SECTION 5 – Protest Procedure

5.1               Application. This engine protest rule is applicable to all HWY 16, LLC classes at all HWY 16, LLC sanctioned events, shows and specials.

5.2               Racecars Subject to being protested. All racecars qualifying for the feature event.

5.3               Racecars Eligible to execute a protest. Any racecars competing in the feature event, which:

5.3.1           Have a driver who possesses a HWY 16, LLC car number or competitor’s license for that feature class of cars.

5.3.2           Meet the minimum class weight and are otherwise legal under HWY 16 LLC rules.

5.3.3          Have a driver who has registered his/her intent to protest in writing, listing the desired component or part of suspicion with a track head official prior to the start of the feature race and has tendered the required class protest fee.

5.4              Racecars Not Eligible to Protest.

5.4.1           Those drivers not possessing a HWY 16, LLC car number/competitor’s license.

5.4.2          Those that do not meet the minimum class weight or are otherwise illegal under HWY 16, LLC rules.

5.5              Protest Fee

5.5.1           Engine - $200.00

5.5.2           Chassis – $200 per component or item

5.5.5          Disposition of the protest fee. If, after the tear down, the engine is found to be legal, 75% ($150) of the protest fee will be paid to the protested driver and 25% ($50) of the protest fee will be paid to the racetrack. If, after tear down the engine is found to illegal, 75% ($150) of the protest fee will be returned to the protesting driver and 25% ($50) of the protest fee will be paid to the racetrack.

5.6                Protest Procedure. After the feature race, a track official will notify the driver of the relevant racecar that his racecar has been protested, the protested driver shall then proceed directly to the area designated for inspection and tear down pursuant to a protest. The pit tower, scale pad or tech road (unless otherwise specified) is the designated area and tech official may determine to tear down the racecar at that time or he may impound the racecar for later inspection not to exceed a 48 hour period. Track officials will then proceed, in accordance with the class of racecar protested, to tear down the engine or chassis in the protested racecar, as follows;

5.6.1           All Divisions Engine; Tear down upper end or lower end or both depending target of protest, to inspect for illegalities. May or may not include removal of engine for thorough inspection. Inspector may delegate the disassembly process to a crew member or driver of the engine under protest.

5.6.2           All Divisions Chassis: Inspect for illegalities. May or may not include removal of chassis parts for thorough inspection.

5.7              Special Provisions Relating to Protests.

5.7.1           Only the driver may protest

5.7.2           A driver may only protest one engine per race.

5.7.3           Only the appointed tech inspector has the final word on the legality of racecars involved in a protest.

5.7.4           No person shall prevent or interfere with the protest procedure.

5.8              Penalties or Sanctions Related to Protest.

5.8.1           If an engine parts are found to be illegal, the provisions of rule 1.12 regarding illegal parts and 1.14 regarding confiscation of illegal parts, shall apply.

5.8.2           Withdrawal of protest. If a driver declares the intent to protest, and tenders the required protest fee, and then the driver changes his/her mind and withdraws the protest, then the protesting driver will forfeit all money and awards for the event and shall also lose all points earned to date.

5.8.3           Refusal of Protest. A driver who refuses to allow an inspection/tear down pursuant to a protest shall be subject to the following penalties:

5.8.3.1      First refusal. First refusal to allow an inspection/ teardown pursuant to a protest, driver forfeits all cash and contingency winnings for the event, any trophies earned in the feature, plus loss of points earned to date, the driver shall be fined $500.00 and suspended for 30 days.

5.8.3.2      Second refusal. Upon second refusal, driver forfeits all cash and contingency winnings for the event, and trophies earned in the event, loss of all points to date, In addition, driver shall be fined $1000.00 and suspended for one calendar year from the date of the infraction.