Rules
The down-low on how we roll...
The management of Northern Maine Karting Association (NMKA) may modify, change or institute any rule which is in the best interest of racing and/or NMKA. Any new rules or modifications to the rules, after the season has started, will be posted on the NMKA Facebook page, emailed to active members and discussed at the next regular scheduled drivers meeting. No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of, or compliance with, these rules and/or regulations and specifications.
It is impossible to list all the modifications or exceptions that may be considered illegal within this rule book. For the purpose of enforcement, only those items listed in this manual are permissible. It shall be the owner/operator’s responsibility to check with the Race Director/Technical Official if questions arise prior to competing.
DRIVER REQUIREMENTS:
Each driver must complete and submit a registration form prior to competing at NMKA for the season. Pre-registration is preferred.
There will be one spokesperson per team in any and all matters pertaining to any event.
MINORS:
It is mandatory for persons under age 18 to have properly executed a Minor Release Form and other prescribed insurance documentation prior to entering the restricted area.
A photocopy of each minor racer’s birth certificate shall be provided for NMKA to keep on file (as required by the insurance company).
Minor drivers must satisfactorily demonstrate driving capability when requested.
A driver’s actual age as of June 1st, 2017, shall establish “competition age” for the entire year.
No driver will be allowed to move up a division after the season has started, unless approved by the Race Director and/or Board of Directors.
CONDUCT: Professional and sportsman-like conduct will be the rule, rather than the exception, at all times. Physical violence or verbal abuse of any individual, official, participant, spectator, etc., shall result in the ejection from the facility. No Exceptions!
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY: No racer or pit crew member may make physical contact or any abusive comment to any other racer or crew member. This includes any official or worker of the NMKA. Anyone violating this policy may be ejected immediately from the facility and may face further disciplinary actions.
INTOXICANTS AND DRUGS: The use of any illegal drug or intoxicant by any person before or during any racing event is strictly prohibited. The penalty will be immediate suspension from NMKA.
DRIVER ABILITY: Any driver must satisfactorily demonstrate driving capability when requested.
PIT CREWS: Drivers/Crew Chiefs are responsible for the control and actions of their pit crew members.
RESTRICTED AREA/PIT AREA: All individuals entering the restricted area at NMKA must sign and execute all insurance related documents before entering any restricted area.
GENERAL RACING RULES:
COURSE MARKINGS: Course markings such as lines, pylons, or other markings must be observed by all drivers at all times.
SPORTSMANLIKE DRIVING: The spirit and intent of sportsmanlike racing competition is to proceed on the track without touching or endangering the vehicles of fellow participants. Inadvertent contact is a reality of racing, however. If in the judgment of the presiding officials, a participant is bumping, crowding, chopping, blocking, or pushing other participants in other than an inadvertent manner, that participant shall be subject to disqualification or a one lap penalty.
LAPPED KARTS: Participants about to be lapped by faster competitors are responsible for being aware of the approaching faster vehicles, and must yield the racing line until the faster vehicles have passed.
DIRECTION OF TRAVEL: It is mandatory that all competitors strictly observe the normal direction of travel around the track.
SLOWING ON COURSE: When a kart slows from racing speed on the course, the driver must signal to approaching competitors by raising a hand high enough to be clearly visible from behind.
EXITING TRACK: At the completion of the event, all karts must exit the track and proceed to the tech area, automatic disqualification will result otherwise.
INSPECTION: NMKA Officials may require any competitor to submit to safety and/or technical inspections at any time.
Refusal to submit to tech shall be considered an admission of non-compliance with specifications by competitor, subjecting the competitor to disqualification for that event, thus losing points for that race event.
COMMUNICATIONS: Drivers and pit crew members may not use any type of radio communications.
RESTART PROCEDURE: The line-up will be by the last completed lap. Karts involved in the caution will go to the rear. Double wide line-up will always be used.
PROTEST PROCEDURE: A protest by another racer will be submitted to the Race Director in writing on the same day, with a specific concern. The Race Director will then decide if the complaint is valid, if so, he/she will bring to the Tech Inspectors. If needed, the present board members can also be brought in for decision. If the kart in question belongs to any of the above listed, then they will not be part of the decision making.
PIT RULES:
NO DRIVING IN PITS: Vehicles will not be moved UNDER POWER in the restricted/pit area. A specific pit area will be designated at the race facility.
REFUELING: Vehicles are to be refueled in the pit area only. During refueling, the engine must be stopped and the driver must vacate the vehicle. All fuel containers will be labeled appropriately.
WEIGHING YOUR KART: All vehicles must proceed through the tech area and stop at the scales to weigh when directed to do so by the race director or track official. Only a track official may weigh karts. No part of your race kart may hit any portion of the NMKA scale base or equipment, or you will not be allowed to use them. Negligence or misuse of scale equipment may lead to disqualification.
FLAG RULES:
GREEN FLAG: Used in practice when the track is clear. When used at the start of each race, it is to declare that the track is clear for racing.
YELLOW FLAG: Indicates caution on the track. Do not race back to the caution flag given from the flagman. Reduce speed. No passing permitted under yellow flag conditions. Vehicles are to stay in line and maintain a close interval with the vehicle directly ahead.
RED FLAG: All competitors are to stop as quickly and safely as possible.
BLUE FLAG: Indicates you are being lapped and must yield the racing line for lapping vehicles to pass.
BLACK FLAG: ROLLED BLACK FLAG indicates that you are on the borderline for disqualification.
OPEN BLACK FLAG The vehicle must proceed immediately to the pit area.
WHITE FLAG: Indicates there is one lap to go in the race.
CHECKERED FLAG: Used in practice to indicate that practice laps are over. When given in a race, it is to declare that the race is complete.
CHECKERED & BLACK FLAGS WAVED: Finish under protest. Used to end the competition if suspicion of or reports of foul, rough or illegal driving, or unsportsmanlike conduct are present. It shall then be considered that the competition was finished under official protest by the Race Director or Flagman. The Race Director shall state the findings or rulings to the entrant(s) involved if an infraction of the rules has occurred.
Special flag rules may apply for certain events and will be explained at the pre-race drivers meeting.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT:
HEAD GEAR: Full coverage (full face) helmets designed for competitive motorsports use, complying at minimum with Snell Foundation 2000 specification are mandatory. Helmet must be in good condition and is subject to pre-tech inspection. Helmet must be secured with a strap.
LONG HAIR: If hair extends appreciably from beneath the helmet, the competitor MUST wear a hooded shirt or balaclava to retain hair from extending outside the helmet.
EYE PROTECTION: Eye protection is mandatory, either a full visor or goggles designed for motorsports use, integral with the helmet.
NECK BRACE: Collar-type, unaltered neck brace designed for motorsports use is mandatory. Losing a neck brace may cause immediate removal of the competitor from practice or a race.
DRIVER APPAREL: Drivers are required to wear jackets of leather, vinyl or abrasion resistant nylon or be a jacket specifically for designed for racing, and full-length pants to prevent or minimize abrasions. Shoes, socks and gloves are mandatory.
DRIVER RESTRAINTS: A full, designed-for-racing SFI-rated, five point harness is mandatory. Metal to metal fasteners are mandatory.
ARM RESTRAINTS: Arm restraints are mandatory and must be attached to the restraint system.
ELBOW PROTECTION: It is strongly encouraged for all drivers to wear a hard plastic elbow pad for protection on their right elbow.
GLOVES: All drivers must wear leather gloves or other gloves approved for racing.
SAFETY TECH: All drivers’ personal safety equipment is subject to pre-race tech inspections, and is subject to re-inspection at any time.
MISCELLANEOUS OVERALL RULES:
MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING: All drivers and crew chiefs must attend the drivers meeting on each race day. The drivers meeting will be the forum to receive information on all rules for that day’s racing events. Draw for starting position in heat races will take place at the meeting.
All repairs must be made in the pit area and not within the confines of the racing area. At no time will any repairs be allowed on the racing surface by any person at any time. If a track official pulls off a body part or makes a repair while the kart is still on the track, that kart will go back to the longest line.
No kart will be allowed to continue in competition if the kart presents a hazard to others on the racing surface. Dragging parts, dropping oil, excessive smoke, etc. may be cause for that kart to be ejected from the event at the discretion of the Race Director and Flagman.
Any vehicle spinning out by itself shall be placed at the end of the longest line on any restart. Any vehicle going off the track by itself three times, causing a caution flag, may be required to leave the racing area.
Any vehicle leaving the racing surface during the race, must take all available techniques to promptly and safely return to the racing surface. Any vehicle failing to return, when in the judgment of the officials is possible, shall be scored one lap down.
It is the driver’s responsibility to be at the starting grid on time and ready to race in his/her event. Any vehicle having a problem on the starting grid will be given a reasonable amount of time to enter the race. (A race will not be held up for more than 10 minutes)
Workmanship: General suitability for competition, workmanship and appearance of kart will be considered in approving it for entry in an event.
It is the competitor’s responsibility to assure that all technical safety requirements have been met, including safety-wiring and other items specified by NMKA.
REFUSAL OF ENTRY:
A refusal of entry into NMKA may be invoked for any person for such display of actions, words, or deeds that may have a negative impact upon Spud Speedway or the NMKA, its officials or spectators regardless of the competitor’s stature or qualifications.
TRACK VENDORS:
Any person wishing to sell goods or services at NMKA and Spud Speedway events must obtain a Vendor’s License prior to the start of each season.
RACING DIVISIONS:
The following divisions will be recognized for the 2017 season:
Kid Kart ages 5-7; exhibition only
Jr Animal Cage Kart ages 8-12; 315 pounds
Sr Animal Cage Kart ages 13 and above; 410 pounds
(NMKA may consider +/- a year depending on proven ability.)
The Kids Karts will have the following guidelines:
Top Kart chassis
Comer C50 or C51 engine
All Kid Karts must be equipped with a restrictor pill.
Gear rule: 10 driver & 89 rear with a 219 chain
The Jr Animal Cage Kart Division will have the following guidelines:
WKA compliant stock Animal engine with the WKA 2-hole purple restrictor plate.
Only Yellow MCS Vega tires may be allowed.
Any dry clutch allowed.
Gear rule is open.
10.5x4.50x6 tires on 6 x 6.5” one piece rims on the left side of the kart.
12x8.0x6 tires on 6 x10” one piece rims on the right side of the kart.
The Sr Animal Cage Kart Division will have the following guidelines:
WKA compliant stock Animal engine
Only Yellow MCS Vega tires may be allowed.
Only gear ratios 1: 4.33 to 1: 4.66 will be allowed.
ie 15 tooth driver 65 to 70 rear gear, 14 tooth driver 61 to 65 rear gear, 13 tooth driver 57 to 60 rear gear.
Any dry clutch allowed.
10.5x4.50x6 tires on 6 x 6.5” one piece rims on the left side of the kart.
12x8.0x6 tires on 6 x10” one piece rims on the right side of the kart.
AWARDS:
Trophies or awards will be given to the top three finishers in each division present on race day. Exceptions are: all Kid Kart participants will receive a trophy or award. Special races may have different awards.
FRAME AND OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
FRAME:
Only approved karts will be allowed entry to any heat or feature race. Of proven, safe design, main frame members shall be constructed of nominally round tubing, allowing for normal distortion and elongation near bend radii. Minimum diameter for main frame member is 1.0” and maximum diameter is 1.4”. Minimum tubing wall thickness at 1.0” diameter is .078”. Minimum wall thickness at 1.125” diameter or greater is .060”. Frame material shall be, at minimum, cold-rolled, electric-weld (ERW) steel tubing or material of at least equal strength.
When normally positioned on the vehicle for racing competition, the entirety of the driver shall be within the specified width and length dimensions of the vehicle.
Floor pan and seat back shall be of a design that would prevent any portion of the driver’s body to pass between these components to the track surface.
All non-structural weights added to meet minimum kart/driver weight requirements must be bolted securely to the kart. Bolts of minimum 5/16” diameter must be utilized to secure weights, cotter-keyed or double-nutted. Mounting weights to nerf bars or rear bumpers is prohibited. All weights must be painted a color other than black for visibility and be marked with appropriate kart number.
WHEELBASE: Maximum 45.0”, minimum 40”, as measured longitudinally between the true axle centers.
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 28.0” as measured from outside of one tire to the inside of the opposite tire laterally.
OVERALL MAXIMUM WIDTH: 50.0” for all classes.
OVERALL MAXIMUM LENGTH: 95.0” for all classes.
WHEELS AND TIRES: Pneumatic, designed for racing application types only, maximum diameter 12.5”, minimum diameter 9.0”. NO TIRE TREATMENTS ALLOWED. If ineligible tires are found in tech, automatic DQ may be warranted.
WHEELS: Material optional, but must be of proven design capable of maintaining tire bead seal in competition conditions. No “G-rings” or lateral-supported wheels allowed.
Clip-on wheel balancing weights are not to exceed ¼ ounce weight each.
AXLES AND HUBS: Must be constructed of metallic materials.
WHEEL BEARINGS: Ground-ball or roller-type bearings only. Split race bearings are not allowed. Wheel bearings must be adjusted so there is no excessive wheel play.
Front axle nuts must be cotter-keyed and rear must be safety-wired, cotter-keyed or snap-ringed. Berry clips or circlip-type safety fasteners ARE ALLOWED in place of safety wire or cotter pins where applicable.
REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY: Axles may be solid or tubular of one-piece design. Maximum axle diameter is 1.25”. Both driving wheels must be locked to the rear axle with a “live” axle design. Snap rings or similar fasteners are required at each end of the rear axle. Axle may not protrude from outside bead of the wheels. Both hubs must be driven. No slip hubs allowed. Chain drive only.
STEERING: Must be direct, mechanical type. All steering assembly bolts and nuts, including spindle bolts, must be cotter-keyed and/or safety wired. All bolts will be minimum 14,000 pound tensile strength and be a minimum of ¼” diameter, and at least Grade 5 or US Mark 3 rating. All rod ends must have universal type swivel joints.
STEERING WHEELS: Steering wheels must be minimum of 10” in diameter and minimum 2-spoke design. Must be removable.
STEERING SHAFT SPECIFICATIONS:
SOLID: Minimum .625” diameter cold-rolled steel, one-piece design. Wheel attachment must be secured with quality nut of cap screw in an axial position with the center line of the shaft.
BRAKES:
All vehicles must have brakes working in such a manner to, at a minimum, brake both rear wheels equally and adequately. All bolts and nuts must be cotter-keyed in such a way to prevent the nut from moving. Brake pedal must be secured to the vehicle with safety wire or cotter keys. Master cylinder actuating rod or cable must be .250” diameter steel or equal quality cable, with positive fasteners at each end.
Hydraulic brake connections must be tight and free of any visible leaks. All brake lines should be safely routed to prevent any possibility of being rubbed through or pulled loose while the vehicle is in motion.
All master cylinder and caliber mounting bolts and master cylinder roll pins are to be cotter-keyed or safety-wired in such a manner that they cannot be loosened without removal of the cotter pins or safety wire. Use of steel locking nuts or drilled bolts with castellated nuts, properly pinned, are the only acceptable fastener for disk or drums.
Traditional type brake components only. No carbon fiber components, etc.
All vehicles must have a L/H brake rotor guard.
DRIVELINE COMPONENTS:
Clutches are mandatory in all classes. All classes must use a dry-type engine clutch.
All vehicles must have a chain guard designed to retain a broken chain.
35 is the only acceptable chain sizes allowed.
SEAT: Sprint-style “bucket” seats only. Seat must be of one-piece or molded construction. Seat must be constructed of material resisting bending or fracture. Seat must have a 4-point bolted mounting to the vehicle frame structure, with a minimum 5/16” diameter bolts and load spreading washers. No portion of the seat may be located rearward of the rear axle.
ROLL CAGE REQUIREMENTS:
A roll cage must be welded or bolted to the main frame. The cage must sit flush on the main frame. If the cage is bolted, Grade 8 bolt studs or greater must be utilized with a 5/16” minimum diameter. The safety and quality of the cage will be determined by NMKA Officials and the decision to allow a kart in competition. NMKA recommends that individuals construction a roll cage, follow the Champ Kart design in an effort to meet the requirements for a safe design. All Karts must have the WKA Stamp of Certification, or NMKA certification from the technical inspector.
BODY WORK:
NUMBERS & PANELS: Three numbers are to be displayed on the vehicle, including one at the front center of the kart as viewed from the front; on both sides in a vertical plane between front and rear wheels. Numbers must be a minimum of 5 inches tall and in a contrasting color to the body color. Failure to provide adequate numbers will only hinder scoring and may place the kart in question regarding race results.
BUMPERS AND NERF BARS:
FRONT BUMPER: Bumper must be constructed of minimum ¾” diameter steel tubing. The top of the upper “hoop” of the front bumper must be a minimum of 7 ¾” above the ground as raced. The upper hoop must be supported in at least two places in the front of the bumper by ¾” or larger tubing uprights.
REAR BUMPER: Must be constructed of ¾” minimum diameter steel tubing and positioned so that maximum height is 7 ½”, minimum height no lower than rear axle and no wider that rear tires.
No modifications to bumper are allowed.
NERF BARS: Nerf bars must be constructed of minimum ¾” diameter steel tubing, and must be secured by minimum ¼” bolt. Double high nerf bars are required.
FUEL SYSTEM:
Fuel tanks must be securely fastened and located between the competitor’s legs under the steering column.
Maximum of one fuel tank permitted with maximum five quart capacity. Excessive fuel line will not be permitted.
Fuel tanks must be constructed of puncture-resistant material and have a secure, leak-proof fill closure.
Fuel lines must be safety-wrapped at all connecting points.
The only acceptable fuel is methanol with no additives. All fuels are subject to testing.
Any means to by-pass the given intent of the carburetor, manifold or restrictor plate will result in disqualification.
MISCELLANEOUS:
THROTTLE: It is mandatory for all vehicles to be equipped with a positive acting throttle return spring.
WORKMANSHIP: General suitability for competition, workmanship and appearance of vehicle will be considered in approving it for entry in any race.
SPINDLES: Any fastener (nut on bolt, etc.) of a component that would enable movement or adjustment of spindle(s) such as for castor, camber, etc., must be drilled for and utilize a cotter pin or safety wire.
SPEC TIRES: Any means taken to remove or alter the code, identification numbers or tire markings is PROHIBITIED and will result in immediate disqualification.
OIL CATCH CANS: Oil overflow recovery system is mandatory in all classes except Kid Kart. Overflow tube must run from valve cover to approved catch can. Oil catch can must be vented to atmosphere and is subject to tech inspection.
SAFETY:
Safety is a paramount issue and the NMKA tech inspector who determines that any equipment is unsafe will not allow that kart to participate until the deficiency has been rectified.
Points System:
On opening day at NMKA, 10 extra bonus points will be awarded to all active and/or registered karts present. Karts must make at least one green flag to qualify for the points for each race.
Points are awarded to the registered kart number for the heat and/or feature event race.
Points will be awarded as listed below.
Heat Races:
1st- 4 points
2nd – 3 points
3rd – 2 points
All other entries get 1 point
Feature Races:
1st – 10 points
2nd – 8 points
3rd – 6 points
4th – 4 points
5th – 3 points
6th – 2 points
All other entries get 1 point
Tie Breakers: In the event of a tie for any final point’s position, a tie breaking system shall be instituted accordingly. Tie Breaker based on number of feature event wins. If tie is still not broken, a winner shall be sought from the most second place finishes, and so on, until the tie is broken. Any award feature event win resulting in a tie, shall be determined by the final point standings.
Points will be awarded based on finish of that respective race regardless of membership status.
Points will only be awarded to NMKA Club members.
Any driver that is disqualified from a race will receive no points for the race event that day.
Line Up Procedure
Heat races will draw for position during the driver’s meeting. Multiple heats will have separate draws.
Feature race lineups will be pre-determined by the current points status of all competing drivers, as calculated following the last completed race event. Driver with the lowest overall point total(s) will start in front, and the drivers with the highest accumulated point total, will start at the rear of the field. Any new drivers will always start in the rear of the feature event. Once a drivers has competed in 1 (one) race, is No longer considered NEW.
All items found not in compliance with the rules will be impounded and become the property of NMKA.
All karts will be subject to a post-race tech.
A driver must take the green flag in order to receive points for that race.
All races on the 2017 season schedule are point races.
Canceled race events may be made up at the discretion of NMKA board members.
If after reading these regulations you need clarification, you are encouraged to contact NMKA prior to race day. It is our intent to create fairness, safety, consistency and enforcement of the NMKA rules.