Racing
Procedures
Introduction
The following racing procedures will be used at all USRA sanctioned racing events. The purpose of drafting these racing procedures is
to standardize the operation of a USRA sanctioned race and to allow members, new and old,
to review (prior to participation) how a typical race is conducted. Additionally, members will be aware of their
responsibilities prior to, during and after a race.
Aircraft Entries
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You may register as many aircraft as you wish.
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Each aircraft will be considered a separate entry.
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Each aircraft must have one designated pilot.
Only the designated pilot is allowed to compete with that entry.
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A properly completed Aircraft Safety Inspection form is required for each aircraft
at every race.
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Backup aircraft and associated backup entry fee are permitted at promoter
discretion. Backup aircraft must pass
technical inspection prior to racing and must be approved by a USRA Technical Inspector to
race in place of the primary entry. Backup
aircraft must display the same race number as the primary aircraft, and be on the same
frequency. Backup may not be another primary
entry in the same class. Backup aircraft are
specific to the pilot for the duration of the event.
Prior to a Race
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Approximately 3 months prior to a race, the race promoter will make available to
race participants a race application form. Race
participants must complete a race application form for each aircraft they intend to race
and submit the form, with entry fee, to the race promoter.
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Aircraft Safety Inspection forms are required for each race that an aircraft
enters.
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Race participants must obtain an Aircraft Safety Inspection form for each aircraft
entered and, if possible, complete it (except for the portion the inspector will complete)
prior to arriving at the race. Forms are
available by writing to the USRA or by downloading from the USRA website at
usra-racers.org. It is the responsibility of
the aircraft owner to ensure the aircraft meets all technical specifications, which
includes the Common Rules, Specific Class Rules and Aircraft Specification Sheets. Please do not put the Technical Inspector in the
uncomfortable position of "downing"
your aircraft because it does not meet a technical specification. If you are unsure about a specification, contact
your District Representative or a USRA officer and rectify any problems prior to arriving
to a race.
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Last minute entries may complete the Aircraft Safety Inspection form upon arrival
at a race.
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If your aircraft is new and/or does not have a logbook, coordinate with your USRA
District Representative to have your aircraft inspected and issued a logbook and serial
number stickers prior to the race if possible. If
this is not possible, the aircraft must be inspected and issued a logbook by a USRA
Technical Inspector at the race. Please make
arrangements with the Technical Inspector as soon as possible after arrival at the race.
Race Check In
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Upon arrival to a race, locate the check-in area and register your arrival.
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At check-in, you will be assigned your Pit Area and issued your Flight Line Access
wristbands. Any additional race information
will be provided at this time.
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Flight Line access is controlled through the use of non-removable wristbands. Only Flight Line team members are permitted to obtain a wristband. Receipt of a wristband at check-in is contingent
upon the race team member's completion of a Waiver of Liability form.
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After check-in, the Flight Line Access wristband must be worn at all times. Modified wristbands or wristbands worn on hats,
belt loops, etc. are not acceptable.
- No
person is permitted access past the Spectator Line unless they are wearing a valid
wristband.
- After
race check-in, set up your pit area so that your aircraft may be inspected.
Pit Areas
- You
will normally be assigned one pit area (size determined by race promoter) for a race
entry. If you have more than one aircraft,
your pit area size will be correspondingly increased to accommodate more aircraft. Please coordinate your pit area with the race
promoter.
- If
an airport ramp area is used for the pit area, there will be no driving of motor vehicles
on the ramp area or in the pits other than for arrivals and departures and official
vehicles.
- No
motorized two-wheeled vehicles are permitted to operate on the ramp area or in the pits.
- Golf
carts are permitted at the race promoter's discretion.
- Engine
run-ups are not permitted in the pit area. You
may perform engine run-ups only in the designated engine run-up area. Crews performing an engine run-up in any area
other than the designated engine run-up area may be disqualified at the discretion of the
promoter.
- Please
keep the appearance of your pit area professional and clean.
Alcoholic Beverages
- No
alcoholic beverages are to be consumed in the pit area or by any pilot until the Flight
Line closes for the day. Failure to comply
may result in immediate disqualification.
- Intoxicated
persons may be asked to leave the grounds at any time.
The aircraft owner, entrant and/or pilot is responsible for the conduct of all of
his/her crew members.
Technical & Safety Inspection
- All aircraft must pass a static inspection and powered radio range check inspection prior to racing.
- The
static inspection must be completed prior to the powered radio range check inspection. Please have your aircraft ready for inspection
(wing, cowling and hatches removed) and your Aircraft Safety Inspection form available.
- If
your aircraft is being inspected for the first time (in order to be issued a logbook and
serial numbers) the aircraft measurements must be verified with USRA Aircraft
Specification Sheets. Please allow more time
for this inspection and have readily available for the inspector the 3-views for the
aircraft and any/all supporting documentation. Additionally,
be prepared to discuss construction methods, materials used, etc. The logbook and serial number stickers will be
issued upon successful completion of this inspection.
- Upon
completion of the static inspection, proceed to the powered radio range check inspection
area with your aircraft, logbook, Aircraft Safety Inspection form and starting equipment.
- During
the powered radio range check inspection, the operation of the aircraft flight control
surfaces will be checked from a distance of 150 feet with the transmitter antenna
collapsed to one section while the aircraft engine is at full power. Upon successful completion of this inspection, the
Aircraft Safety Inspection form and your logbook will be signed off and retained by race
officials until the entire race is complete or your
aircraft sustains damage requiring a re-tech. Congratulations!
You are qualified to race!
Transmitter Impound
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At the beginning of any race day and prior to any flying you must turn in your
transmitter to the Transmitter Impound Station. Please
be prompt.
- Prior
to each heat you are flying in, during Preliminary Staging, you may retrieve your
transmitter from the Transmitter Impound and keep it until your heat is finished. Immediately return your transmitter to the
Transmitter Impound when you are finished with your heat.
(The event after you may need the frequency. There
are no duplicate frequencies within a class - however, your frequency may be in use in a
different class.)
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You may retrieve your transmitter to perform any task with your aircraft as long as
the frequency is available and not about to be used.
It is highly recommended that you remove the transmitter frequency module when
performing non-race testing in order to safeguard against any frequency interference
mishaps. When you have completed your task,
please promptly return your transmitter to the Transmitter Impound.
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When racing has concluded for the day you may retrieve your transmitter from the
Transmitter Impound.
Scheduling
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Only one class at a time is raced. That
is, all of the heats for Biplane Class are run, then all of the heats for the AT-6 Class
are run, then Formula One and so on.
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The tentative order of rounds is Biplane, AT-6, Formula One, Unlimited, Formula 1
GT, Thompson Trophy and Experimental.
Staging
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In order to know when to stage, please keep track of the race matrix or appoint a
team member to do so.
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There are two staging areas - the Preliminary Staging Area and the Final Staging
Area. Plan to stage in the Preliminary
Staging Area at least two heats prior the heat you are scheduled to race in. If you are in the AT-6 Class or Formula 1 GT,
please allow more time since de-fuel, weigh-in and fueling must take place during
Preliminary Staging.
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Proceed to Final Staging when directed. In
most cases you will be able to have possession of your transmitter prior to Final Staging.
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Final Staging is assigned by lane color according to the printed heat race matrix. Stay in your assigned position. While in Final Staging, the heat prior to yours is
racing - you are the next heat. Be ready to
race!
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As soon as all of the aircraft in the heat prior to your heat have landed, you will
be directed into the Race Ready Area. Pilot
and Turn Caller will proceed to the correct color pilot position in the Pilot Station. Your aircraft, aircraft holder and aircraft
starter will be directly in front of your pilot position in the Race Ready Area.
Engine Start and Takeoff
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Once the runway has been cleared of the previous race, your heat race will begin. If you are not in the Race Ready Area at this
point, you have only two more minutes to arrive.
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At the end of those two minutes the Race Ready Area is closed. No one may enter the Race Ready Area with an
aircraft at this time. Your transmitter and
aircraft receiver should be on and your aircraft starter in a position to start the
engine. Check your flight controls now! The race official will signal all crews for engine
start. Start your engine. You have two minutes to start the engine and be
ready for launch.
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Takeoff will be in the order of your colors unless an aircraft is having trouble. Do not launch if you are not ready. The pilot and turn caller should be in the Pilot
Station and the aircraft launch person holding the aircraft. Confirm with each other that you are ready for
launch. Once again, do not launch if you are
not ready! When signaled by the race
official, your aircraft launch person will walk the aircraft to the center of the runway
and point it down the runway in the direction of the launch. On the pilot's cue, he/she will let go of the
aircraft and then clear the runway directly to an area behind the Pilot Station.
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During takeoff (and during all portions of your flight) observe the Dead Line and
do not cross it. Crossing the Dead Line earns
you a zero (0) for that race. Your Lap
Counter/Timer, Contest Director or Assistant Contest Director will call Dead Line
violations.
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After takeoff, fly to each pylon at an altitude that allows others room to takeoff. Confirm that your color of light on each pylon
operates as you round the pylon. If it is
not, have your caller alert your Lap Counter/Timer. They
will rectify the situation. Continue to fly
the course to each pylon so that the lights can be verified.
Race Start
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At the end of the two minute engine start window, the Countdown Clock (across the
runway and in front of the Pilot Station) will reset to one minute and begin counting
down. Your goal is to position your aircraft
so that it arrives at (or just prior to) the Start/Finish Line when the Countdown Clock
hits zero.
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During the one minute countdown you must fly in a predictable manner in a left-hand
pattern that approximates the course.
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When the one minute Countdown Clock runs out, a horn will sound signaling the
beginning of the race. You are now racing!
The Race
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At the sound of the horn, the race has begun regardless of your position on the
course. You must complete six laps of the
course around the pylons, starting at the Start/Finish Line and ending at the Start/Finish
Line.
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If you were late getting to the Start/Finish Line at the horn, you must catch up
that distance. There is no penalty. If you were early, i.e. you crossed the
Start/Finish Line before the horn sounded, you have incurred a Start Cut and will be
assessed a Start Cut time penalty when the race is complete. Continue to race the course and complete six laps
as if you did not Start Cut. The Start Cut
time penalty will be added to your official race time after the race is over in accordance
with the rules.
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Fly safe and courteous. Observe the
Dead Line at all times for your safety and the safety of others. Crossing the Dead Line scores an automatic zero
(0) for that heat race. Fly predictably and
do not perform any aerobatics.
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Any race pilot may be Black flagged by the Contest Director for unsafe flying. This includes gross Dead Line violations,
unauthorized maneuvers, extremely low flying or intentional over-aggressive flying that
would result in midair contact with another aircraft.
Black flagged aircraft score a zero (0) for that heat race.
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If midair contact occurs between two or more aircraft at any time after launch,
pre-race start or during a heat race, all of the aircraft involved in the midair contact
(including aircraft hit by debris) will be Black flagged and required to land as soon as
possible or when directed by a race official. There is no exception to this rule.
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Aircraft may not be Black flagged during the landing phase after a race is
completed. However, any aircraft involved in
midair contact (including aircraft hit by debris) must follow any direction given by a
race official and will be given priority to land.
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While you are racing, your Lap Counter/Timer will verify laps and record any cuts. Your Lap Counter/Timer will also verify last lap
and completion of six laps. Do not rely on
your Lap Counter/Timer for any other information.
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When you have completed six laps, pull up and off of the race course to signal the
Pylon Judges that your race is completed.
Landing
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When each aircraft in your heat has completed the race, prepare your aircraft to
land.
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When directed by the race official, set up your aircraft in a standard rectangular
landing pattern and land. Be alert for other
aircraft and people on or near the runway. Do
not land if you feel the conditions are unsafe. Go
around and set up again.
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Race officials will advise you of dead sticks or other landing priorities. If you are on final and are made aware of a
priority landing, go around (unless you are a priority yourself). Remember that you are pilot-in-command of your
aircraft - fly it accordingly and do not compromise safety for any reason.
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Once your aircraft is on the ground, taxi clear of the runway and shut off your
engine. Allow your crew to retrieve the
aircraft.
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Review your heat sheet for time, cuts, etc. If
you agree with the heat sheet, sign it (your turn caller may do this) and keep your copy. After signing the heat sheet, you may not protest
any portion of that particular heat race. If
you disagree with any part of the heat sheet, proceed to the Contest Director at the Lap
Counter/Timer/Contest Directors Station to discuss your disagreement. Please be professional in your discussion. Any discrepancies must be resolved prior to
leaving the Flight Line or protested at that time in accordance with the Official Protest
procedures of the Common Rules.
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Points will not be credited for any heat sheet that is not signed.
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After leaving the Flight Line, proceed to the Transmitter Impound Station and
return your transmitter to Transmitter Impound.
Penalties
Dead Line - At no time can you fly across
the near edge of the runway (Dead Line) or its extension.
This will result in a Dead Line penalty.
Start Cut - Treated the same as a Pylon Cut. The number of seconds added to the official time
varies according to the Class you are flying. (See
below) Assessed if:
a) You
are beyond the Start/Finish Line when the clock reaches zero.
b) You
perform any aerobatics, including loops, just prior to the Start/Finish Line.
c) You
fly toward the pilots in an attempt to make a left turn when the clock reaches zero.
d) You
make an abrupt pull up just prior to the Start/Finish Line as the clock reaches zero.
e) You
fly a 360 degree circle immediately prior to the Start/Finish Line.
Gross Start Cut - Treated the same as a Dead
Line call. A Gross Start Cut will result in
zero (0) points for that particular heat race and is assessed if you have crossed the
Start/Finish Line and there are 2 seconds or more of time remaining on the Countdown Clock
before the Start Horn sounds.
Pylon Cut - You must fly past the pylons. If you do not completely pass a pylon before
turning, you will be assessed a Pylon Cut. Additional
seconds are added to your official time for each Pylon Cut you receive. The number of seconds added vary according to the
Class in which you are racing and are as follows: AT-6
= 10 seconds,
Gross Pylon Cut - When, during a race, a
turn to the opposite side of the race course is performed that is not in the immediate
vicinity of a pylon, you will receive a Gross Pylon Cut.
A Gross Pylon Cut will result in zero points for that heat race.
Black flagged - Any race pilot/aircraft may
be Black flagged by the Contest Director for unsafe flying. This includes gross Dead Line violations,
unauthorized maneuvers, extremely low flying, intentional over-aggressive flying that
would result in midair contact with another aircraft, midair contact with another aircraft
at any time after launch, pre-race start or during a heat race or trophy race (including
aircraft hit by debris). Black flagged
aircraft are required to land as soon as possible or when directed by a race official and
score a zero for that heat/trophy race.
Disqualification - Any disqualification for
any reason will result in the loss of all points for the entire racing event.
Trophy Races
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Trophy Races are held at the discretion of the race event organizer/promoter.
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The five aircraft with the most points at the end of heat racing will advance to
the Trophy Race on the
last day of the race.
- Two
alternate aircraft will be staged in the event that one or more of the finalists are
unable to compete.
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If Bronze and Silver Trophy Races are run, the Bronze winner and 2nd
place Bronze finisher will stage as alternates to the Silver Trophy Race. Likewise, the Silver winner and 2nd
place Silver finisher will stage as alternates to the Gold Trophy Race. In the event that the winner and/or 2nd
place finisher cannot stage, the next higher finisher will stage in their place.
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All aircraft that fly in a Trophy Race may be subject to a complete technical
inspection after the Trophy Race is flown. If
an aircraft is found to be illegal, the pilot will be disqualified and is not eligible to
win the event. Additionally, the pilot will
receive zero points for the racing event.
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Racing event trophies and cash prizes will be awarded based on the outcome of the
Trophy Races and after all post-race technical inspections are completed.