IRAC COMPETITION RULES

 

 

1.0       GENERAL

 

Any IRAC competitor wishing to use a permanent car number for all IRAC events during the year should contact the IRAC points keeper at the first event of the year. The Points keeper will work with each entrant in an attempt to assign a number that is agreeable and if possible compatible with events other than those sanctioned by IRAC (such as SCCA).

 

All entrants participating; in the IRAC Series will be governed by the current IRAC Competition Rules (ICR's). Items not directly addressed by the ICR's will be governed by the current PCA Parade Competition Rules (PCR's). Where ICR's conflict with PCR'S, the ICR's will take priority.

 

Each year at the annual IRAC meeting proposed changes to the following Year's Parade Competition Rules will be reviewed for appropriateness and incorporation into that year's IRAC Competition Rules. Any rules adopted prior to becoming effective in the PCR's will be included in that year's revision to the IRAC Rules.

 

All IRAC Series events must be run and scored under the IRAC Competition Rules.  In order for events such as "Maifest" and "Oktoberfest" to be considered IRAC events, they must be run and scored under the IRAC Competition Rules.

 

In order for a participant to qualify for IRAC points, he/she must be a member of the Porsche Club of America.

 

IRAC is not only a competitive series, but it is also a social series. It is expected that participants will enter an event with the thought of good sportsmanship and fairness to all competitors, and not use the rules to whatever unfair advantage they can possibly extract from them.

 

Any car that deviates from the current IRAC classification requirements will be re‑classified and/or assigned Modification Points at the discretion of the individual event chairperson.

 

All rules proposals shall be made on or before the date of the annual IRAC meeting (tentatively scheduled for the third Saturday in January each year), except for emergency changes which may be implemented at the discretion of the IRAC Council.

 

1.1       During the day of an event, driving under the influence or consumption or use of alcoholic beverages, narcotics, marijuana, dangerous or illegal drugs by any Participant, crew member, official, worker, or spectator is expressly prohibited.  Anyone in violation of this rule will not be allowed to Participate. This rule does not apply to the consumption of alcoholic beverages after a person's activities in connection with the event are concluded and the person has left the event site, or after all competitive activities for the day have been completed.

 

1.1.1       Each automobile must pass a safety inspection as defined in the ICR's before being allowed to be driven in an event. Further, if at any time during an event the automobile is deemed by the Chief Technical Inspector, or that  inspector's designated replacement to be in an unsafe condition, the automobile may not be used in further competition until repaired. All runs completed prior to being deemed unsafe will count.

1.1.2       In the case of a physical limitation to an entrant, and with approval of the event chairman, a wheeled device may be permitted for the entrant to traverse the course, at a speed consistent with walking.

 

1.2       DRIVER SAFETY

1.2.1           SEAT BELT

The seat belt of all vehicles must be checked to see that it is fastened immediately prior to each run.

 

1.2.2           HELMET

Each participant must wear an approved helmet. The helmet requirement will be a 2000 or newer SA or M rated helmet.

 

1.2.3           LOOSE OBJECTS

Loose objects inside the passenger compartment and trunk must be removed.

 

1.2.4           TONNEAU COVER

Tonneau covers are prohibited on the Passenger side of any vehicle.

 

1.2.5           RACE HARNESS

A 4- or 5-point racing style harness may be used in an open car only if the car is equipped with a roll bar.

 

1.2.6           FLAGS

No contestant will be allowed to run without understanding flag signals and correct procedures. (Sec. 5.4.3)

 

1.2.7           WINDSHIELDS

If windshields are removed, contestants must have adequate eye protection.

 

1.2.8           CLOTHING

It is highly recommended that all entrants wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and socks.  Full shoes are required.

 

1.2.9           SAFETY DEVIATIONS

A region may require more stringent requirements than those outlined in rules 1.2.1 - 1.2.8 due to the venue/location of their particular event.  However, these deviations must be pre-published prior to the event with sufficient lead time for participants to properly prepare for the event.

 

1.2.10 FINAL INSPECTION

The grid worker at the course safety entrance shall make a final check of each car and driver, including a properly fastened seat belt, helmet, tires, running gear, etc. (or have others assist).  The items listed under Sections 1.2.1 through 1.2.8 will be checked prior to a car's entrance onto the course.

 

1.2.11 RAIN TIRES

Any race tire equipped car may elect to use street/rain tires due to weather conditions.

 

1.2.12 TECH INSPECTION

The following are the MINIMUM items which must satisfactorily pass inspection:

 

A)        REGISTRATION FORM - Must be complete in all respects.

 

B)        SEAT BELTS - Each car must be equipped with adequate seat belts. Where installation is other than original factory design, the belt mounting must be anchored securely with large diameter washers on both sides of the mounting holes.  Swivels must have eye bolts welded closed.

 

C)        STEERING - Must not have excessive play.

 

D)        CAMBER - All 356 cars should have negative camber on the rear           suspension.

 

E)        BRAKES - Must be tested for pedal "fade" while stationary.

 

F)        TIRES - Tire tread depth is an important safety consideration in any IRAC event.  No participant will be permitted to drive on street tires which are deemed to be unsafe by the event Safety Chairman at any time during an event.  1/32" tread depth in any two tire grooves will be considered as the minimum requirement for street tires.

 

G)        WHEELS - Must be on tight per factory or wheel manufacturer's specifications. No missing lugs or nuts nor cracks will be allowed.  All lug nuts must have a minimum thread engagement equal to one bolt diameter.

 

H)        WHEEL COVERS - Snap‑on type wheel covers and trim must be removed for the event.

I)   FLUID LEAKAGE - No fluid leakage of any kind will be allowed.

 

J)         ROLL BARS - Are recommended on all open cars (914's and 911 Targas are not considered open cars).

 

K)        PASSENGER SEAT BACKS - Must be suitably secured.

 

L)         HOOD AND DECK LIDS - Must be securely fastened.

 

M)        EXHAUST SYSTEM - Must be in a safe condition (i.e. no leaks, securely mounted, etc.).  Exhaust system is free providing the engine meets any local noise limit requirements.  Restrictions must be published in event registration information.

 

N) REMOVABLE CAR TOPS - Car tops (Targa tops, Cabriolet and Convertible roofs) may be removed or lowered.  Sunroofs may be either open or closed.

 

 

2.0       INDIVIDUAL EVENT SCORING

 

2.1     Ranking in class will be determined by the SUM of the BEST TWO runs made.

 

2.2     Besides being scored against all other cars in their class (novice and experienced alike), novice drivers also will be scored against other novice drivers.  To mitigate the difference in cars, a weighing factor has been developed for each class based on the results from the previous year's Parade Autocross.  Each novice will have his class time (sum of best two runs, as in 2.1 above) multiplied by the appropriate weighing factor for his class.  Trophies for the Novice class will be awarded as to the schedule in Section 7.2.  The weighing factors are shown in Attachment I.

 

2.3     At each event there will be an "Index of Performance" class (or "IOP").  All Porsche drivers will be included in this class.  The sum of the  BEST TWO runs for each driver will be multiplied by the appropriate weighting factor for his car class and gender; the weighing factor will be the same as that used for the Novice overall scoring described in Section 2.2 (see Attachment I for the weighing factors).  The resulting times will be tabulated in ascending order and published with the normal class scoring.  There will be NO trophies awarded for the IOP winners at the individual events.

 

 

3.0       OVERALL SERIES SCORING

 

3.1     A SIMPLE MAJORITY of IRAC events must be run in the same class to be eligible for overall awards (i.e. if there are five events in the series, at least three must be run). Other examples are 3 of 4, 4 of 7, 4 of 6, etc.

 

3.2     The best SIMPLE MAJORITY of total events will be counted for overall scoring.

 

3.3     Points may not be moved from class where earned.

 

3.4     Points earned will go to the region to which the participant was a member at the time of the event.

 

3.5     Points will be computed using the following formula:

 

where:

 

P   =   Points toward Overall scoring

W  =  Class winner's total time

I   =  Individual's total time

 

3.7     An individual may compete in more than one class in an individual event, and earn points toward overall series scoring in more than one class, as long as the entrant meets the conditions set forth in section 5.4.4 AMULTICAR ENTRANT."

 

 

4.0       OVERALL AWARDS

 

4.1     There will be a designated  trophy for the class champion.

 

4.2     There will be an overall Rotating Participation Trophy for the Region having the most members  participating in the IRAC events.  This award will be calculated as follows:

Number of region entrants ) total number of event entrants.  The sum of these percentages for each event will be added and compared at the end of the season to determine which region had the most participation.

 

4.3     There will be an overall Rotating Championship Trophy for the Region that accumulates the most Event Class Wins. In order for class wins to be counted, a SIMPLE MAJORITY or more events must be run by the participant.  If a tie occurs, second place class finishes will be used, etc.

4.4     There will be an overall Rotating Payne Engineering FTD Award for the winner of the most single FTD runs in the series made by persons participating in a SIMPLE MAJORITY or more events.  Henry Payne III has declared himself ineligible for the award.  In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by :

 

a)    Compare number of head to head FTDs between tied contenders.

 

b)    Largest total margin of victory over FTD contender, based on formula in Overall Series Scoring, item 3.5, where P = Points toward  FTD tie breaker & W = official single FTD.

 

c)    Most events entered during the series.

 

4.5     There will also be an overall Rotating Women's FTD Award using the same determining factors as the Payne Award.

 

4.7     Each participating Region or sponsor of an IRAC event will contribute $250.00 to the IRAC Treasury each year.  The IRAC Treasurer will bill each Region for these funds on or about March 1st of each year, payable by March 31st.  In addition, each Region will contribute $5.00 per entrant at that Region's respective event to the IRAC Treasury.  The IRAC Treasurer will bill each Region for these funds as soon as possible after each Region's event, payable upon receipt.  The combined funds are intended to cover IRAC expenses for the IRAC Newsletter and for IRAC awards.  All checks should be made payable to IRAC and should be mailed to the IRAC Treasurer.

 

4.8     A "Novice of the Year" award will be presented to the top novice.

 

4.9     There will be "Index of Performance" (IOP) trophies awarded to the top three (3) placing drivers in the IOP class. Eligibility for these awards is described in Section 9.5.

 

 

5.0             OPERATION

 

5.1       TIMING

 

5.1.1  All timing devices used in IRAC Series events will be automatically started and stopped by the competing car.

 

5.1.2  All timing devices must read to at least 1/100th of a second.

5.1.3  In the event of timer malfunction. the competing car will be flagged off the course and will return to the start without using the course, if possible.  The car will then be given an official rerun.

 

5.1.4  It is highly recommended that both a primary and backup timing system be present at each event.

 

5.2       PENALTIES

 

5.2.1  At the discretion of the Event Chairperson, and with the approval of the IRAC Council Representative from the hosting region, a penalty shall be assessed for each pylon moved completely out of its outline, or upset, during a timed run.  All pylons, excluding DNF pylons protecting timing equipment, shall have the same penalty.  Entrants will be informed of pylon penalties in their registration packet or during the driver's meeting prior to the start of an event.  Course workers shall be responsible for communicating all such penalties to timing and scoring.

 

5.2.2  Once a car passes the "Entrance" to the course, and until such time as it passes the "Exit" from the course, disqualification (DNF) on any individual run shall result from:

 

a.      Leaving the course: Once having entered the course the driver may not leave the course or the driver's seat, for voluntary or mechanical reasons, and return to run for points or awards on that run.  When all FOUR wheels of a car leave the course due to a spin‑out or other course deviation, it shall be considered a DNF.

 

b.      Failure to Stop: Failure to come to a complete stop (if required) in an area so designated.

 

c.      Missing a Gate:  Not passing through one or more required gates or not driving around one or more cones in a slalom.

 

 

5.2.3  Disqualification (DNF) from the event shall result from:

 

a.      Consumption, use, etc. of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, etc. as provided under section 1.1.

 

b.      Pre-running the course either as a driver or a passenger except for an official pre-run if provided for or instructing novice drivers.

 

c.      Unsportsmanlike behavior (at discretion of the Protest Committee).

 

d.      Failure by contestant to correctly classify his/her car.

 

e.      Irregular or unsafe driving on or about the event site (at discretion of the Event Chairperson).

 

5.3       OFFICIAL RERUN

 

An official rerun counting for points and awards must be allowed if the contestant does not receive a fair run through no fault of his/her own.  An official rerun must include any practice lap(s) involved. It must be taken during the proper class run time.  A minimum of 5 cars should be between the car taking the rerun and the starting gate to allow for cooling of the tires.  Pylon penalties will NOT be carried over to reruns.  A DNF on a run for which a rerun would have been given shall stand, and no rerun will be given.

 

 

5.4       GENERAL REGULATIONS

 

5.4.1  FUEL

Any grade of automotive gasoline available to the general public at normal retail service stations, without additions of any nature, (except upperlube which must be added directly into the gasoline tank, and additives which improve only the octane rating), shall be the only fuel allowed.

 

5.4.2  NO PASSENGERS

Except for designated instructors for Novice drivers, only the driver will be permitted in a competing automobile during timed runs.

 

5.4.3  FLAGS

A grid official shall review all flags to be used during an event with each driver.  Any of the following flags may be used (Adherence is mandatory):

 

Green ‑                    Go .... the course is clear.

 

Red ‑                        Emergency .... pull over and stop ‑  SAFELY.

 

Checkered ‑            Finish .... Proceed to the pit area.

 

5.4.4  MULTICAR ENTRANT

A driver may enter as many cars as desired as long as the following conditions are met:

 

a.      An entry fee must be paid for each car entered.

b.      Each car entered must go through technical inspection.

c.      The total number of runs by a single driver may not increase as a result of another car being entered.

d.      If an entrant’s car breaks during event, entrant may use another car without an additional entry fee, provided that car passes tech inspection and is classified in same class in which the entrant started the event.

 

            5.4.5 PCA Junior Participation Program

                       PCA now allows 16 and 17 year old fully licensed students to participate in     

                       Autocross events. At least one parent MUST be present at the event, and the

                       Forms MUST be signed by both parents. The forms are available on the PCA

                       Website and the MORPCA website.

 

6.0       PROTESTS

 

6.1     The right to protest shall rest with any entrant taking part in an event.  Entrant may protest any decision, act, or omission of the organizers, an official entrant, or other person connected with an event, which is believed to be in violation of the IRAC Competition Rules.

 

6.2     Every protest shall be made in writing, specifying which of the ICR's is believed to have been violated, and must be signed by the entrant making the protest.  A protest shall be addressed to the Protest Committee, consisting of the IRAC Council members in attendance, or their designated replacement.  Each protest shall be accompanied by a Protest Fee of $10.00 in cash.  The Protest Fee shall be refunded if the protest is granted.

 

6.3     An entrant taking part in an event may protest an automobile as not conforming to the ICR's.  Entrant may request that the automobile be disassembled, inspected, or any other test that may be required to settle a protest, provided that the protestor posts a cash bond with the Protest Committee.  The bond must be of a sufficient amount to cover the total expense of the disassembly, inspection, and reassembly.

 

If the automobile is found upon inspection to conform to the ICR's the protester shall forfeit the bond which shall be used to cover the costs incurred.

 

If the automobile is found upon inspection not to conform to the ICR's the protestor's bond shall be returned and the entrant and/or driver of the protested automobile shall stand all expenses and be subject to disciplinary action as the Protest Committee shall deem proper.

 

Failure of an entrant or a driver of a protested vehicle to allow inspection under the foregoing terms shall result in immediate disqualification and other penalties as deemed appropriate by the Protest Committee.

 

6.4     All protests shall be in the hands of the Protest Committee ASAP  but no later than the start of trophy presentation.  This time limit may be extended in exceptional cases where a protester can demonstrate that information pertinent to the protest was not available within the time limit.

 

6.5     The organizing Region(s) shall provide suitable means to make internal engine inspections and other inspections as may be necessary to verify compliance with these regulations.

 

6.6     No protests will be allowed for tire tread depth.

 

 

7.0       AWARDS

 

7.1     There shall be no requirement to have an event FTD TROPHY.

 

7.2     Class Awards (except for IOP) shall be presented in accordance with the following minimum schedule:

 

CARS IN CLASS                                       AWARDS

 

                                       1-2                                                               1

                                       3-4                                                               2

                                       5-6                                                               3

                                       7-8                                                               4

                                       9-up                                                             5

 

 

8.0       CLASSIFICATION OF AUTOMOBILES

 

The Parade Competition Rules provisions for a “medium sized region” will be used for all car classifications. IRAC will not run the separate SS classes.

 

 

9.0       CLASSES

 

9.1     NO minimum number of entries is required to form a class.

 

9.2     Class and Progression Charts:  Drivers are allowed to compete in a higher class than their proper class, as long as the higher class is consistent with the progression sequence for car modifications in the PCR=s.  (See PCR's Appendix II)

 

9.3     Specifications:  See PCR's Appendix II for standard gear ratios and vehicle track. IRAC will NOT handicap “R” rated tires during the 2003 season.

 

9.4     Novice Class:  There will be a novice class for anyone qualifying and choosing to participate in such.  To be included in the novice class, the entrant must notify the registrar prior to the first run. A "Novice" is defined as "an entrant who has competed in four or less autocross events prior to declaring novice status at an IRAC event".

 

Novice trophies will be presented per the schedule in Section 7.2 at each event.  Novice entrants will make timed runs with cars in which the entrant's car would normally be classified and is eligible for awards in both classes.  If the novice participant goes on to compete in the required number of events needed for a regular IRAC competitor to qualify for year-end awards, he/she will qualify for the "Novice of the Year" award.

If a novice driver receives a "Did Not Finish" due to an off-course reason, that novice will be granted a single rerun in that run session with an instructor in the car.  This rerun is expressly for the purpose of obtaining a timed run, and therefore should be done at a reduced speed to allow the instructor to guide the student around the course.  Off-course deviation during subsequent runs will still allow a single rerun per run group with an instructor in the car.  Instructor is mandatory for a rerun.

 

For novice scoring and class weighing, please refer to Rule 2.2.

 

9.5     Index of Performance Class: At each event there will be an Index of Performance Class (IOP) consisting of all Porsche drivers who compete a minimum of two timed runs.  Scoring will be established as described in Paragraph 2.3.  Placement in the IOP class is independent of Porsche model, PCR class, and gender.

 

To be eligible for overall IOP awards a driver must enter as a minimum a simple majority of each year's events.  The winner is designated as ADriver of the Year.@

 

10.0    WORKERS

 

All event workers will be assigned duties before the start of the first run.

 

10.2   An individual scheduled to work the last run will run twice during the first run.  All workers who are scheduled to work in runs other than the last run will run twice during the run that immediately follows the run worked.  Workers in the last run will take two runs in the first run.  Worker schedule will be defined by the event chairman prior to the commencement of runs and should be posted.

 

 

11.0    MISSED RUNS DUE TO MECHANICAL FAILURES

 

11.1   A participant who misses a run due to mechanical failure will be permitted to make up that run provided he/she waits until his/her class comes up during the following run, where two runs will be permitted.  On the second run, they must line up so that there is a minimum of 5 cars between theirs and the starting gate to allow the tires to cool.

 

11.2   A participant who misses two consecutive runs due to mechanical failure will only be permitted to make up one run, provided he/she follows the guidelines established in section 8.1.

 

11.3   If a mechanical failure occurs during the last run of an event, the run can be made up provided he/she waits until all class runs are completed. If the run cannot be made up at that time the run is lost.

 

12.0    NOVICE GUIDANCE

 

12.1   The "Novice Program" will be described at the beginning of each event.  This will include the special run privileges (see Rule 9.4) and the Novice class scoring (se Rules 2.2 and 9.4).

 

12.2   A person may designate themselves as a novice if they have competed in four or less autocross events prior to declaring novice status at an IRAC event.  To participate as a novice, an entrant must notify registration, or event scoring personnel, prior to their first run of the event. 

 

12.3   The Novice Coordinator will be introduced at the start of each event.  The Coordinator will assist novices in obtaining answers to their questions and will assist in "walking the course" prior to the event.  All IRAC Officers and Representatives, and/or their designated assistants, will also assist in "walking the course" and/or riding with the novice as an instructor during allowed reruns (see Rule 9.4). 

ATTACHMENT I - 2005 NOVICE & IOP SCORING FACTORS
Men	Factor		Ladies	Factor		Car Type
P1	0.882