Safety Guidelines
MRA National Event Guidelines:
The Mud racers Association offers the following guidelines to
help you to provide a quality mud racing event in your area.
The Specifications/recommendations contained herein
are for informational purposes only. These pages do not constitute
an official issuance of the Mud Racers Association and should not be
relied upon as being either current or complete. In order to
ascertain the most up to date information it is necessary to consult
your MRA Representative, insurance carrier, attorneys and/or
engineering firm versed in the motor sports events industry.
COMPETITION FAST TRACK CONSTRUCTION GUIDELINES:
Competition area: The area in which the actual racing competition will take place, herein referred to as the Track or competition lanes. (The competition areas may also include the shut down areas, return roads as well as the racers competition parking area (Pits).
The Track racing surface (competition lanes) will be either 160 feet or 200 feet in length.
Each of the competition lanes will be a minimum of 25 feet in width.
Where two (2) lanes are used, each competition
lane should be separated from the other by a minimum of three (3)
feet.
Starting line staging and start time
systems will be placed at a minimum height of ten (10) inches, but
no more than fourteen (14) inches from the track surface. (The pre
stage beam, stage beam and start time beam shall all be installed at
the same height from the track surface).
When both a “Pre-Stage” and “Stage Beam”
are used - the distance between the Pre-stage and Stage beams shall
be no less than four (4) inches, but not more than six (6) inches
apart.
The distance (Roll out) between the Stage
Beam and the start time beam shall be no less than sixteen (16) but
no more than eighteen (18) inches.
Stop time (finish line) beams shall be a
minimum height of twelve (12) inches but no more than eighteen (18)
inches from the track surface.
Competition lanes will consist of loose earth of approximately eight (8) inches to eighteen (18) inches in depth over stable ground. Surfaces should be relatively level and free of large rocks and debris. The amount of water added to the track is at the discretion of the track owner/promoter, however standing water is not recommended.
The number of vehicle passes allowed between grooming of the track lane(s) shall be established prior to the drivers meeting.
Both sides of the competition
area shall be lined with approved Department of Transportation
barriers or guiderail systems. W-beam OR
concrete (Jersey) barriers are common examples of some of these
systems. As each area differs, it is recommended
that you consult your states DOT for specifications on installation
of W-beam and/or concrete (jersey) barriers. The guiderail
system shall consist of a continuously running barrier/guiderail,
placed along the outside edges of the competition area (track).
The barriers/guiderail systems should extend from a
minimum of ten (10) feet before the starting line to a point not
less than twenty (20) feet past the finish line on both sides of the
competition area. NOTE: At NO time shall
the exposed end of the overlapped guiderail face the starting line
When utilizing duel competition lanes the area between the competition lanes shall be delineated by a minimum of either orange painted stakes OR orange safety cones of at least 18” in height. Stakes or cones should be place approximately every twenty (20) linier feet along both sides of the racing lanes to mark the out of bounds areas. At the discretion of the promoter/track owner an approved guide rail systems OR concrete Barriers may be used to delineation these areas between the lanes.
It is highly recommended that a secondary
barrier system be placed between the competition area and the
Spectators areas running parallel to the tracks primary barrier
systems. Secondary system may consist of approved
guiderail/barrier system as well as 8 ft. chain link fence with
catch cable installed. These secondary protection system(s) should
be constructed and placed as per your insurance carrier’s
recommendations.
At no time should any persons, equipment or structures be present in these areas between said barriers during competition.
COMPETITION BOG PIT CONSTRUCTION
GUIDELINES:
The Specifications/recommendations contained
herein are for informational purposes only. These pages do not
constitute an official issuance of the Mud Racers Association and
should not be relied upon as being either current or complete. In
order to ascertain the most up to date information it is necessary
to consult your MRA Representative, insurance carrier, attorneys
and/or engineering firm versed in the motor sports events industry.
Although no two Pits are going to be
the same the MRA in an effort to form some type of standard and
safety guidelines for their construction offers the following.
The area in which the actual racing
competition will take place, herein referred to as the Pit or
competition lane. (The competition area may also
include the earth barriers, guiderails, shut down area and Return
roads).
The Pit racing surface (competition
lane) will be either 160 feet or 200 feet in length. (Longer or
shorter pits allowed with prior approval by the MRA Board).
The timing system placement should
closely follow the guidelines listed for the Fast Track events for
the placement of the staging and start timing lights. The height of
the timing systems may vary some do to Pit Design restraints.
The competition lane will be a
minimum of 35 feet in width. An earth barrier wall (excavated from
stable ground) of approximately 2-3 feet in height should be
incorporated along the outer edges of the competition lane and run
the length of the Pit. The combined elements of the competition lane
and the earth barrier wall would be considered the Pit
competition area.
It is recommended that the Entry angle
into the Pit should be no more than 5-8 degrees of pitch and
/ or as level as possible.
It is recommended that the Exit
angle out of the Pit should be no more than 5-8 degrees
of pitch and should extend over a long enough distance to provide
for a smooth transition out of the Pit when traveling at a
high rate of speed.
Competition lanes will consist of
loose earth/clay and water of approximately 0ne (1) to two (2) feet
in depth. Surfaces should be relatively level, but need not be
smooth. Pit material should be free of large rocks and debris. The
bottom of the Pit should be free of large bumps or hills. The amount
of water added to the track is at the discretion of the track
owner/promoter (Soupy mud is proffered). Some standing water
(puddles) is considered normal (1 to 2 inches maximum recommended)
but should not cover the entire Pit area.
Both sides of the competition area
shall be lined with approved Department of Transportation barriers
or guiderail systems. W-beam OR concrete (Jersey) barriers
are common examples of some of these systems. As each area
differs, it is recommended that you consult your states DOT for
specifications for installation of W-beam and/or concrete (jersey)
barriers. The guiderail system shall consist of a continuously
running barrier/guiderail, placed along the outside edges of the
competition area (Pit). The barriers/guiderail systems should extend
from a minimum of ten (10) feet before the starting line to a point
not less than twenty (20) feet past the finish line. NOTE: At
NO time shall the exposed end of the overlapped guiderail face the
starting line.
It is highly recommended that
a secondary barrier system be placed between the competition area
and the Spectators areas running parallel to the tracks primary
barrier systems. Secondary system may consist of
approved guiderail/barrier system as well as 8 ft. chain link fence
with catch cable installed. These secondary protection system(s)
should be constructed and placed as per your insurance carrier’s
recommendations.
GENERAL SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR MRA’s FAST
TRACK AND BOG PIT COMPETITION:
SHUTDOWN AREA: The area
past the end (the finish line) of the competition lanes
The length of the shut down area should be a minimum of 2 times the length of the tracks racing surface being used (i.e.) 160 ft of track length equals 320 foot of shut down area. A 200 foot track length will require a minimum of 400 foot of shut down area. (These are the minimum recommended distances and should be extended whenever room allows).
The shut down area should be relatively smooth, level and free of debris and obstacles.
The width of the shut down area shall be equal to OR greater than the competition area (lanes) in use. At NO time shall it be less than the total width of the competition area.
It is highly recommended that an approved barrier system be placed along both outer parameters
(Sides) of the shut down area. (Check with your MRA Representative and/or insurance carrier for recommendations).
There shall be no Equipment, persons, vehicles or structures in the shut down area OR the area beyond the end of the shut down area. This includes all of the shut down area, plus any and all areas adjacent to it. These areas shall be clear of persons at all times.
The end of the shut down area in some cases may require barriers (DOT approved water barriers or large hay bales backed by guiderail/concrete barriers) these barriers should be considered to prevent runaway vehicles from proceeding past the end of the shut down area. Areas that may be to hazardous to let vehicles continue into.
A return road will be provided from the shut down area to the staging area and/or Pit Area. The return road should be isolated from the spectators, crews and track personal by appropriate safety barriers (check with your Insurance carriers) so no one can entry these areas.
COMPETITION PARKING AREA (pits):
The area used for the parking of competition
vehicles, their support vehicles, crews and equipment.
The Competition Parking Area and entrance to it should be of sufficient size to accommodate multiple rows of large tow vehicles and transports of up to 80 feet in length.
The Competition Parking Area should be adjacent to the staging area to allow for a safe and smooth flow of vehicles in and out of those two areas.
The Competition Parking Area should be separate from the competition lanes (track) area and spectator areas.
STAGING AREA: (a
holding area for competitors and their vehicles to line up in
preparation for their turn to compete)
A staging area shall be provided
adjacent to the competition areas starting line that will provide
two (2) lanes of staging. Each lane will be capable of accommodating
at least five (5) vehicles placed end to end in them.
The staging area should be separate from the spectator areas, yet adjacent to the Pit and competition Area.
The Staging lanes shall be out of
harm’s way and out of the path of flying debris. During the
competition there should be NO personal or vehicles in the area
directly behind the starting line. This area presents an extreme
hazard do to flying projectiles/debris.
SPECTATORS AREA: The
area where fans/spectators may view the race.
At no time should spectators be allowed near the competition areas without proper safety barriers/structures installed to protect them, along with a buffer zone (Consult your insurance carrier for recommendations) these requirements may be in addition to the tracks competition area barrier/guiderail systems
Spectators shall not be allowed in the
competition or shut down areas and should not be in the staging
areas. It is highly recommended that the spectator area should not
extend past the half way point of the competition lanes. A
secondary barrier system should be in place between all spectators
and the competition areas. An 8’ (chain link) catch fence with
reinforced cable running the entire length of the track is one
example of a secondary system.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT/ PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
Paramedic / ALS or EMT crew and one ambulance shall be on site during all competition. The addition of a standby ambulance and crew are highly recommended.
Fire and safety crews and equipment should be on site during the running of the competition. (Consult your local authorities for recommendations). Fire crews should be versed in controlling/extinguishing alcohol fires.
All fire and safety crews should be versed in motor sports events safety and should be briefed in the operation of the safety features required on the vehicles by the racing organization overseeing the event.
It is recommended that a 10lb dry chemical fire extinguishers be placed at the starting line and approximately every 50 feet along the outside of the safety barriers of both competition lanes, to assist track personal in case of a fire. Track personal should be trained in the use of said extinguishers.
SECURITY:
Security shall be to sole responsibility of
the track owner/ promoter.