Race Course Specifications
Introduction
In order for a racing event to be sanctioned by the USRA, the following race course specifications must be met by the race event organizer/promoter. These specifications are designed to meet certain specific dimensions set forth by the USRA and the AMA for insurance purposes and ensure, to the maximum extent possible, the safety of race crews, flight line workers, race officials and spectators. In addition to safety, the race course specifications establish an accurate and consistent race course and ensure that lap times and calculated race speeds are comparable between each racing event. Any deviation from these specifications must be accounted for and approved by the USRA Board. The event organizer/promoter is responsible for ensuring that the race site and race course are set up in accordance with these race course specifications. However, race course accuracy and ultimate race course approval rests with the USRA.
Prior
to December 31 of the year preceding a racing season, a potential race promoter must
acknowledge in writing to the USRA that the planned racing site will conform to USRA Race
Course Specifications. A racing event cannot
be scheduled until this information is presented. Once
a racing event is scheduled, the racing event organizer/promoter is responsible for
ensuring that the race course is set up in accordance with USRA Race Course
Specifications. At the race, prior to any
racing, a USRA official will inspect the course for accuracy and sign the Race Course
Approval Letter. The race event
organizer/promoter will retain the original of this letter and the USRA will retain a copy
of this letter until the race is completed. This
is to ensure that the race event organizer/promoter is protected against disputes
concerning race course distances and world record times.
Protests of the race course must be presented in writing to a USRA official
in accordance with the Race Protest Procedure established in the Common Rules. Race course protests may not be filed after the
completion of a racing event.
General Minimum Race Course Recommendations
Runway -
Minimum of 2000' x 60' paved runway. In order
to meet all of the distance requirements associated with a giant scale air racing event,
it is preferable, but not a requirement, to utilize a full size airport to hold a racing
event. Full size airports typically have
enough size to adequately provide sufficient safe distances to all event participants and
spectators.
Pylons - Two
pylons will be used for racing, Pylon 1 and Pylon 2.
The pylons will be placed on an imaginary line that is 150 - 300 feet from,
and parallel to, the Flight Line. Each must
utilize a 5-color (red, white, green, yellow, blue) light "turncaller" system
(controlled by the Pylon Judges) to indicate turns to the race crews. Pylons must be at least 15' tall and should be
marked in such a way (such as a standard checkerboard pattern) so that they are easily
visible from the Pilot Station. Each pylon
will utilize a flag/flag pole arrangement on top for accurate judging by the Pylon Judges. Each pylon typically will require its own
generator for power. (See typical pylon construction requirements)
Flight Line/Dead Line - The Flight Line is the line that runs parallel to the line between Pylon 1 and Pylon 2. It is normally the inboard edge of runway and is also delineates the Dead Line for flying aircraft. The Dead Line is the line that cannot be crossed by an aircraft in flight. Aircraft that cross the Dead Line inflight will score a zero for that heat.
Start/Finish Line - The Start/Finish Line is the
line that is perpendicular to the Flight Line/Dead Line and bisects the Green Pilot
Position. It is the center of the course and
is the reference line used for the start and finish of a race. The Start/Finish Line shall be readily
identifiable by Lap Counters/Timers, race officials and race crews. Normally, the Countdown Clock is placed on the
Start/Finish Line on top of "checker-boarded" hay bales.
Pylon Judge Stations - A Pylon Judge Station will
be used for each pylon. Each station will
utilize six workers comprised of five pylon judges and a pylon boss. Each Pylon Judge Station is located 650 feet from
its respective pylon on an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the line that would
connect the two pylons. A Pylon Judge Station
normally has two 6' tables and 6 chairs and must contain some method by which each Pylon
Judge can control the on/off function of the respective colored pylon lights. The Pylon Judge Station is housed under a canopy
or tent. The five Pylon Judge's operate the 5
pylon lights and are supervised by the Pylon Boss. The
Pylon Boss will utilize a radio to maintain contact with the Contest Director for
coordination of the pylon during racing.
Pilot Station - The Pilot Station is comprised of
five pilot positions, one for each lane of racing. Each
lane/position is labeled with a colored flag or tarp that corresponds to the lights on the
pylons as follows: Lane 1 - Red, Lane 2 -
White, Lane 3 - Green, Lane 4 - Yellow, Lane 5 - Blue.
The Pilot Station is centered on the race course, adjacent to the Flight Line/Dead
Line. The Start/Finish Line bisects the Green
pilot position. Construction of the Pilot
Station is normally through the use of hay bales.
Lap Counter/Timer/Contest
Director Station - This area houses the
Contest Director, Flight Line Director, the Lap Counters/Timers, the lap counting and
timing equipment, pertinent race officials, the public address system and the Announcer. It is normally housed under a tent to protect
against adverse weather conditions and to provide shade to workers. It is located immediately at least 300 feet behind
the Flight Line. The Lap
Counter/Timer/Contest Director Station normally requires its own generator for power of
the Timing System, Countdown Clock and Public Address system.
Timing System and Countdown Clock - The Timing
System and Countdown Clock are used for the collection of race data and to begin a typical
race. The timing system is normally housed in
the Lap Counter/Timer/Contest Director Station. The
Countdown Clock is located on the Start/Finish Line across the runway from the Pilot
Station. The system currently in use may be
used by contacting AeroSport, 3565 Victor Street, Suite F, Santa Clara, CA 95054. Phone:
(408) 980-0800. A set of 7 stopwatches will
be provided as a backup in case of timing system failure, and race personnel will be
instructed on their use.
Public address system - The public address system
is used to keep race teams informed of upcoming heats and to provide spectators with race
commentary.
Transmitter Impound Area - The Transmitter Impound
Area is used to control the use of all aircraft transmitters in order to prevent frequency
mishaps during a race. It is always housed in
a tent to protect the transmitters from adverse weather and the sun and is preferably
located on the spectator side of the Spectator Line (in the Designated Pit Area). Alternate location is adjacent to the Preliminary
Staging Area, but in no case any less than 500 feet from the Flight Line. The Transmitter Impound contains sufficient
tables and chairs (for transmitters and workers) and must use an accepted method of
controlling the check-in and check-out of transmitters so that no frequency mishap will
occur.
Preliminary Staging Area - The Preliminary Staging
Area is the first area used to stage race aircraft. Normally,
aircraft will stage in the Preliminary Staging Area approximately two heats before the
heat they are to race in. The Preliminary
Staging Area also includes the AT-6 Fueling/Weighing Area.
AT-6 Class aircraft will defuel, weigh, then fuel while in the Preliminary Staging
Area. The Preliminary Staging Area is located
500 feet from the Flight Line, near the Spectator Line.
Final Staging Area - The Final Staging Area is the
area used to line up aircraft for a heat race in their assigned lane that are one heat
away from racing. It is located a minimum of
50 feet from the Flight Line and normally adjacent to the Lap Counter/Timer/Contest
Director Station.
Race Ready Area - The Race Ready Area is the area
located immediately in front of the Pilot Station on the runway and contains five
stations, one for each aircraft that will race. The
Race Ready Area is where the aircraft engines are started in preparation for launch.
Designated Pit Area - The Designated Pit Area is
the area where race teams set up their pits. It
is located behind the Spectator Line (minimum of 600 feet from the Flight Line) and is
normally shared with and open to spectators.
Designated Engine Run-up Area - The Designated
Engine Run-up Area is where engine run-up and testing occurs. It is normally located behind the Spectator Line
(600 feet from the Flight Line), but in an area that may or may not be open to spectators. This area is normally coordinated with the airport
or site owner and provides a safe area to perform engine testing.
Spectator Line - The Spectator Line is the line
that spectators may not proceed beyond at any time. It
is located a minimum of 600 feet from the Flight Line, parallel to the Flight Line and is
the closest point that spectators may view racing from.
It generally contains the Designated Pit Area for race teams and will be clearly
defined with a yellow "Do Not Cross" ribbon.
The ends of the Spectator Line will be clearly marked so that spectators will not
pass around the ends of the Spectator Line.
Distance between Pylon 1 and
Pylon 2 - 1600 feet
Start/Finish Line to Pylon 1 -
800 feet
Start/Finish Line to Pylon 2 -
800 feet
Flight Line to Pylon 1 - 250
feet recommended - may vary from 200 - 300 feet
Flight Line to Pylon 2 - 250
feet recommended - may vary from 200 - 300 feet
Flight Line to Pylon 1 Judge's
Station - 400 feet
Flight Line to Pylon 2 Judge's
Station - 400 feet
Pylon 1 Judge's Station to
Pylon 1 - 650 feet recommended - may vary from 600 - 700 feet
Pylon 2 Judge's Station to
Pylon 2 - 650 feet recommended - may vary from 600 - 700 feet
Pilot Stations to Flight Line -
adjacent, with Start/Finish Line through center of Green Pilot Position
Lap Counter/Timer/Contest
Director's Station to Flight Line - 300 feet minimum
Flight Line to Transmitter
Impound Station - 500 feet
Flight Line to Preliminary
Staging Area (includes AT-6 Fueling Area) - 500 feet
Flight Line to Final Staging
Area - 50 feet
Flight Line to Rear Deadline -
1250 feet
Flight Line to Spectator Line -
400 feet minimum
Clear Areas at each end of
course - 1000 feet beyond pylons