SABINE MOTOR SPEEDWAY

NO SPEEDING IN THE PIT AREA! If any official observes speeding and /or reckless driving in the pit area, you will be disqualified and lose all points and money won for that racing (series) event(s). There are a number of children in the pit area. These may be your children. Injuring anyone, especially children, due to lack of control of the driver's temperament will not be tolerated. This rule will be strictly enforced.

All drivers and pit crew need to maintain constant control of the children in their pit area. A discussion of safety needs to be held in each racecar pit area with the children, and those who act or behave like children.

All cars must be in the pit area and checked in by the time the scorers are completing the line up. Failure to do so will result in starting the heat race, B-main or A-main at the rear of the field. Qualifying and points are awarded to the driver, not the car. A driver may change to another car after he/she has notified the Pit Office and before the green flag is displayed. If the qualifying events (heats) have been completed, the driver must start last in the B-main or A-main event, which ever is the next event for the driver. Failure to abide by this procedure will result in disqualification and loss of all money and points for the entire event.

Every racecar must participate in packing the track, except prior week's class winners. Track packing will begin immediately after the driver's meeting. If you do not participate in packing the track when your class is called, you will start at the rear of your feature, regardless of your heat race finishing position. Due to insurance regulations, you must be in full racing gear (driving suit, helmet, firmly belted into race seat, etc.) any time you are in a racecar on the racing surface. No exceptions.

Each car must be able to start, move forward and back up under its own power. The only exception is push start cars as defined by class rules.

All drivers must be ready to compete in their assigned event(s) and have their cars lined up according to the lineup posted before each event enters the track or they will start on the rear.

You are responsible for knowing the time of your race. Do not rely on the PA system.

Anyone going to the flag stand or race control center with a complaint may be disqualified for that event(s) and will forfeit all money won and points for that (series) event(s). If you have any comments about your race see the track manager or Race Director.

Special events may be governed by different rules and/or racetrack procedures.

RAIN POLICY:
In the event of race cancellation due to rain, our policy is as follows:

A. Less than fifty percent (50%) of the feature races are completed, everyone's pit pass is good for one (1) race. No refunds will be given. All feature races that are completed will be paid as scheduled. The next scheduled event on the calendar will be run as if the rained out races were complete.

B. More than fifty percent (50%) of the feature races are completed, no pit passes from the rained out event will be honored in the future. No refunds will be given. All feature races that are completed will be paid as scheduled. Points will be awarded for B-main events by class, and A-main events that were completed. The next scheduled event will begin one hour earlier than normal. Everyone will pay to enter the pit area. All features that were rained out in prior week will run immediately after hot laps. After the makeup features are run, the regularly scheduled race night events will then begin, starting with heat races. Drivers not returning for the conclusion of the rained out race will be awarded points and winnings based on the original lineup but at the end of the finishing cars.

C. If rain interrupts a race, the race will continue at the stopped point, if three or more laps are completed. If 2/3 of the race laps are completed, the race may be declared a finish. The last green lap will be the final results.

DRIVER CHECK-IN:
All racecar drivers must check in (face-to-face) with the scorers at the pit gate on race night. The driver must check himself in, as race officials will not seek out drivers to ensure they are checked in. If a driver is in the pits, but fails to check in, that driver will start scratch in the first qualifying race for failure to check in. There will be no exceptions to this rule. This is the DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY!

RULES FOR RACING ON THE RACEWAY:

Flag and light rules:
All drivers must know and understand the starter's flags. The starter is the Flagman, not the pole sitter. The Flagman is in charge, and has complete control of procedures while the race is taking place. The Flagman will use several different flags to communicate with the drivers and control the race. You will notice the signal lights, the same type you see at street intersections, positioned around the track. The Flagman controls these signal lights. Failure to obey the flags or lights may result in disqualification. Failure to see a flag and/or lights will not be considered a valid reason.

Green flag: Start or continue racing
On the last pace lap the Flagman will signal the pace car and drivers the race is about to start. When the pace car has left the track, the yellow light will go out. All cars must stay in their lineup positions and cannot move out of line behind the car being followed and cannot pass any cars until the Flagman waves the green flag and turns on the green light.

On the initial start, all cars must stay in a tight double file (this means nose to tail) until the Flagman displays the green flag. Start will originate in turn four (4) and is started by the Flagman, not the pole sitter. Racing and/or passing may begin immediately upon display of the green flag. Do not pass or move out of line behind the car being followed before the green flag is displayed. Any car not in position at the start (green flag displayed) of the race will be penalized. Restarts will originate at the back straight-away. The lead car will stop on back straight-away at the lineup board. All cars will line up single-file behind the leader in the order of the last completed green lap until racetrack is cleared. Once all racecars are in the proper lineup, they must stay in line (this means nose to tail) and not move out of line until the Flagman motions them on. Green flag restart will be in turn four. Jumping the start will result in a two (2) position penalty. The penalty will be imposed on the next yellow or red flag. If there is no yellow flag after the penalty is assessed, then the penalty will be enforced at the end of the race. The track manager reserves the right to change the restart procedures during the race.

Yellow flag: Caution-Slow to pace speed
When the Flagman displays the yellow flag, the yellow light comes on to indicate that it is not safe to race. There is absolutely no racing back to the start/finish line! Slow down in a safe manner and stay directly behind the car you were following during the last green flag lap. Passing or jumping positions under yellow conditions will not be allowed and may be penalized. Cars not obeying the caution flag, lights or procedures may be disqualified. Failure to get in position within one lap after lineup has been displayed to the field of cars or failure to allow another vehicle into line will result in offender being sent to the rear.

* As soon as you see the yellow appear, safely wave your right hand in the car. This could save you from being hit in the rear. 

* The yellow flag will be charged to the racecar or racecars that officials deemed were responsible for the yellow flag. If a racecar or racecars can be determined to be responsible for a yellow flag, those cars will be charged with the yellow flag and all other cars will retain their positions from the previous lap. If no initiator for the yellow can be clearly determined, then all cars involved will be designated yellow involved. 

* A caution for debris on the track will be charged to the racecar that dropped the debris. 

* Any car that passes another car while the race is under caution may be penalized two (2) positions for each car passed. The penalty will be imposed at the next yellow or red flag. If there is no flag after the penalty is assessed, then it will be enforced at the end of the race. 

* Any car that is charged with two (2) yellow flags in the same race will be disqualified. Any car with 3 yellow involved designations in the same race may be disqualified. 

* Any single car that is determined to have intentionally caused a caution will be scored one lap down. 

* A-main only: Any car repairs made during a caution period must be done in the designated race pit area. Any car that goes to the designated race pit area during a caution or a yellow/red period will restart at the rear of the field.

Green with yellow: Continue Racing but with Caution. Continue to race, but be aware of the race conditions as the caution is also displayed. Watch for the problem(s) on or near the racing surface. This may be a slow moving car due to mechanical problems and attempting to leave the track. This green/yellow combination may also be a car in one of the turns against the wall, or to the inside of the track just off the racing surface.

Red flag: Danger-STOP!
* Stop as quickly and safely as possible and remain stopped unless directed to move by safety/fire crews or track officials. The race is stopped until the safety/fire crew and ambulance crew reach and clear the accident area. 
* No pit crew or families are allowed on the racing surface of the track for any reason during a red flag. Only safety personnel, wrecker crews, and race officials will be allowed on the track to clear the accident scene. 
* If a driver has pitted prior to or during the red flag period, no work of any kind may be done to the racecar during the red flag period.

Black flag: Leave the race surface immediately
* A black flag usually indicates disqualification for the race unless otherwise notified. The car must proceed directly to the designated pit area immediately. The racecar may be allowed to resume racing if the problem can be and is resolved. If a racecar goes to the asphalted main pit area, the car will not be allowed to reenter the race. 
* The car will cease to be scored immediately after receiving the black flag the first time it is displayed. 
* Failure to yield to the black flag will result in disqualification for that specific race, the entire event and may possibly involve a suspension. 
* Anyone black-flagged in the heat will start in the rear of the B-main or the A-main.

Blue flag with yellow stripe: Move over for faster cars
If a slower car is blocking the way for the leaders, the Flagman will show the blue & yellow flag. This flag indicates to the driver that he/she is about to be lapped by the leader(s). Proper procedure is to hold current position and racing line to allow the leaders to have the racing groove. Do not make sudden moves to left or right.

Halfway: Race is half complete
When the race leader reaches the halfway point the Flagman will hold out two flags. The Flagman holds the flags so they are furled and crossed in an X.

Two to go: Two laps to finish
When there are two laps remaining, the Flagman will signal the racers by holding the white and checkered flags so they are furled and displayed vertically and parallel to each other.

White flag: Last lap
Last lap, one final racing lap until the race is complete.

Checkered flag: Race is complete
The Flagman will show the checkered flag when the race winner first crosses the finish line. Cars are scored in the order they cross the finish line. The race is completed and the unofficial results are complete. The cars as designated by the track manager in each class must report directly to the designated areas for claims, protests and technical inspection.

Other:
* The solid red drums in the pit area are for used oil, transmission fluid, and grease. Please use them. 
* Personal vehicles and ATV's are not allowed in the pits, except employees. 
* Drivers are not allowed out of their cars, while the car is on racing surface, unless directed by the fire/safety crew or an official. Drivers are not allowed out of their car during the heats, or B-mains while the car is anywhere inside the outside retaining wall of the racetrack. 
* A completed lap is when the lead car crosses the start/finish line. 
* On a restart, lapped cars must go to the rear. 
* Regardless of the number of laps completed when the checkered flag is displayed, the race will be considered complete. 
* Racetrack officials will not work on your car. For example: sheet metal removal.

Rough driving and bumping:
A. Any car that engages in rough driving and/or bumping will be: a) warned, b) sent to the rear of the field, or c) disqualified, depending upon the severity of the incident.
B. Rough driving and/or bumping that involves a yellow flag will result in the same penalty as the receiving car incurs. If the receiving car is not able to continue the race, then the initiating car will be disqualified.
C. All cars that participate in any malicious/retaliation bumping or ramming, whether on the track or in the pits, will be disqualified and lose all points and awarded money for that (series) event(s) at a minimum.
D. A second offense will result in loss of the driver's year-to-date points, money for that (series) event(s) and a minimum of one month suspension.

Handicapping:
* Each car per class must have a different number (0-199). 
* A-main races will be lined up according to heat race and B-main finishes. The A-main starting lineup may be inverted each night. Invert procedure used may include the following: 
o NUMBER 1 - No invert.
o NUMBER 2 - First two (2) rows inverted followed by regular lineup.
o NUMBER 3 - First three (3) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup.
o NUMBER 4 - First four (4) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup.
o NUMBER 5 - First five (5) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup.
o NUMBER 6 - First six (6) rows inverted followed by the regular lineup. 

Race procedures for 2008:
Heat races: The number of cars entered each night for each class will determine the number of heat races. The number of heat races will be as follows:
* 2 heats - total class car count of 8 to 16. 
* 3 heats - total class car count of between 17 and 24 cars. 
* 4 heats - total class car count of 25 or more.
All heat races will be 8 laps in length. There will be a minimum of 4 cars in each heat and a maximum of 8 cars in each heat.

B-mains: In instances where there are 24 or more cars in attendance, SMS will run a B-main. When a B-main is run for a class, the maximum number of cars that will start the feature will be 20. When a B-main is run for a class, the cars qualifying from the heat races will be as follows:

* 3 heats - top 5 from each heat will transfer to the A-main. The B-main will fill out the remaining cars by taking the top 5 finishers. 
* 4 heats - top 4 from each heat will transfer to the A-main. The B-main will fill out the remaining cars by taking the top 4 finishers. 
* All B-mains will be 12 laps in length. Starting positions for the B-main will be determined by the finishing position from the heat races. 

A-mains: All A-mains will be 15 laps in length. No yellow flag laps will be counted toward the completed lap total. Inverting procedures as defined in Handicapping section above may also be utilized during the 2004 race season for A-mains. 

 General: In instances where the class car count is equal to or greater than 20, all cars will qualify for the A-main. 

* The Race Director reserves the right to alter this schedule at his sole discretion.

POST RACE PROCEDURE:
A-main winner is to go directly to winners circle on the front straight-away for the trophy presentation and recognition. Reverse victory lap, doughnuts in the infield, or other actions by the winner that delays the next race and/or endangers others may result in disqualification and loss of points and money for that (series) event(s).

TECHNICAL:
Technical helpful hints:
* All classes must have a battery disconnect installed and operational. This disconnect is to be mounted on the driver's side of the car, mounted securely to the deck or roll cage bracket. TUSA and SIMS will be governed by their national rules for location of battery disconnect. 
* OEM means original equipment manufacturer for the make of car in question. Ford does not make OEM parts for GM, and GM does not make OEM parts for Ford. 
* Stock means stock - unaltered in size, not lightened or an auto parts/salvage yard part. 
* Minimum means minimum. Zero tolerance is allowed on the minimum side of the specification. Your tolerance is on the greater than side of minimum. If you take the risk of running on the minimum edge, be prepared to take the hit if/when you are less than the minimum allowed. 
* Maximum means maximum. Zero tolerance is allowed on the maximum side of the specification. Your tolerance is on the short side of maximum. If you take the risk of running on the maximum edge, be prepared to take the hit if/when you are greater than the maximum allowed. 
* If you finish the race without parts, you will weigh without the parts.

 
Technical inspection area:
Please be aware that the post race tech inspection is not the place to find out your car is illegal. Please study your class rules, and know them by heart.

All cars with weight rules may be required at ANY time to go over the scales.

The cars as designated by the track manager in each class will report directly to the tech pad for inspection. Other finishing positions may be added at the discretion of the track manager or other designated officials. Failure to directly report for technical inspection will result in disqualification of the car and will be penalized any money or points awarded for that event (see below). SMS reserves the right to inspect any car at any time for rule violations to ensure equal competition and in the interest of safety.

**CARS APPOINTED TO STOP AT THE TECH AREA ARE TO REPORT DIRECTLY THERE AFTER THE RACE IS COMPLETE. RETURNING TO YOUR PIT AREA WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC DISQUALIFICATION. ONLY DRIVERS OF THE APPOINTED CARS AND ONE CREW MEMBER ARE TO BE IN THE TECH AREA. ANYONE ELSE (THIS INCLUDES THE DRIVERS OF OTHER CARS) SHOULD STAND BEHIND THE ROPED AREA. FAILING TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION. THE DRIVER'S CREW MEMBER THAT THEY CHOOSE MAY BE ANOTHER DRIVER, BUT CANNOT BE A DRIVER IN SAME CLASS THAT IS BEING TECHED.

CREW MEMBER EXCEPTION: A DRIVER WHOSE CAR IS IN TECH AND THE DRIVER IS RUNNING ANOTHER CLASS AND IT IS TIME FOR THAT CLASS TO LINE-UP, MAY HAVE 2 CREW MEMBERS. HOWEVER, A TECH OFFICIAL MUST BE NOTIFIED OF THIS BEFORE RACING BEGINS!

ANY CAR FOUND TO BE TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL WILL BE DISQUALIFIED AND WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY MONEY OR POINTS FOR THAT EVENT (NIGHT). A SECOND OFFENSE WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF MONEY FOR THAT EVENT AND POINTS ACCUMULATED FOR THE YEAR. A THIRD OFFENSE WILL RESULT IN THE DRIVER'S SUSPENSION FOR SIX (6) COMPLETED WEEKLY RACING SERIES EVENTS.

Fuel testing:
SMS officials reserve the right to check fuel at any time to maintain fair competition. Any racecar failing to pass the fuel test or failing to submit a sample for test will be disqualified. Competitors are responsible for providing the method and means for obtaining the fuel sample from the carburetor and identifying the brand of fuel. Any fuel sample that fails the first test will be tested a second time. The second test will be considered the final and official test. Fuel rule violations will result in disqualification and will count as a Technically Illegal Disqualification.

Alcohol:
Methanol only. No additives of any kind including water that will prohibit alcohol checking. 0.796 at 60 degrees F specific gravity plus or minus 0.002. Other methods may be used to determine if oxygen additives are present.

Gasoline:
Pump gasoline or racing gasoline only. No additives may be used. Gasoline will be tested with approved testing methods and instruments. Any reading not consistent with the brand of gasoline used will be considered illegal.

Protests:
Only the top 5 cars may be protested. You may protest only if you are in the top 5.

Protests will only be accepted for performance items such as engine, drive train, tires, wheels, fuel, and/or suspension.

Protest must be filed with the Head Tech Official, and the protesting driver must be registered in that class and must be competing in that particular feature. The protest fee must be in cash and be accompanied by a fully completed SMS Protest Form. The completed SMS Protest Form and the appropriate fee in cash must be in the possession of the Head Tech Official prior to the start of the A-main and cannot be withdrawn. The protested car must report immediately after the race to the tech pad. Any car not submitted for tech or protest inspection will be disqualified. This disqualification will be treated as a Technically Illegal Disqualification.

* Visible protest: $100.00 per item protested. If the protested car is legal, $75.00 goes to the protested car and $25.00 goes to the drivers point fund. If the protested car is illegal, $75.00 is returned to the protestor and $25.00 goes to the driver's fund. 
* Non-visible protest: $200.00 per item protested. If the protested car is found to be legal, $175.00 goes to the protested car and $25.00 goes to the drivers points fund. If the protested car is found to be illegal, $175.00 goes to the protestor and $25.00 goes to the driver's fund. 
* In either case (A or B) above, if the car is found to be illegal, the driver of the illegal car will be fined $100.00. This money will be put into the SMS drivers point fund. If the illegal driver does not pay the fine by the next scheduled event for that class of car, the driver will be barred from the racing at SMS until the fine is paid, plus four (4) weeks of regular weekly series racing.

SMS Claim Rules:
All claims must be made at the official claiming area. Only the driver may claim. The claiming driver must drive directly to the official claiming area. The claiming driver must not come in contact with anyone on the way to the claiming official. The claim form must be entirely filled out and must be delivered along with the claiming fee in cash, money order, or cashier's check to the claiming official immediately after the race in the official claiming area.

Claims may not be made the first night of racing. Claims may be made the second night, but only by drivers that also raced the first night. Claims may be made the third night, but only by drivers that also raced the first and second nights. During the year claims may be made only if you raced the previous three (3) nights of scheduled racing for that class at SMS.

No driver may be claimed his first race night at SMS.

Sanctioning body claim procedures take precedence over these claim rules. For non-sanctioned SMS classes with claim rules, these claim rules will apply.

Claiming area:
The front straight-away is the official claiming area.

Claiming official:
Any SMS track official in the claim area shall be considered a claiming official.

POINTS AWARDED:

Points:
Points will be awarded only for check-in, B-mains and A-mains. Race points will be awarded based on the driver's official finishing position in each race. Official finishing positions are based on verified finishes, plus successfully passing post race technical inspection.

Check-in:
Each driver checking in at the pit board each night will receive 5 points.

B-mains:
1st place - 1 point
2nd place - 1 point
3rd place - 1 point

A-mains:
1st place - 40 points
2nd place - 38 points
3rd place - 36 points
4th place - 34 points
5th place - 32 points
6th place - 30 points
7th place - 28 points
8th place - 26 points
9th place - 24 points
10th place - 22 points
11th place - 20 points
12th place - 18 points
13th place through final finishing position - 16 points

A driver may race a car other than the one he/she has registered to drive only if he/she notifies the Pit Office. The driver is the only one authorized to make this request. The car must pass technical inspection for that class and the driver will start at the rear of the race. Points will be kept with the driver.

At year-end, in case of a tie for any point position, the driver with the most races will win the tiebreaker. If the number of races is also a tie, the driver with the most A-main wins will win the tiebreaker. In the event that this does not break the tie, the tiebreaker order will be: most second place finishes, most third place finishes; most fourth place finishes and so on until the tie is broken. In the exceptional event that there is still a tie after all other tiebreaker methods are followed, a coin flip will determine the winner.

Protests of points (yours or someone else's) must be in writing, and submitted within one week of the event in question. One (1) additional week will be granted for special events, rain out, and classes off. If a video is required to verify the points and/or finish, the track's official video (videos made by track videographer) will be the only one used.

Safety:

* Diesel fuel is not allowed on racecars. Mudd Off or baby oil is allowed. 

* Antifreeze is not allowed in any race vehicle. Any EPA approved coolant/additive with water may be used.

* Wheel weights are not allowed. 

* No open-ended tubing allowed. All tubing must be capped or rolled onto the body. 

* All drivers must wear approved driving suits (top and bottoms, gloves, shoes, and neck brace) made of fire resistant materials that cover the driver's body, multi-layer recommended. Full-face helmets required, Snell 90 or newer with Snell identification clearly visible inside the helmet. IMCA CHECK YOUR CLASS RULES. 

* All pit crews must have operable fire extinguishers in their pit area capable of extinguishing fuel, oil, and electrical fires. All cars MUST have working fire extinguisher in reach of the driver.

* All main roll cage materials must be minimum 1.5" O.D. x 0.095" wall thickness round tubing. Exceptions: Center bar in halo, window wing bars that attach to the A-pillar and door bar and any windshield bars. All cars must have complete welds. Tack welding only is not acceptable. All cars must have roll cages inspected and approved by race official before they are eligible to compete. 

* Safety Inspection identification tags will be required on all cars before they are allowed on the track for practice or racing. The safety inspection tags will be valid until December 31, 2008. They will be available at each test & tune session, as well as throughout the season. Items inspected will be: helmet height versus roll cage height, seat belt attachment, seat belt date, seat attachment, roll cage placement/attachmentand padding, driver safety apparel, plastic or sharp items in the driver's cockpit, steering wheel quick release, window net installation/arm restraints as required, drive shaft loop, wrecker pick up points, sharp body parts/nerf bars, driver exits: left & right, routing of fuel line, attachment of fuel cell, fuel cell protection bar, attachment of ballast, and chassis welding. If any safety items are not approved, you will not be allowed on the racetrack. Any violation of these rules will not be tolerated.

* All cars must have an approved three-inch (3") racing seat belts. All seat belts must be securely attached to the frame or roll cage with minimum ½" bolts. Seat belts must be no older than two (2) years.

* All cars must have full window nets.

* All seats must be attached to a main part of the frame/brace exclusively for the seat and/or seat belts. All seats must be attached at the bottom as well as the back.

* All drive shafts must be painted white or silver, so as to be clearly visible when lying on the racetrack.

* No mirrors, two-way radios, scanners, or cell phones allowed in racecars.

* All cars are subject to a technical inspection at any time and must be in compliance with all rules and be in acceptable racing condition and be free of mechanical defects.

* No liquid ballast.

* Sharp edges are not allowed anywhere on the car that could damage another car. Pay special attention to bumpers and nerf bars. No open tubing allowed - must be capped or rolled.

Retention of Vehicles and Parts:
Participant hereby grants SMS and its assigns the full and unconditional permission to collect and retain vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, or any other items used in conjunction with participation owned by or in the possession of participant, including such vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, or any other items which have been involved in accidents when SMS determines in its sole and absolute discretion that such actions are necessary incident to the investigation of an accident, the inspection or testing of such vehicles, parts, or equipment, or for other purpose.