2008 MASS MINI TRACTOR PULLERS ASSOCIATION RULES
SECTION I
SAFETY RULES
Safety is the MMTPA’s top priority. Safety rules take precedence over any and all other rules. Rules may be adjusted for extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the Executive Board.
1) All drivers must wear D.O.T. approved helmets with full face eye protection.
2) All tractors shall be equipped with an A.B.C. type fire extinguisher with a minimum size of 2 lbs. The extinguisher shall be mounted on the steering console and must be accessible from both sides of the tractor. The extinguisher must be supported by a tie wrap located at the opposite end of the mounting clip.
3) The driver of the tractor shall be no less than 16 years of age, and must know and understand the rules of the MMTPA. See #14
4) There will be three pit passes issued to each tractor. Those persons without a pit pass will not be allowed in the pit area.
5) Tractor will be towed or pushed on the event grounds. Tractors will NOT be driven under any circumstances.
6) If a tractor engine is to be run in the pits for tuning, etc., the rear kill switch must be hooked to a taut leash that is attached to the fence or has a person holding it. The person holding the leash must not stand directly behind the tractor. There must also be a member or associate member in the driver’s seat with both feet on the brakes and with a bracelet type wrist tether around his or her wrist and attached to the switch.
7) One hand must be kept on the wheel at all times, except during safety related situations.
8) All drivers shall have permanent fire retardant suits in good condition. Suits shall meet SFI 3.2A-1 specifications.
9) Officials can bar from competition, at any event, any tractor which they believe has a potential safety problem. Officials can confiscate weights from any tractor thought to be in violation of weight class limits. A re-weight must be conducted at Raynham prior to the next event.
10) All tractors must have a valid inspection sticker before their first event.
11) When hooking to the sled, the tractor must be in "park" (or neutral for standard transmissions) and both of the driver’s hands must be raised before the tractor is hooked to the sled. At no point, until cleared by the first flagman, can the shifter or throttle be touched. The driver’s hands must be held raised until cleared by the first flagman. This will be a cause for disqualification. The driver will still make a measurable pull and the infraction will be reviewed. A second infraction of the rule within the same calendar year will be considered a "First Offense" of the MMTPA rules and will draw the corresponding penalty.
12) Mini-modified tractors must be shut off immediately after a pull. Tractors are not to be backed up after a pull.
13) There will be a minimum of three fire extinguishers on the track during an event.
14) All drivers, members, and associate members must attend a reading of the rules meeting at which all rules will be read by the tech committee. All rules will be explained. Each driver, member, and associate member will sign to acknowledge that they understand each rule. Anyone joining after that meeting will have to attend a meeting for another reading.
SECTION II
EVENT RULES
All decisions made by the Tech Committee are final on the day of an event. Any disagreement with a judgment may be appealed within three days. This is to be done by first filling out the "Intent to Protest" form. If this is not done on the day of the event, the written protest will not be accepted. Next, a written letter, which must include the rule number, page, and the details of the infraction being appealed, must be given to the acting President who will submit it to the Tech Committee for ruling. The final decision will be returned to the President by the Tech Committee within four days. There will be no open discussion concerning this decision at any subsequent meetings.
1) In order to receive MMTPA points, the contestant must hook to the sled and attempt to make a measurable pull. If breakage occurs while attempting a measurable pull, the contestant receives last place points for that class if the pull is unmeasurable. He or she will also receive last place points for any subsequent classes that he or she was entered in for the day.
If the breakage occurred and the pull is measurable, position will be awarded normally according to the distance measured. In any classes following the one in which the breakage occurred, the contestant would receive last place points.
If two or more tractors in a class end up with unmeasurable pulls, they will each be awarded an equal share of last place points.
If a tractor breaks for reasons other than pulling at an event, that tractor will receive last place points for each class entered.
2) If it is necessary to pull two 2050lb classes to provide a better show, every attempt will be made to pull two 1950lb classes at the next scheduled event.
3) The Tech Committee will be identified at all events with apparel provided by MMTPA.
SECTION III
TRACTOR RULES
All tractors and equipment must meet the following safety rules:
1) All tractors must have two emergency kill switches which meet the following criteria.
1a) The first will be a securely mounted tether type rear kill switch. This switch must be purchased through the MMTPA only. The switch must be mounted as close as possible to the center of the tractor, it must be at least 12" above the hitch, and it must be no more than 6" from the center of the hitch. The hooking ring must be a solid metal ring at least 1/8" thick with a minimum inside diameter of 1 1/2".
1b) The second will be a tether type emergency kill switch which is to be located within 3" of the hand throttle pivot point. The tether chain length is not to exceed 3" of slack with the throttle lever at full throttle. Hand must not be able to touch steering wheel with the tether attached. This switch must be wired in a series with the rear breakaway switch and must be mounted on the same horizontal plane as the steering wheel. This switch must be purchased through the MMTPA only. The tether must be attached to the driver’s wrist with a bracelet of sufficiently strong material.
1c) All spark ignition systems and electric fuel pumps must be wired to the kill switches such that each of these systems are shut off when the switch is pulled.
2) Any tractor equipped with a positive pressure fuel system shall have a mechanical shut off control located on the instrument panel.
3) All tractors must have a toggle type on/off ignition switch and must be clearly marked and down is off position.
4) All tractors must have a push button type starting switch.
5) Both ignition and starter switches shall be located on an instrument panel mounted on the steering column.
6) All tractors must have park safety switch, to be wired in series with the push button starter switch, which will only allow the starter to operate if the transmission is in the "park" position.
7) All tractors must have a park indicator light. The light must be visible in full sunlight and should be wired such that the light is on only when the tractor is in park. The light must be positioned on the rear of the tractor and must be clearly visible to the sled operator.
8) All automatic transmission bodies and bellhousings will be shielded 180 degrees around the centerline by one of the following approved methods.
8a) A SEMA/NHRA approved ballistic nylon or kevlar safety blanket.
8b) 1/8 inch thick steel plate.
8c) 3/16 inch thick aluminum shield, which must be Tech Committee
approved.
9) Automatic transmissions must have a sufficient detent to secure the shifter in the park position. All shifter positions must be clearly marked. No bungies are allowed on shift levers; they must be on a detent.
10) All flywheel counterweights shall be rewelded at both ends.
11) All standard transmissions will use an approved blow proof steel bellhousing. The transmission must also be shielded with a SEMA/NHRA approved safety blanket or 1/8 inch steel plate. All inspection plates and dust covers must be in place and must come to the back of the engine where the bellhousing meets the engine. e.g. Where the midplate would be if applicable.
12) All fans, pulleys, and belts must be shielded 360 degrees around the axis of rotation with 1/16 inch thick steel or aluminum.
13) All drive shafts and universal joints must be shielded with a minimum of 3/16 inch thick steel and must be shielded 180 degrees or ¼” aluminum shielded 360 degrees around the axis of rotation of the universal joint or drive shaft. All universal joint shields must be independently supported and affixed to the rear axle housing.
14) All tractor weights must be solid and must be safely secured to the tractor.
15) All tractor engines shall have shielding from the bottom of the cylinder head to the base of the engine block which is at least 0.060 inch thick steel or aluminum. No wood, plastic, or other unapproved material is allowed. The top of the shield must be fastened with a minimum of one fastener in the top middle.
16) The harmonic balancer will be shielded with a minimum of 3/16 inch steel and must be covered 360 degrees around the axis of rotation of the balancer. The shroud shall have two 1/8 inch thick by 3/4 inch wide steel straps located across the open face. The shroud must be supported by at least two bolts which must be grade 5 or higher and must have a minimum diameter of 3/8 inch. There must be no slots and/or holes in the circumference of the shield. NOTE: If an SFI approved one-piece harmonic balancer is used, no shield is required.
17) Only hand throttles are allowed. The hand throttle will be located on the right-hand side of the driver’s compartment. The throttle cable must be positive in both directions. The throttle must be open with the lever in the forwardmost position. No exceptions will be made to this rule.
18) The tractor must be equipped with two springs to return the throttle to the idle position with each spring working independently of each other.
19) No gear driven secondary assemblies are allowed on a carburetor. Stock linking must be used.
20) All rack and pinion steering systems must have protective boots.
21) It is recommended that all tractors have a roll cage. It is mandatory for all Mini’s and new Sportsman tractors. It will be mandatory for existing Sportsman tractors in 2009. Roll cage will be made of 1 ¾” X .090 mild steel main loops. 1 ½” X .060 mild steel rear and shoulder with cross bracing under seat. If bracing under seat is straight, cage will need gussetts. There will be a 2” minimum clearance for drivers helmet. Mig or Tig is allowed. Mounting to chassis will consist of 1/8” angle iron 24” X 2 ½” top X 3” side mounting to frame. Eight grade 8 ½” bolts with nuts four each side. No nutcerts or self tapping allowed. All tractors with a cage must have a 5 point harness with a quick release steering wheel.
22) All tractors shall be a maximum length of 9 feet, measured from the centerline of the rear axle to the forwardmost point of the tractor.
23) All tractors shall have an effective hydraulic braking system on both rear wheels. Each wheel’s brake shall be independently operated from the respective side of the tractor.
24) All tractors must have wheelie bars that meet the following criteria:
24a) Wheelie bars may have either 2 skid pads or 2 wheels at the ground contact points.
24b) If wheels are used, each wheel must be no less than 4 inches in diameter and no less than 1 inch wide.
24c) If skid pads are used, each of the 2 pads must have minimum dimensions of 4" X 4" at the contact points.
24d) Skid pads must be reasonably parallel to the surface of the ground.
24e) Wheels or pads must be no more than 6 inches from the ground.
24f) Each pad or wheel must extend beyond the rearmost point of the rear tires.
24g) One skid pad or wheel must be on each side of the tractor and each pad or wheel must be capable of supporting the weight of the tractor.
24f) There will be no crossbars between the wheelie bars below or above the hitching point left to right. See diagram.
25) No tractor front rims are to measure larger than 12 inches in diameter.
26) Big Tire Division rear tires shall be no larger than 18.4 X 16.1 inch numerical size and no smaller than (CEPEK) 34 X 18.00 inch numerical size. Hobby Division rear tires must be smaller than (CEPEK) 34 X 18.00 inch numerical size or DOT approved tire no larger than 38" numerical size on a 15" rim. Tires must be of conventional tire molded rubber construction. Each tire is to be securely screwed to the rim with a minimum of 10 screws per side of each tire. Each screw must have a minimum size of a 3/4 - 10.
27) No dual wheels, no studded tires, no caterpillar style tracks, no tire chains, and no recaps are allowed.
28) No four wheel drive tractors are allowed.
29) No truck or automobile chassis will be allowed (i.e. no Toyota or S-10 type vehicle chassis).
30) All tractors must have a hitching system which meets all of the following criteria:
30a) No aluminum drawbars or hitches are allowed.
30b) Hitching device must maintain a minimum material thickness of one inch and be held with a minimum ½” grade 8 bolt.
30c) Hitch height must be no greater than 13 inches measured from the ground to the top of the pulling point.
30d) Drawbar and hitch must be rigid in all directions.
30e) Hitching ring must be reasonably parallel to the ground.
30f) Hitch point must be less than 12 inches from the centerline of the rear axle measured parallel to the ground.
30g) All tractor drawbar assemblies must NOT in any way be attached to the wheelie bar assembly.
30h) Tractor shall be equipped with a minimum 1/2" cable that goes around rear end of tractor and behind ring of hitch held together by two cable clamps.
31) Weight classes shall be as follows and will include driver: 1950lb class and 2050lb class.
31a) Weights must be clearly marked to distinguish light and heavy class.
32) All seats must have a back rest.
33) All fuel tanks must be mounted with base of tank above front axle beam and no part of the tank closer than 3 inches away from the forwardmost rotating part of the engine. No plastic fuel tanks are allowed. All fuel tank vents must have end of vent line located below framerail or equipped with a one-way ball check valve.
34) All carburetors must have an air cleaner or other sufficient covering.
35) All tractors must be equipped with a front towback hitch that is compatible with the MMTPA towback tractor towbar setup.
36) All tractors with coolant will have an overflow hose securely attached and the exitpoint will be below the frame rail.
37) Tractors must have fenders that will not allow drivers body to contact tire and must have a 4 inch lip.
38) All batteries mounted in front of the harmonic balancer must be covered with a non-metallic material and securely fastened with a bolted device.
SECTION IV
ENGINE RULES
1) All tractors will have a maximum of a single eight cylinder automotive type engine, no diesel.
2) No aluminum blocks or cylinder heads are allowed. A 5 year moratorium was placed on this rule on 11/07.
3) All tractor engines are to be equipped with a single carburetor with a maximum of four barrels No dominator type carburetors are allowed.
4) No fuel injection systems, superchargers, turbochargers, or nitrous oxide systems are allowed. A 5 year moratorium was placed on this rule on 11/07.
5) The following types of fuel are permitted:
5a) Pump Gasoline
5b) Racing Gasoline
5c) Alcohol (i.e. Methanol)
6) Nitromethane type fuels are not permitted.
SECTION V
SMALL BLOCK CLASS
1) All club safety and event rules will apply to this class.
2) Section III (Tractor Rules) will apply to this class.
3) The following engine rules apply to this class only.
a) V-8 mini-modified tractors will be naturally aspirated. Maximum cubic inches to be 410ci. Single engine only, with only two (2) valves per cylinder & one (1) spark plug per cylinder. No big blocks or hemis allowed.
b) A deflection shield is required on both sides of all engines. Shield must extend the complete length of block casting and be securely fastened. It is to be made of aluminum or steel a minimum of .060" thick or safety blanket material. Shields must be solid motor mounts, filters, steering rods, etc., cannot serve as part of shield, providing it covers required areas of block casting. It is recommended that a quick release fastener be used.
c) Starter motors, fuel filters, oil filters, and fuel injection pumps may not be used as shielding. Shielding may cover or pass behind starter or fuel pump.
d) Shielding must extend from base of head or the uppermost point of piston, travel to 2" below bottom center of crankshaft throw and be securely fastened.
e) Side shields must be mounted independently of the engine block, motor mount, block saver plate, and header mounting or chassis mounting is acceptable.
f) All blow-by tubes must exit forward of rear tires. Engine crank venting: All engine crank case venting blow-by tube must be vented below the head of the engine and extend down to the engine pan.
g) All vehicles must be equipped with a deadman throttle. All throttles working in a forward-rearward direction, throttles shall be closed in the rear most position. No hydraulic throttles allowed. All throttles must have dual return springs to the closed position. No foot throttles.
h) Harmonic balancers: All automotive engines equipped with a harmonic balancer; balancer shall be solid steel or be SFI certified. Stock balancer or two-piece balancers must be shielded. See Section III #16.
i) A bolt in the crankshaft to hold damper pulley is required.
j) All engine fans, belts, and pulleys must be shrouded with steel 1/16" or thicker, 360 degrees.
4) Weight Classes: 1950lb and 2050lb.
5) Mini-Modified dues will apply.
SECTION VI
CLUB RULES
1) All track disputes shall be handled and ruled upon by the Tech Committee ONLY.
2) All end of year ties must be broken within a thirty minute time limit.
3) All tractors must be checked on Tech Day by the Tech Committee prior to the first pull of the season. Tractors teched the previous year can be teched opening morning. Any new tractors will have to be teched before they are brought to the track for a scheduled pull by appointment with the tech committee. All inspections are to be held at the Raynham track. A base weight will be taken at that time.
4) There will be no exceptions to the rules. A safety question or problem will be addressed by the executive committee.
5) No use of alcoholic beverages by drivers of tractors will be allowed. If found guilty of breaking this rule, the tractor and driver will be disqualified for that day.
6) No unsportsmanlike conduct will be tolerated. Involved parties will lose all points for that event when such an incident occurs. There will be no beefs in public; they will be handled in a closed session with the MMTPA officials.
7) Each tractor may be entered only once in each class.
8) All voting shall be done by a closed ballot only.
9) All tractors and operators shall be present one hour before an event begins and remain for one hour after the event is over. If this rule is not met, the guilty member will forfeit the right to pull in the next 1950lb class, but he/she must still be present one hour before that event. At home pulls (Raynham), all tractors and operators are to be present at 10am unless other arrangements are made.
9a) The date for the last pull of the year will be no later than the third weekend in October.
10) Anyone caught cheating for any reason will be suspended from the club for one year.
11) Disobeying safety rules or club rules will result in the following penalties, the only exceptions being specific rules carrying special penalties.
FIRST OFFENSE: Warning
SECOND OFFENSE: 25 point penalty.
Probation for one calendar year.
THIRD OFFENSE: Suspended from the next 2 classes.
Probation for one calendar year.
$100.00 fine.
FOURTH OFFENSE: Expulsion from club.
Any fine levied on a tractor membership, whether it be because of the owner, a pit member, or an associate member, goes to the owner of the tractor membership. A third fine on a particular tractor owner returns his/her membership to the club forever. All pit crew, family, etc., have no opportunity to continue this membership. The tractor may be sold to fellow club members. If a member is working on a fellow member’s tractor and draws a penalty, the fine is levied on the guilty member’s membership.
12) No driver will be allowed to pull until club dues are paid to date.
13) Only full members are allowed to vote. No associate members are allowed this right. The executive board will have voting rights. The executive board consists of the President, Vice President, and Tech Committee.
14) Each tractor must have an attached full membership.
15) At home pulls, each tractor must be parked in its designated space except when in line for a pulloff.
16) The membership dues will be as follows:
a) Mini class membership will be $80.00 yearly plus $10.00 per month. ($200/year)
b) Hobby class membership will be $35.00 yearly plus $7.00 per month. ($119/year)
c) Associate membership will be $20.00 yearly.
d) One mini membership will get one free hobby membership. There will be no allowances on mini memberships.
e) Dues paid in full before May 1 will receive $10.00 discount.
f) Any non-member tractors will pay a hook fee of $20.00 per class. They will not receive any payouts, ribbons, or points. They will also have no voting rights. Anyone paying hook fees will pull last. They will not receive ribbons, trophies, points, or money. All trophies, ribbons, money, and points will go to a full member. Anyone who pays a hook fee must meet and obey all club and safety rules. It will be a club decision who will be allowed to pull.
17) At the October meeting, there will be the election of officers and rules changes/additions. At the November meeting, there will be voting for officers and the rules package will be voted on. All officers will have a 2-year term. President and first three Tech Committee will be elected on the even years. Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two Tech Committee will be elected on the odd years.
18) All tractors will have team shirts. See one of the club officers.
19) The club will have the authority to make tractors display reasonable size decals. Any proceeds will go back to the club.
SECTION VII
1) The MMTPA Mini and Hobby classes points system will be as follows.
First place will receive 25 points, second place will receive 24 points third place will receive 23 points, and so on down to last place. If two tractors tie for a position, they will each receive the points allowed to that position. The next tractor down will receive points for the second position down. (For example: If two tractors tie for third place, they will each receive 23 points. The next tractor will be considered to have finished in the fifth position and will receive the corresponding 21 points.)
2) Any tractor that is disqualified from a class will receive one point for that class if not safety related.
3) All ties at the end of the year must be broken by a pull off at the last pull. The weight class for the pulloff will be 2000lb.
4) Non-members are not allowed to compete for points.
5) In the event a pull is rained out, each tractor present will be awarded last place points for the number of tractors in attendance.
6) If a tractor makes all away pulls, they will receive 25 bonus points.
7) Each tractor will receive one point per meeting attended. A representative for the tractor must come. A representative is a member or associate member for that tractor membership. A member with one mini and one free hobby will get one point for each tractor. Points will begin in November and end at the meeting before the last pull.
8) Each tractor inspected on Tech Day will receive 10 bonus points whether it passes or fails the inspection.
SECTION VIII
OPERATION OF CONTEST
CONDUCT OF EVENT
1) Pulling vehicles must be operated in a safe manner at all times within the confines of the track, pits, and staging areas. Judges have the right to stop and disqualify any vehicle if it is not being operated in such a manner as would be considered safe. Refer to section I for definition of safe.
2) Operator must remain seated during the pull and must have complete control of the vehicle at all times.
3) Only the driver will be allowed on a vehicle when it is being towed or driven - NO RIDERS. No rider in or on any vehicle in pit, track, or adjacent areas to include tow tractors, competing vehicles, tow back, and maintenance equipment of any kind.
4) Any driver or any of his/her crew incapacitated due to an intoxicating agent and/or drugs, his/her pulling vehicle will not compete for the duration of the pull. Further, any puller or pit crew member found around track area with intoxicant will forfeit winnings and points from that event or his/her pulling vehicle will be barred from the next sanctioned event he/she appears at to compete. Track area is 35_ on all sides surrounding the pulling track and the track itself.
5) Unprofessional and/or unsportsmanlike conduct including abusive language and/or physical action toward event official, fellow competitor, or spectator and/or deliberate delay of event will be just cause for a minimum penalty of total disqualification from that event. Disqualified competitor will lose any prior placings, prize moneys, contingency moneys, points, and/or event awards at that event.
6) See Section I, Rule #8.
7) In order to receive MMTPA points, the contestant must hook and have made a measurable pull. See Rule #11.
8) All pulls must start with a tight chain. Contestants will be allowed a total of two attempts and 50’ to start the sled. If the driver lets off the throttle before 50’, he will get a second attempt even if going beyond 50’. If no effort is made to back off the throttle, no second attempt will be given. The intent is for drivers not to slam on the brakes to stop before 50’ (or at any time), but to come to as smooth a stop as possible. Jerking of the sled by backing out of the throttle will be considered grounds for disqualification by track officials. If the tractor is at full throttle, this is not applicable. This rule is meant for when something is wrong or falling off the tractor. Tech Committee officials will use their own judgment on this call. NOTE: number of feet to be figured is 1/4 distance of track.
9) Each contestant has the privilege of and the responsibility for spotting the sled for both of his/her attempts. Pull back tractor operator/sled operator must be notified of where contestant wishes sled placed when previous contestant unhooks from the sled. Use of crew members is recommended in spotting sled to expedite the show.
10) Sled will be towed back or forward to starting line before each attempt. No official pull may start beyond starting line in either direction. All sleds to be started with front of pan even with starting line and in gear.
11) An attempt is defined as moving the sled a measurable distance (6" or greater).
12) All pulls made during a contest will be measured. All pulls will be measured to the nearest inch in front center where the sled stops or be measured with a laser type device.
13) Pulling vehicle must remain within boundaries of contest course during a pull or will be disqualified. Sled pan must be within boundary lines at start of pull. Chalk line is to constitute track boundary. Full pull line will be track boundary.
14) Excessive loss of liquid by a pulling vehicle while in forward motion under the green flag during a contest on the track will be cause for disqualification unless due to internal breakage. Excessive is defined as any steady or intermittent stream discharged on the track or a spot equivalent to more than 8" diameter.
15) If a vehicle is legal when hooked to the sled and if breakage occurs while under the green flag due to unforeseen circumstances, the pull will be measured with the exception of loss of ballast or safety equipment.
16) See Section VI, Rule #2.
17) At any MMTPA pull, it is mandatory for all drivers to attend any particular driver’s meeting which may be held by the promoter and/or officials. With the exception of entry qualifications and special safety rules, all invitational pulls will be conducted under the same rules as all other sanctioned events.
18) If a kill switch falls out during an attempt, that will be considered a measurable pull.
II. EVENT PROCEDURE AND REQUIREMENTS
1) All officially sanctioned contests must have available a dirt track not less than 30’ in width. All boundaries shall be lined. A safety runoff area of 1/3 length of the track is required for all sanctioned events. Width to be an acceptable exit.
2) All tracks must be maintained and packed when possible.
NOTE: No ropes, lines, or stakes allowed within two (2) feet of the edge or at the end of the track pulling area during competition. This includes measuring ropes and sled marker ropes. A chalk line must be used to make the boundary lines. Chalk boundary lines must be straight. Remove all lines, ropes, and stakes before competition begins.
3) No one allowed on the track except for the track officials and contestant when the vehicle is under the green flag. Track is defined as the area with 10’ and/or fences in any direction of the contest course boundaries including the runoff area at the finish end of the track. At all times during competition (from the time session starts until it is finished) there will be limited access to the track area at the discretion of the event official.
4) All pulls shall operate with two flagmen. Starting flagman will be responsible for readiness of track pulling machine and contestant. Second flagman will be responsible for balance of course. Flagmen must be Tech Committee.
5) Any disqualification or infraction should still make a measurable pull and a measurement will be taken. After the event, decision on the infraction and penalty will be decided.
III. WEIGHING AND DRAWBAR MEASURING PROCEDURES
1) All official weights include driver and vehicle with oil, water, and fuel ready to compete. All drivers must weigh in with pulling vehicle when it is officially weighed. No vehicles will be allowed past scales that exceed class weight. Weighing out to be at a discretion of the track judge.
2) Should a puller move weight forward from the rear of the tractor, the drawbar must be remeasured before pulling at the discretion of track official.
3) Drawbar can be remeasured after pull at the discretion of track official.
4) A pulling vehicle must cross the scales before each class. The promoter of the event or MMTPA official would have the option to waive this requirement by posting a written waiver indicating for which classes this requirement would be waived.
IV. TEST PULL AND OPTIONS
1) Number one puller will be test puller and may take pull if weight transfer is deemed right, or he may pull in sixth position. Sixth position is defined as the position immediately following the next five scheduled competitors and their attempts.
Pulling order:
1. Puller #1
2. Puller #2
3. Puller #3
4. Puller #4
5. Puller #5
6. Puller #6
Test puller would be inserted here!
7. Puller #7
2) The number one or test puller only is not to be disqualified or measured for running out of bounds on first attempt only. All other reasons for disqualification apply. He is to be disqualified on second or subsequent attempts if he goes out of bounds.
3) If weight transfer needs further adjustment, the first puller after each adjustment will be treated as the number one (or test) puller.
4) If the class is restarted, all contestants having pulled previously will have the same options as the number puller. In the case of restart, it is the competitors responsibility to alert track judge of his/her decision.
5) If the first five vehicles in a given class make a full pull, the class will automatically started over.
6) A class cannot be restarted after the first one-half (1/2) of the class has hooked due to sled setting.
7) All decisions on re-pulls are to be made before vehicle leaves the track. If the track official is not notified of driver’s intent to repull in original position, then the driver will automatically be dropped six positions.
8) On any re-pull caused by a contest malfunction, the puller, at his discretion, may drop back six positions.
9) Any disqualification on the first attempt bars a second attempt. Should class be started over (restarted), puller disqualified will be allowed to pull in position drawn.
10) Contestant MUST pull at position drawn within three minutes of time sled is at readiness; any delay will mean disqualification. If presiding judge is notified, he may drop a contestant having mechanical problems six positions. This would constitute one of his/her two attempts. This may be done only once per contestant per class.
11) If a contestant experiences mechanical problems during a test pull (before first official pull), track official may grant the competitor the option of dropping to sixth or last position.
12) Puller will be able to drop six places if breakage occurs on first attempt if not past 50’ (or 1/4 of track). He will get a total of two chances.
13) If the last vehicle in a class experiences mechanical problems, it will be allowed six minutes to hook and make an attempt.
V. PULL-OFFS
1) In a pull-off, each contestant in his/her turn will be allowed one attempt to make a measurable pull.
2) If the first contestant succeeds in making a full pull, all contestants must pull at the setting unless in the track judges opinion the sled operator has made a mistake.
3) Order of pull will be in the order in which the vehicles involved made full pulls, unless there has been a sled setting change by track officials.
VI. INCLEMENT WEATHER
1) All tractors present must have pulled to complete a class.
2) The promoter and director of operations shall mutually determine if and when an event shall be stopped because of inclement weather or track conditions.
3) Any class not completed for any reason will be treated as a rained out class. (refer to above rules)
VII. SUMMARY OF CAUSES FOR RED FLAG
1) Any tractor will be red flagged and measured for loss of tractor components during a measurable pull, other than loss of ballast or safety equipment. (refer to Summary of Causes for Disqualification)
2) Any cause for disqualification. (refer to Summary of Causes for Disqualification)
VIII. SUMMARY OF CAUSES FOR DISQUALIFICATION
1) Loss of ballast weight under green flag.
2) Loss of safety equipment and failure of safety equipment to function while under the green flag.
3) Excessive loss of liquid (steady or intermittent stream discharge on the track or a spot equivalent to more than 8" in diameter) under the green flag.
4) Illegal fuel (Nitromethane, nitrous oxide, or other oxygen carriers or combustion accelerators).
5) If a vehicle goes out of bounds when hooked to sled (if a vehicle touches the white line), the vehicle will be disqualified.
6) Unsafe operation of competition vehicle, to be determined by Tech Committee.
7) Intoxication of driver or crew member. Any driver or any of his/her crew incapacitated due to an intoxicating agent and/or drugs, his/her pulling vehicle will not compete for the duration of the pull. Further, any puller or pit crew member found around track area with intoxicant will forfeit winnings and points from the event or his/her pulling vehicle will be barred from the next sanctioned event he/she appears at to compete. This will include anywhere on event grounds during event.
8) Unprofessional and/or unsportsmanlike conduct including abusive language and/or physical action toward event official, fellow competitor, or spectator and/or deliberate delay of event will be just cause for a minimum penalty of total disqualification from that event. Disqualified competitor will lose any prior placings, points, and/or event award at that event. If behavior deems a severer penalty, said penalty will be determined by MMTPA Executive Board (President, Vice President, and Tech Committee).
9) If anyone confronts the sled operator for argument or judgment, they will automatically be disqualified for the day. No points will be awarded to the puller.
10) Illegal equipment.
11) Leaving the starting line under red flag.
12) Any knowing violation of any rule shall be considered illegal. Severity of punishment to be at the discretion of the Executive Board.
13) Section II, Event Rules apply.