2008 GTS Challenge Series Rules

FORMS

Dyno Cert Form

N.A.S.C.A CCR
Sections 11 & 15-18

Dynojet Facilities

13/30 Rule

NASA Forms

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2008 GTS Challenge Series Rules …contunued from previous page

5.1 Dynamometer Procedures for
AWD (All Wheel Drive) Cars
Because it is nearly impossible to have an AWD dynamometer at an event, all AWD cars must have dyno results before entering their first event. This dyno testing must be done on a Dynojet brand dynamometer. Dyno test results must by accompanied by a Dynamometer certification form. There will be no exceptions. Any car without the certification will run in GTSU. The Dynamometer certification form must be completed at the time of the dyno testing and signed by the dyno operator and the entrant. In the event of a protest against an AWD car, the protested and protesting parties must both be represented at the re-testing. Re-testing must follow the same procedures and the fees will be paid by the party in error. If a GTS official’s presence at the re-testing is required, the party in error shall pay the GTS officials expenses.

6.0 Post Race impound and Protest Procedure

Dynamometer variance forgiveness:
The purpose and intent of forgiveness is to address the variance in dynamometer results and define post race impound and protest procedures.

Do to the multiple factors that can alter dynamometer results, a forgiveness of 4 HP is allowed. In cases where torque is greater than HP and figured into the weight/power ratio, the average of HP and torque will also be allowed -4 forgiveness. This applies to all post race impound and/or protest dynamometer testing where the car meets the minimum weight required by official dynamometer results on record with GTS Challenge and/or NASA.

Official results do NOT include the -4 forgiveness. The intended purpose is given as a safeguard to entrants that have made every effort to assure their cars legality. GTS Challenge still recommends and encourages entrants to run their cars at least 50–100 lbs over minimum weight as an additional safeguard. If a car does not meet its required minimum weight there is NO forgiveness granted to that entrant.

Post race impound procedures:
The following are the procedures to be followed at each GTS Challenge event.

When a trackside dynamometer is present:
All cars designated for impound proceed directly to impound after leaving the track. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Cars are to be weighed first because 3-6 pounds of fuel can be used on the dynamometer (Per NASA CCR, 5 pound forgiveness is given to every competitor). All cars NOT meeting their required minimum weight must be dynamometer tested regardless of their finishing position and do NOT receive the -4 forgiveness at the dynamometer. Scales should be available to entrants during the event for their use, and all entrants are encouraged to verify their weight before the qualifying and race sessions. The dynamometer testing immediately follows the scales. Cars shall be a normal operating temperature when going on the dynamometer. GTS and/or NASA officials must be present the scales and dynamometer. The results of any impound or protest dynamometer testing replaces the results on record with GTS/NASA.

When a trackside dynamometer is NOT present:
All cars designated for impound proceed directly to impound after leaving the track. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Cars are to be weighed and checked against official GTS results. Any car not meeting minimum required weight shall be disqualified (Per NASA CCR, 5 lb forgiveness is given to every competitor).

Protest procedures:
If a dynamometer is present at the track, protest procedures are the same as impound procedures. If no dynamometer is present the post race weight shall be used and a Dynojet dynamometer facility convenient to the protested party shall be used. The party in error shall pay all costs for the protest. A GTS official need not be present and a GTS Dynamometer Certification Form must be completed and submitted to the acting GTS regional director. Official findings of the protest will be disclosed as soon as they are available.

Dynamometer and weight record keeping:
The acting regional GTS Director or NASA official shall record GTS entrant dynamometer and weight information in the following manner. When a new GTS entrant submits a GTS Dynamometer Certification Form, the minimum required weight shall be calculated and recorded in the vehicle logbook with the current date and official signature. After each event the dynamometer and weight results shall be submitted to the GTS National Coordinator via methods put in place. Each time an entrant is impounded and/or protest testing, the results become his/her official GTS Challenge power and weight data. All numbers shall be rounded to the second decimal place.

A complete and up to date list of all entrants will be available to all GTS directors and a copy will be present at all events.

continued next column…

Dynamometer equipment:
All post race impound and protest dynamometer testing shall be done on a Dynojet 248 or similar model Dynojet dynamometer (note AWD exceptions). SAE Correction (if available) shall be used for all dynamometer testing. Smoothing factor 4 shall be used. Some versions of dyno software may not have more than three different smoothing factors, in such cases; the highest available factor shall be used. Post race impound and protest dynamometer results override the results of record. Entrants must take into consideration the differences in makes and models of dynamometers and make needed weight adjustments.

Entrants are encouraged to use a Dynojet facility for dynamometer testing and completion of the GTS Dynamometer Certification Form, but any dynamometer may be used (note AWD exceptions). If not using a Dynojet 248, consider the differences between dynamometer makes and models when calculating your minimum weight.

All impound and protest dynamometer runs MUST be performed with a dynamometer technician driving the car. No entrant or crew member can be at the controls of the car while dyno testing takes place. There will be no exceptions to this rule. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.

As GTS Challenge rules are based on weight to power ratios, there are only a few outside factors that may be protested. All protest concerning DoT vs. race slack, tube-frame vs. stock chassis and cockpit adjustable engine management shall be filed according to NASA procedures as described in section17.5 of the NASA CCR. Any protest requiring a dynamometer test shall follow the procedures outlined in these rules.

Classes are based on lb/WHP, torque ratio, protests will be allowed based only on that ratio. In other words, technical protests about car competitiveness will be limited to a claim that a car exceeds the allowed (lower) limit for its declared class. As there is no lower limit to the lb/RWHP, torque ratio for GTSU cars, there will be no protests or impounds for that class.

Protests must be filed within 30 minutes of the end of an on-track session, and may be filed at the end of practice or qualifying sessions as well as races. Upon receiving the protest, the Race Director and GTS Challenge officials may accept the protest, extend the time allowed to file, or reject the protest. It is left to the discretion of NASA and/or GTS Challenge officials present to determine the validity of the protest. Any dynamometer testing required for a protest shall be done on the trackside dynamometer (if available) or on a Dynojet 248 dynamometer at a facility convenient for the protested party.

In the effort to encourage a fun, friendly, sportsmanlike racing environment, competitors are encouraged to discuss issues of incorrect classing whenever possible prior to filing a protest. Likewise, scales will be made available throughout the course of events to weigh cars as necessary. Cars which are believed to be close to the limit of the lb/RWHP ratio for a class are recommended to have plans to increase weight, if necessary, to maintain legality.

6.1 Protest Bond
The amount of the protest bond shall be the cost for a dyno run. Payment for the dyno run shall be determined by the outcome of classification. If the combined scale and dyno results show the car was classed correctly, the dyno cost shall be paid by the protesting party. If the car is found to have been classed incorrectly, the cost shall be paid by the protested competitor.

7.0 Testing Results for Post Race Impound and Protests
If in post race impound or protest an entrant is found to have a lower lb/RWHP ratio than class allows the entrant/driver will forfeit points and finishing results for the race. The car will be moved up to the correct class for the remainder of the competition season, effective immediately or the entrant can make add ballast or permanent performance modification to remain in class. The later will require new results to be obtained from scale and dynamometer testing. Additional penalties may be imposed for repeat offenders at the discretion of GTS Challenge officials, including but not limited to removal of times for qualifying sessions, time or position penalties for races, and point’s penalties.

The results of dynamometer tests, as well as results from post-session weights, shall be available to all competitors. As much as to show compliance, this is intended to dissuade unnecessary protests in cases of well-documented cars. Results of protest, when resulting in a reclassification of a car or ballast added, shall be noted in the vehicle logbook by GTS officials.

Any ballast added to a car must meet NASA safety regulations as defined in the CCR.

8.0 National Championship Rules
GTS Challenge is recognized as a Nationals class within NASA. Entrants must meet the NASA standards to qualify for the Nationals.

9.0 Regional Championship Rules
There will be a Regional Champion for each GTS Challenge class in each N.A.S.A region that holds GTS Challenge races. Only points scored in events held in the driver's home region are counted. The number of events counted will vary from region to region, calculated by 75% of the races held by the region. For example, if a region holds 8 races, then a driver's best 6 will be counted, If 19 races are held, then the 14 best are counted.

'08 Rules: Page 1 | Page 2