Here are the rules as they stand as of February 2012. All rules and regulations are subject to change if a safety concern arises. Only safety concerns will be reviewed once the season has started.

 

Any questions about the clarification of a rule, please contact one of the 2012 officers. Current contact information for these members can be found on the "contact us' tab.

 

2012 River valley lawn mower racing association enforcement policy

 

Flagrant violation of these rules set forth in the rule book will result in a two race suspension and loss of points earned up to that point in the season. A second offense will result in an expulsion from the River Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association for the remainder of the season.

All River Valley Lawn Racers are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as to not cause detriment to either the River Valley Lawn Racers Organization or the sport of lawnmower racing when at a race or conducting related organization business.

Where board member is mentioned, board members mean only the elected officials.

The following rules and regulations are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish acceptable requirements for such events.  These rules shall govern the condition of all events.  No expressed or implied warranty of safety shall result from publication of, or compliance with these rules and/or regulations.  They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to participants, spectators, or others.

As with any set of rules or regulations, board members reserve the right to add, amend, suspend, or adjust any rule or procedure which they deem necessary to aid in the production of racing.  This will be done primarily for the purpose of maintaining safety and fair competition for all.  The omission of any rule or guideline does not authorize any participant to assume legality.  It is better to get clarification of a rule rather than be disqualified by assuming. 

 For end of year point race..... If there is a tie, to break the tie we will first look at racing points only, these points include finishing and placement points only. In the event that there is still a tie we will then look at the actual wins, ie., how many first place finishes the tied racers have and on down for finishes. If a tie still remains the third thing we will look at will be meeting points and the fourth will be track work points. If a tie still remains due to meeting or track work points were not awarded in the class due to the mower was not built for the class, we will look at who attended the most meetings or track prep days in the original classes.   

All Classes need to be distinguished on the mower, youth classes and pure stock may display gear ration only.

Anything not listed in these guidelines will be considered a violation of the rules and regulations of the River Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association. If it’s not listed please don’t do it.

General Safety

  1. Must be 16 years old to race unless specified in youth class, if 18 or under must have parent/ guardian signature and wavier on file.
  2. Must wear DOT approved helmet.
  3. Gloves required.
  4. Boots required.
  5. Approved eye protection required. (no safety glasses)
  6. Neck collar required.
  7. Long sleeves require.
  8. Tether kill switch attached by lanyard only needs to be a maximum of 36” for adults and a maximum of 30” for youth.
  9. Hands above fenders during a race. Racers will not hold on to fenders during a race. It is suggested there is a handle in place.
  10. Once race is finished, please stop racing and exit the track or winners circle.
  11. Proving ground rule—for ages 16-18, they must prove racing experience of one year within the last two years to be able to race in the super stock or modified classes. This will be a board decision.
  12. No small children allowed in race and pit area. Only the racer and one pit crew member allowed. This will be strictly enforced! Must be wearing approved arm band with accident waiver signed.
  13. No alcohol or drugs on race property!

Track rules

  1. Flagman starts and stops the race at his discretion.
  2. No passing under yellow flag conditions.
  3. Any caution is a full track caution.
  4. If you are cautioned (3) times in any heat or feature, you are black flagged and must leave the track.
  5. Any racer that is involved in a caution will go to the back. The track official will decide who goes to the back. If he cannot decide, both drivers go to the back.
  6. After caution, single file lineup for restart of race.
  7. Red flag…stop where you are.
  8. Black flag will fly for rough riding. 1st time = warning; 2nd time = out of race.
  9. Track official had final say on anything that happens on the track.
  10. No fighting or disagreements with official or any other person.
  11. No showing signs of dissatisfaction at any time. You must show good sportsmanship at all times.
  12. You must take the green flag in the heat in order to start the feature race. (If the heat is not completed or if anyone stops on the track under green flag, then they must start in the rear of the feature race.)
  13. If driver does not finish heat, they will start in the back of the feature.
  14. Mower must carry driver over the finish line under own power of mower.
  15. No one on track while race is in progress.
  16. No one other than racers or club members in pit area at any time during race. Any one in pit must sign a safety waiver and be visibly wearing the armband of the day! This will be strictly enforced!!!!
  17. Must be teched 30 minutes prior to race start in order to race. No exceptions.
  18. Drivers meeting 15 minutes before race, if not at drivers meeting racer will not race, unless deemed unavoidable by 2 or more board members.
  19. Once teched, the mower does not leave the pit area unless allowed by 2 or more board members.
  20. After the white flag comes out, there WILL NOT BE A CAUTION FLAG unless a severe safety situation exists. (to be dictated by the flag official) In the event of a caution on the lap before the white, it will be a green, white, checkered finish.
  21. If driver does not finish feature, then they will receive a DNF (did not finish) No points or trophy will be awarded. In the even of two heats being run for a youth race, a youth driver will receive (20) finishing points if they do not progress to the feature. This will only happen for the three youth classes and only if there were two heats run and some mowers were dropped because of not qualifying.
  22. If at any time all (4) wheels leave the track boundaries you will cause a caution.
  23. There will be a maximum of (8) mowers for any given heat or feature race. (6) for youth stock class.
  24. If a race is called because of a safety issue, there will be no points or trophies given in that class.
  25. There will be a minimum of (3) mowers to start the race, (this is the only allowed time for mowers not built for that class to move up, not to exceed the maximum of (8) mowers in the class.)
  26. At least one mower of the build class must compete to have that race. (example): if there are no modified racers present that night, we will not have that class race that evening.)
  27. Protest rule---If you believe someone is cheating you can put up $100.00 to protest their mower. Challenger and challenge must be present. If for some reason one or the other cannot stay until after the inspection is over, they can choose a representative to speak on their behalf. An inspector, two techs, and the president or vice president must be present. If the person being challenged refuses to allow their mower to be inspected, it is viewed as an automatic guilt and the flagrant rule violations will apply.

Chassis

 

FRAMES

 

  1. All mowers must be able to fit in the River Valley Lawn Mower Racing Association tech inspection station. Tech station is 40.5 inches.
  2. Must be a front mount engine mower.
  3. Must be factory built, bought garden, or lawn tractor; No tube type frames, sub frames, flipped frames or complete frame changes. No mix match frames. No built after market racing frames.
  4. Frame may be extended to get maximum wheelbase (50”) center of rear axle to center of front axel. Overall length may not exceed 80”.
  5. Width cannot exceed 40" at any point, tires included.
  6. Factory frame may be reinforced and body parts may be modified, but must maintain lawnmower appearance.
  7. Bottom of frame can be no lower than top of rear axles.   No cut or dropped frames allowed.
  8. Engine shield must be made of 16 gauge plus material.
  9. Decks are allowed, but must be secured with no blades.

 

DRIVELINE

 

  1. Must have a shiftable transaxle, any speed, belt drive; mower may have a gear box and chain drive axle.
  2. No centrifugal and/or torque converter clutches. 
  3. Must have foot operated working clutch.
  4. Any belt/chain and pulley combination is acceptable.
  5. All exposed belts and/or chains must have guards in place.
  6. Hydrostatic not allowed.
  7. Shifter and shifter plate must be securely anchored for all gear ratio classes.

 

Axles

 

  1. No suspensions.
  2. No sway bars.
  3. Front axle can be rebuilt, but must retain stock steering designed components and “J” or “L” spindles. ( no go kart type spindles in any other  class than modified)
  4. Rear axles may be stock, single or locked.
  5. All racers must have working brake and/or brakes on rear of mower. No front brakes.
  6. Direct steering allowed in all classes.

 

Tires and wheels

1.      Rear wheels of no less than 8” or more than 10” in diameter, aluminum wheels are acceptable.

2.      Front wheels of 4” and a maximum of 8”, aluminum wheels are acceptable.

3.      All wheels may be reinforced, strongly suggested for stock wheels.

4.      Wheels and tires must be same size on each axle.

5.      Must have turf tires on front and rear.  (Made for lawn mowers only, no cart tires allowed).

6.      No “knobby” tires on the front or rear.

7.      Tires may be grooved, not to be made knobby.

8.      No dual tires.

9.      Brakes must be NON STOCK brake set up on rear axle and will pass brake inspection test.

Bumpers & protection

1.      Front bumpers must be removed from all mowers other than youth stock. Youth stock is the only mowers allowed to have a front bumper.

2.      All mowers must have rear bumpers. Center of bumper must be 12” from the ground.

3.      Rear bumper must be a minimum of 4” in height and 36” to 40” in width and must be 12” from ground to center of bumper.

4.      Bumper cannot have any sharp edges.

5.      Must have cage behind driver’s seat no higher than driver’s shoulders.

6.      May have nerf bars around floor boards.

General

1.      Must have working foot throttle only, with (2) return springs.

2.      Battery must be secured firmly, a cover must be placed over the positive battery post.

3.      Steering wheel can be any size as long as it is a 360° wheel. No tee bars or handlebars.

4.      Headlights and all glass must be removed from mower.

5.      Seat can be off set 2” from center line of frame.

6.      Bottom of seat pan can be no lower than top of rear tires.

7.      All wheels and parts must be secured firmly.

8.      All mowers must have a minimum of 4” numbers on front and right front side. Numbers must be visible.

9.      Exhaust must be directed away from other drivers.

Engine

1.      Must be lawn mower engine.

2.      Must be single cylinder engine.

3.      Must be air cooled

4.      Must be 4 cycle engine.

5.      Must be vertical crankshaft.

6.      Engine must be in original location

7.      Mowers are allowed to move up class, but not allowed to move down.

8.      Can use a copper head gasket (must be same thickness as stock Briggs head gasket—32 thousandths). Copper head gasket can not be used on youth stock, youth super stock, Jr stock or pure stock classes.

9.      Charging system may be removed. If removed all magnets must be removed. Either all or none.

10.  All mowers must have a catch can in place.

Fuel

1.      The only acceptable fuel is pump gasoline, 93 octanes maximum.

2.      No additives of any kind. (i.e. oil, octane, cleaner, etc.)

3.      Any systems such as nitrous oxide, alcohol, E85, injection systems, turbo charge and /or hardware for these systems is prohibited. Anyone found using any of the above mentioned or any other system not mentioned other than 93 or less octane gasoline will be found cheating under the flagrant violation rule.

Stock & powder puff classes

1.      Up to 28 cubic in single cylinder vertical engine.

2.       No modification of internal parts.

3.       No electric fuel pumps

4.      Must have lawnmower carburetor, can be jetted ONLY, no other modifications to carburetor.

5.       Flywheel timing may be advanced with no modifications to flywheel itself 

6.       Air filter system may be changed

7.       Exhaust system may be changed

8.      Charging system may be removed.

9.      Governor may be disabled.

10.  Must be a female 16 years or older to race in powder puff.

11.  Must follow all other general build and safety rules the same as all other classes.

 

Super stock

1.      Up to 31 cubic in single cylinder vertical engine.

2.       No modification of internal parts.

3.       No electric fuel pumps

4.      Must have lawnmower carburetor, can be jetted ONLY, no other modifications to carburetor.

5.       Flywheel timing may be advanced with no modifications to flywheel itself

6.       Air filter system may be changed

7.       Exhaust system may be changed

8.      Charging system may be removed.

9.      Governor may be disabled.

10.   Must follow all other general build and safety rules the same as all other classes.

Modified

1.      Up to 31 cubic in any flat head or OHV single cylinder vertical engine.

2.      Internal and external modifications can be made.

3.      Go Kart spindles or H spindles are allowed in this class only

4.      Must follow all other general build and safety rules the same as all other classes.

Youth classes

Frames

1.      All mowers must be able to fit in the River Valley Lawn Mower Association tech inspection station.

2.      Must be front mount engine mower.

3.      Must be factory built, bought garden, or lawn tractor; No tube type frames, sub frames, flipped frames or complete frame changes. No mix match frames. No built after market racing frames.

4.      Frame may be extended to get maximum wheelbase (50") center of rear axle to center of front axle. Overall length may not exceed 80”.

5.      Width cannot exceed 40" at any point, or less than 38", tires included.

6.      Factory frame may be reinforced and body parts may be modified, but must maintain lawnmower appearance.

7.      Bottom of frame can be no lower than top of rear axles. No cut or dropped frames allowed.

8.      Must have side bars, Nerf bars mounted between front and rear axle sufficient enough to prevent wheel to wheel contact of a competitors mower. The width of side bars is not to exceed the outside edge of the tires. But can be inside the edge by 1". If side bars are made of rectangular steel, all corners must be rounded (NO SHARP CORNERS)...

Driveline

1.      Must have a shiftable transaxle, any speed, belt drive, mower may have gear box and chain drive axle.

2.      May have a centrifugal clutch.

3.      Or have foot operated working clutch.

4.      Transmission of transaxle must be shiftable and of lawnmower origin.

5.      All exposed belts and/or chains must have guards in place.

6.      Gear ratio in highest gear is to be

a.       10 to 1 Youth Stock

b.      9 to 1 Youth Super Stock

c.       8 to 1 Jr Stock

Example: While in the highest gear, the rear wheels can turn no more than one revolution every time the engine rotates ten times.

 

Axles

  1. No suspensions.
  2. No sway bars.
  3. Front axle can be rebuilt, but must retain stock steering design components and “J” or “L” spindles.
  4. Rear axles may be stock, single or locked.
  5. All racers must have working brake and/or brakes on rear of mower. No front brakes.
  6. Direct steering allowed.

Tires & wheels

  1. Rear wheels of no less than 6” or more than 8” in diameter, aluminum wheels are acceptable. No rear tires over 16” max.
  2. Front wheels no less than 4” and a maximum of 6” in diameter, aluminum wheels are acceptable. No front tires over 13” max diameter.
  3. All wheels may be reinforced, strongly suggested for stock wheels.
  4. Wheels and tires must be same size on each axle.
  5. Must have turf tires on front and rear. (Made for lawn mowers only, no cart tires allowed).
  6. No “knobby” tires on the front or rear.
  7. Tires may be grooved, not to be made knobby.
  8. The reason we specified the tire sizes is a safety issue, we wanted the youth on a more stable lower machine.

Bumpers & protection

  1. Youth Stock must have a front bumper. All other youth classes must have front bumpers removed.
  2. All mowers must have a rear bumper. Center of bumper must be 12” from the ground.
  3. Rear bumper must be a minimum of 4” in height and 36” to 40” in width.
  4. Bumpers cannot have any sharp edges.
  5. Must have cage behind drivers’ seat no higher than drivers’ shoulders.
  6. Must have nerf bars around floor boards. See #8 under frames.

General

  1. Must have working foot throttle only, with 2 return springs.
  2. Youth stock must be pull start. Youth super stock can be electric start.
  3. Steering wheel can be any size as long as it is a 360° wheel. No tee bars or handlebars.
  4. Headlights and all glass must be removed from mower.
  5. Seat can be offset 2” from center line of frame.
  6. Bottom of seat pan can be no lower than top of rear tires.
  7. All wheels and parts must be secured firmly.
  8. All mowers must have a minimum of 4" numbers on front and right-front side. NUMBERS MUST BE VISIBLE.
  9. Exhaust must be directed away from other drivers.
  10. Rookie Rule Applies. All new racers will be placed at the rear until established experience is proven.
  11. If driver starts the year in one age group, he or she must finish the season in that class.

Engine

  1. Must be factory out of the box condition, except for the exhaust may be changed to be routed away from other drivers.
  2. Must be lawnmower engine.
  3. Must be single cylinder engine.
  4. Must be air cooled.
  5. Must be 4 cycle engine.
  6. Must be vertical crankshaft.
  7. Engine must be in original location.
  8. Must have a catch can in place.
  9. No modification of internal parts.

youth stock ages 6-10

  1. Up to 12 cubic in single cylinder valve in block vertical engine. 10 to 1 gear ratio.
  2. Governed engines, 3650 max (no load) checked each race.
  3. No electric fuel pumps.
  4. Must be factory out of the box condition, except for the exhaust system may be changed to be routed away from other drivers.
  5. Can modify stock air box.
  6. No modification of internal parts.

Youth super stock ages 10-13

  1. Up to 25 cubic in single cylinder valve in block vertical engine. 9 to 1 gear ratio.
  2. Governed engines 3650 max (no load).
  3. No electric fuel pumps
  4. Must be factory out of the box condition, except for the exhaust system may be changed to be routed away from other drivers.
  5. Can modify stock air box.
  6. May be an electric start.

Jr stock (ages 13-15) & Pure Stock

  1. Up to 28 cubic in single cylinder vertical engine. 8 to 1 gear ratio.
  2. Governed engines 3650 max (no load)
  3. Must be factory out of the box conditions, except for the exhaust system may be changed to be routed away from other drivers.
  4. No front bumpers

 

Point system

1st place---100 points

2nd place--- 80 points

3rd place--- 60 points

4th place--- 40 points

5th place--- 20 points

Completing all laps of the feature--- 20 points

1st place finish in the Heat race ----1 point..this is to offset possible ties

For end of year point race..... If there is a tie, to break the tie we will first look at racing points only, these points include finishing and placement points only. In the event that there is still a tie we will then look at the actual wins, ie., how many first place finishes the tied racers have and on down for finishes. If a tie still remains the third thing we will look at will be meeting points and the fourth will be track work points. If a tie still remains due to meeting or track work points were not awarded in the class due to the mower was not built for the class, we will look at who attended the most meetings or track prep days in the original classes.

If driver does not finish feature, then they will receive a DNF (did not finish) No points or trophy will be awarded.

In the even of two heats being run for a youth race, a youth driver will receive (20) finishing points if they do not progress to the feature. This will only happen for the three youth classes and only if there were two heats run and some mowers were dropped because of not qualifying.

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