ARTICLE 5     CREDENTIALS 

5.1        Every SPORTS CAR member who desires to participate in a SPORTS CARsanctioned event as a driver, entrant, crew member, SPORTS CAR official, sponsor or industry representative must apply for, receive and possess a current SPORTS CAR credential.  Employees of SPORTS CAR shall also hold SPORTS CAR credentials and be afforded all rights and benefits. 

5.2        Credentials are in effect as of the date of issue and are on a calendar year basis beginning January 1 and expiring December 31 of that year unless otherwise noted.  SPORTS CAR issues several types of competition credentials, including but not limited to Drivers’ and Entrants’ credentials. 

5.3       SPORTS CAR DRIVER’S CREDENTIAL 

5.3.1     Every person who drives a car in a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event shall possess a current SPORTS CAR competition driver credential.  Competition driver credential holder minimum age is 16 years old. 

5.3.2     SPORTS CAR drivers holding current SPORTS CAR competition credentials must have a current (issued within 6 months of the date of the application for the credential) completed SPORTS CAR medical examination form. 

5.3.3     SPORTS CAR competition driver credentials may be issued to drivers with appropriate documented experience or to holders of FIA Grade C or better licenses from their home competition club.  Holders of foreign FIA licenses must secure and provide written documentation of permission from their home competition club. 

5.3.4     SPORTS CAR provisional competition driver credentials may be issued to drivers with proof of prior experience and/or suitable schooling.  Provisional driver credential holders may not compete in FIA-listed events.  Provisional driver credential holders are not eligible for FIA licenses.  Provisional driver credential holders may be upgraded, at SPORTS CAR’s discretion, upon request of the credential holder, following suitable experience.  Normally, the provisional credential holder will be observed for a minimum of three races. 

5.3.5     Drivers with provisional driver credentials must contact the Race Director via SPORTS CAR officials in pit lane each time they intend to drive a car in practice, qualifying or a race. 

5.3.6     “Prototype” Category “LM”P and “LM”GTP driver credentials may be issued to drivers with suitable experience.  One criterion is an FIA Grade B or better license. 

5.4        SPORTS CAR ENTRANT’S CREDENTIAL 

5.4.1     A SPORTS CAR Entrant’s credential is required for “American Le Mans Series” entrants.  A current SPORTS CAR entrant’s credential is required for the listing of sponsor names on official SPORTS CAR entry and results publications, as well as for taking certain actions under the SPORTS CAR Code (see Articles 9 and 10). 

5.4.2    ENTRANT’S REPRESENTATIVE

When the Official Entrant of a car cannot be present at an event or is otherwise unavailable, he/she shall designate a member of the race team to be the Entrant’s Representative in regards to all actions which SPORTS CAR may take under Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the SPORTS CAR Code.  The Entrant’s Representative shall make him/herself known to the SPORTS CAR Officials and shall have no implied or expressed authority under the SPORTS CAR Code except the authority to give notice of the Entrant’s intention to appeal under Article 10. 

5.5       FIA LICENSE

Every person who drives a car in a FIA-listed race shall possess a current FIA Driver License regardless of other licensing.  Every car entered in a FIA-listed race must be entered by someone who possesses a current FIA Entrant License regardless of other licensing. 

5.6       ENTRIES 

5.6.1     An entry submitted and accepted by SPORTS CAR for a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event constitutes a contract binding the Entrant to take part in the event, either with the Driver(s) designated or with SPORTS CAR-approved substitute Driver(s), unless the Entrant is excused from competing by SPORTS CAR.  Except as provided in Articles 5.7 and 5.9 below, the entry fee is non-refundable. 

5.6.2     A car must be entered by the holder of a current SPORTS CAR entrant credential. 

5.6.3     After the close of registration, Driver substitution(s) are subject to the approval of the Race Director or Stewards’ Committee. 

5.7       ACCEPTANCE AND REFUSAL

SPORTS CAR shall be the sole judge of whether an entry will be accepted and, if an entry is not accepted, such refusal is final and not subject to protest or appeal.  SPORTS CAR is not obligated to give any reason for such a refusal.  An Entrant whose entry is refused by SPORTS CAR shall be promptly informed of that fact by SPORTS CAR and the entry fee shall be returned. 

5.8       FALSIFICATION

Any entry that contains false information or incorrect statements may be considered null and void and the entry fee may be forfeited. 

5.9       WITHDRAWAL

An Entrant may, with the permission of SPORTS CAR, withdraw an entry by advising SPORTS CAR of such withdrawal.  If such notice is received prior to the entry deadline date, his/her entry fee will be returned.

5.10      CONDUCT 

5.10.1   Every Entrant and Driver at a SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event is expected to conduct him/herself in a manner which will enhance the good name of motor sports and SPORTS CAR.  Failure to do so may be considered to be a breach of these rules. 

5.10.2   Failure to obey the direction of a SPORTS CAR official will be considered to be a breach of these rules. 

5.10.3   Conduct while driving a race car which is deemed by SPORTS CAR to be unnecessarily dangerous, negligent or otherwise inappropriate for a professional driver will be considered to be a breach of these rules. 

5.11     RESPONSIBILITY

Entrants are responsible for the conduct of their drivers and crews during a competition.  An offense by a team member will be charged to the Entrant. 

5.12     ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

It is forbidden for any participant to consume any alcoholic beverage, narcotic or other controlled substance which may affect his/her behavior during practice, qualifying or racing portions of a SPORTS CAR event.  SPORTS CAR may require a participant to undergo testing, at his/her own expense, to determine the presence of such substances. 

5.13      MEDICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF PARTICIPANTS 

5.13.1   It shall be the personal responsibility of all participants, including Drivers, to refrain from taking part in any SPORTS CAR-sanctioned event if they have been injured, are under the influence of any controlled substance or beverage, or are in any way other than medically fit.  It shall be the responsibility of a participating Driver to report to the Medical Director before taking part in an event, any unusual medical condition, allergy or anticipated special treatment he/she may require. 

5.13.2   It shall be the further responsibility of a participating Driver to disclose to the Medical Director all prescription and over-the-counter medication that the Driver is using or has used in the past, as well as any side effects that have been experienced as a result.  If SPORTS CAR determines, based on the circumstances of the particular case, that the medication being used would adversely affect safety, then the Driver will not be permitted to participate in that SPORTS CAR event. 

5.13.3   SPORTS CAR or the Race Director may require an injured Driver to be approved by a physician appointed by SPORTS CAR prior to issuance of a SPORTS CAR credential or before competing.  The appointed physician may discuss the results of this examination with SPORTS CAR officials, who in turn may publicly disclose these results, and the Driver waives without reservation any claim to doctor-patient confidentiality in this regard.