From Bryan Hulbert
Alger, WA — (June 23, 2016) — With several hard showers rolling through the Skagit Speedway, and more on the way, the kick-off to the 45th Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup presented by Jack in the Box will have to wait as Thursday’s opener has been rained out
Action is on schedule for a Friday/Saturday showdown.
With the weather changing the show to a two-day affair, the format of cumulative points has been scrapped and will now be two complete shows under the ASCS format to determine who will advance on into Saturday’s $15,000 to win, $1,000 to start feature event. No provisional will be allowed for this event.
ASCS Format, as explained in the ASCS Rule Book, is as follows:
Section 2 – Qualifying Procedures
(National Tour Specific, For 39 Cars or Less. Regional Tour Format Only)
1. Qualifying heat races will be held at all events. Lineups are determined by random pill draw. Draw is held at the close of the Driver’s Meeting. It is the responsibility of the driver, or a team representative to be present for the draw. Any team that fails to draw in will be allowed to start at the tail of a Heat Race, but will receive no Passing Points. Only finishing points. No exceptions will be made (Point scale on Pg. 13).
2. The car count at the close of the drawing for qualifying heats will determine the number of heats to be run. As each number is drawn for a car, that number will be posted and this procedure will be repeated until a number has been drawn for each car that wishes to compete. The lowest number goes to the pole of the first heat race, the next lowest drawn number goes to the pole of the second heat, etc. Once pole position in each heat is filled, the next lowest number goes to the outside front row of the first heat, etc. If there are an uneven number of cars to equally distribute between heats, the last cars will be placed at the back of the lowest numbered heats. Any cars not represented at the drawing shall be placed at the rear of a heat race. Heat races will determine the starting position for the balance of races scheduled.
3. The passing point system will be used to determine starting positions in feature events (see below). The driver will receive points for passing as well as finishing position, with the eight drivers accumulating the most points from heat races redrawing for feature starting position (top point earner drawing first, second highest draws next, etc.) and the balance of the “A” Feature and “B” Feature(s) lined straight-up according to passing point totals.
4. On the second night, cars will lineup with the first night’s lock-ins taking spots 1-4 and will redraw within those spots. The top four in passing points (that were in attendance on the first night) from the second night will occupy spots 5-8 in the A-Feature lineup and will redraw within those spots.
5. Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. In the event of a tie in passing points, the driver who first earned the points shall be aligned in front of any subsequent driver earning the same number of points (tie goes to the early heat). Passing points will be figured on the actual starting position on the final parade lap.
6. Time Trials may be held at some shows.
7. A car and driver qualify as a team. Each driver can qualify only one car. No driver will be permitted to change cars after taking the green flag of his qualifying heat race. An exception to this rule will be in a two day race.
8. ASCS or their representative will advise drivers of the make-up of the number of heat races, main events, field maximum size and other pertinent information at the drivers meeting.
9. The Official lineup is when the caution lights go out on the final parade lap. In the event a car drops out of the line-up for mechanical reasons, the balance of the field shall move straight forward. The exception being if 2 cars drop out from same row, then following cars will be crisscrossed.
10. The start will be official only upon the starter signaling with the green flag. In the event a pace car is used, all cars shall take their proper position behind it. In the event a pace car is not used, the pole car will set the pace which shall be consistent with track conditions and as required to keep the field in formation. ASCS shall be empowered to disqualify or penalize any driver violating this rule.
11. A White Line or Cone will be placed off the exit of Turn-4, at a point that the first row is on the front straightaway, for all double-file starts. The field must remain even until the front row reaches the cone or line. The Flag Man will be instructed not to throw the green flag until then. No on track warnings will be given.
12. On the initial start, any driver who advances position prior to the starter’s signal when the front row reaches the cone or line will be docked two positions at the first caution, red flag, or the end of the race; whichever comes first.
13. On all single file starts after one lap the restarts will start at a Cone to be placed on the front straight-away. The leader must start race from turn 4 cone and all cars must go outside of cone in the proper aligned order. Leader must set a consistent pace and cannot increase his pace before the entrance of Turn 4. Any car going inside of cone or hitting the cone will force a caution and will be placed at the rear of the field. Any car advancing position prior to the cone will be penalized a minimum of two (2) positions plus one position for each position gained over on the next caution or the end of the race depending on what comes first.
14. Any car requiring a second push on start or restart of race will be placed at rear. The only exception is if a driver is stopped by an ASCS official. Instructions to stop will be delivered over the RACEceiver Radio.
15. Any car on or near the racing surface that delays the start or restart of any race shall be penalized one lap by Officials. A work area will be designated at drivers meeting.
16. Alternates will not be taken to fill any vacancies that occur.
17. Any car not running at a reasonable racing speed may be subject to disqualification for safety reasons.
18. The winner of each Heat Race, the winner of any consolation feature, and the top five finishers in the A Feature are required to go to the scales. Drivers must go directly to the scales. Any driver not going directly to the scales will be disqualified. The position of the scales will be disclosed during the drivers meeting. It is the responsibility of the drivers to know and understand where and how to get to the scales to avoid any penalties.
Section 2A – Qualifying Procedures
(National Tour Specific, for 40 cars or more.)
1. Qualifying heat races will be held at all events. Lineups are determined by random pill draw. Draw is held at the close of the Driver’s Meeting. Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. (Point scale on Pg. 13)
2. The car count at the close of the drawing for qualifying heats will determine the number of heats to be run. As each number is drawn for a car, that number will be posted and this procedure will be repeated until a number has been drawn for each car that wishes to compete. The lowest number goes to the pole of the first heat race, the next lowest drawn number goes to the pole of the second heat, etc. Once pole position in each heat is filled, the next lowest number goes to the outside front row of the first heat, etc. If there are an uneven number of cars to equally distribute between heats, the last cars will be placed at the back of the lowest numbered heats. Again, any cars not represented at the drawing shall be placed at the rear of a heat race. Heat races will determine the starting position for the balance of races scheduled.
3. The passing point system will be used to determine lineups for three (3) Qualifying Races.
4. Top 30 in Passing Points from Heat Races will move into Qualifiers. Remainder will fall to the tail of the night’s “B” Features. Top 18 will be inverted with the highest point earner from Heat Races starting sixth in the first Qualifier. Qualifiers will be 8 laps each. Passing Points will be utilized with the driver’s total points combined with their Heat Race total. The top 16 in combined Passing Points will advance to the A-Feature. Drivers will not redraw for their starting position. Lineup is straight up by the combined Passing Point total. The remainder will fall into B-Features. Number of B-Features is dependent upon the number of cars. 40-50 cars means remaining drivers will drop into two “B” Features. 51-60 will drop into three “B” Features. Lineup will be done by passing point totals with 17th going to the pole of the first “B” Feature, 18th to the pole of the second “B” Feature, etc.
5. On the second night, cars will lineup with the first night’s lock-ins taking spots 1-4 and will redraw within those spots. The top four in passing points (that were in attendance on the first night) from the second night will occupy spots 5-8 in the A-Feature lineup and will redraw within those spots.
6. Any driver failing to draw for heat races or pack racing surface (when requested) will not receive passing points, but only points accumulated through his finishing position in his heat race. In the event of a tie in passing points, the driver who first earned the points shall be aligned in front of any subsequent driver earning the same number of points (tie goes to the early heat). Passing points will be figured on the actual starting position on the final parade lap.
7. Time Trials may be held at some shows.
8. A car and driver qualify as a team. Each driver can qualify only one car. No driver will be permitted to change cars after taking the green flag of his qualifying heat race. An exception to this rule will be in a two day race.
9. ASCS or their representative will advise drivers of the make-up of the number of heat races, main events, field maximum size and other pertinent information at the drivers meeting.
10. The Official lineup is when the caution lights go out on the final parade lap. In the event a car drops out of the line-up for mechanical reasons, the balance of the field shall move straight forward. The exception being if 2 cars drop out from same row, then following cars will be crisscrossed.
11. The start will be official only upon the starter signaling with the green flag. In the event a pace car is used, all cars shall take their proper position behind it. In the event a pace car is not used, the pole car will set the pace which shall be consistent with track conditions and as required to keep the field in formation. ASCS shall be empowered to disqualify or penalize any driver violating this rule.
12. A White Line or Cone will be placed off the exit of Turn-4, at a point that the first row is on the front straightaway, for all double-file starts. The field must remain even until the front row reaches the cone or line. The Flag Man will be instructed not to throw the green flag until then. No on track warnings will be given.
13. On the initial start, any driver who advances position prior to the starter’s signal when the front row reaches the cone or line will be docked two positions at the first caution, red flag, or the end of the race; whichever comes first.
14. On all single file starts after one lap the restarts will start at a Cone to be placed on the front straight-away. The leader must start race from turn 4 cone and all cars must go outside of cone in the proper aligned order. Leader must set a consistent pace and cannot increase his pace before the entrance of Turn 4. Any car going inside of cone or hitting the cone will force a caution and will be placed at the rear of the field. Any car advancing position prior to the cone will be penalized a minimum of two (2) positions plus one position for each position gained over on the next caution or the end of the race depending on what comes first.
15. Any car requiring a second push on start or restart of race will be placed at rear. The only exception is if a driver is stopped by an ASCS official. Instructions to stop will be delivered over the RACEceiver Radio.
16. Any car on or near the racing surface that delays the start or restart of any race shall be penalized one lap by Officials. A work area will be designated at drivers meeting.
17. Alternates will not be taken to fill any vacancies that occur.
18. Any car not running at a reasonable racing speed may be subject to disqualification for safety reasons.
19. The winner of each Heat Race, Qualifier, any consolation feature, and the top five finishers in the A Feature are required to go to the scales. Drivers must go directly to the scales. Any driver not going directly to the scales will be disqualified. The position of the scales will be disclosed during the drivers meeting. It is the responsibility of the drivers to know and understand where and how to get to the scales to avoid any penalties.
Any questions pertaining to tickets or rain checks need to be addressed to the Skagit Speedway by calling (360) 724-3567. Anyone wanting their Thursday tickets refunded must mail them to the Skagit Speedway.
Friday, June 24 and Saturday, June 25 will get underway at 7:00 P.M. (PDT). Tickets are on sale at the Skagit Speedway offices. Ticket prices are as follows:
Friday……… Adults $24… Jr/Sr/Act. Military $19… Child n/c….
Saturday….. Adults $28… Jr/Sr/Act. Military $22… Child $10..
Adult 18-61 * Junior 7-17 * Senior 62+ * Child 3-6 * 2 & Under FREE
Friday’s line up will include Midgets with Saturday featuring Modifieds. For continued update on the 45th Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup presented by Jack in the Box, log onto http://www.skagitspeedway.com or http://www.ascsracing.com.