ARTICLE 4        EVENTS 

4.1       ORGANIZATION

SPORTS CAR events may be organized by: 

4.1.1     SPORTS CAR. 

4.1.2     An affiliated organization of SPORTS CAR. 

4.1.3     Other organizations or promoters approved by SPORTS CAR. 

4.2        APPROVAL

The name, service mark or emblem of SPORTS CAR may be associated only with activities and events that have been sanctioned or approved by SPORTS CAR. 

4.3        SANCTIONS

Every speed event with which SPORTS CAR’s name, service mark or emblem is associated  must be formally sanctioned by SPORTS CAR. 

4.4       SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS (SR)

Define for all participants the specific conditions for an event.  SR usually is combined with entry forms sent to competitors and officials.  Since SR accommodate local conditions, they may occasionally appear to contradict a provision of the SPORTS CAR Code; in such a case, the SR take precedence over the SPORTS CAR Code. 

Normally, the SR contain this information: 

4.4.1     Name, location, dates, nature and classification of the event. 

4.4.2     SPORTS CAR sanction and announcement, “Held under the SPORTS CAR Code.” 

4.4.3     Name and address of the promoter/organizer. 

4.4.4     Schedule and location of all activities and competitions, classes of automobiles eligible, etc. 

4.4.5     Entry deadline, fees and, if prior restrictions apply, the number of entries to be accepted and started in each competition. 

4.4.6     Schedule of awards and prizes.

4.4.7     Other necessary information.  Although no changes will ordinarily be made in the SR after the entry deadline, SPORTS CAR reserves the right to make changes at any time.  Changes may take the form of a competitors’ bulletin, addendum to the SR, announcement at a Driver briefing, and so on. 

4.4.8     Uniform “Standing” Supplementary Regulations under which all of the events in a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned series are held are covered in Article 12. 

4.5        INSURANCE REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS 

4.5.1     MINIMUM LIMITS

SPORTS CAR requires that the promoter/organizer of a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event obtain proper liability and participant accident insurance in the following minimum limits: 

a.         EVENT LIABILITY

$5,000,000 Combined Single Limit 

b.         PARTICIPANT ACCIDENT

Accidental Death and Dismemberment         $25,000

Medical Reimbursement                              $50,000

Weekly Indemnity                                       $100/week for 104 weeks
                                                                 (7 day waiting period) 

Medical benefits are payable on a primary basis up to a limit of $5,000 with the remaining $45,000 to be excess based on coordination of benefits with any other insurance available to the claimant.  Benefit period for payment of medical bills is three years from accident date. 

4.5.2    APPROVAL

Event liability insurance for SPORTS CAR-sanctioned speed events automatically must cover all participating drivers, crew members, car owners and sponsors, as well as the sanctioning body and promoters.  This protection must ordinarily be secured through the SPORTS CAR insurance program; otherwise the insurance policies must be submitted to SPORTS CAR for approval prior to the granting of SPORTS CAR sanction.  Promoters must also provide evidence of such insurance coverage to the Race Director.  Participant accident insurance coverage must be secured under the SPORTS CAR insurance program without exception. 

4.5.3    EXCESS MEDICAL BENEFITS

SPORTS CAR has secured an excess medical insurance policy which provides up to $500,000 in benefits ($50,000 deductible) only to credentialed SPORTS CAR members while they are taking part in SPORTS CAR-sanctioned race events only.  Coverage applies excess over any other available insurance.  Benefits under the policy are payable for a period of three years from date of accident. 

4.5.4    RELEASES

Every competitor, official, worker, mechanic and other individual who is assigned a pit pass or other such credential permitting access to the racing circuit must first sign a Release and Indemnity Agreement as provided at official SPORTS CAR Registration and/or on the SPORTS CAR credential application.  It will be considered a serious breach of these rules to enter such restricted areas of the racing circuit without first signing such a Release and Indemnity Agreement, to secure a pit pass or other credential under false pretenses, or to transfer such a credential to any other person. 

4.6        POSTPONEMENT, ABANDONMENT, CANCELLATION, PERFORMANCE
GUARANTEES

If an event is cancelled or postponed for more than 15 days, entry fees will normally be returned to entrants who have had no opportunity to compete.  The promoter/organizer of a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event is bound to hold the event in accordance with the SPORTS CAR Code and Supplementary Regulations for the event.  If the event is cancelled or postponed by the promoter/organizer for any reason other than Force Majeure, Act of God or other cause beyond the control of the promoter/organizer, SPORTS CAR may impose penalties.  Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to limit or otherwise affect any right of action by SPORTS CAR for breach of contract. 

4.7       CLASSIFICATION

SPORTS CAR will classify events according to the drivers and types of automobiles that will take part.  SPORTS CAR will create and maintain championship series of events for specific purposes and automobiles. 

4.8       COURSE

No competition may take place other than on a course approved by SPORTS CAR. 

4.8.1    SPORTS CAR may: 

a.         Limit a course to certain event classifications. 

b.         Restrict the classes of automobiles to be raced at a course. 

c.         Restrict the number of cars to be started in a race. 

d.         Restrict the course to certain grades of drivers. 

e.         Penalize a competitor who attempts to complete a lap on other than the prescribed course (such as by taking a shortcut or by racing through pit lane to gain an advantage). 

4.8.2    COURSE MEASUREMENT

The official length of a course is measured along the centerline of the road. 

4.9       TIMING, SCORING, STARTS, FINISHES, RESULTS

SPORTS CAR may require each car to be fitted with a scoring transponder or other electronic scoring device in an approved location and manner.  It must be subject to inspection at all times and surrendered or replaced upon request.  The transponder must not be tampered with nor transferred to another car unless specifically approved by SPORTS CAR.

Loss or damage to the transponder while in the possession of the Entrant will result in an automatic fine to the Entrant in an amount determined by SPORTS CAR.  This fine may be deducted by SPORTS CAR from prize money owed to the Entrant.  In the case of loss or damage to an Entrant-owned transponder, the Entrant may have to purchase a new transponder in order to continue participation in the event/series. 

4.10     STARTS

There are two types of starts: 

4.10.1   For special events such as hillclimbs and record attempts; the standing start where cars are stationary at the moment the starting signal is given; and 

4.10.2  Otherwise; the rolling start where the cars are moving at the moment the starting signal is given, in which case a pace car may be used to lead the field to the starting line.  Normally, the rolling start is used unless otherwise stated in the Supplementary Regulations for the event. 

4.11     STARTING LINE

The starting line is the point on the course where timing and/or scoring begins, unless otherwise stated in the event SR. 

4.12     STARTING POSITIONS 

4.12.1   Cars will be placed in the starting lineup in order of their speed potential with the fastest to the front of the field. 

4.12.2   SPORTS CAR may require that cars achieve a minimum qualifying time in order to be eligible to start the race.  SPORTS CAR may restrict the number of starters if a race is oversubscribed. 

4.12.3   A car must be qualified by a Driver officially entered to drive that car. 

4.12.4   For events where starting positions for the feature races are determined by heat races, pole position goes to the winner of the fastest heat.  In case weather or other unforeseen events create inequitable conditions in separate qualifying sessions for the same type of car for a race, the Race Director may elect to place all cars in the first session in one row and all cars in the second session in the other row, with the fastest session on the pole row. 

4.12.5   In case weather or other unforeseen events in separate qualifying sessions for different classes of cars which will be competing in a combined-class race lead to a condition where normally more powerful classes of cars have had substantially less favorable conditions under which to qualify, the Race Director may adjust starting positions to compensate for the abnormal circumstances. 

4.12.6   Otherwise, pole position goes to the fastest qualifier.  The pole is defined as the front row, inside position with respect to the first turn past the starting line.

4.12.7   If two cars achieve the same qualifying time, the car which sets the time earliest in his/her qualifying session shall be gridded first. 

4.12.8   In the interest of safety or at the discretion of the Race Director, a competitor who is unable to qualify in his/her session but can meet qualifying requirements, may be placed on the grid behind other automobiles of his/her division or at the rear of the grid. 

4.12.9   If official qualifying does not occur, or is interrupted at an early stage and is not resumed, the Race Director may establish the starting grid by other means.  In this case, championship points for the pole, awards and official qualifying records will not be awarded, nor will they factor into the awards based on the pole position.  Pole bonuses and/or awards may or may not be paid at SPORTS CAR’s discretion. 

4.13     STANDARD ROLLING START

Cars will take their assigned positions in two rows behind the pace car.  The pace car will depart the starting grid and make at least one lap of the circuit at moderate speed.  Normally, there will be two scheduled pace laps on circuits under two (2) miles in length and on all temporary circuits.  Any car unable to start the pace lap in its assigned position may be held in the pits, and then required to join at the back of the field.  Drivers will keep their original formation behind the pace car during the pace lap(s).  After the pace car has left the circuit, usually via the pit entrance, drivers will maintain their positions on the pace lap until the green flag is shown by the starter, signifying the start of the race.  Any deviation from the original assigned starting positions or manipulation of the set pace will be considered an infraction of these rules.  The race officially begins when the first car crosses the starting line after completion of the scheduled pace lap(s). 

Cars unable to make the pace lap(s) or who present themselves too late to safely rejoin the starting field may be started from pit lane with the permission of the Race Director after the field has passed pit-out on the first scored lap. 

4.14     TIMING AND SCORING 

4.14.1   For the standing start, the timing and scoring commences at the moment the starting signal is given; or, if automatic apparatus is used, at the instant it is operated. 

4.14.2   For a rolling start, the timing and scoring commences when the leading car crosses the starting line after completion of the scheduled pace lap(s). 

4.14.3   First and subsequent laps are timed and scored when each car crosses the control line at the timing and scoring station unless a different procedure is prescribed by the SR. 

4.14.4   All starting cars will be credited with a finishing position whether or not they are running when the checkered flag is given.

4.15     CONTROL LINE

An automobile crosses a control line at the instant the leading edge of its bodywork passes over that line, or at the instant the automatic timing apparatus is operated. 

4.16     STARTER

A Driver is considered to be a starter in a competition and thus eligible for awards and championship points if he/she crosses the start line under green or is started from the pit lane in accordance with Article 4.13. 

4.17     FALSE START

A false start occurs when a Driver moves forward from the position assigned to him/her by the Starter before the starting signal (or a restart signal after a caution period) is given.  The Race Director may assess a penalty for a false start. 

4.18     RESTART (Also see Article 6.3.8) 

4.18.1   If it should become necessary to stop a competition, the Race Director may restart the competition with competitors in their original starting positions, in single file according to their standings in the order passing the scoring line at the time the competition was halted, or as otherwise prescribed in the SR. 

4.18.2   Pace laps on the restart will not be scored. 

4.18.3   No work or replenishment may be done or assistance rendered to any car during the period after the competition is halted and before it is restarted, unless specifically authorized by the SR or the Race Director. 

4.18.4   Overall race time will continue to be counted during the stoppage unless otherwise announced by the Race Director. 

4.19     MINIMUM DURATION

If a competition is stopped at less than 50% of its scheduled time or distance and is not restarted, it will be considered incomplete, and organizers will not be obligated to distribute awards.  If 50% or more has been run, SPORTS CAR may call the competition complete and direct the distribution of awards. 

4.20     TIES

In case of a tie (dead heat), the competitors concerned will share equally the sum of the prizes, championship points, and other awards allotted for their positions. 

4.21     WINNER 

4.21.1   The Driver or Drivers of the car which completes the distance of the competition in the least time or the greatest distance in the time set for the competition will be declared the winner(s). 

4.21.2   In competitions of a given distance, the checkered flag will be given first to the leading car, then to the other finishers as they cross the finish line.