Safety mantra
Driving cars is dangerous.
Racing is even more dangerous, one could get seriously hurt or worse.
If you aren’t prepared to take that risk, racing cars is not for you.
Driver/participant has to accept the responsibility for the risks.

Safety Rules: The safety rules below are only the “Minimum Safety Requirements”. Each participant is free to add additional safety equipment. Each driver/ participant is responsible to build to the level of safety, above the minimum, they see fit. 

1) Radio communication will be required during race (listen only so we have a communication channel for safety workers)

2) A full-face, Type SA helmet, Snell SA2010 or newer is required. A HANS or similar racing neck brace or foam racing collar is mandatory for all drivers.

3) Full SFI 3.2A/5 or FIA certified fire-retardant driving suits must be worn by all drivers at all times while on the track. Suits may be one- or two-piece. Fire-retardant FIA- or SFI-rated socks, racing gloves and shoes are also required.

4) Roll cage - Full roll cage w/ door bars that meets safety tech review by H2R. Tubing must be 1.75” DOM as a minimum (World Racing League rules are good reference). Must also have SFI rated padding in any areas where the driver may make contact with the cage. Ask questions and get guidance prior to building your cage.

5) Any 1 piece race seat(s) with roll cage mounted seat back support may be used with current SFI rated 5 point harness.

6) Fuel Cell: A road racing fuel cell (current SFI rated) may be added provided it is located in the same location as the OEM tank and does not change the center of gravity or weight balance of the car.

7) Fire Extinguisher: Must be reachable by the driver while strapped in the car (2 ½ lb minimum). The mount must be all metal and strong enough to withstand the extremely high force encountered during a crash, rollover or similar catastrophic load.

8) Master Switch (Kill Switch): Cars shall be equipped with either an aftermarket master kill switch OR the OEM ignition switch. The outside of the car near the switch must be labeled with minimum 6” lightning bolt.
a) If an aftermarket master kill switch is installed, it shall be in a position easily reachable by the driver when he/she is fully strapped into the racing harness and outside emergency crew. 
b) If the OEM ignition switch is used as the master switch; The OEM ignition switch, wiring, key, lock tumbler assembly and body shall remain unmodified and retained in their OEM location, appearance and operation. 
c) Note: In either case above, the steering column lock must be carefully removed from the OEM assembly and the proper master switch markings need to be on outside of the car.

9) Securely mounted battery in box or with insulated battery terminals

10) Any steering wheel and/or quick release assembly may be used.

11) Tow hooks (front and rear).

12) Window nets may be added as a competitor elected option.

13) Minimum (2) working brake lights. Brake lights must be covered with a clear protective film (ie: package tape) to help contain pieces of the lens, if broken.

14) Numbers shall be at least twelve (12”) inches high, with a 1.5 inch stroke. The distance between two (2) numbers shall be at least as wide as the stroke of the numbers. No fancy (unreadable) type fonts. Metallic (reflective) numbers are prohibited. Numbers must be shown on both doors.

15) Fluid leaks are considered a safety issue. Vehicles that are unable to contain their fluids may not be able to compete. Catch cans are encouraged. 

Drivers: 

Spirit of the driving rules:

On any part of the track, if you even THINK that there MAY be a portion of another car next to any portion of your car you must give that other car 1 full car’s racing room on the hard surface of the track.
If you are the car being given the 1 car space, be aware that this space is unlikely to be “the” racing line and is very likely to be a line with less grip than you may need at full speed.
At H2R contact may happen but rubbing is NOT racing here.

Driving Rules:

*The following rules are copied directly from the NASA and SCCA driving rules. They are established, tested rules used for governing drivers of all calibers and classes across the country.

1) Blocking (Chopping) – A driver may choose to protect his or her line so long as it is not considered blocking or chopping. Blocking is defined as two (2) consecutive line changes “to protect his/her line,” and in doing so, impedes the vehicle that is trying to pass with each of the two (2) consecutive movements. Drivers are encouraged to check with the Race Director for a full explanation before the start of the race. 

>Just one example of 2 consecutive line changes:
a) After consecutive laps that the lead car chooses a different line down the straight (as protection).
b) Then, specifically in front of the trailing car, crosses the track to retain the race line used in previous laps to enter the next corner.

2) Right to the Line - The driver in front has the right to choose any line, so long as not to be considered blocking. The driver attempting to make a pass shall have a right (not “the right”) to the line when their front wheel is next to the driver of the other vehicle.

3) Passing General - The responsibility for the decision to pass another car, and to do it safely, rests with the overtaking driver. The overtaken driver should be aware that he/she is being passed and must not impede the pass by blocking. A driver who does not watch his/her mirrors or who appears to be blocking another car seeking a pass may be black-flagged and/or penalized. The act of passing is initiated (in play) when the trailing car’s (Car A) front bumper overlaps with the lead car’s (Car B) rear bumper. The act of passing is complete when Car A’s rear bumper is ahead of Car B’s front bumper. Once the trailing car has its front wheel next to the driver of the other vehicle, it is considered that the trailing car has the full right to be there. And, that the leading driver must leave the trailing driver enough “racing room”.

a) “Racing room” at the H2R Mustang 4 Challenge is considered one (1) full car’s width on the hard surface of the track.

b) “No Passing” (yellow flag or yellow flag radio call) means a pass cannot even be initiated. Any overlap is a NO PASSING area is considered illegal. 

Protests:

The H2R Challenge series was established to be a wheel to wheel racing opportunity for club members/ friends who enjoy club style racing. As such it should be rare that there would be a need to protest a fellow competitor. Protests filed out of anger and/or not supported by fact, may result the protesting driver being penalized. Any protest must come from an H2R member driver who participated in the race being protested. The protest must be written and specifically detail the infraction. The protest must be delivered to a race official within 15 minutes of the conclusion of the race being protested. H2R staff can identify which H2R members are serving as race officials. The race official(s) will distribute the protest information to all H2R member drivers of the race being protested. The H2R member drivers of the race being protested will meet and vote on the protest and if appropriate, assess a penalty. The driver filing the protest and the driver being protested may briefly describe the incident from their perspective. Neither will stay for any deliberation and they will not vote.

This is a self governing protest process. Only H2R member drivers participating in the protested race will participate in any meetings to discuss the protest and vote on any proposed action. All protests will be finalized on the day of the race.

Cars:

Eligible cars must comply with all safety requirements outlined above AND the class specific performance rules for their class.