NOTE: As rule clarifications and alterations are made, updated sections will be highlighted in red.

Section 100 – Race Procedures

100.1 Qualifying Procedures

• Qualifying session will be run as an open timed session
• Grid order and release is at the discretion of each racer
• Bump drafting is allowed, but push back rules do apply
• No blue flags will be given in Qualifying
• Push back bumper rules shown in 200.1 will apply to qualifying sessions

100.2 Race Start Procedures

• Tram lanes will be utilized with tracks that have them.
• Racers are to stay within the tram lines until they have crossed the start finish line
• Exiting the tram lanes prior to the start finish may result in a 2 position penalty, at the discretion of the on-track race director
• The front row will be allowed two starting attempts – if the second attempt is waved, the front two rows may be inverted, at the discretion of the on-track race director

100.3 Race Procedure

• Race day format consists of 3 Practices, 1 Qualifying and 2 Finals
• Final 2 grid will be set by fast times from Final 1
• Race officials will make their best effort to warn slower drivers with use of the blue flag.  The blue flag is an advisory flag only. Drivers receiving the blue flag should be alert for faster drivers approaching from behind. The responsibility for making a clean pass of a slower driver that has received the blue flag lies solely with the passing driver.
• No passing is allowed under yellow flag, a driver may be penalized for gaining an advantage under a local yellow

100.4 90 Second Rule

• If a racer is unable to make it to the starting grid, or has a mechanical issue for the designated starting time for that session – the racer will have 90 seconds to try to resolve the issue
• Only applies to competitive on track sessions, Qualifying and Finals
• The grid may be released at the designated start time, but the race will be held for the duration of the 90 seconds if needed

100.7 Podium Ceremonies

• Podium ceremonies will begin 20 minutes after the final checkered flag of the day
• Podiums may be presented provisionally, before tech has cleared
• Driving suits or jackets are required and must be completely on for the podium presentation

Section 200 – Penalties

200.1 Push Back Bumpers

• Push back front bumper brackets will be required on all karts for 2021 and beyond
• Penalties will be assessed in all competitive sessions, starting with Qualifying
• The series will utilize a push back bumper no-go gauge to evaluate if a bumper is pushed in far enough to warrant a penalty
• No zip ties or tape may be used on the upper or lower front bumper tubes, brackets or clamps
• Only 2 CIK latches may be used to fasten the front bumper
• No tape may be used on the fairing/bumper connection point
• Drivers (crew for the younger categories) may be asked to release the clamps by hand, post race as a tech item
• If a driver attempts to fix their pushed in nose while on track or in the scale line, a 10 position penalty can be assessed
• Push back bumper penalties are not appealable.

Qualifying Penalty

• One side pushed in: 2 position penalty
• Both sides pushed in: 4 position penalty

Race Penalty

• One side pushed in: 2 position penalty
• Both sides pushed in: 4 position penalty

200.2 Avoidable Contact

• Important note: not all contact requires action – racing is a sport of inches and accidental contact happens
• Intent is not a deciding factor in if contact is deemed avoidable or punishable
• Avoidable contact levels are at the complete discretion of the on-track and off-track race directors

Level 1 – Warning

Driver made contact and caused a disadvantage to the driver in front

Level 2 – Timed Penalty

Driver made contact and caused a disadvantage and/or gained advantage to a driver in front through contact deemed avoidable

Level 3 – Position Penalty

Driver made contact and caused a disadvantage and/or gained advantage to a driver in front causing them to lose multiple positions – offending driver is penalized one position behind the receiving driver

Level 4 – Disqualification Penalty

Driver made egregious and/or malicious contact with another driver

200.3 Blocking

• A proactive effort in blocking to defend your position is allowed – each driver is allowed one move only
• A reactive effort to block another driver already in the process of making a pass is not allowed and is subject to a position penalty at the discretion of the on-race director

200.4 Mechanical Black Flag

• Racers can receive a mechanic black flag if:
  • lead weight falls off during a race
  • bodywork comes completely off during a race
  • exhaust silencer is loose or falls off during a race
  • Rear bumpers that are dragging/hanging can be the result of a black flag, at the discretion of the race directors

200.5 Weight & Scaling

• Racers must scale at, or above the minimum weight for all competitive sessions
• Driver will get two attempts to roll off the scale, zero and reweigh
• A driver that weighs light in Qualifying will have all times removed from that session
• If a racer weighs light during Final 1, they will be disqualified from that session and have all times removed when determining the starting grid on Final 2
• If the scale line is backed up, it is possible only the top 10 karts will be scaled

200.6 Tires

• New tires are not required at any time during the race weekend
• Tires will not be painted after sessions
• If a racer decides to use new tires, they can only do so in Practice and Qualifying – new tires are not allowed on the Race grid

200.7 Code of Conduct

• The series requires individuals to conduct themselves in a respectful manner towards officials, staff, competitors and crew.
• Drivers can be penalized if their actions, or the actions of their crew, are not respectful and in accordance with the above. Video evidence may be used for review in potential cases of unsportsmanlike conduct.
• Violations for on or off track actions include but are not limited to: physical violence, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation and excessive profanity.
• Penalties for violating Code of Conduct are as follows:
  -1st offense: warning, probation if minor offense
  -2nd offense: disqualification for the day (both races; cannot drop)
  -3rd offense: suspension (at series discretion; races, season, etc.)
  -4th offense: permanent removal from series
• All penalties assessed are at the discretion of the Ignite Challenge staff and are not appealable following initial review.

Section 300 – Penalty Protest & Appeals

300.1 Appeal Submission

• Push back bumper penalties are not appealable.
• If a penalty is assessed, the driver will receive a written penalization form at the scales immediately following their race
• Racers, parents and crew may fill out and submit a written appeal via the form provided by the Ignite Challenge Series, within 20 minutes of their final race
• All written appeals must be accompanied by a $100 appeal fee. If the appeal is successful and the original penalty is reversed, the $100 fee will be returned to the appealing driver.  If the penalty is upheld, the $100 appeal fee is not returned. No video footage is accepted when appealing an incident.