2017 Rules

Practice

The host track will close for  (members & non-member), at 12:01 am on Monday prior to the Dixie Shootout regional event.  You may practice up to 12am on Monday prior to the event, depending on the hosted club’s schedule.  (There may be a fee associated with the practice.)  Contact the host track or visit dixieshootout.com for more details.

New for 2017: Dixie Shootout races will NOT have practice the Friday before a regional event.

Each class will have a single (2) two minute round of practice immediately following the driver/handler meeting with no more than (5) five cars on the track per round.  Depending on car count and weather at the race, director discretion practice may be extended to (3) minutes per round.  At the conclusion of practice, qualifying will begin.

 Schedule of Events

Each regional event will begin at 8:00am with the Driver/Handler meeting unless otherwise posted.  All drivers and handlers must be present at the meeting to race the event(s) of the day.  Drivers may register for a maximum of (4) four events/classes.  In the event of an unforeseen condition, all attempts will be made to run all events on Saturday and/or Sunday on the weekend scheduled.  The Dixie Shootout Board present at the event will make all decisions based on the circumstances.

Membership & Event Registration

Membership and Event Registration should be completed online at dixieshootout.com.  Onsite registration sign-in will be on the day of the event, Saturday 7-8am, in the tower of the hosting track. Each handler is required to sign waiver, provide proof of USAC membership, and obtain an armband for insurance.  All drivers must pill draw during onsite registration/sign-in.  You must be a current member and in good standing, with your local club track.

Events will follow USAC rules and format unless otherwise noted in this document.

For drivers turning 9 during the 2017 race season-

Any driver who will turn nine (9) on or before May 31st of a racing season has the option of moving up to and racing in the Senior division at all Local, Regional, and National Events, at any time prior to his or her ninth birthday. Once he or she has made this decision and raced in a Senior division, he or she shall not be allowed to return to the Junior division of that class for any reason. If this option is used USAC national office much be notified and the driver card shall be documented.

Any driver who will turn nine (9) on or after June 1^st of a racing season must remain in the Jr. Class until his/her 9^th birthday.  He or she may choose to remain in the Jr. Class for the remainder of the racing season.  Drivers will be awarded points in the class in which they raced.  There will be no combining of points for a Junior and Senior class.

Fees

Race fees will be $55 for each car, per event, at all Dixie Shootout Series tracks, except North Georgia.  The fee at North Georgia (Cummings) will be $60 due to the fairgrounds fees.  Transponders may require an additional charge depending on the hosted track.

Registration should be completed online for 2017 by going to dixieshootout.com.  Online registration closes at 10pm on Thursday prior to the scheduled event.  Onsite registration and sign-in will ONLY be open from 7-8am on Saturday, the day of the event.  If you fail to complete online registration there will be an additional cost of $10 per car.

Late registration applies to anyone registering after onsite registration closes (8am) on the day of the event.  Late registration is permitted however the fee is an additional $35 per car.  Late registrants will not be allowed to qualify and must start at the rear of the lower mains.

Dixie Shootout Membership is $20 per family and must be completed online. These fees will be used to offset the costs associated with the race directors, flagmen, and to keep ticket prices minimal for the year-end banquet.  The $20 family fee is required regardless of the driver’s home track region.

Fuel

Fuel will not be supplied by the hosting tracks. Fueling station information for the purchase of 87 octane fuel can be obtained by going to dixieshootout.com or to the individual track’s      websites.  Gasoline and methanol may be checked at various times throughout the event.

Pill Draw

At sign-in, each driver will pill draw for their batch qualifying position for each class in which they are registered.  Qualifying line-up will be based on the pill draw of lowest to highest (1-999).  Practice lineups will be available at check-in.  The “Class Designation” must be taped to the front of the car for practice and batch qualifying.

(1)- Two (2) Minute Round of Practice

Cars are to be lined up based on the “Practice Lineup Sheet” provided to each driver at Sign-in with the “Class Designation” taped to the front of the car.

Batch Qualifying

Batch qualifying lineups will be posted immediately following the practice sessions.  Drivers/Handlers are responsible for obtaining (2) two of the correct batch qualifying numbers for each car, and posting (1) one number on the left side of the car, and one number on the front of the car in addition to the “Class Designation”.  Failure to have numbers displayed could result in disqualification.

Cars are to be lined up in staging lanes in numerical order, based on the Batch Qualifying order, as provided by the tower, and in the order of the “Practice Lineup Sheet”.   (However, the Batch Qualifying order may be changed at the discretion of the host track.)  There will be no waiting on cars.  If you are next to batch qualify (front batch in hot shoot), your car should be on the ground with your Batch Qualifying number and race ready with drivers buckled in, with all safety gear, with no adjustments being made other than tire pressure and turning on fuel.

Qualifying is 1.5 minutes after all cars are on the track and the green flag is thrown.  In the event of a caution during batch qualifying, the timer will be stopped when the yellow flag is waved and restarted when green flag is waved.

If a driver receives two (2) Dead on Track calls (DOTs), his/her qualifying session is over and the best lap time prior to the 2nd DOT will be used as the qualifying time

Two-Day Event Qualifying

Huntsville– Separate qualifying will be held for each day’s events, immediately following one round of practice.

North Carolina– Due to curfew, qualifying will be held on the first each day’s event, immediately following one round of practice.  The drivers first fastest lap will be used for the first day’s event and the second fastest lap will be used for the second day’s event.

Transponders

The check of all transponders will be completed as cars roll onto the track during qualifying.  Scorers will verify transponder prior to the green flag.  If a timing failure occurs due to computer glitch in the track equipment, during batch qualifying, the car(s) will be called immediately to hot shoot for re-qualification.  No adjustments are to be made to the car, however, tires may be cleaned with a hot gun.

Tires

Tires will be marked after qualifying.  Marked tires must be used in A Mains.  If lower main is required, additional tires may be used, however, the marked tires must be raced in the A Main.  No right-side tires may be changed during A main event unless the tire is damaged or flat due to an incident during the race or warm up.

Tires for the double header weekends: Tires will be marked after qualifying.  Marked tires must be used for Saturday’s A-Mains event (or the first event of the weekend in the event of rain or unforeseen weather causing the race to be delayed to another day).  You are not required to run your qualifying tires on Sunday or the second day’s event.  There will be no removing of tires from tech on Sunday for any reason until tech is complete.

Racing

Batch qualifying will determine lower mains and A main lineup.  Top (6) qualifiers of competitive classes will lock into the A-main.  Top (4) rookie qualifiers of will lock into the A-main.  After qualifying, roll of die will determine the invert of up to 5 cars.

Lower mains will not have warm-ups and will roll and go, unless otherwise directed by the Chief Steward however either all lower mains will not have warm-ups or will have warm-ups to maintain consistency throughout all classes.  If a car comes into the hot chute during the roll and go and returns to the track, they will be placed at the tail of the field.  A-mains will have a (30) thirty second warm-up.   If a car comes into the hot chute during the A-main warmup and returns to the track prior to the end of warm up, they will keep their spot in the field.

If there is a caution during the (30) thirty second warm-up, the clock will not stop.  If a red flag is thrown/waved during (30) thirty second warm-up, the clock will stop at the red flag and resume with the green flag.

Race Day Practice / Race Order

We will strive to run the following practice/race day order at all regional events.

Lap Counts

Work Rule

Once the lineup is set on the track, there will be a (5) five lap work rule.  Your car must be on the ground and rolling, prior to the five-lap work rule expiring, to re-enter the track.  The race director will have the final call as to “if” a driver was on the ground rolling before the end of the work rule.

Time Limits

All lower mains will have a time limit of 20 minutes, including rookies.

As the norm, there will no time limits on A-mains on any class, including rookies.  However, if car count or weather conditions are a factor, the Dixie Shootout Board may add time limits.  Time limits, if any, are required to be announced and should be consistent within each of the mains.  For example, time limits shall be added to ALL A-mains, but time limits cannot be added or removed after the A mains have begun.  Timer will begin when initial green flag falls.  Timer will only pause for medical red and track repairs.  Timer will resume when medical red has been released.  The timer will not be stopped when red flag is used to lineup cars.

If there is a red flag situation, the timer will stop and restart when the medical personnel has been released.  The timer will not be stopped when red flag is used to lineup cars.

Time UP under Green

If time expires while the green flag is displayed, the race will continue until a checkered, yellow,  or red flag is displayed.  The race finish will be the last completed lap with adjustments for strikes and lapped cars.

Time UP under Yellow

If time expires while the yellow flag is displayed, the race is over and a checkered,

flag will be thrown.  The race finish will be the last completed lap with adjustments for strikes and lapped cars.

Chief Stewart Authority

The Chief Stewart has the authority to DQ a driver.  See the USAC rulebook for a complete listing.    The Chief Stewart’s DQ cannot be protested.  The Dixie Shootout Series will handle the following calls as follows:

Medical Attention Procedure

If outside EMS are called to track to treat a driver and EMS recommends transporting the driver to a medical facility, the driver may only participate in events if a signed medical release form is provided by the attending EMS personnel or doctor clearly stating the driver is cleared to resume race normal activities.  If the parent or legal guardian refuses to allow EMS to transport the driver, the driver may not participate in the remainder of events unless EMS, hosting track President and Safety Director, and the driver’s parent or guardian all agree that the driver may return to their racing activities for the day.

Medical can only be released once all drivers are strapped in and safety checked.  During any medical red condition, no working on cars.  Once the medical is cleared, the red flag may continue for track cleanup.  Cars may be moved and worked on AFTER medical has been cleared.  Race director is only person who can release medical.  If any driver unstraps and comes out of the car during the medical red, driver will go to rear.

 Tech Procedure

All event winners will be inspected.  All fast time, 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes will go to impound and remain until released.  At the conclusion of race day, a minimum of 3 classes will be randomly drawn for tech inspection.

Tech will be conducted at a designated area and only the following will be permitted access when tech is being conducted:  Host Club’s Tech Director and his designees, Handler of car, Driver of car, one other person (i.e. engine builder), Dixie Shootout Representative, and Chief Stewart.  Regional tech decisions are final for regional points.

Tech at the double header weekends– All engines should be resealed Saturday night before leaving tech. If someone is found illegal in tech on Saturday, their qualifying time for Sunday will be disallowed and they will start at the rear of the lowest main.

Safety Check Procedure

All cars must have a USAC safety sticker.  The hosting club’s safety director should be available to complete any needed safety checks and provide stickers.

Cars without a safety sticker after qualifying will receive a No Time.  Cars without a safety sticker after the lower or main event will receive a DQ.

Staging Area and/or Hot Chute

• NO tire warming devices permitted on the grounds of the racing event.
• NO driving through hot chute or staging lanes.
• NO fueling while driver is in car or in hot chute or staging lane.
• NO heat guns allowed in the hot chute or staging lanes. Heat guns are allowed to clean tires in designated areas.
• NO engines cranked in hot chute or staging lanes.

Code of Conduct

ZERO TOLERANCE. Unsportsmanlike conduct, by child, parent or handler will not be tolerated.  Unsportsmanlike conduct includes but is not limited to vulgar or derogatory language, hand signals, verbal or physical threats or assaults on another participant, official, scorers or other persons attending the event.  Anyone found in violation of the Zero Tolerance Rule could result in zero points for the race event and/or race suspension, determined by Dixie Shootout Presidents and Board on site at the event.

Chief Stewart / Race Director

If you have a question about a call or line-up position, you may ask the Chief Stewart / Race Director, ONLY under a yellow caution.  Code of Conduct should be adhered to otherwise it is at the discretion of the Chief Stewart/ Race Director to issue warnings as defined above in the Code of Conduct.  Remember, calls cannot be reversed and therefore complaining about the calls to the Chief Stewart / Race Director is prohibited.  You may, however, question the line-up position to receive clarification on the strike(s).

Spotters

Each track is responsible for providing two spotters for all regional races, lower and A-mains.

Scoring

The Dixie Shootout will have a team of scorers, designated at the beginning of the season to rotate scoring at regional events.  All efforts will be made to assign scorers to applicable races to prevent any conflict of interest.  There will be a minimum of three scorers for both lower and main events, as well as a lap counter.  Laps should be counted down (40 to 1), using an electronic scoreboard, if available, or using manual lap cards.  Lineups will be determined by scorers.  Transponders will only be used during qualifying.  Computer usage is optional to display lineup however lineups will be based on manual scoring of race.

Drivers, handlers, and event attendees are NOT permitted to approach the scorers at any time as it relates to the event; finishing order, calls, scoring results, etc.  Approaching the scorers will result in a disqualification from all events in which the driver is registered.

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2017 Dixie Shootout Region Points Format

(10 Sign In points if an attempt on the track is made – see below)*

Must compete at a minimum of one region event at ALL 5 tracks; Huntsville, Nashville, Metro Atlanta, North Georgia and North Carolina.  The points will be calculated using the best 7 finishes.  Must complete in a minimum of 7 races in the Dixie Shootout Region and a minimum of 7 total races in the same division to be eligible for Dixie Shootout Regional points.  No Regional Point Structure for Red and Blue Rookies.

All competitive classes will run a max of 12 cars in A-main.  In the event a class has 13 or more cars, lower mains will run, with a max of 10 cars in the A-main

Rookie classes will run a max of 8 cars in A-main.  In the event of 9 or more cars, lower mains will run.  The Top 4 in lower mains transfer.

Order of Finish

Exceptions

Weight

• If DRIVER is Light after heat or qualifying, s/he goes to the tail of the “Light” class – receives a N/T
  • -If CAR is Light after heat or qualifying, it goes to the tail in the class it qualified in – receives a N/T
  • -If COMBINED WEIGHT is Light after race – NO Race Points
• Mod WF- May run Mod WF or Deco AA.
  • Minimum weight is 325 pound
  • SF1-5 – Double layer suit is required for 2017
  •  Head sock required.

With the exception of the class champion, there will be no tie-breakers. The tie-breaker for class champion will be based on the number of A-main wins. If there is still a tie after that, it will be based on the number of second place finishes, if a tie still exists then it will be based on third place finishes and subsequent finishes until there is no tie.

NOTE: No refunds for rainouts.  In the event of a complete rainout, first place points will be awarded to all registered drivers. The Dixie Shootout Board will have final authority to make up races.  Note: Points are based on the individual race.  If race is half over, the race will count as timed out and drivers will receive points of their actual finish position. If less than half over, all drivers of rained out classes will receive first place points.

At the end of the season, participants will NOT be permitted to purchase the required number of races they may have missed during the season in order to be eligible for an award.

*Attempt for sign in points: A car must be present in the staging area for practice, heat, semi, or main.

Awards

The top three finishers in each A-main (including Rookies) will receive awards at each regional event.

Rookie finishers beginning with 4^th place in A-main and lower mains will receive Radical Rookie Participation medals, sponsored by Radical Racegear.

The top five point finishers in each competitive class (excludes Rookies) will receive awards at the end of the year banquet.