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Joel #33
Guest
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« on: January 28, 2011, 06:21:16 pm » |
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The open single class must meet all of our general safety guidelines!
In addition, mowers must also comply with the following:
1 - Must have a 1" OD or larger live rear axle
2 - Must be equiped with hydraulic or mechanical disk brakes on the rear axle ( front disc brakes are recomended, but not required )
3 - Must use kart hubs and wheels on both front and rear axles
4 - ABOLUTELY NO STOCK STEERING!
Note:
These mowers will be checked over by whoever is doing the technical inspections. If they are not considered safe, by the tech man, for the speeds we will be attaining, they will not be allowed to race.
General Regulations
1. On Track Regulations
Any deliberate actions to circumvent the safety features of a mower will result in sanctions for the driver. These sanctions will include a minimum of the following:
Total loss of points for said event
Suspension from 2 race events immediately following the incident
Based upon the severity of the incident sanctions may be increased at the discretion of the Local Chapter representatives and/or their board of directors. Actions to deliberately violate the rules for any mower class will result in the same sanctions found above.
No alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs are allowed within the controlled area of the racing activity, including the pit area.
a. Any person who is actively participating in a race event who has consumed alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or controlled substances that is mind and/or motor skills altering may not participate in any capacity.
b. Completing a safe pass is the responsibility of the overtaking driver. No bumping will be tolerated. This means if you initiate a pass and during execution you realize you cannot complete the pass in a safe manner then it is up to the overtaking driver to return to a safe position on the track while avoiding contact with other racers. You will gain more respect by taking yourself out then placing the other racers in an unsafe situation causing personal injury and mower damage.
c. If you are being overtaken by another racer and it is clear that they are faster make room for the overtaking racer and let them pass.
d. Multiple mower blocking is not permitted.
e. The racer that causes an incident will restart the race at the end of the field. This will be determined by the track officials.
f. Flags will be used to communicate to the racers the following on track conditions:
Green: The race/practice is underway when displayed.
Yellow: CAUTION, DANGER. No passing on the entire track and the drivers will form a single line at a safe pace speed and close up to the leader and follow the starters directions.
Yellow & White: The field is not bunched up for restart. If this is displayed, close it up.
Red: Stop all racing action immediately and shut off your engine. This flag is used in emergency situations where personal injury has occurred or the track is blocked.
Black: This for driver or equipment infractions. The driver must safely exit the track and consult with the Chief Steward. A furled black flag is a warning to a driver to clean up his/her act or receive the full black flag indicating he/she needs to exit the track.
White: One lap to go. Crossed white and green indicates race is halfway complete.
Checkered: End of race or practice session. Winner may choose to make a victory lap with the checkered flag. The remaining drivers will complete the lap and safely exit the track to the pit area.
g. Driver must keep both hands on the steering wheel, except to momentarily operate other controls. Drivers body may not be intentionally positioned out of the mower seat onto or over the mower fender.
h. If you leave the course during the race re-enter the track as close as possible to the exiting point. Exiting the course and reentering in order to gain position will result in the driver being placed at the rear of the field.
i. If the mower stalls move the mower to a safe place at least 10 feet off course.
j. Anyone dismounting a mower in anger will be removed immediately from that race. Anyone touching another racer or track official in anger will be removed from the property where the race is being held.
k. Unsafe off track driving will not be tolerated.
l. Drivers must attend all drivers meetings. If an unforeseen circumstance forces a driver to miss the meeting they shall begin at the rear of the field after meeting with the Chief Steward for a briefing on the days racing information.
m. Starting positions will be determined by random draw for a rolling start.
2. Pit Area and Track Regulations
a. Mower pit speed is 5 MPH maximum.
b. Long pants, closed shoes and shirts are required in the track area.
c. Refueling: Driver must dismount and engine must be shut off when fuel is added. A fire extinguisher (Liquid Fire Rated) must be in the hands of a crew member any time fuel is added to a hot machine.
d. Mower must be completely stopped before driver dismounts.
e. Track crews are under the direction of the Track Steward at all times.
f. The driver is responsible for the conduct of his/her guests and crew, even while on the track.
g. Only authorized personnel and drivers shall enter the racing course during racing activity.
h. No pets are allowed on the racing course.
i. Individual tracks reserve the right to limit pit space. Campers and RVs may be permitted on race day only if space permits.
j. No vehicles other than racing mowers and official vehicles such as tow mowers shall be on or near the track.
3. Driver Eligibility
a. Drivers must be a member of the FTF Mower Racing Series.
b. Drivers must be at least 16 years of age. Drivers under 18 years of age must have an approved parents consent form on file.
c. Drivers should conduct themselves in a professional, mature manner while on the track. If a driver feels there is an issue requiring attention, he/she will bring the issue to the Chief Steward in an appropriate manner. Failure to do so will result in removal from the remainder of the days racing action.
4. Driver Safety Equipment
a. Every driver must wear an automobile racing or motorcycle-type full-face helmet approved by the U. S. Department of Transportation or the Snell Foundation.
b. The helmet must fit snugly and be securely buckled when driver is on the track.
c. Goggles or a face shield are required. Glasses are not adequate protection.
d. All drivers must wear long pants, long sleeved shirt, neck brace, full-fingered gloves and leather over the ankle footwear on the track. Chest protectors and other anti-abrasive suits are highly recommended. No loose clothing on the track.
5. Mower Eligibility
a. Events are open to all riding type lawn mowers and garden tractors (with tires 20 or less) that were mass-produced and commercially available to mow residential lawns. Engine can be any single cylinder air cooled lawn mower engine. Frame must be a lawnmower frame, but can be strengthened. No custom made or tube type chassis are permitted. Zero turn riders are not permitted. The mower may be modified from its original configuration as noted in section 7 General Mower Specifications Modified Classes.
b. Final determination of eligibility and classification is up to the technical inspector.
c. Organizers reserve the right to reject at any time any mower, which in their opinion, represents an attempt to defeat the spirit of these rule, even though it complies with the letter of them.
d. A single mower may participate in multiple classes, however points will only be awarded for the class the mower is built for. This will be identified by using the class letters on the machine.
e. Driver's owning two machines prepared for the same class may race one machine in the heat and a second mower in the feature. Both mowers must pass through technical inspection prior to the start of the day's racing action. If a driver utilizes a back up mower, that driver must start at the rear of the field.
6. Technical Inspection
a. All mowers entered in any event must be inspected for compliance by the Technical Inspector prior to participating in practice or racing.
b. Drivers must complete the registration process and sign insurance releases prior to entering the tech line.
c. Drivers may be questioned on the content of this document and must pass in order to practice or race.
d. All required safety equipment must be present at technical inspection.
e. Any driver, guest, crew member or official that displays behavior that is considered dangerous to other drivers, guests, crew members or spectators may be removed from the event by authorized event officials.
7. General Mower Specifications- Modified Classes
a. Cutting blades must be removed.
b. Cutting decks are optional, but if they are on, they must be securely mounted in near stock location. Decks may extend beyond the tire sidewalls a maximum of 2.
c. Mowers must maintain a minimum of 1.5" ground clearance under the lowest point of the frame and deck .
d. Exhaust design is open, but must terminate away from the driver and competitors, in a rearward and downward direction without creating a safety hazard.
e. Starter and functional battery must be on board, either electric or pull rope.
f. All wheels and/or hubs must be secured to the rear axle with shaft locks, center bolts or thru-bolts.
g. All mowers shall have an automatic, throttle closing device. (throttle return springs)
h. A tethered kill switch is mandatory. Kill switch lanyard length shall be as short as necessary to effectively stop the mower as quickly as possible. Lanyard length shall not exceed 40 when fully extended. This device must be commercially available for racing and/or recreational vehicles such as ATVs, jet skis snowmobiles, etc. Homemade and/or magnetic switches are not allowed.
i. Brakes may be hydraulic or mechanical.
j. Throttle and brake control may be relocated.
k. The steering wheel, seat and body must be centered on the frame.
l. Drive line may be modified from the engine pulley to the rear wheels.
m. Wheels must be the same size on each axle, of any origin, but made of metal. Duel or tandem wheels are forbidden.
n. Front axle and steering may be modified or fabricated. Front axles may be pinned, bolted or welded into place. No suspension allowed. All modifications and fabrications are subject to the judgment of the technical inspector.
o. All steering linkage must be ball-type or spherical threaded rod ends.
p. Footholds and seat side boosters must be minimally designed so as not to entangle body parts. Foot guards should be no higher than 4 from the bottom of the bar to the top and be flush with the bottom of the frame. Bars should be 2 off of the rear tire. With front wheels turned to extreme position, there should be 2 of clearance between tire and bar.
q. External ignition systems and aluminum flywheels are authorized.
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE
There can be no alterations to a stock flywheel. This is to include removing the magnets and/or removing metal from the flywheel in various locations. Altered flywheels are not tested under any standards for safety and may not withstand high rpms. Recognizing that other sanctioning bodies are extending their implementation date for mandatory billet flywheels, we will permit drivers to continue to run their stock flywheels for the 2011 season. By doing so, drivers assume all risks related to running said flywheel.
r. All steering and wheel retention fasteners must terminate with locking nuts, castellated nuts with cotter pins, washers with new cotter pins, shaft locks, or locking bolts. Cotter pins, E-rings and C-rings alone, bent nails, hitch pins, over center pins and quick-release pins are not permitted.
s. Mowers may reach a maximum width of 42" sidewall to sidewall.
t. Carburetors will be required to have dual return springs on the throttle.
u. Mowers may only operate on pump gasoline. No additives or additions to the fuel are allowed. No nitrous oxide, rocket fuel, alcohol or other oxidizers are permitted. No combustion enhancing substances may be added to the crankcase oil or air cleaner assembly. Any attempt to circumvent this rule will result in disqualification from the event. No electric fuel pumps.
v. All engines must be naturally aspirated. Blowers, turbochargers, and water injection systems are not allowed.
aa. Substituted steering wheels are permitted. They may not be mounted offset unless originally mounted offset. Steering wheel consists of a 360 degree circular device. This wheel may not be pegged or have steering devices attached to them. Hand throttle and brake controls are permitted.
bb. All positively charged terminals must be insulated with a cover or heavy tape. Battery must be well secured on the mower.
cc. All mowers must be safe and complete with all parts and panels in places with no missing fasteners. Machines that have been involved in a on-track incident resulting in removal of body parts will only be allowed back on the track after the mower has been inspected to determine if its return would present a safety issue.
dd. All exposed sprockets, chains, rotating shafts and pulleys must be fitted with metal guards 1/8 inch thick minimum deflecting a broken chain downward and preventing entanglement with mower parts.
ee. Mowers must be free of sharp edges, projections and protrusions.
ff. A rear bumper is highly recommended and should be no wider than the rear tire width. It should be made so as to not get entangled with another mower. No sharp edges. The intent of the bumper is to prevent mowers from climbing the rear tires and making contact with a driver.
gg. Seats must be present. Seat is defined as being a separately attached device on which the driver will place his body during racing competition. They should be securely mounted to the mower, on the center of the frame. Seats may be adjusted more towards the front or rear of the mower along the center line to help achieve better weight balance for handling.
hh. Sheet metal should either be of lawn mower origin, or made to look as close to original as possible. The racing mower should look like a mower. Fender trimming or flaring that results in sharp edges will not be permitted.
Removal:
Any sheet metal originally on a mower may not simply be removed. A mower originally delivered with fenders must have fenders. A mower originally delivered with a hood must have a hood.
ll. Race numbers should be a minimum of 3 high and of a sharply contrasting color from its background, and be visible from all four sides of the mower including the rear . Mowers without numbers or mower with same number will be assigned one during registration.
nn. Mowers must present a neat and clean appearance. No written profanity is allowed.
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