2023 CARAWAY SPEEDWAY
GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events. These rules shall govern the conduct of all Caraway Speedway events. Caraway Speedway drivers are deemed to have complied with these rules. No express or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of, or compliance with these rules and regulations. They are intended as a guide for the orderly conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to participants, spectators, or others. By competing in a Caraway Speedway Event you agree to abide by these stated rules and Procedures and as they may be amended at any time with ample notice to competitors.
GENERAL INFIELD PROCEDURES: While awaiting Registration, please park the Hauler or Tow Vehicle OFF the Entry Service Road.
No Personal Vehicles, Motorhomes and the like are permitted in the infield.
Please cooperate with Officials with the Hauler Parking. If multiple race cars are working from one hauler, please advise the Race Director prior to parking the tow vehicle. Divisions will park together. Late Models together, 602 Modifieds together, etc.
A safe number of crew members will be permitted on the Top of the Hauler or Trailer during events. Stacker/Tractor-Trailer type rigs may have a safe number of people on the lift gate but not on the roof of the trailer. Lower enclosed trailers may have a safe number of people in the viewing platform area. Consider this a privilege and comply with any requests from Caraway Speedway Officials. We need to remember the line-of-sight for our fans is important.
Tow Vehicles are not permitted to enter the infield during Qualifying Sessions.
The use of ATV’s, Cart’s and motorized push vehicles will cease before Qualifying. The Owner must have Insurance documentation and fees submitted to the Speedway Office. Infield Vehicles will be held inside the track, until the completion of all races.
All Personal Safety Equipment safety requirements, whether mentioned in regulations or not, are the sole responsibility of the driver and crew to make sure they are in place and functioning properly as designed.
1. EQUIPMENT: A driver must have approved helmets, fire extinguishers in working order and driver’s uniform made of fire resistance material. A driver should wear a helmet carrying at least a valid SA 1995 or SA 2000 Standard Snell Sticker while competing. The driver should wear the helmet in accordance with the directions provided by the helmet supplier and/or manufacturer. Any modification to the helmet for any purpose should not detract from its effectiveness.
It is recommended that each car be equipped with “tow hooks” to effectively remove the car with the least amount of damage.
2. WINDOW SCREEN: AN approved nylon window screen must be used on the driver's side.
3. REGISTRATION & PIT PASS: No one will be allowed in/on track until properly registered. Anyone under the age of eighteen (18) years of age must have parents or legal guardians sign a properly executed minor’s release. All releases will be kept on file for the entire 2023 season. NO EXCEPTION! NOTE: Race Director reserves the right to reject any entry in the Race.
4. SCORING RECHECK: A request for scoring rechecks, must be submitted within 15 minutes of completion of the Race.
5.TRANSPONDER USAGE: An Operational Transponder is required anytime the car is on the track. If a Driver does not have a transponder or an operating transponder, the Speedway has rental transponders available that must be secured with a deposit (Credit Card or Driver’s License) and rental fee. All rental transponders must be placed in an My Laps Bracket Transponder Holder. The driver is responsible for any damages to any rental transponder.
6. INJURY: If you are injured at a race meet, notify an Official immediately. Do not leave the speedway grounds without making a report of any injury to the Office.
7. SPONSORS: If you want your sponsor’s name mentioned on the Public Address system, please give the information provided to the Speedway Office in writing, email to the address below or the Announcer.
8. PIT PARTY: “Pit Party” is an extension of promoting your sport and assists in your sponsorship by interacting with your fans. As a Driver at Caraway Speedway you are required to participate in the “Pit Parties” as listed on the schedule. You are expected to promptly present your car on the front straight with-in five minutes of the completion of the final Qualifying session, unless the car is in technical inspection or has been excused by the Technical Director with a mechanical issue. Please dress for pictures and properly wear your uniform. Cars that are scheduled to race first will line up as directed by Officials, closer to the entrance of pit road as these cars will not return to the pit area until their race is completed. Failure to participate or unauthorized return to the pits will result in the loss of starting position in the race.
9. RULES:
A. Please cooperate by wearing clean uniforms or other clothing. Your appearance helps build your image and the sports image. Long pants recommended in the pit area.
B. NO GRILLS or OPEN FLAMES ALLOWED IN THE PITS-Fire Marshall’s Regulation.
C. NO DRINKING OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES allowed in the infield. Each driver is responsible for the actions of his crew.
D. ANYONE caught passing pit pass to someone else will be automatically fined $100 and/or be subject to an indefinite suspension from the infield / pit area.
10. PROTEST OF EQUIPMENT:
A. All protests will be handled according to procedures listed in the CARAWAY SPEEDWAY Rules. No protest will be accepted after 15 minutes from the time of race completion. Decision of the Race Director to accept or deny the Protest is non-appealable.
B. PROTEST FEE: Protests must be submitted in writing with the cash fee amount within fifteen (15) minutes of the completion of the Race. See Divisional Rules - Some fees may be higher than the following listed – Crankshaft,Pistons & Rods $1000, Bore and Stroke $750, Camshaft $600,Head $500. all other engine component items $300 each, any other item $200.
If during the tear-down of an engine protest that involves the removal of a piston, connecting rod, crankshaft, etc., any other part removed prior to reaching the part being protested is subject to inspection by Caraway Speedway Officials. If any of those other parts are found to not comply with any rule published in the Caraway Speedway Rule Book, the tear-down will cease and at the discretion of Caraway Speedway Officials, the parts will be deemed illegal and appropriate penalties will be applied. Protest fees will be returned to the protesting party.
C. VISUAL PROTEST: Any item that can be visually inspected by Caraway Speedway Officials without using any tools. Protest fee for a visual protest is $50 per item per car with all protest fees going to the Official. A Visual Protest Must be submitted in writing no later than 15 minutes before the start of qualifying at the race meet.
11. COMPETITION POLICY: In order to promote, among other goals, the primary Caraway Speedway goals of close and fair competition and cost limitation, Caraway Speedway reserves the right to amend or modify its rules and regulations at any time it deems it is in the best interest of the sport of automobile racing.
12. DIVISION ELIGIBILITY: Any driver changing from one division to another will have to be approved by Caraway Speedway Officials. If a driver competes in two divisions on the same night, it must be with two separate cars (a car/truck is only allowed to compete in one race per night) and the driver must pay an additional entry fee.
13. INSPECTION (Pre and/or Post Race):
A. Any race car / equipment is subject to inspection at any time deemed appropriate by a Caraway Speedway Official. The driver/crew will assist the Official at his request with the inspection. At the finish of the race, the top five finishers will proceed to the scales where the division inspector will determine the trucks/cars, if any, to be inspected or weighed.
B. Caraway Speedway has the right to confiscate any part and/or equipment found during inspection that does not meet requirements.
C. Car Impounding; Caraway Speedway Officials have the right, for inspection purposes to seal or impound race equipment entered and competing in an event. Officials or the Promoter are not responsible for payment, reimbursement, damage, or loss to the competitor because of such sealing or impounding.
D. Inspection after competition; At an event where the Officials require inspection after the event, any race equipment that has competed in the event may not be taken from the racing premises without permission of the Race Director or Caraway Speedway Officials.
14. IDENTIFICATION AND LETTERING:
A. Cars must be numbered. Caraway Speedway will assign, register, and approve a car’s number by contacting the speedway office at 336-629-5803. The reason for competing with a car number does not mean that is your assigned number.
B. Numbers must be affixed on both doors and on roof 18” minimum height. Roof number must be read from the passenger side of the car.
C. Car number must be affixed on the right rear and on the right front. Numbers must be legible as determined by the Race Director.
D. Numbers will be distinctly contrasting to the color of the car.
E. Maximum two-digit numbers only - NO DUPLICATE NUMBERS ALLOWED.
F. Cars must be neatly painted. No obscenity or other derogatory items will be allowed.
G. Cars must display contingency sponsor’s stickers to be eligible for contingency awards in the locations designated by Caraway Speedway.
15. VICTORY & VICTORY LANE: The Race winner must report to the Start / Finish Line where Officials will check the tire’s hardness, present the winner with the checkered flag to allow the driver to take a Victory Lap and return to Victory Lane. The second and third place finishers will report there for post-race interviews and pictures. Once the winner has been parked, Team & Family members will be allowed to cross the track to Victory Lane, to celebrate with the winner and pose for pictures. All drivers please remain properly/ professionally dressed while participating in these celebrations.
15. POINTS SCHEDULE: Caraway Speedway points will be awarded by Event from the official race results using the following schedule: 1st -102, 2nd - 98, 3rd - 96,4th - 94, 5th -92, 6th – 90, 7th - 88, 8th - 86, 9th - 84, 10th - 82, etc. through all positions. In the case of ties, the tie-breaker will be the highest number of firsts, seconds, thirds, etc. If a tie remains, then the car earns the highest finishing position first.
QUALIFYING & RACE PROCEDURE:
A. Late Models will receive two laps of qualifying, time and other circumstances permitting. Other divisions will receive one lap of qualifying, time permitting. Some divisions may participate in Euro Qualifying in which the last practice session will also serve as qualifying. The Race Director reserves the right to reduce or eliminate qualifying due to inclement weather or circumstances beyond the control of the track.
B. Cars/Drivers must participate in the Pit Parties. Drivers are required to attend the Drivers Meeting Time/Location- TBD. Failure to participate in the “Pit Party” or attend the Drivers Meeting will result in a loss of starting position(s).
C. Cars/Drivers must pre-grid and be ready to complete, prior to the completion of the preceding race. Failure to enter the track and pre-grid may result in loss of starting positions as determined by the Race Director.
D. Starting Positions: Drivers will invert the top-six starting positions after qualifying, except the previous race winner will start in sixth position. The Rusty Harpe Memorial Event will start straight up starting based on drivers qualifying time.
E. The initial start and all restarts will be double file. The number one starter/leader is the control car for all starts and restarts. On the initial start of the event, racing will begin when the Race Director/Flagman initiates the green. At the start of the race, when the green flag is given by the starter, cars MUST maintain their position as designated by Officials, until they have crossed the starting line. The race leader controls all restarts. A clearly marked (with lines and cones) area will be designated and explained in the drivers meeting. On restarts cars MUST maintain their position as designated by Officials, until they have crossed the starting line.
On the initial start, the fastest qualifier may choose the inside or outside lane.
On restarts, the leader may choose the inside or outside lane. The remainder of the lead lap cars may choose a lane by going inside or outside of the “CONE” when the signal is given. For re-starts the field will be lined up according to the line-up procedures distributed at Drivers meeting. On all restarts, the leader controls the field. If the leader does not restart by the end of the restart box, the flagman will start the race. The second place driver may not beat the leader to the start/finish line (EIRI). Cars must not change lanes until they have crossed the start/finish line at the flag stand.
F. When a caution flag is displayed, drivers WILL NOT RACE BACK TO THE LINE! Drivers are to hold their respective positions for the restart. When a caution flag has been displayed, SLOW DOWN! Driver’s proceeding in a reckless manner under caution will be penalized.
LUCKY DOG:
During a given caution period, the car that is the first car one (1) lap down by their last completed green flag lap, may be directed to pass the pace car (“Lucky Dog”). The “Lucky Dog” shall be notified as quickly as possible and will move to the position behind the pace car. After pit road has opened, the “Lucky Dog” will be permitted to pass the pace car and is eligible to pit the following lap. Once the car passes the pace car, that car must restart at the tail end of the longest line. If the first car one (1) lap down was part of the incident on the track which resulted in the current caution period, or the car eligible for the pass pits, this car will forfeit their privilege to the next eligible car. If there is not a car one lap down, the “Lucky Dog” will go to the first eligible car.
FREE PASS:
Vehicles on the rear of the lead lap but between the pace car and the race leader may be directed to pass the pace car and proceed to the rear of the longest line. These vehicles may not advance until directed by the race director. Additionally, these vehicles are not eligible to pit after advancing the pace car.
G. Scoring: Completion of lap(s), restart Line-up procedure will be covered in Driver’s Meeting.
H. If two cars are running side-by-side at the time of the caution, scoring will determine the placement of the cars. Decisions of the scorers are final and non-appealable.
I. Cone re-starts will be used. Procedure will be explained in detail at all driver’s meetings.
J. The Race Director may impose a time/or lap limit on a race.
K. There will be one attempt at a Green, White & Checkered Flag Finish, time permitting.
Race & Pit Procedure Penalties
1. "To Rear of Longest Line”:
a. Enter pits early.
2. "Stop & Go"
a. Failure to line up in the correct position with position gain or restart in the wrong line with position gain.
b. Run over air hose or other equipment.
c. Use of illegal or unauthorized equipment during pit stop.
d. Running stop sign.
3. "Lap/Laps Penalty"
a. Unauthorized pass of pace car (1) lap penalty
b. Failure to obey flags (2) lap penalty
c. Intentional yellow (1) lap penalty and start at end of longest line.
d. Work on car during red flag (2) lap penalty
4. "Black Flag/D.Q'/Other"
a. Working on a Car on the race surface. (2) lap penalty
b. Ignore black flag for 3 laps. (Stop Scoring plus one (1) lap penalty for each lap completed after scoring is stopped)
c. Car aided on white flag lap. (1) lap penalty
d. Rough or reckless driving or safety or equipment. (Discretion of Race
Director)
NOTE: If you are unsure of any Caraway Speedway rule, whether contained within these rules or not, is the responsibility of the driver to question this prior to any competition. You may contact the Technical Director for clarity on any technical specification. You may contact the Race Director for clarity on any Race Procedure. It is the responsibility of the Driver, NOT the Technical Director or Promoter or Track Representative, to ensure that his / her race car meets the specifications noted prior to entering any Event.