NORTHERN NEW YORK LAWN MOWER RACING

2011 LAWN MOWER RACING RULE BOOK

Rev. 11a (Rule changes from 2010 marked by asterisk (*) The following rules were put together to promote safe and exiting racing with separate classifications that will enable builders and drivers to compete in oval racing with high levels of competition in every class. As always we race for bragging rights and trophies, no monetary awards will be given. Race Safely and Responsibly.

CLASSES:
*JR/PP - Jr. Class/Powder Puff *SS - Super Stock *PS - Pro Stock *SP - Sportsman *PM - Pro Mod *We will no longer use the number basis for our class designations.

*DRIVER ELIGIBILTY:
JR Class 10 to 17 yrs. of age. PP Class 10 yrs. of age and up. (Ages 10-17 can race either JR or PP but not both), SS Class 18yrs. of age or 16 17 yrs. of age with one full year prior NNYLMR experience. PS Class 18yrs. or be 18 yrs. of age by Sept. 1st, 2009 with one full year prior NNYLMR experience. SP/PM Classes 18 yrs. of age.

REGISTRATION:
2011 ARMA Membership - $35.00 Mandatory paid by first race 2011 NNYLMR License Fee - $10.00. Jr. Class - $5.00 with License, $10.00 without. Class PP, SS. PS, SP, PM 10.00 with license, $15.00 without - per driver/mower combination (same driver, same mower). *Bumping up a class: same mower/driver $5.00

SAFETY RULES
DRIVER SAFETY:
MANDATORY Helmets Full face D.O.T. Approved with eye protection ALL CLASSES Long Sleeves ALL CLASSES Work Boots (leather over-the-ankle footwear) ALL CLASSES Leather or Racing gloves ALL CLASSES. Neck Brace ALL CLASSES.

RECOMMENDED Knee pads ALL CLASSES. Motorcycle leathers or heavyweight flame resistant or fireproof clothing. ALL CLASSES Chest Protector ALL CLASSES.

*VEHICLE SAFETY:
ALL CLASSES Throttle must freely return to idle and be sprung (2 springs, separate mounts) at carburetor. Must have tethered engine kill switch (cannot be home built). Hood must be latched. Gas lines must be properly clamped. Batteries must be secured. Fuel tanks must be secured with safe placement from exhaust. All classes must have working brakes. SP/PM Axle brakes (Hydraulic recommended). *Scatter shields recommended for all 4 ungoverned classes. *Oil blow by catch cans recommended

*MOWER SPECIFICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS: ALL CLASSES

Open to all self-propelled rotary mowers the main provision being that the mower must originally have been designed and sold commercially to mow residential lawns, apart from the modifications permitted by class. >>>Organizers reserve the right to reject at any time any mower which, in their opinion, represents an attempt to defeat the spirit of these regulations, even though it complies with the letter of them.<<< REQUIREMENTS One 4 cycle air cooled naturally aspirated carbureted gasoline lawn mower equipment type engine. No mower shall race if deemed unsafe by tech inspector. Full hood and fenders. *Working brakes. Any improvement to stock brake is allowed. Brakes will be inspected each and every race. *Steering. No loose play. Modification to steering allowed (and recommended) in all classes. *Must have steering wheel, no handle bars.(Complete circle) Aftermarket allowed. *Must have lawn mower seat. No other type allowed. Mowers must be neat and clean, with paint in new or very good condition. No excess dirt, oil, grease, rust or primer. Sponsor graphics must not interfere with mower's racing numbers. Large (min. 10 high) race number decal on hood and rear (min. 6 high). Stock lawn mower turf tires only uncut.

Min. Wheel size: Front: 6 diameter *Rear: 8 diameter (SP 6 or 8 only)

JR./PP CLASS
CHASSIS: Front mounted engine with steering column centered behind engine. *Factory unaltered mower frame. Mower deck must be removed. Stock width and length. Engine in original location. Front axle must be pinned, bolted or welded into position. No suspension, no shock absorbers. Axle must have 1-piece OEM beam. (jacking bolt permitted). Front spindles MUST be factory type J or L style. Height Top of Front Axle cannot be above frame. See Illustration in back. Transaxle/Axle cannot be mounted above the most bottom part of main frame (engine mount). See Illustration in back.

*DRIVETRAIN: Engine SINGLE CYLINDER. Governed at 3600 rpm. Total Gear Ratio: 8:1 minimum. Engine must turn over at least 8 times for every full rear wheel rotation in race gear. Ratio will be checked during inspection. You must have spark plug removed before inspection. Muffler or exhaust pipe pointed down must exit engine compartment and away from competitors. Self Starting Electric or rope. (Battery must be on board for electric start) No External or Internal engine modifications. Stock Factory carburetors only. *Max Rear Tire Size 16h x 8 dia. rim. (25lbs max tire pressure) Left side tire must match right. Rear tires must be of same make, tread design. *Stock rear wheels. MUST be re-enforced. *Center-drilled axle with locking bolts, castle nuts with cotter pins are mandatory for securing ALL wheels.

CLASS SS: *CHASSIS:

Front mounted engine with steering column centered behind engine. *Factory unaltered mower frame. Mower deck must be removed. Stock width and length Max. 36 wide outside sidewall to outside sidewall of tires. Engine centered on axle. All steering linkages must use spherical bolt through threaded rod ends (hiem joints). Front axle must be pinned, bolted or welded into position. No suspension, no shock absorbers. Axle must have 1-piece oem beam. (jacking bolt permitted). Front spindles MUST be factory type J or L style. Center-drilled axle with locking bolts, castle nuts with cotter pins are mandatory for securing front and rear wheels. Cotter pins, E-rings and C-rings, bent nails, hitch pins, over-center pins and quick-release pins are not sufficient for wheel retention and are not approved. Height Top of Front Axle cannot be above frame. See Illustration in back.

Transaxle/Axle cannot be mounted above the most bottom part of main frame (engine mount). See Illustration in back. *DRIVETRAIN: Engine STOCK SINGLE CYLINDER valve in block design. (L-head, Flat head, etc.) NO Overhead valve engines. Governors may be removed. Exhaust pipe must exit engine compartment and point down away from competitors. Self Starting Electric or rope. (Battery must be on board for electric start) Belt driven from engine. Pulley changing allowed. No Centrifugal clutches. No direct drives (must have belt release (clutch)). *No External or Internal engine modifications. Stock Factory carburetors only. Two piece carburetors CANNOT have external adjustable main jet. (Chokes can be removed) Must use stock factory air cleaner. NO Porting or polishing of intake or exhaust ports, manifolds, carburetor or combustion chamber. No undercutting of valves. *No AFTERMARKET cams. Regrinding of factory camshafts is NOT ALLOWED. *ENGINES WILL BE LIMITED TO 5,000 RPM MAX. Engines will be randomly tested with a full 4 second WOP on techs tachometer. *Lightened or aluminum flywheels are NOT allowed. Billet STEEL flywheels allowed as long as they weigh equal to or more than stock. One transmission. No Variable speed allowed. All exposed chains and sprockets must be fitted with metal guards which will direct a broken chain downward. No stagger Left side tire must match right. Rear tires must be of same make, tread design and size. Steel wheels only stock rear wheels must be re-enforced on BOTH sides.

S PECIAL NOTE BUMPING UP A CLASS Class SS to PS/SP or Class PS to Class PM Any Class SS mower attempting to move up to Class PS or SP on race day must meet all Class PS or SP safety, chassis and drivetrain requirements. Any Class PS mower attempting to move up to Class PM on race day must meet all Class 3 safety, chassis and drivetrain requirements. No bumping from Class SS to Class PM or from SP to PS or PM.

CLASS PS: *CHASSIS:

*Factory lawn mower frame No tube or home made frame. Front mounted engine with steering column behind engine. Max. width 44 inches outside sidewall to outside sidewall of tires. *Max length 50 inches Original frame may be modified for engine change. Center-drilled axle with locking bolts, castle nuts with cotter pins are mandatory for securing front and rear wheels. Cotter pins, E-rings and C-rings, bent nails, hitch pins, over-center pins and quick-release pins are not sufficient for wheel retention and are not approved. All steering linkages must use spherical bolt through threaded rod ends (hiem joints).

Front axle must be pinned, bolted or welded into position. No suspension, no shock absorbers (jacking bolts allowed). Front Axle must use original 1-piece beam Factory front axle (Widening allowed to max). Front spindles MUST be factory type J or L style. *Front axle must be stock appearing Height Top of Front Axle cannot be above frame. See Illustration in back. Transaxle cannot be mounted above the most bottom part of main frame (engine mount). See Illustration in back. Fenders must cover rear tire. *Steel wheels only All stock wheels must be re-enforced. *DRIVETRAIN: SINGLE cylinder (OHV included), OR TWIN cylinder flat head engine. Exhaust must exit engine compartment and away from other competitors. No External engine modifications. Original intake and carburetor with original orientation. No modifications for intake or carb installation (except linkage). (external rejetting allowed). *Electric oil pumps allowed. Must be powered through the kill switch. Belt driven from engine. No Centrifugal clutches. No direct drives (must have belt release (clutch)) Transaxle type rear-ends only no cart axles, No Variable speed allowed. Rear wheels or hubs must be re-enforced on BOTH sides. (Fronts Recommended). *Self Starting Electric or rope. (Battery must be on board for electric start)

CLASS SP
CHASSIS: Please refer to 2011 ARMA Rulebook. DRIVETRAIN: Please refer to 2011 ARMA Rulebook

CLASS PM
*CHASSIS: *Factory lawn mower frame No tube or home made frame. Max. Width 44 inches outside sidewall to outside sidewall of tires. Max. Length 60 inches center of axles. Min. frame ground clearance 4 inches (excludes front I-beam). Fenders must cover rear tire. Original frame may be modified for engine/trans change, axle change. Center-drilled axle with locking bolts, castle nuts with cotter pins are mandatory for securing front wheels. Cotter pins, E-rings and C-rings, bent nails, hitch pins, overcenter pins and quick-release pins are not sufficient for wheel retention and are not approved. All steering linkages must use spherical bolt through threaded rod ends (hiem joints). Front axle may be pinned, bolted or welded into position. No suspension, no shock absorbers. Axle must have 1-piece beam (jacking bolts allowed). *Stock wheels must be reinforced. DRIVETRAIN: SINGLE OR TWIN cylinder engine.

Exhaust must exit engine compartment and away from other competitors. Belt driven from engine. No Centrifugal clutches. No direct drives (must have belt release (clutch)). *Self Starting Electric or rope. (Battery must be on board for electric start) All exposed chains and sprockets must be fitted with metal guards which will direct a broken chain downward.

ALL CLASSES BUMPERS AND BARS

*Materials round 1 to 2 thin wall tubing. No sharp edges or corners. Nerf bars mandatory on both sides must be within 1 of outside sidewall of tire and between 6 to 8 inches from the ground. Area between floorboard and nerf bar must not allow drivers foot to pass through. Rear bumper mandatory no wider than rear tire track and no more than 6 behind tires. Front bumper recommended 16 max width centered on chassis and no more than 2 beyond front tire or frame. Bumper Dimensions: *Front 6 inches high (max) by 16 inches (max) long centered on frame. Oval bumpers must have three vertical bars. CANNOT COVER ANY PART OF TIRE or extend beyond edge of the grill. *Rear 6 inches high by rear wheel (axle) width long centered on axle. Must have minimum 4 vertical bars. Must Cover 90% of tire.

*NNYLMR POINTS SYSTEM:

Eligible Drivers:
Any driver who participates in any NNYLMR race will be awarded points for the class (s)he competes in. Points will be awarded to the driver not to the mower. A driver may drive more than 1 mower throughout the year to accumulate points. A driver will accumulate points within each class (s)he races in. Drivers are eligible to compete for points in more than 1 class. Points are not transferable between drivers or classes. Trophies will be awarded at the end of the season for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd for all 5 classes.

ROTY Eligibility:
Only drivers in Class SS are eligible for Rookie of the Year. Any driver with less than 3 previous starts (combined) in past years in class 1, 2, or 3 are eligible.

*Points System:
Drivers are awarded points based on feature race finishes (Drivers MUST take the green flag in order to accumulate points). The points will be awarded as follows: 1st 100 points 2nd 90 points 3rd 85 points 4th 80 points 5th 75 points 6th 70 points 7th and beyond 65 points Heat Races: *1st 10 points

*2nd 6 points *3rd 2 points *Points will be calculated based on drivers best 10 races + 10 points awarded for every race (after first 10). Rookie of the year will be based on points system with 4 worst finishes removed. Tie breaks for Points Championship will be based on number of wins. If still tied 2nds and so on. Same for ROTY.

TRACK RACING RULES:

The following rules and regulations pertain to all of our races.

TRACK DIMENSIONS:
All tracks will inherently vary depending upon race area. Pit area will be outside of track so that flagman can have full view of track. All tracks will include only left hand turns.

FLAG DEFINITIONS:
GREEN: Start of race/practice. YELLOW: Caution Field will SLOW IMMEDIATELY. Keep position on track in single file. RED: All mowers to STOP IMMEDIATELY and kill engine once in a safe area on the track. Do not leave mower except to assist in emergency. BLACK: Rolled and pointed Warning. Clean up act IMMEDIATELY. Waving Report to pits for consultation IMMEDIATELY. WHITE: One lap remaining. When crossed with green (both rolled up) way point. CHECKERED: End of race. Winner will be given flag to make ONE parade lap and returned to flagman. *RACE PROCEDURE: Flagman (starter) makes all calls. All drivers must attend all announced drivers meetings. All restarts will be double file. While under caution starter will assess running order while in single file then give command to double up. *Leader has Lane Choice Caution Laps not to exceed 5 laps per caution when at all possible.(Counted after doubled up) Laps cannot be made up under yellow. Running order determined by previous lap. All drivers will hold position under caution except those involved in caution. Caution laps will not count. All races will end under green with a green/white/checkered finish (2 laps). Mower must be completely stopped before driver dismounts. Pace mower (if used): leader will follow safe distance behind. Running into or passing the pace mower will result in black flag with loss of a lap and sent to rear of field. No jump packs allowed on track during heat or feature race. Mower must be moved to pits for jump start.

Blocking prohibited. (Holding your line is not blocking. Changing lines to prevent a pass will be considered blocking.) Flagman will give warning on first offence. Prolonged blocking will result in black flag and will be sent to rear of the field. Class 1 & 2: Any intentional contact (called by the flagman) will result in a black flag and loss of position to rear of field. Continued contact will result in eviction from race. Class 3: Slight contact allowed at discretion of flagman. Prolonged deliberate contact will result in black flag.

All Classes:
Starts will be rolling with optional pace mower, double file. Heat race to consist of 8 green laps (4 for Junior class). Heat race positions will be by random public draw (drivers meeting). Heat race finishes to determine feature race starting positions. Coin Flip to determine inversion of field after completion of all heat races. Only drivers finishing on the lead lap of heat race will be involved in the inversion. Junior Class : Feature will consist of 12 green flag laps. Class 1 : Feature will consist of 20 green flag laps. Class 2 : Feature will consist of 25 green flag laps. Class 3 : Feature will consist of 35 green flag laps. *Heat lap division: 7 drivers splits to 2, 12 to 3, 16 to 4. Races may be lengthened or shortened. Any change in race length will be determined prior to start of feature races by the track officials. Races could be shortened due to weather or time restraints, lengthened by unusually large starting field, etc. Trial Basis Restart for SP and PM: All restarts will be cone race. After the field is in correct running order and running in single file a traffic cone will be placed on the track on the backstretch. Each driver as they approach the cone must decide if they want the inside or outside lane and pass the cone either on the inside or outside. The doubled up field will then be given the one to go signal by the head flagman, This will be done a trial basis and will be voted on (to continue the use of) AFTER the July 4th Race in Norwood.

Illustration of Chassis Lowering: