection allowed. Maximum displacement:
    1. DOHC 4 valves/cyl - 153 cid
    2. SOHC 2 valves/cyl - 183 cid
    3. OHV 2 valves/cyl - 200 cid
    4. OHV 3 valves/cyl – 163 cid
  5. The preceding engine sizes are the maximum permitted. No clean up allowed.
  6. Any engine not named in the specifications must be submitted to and approved by the Board of Directors prior to running.

3. TIRE SPECIFICATIONS

  1. The tire brand is American Racer.
  2. Front tires will size 8.0/20.0-13S 64” with the M28 compound.
  3. Left rear tires will be either:
    1. 9.8/22.0-13S 68.5” M28 compound or
    2. 10/21.5-13S 68” M28 compound
  4. Right rear tires will be 12/23.5-13S 74” with the M32 compound.
  5. If for any reason a car changes any tire during any event, that car will start at the rear of the field.
  6. A maximum of one new or used right rear tire will be allowed per car per WMRA sanctioned event that the car participates. The first WMRA sanctioned event that a car participates, two new or used right rear tires will be allowed.  A car has participated in an event if the car has qualified. Right rear tires will be registered with WMRA officials. If the event is rained out before completion of qualifying, the registered tire for that event will carry over to the next WMRA sanctioned event that car participates in. Only registered right rear tires will be allowed in qualifying and competitive races. Exceptions to this rule will be at the discretion of the officials.

4. CAR SPECIFICATIONS

  1. A fuel shut-off must be installed in close proximity to the fuel tank and be easily accessible to safety personnel in the event of an accident.
  2. One-way radios will be required for all cars. This radio may be purchased or leased from WMRA. Radios will be used to help speed up the shows as well as provide us with a way to communicate to all drivers in the event of a caution or accident.
  3. Cars with the following engine specifications will be allowed to run twelve inch wide right rear wheels.
    1. No modern racing engines utilizing custom blocks and heads, such as Brayton, Gaerte, Pink, Esslinger, Fontana, and Pontiac with alloy block and/or head, V4 with alloy block.
    2. Engines may be added to the following list or specifically allowed at the discretion of the Division II Committee. No modern racing engines.
    3. Any OEM engine installed in a vehicle on a production line with original\type cylinder head/block/crankshaft assembly mated at time of production.
      1. DOHC 4 valves/cylinder 153 c.i.
      2. SOHC 2 valves/cylinder 183 c.i.
      3. OHV 2 valves/cylinder 200 c.i.
      4. OHV 3 valves/cylinder 163 c.i.
      5. Volkswagen air cooled 151 c.i.

 

OFFICIALS

WMRA officials shall be empowered to permit minor deviations from any of the specifications or impose any further restrictions that, in their opinion, help the racing program.

1. FLAGPERSON

  1. Flagperson is in complete control of cars and drivers while on the track after warm-up laps have started.

2. PIT BOSS

  1. Pit boss is in charge of all personnel and vehicles in pit area.

3. REFEREE

  1. Referee enforces compliance with all WMRA rules and regulations.

ALL DECISIONS MADE BY THE FLAGPERSON/STARTER, THE PIT BOSS OR REFEREE ARE FINAL, PROVIDING THEY DO NOT CONFLICT WITH WMRA RULES OR BY-LAWS.

 

FINES AND SUSPENSIONS

    a.    All fines and/or suspensions must be satisfied before competing in subsequent events.

 

POINT/PAYOFF SYSTEM

Finish Qualify  Heat  B-Main  A-Main
1 10 10 24 85
2 9 8 20 75
3 8 6 18 70
4 7 4 17 65
5 6 2 16 60
6 5 1 15 57
7 4   14 54
8 3   13 51
9 2   12 48
10 1   11 46
11     10 44
12     9 42
13     8 40
14     7 38
15     6 36
16     5 34
17     4 32
18     3 30
19     2 28
20 & down       1 26