AutoCross

• All loose items, inside and outside the car, must be removed. Hand held items, such as but not limited to, cameras and cell phones are considered loose items.
• Pedal operation must not be impeded. Driver’s side floor mat must be removed unless securely mounted. OE fasteners designed to prevent the mat from moving forward satisfy this requirement if they are in good working order.
• Any cameras, if installed, must be securely mounted to withstand vehicles loads from driving maneuvers. The camera may be installed either inside or on the outside of the car. In either case, its mounting method and position must not interfere with driving or pose an additional hazard to driver, passenger, or course workers.
• Snap-on hubcaps, detachable fender skirts, and trim rings must be removed.
• Wheels must be safely affixed. All studs and lug nuts must be present and functional. Use/check to make sure wheels are tightened using factory recommended torque specifications.
• Tires must be in good condition, with no cord or belts showing or cracks in the tread or sidewall.
• Throttle return action shall be safe and positive.
• No excessive fuel, oil, water, or brake fluid leaks should be observed. For all Prepared and Modified category vehicles, engine crankcase vents and radiator overflow/breather lines must terminate in containers of at least one quart capacity. These containers cannot be vented into the driver/passenger compartment. Crankcase, oiling system, breather, or catch tank evacuation systems that are in any way connected to the exhaust system are prohibited. Vent tanks are not required with systems which are completely closed (i.e., have no venting to the atmosphere). All oil lines passing through the driver/passenger compartment shall be made of metal braided hose or equivalent (e.g., Nomex, Kevlar, or nylon-braided hose) with AN Series threaded couplings or entirely covered and protected with a metal cover (this does not apply to the small oil lines used for mechanical oiling system gauges).
• Steering “spinner” knobs shall not be permitted.
• No broken or missing spokes or more than one loose spoke per wheel shall be permitted in wire wheels. No cracks shall be permitted in disc or cast wheels. Other than standard parts as defined by these rules, non-metallic wheel construction is prohibited (FSAE cars are exempt from this requirement since the FSAE rules allow non-metallic wheels).
• Brakes must have an adequate pedal, sufficient fluid in the master cylinder, and no apparent hydraulic leaks under pressure.
• Wheel bearings, shocks, steering, and suspension shall be in good operating condition.
• Exhaust must exit behind the driver or exit to the side of the car.
• All batteries (on-board power supplies) shall be attached securely to the frame or chassis structure, independent of any container or cover that may be present. Any wet-cell battery moved from the manufacturer’s original location shall be in a non-conductive, marine-type container or equivalent and the “hot” terminal shall be insulated. NOTE: This will allow the use of gel cell or dry cell (AGM) batteries without a non-conductive, marine-type container where applicable.
• Alcohol may not be used in manifold injection or spray bottles unless it is specified for this use by the OEM.
• For all karts, chain guards are required on engines, and a “brake safety cable” or redundant brake pedal connection is required.
• For those categories which permit fuel cells and/or fuel tank modification or replacement, the following requirements apply if the fuel tank/cell does not fit within the same area as the OE tank. a. No part of the fuel tank or fuel cell shall be closer than 6.0” (15.24 cm) to the ground unless enclosed within the bodywork and mounted above the floor pan. A metal bulkhead is required that provides total separation between the driver compartment and the compartment containing the fuel tank/cell and/or filler neck. This 40 includes fuel tanks/cells that are flush mounted with driver compartment panels or otherwise exposed to the driver compartment. Fuel filler doors in the driver compartment must be positively fastened (non-metallic fasteners are not allowed). For the purposes of these rules, a fuel tank consisting of a structure containing a fuel bladder is considered to be the entire fuel cell including the containing structure. The containing structure of a fuel cell does not qualify as a bulkhead. A separate metal bulkhead must isolate the fuel cell from the passenger compartment. b. Internal body panels may be modified to accommodate the installation of the fuel tank/cell as long as such modifications serve no other purpose. In the event installation includes encroachment into the driver’s compartment, a metal bulkhead shall prevent exposure of the driver to the fuel tank/cell. c. Fuel tank/cell breathers shall not vent into the driver/passenger compartment.

Course design must meet the requirements established for the safety of competitors and spectators, and the avoidance of property damage as identified in the organizations Autocross rules.

Of key interest in the safety of course design are the requirements for a minimum of 50 feet clearance from a fixed object and 75 ft clearance from participants and/or non-participants. These minimum distances must be extended when dealing with any portion of the course that may induce a competing car to spin or otherwise depart from the intended path of the course. Additional stand-off distance is prudent at all "pressure points" in the course.

The finish should not lead a competing car toward unprotected spectators. Care must be given for sufficient run-off in the event of a stuck throttle or brake failure. Although the need is recognized for a tight turn, or other course feature to induce slower speeds at the finish, care must be given not to upset the general balance of a car at this critical portion of the course. Competitors nearing the finish are looking for that last little burst of speed, regardless of the course design. It is human nature to"push it" at this point, and course design must avoid establishing conditions that lead to inadvertent departures from course, possible roll over incidents, damage to property (timing lights and competing cars), and that generally taint the overall perception of the course and the event. Following the finish lights, course design should provide as much straight braking area as possible. It should be noted that some competing cars have a limited ability to rapidly reduce forward speeds while negotiating turning maneuvers.

The course design must provide for event safety during all possible weather conditions that may be realized during the event. In fact, the course should be designed to handle worse case scenarios; a rain slick surface, which increases the threat of uncontrolled spins and a dry surface, which generates the potential for higher speeds.

A final visual inspection will be conducted prior to the grid releasing a car to the start line. This check will include a visual inspection of the driver's helmet, (on & secured), belts (on and secure), and loose objects in driver/passenger,technical inspection sticker, doors/hood secured, and obvious fluid leaks. Conversation, or "hands on" effort should be avoided during this quickly completed visual check.

A get ready signal should be given before the previous car reaches the release point.

The Event Organizer will clearly identify and instruct the starter on the release point that is to be reached by the car on course before the next car is released from the start line. This procedure is required to establish a separation distance for cars on course and prevent an overly aggressive, or timid starter from establishing their own release point.

Course worker stations will be located and clearly marked by the course designer, and approved by the Chief Safety Steward. Course worker stations will be located away from pressure points or other threat producing elements of the course, provide adequate escape routes from competing cars that depart the course and an unobstructed vision of their area of course responsibility. Each course worker station will have a means of communication with the responsible event official, a red flag, a serviceable fire extinguisher, and, if possible, drinking water.

Course workers will be briefed on the following:

• Never turn their back on a car that is on course.
• Remain standing while a car is on course
• Red flag to be kept in hand, held tightly against the leg, ready for immediate deployment
• Risk of running to/from a pylon when a car is approaching
• Risk of burn from hot parts dropped on course
• Observing/reporting oil or other fluids on course
• Observe for, report, and take immediate action to prevent or identify and control unauthorized personnel entering the course area
• Cameras will not be taken on to the course area by course workers.
• Course workers shall not talk on a cell phone while on course.
• Course workers must plan and be prepared for a lengthy exposure to sun/rain, wind, and heat/cold while on station.
• The spectator control line between the timing and scoring vehicle and the start area must provide for unobstructed viewing of the starting area by timing and scoring officials.

The Registration Tent will serve as a general clearing station and initial point of assistance for minor injuries (first aid and assistance in gaining follow-on medical care), and more serious situations requiring emergency response for medical or fire fighting assets. The information booth will maintain a listing of emergency contact telephone numbers for medical (ambulance) support, and the fire department, and heavy lift wrecker support. This procedure will allow rapid response to an incident occurring on the site during non-competing hours. Emergency contact numbers will be provided to the attending competitors if requested. All situations requiring emergency support will be reported to the chief safety steward as soon as possible.