Ozark Raceway Park General Rules

Specific Classes have additional rules that apply.

Thank you for your interest in Ozark Raceway Park! In an effort to make your experience with us more enjoyable, we’ve written out the track guidelines and rules for your convenience. Please note that if any controversy should occur, all decisions will be based on the written rules. Should the rules not cover a specific controversy then a track official will make a decision to cover said incident.

Rule Book Disclaimer

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events. These rules govern the condition of all events, and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY WILL RESULT FROM PUBLICATION OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND/OR REGULATIONS. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport of Drag Racing and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participant, spectator or official.

Drag racing is a dangerous sport that can result in serious injury or death. Participation in all aspects of the sport is voluntary. The ultimate responsibility for participant and vehicle lies with the participant, vehicle owner, driver and crew members.

We hope that you enjoy your racing experience with us. It’s our goal to provide a family friendly environment that is affordable and enjoyable for you and your family.

Authority

Any condition considered to be unsafe by Ozark Raceway Park track officials will be adequate grounds for barring or withdrawing a vehicle from participation in any event, until the fault has been remedied to the satisfaction of track officials. The decision of track officials will be considered final in all inspection or elimination protests or procedures. Tech Staff reserves the right to disqualify any car not meeting the rules or the spir it of the rules. ORP Staff also reserves the right to make amendments to the rules at later dates.

Since we cannot possibly cover all situations that may arise during eliminations, it is the race director’s responsibility to make a judgement on disputed calls in which these rules may not cover. If it is necessary to settle a dispute, the race director will speak with the drivers involved ONLY. Not the crews, wives and / or husbands!

PA System / Track Communication

In an effort to get all communication out to every part of the race track, Ozark Raceway Park now broadcasts on 88.5 FM (due to interference, this changes from time to time, be sure to check at the gate when you arrive for the current frequency on the FM dial).

Refunds

Ozark Raceway Park has a “no cash refund” policy. This is regardless of rain, complaint, technical problems with your car or the track facility. The policy also applies to a “broken racecar”. Should your car break before making any passes a “rain check” will be issued minus the price of spectator.

Arm Bands

Arm Bands will be used at all events. These arm bands MUST be worn throughout the event, and may not be removed for any reason. These arm bands are “non transferable”. If anyone is found inside the gates without an arm band or an arm band that has been cut/ glued or taped, or found to have been removed and then replaced they shall be given the opportunity to purchase an arm band or leave the event immediately.

Passengers

At no time is a passenger allowed to be in a car while making a pass. (Drag Racing 101 and “Ride Along Friday’s” are excluded from this policy).

Driver Credentials

All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and be at least 16 years old; one exception to this rule is in the JR dragster. All drivers must be licensed to their respective E.T.’s. (There are exceptions for example: An adult whom might have had their license suspended for a traffic violation or it might be expired can appeal to the race director for exemption).

Restricted Areas

No one under the age of 14 is allowed in the restricted areas, this includes the area from the water box to the starting line. Due to insurance conditions we are faced with, we WILL limit the number of people we allow in the restricted area. At no time will we allow any “spectators” in a restricted area. Anyone wishing to be in a restricted area must have wristbands. Only drivers and three (3) additional persons per entry are eligible for a restricted area wristband. All other exceptions are at the discretion of the track manager. Any eligible individual desiring a wristband must sign a wavier at ORP tech in order to receive their wristbands.

Leash Rule

Any pets brought to the facility must be on a leash at all times. Pet owners will be asked not to bring the pet back if problems with the animal occur. When your pet “relieves” themselves, please clean up after them.

Shoes

Open toed shoes are not allowed while racing.

Speed Limits

The speed limit in the pit area and the return road is 10 mph.

Drinking by a Driver

Any driver observed by track officials to be consuming any amount of alcohol while still in competition will be disqualified from the event. (This may possibly involve a 1 year ban as well).

Rain Check

Ozark Raceway Park shall offer a “rain check” which is good for “any like kind race” for the same year it was received in. (Like Kind Race: A race that is of the same value or less than the one in which the rain check was given.) Rain checks are only issued in the event that the race was completely canceled and was not able to complete. Tech cards shall be kept in the front “ticket booth” for the racer to use during that same season at a like kind race. (See rain out for more information).

Rain Out Race

Rain delays are not considered a rainout.
Ozark Raceway Park reserves the right to call or cancel any race due to weather. This includes water, rain, snow, sleet, lighting or anything else which Ozark Raceway Park deems to be unsafe for the racers and or the fans. If this occurs during time trials or before the first two (2) rounds of eliminations are completed then the race shall either be “canceled” or “rescheduled”. This decision is at the discretion of Ozark Raceway Park. If two (2) rounds have been completed then the race shall be “called” and deemed “complete”. Payout will be made in the following manner:
Payout purse shall be equally divided between the racers who were winners of the previous round. Regardless of how many racers were winners or eliminated in the “called round”, payout will be awarded for each and every racer that was a winner in the previous completed round.
Points shall only be given when a “round” is completed. If the round is not completed for any reason, then points shall only be given for the previous completed rounds.

“LAST CHANCE” Yellow Line

The Last Chance Yellow Line is is the first yellow line between the staging lanes and the water box. Once you’ve passed this line, there is NO dial in change. The only exception to this rule explained under “Dial Ins” (General Bracket Racing Rules).

Ground Clearance

Minimum 3 inches ground clearance required from front of car to 12 inches behind centerline of front axle; 2 inches for remainder of car, except oil pan and exhaust headers. Wheelie bars are exempt from the 2-inch clearance rule.

Shootout Staging

Autostart will be activated when both drivers have lit their pre stage bulbs. When either one of the drivers light their stage bulb, a timer in the computer will begin counting down. The un-staged driver will have 7 seconds on a Pro Tree to fully stage their car. There will be 10 seconds allowed to fully stage on a Sportsman Tree. Failing to stage the car within the 7 or 10 seconds will result in a disqualification (red light) of that driver.
Deep Staging is allowed for Pro Tree Shoot Out Racing only, but not necessarily recommended. It is always the driver’s responsibility to stage the vehicle prior to the tree being activated. Drivers must be prepared to leave once the final stage bulb is lit. Deep Staging means the racer has pulled in far enough to turn the pre-stage bulb off.
Courtesy Staging is recommended, but NOT enforced – Racers will NOT be backed out by the Starter if they double bulb their opponent. As a general practice of staging etiquette, Courtesy Staging is where a racer will light up only the pre-stage light and wait for their opponent to do the same.
The final staging motion, using applied power, must be in a forward motion going from pre-stage to stage.You MUST stage moving forward! Staging via reverse shall constitute a forfeit.
Drivers must stage with the front tires.
If both drivers of a race leave the line before the starting system is activated, both are disqualified.

Race Protest

ANY protest must be made before you PRESTAGE your car! It is the racers responsibility to make sure their dial in is on the board correct, and that any mechanical malfunctions that might be in question are addressed BEFORE you PRESTAGE! Once you have PRESTAGED, you have “agreed” that all things are ok, including dial ins for both lanes, staging beams and any other item that might factor in to make you “race ready”! Should you have a question about anything, DO NOT PRESTAGE, get the attention of the starter and address the problem at once!

Competition Protest

Any entry may be protested for being class legal by any other DRIVER in that same respective class. This may be done by approaching the current race director, along with $300.00 cash as a Protest Fee. If the protested car is found to be illegal, the protestor will receive $150.00 of his fee back and $150.00 will go into the class winner purse for that days event. The illegal car will be eliminated from the class for the remainder of the event and will forfeit any winnings earned in previous rounds. If the protested car is found to be legal, the protested driver will receive $150.00 of the protest fee and $150.00 will go into the class winner purse for that days event. Qualifying/Elimination rounds for all other classes will continue while this protest is being settled.

Fighting

Any physical violence by anyone at Ozark Raceway Park will result in a six week suspension. Second offense will be a lifetime ban. We reserve the authority to make a judgment on these situations.

Conduct

Drivers and Crew members at an event shall conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behavior and sportsmanship, particularly in relation to other competitors and track officials, and in a manner that will not harm the reputation of the IHRA, Ozark Raceway Park or the sport of Drag Racing. Failure to do so may result in penalties ranging from disqualification from the event to being banned from Ozark Raceway Park at the discretion of the track officials. In addition to other offenses or violations of specific rules, each of the following shall be deemed a breach of the rules.

Reckless or dangerous driving, either on the course or in the pits.
Failure to obey any direction or order of an official.
Refusing to cooperate with, interfering with, or obstructing the actions of any track official in the performance of their duties.
Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Physical violence or verbal abuse towards any other participant, official or spectator at an event. No weapons shall be allowed on the premise.
Bribery or attempts to bribe anyone connected with the event, and the solicitation of, acceptance of, or offer to accept a bribe.

Bye Run

The bye is figured on “low et” for heads up class and “best reaction time” for bracket and Pro Tree No Box classes. These are based on previous rounds for rounds two (2) and later. They are figured on qualifying or time trials for the first round. The winner of the “bye” shall be notified before the round begins and pulled out of the staging lanes. The driver must stage under the vehicle’s own power and break the starting beam for the bye run to be declared complete so the car and driver can advance to the next round. Lane boundary line crossing and red light disqualification rules do not apply on bye runs. A competition bye does not make a racer ineligible for an odd lot bye. Those who have already made a bye run are not eligible for another bye run until all remaining competitors have received a bye run as well. Buy Backs will be eligible for bye runs, after a winning round. (If there is a tie on reaction time, then best package wins buy run)

COMPETITION BYE: (Bracket Racing) Should any racer “not show” in the next round for any reason then a “competition bye” shall be awarded to the racer whom the broken racer was scheduled to run. Once you’ve been paired, if your opponent of which you were paired with cannot make it to the water box or stage, you shall receive a competition bye.

COMPETITION BYE: (Heads Up Racing) Once the ladder is made, ANY no show is a competition bye! RACERS, IT IS UP TO YOU TO KEEP THE RACE TRACK INFORMED ON YOUR SITUATION AND YOUR COMPETITORS, BEFORE THE LADDER IS MADE!

Lane / Boundary Crossing

Any race car touching any marker line during the measured race will be disqualified. In determining lane boundary crossing violations, it is considered a disqualification when any portion of a car or tire touches the painted surface. Contact with guard railing, barrier, or any other track fixture (Christmas tree, cones, and foam blocks) is ground for disqualification. Intentional crossing of boundary line to leave track or avoid depositing debris on strip is not ground for disqualification. Exception: No penalty if this occurs in any type of “bye” run. Once the winning car trips the winning beam, the race is considered complete.

No Show

A car shall be deemed “no show” if it isn’t in the water box by the time they are scheduled to run a “competition bye” shall be awarded to the opponent. Should a car “lose fire” AFTER the burnout is complete, the non-running car has 30 seconds to refire and proceed to the starting line to complete the pairing. In a true move of sportsmanship, if both drivers agree, both cars can be pushed over to the bailout lane while the non running car is repaired. This repair MUST be made before the round ends and the paired cars will be allowed to be the last pair of that round.

Tech Cards

This is the color coded card you purchase at the front ticket gate. It MUST be filled out completely and turned in to the staging lane director in order to receive ANY winnings! The information made available on the tech cards allows the announcer to inform the fans about you the driver, the car and the sponsors! By turning in your tech card to Ozark Raceway Park you have signified that you have read the rules and agree to abide by them. This action also signifies that you have agreed to hold Ozark Raceway Park harmless for any physical, mental or material damage that you or your car might incur while at Ozark Raceway Park. Tech cards are to be turned in while in the staging lanes with your car to allow the car to be marked.

Payout

Winning monies shall be paid out at the track office located East of the tower. No admittance will be the policy for the tower at all times, this is to include picking up any money won. Please be patient and know that as soon as the winning money has been calculated, it will be made available at the track office. Payout shall be limited to the available “winning” racers. Should any given purse be advertised for more places than available winning racers, then the only “winning” racer shall be paid. Example: If there are 8 places advertised for payout, but due to low car count, there are only 7 winners due to the bracket/lineup then the 8th place shall not be paid
out.

Coolers

Personal Coolers Allowed – ABSOLUTELY No Glass Bottles Please! (Note: ORP reserves the right to check coolers for glass bottles)
Anyone caught drinking and racing will be banned from the track permanently!
NOTE: Ozark Raceway Park reserves the right to prohibit coolers at certain events. If this should be the case, Ozark Raceway Park will give notice via the web site and signs at the entrance of said event.

Burnouts

No Holding or Guiding Car in the Water Box during Burnouts! During burnouts, crew members/assistants must stand clear of vehicle.

No one will be disqualified for burning out across the starting line. HOWEVER in the interest of moving the event along, we ask that you not burnout across the line if not necessary.

Pit Safety

No one under the age of 16 will be allowed to operate a golf cart or any other motorized vehicle. This does not count Jr Dragsters while competing or returning to the pits.

Trans Brake Testing

Trans Brake Testing (setting trans brake and bringing RPM up to load converter) is prohibited in the pits and staging lanes unless drive wheels are securely raised up on jack stands.

Inspections

Ozark Raceway Park may, at their discretion, inspect any given car to be legal at anytime. This may require the car to be placed on a lift that is onsite and inspected under the car as well as above. Should a car be deemed “illegal” or “cheating” that racer shall forfeit the winnings and points won for that race and be placed on “probation” or “banned” depending on the situation and at the discretion of Ozark Raceway Park officials. Should any car/driver refuse to be teched, said car shall be considered “illegal” and forfeit any win for that race.

Lane Choice – Shoot Out and Heads Up when Racing from a Ladder:

Low ET from the previous round gets lane choice.

Pit Parking

Pit parking at all shootout will be assigned. To avoid the hassle of finding a space at the last minute, please call the track and let them know you are coming as early as possible.
One “tow vehicle” will be allowed in the pits only for “Shoot-Out” races, any other vehicle will only be allowed if a “parking pass” is purchased. Please be aware of your fellow racers and avoid blocking them in from either their pit space or the rear of their trailer.

General Vehicle Safety

IHRA General Safety Rules are followed at Ozark Raceway Park.
For interpretation or clarification of a safety rule, please consult the current IHRA Rule Book.

Seatbelt / Harness

– All vehicles requiring a roll bar or roll cage must use a 5 point SFI 16.1 driver restraint system including the crotch strap.

– All harnesses must be bolted in with 3/8 or larger bolts OR be of the wrap around style that wrap around the roll bar tubing.

– These wrap arounds may not be attached to any tube that could possibly come in contact with the race track or the guard rail in a crash situation.

Helmet

– Helmets are recommended for all cars for safety reasons.

– Helmets are required on cars running 8.59 seconds or quicker in the 1/8th mile or 13.99 seconds in the 1/4 mile.

– Snell 95 or newer is recommended.

Protective Clothing

– Shorts, tank tops, bare legs, bare torsos, and open toed shoes are prohibited in any vehicle. Polyester type garments (work out gear) are prohibited in all vehicles.

– Fire Jackets: Single layer (3-2A.1) jackets mandatory in all vehicles faster than 11.50 quarter/7.50 eighth mile/120 mph and any car using alcohol for fuel..

– Fire Pants (single layer SFI 3-2A.1) are mandatory in any vehicle running faster than 5.70 1/8 mile and any car using alcohol for fuel.

– Front engine dragsters, altereds, and other open wheel/open cockpit type vehicles must wear fire jackets and pants (single layer SFI 3-2A.1) regardless of speed and ET.

– Fire Gloves are recommended for all vehicles running faster than 8.90 1/4 mile, 5.70 1/8 mile or any front engine dragster, open wheel, open cockpit, or alcohol fueled vehicle.

8 point Roll Bar Required

– Convertibles running 13.49 to 11.50 1/4 mile, or 8.25 or quicker 1/8th mile.

– Any car 11.49 or quicker 1/4 mile, or 7.49 or quicker 1/8th mile.

8 Point Roll Cage Required

– Any car exceeding 135 mph or has altered floor or firewall

– Convertibles running 10.99 or quicker 1/4 mile, or 6.99 or quicker 1/8th mile

– Any car 9.99 or quicker 1/4 mile, or 6.49 or quicker 1/8th mile.

Drive Line
– Cars with slicks or drag radials must have a drive shaft loop located within six inches of the front u joint

Master Power Shutoff

– Mandatory when battery is relocated.

– An electrical power cutoff switch (one only) must be installed on the rearmost part of the vehicle and be easily accessible from outside the car body. This cut off switch must be connected to the positive side of the electrical system and must stop all electrical functions including magneto ignition.

– The off position must be clearly labeled with the word “OFF”. If the switch is “push/pull” type, “push” must be the action for shutting off the electrical system.

Reverse Lock Out

– All automatic shifters must be equipped with a positive lock out that prevents the shifter from being accidentally placed in reverse at any time.

Neutral Safety Switch

– All cars must be equipped with a functioning neutral safety switch that prevents the car from being started in a forward or reverse gear.

Floor and Firewall

– All vehicles must have a floor and firewall to isolate the driver from the drive train of the vehicle and the track surface.

– All vehicles must have a rear fire wall to isolate the driver from the battery and the fuel tank. May be made of steel, aluminium, or carbon fiber.

Tires

– Tires need to be free from defects, with no cords showing. Studded snow tires, temporary spares, space saver spares, farm implement or trailer tires are prohibited.

Batteries
– Batteries may be relocated to the trunk or rear of the vehicle, all batteries must be securely mounted and isolated.

Liquid Overflow

– Vehicles leaking any fluids on the race track will not be allowed to make a pass.

– Air Conditioning must be turned OFF even when your car is in staging lanes to prevent
dripping water on track.

– Radiator Catch can is required on all cars, one pint is recommended minimum.

Transmission Cooler Lines

– Steel line and/or braided hose highly recommended on all race cars.

– A minimum of two automotive type clamps on all high pressure rubber line at junction and no more than 6″ of rubber is allowed.

Lighting

– All vehicles must have AT LEAST one working tail light that is on at all times whenever that vehicle is on the race track after dark.

Ride Along Friday Rules (during Test n’ Tune Events)

Car must be 5.70 or slower in the 1/8
Passenger must have same safety equipment that’s required of the driver
Belts must fit tight on passenger
Must be at least 13 yrs old and 4’9″ or taller
Race director has the option to use his/her discretion to deny the ride (example: small 13 yr old might be better fit in a 8 sec 1/8 mile car)