IRC Regulations
Regulations
Regulations
The regulations are there to support any dispute to their interpretation, as well as any breaking to their rules. They shall only be amended in accordance with the provisions of The Yr43 Rochester Agreement.
Changes
Any changes to the Regulations will be discussed by the IRC council.
The World Championship
World Drivers' Championship
The Champ Car or Driver’s World Champion is the driver that has earned, or collected, the highest amount of points (See Regulation 2.3) that have taken place during the year.
World Constructors' Championship
The Constructor’s World Champion is the constructor that earns the most points from all cars included in the championship and following accordance into the Technical Regulations.
Points
Points for both titles will be awarded at each event according to the following scale:
- 1st = 15 points
- 2nd = 12 points
- 3rd = 10 points
- 4th = 8 points
- 5th = 6 points
- 6th = 5 points
- 7th = 4 points
- 8th = 3 points
- 9th = 2 points
- 10th = 1 point
Suspending a Race
Suspension of Race
If a race is suspended and cannot be resumed within the next day, no points will be awarded if the race leader has not finished more than two laps, or half points will be awarded if the race leader has finished more than two laps but less than 75% percent.
Reasons for suspension
A suitable reason for suspending a race could include:
- Extreme weather
- Race incidents that require extensive cleanup
- Extreme part failure
The race can only be suspended by the Chief Steward for the grand prix. He can only do so with reasonable motives, and with the majority of the approval from the other stewards.
Dead Heat
During a Race
If there is a tie between a race position, a full review will be given to declare a race winner.
For Championship Position
If there is a tie between drivers or constructors for a championship position, the following tiebreaker will be given:
- Number of victories
- Number of pole positions
- Number of points in the last race
No Declared Winner
If under any circumstances a winner fails to show per 4.2 and there is no more races planned that season, the next off-season meeting will hold a vote to declare a winner.
The Council
IRC Presidential Elections
Every four years, or when a President is unfit to rule and the interim President takes over, an election will be held to declare the President and Vice President of the IRC Council. The winner of the Presidental election is declared President, the runner-up of that election is the first Vice-President. Another election will determine the second Vice-President.
The "Instant Runoff" voting system will be used in these elections.
Succession
Should the President be unfit to lead the council (or if he resigns), the first Vice-President will take over as President, with the second vice-president moving up to the first vice-presidential role, and the second vice-presidential role being filled by a committee member.
Committee Appointment
After an election, the newly elected President must appoint the number of teams entered in the Champ Car World Championship to the IRC Committee. Those who ran in for President and Vice-President elections are shown through first. If there is still vacancies, the President can appoint the number of committee members necessary to draw an even amount to CCTA Representatives.
Eligibility
To run for President or Vice-President, or to serve on the Council, a member must have a reasonable experience in the motorsport. Appointments must be approved by the President of the CCTA. Also, any member or non-member can run for President of the IRC with the CCTA's approval.
CCTA Presidential Elections
The CCTA will elect their President every four years. Only high-ranking representatives from a current team can run for President in the CCTA.
Changing Regulations
Bills
Any changes to the Regulations are to be known as bills. To change a regulation, a voting member must submit either an addition (an addition of a rule), an amendment (a change to a rule) or a removal (a removal of a rule) from the regulations. Each bill, to be official, must be passed with a 50% approval rate from the council.
Veto
Should the bill receive less than 66% (2/3) of the vote but still pass, President of the IRC or the President of the CCTA can veto the bill. Additionally, the council can call for a re-vote of the bill immediately after the veto, and shut down the veto if it gets 2/3 support.
Quorum
For a bill to pass, at least 90% of the council must be present for the vote.
If there is someone who is present during voting but does not vote, they will not count towards quorum and their vote will be marked as "present." If someone is not present during a vote, they will be marked as "absent." Should someone spoil their ballot, their vote will count towards quorum but they will either have their vote count as "abstain" (empty ballot) or "spoiled" (improper ballot, i.e. selection two options when only one is required)
Tie
Should the bill be tied, the Vice-Presidents will break the tie. If they are both in favour, the bill has passed, barring any vetos. Should be both be against the bill, or be evenly split (1-1), the bill has not passed.
Rochester Agreement
Review
Every four years, the Rochester Agreement shall be reviewed and resigned if there is no disputes. Should there be a dispute, the bargaining agreements shall combine together to sign a new agreement as quickly as possible.
Certification
The Rochester Agreement, and it's successors, can only be certified if the President and the two Vice-Presidents of the IRC sign, as well as the President of the CCTA.
Penalties
Breaking of any regulation
If a team, driver, or any other form of competitor breaks a regulation, the team shall be fined and it will be up to the team to decide who will foot the bill.
Severity of Penalties
The penalties are as followed and in order from least to most severe:
- A reprimand
- Fine in American Dollars
- Active Position Penalty in the current race
- Exclusion/Disqualification from the race
- Suspension from a race
- Removal of points from the championship
- Disqualification from the championship
- Expulsion
Suspended Penalty
A penalty may be given suspended, meaning that the penalty will be given in full should there be a repeat incident (or a similar incident) occur within a set amount of time. Should there be no incidents to report during the period of suspension, the penalty will be lifted and the offender will be cleared. However, should a repeat incident or a similar incident occur, a trial will be held to determine if the offender has broken the suspension.
Appealing a penalty
When the first results list is released, it is unofficial and all penalties that have and will be given out will be shown in the results. Teams that wish to appeal may do so within 24 hours of the unofficial results' publishing and the official results list will be published on the following Wednesday, and all appeals will be looked at the previous Tuesday.
Incidents
Causing a collision
Any driver who makes contact with their opponents' car will be penalized, but only if the action was deemed deliberate enough. If the accident could have been prevented, action will be taken.
Overtaking under yellow
Any driver who overtakes under a yellow flag condition will be penalized. If the yellow flag zone is localized, overtaking is not allowed until the yellow flag area ends with a green flag.
False Starts
Anyone who "false starts," which is anyone who starts before all the lights go out, will be penalized. Drivers will also be penalized if they cause one or more cars to "false start" as well.
Impeded during racing
Any driver who illegitimately impedes another driver during overtaking will be penalized.
Any driver who intentionally blocks another during a qualifying session will also be penalized.
Deliberate Suspension/Safety Car
Any driver who necessitates the suspension of a race or who intentionally pulls the safety car on the track will be penalized.
Illegal Cars
Any team found breaching the technical regulations of the car is to be penalized.
Unsafe Entry
Drivers who rejoin the track either unsafely and/or at the drivers' benefit will be penalized.
Wrong Direction
Drivers who drive the car the wrong direction will be disqualified from the race.
Pitlane Speeding
Drivers who go over the speed limit in the pit lane (110 km/h) will be penalized.
Unsafe Release
Any team who unsafely releases a car resulting in a crash either in the pitlane or on the track will be penalized.
Penalties near or at end of the race
If a penalty is at or near the end of the race, the penalty may include a timed penalty if the time to take the normal penalty is not possible. The timed penalties are:
- For a Drive-Through: 20 seconds
- for a Ten-Second Stop-Go: 30 seconds
- For Disqualifications: They will still occur even if they are at the end of the race.
Testing
Testing Dates
All entrants can test out their cars on a day that isn't a race weekend between the start and the end of the season once a week, at maximum. Between the end of the season and the start of the next, entrants can test on any day. Promotional events are excepted, given that no data is collected and the car used is not designed for the current year.
Testing Tracks
Testing can only be carried out on IRC approved tracks. Street locations for promotional events are excepted, given that the driver goes at a reasonable distance, and the track is approved for use by the IRC.
The Pit Lane
Types of Lanes
There shall be two lanes: the "fast lane" and the "inner lane." The speed limits for the lanes are 100km/h and 15km/h respectively.
Working Area
Cars are only to be worked on in either the allocated garage or their slot in the inner lane.
Powered Devices
Powered devices used to lift the car are forbidden anywhere in the pitlane.
Paint Restrictions
Teams cannot paint anywhere on the pitlane.
Fast Lane Management
Any workcrew or any kind of equipment cannot be left in the fast lane at any time.
Inner Lane Management
Workcrew can only enter the inner lane when a pitstop is about to happen and must leave as soon as the pit stop has finished and the car has safely cleared.
Unsafe Releases
Teams cannot release the car unsafely. This can include impeding traffic of the pitlane, having tires, wings, or any other necessary parts to the car missing, and causing a fuel spill of any kind. Generally, any accidents should be prevented at all times.
Boundaries
Nobody shall enter another team's specified area of the pit lane or in the garage unless for safety reasons.
Scrutineering
Scrutineering
All cars must undergo scrutineering before the practice session and after the qualifying session and race session for safety and fairness.
Timing of Scrutinizing
The scrutineering after the race session will confirm the eligibility of the car.
Spare Cars, Engines, Gearboxes
Spare Cars Allowed
Teams may not swap out a race car to gain more performance. The only time one can swap out a car is due to terminal damage. No more than four cars are allowed in a grand prix weekend.
During the Race
Entrants cannot change cars after the start of the race.
Spare Gearboxes
Anyone who changes a gearbox before the race will be penalized five grid spots.
Spare Engines
Anyone who changes an engine before the race will be penalized ten grid spots.
Refuelling
During the Race
Refuelling during a race is not allowed.
General Refuelling
Any refuelling during the grand prix weekend must be done in the teams' garage.
General Safety
Ensurance of Safety
Workers, engineers, crew members, drivers, track marshals and anyone else working for the team or on the track must be ensured that they are safe when they are working.
Retired Cars
When a car retires it must be in neutral, with the clutch disengaged and the steering wheel in place. Any driver whose car has a mechanical failure must pull off to the side and go to the nearest exit as quickly as possible.
Direction of Travel
Drivers cannot drive in the opposite direction during a race unless it is necessary to exit a dangerous situation.
Safety Devices
Teams and organisers must ensure that their equipment, including fire extinguishers, are in working order.
Reversing in Pitlane
Cars cannot reverse by itself in the pitlane.
Safety Equipment
Drivers must wear the required safety equipment while driving their car.
Rain Lights
The drivers' rear light must be on when it is raining, no matter what intensity of rain it is currently on.
Restarting Engine
Starting the engine while on the track during a session is strictly forbidden.
Safety Car/Caution Periods
Passing under Yellow Flag conditions
No passing is allowed under safety car conditions, except for:
- If a car has an obvious problem
- If instructed to do so from the safety car
- In the pits if the driver decides to pit
Restarting after Full Caution Periods
Drivers cannot overtake until the safety car comes into the pit lane and the leader crosses the white line on the main straight.
Suspension of Race
Overtaking when race is Suspended
When the signal has been given to suspend the race, no cars may overtake unless any of the stated in 14.1 is given.
Car work during suspension of the race
If the race hasn't been postponed, the team may not work on the car unless for safety reasons. If the team wishes to repair any damages to the car, the team may freely do so. The team cannot change the tires of the car during a suspension period.
Bodywork
Width of car
The overall width of the car, excluding tyres, must not exceed 1800mm (about 1.8m) with the steered wheels in the "straight ahead" position.
Height of car
No part of the bodywork may be more than 950mm (about 0.95m) above the reference plane.
Width between Rear and Front Wheel Centre Line
The Rear Wheel Centre Line is defined as the invisible line marked as the center of the rear tyres. Likewise, the Front Wheel Centre Line is defined as the invisible line marked as the center of the front tyres.
The bodywork between the rear and front wheel centre line shall not exceed 1400mm. (About 1.4m)
Thickness of bodywork
To prevent tyre damage to other cars, bodywork coming from the most inward area of the car must be at least 10mm thick, and any extremities be 5mm thick.
The debris must also be made from material that has a specific property of containing debris.
Width behind the Rear Wheel Centre Line
The bodywork in this area must not exceed 750mm.
Weight
Minimum Weight
The weight of the car must not be less than 640kg at all times during the event.
Weight Distribution
The weight applied to the front and rear wheels must not be less than 291kg and 342kg respectively at all times during the event.
Weight of tyres
The tyres should not have any extra weight on them, which includes any attachments used for data during a grand prix weekend. It is permitted during testing sessions.
Ballast
The ballast can be used provided it is secured in such a way that tools are required to remove it. If the ballast is damaged, it must be possible to either replace it or fix it as deemed necessary by the IRC technical delegate.
During the Race
No extra weight shall be added or removed during the race. Should a part need replacing, it should weigh approximately the same amount as the original part.
Engines
Types of Engines
Engines shall only by 4-stroke engines with reciprocating pistons, 8 circular cylinders arranged in a 90 degree "V" configuration.
Engine Capacity
Engine capacity shall not exceed 2400cc.
Engine RPMs
The Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) shall not exceed 18,000.
Superchargers and Turbochargers
Supercharging, turbocharging or the usage of any device to add more power to an engine is strictly forbidden on all cars.
Engine Valves
Only two inlet and two exhaust valves are permitted. They also must be poppet valves.
Alternate Power Sources
The use of any device to power the car besides/with the engine is not permitted.
Engine Weight
The engine must weigh at least 95kg.
Exhaust Liquids
With the exception of accidental leakage by any means, no fluids may flow in or out of the exhaust ports and admitted into the engine.
Exhaust Exits
The exhaust system may have no more than two exits, both of which must be rearward facing tailpipes, through which all exhaust gases must pass.
Fuel pressure
The pressure of the fuel supplied to the injectors may not exceed 100bar. Sensors must be fitted which directly measure the pressure of the fuel supplied to the injectors, and the data must be supplied to the IRC.
Electrical Ignition
Ignition is only permitted by means of a single ignition coil and single spark plug per cylinder. The use of plasma, laser or other high frequency ignition techniques is forbidden.
Intake Air
With the exception of the normal intake of fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine, any device, system, procedure, construction or design with the purpose of decreasing the intake air temperature is strictly forbidden.
Starting the engine
A supplementary device temporarily connected to the car may be used to start the engine both on the grid and in the pits.
Stall prevention system
If a car is equipped with a stall prevention system, all such systems must be configured to stop the engine no more than ten seconds after activation.
Usage of Stall Prevention systems
The sole purpose of such systems is to prevent the engine stalling when a driver loses control of the car. Any other uses is strictly forbidden.
Each time such a system is activated the clutch must be fully disengaged and must remain so until the driver de-activates the system by manually operating the clutch.
Replacing engine parts
Teams may replace a part which is on the "parts replacement" list but only with IRC permission. If a seal needs to be broken, the repair must be done with IRC supervision.
Tyres
Type of Tyres
The tyres must be slick tyres, with no grooves on them whatsoever. They must also be manufactured and tested to safety standards by the official tyre supplier.
Sets of Tyres
There are a number of sets of tyres a team can use in a weekend:
- Dry-Soft Tyres
- Dry-Medium Tyres
- Dry-Hard Tyres
- Intermediate Tyres
- Full Wet Tyres
There are four sets of each type of tyre given to each teams. Should the tyres be defective, extra sets will be given. Should the team run out of available sets before the race, they will be given extra sets as well as a five-place grid penalty.
"Inclement Weather" Tyres
The Intermediate and Full Wet tyres are only permitted in wet weather. If there is a chance of wet weather, but there isn't any rain on the track at the current moment, the tyres are permitted. If there is no chance of rain for the remainder of the session, inclement tyres are not permitted.
Fuel System
Material of Fuel Tank
Also, all rubber bladders must be made by a list of manufacturers approved by the IRC. They shall have the name of the manufacturer printed on the bladder, as well as the date of manufacture, and the specifications of the bladder.
Location of Fuel
All the fuel stored onboard the car must be situated between the front face of the engine and the drivers' back. No fuel can be stored more than 300mm forward of the highest point at which the drivers' back makes contact with the seat. Furthermore, fuel must not be stored more than 400mm from the longitudinal axis of the car.
Use of bladder
No rubber bladders shall be used more than 5 years after the date of manufacture.
Breakaway Valves
All fuel lines between the fuel tank and the engine must have a self sealing breakaway valve. This valve must separate at less than 50% of the load required to break the fuel line fitting or to pull it out of the fuel tank.
Fuel in cockpits
No lines containing fuel may pass through the cockpit. All lines must be fitted in such a way that any leakage cannot result in the accumulation of fuel in the cockpit.
Sampling
Competitors must provide a means of removing all fuel from the car. Competitors must ensure that a one litre sample of fuel may be taken from the car at any time during an event.
The sampling procedure must not necessitate starting the engine or removing the bodywork.
Oil and Coolant Systems
Location of oil tanks
All oil storage tanks must be situated between the front wheel axis and the rearmost gearbox casing longitudinally, and must be no further than the lateral extremities of the survival cell are from the longitudinal axis of the car.
Longitudinal location of oil tanks
No other part of the car containing oil may be situated behind the complete rear wheels.
Catch tank
In order to avoid the possibility of oil being deposited on the track, the engine sump breather must vent into the main engine air intake system.
Transversal location of oil system
No part of the car containing oil may be more than 700mm from the car centre line.
Coolant header tank
The coolant header tank on the car must be fitted with an IRC approved pressure relief valve which is set to a maximum of 3.75 bar gauge pressure.
Cooling system
The cooling systems of the engine must not intentionally make use of the latent heat of vaporisation of any fluid.
Location of oil and coolant lines
No lines containing coolant or lubricating oil may pass through the cockpit. All lines must be fitted in such a way that any leakage cannot result in the accumulation of fluid in the cockpit.
Fluid line connectors
No hydraulic fluid lines may have removable connectors inside the cockpit.
Electrical Systems
Software Inspection
All software used on the car must be easily inspected by the IRC during scrutineering. All versions of the software must be verified before the car is deemed legal.
Electronic Control Systems
All software on the car must be controlled by the ECU on the car. Backup sensors on the ECU are allowed but they must not enhance the performance on the car.
Starting Systems
Any software used to determine when the race has started is strictly forbidden.
Data Acquistion
The IRC must obtain application parameter configurations, logged data and events, and real time telemetry during the course of the grand prix weekend.
Telemetry
Telemetry on a car can only operated at frequencies approved by the IRC.
Driver Radio
A radio communications between the driver and the pits is allowed but it cannot transmit or receive any other data.
Information LEDs
All cars must be fitted with red, blue and yellow cockpit lights the purpose of which are to give drivers information concerning track signals or conditions. The lights must be LEDs each with a minimum diameter of 5mm and fitted directly in the driver’s normal line of sight.
In order to give rescue crews an immediate indication of accident severity each car must be fitted with a warning light which is connected to the FIA data logger.
Suspension
Suspension setup
Cars must be fitted with sprung suspension. The suspension system must be so arranged that its response results only from changes in load applied to the wheels.
During the Race
Any powered device which is capable of altering the configuration or affecting the performance of any part of the suspension system is forbidden. No adjustment may be made to the suspension system while the car is in motion.
Driving Aids
Gearboxes
Gearboxes must be designed to be manual shift only, automatic gearboxes are not allowed.
Power Steering
The power steering system must be done using hydraulics, and the system may not be used for any other purpose other than to help reduce the physical effort of steering the car.
Traction Control
No devices to provide traction control on a car is permitted.
Transmission Types
The transmission must only allow the two rear wheels to be driven during the race. Systems which have variable drives or allow the front wheels to be driven are strictly forbidden.
Other
Number of Wheels
Cars must be designed to have four wheels. No car that has less or more than four wheels is not permitted.
Chassis
Teams are allowed to sell chassis provided they are not built in the current season, and that they are updated to current regulations by the seller.
Alternative Energy Sources
Cars must not be powered, either entirely or partially on any energy storing device equipped on the car.