Pacific Street Car Association 

2002 General Rules and Procedures

Please review this PSCA General Rules and Procedure section very carefully. It could save you both money and time over the entire race season. One thing to consider is that any modification and/or condition not expressly permitted in this online rulebook should be considered illegal, unless you obtain written permission from the PSCA Director. If there are areas of the rulebook that need clarification please contact the PSCA at 661-609-9486.

Assumption of Risk
Drag racing is a dangerous sport for participants. For the purposes of this online rulebook, participants will be defined as any persons directly or indirectly associated with any vehicle which has been permitted to enter the event site for the purpose of competition, including, but not limited to owner, crew, driver, sponsors, family, or any other people involved with said vehicle. In addition, any person or persons engaged in selling or displaying products will be defined as a participant as well.

Participants may suffer bodily injury, death, loss, or damage to property during a PSCA event. Participants who enter a PSCA event are acknowledging that the event site is safe and suitable for racing and that they understand and assume the risks that relate to drag racing events.

Participants must acknowledge that by participating in the events they may suffer bodily injury, death, loss, or damage to personal property. The participant voluntarily assumes the risk of such losses and agrees to indemnify The Pacific Street Car Association, PSCA officials, PSCA staff, event sponsors, the racetrack, the racetrack officials, and other participants or officials for such losses and agrees to not sue such persons for such losses.

All participants will be required, as a condition of entering the track; to sign all required forms, including such releases as determined by the PSCA and track procedure. The PSCA makes no representation, or express or implied warranties, that compliance with the rules and regulations posted in this rule book or the safety requirements published by the host tracks sanctioning body (NHRA), will prevent or guarantee against injury or death to spectators or participants or damage to personal property.
The rules and conduct guidelines set within this rulebook, and the safety rules as set forth by the tracks sanctioning body are intended solely as the minimum acceptable standards. Safety is the responsibility of the participants of the event.

Compliance of Rules
Any and all participants agree that by entering into an PSCA event that they agree to be bound by all rules, regulations, terms and decisions made by the PSCA Officials. Any and all decisions, whether they are made prior, during, or after an event are final and may not be made the basis of litigation toward the PSCA or PSCA staff.

By entering into an PSCA event all participants hereby release the PSCA, PSCA officials, PSCA staff, and race track officials from liability relating to any loss, costs, damages, death, or injury relating to any decisions, erroneous or otherwise, or decisions based on malfunctioning electronic or mechanical equipment, whether due to negligence or otherwise.

The PSCA Director, Event Director, and Tech Director are the only officials with the authority to disqualify a participant from a PSCA event for non-compliance of rules. These PSCA officials may, and will, do so in the event of any violation relating to the decision, rules, or regulations of the PSCA or those of the host racetrack. Regardless of circumstances or situation, the decision of a PSCA Director is final.

REGISTRATION & TECH PROCEDURES

2-Day Events – Friday
All PSCA events will feature inside registration. For PSCA 2-day events the gates will open Friday at 12:00 noon for safety tech, registration, and class tech-in.  You may pay your class entry fee for the weekend's racing. For 2-day events, there will be no racing during the day on Friday (except at Winternationals in Feb) Some tracks may hold an optional test and tune on Friday night; please contact them for details. The PSCA will be closing class and safety tech at 4:00 pm Friday afternoon, unless otherwise stated.

Saturday & Sunday
All PSCA events will feature inside registration. At the gate you will pay only for you (and your crew members) admission tickets to the event. Cost will vary from track to track, from $15 - $18 per day. 

After entering the track, please locate a pit space. Pro Street and Outlaw 10.5 competitors should proceed to the "Pro Pit" Parking, and all other competitors may pit in any available pit location (unless otherwise directed into a certain area by PSCA officials) After pitting, please walk to the PSCA registration area.

  All competitors will then pay the class entry fee and receive the necessary registration, credentials, contingency forms, and tech cards. Before proceeding to the safety and class tech area, all competitors must completely fill out all the necessary forms. When all the forms are completely filled out, proceed to tech. If you have problems completing any of the necessary paperwork, please return to registration.

Driver Eligibility
A competitor may compete in more one class, but not 2 cars in the same class, and must notify Race Director in advance.

If a driver breaks and wishes to change car or class during qualifying.
  

With the approval of the PSCA Race Director, the PSCA has the option of permitting a vehicle or class change during qualifying under the following conditions:

1. All previous times are voided for the vehicles and drivers involved.
2. Driver must re-qualify during the normal scheduled qualifying rounds for the event
3. Driver must have the proper license to drive the replacement vehicle.

PSCA Tech Inspection

 Tech Inspection Prior to competition, all cars and drivers must pass the PSCA technical inspection. This process will be outlined below, but may be changed at any time and at the sole discretion of the PSCA Tech Director. Prior to inspection each racer is required to fill out the PSCA Tech Registration form with 100% accuracy, including claiming exact engine displacement. Any false information on the PSCA Tech Registration form is grounds for immediate suspension and removal of competition points.

During the initial tech procedure, the PSCA tech staff reserves the right to inspect any and every portion of the competing vehicle to ensure rules compliance, including teardowns, weight checks, P&G cubic-inch checks, etc. Do not enter your vehicle for competition if you are not prepared to prove the legality and compliance of your car.

The final interpretation of any and all rules concerning the racing vehicle and its legality in the class, which it is entered, is solely at the discretion of the PSCA Tech Director.

During the running of the event, prior, during, or after the qualifying and/or elimination's the PSCA reserves the right to inspect, seal for inspection and/or tear down any racer's vehicle for any reason.

Contingency Verification
It is the competitor's responsibility to completely fill out the PSCA contingency form prior to entering the PSCA tech area. This form will be provided to you at the Registration trailer with your race credentials. You must be using the proper product on the vehicle and the proper decals must be in place during the tech-in procedure and for the entire duration of the event. Do not abuse the contingency program. Racers found violating the contingency rules may be suspended for up to one year by the PSCA. Please check the PSCA website (www.pscaracing.com) for a listing of updated contingency sponsors, and for information regarding each posting. You must be a PSCA member to be eligible for the PSCA contingency program.

P&G Check
Cubic inch checks (known as P&G) will be employed by the PSCA tech department in all classes with cubic inch limits and/or weight breaks in place. All classes and competitors can be subject to a P&G check at any time, including between rounds and prior to or after the completion of the event.

Drivers and crew should be prepared with the necessary tools to remove valve covers, adjust rocker arms, and remove spark plugs as necessary for the P&G test.

Safety Inspection
PSCA events are held at drag strips sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) For the purposes of competing in PSCA events, the safety rules and regulations set forth by the NHRA shall be in effect and all racers competing should follow the NHRA safety rulebook as a minimum to ensure legality.
PSCA uses NHRA-certified safety inspectors to conduct all safety inspections. All vehicles must first pass safety inspection before they will be "teched in" for PSCA heads-up classes. The PSCA will not be held responsible for failed safety inspections and no refunds of entry fees shall be made to racers failing to comply.

  Competition Requirements
The following competition requirements only apply to the following classes: Pro Street, Outlaw 10.5, X-treeme Street, Hot Street, Real Street, True Street, Limited Street, Drag Radial, Open Comp, EFI Challenge. To be eligible for the cash purse, contingency monies, and any awards and/or PSCA points, each racer is required to be a current PSCA member (Racer must be a member by his/her second race entered.), and each race car is required to follow the decal requirements for competition at all times during each event. 

The following decals are required:
(1) Class Sponsor Decal – Lower Passenger Side of Windshield

One of each of these required decals will be provided free of charge with your PSCA class entry.

Competition Numbers
All competitors (except Bracket Competition) are required to display a permanent number, which will be assigned in advance, Or during the tech-in process at the very first PSCA race that you attend.

PSCA competition numbers are assigned to a driver rather than a car, which is the same way in which points are accrued through the season. In addition to the competition numbers, your class designation must be clearly and permanently marked above the class number. Permanent numbers and class designation must be displayed on the front, rear, and both side windows. Numbers on the side windows must be a minimum of 4-inches tall, and 1-1/2 inches wide, and class designation letters on side window must be a minimum of 2-inches tall and 1-inch wide. Numbers on windshield and rear glass must be a minimum of 4-inches tall and 1-inch wide, and class designation letters must be a minimum of 2-inches tall and 1-inch wide.

RACE PROCEDURES

Starting System
PSCA heads-up drag racing will be conducted using a standard NHRA starting line system. All heads-up (except Drag Radial & EFI Challenge) and open-comp categories will be started with a three amber "Pro" tree start. All amber lights are activated simultaneously, with a four-tenths delay before green.  Drag Radial & EFI Challenge will use the five-tenths full tree.

Qualifying
If possible, all competitors will be given three qualifying passes on Saturday, weather permitting. In order to be counted as an official qualifying attempt, all cars must self-start and stage under their own power.

All qualifying passes must be made within one of the three official designated qualifying sessions, and only one qualifying attempt is permitted per qualifying session. Following completion of qualifying attempt, all competitors must immediately report to the scales for weigh-in and present their time slip to the PSCA Tech Official. For a qualifying run to be determined valid, the Tech Official must initial the PSCA weight sheet prior to the vehicle leaving the scale.

The PSCA Race Director has the option to build a ladder on as little as one qualifying session if track conditions or weather require. If there are no qualifying sessions completed, the Race Director may build the ladder depending on Championship points.

In all heads-up classes, the vehicle with the quickest elapsed time will be the number 1 qualifier, the second quickest will be the number 2 qualifier, and so on. In the event of identical qualifying elapsed times, the vehicle with the faster top speed recorded on the qualifying runs in question will be awarded the lower qualifying position.

Single Runs
During single runs where there is not another competitor on the track to run against, the lone driver is considered the winner once he stages and receives the green light. If this lone driver crosses the centerline on a single run the elapsed time is voided for lane choice determination and any E.T., MPH awards, and/or records for points.

Ladders
 All PSCA heads-up classes are paired on an established NHRA Pro ladder (1 vs 16, 2 vs 15, 3 vs 14, etc.). If the event that twenty-five or more cars attempt to qualify for a 16-car field, the ladder will be increased to 32-cars.  Open Comp will use the “Sportsman” ladder

Lane Choice (Heads-Up Classes)
In all cases lane choice is determined by elapsed time. In the first round of elimination's, the quickest of the qualified pair will have lane choice as determined by the position of the qualifying sheet. In every round after the first, lane choice will go to the competitor who has the quicker elapsed time from the previous round.

Staging Rules
Control of the starting line is the sole discretion of the track starter. 

Crew Members on Starting line
No more than 2 crew members are permitted on the starting line with any participating car.  After car takes the first staging beam, crew members must exit the staging area (this means no standing behind your drivers car watching it launch, while standing in front of the next car set to start their burnout)  Driver will lose the run if his/her crews violates these rules.

Burnout Rules
Open Comp, Limited Street, Drag Radial, and EFI Challenge may not pass the starting line during their burnout attempts.

  Disqualification
The PSCA shall use NHRA policies with regard to disqualifications (red-light starts, double red-light starts, crossing the centerline, etc) in order to help prevent situations in which both competitors are disqualified and maximize the chances of declaring a winner. Please consult the 2002 NHRA rulebook under General Policies for more information.

A competitor may not advance to a position in a later round than he/she did not actually compete in. In the event that a class winner is disqualified for any reason, the runner-up will be declared the winner. If the runner-up is also disqualified, there will be no winner or runner-up for that class and no awards or purse will be given for those positions.

Safety Infractions
Any time a vehicle or driver exceeds the elapsed time or MPH for which they are safety certified, or if the driver and/or vehicle are found to be in violation of any current safety standards, then the host track safety inspectors have the sole authority to restrict the driver and vehicle from further runs until the problem is fixed, or to disqualify the entry from the event. In all cases the safety rules and safety-related decisions of the host tracks safety staff overrule that of the PSCA officials.

Record Procedures
Owning a PSCA National Class Record is a high honor awarded to the fastest and quickest drivers. Record runs can be made only under official qualifying or elimination conditions. Any record attempts with a 10-mph or greater tailwind will not be accepted. In order to set a PSCA National Class Record, a driver must run either quicker or faster than the previous record. The elapsed time and speed records may be set independently or simultaneously.

In order to actually re-set the official run, you must provide the PSCA Tech Director with the record-setting time slip directly after the run. A back up run within 1 percent is required to set an official PSCA record; either directly before or directly after the record setting run, may be used as the 1 percent backup run.

Once a vehicle has set a PSCA record for either speed or elapsed time (or both) it may be inspected for compliance with the rules, including possible tear down, as the PSCA Tech Director sees fit. If two competitors tie for the same elapsed time record (to the thousandth of a second) at the event, the faster speed will be the tiebreaker. If two competitors tie for the same speed record (to the hundredth of a mile per hour) at the event, the quicker elapsed time will be the tiebreaker. A competitor who resets and then loses the record at the same event will not get credit or points for breaking the record.

Protest Procedure
Contestant protests may only be filed by a competitor in the same class and must be filed in writing on an official PSCA protest form with the PSCA Tech Director by no later than the conclusion of qualifying on Saturday. The PSCA Tech Director may, at the time of the protest filing, choose to accept or reject the official protest, at his sole discretion. At any time during the event, the PSCA may enter an 'Official Protest' at no charge by the proper PSCA officials. Protest forms must be accompanied with the proper cash protest fee as detailed on the next page.

The protested vehicle (and/or engine and components) will be sealed as necessary, and inspected at some point prior to the first round of eliminations on Sunday. The protested vehicle must be disassembled for inspection and both re-assembled by the car owner(s) and/or his designated crewmembers. Refusing inspection and/or disassembly can result in the following: removal of the vehicle from competition, 2-race suspension of driver, loss of competition points for previous 3 events, and immediate removal of vehicle, owner and crew members from the racing facility.

During the actual inspection procedure, only one representative of the protested car may be present. No other racers, spectators and/or crewmembers may be present at the inspection (including the protesting party).

If the protested vehicle is found to be within the requirements for the class, the protest fee, less 35% for PSCA expenses, will be forfeited to the owner of the protested car. If the protested vehicle is found to be NOT within the requirements of the class, the protest fee, less 35% for PSCA expenses, will be refunded. In addition, any infractions to the class rules, even beyond those in the original protest, will be grounds for immediate disqualification. The PSCA may impose fines, disqualification, suspension and/or revocation of competition privileges for non-compliant entries, depending upon the severity of the infraction.

  Retention of Vehicle and Parts
Participant hereby grants PSCA and its assigns the full and unconditional permission to collect and retain vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, and/or any other items used in conjunction with participation owned by or in the possession of participant, including such vehicles, parts of vehicles, equipment, or any other items that have been involved in accidents when PSCA determines in its sole and absolute discretion that such actions are necessary incident to the investigation of an accident; the inspection or testing of such vehicles, parts, or equipment; or for any other purpose.

EVENT PROCEDURES

Rain Out Policy & Event Termination
It is the goal of the PSCA to complete all events in the timeliest manner during the weekend, regardless of weather conditions. If necessary, events will be completed by running late, or by extending elimination's into Monday. In the event of race termination or cancellation due to weather conditions, darkness, curfew, or other conditions, all PSCA National Championship points that were earned up to the point of cancellation will be awarded. In the case of event termination or cancellation, no gate or entry fees for driver, car, spectator, or crew will be refunded under any situations.

Refund Policy
Once a competitor has entered safety tech, there will be no refunds of entry fee under any situations. No spectator or crew refunds will be issued regardless of the situation.

Payout Policy
Payouts will be administrated by the PSCA, and will be made at the completion of each round. No payouts will be mailed, made, or sent after the completion of the event. Driver must supply complete information to the PSCA including proper name, social security number, address, telephone number, drivers license, or any other information as required by the PSCA.

Contingency Awards
Contingency awards and payouts are the responsibility of the company posting the contingency and not that of the PSCA. The Pacific Street Car Association will take any reasonable steps necessary to ensure that each participating contingency sponsor honors their commitment, but the PSCA will not be responsible for non-payment or bad checks. Competitors must resolve any disputes or problems relating to contingency or non-payment directly with the company. For up to date contingency postings please look PSCA Website. 

Marketing & Merchandising Releases
All vehicles, drivers, crew, and competitors, upon consideration of being permitted to enter a PSCA event, hereby release the following rights. All rights to advertising, images, promotion, filming, recording, exhibition, t-shirt sales, likenesses, photographs, slides, sound recording and any other merchandising or marketing-related items as deemed necessary by the PSCA of the drivers, vehicles, and crew.

Participants agree that they will not offer for sale, sell, distribute, or give away souvenirs, products, t-shirts, apparel, merchandise or any other thing of value, or permit others to do so, without obtaining written or verbal permission, prior to the event, from the PSCA.