SPORTS CAR CODE
2001
SPORTING REGULATIONS 

ARTICLE 6     RACING RULES  

6.1       PASSING

It is the responsibility of both the overtaking and overtaken drivers to assure safe passing at racing speeds.  A car traveling alone may use the full width of the track.  Passing may be either right or left depending on the conditions of the moment. 

6.2       PIT ENTRY/EXIT

Throughout the periods of practice, qualifying and racing, access to the pits must be made through the designated pit entrance.  The deceleration zone before pit entrance and acceleration zone at pit exit shall not be considered as part of the pits, and no work shall be performed on cars in these areas.  SPORTS CAR or the Race Director may impose penalties for driving in the pits which is deemed dangerous, erratic or of inappropriately excessive speed for the circumstances.  SPORTS CAR will impose a speed limit of 60 kilometers/hour in pit lane. 

6.3       FLAG SIGNALS

The following signals are used both to advise drivers of various conditions and to direct drivers to obey various specific instructions.  Cloth flags are normally used, but may be replaced with similarly coded rigid signaling boards or with lights.  Steady light is equivalent to a motionless flag; flashing light to a waved flag. 

6.3.1    GREEN FLAG

Start of race, or cancellation of a danger previously signaled.  Track is clear. 

6.3.2    BLUE FLAG  

6.3.2.1 Motionless: Another competitor is following you and may be trying to pass you.  

6.3.2.2  Waved: Make way for another competitor who is trying to pass you.  Blue flag will normally be used in a case where the overtaken driver is obviously unaware of the following car, or is clearly obstructing another car.  

6.3.3    YELLOW FLAG  

6.3.3.1  Motionless: Danger, no passing, slow down.  Motionless yellow flag is generally used to advise of an obvious danger or to forewarn of a more serious danger ahead.  Drivers should stop racing until they are past the danger zone.  

6.3.3.2  Waved: Extreme danger, no passing, slow down, be prepared to stop.  Waved yellow flag may mean imminent and serious danger such as a partial track blockage, fire on or near the track, or a crowd control hazard.  

6.3.3.3  Double stationary yellow flag: Safety car.  

6.3.4    WHITE FLAG  

6.3.4.1  One (1) lap to go.  When the Official Starter displays a waving white flag just prior to the scheduled conclusion of the race, it means the leader has started his/her last lap regardless of the elapsed time or distance.  The Official Starter will also normally hold up one finger at this time.  

6.3.4.2  Otherwise, the display of a stationary white flag anywhere on the circuit denotes an ambulance, fire truck, wrecker or other service vehicle is on the circuit, or a slow-moving race car is ahead.  

6.3.5    YELLOW FLAG WITH VERTICAL RED STRIPES

Slippery surface and/or debris on course.  

6.3.6    BLACK FLAG  

6.3.6.1  Furled: WARNING.  You have committed a dangerous or unsportsmanlike action.  Desist or you will be penalized.  

6.3.6.2  Waved: Stop in the pits for a consultation next lap.  This flag is usually displayed along with the number of the car concerned for infraction of rules of the circuit or act of poor sportsmanship.  

6.3.6.3  If a competitor should fail to obey the black flag after it has been displayed to him/her on four consecutive laps, the Race Director will instruct the Timekeeper to stop timing and scoring the car (see also Article 6.3.10).  

6.3.7    BLACK FLAG WITH ORANGE DISK

Your car has a mechanical fault of which you may not be aware.  Stop at your pit next lap.  

6.3.8    RED FLAG (see also Article 4.18)  

6.3.8.1 The race is stopped.  

6.3.8.2  This flag is used exclusively at the discretion of the Race Director to stop the race and displayed exclusively by the Official Starter.  All other corner stations shall display a black flag.  

6.3.8.3  When the red flag is shown, drivers will slow down to a slow speed and be prepared to stop at any time.  No passing.  They will proceed in a line, slowly and carefully around the circuit to the pits where they will be directed further.  

6.3.8.4  Unless it is specifically authorized by the Race Director and announced to all competitors, no service of any kind may be performed on any cars from the time the red flag is shown until the race is restarted.  This includes cars which may already be in the pits.  

6.3.9    BLACK AND WHITE CHECKERED FLAG

End of a session or end of a race.  Return to the pits at reduced speed and stop at the pits.  

6.3.10  BLACK FLAG ALL  

6.3.10.1   Interruption of practice or qualifying session.  Return to the pits at reduced speed and do not overtake any other car during your slow lap back to the pits.  Expect session to be resumed when temporary difficulty is corrected.  

6.3.10.2  The Official Starter will display a stationary black flag, all corner stations shall display a stationary black flag, a waving yellow flag will be displayed at and/or leading up to the scene of the incident.  

6.3.11  SAFETY CAR  

6.3.11.1  The Race Director may dispatch the safety car at any time during an event in order to correct a hazardous situation.  Drivers will be warned that a safety car will be used when all turn stations display two stationary yellow flags.  No passing will be permitted anywhere on the circuit.  The safety car will take the course ahead of the current leader, if possible.  All contestants will then follow the safety car in single file.  

6.3.11.2  The primary purpose of using the safety car is to create a traffic interval on the circuit so that marshals may handle emergencies quicker and more safely; therefore, it is essential that stragglers catch up with the field as quickly as possible.  It is forbidden for a contestant to pass the safety car unless he/she is waved by specifically.  

6.3.11.3  Competitors may enter the pits while the safety car is on course, but they may not re-enter the racing circuit unless directed by a marshal.  They must fall into line at the rear of the field after it has passed the pit area.  

6.3.11.4  The safety car will pace the field for a minimum of two laps.  

6.3.11.5  The Race Director will instruct the safety car to extinguish its safety lights to indicate that the end of safety car intervention is about to occur.  The safety car will exit the course at the entrance to pit lane.  

6.3.11.6  On the restart, the green flag will be displayed at the Start/Finish line, the yellow flags dropped, and racing may begin again.  

6.3.11.7  Special safety car procedures for a given event will be discussed at the Drivers’ briefing.  

6.3.12  RAPID RESPONSE MEDICAL VEHICLE (R.R.M.V.)

            While the R.R.M.V. is in motion on the race circuit, it is forbidden for a contestant to pass the R.R.M.V. unless he/she is waved by specifically.  

6.4       RULES WHEN AWAY FROM THE PITS

            Only a Driver may perform work on an automobile within the first line of protection on the circuit.  It is not permitted for the crew or any other person to render physical assistance in performing such work.  Marshals or other officials may push or tow a disabled car to a safe location without penalty.  It is not permitted for a Driver to push his/her car except in the pits.

6.5       RULES OF THE GRIDS AND PITS  

6.5.1    UNIFORMS

            Crew members shall wear clean uniforms or other appropriate and safe attire at all times during practice, qualifying and the race in order to present the best possible appearance to the public.  Tank tops, shorts and similar attire will not be permitted.  Whenever Prototypes and/or GT cars are being refueled in pit lane during practice, the refueler must wear fire-resistant clothing, including gloves and balaclava or helmet with face shield and goggles.  During a race, if the race is of a length such that refueling is anticipated, crew members, industry support people and all other individuals over the pit wall must wear full fire-resistant clothing on their exterior.  Industry support people must have clearly marked fire-resistant clothing and be clearly identified as non-team members.  

6.5.2    FUELING

All fueling in the pit lane during a race must be done using SPORTS CAR approved gravity fed fueling rigs.  Refer to the Supplementary Regulations for the individual series for specific refueling regulations.  

6.5.3    OTHER EQUIPMENT  

6.5.3.1  General: Compressed air tanks, air lines, hoses, fuel barrels, refueling equipment, tools, spare parts, spare body panels and any other equipment or materials stored in the pits must be situated behind the pit wall and may not block or infringe upon fire lanes or other designated safety zones.  

6.5.3.2  Carts: Motorized carts and similar 3- or 4-wheeled vehicles may not be driven into pit lane.  Use of such vehicles in the paddock/garage areas must be for legitimate purposes only.  Excessive speeds in these areas will not be tolerated.  Participants may be required to abide by state regulations regarding the licensing and use of these vehicles.  Such vehicles may be prohibited at certain events by local ordinance.  

6.5.3.3  Air Tanks: Air tanks must be securely fastened or anchored once their protective caps are removed.  A protective cage or guard around the regulators and fittings must be in place at all times.  

6.5.3.4  Sparks: No electric-driven tools or other equipment which may generate sparks are permitted in the pits.  

6.5.3.5  Face Masks: It is recommended that crew members changing tires wear protective face masks to prevent inhalation of certain materials.  

6.5.3.6  All structures or fixtures extending over pit lane must be at least 6’ 7” above the road surface. 

6.5.4    PIT LANE REGULATIONS  

6.5.4.1  A maximum of two (2) people per car will be permitted at the wall which separates pit lane from the track depending on the layout and track regulations.  The Race director may further limit this number.  Crossing pit lane must be done under a pit marshal’s supervision during a race and should be kept to a minimum at all other times.  Just before the start of the race, until all cars have passed the pits on the first green flag lap, no one except authorized Officials and fire marshals may be at the signaling wall.  

6.5.4.2  During a race one (1) person may go over the pit wall just prior to a scheduled pit stop to signal the race car to its pit.  This person may talk to the Driver or crew members, but is not allowed to perform any other function.  All other team members and all equipment must remain behind the wall until the car has come to a stop in its designated pit.  At that time a total of five (5) team members are permitted over the pit wall to perform service on the car.  Not counted in this total are:  

a.         A Driver seated in the car.  

b.         A Driver entering or leaving the car.  

c.         Industry representatives examining a car’s equipment, tires or other components.  

d.         The team member manning a fire extinguisher.  

All other team members over the wall will be considered working on the car, as will a Driver if he/she performs any work on the car.)  

6.5.4.3  Whenever a team member is working under a car in pit lane, jack stands or safety supports must be in place under the automobile.  

6.5.4.4  Before leaving its assigned pit box, the race car must be completely free of all hoses, tools, etc.  At no time may a car be driven over its own air line, tool or part.  Lines, tools, parts, wheels, etc. must not be allowed to encroach upon, roll into, or otherwise be propelled into the fast pit lane or adjacent pits.  This regulation may be modified in certain pit configurations.  At the conclusion of the pit stop, team members should promptly carry all equipment back behind the pit wall.  

6.5.4.5  During official practice and qualifying sessions, these same regulations are in effect except that the team is not restricted to a total of five team members performing service on the car.  

6.5.5    PIT TRAFFIC  

6.5.5.1  It is strictly forbidden to drive a car in reverse or against traffic under its own power in pit lane.  A driver who overshoots his/her assigned pit must either complete another lap or he/she may be pushed by his/her crew to his/her pit in reverse direction.  

6.5.5.2  A car may be pushed in the pits by its Driver, its crew or by officials.  

6.5.6    REMOVAL FROM PITS

Cars may be removed from the pits during a race only with the approval of the Race Director.  The Race Director may assign a marshal to observe the work done.  

6.5.7    GRIDDING OF AUTOMOBILES

All automobiles must be gridded at a time designated in the Supplementary Regulations.  Any automobile arriving after the published time may, at the discretion of the Race Director, be placed on the back of the grid; it must not attempt to regain its original starting position.  The running of engines during pre-race ceremonies will not be permitted.  

6.5.8    OVAL TRACK PROCEDURES

These procedures will be used when SPORTS CAR classifies a race as an oval race on the SR.  

6.5.8.1 OVAL TRACK YELLOW FLAGS/LIGHTS

Any yellow light or flag displayed is to be considered a full course yellow.  

a.         During Practice or Qualifying: As soon as a yellow light/flag is observed, all drivers must reduce speed and enter the pits as soon as possible.  

b.         During a Race: As soon as the yellow flag or light is observed, speeds must be reduced with the leader slowing the field gradually in anticipation of the safety car entering the circuit.  

6.5.8.2 OVAL TRACK RACE START

On the final pace lap, the pace car will turn off its lights in Turn 2 and accelerate from the field.  The pole car brings the field gradually up to speed for the start.  

6.5.8.3 OVAL TRACK RESTARTS AFTER A CAUTION

Safety car will extinguish its lights and exit the circuit.  Leader will gradually bring the field back up to speed in anticipation of a restart.  When the green flag is displayed, all yellows will be immediately withdrawn and racing may resume.  

6.5.9    SOUND ENFORCEMENT  

6.5.9.1  It is the responsibility of the Entrant to ensure that his/her car meets the current SPORTS CAR sound regulations as published in the event Supplementary Regulations.  SPORTS CAR may, at its discretion, monitor sound levels or have others monitor sound levels, and will employ enforcement as needed.