20. Driving Stints And Pit Stops

20.1.

For Competitions run according to Article 5.2 cases A, B and C (Endurance), two different restrictions on the length of refuelling during a pit stop will be imposed. There will be a minimum refuelling connection time applicable to some pit stops and a maximum refuelling connection time applicable to others.

For both mandatory pit stops in Case A, and for all refuelling pit stops during Cases B and C (with the exception of 'short' refuelling stops provided for below) a set minimum refuelling time will be issued for each Competition in the Balance of Performance document for the Event. This will be the minimum time that the fuel nozzle must be connected to the car during such pit stops.

For 'short' refuelling stops during Cases B and C, a maximum refuelling time will be issued for each Competition in the Balance of Performance document for the Event. This will be the maximum time that the fuel nozzle may be connected to the car during any such pit stops. This time will be determined in the BOP for the Event and may differ for various brands of cars.

Driver and tyre changes may take place during refuelling. Once the refuelling has been completed, other operations may take place.

Any car which fails to abide by the minimum or maximum fuel connection time (as appropriate) will be reported to the Stewards. A penalty will be given which will be a time penalty to be served at the next pit stop or added to the race time at the end of the race.

For pit stops which do not include refuelling, or any pit stops in Case A other than the mandatory ones, there will be no time restrictions.

The minimum definition of a pit stop, in order to satisfy the requirements for resetting the driving stint, is to stop in the working lane, switch off the engine, switch the engine back on and rejoin the race.

20.1.1.

Should any safety Protocol in place for an Event require changes to the pit stop procedures, these will be detailed in a Sporting Note and/or included in the Appendix 1 document for the Event.

20.1.2 Driving Stints

A maximum driving stint time (MDS) will be given per event, as well as an extended maximum stint time (EDS). The time for each Event will be given in a Stewards’ Bulletin. A provisional table of the MDS and EDS for the 2024 season is given below :

Provisional Stint Times – Endurance Cup MDS EDS (Extended Stint (e.g. including FCY/SC)

Paul Ricard 63 minutes 68 minutes

Spa-Francorchamps 61 minutes 66 minutes

Nürburgring 65 minutes 70 minutes

Monza 61 minutes 66 minutes

Jeddah TBC TBC

All times are provisional and will be confirmed by a Stewards Bulletin

If deemed necessary, a ‘joker minute’ may be authorised in an Event, which would be applied to the stint time. If applied, the full details will be given in the Bulletin from the Stewards confirming the MDS and EDS for the Event in question.

Note that the MDS, EDS and the conditions under which the EDS may be applied may be amended under any time by Sporting Note, Bulletin from the Stewards or in the Appendix 1/Supplementary Regulations for the Event. Any such changes will apply to all articles mentioned MDS, EDS and the conditions for their application.

20.2. Driving Stints and Pit Stops -- Case A -- three-hour races

There will be two mandatory pit stops. During each mandatory pit stop the car must be refuelled in accordance with the minimum refuelling time (see Article 20.1), during which time all four tyres must be changed. Except in the case referred to in Article 13.1.1 b), at each mandatory pit stop there must be a change of driver.

In the case where wet tyres are being used, the tyres will be considered to have been changed if they are removed, taken behind the line, and then the same tyres are placed back on the car.

The minimum refuelling time will be published by the Stewards and may be amended during the Event by a further Bulletin from the Stewards.

The length of any other pit stops will be free. Teams must notify Race Control via the Team Messaging system if a pit stop is not to be considered their mandatory pit stop.

The maximum driving stint time (MDS) from any driver will be confirmed in a Bulletin from the Stewards, as well as the extended driving stint time (EDS) which will only apply if a Full Course Yellow / Safety Car procedure has taken place during a driver’s stint. Please note that the EDS does not apply in the case of a short FCY (as such announced by Race Control). The stint time will be rounded down to the nearest minute.

Except in the case referred to in Article 13.1.1 b), the MDS (or EDS if applicable) is also the maximum driving time per driver.

The first driving stint will be counted from the start of the race until the first time that the car crosses the pit lane entry line. Subsequent stints will be counted from the time the driver crosses the pit lane exit line until the next time the same car crosses the pit lane entry line. For the final stint, the last driving stint will be counted from the last time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the end of the scheduled duration of the race.

If a driver exceeds the MDS (or EDS if a Safety Car or if a long Full Course Yellow (as such announced by Race Control) period has been in operation during the relevant stint), the following penalties will apply : - up to 5 minutes : a drive-through penalty - 5 minutes and longer: a stop-and-go penalty of up to 30 seconds.

Should a driver complete more than one stint, the times will be added together and a penalty will be given should this time exceed the maximum. All time spent between crossing the pit entry and pit exit lines whilst serving a drive-through or stop-and-go penalty, or when the field has been led through the pit lane by the Safety Car, or whenever a car chooses to drive through the pit lane without stopping for a pit stop as defined in Article 20.1, is included in the driver’s stint time and will not reset the stint clock.

20.3. Case B -- 24 Hour Race

It is not mandatory to change driver or to change all four tyres at each pit stop.

Restrictions (in terms of either a minimum or maximum refuelling connection time) will be imposed in relation to any pit stops which include refuelling, in accordance with Article 20.1. The length of any other pit stops, apart from the mandatory Technical Pit Stop, is free.

The minimum refuelling time for cases B will be announced in the BOP for the Event together with the provisional maximum refuelling times per Brand for short stops. Both of these values may be amended by Bulletin from the Stewards or in the Supplementary Regulations for the Event.

20.3.1 Technical Pit Stop_

Each car must complete one Technical Pit Stop, which must have a minimum duration of five (5) minutes from pit-in to pit out which must be commenced between the start of the 12^th hour (race time 11:00:00) and before the end of the 22^nd hour of the race (race time 21:59:59), including during Full Course Yellow or Safety Car procedures. The time at ‘pit in’ determines the start of the pit stop.

Any car failing to commence the Technical Pit Stop during the prescribed time will be given a stop-and-go penalty of at least an equivalent duration to the missed Technical Pit Stop as well as any other penalty deemed suitable by the Stewards.

Any pit stop of a duration (pit in to pit out) under 4 minutes 55 seconds will be disregarded and the car will be still expected to undertake a full Technical Pit Stop or be subject to the penalty above. A pit stop equal to or over 4 minutes 55 seconds but under 5 minutes will be considered a short Technical pit stop and will be given a stop-and-go penalty of the missing time as well as any other penalty deemed suitable by the Stewards.

20.3.2. Minimum and Maximum Driving Times

The maximum driving time for any driver is either the maximum imposed on them in the category in which they are competing according to article 20.3.5 below, or a total of 11 hours if no other maximum time is imposed on them.

Except for cases of force majeure accepted as such by the Stewards, a penalty will be imposed on the car of any driver who exceeds these limits in accordance with article 20.3.6 below.

The minimum driving time for any driver competing in the 24-hour race is two hours. Except for cases of force majeure accepted as such by the Stewards, a penalty will be imposed on the car of any driver who fails to complete the minimum driving time.

20.3.3. Continuous Driving Period

The maximum continuous driving time per driver will be equivalent to three times the MDS time at the Event , counted from the first time that a driver crosses the pit exit line (or takes the race start) until the next time the car crosses the pit exit line with a different driver behind the wheel, not including any time spent in the pits. This will be extended by 5 minutes should a Full Course Yellow or Safety Car be in operation during the final lap of a driver's last consecutive stint. After any continuous driving period of three hours or more, a minimum rest period of one hour is required. No driver can drive more than 14 hours in total. A penalty will be imposed on the car of any driver who exceeds these limits or does not comply with the mandatory rest period.

20.3.4. Driving Stints

amended to reflect Supplementary Regulations for CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa

a) A maximum driving stint time (MDS) will be confirmed in a Stewards Bulletin or in the Appendix 1 for the Event, along with an extended driving stint time (EDS) which will apply if the Safety Car is on track or a Full Course Yellow period is in operation during a drivers' stint.

The maximal duration of a driving stint will be 65 minutes. This will be extended to 70 minutes if the Safety Car is on track or if a Full Course Yellow period is in operation during a driver's stint. The first driving stint will be counted from the start of the race until the first time that the car crosses the pit lane entry line. For the final stint, the last driving stint will be counted from the last time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the end of the scheduled duration of the race.

. For all other driving stints, the time duration will be counted from the time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the next time the same car crosses the pit lane entry line. The stint time will be rounded down to the nearest minute .

b) If a Competitor exceeds the MDS (or EDS if the relevant stint includes a Safety Car or Full Course Yellow period), the following penalties will apply:

• up to 5 minutes: a drive-through penalty

• 5 minutes and longer: a Stop-and-Go penalty of a length determined by the Stewards.

Should either of the above-mentioned penalties be imposed in the last ten minutes or after the end of the race, at the discretion of the Stewards, this procedure shall not apply and the penalty shall be converted to a penalty of 75 seconds to be added to the elapsed time of the car concerned in the case of a drive-through penalty or the penalty time plus 80 seconds for a stop-and-go penalty.

c) If the same Competitor exceeds a driving stint for a second time, a longer penalty may be imposed by the Stewards, and in the event of further infringements, the penalty could go as far as disqualification of the relevant car from the Competition.

d) All time spent between crossing the pit entry and pit exit lines whilst serving a drive-through or stop-and-go penalty, or when the field has been led through the pit lane by the Safety Car, or whenever a car chooses to drive through the pit lane without stopping for a pit stop as defined in article 20.1, is included in the driver's stint time and will not reset the stint clock.

20.3.5. Driver Limitations in Pro-Am

a) Limitations in Pro-Am A driver from the Bronze category must be behind the wheel for a minimum of eight hours over the race duration. This time may be shared between the Bronze drivers in the line-up.

Additionally, in all Pro-Am cars, a Bronze driver must be behind the wheel for a minimum of one hour in the first six hours of the race, for a minimum of one hour during the second six-hour period, for a minimum of one hour during the third six-hour period and for a minimum of one hour during the final six-hour period.

Except for force majeure recognised as such by the Stewards, penalties will be given by the Stewards to any Competitor failing to abide by this restriction.

A driver with a Bronze* derogation cannot contribute more than half of the minimum Bronze driving time. Regardless of his total driving time, only four hours may be counted towards the eight-hour minimum time.

b) Driver Limitations in Bronze Cup In the Bronze Cup, the Bronze driver must contribute a minimum of four hours over the race, which must include one hour during the first six-hour period. The Pro driver may contribute a maximum of eight (8) hours during the race. Except for force majeure recognised as such by the Stewards, penalties will be given by the Stewards to any Competitor failing to abide by this restriction.

c) Driver Limitations in the Gold Cup In the Gold Cup, the Silver driver must complete a minimum of four hours over the race. Except for force majeure recognised as such by the Stewards, penalties will be given by the Stewards to any Competitor failing to abide by this restriction

20.3.6 Penalties for Driving Time Infractions

a) Exceeding maximum driving requirements (overall or per category) Should the maximum requirement be exceeded by up to five minutes, a time penalty of 60 seconds will be imposed. Should the maximum requirement be exceeded by more than five minutes, the penalty time will be 60 seconds plus 30 seconds for every minute in excess of five minutes.

Should the time penalty be greater than one lap, the equivalent number of laps will be deleted from the car’s final distance.

b) Failing the minimum driving requirements (overall or per category) Should a driver fail to reach the minimum driving requirements by up to five minutes, a penalty of 120 seconds will be imposed.

Should the minimum requirement be missed by more than five minutes, the penalty time will be 120 seconds plus 30 seconds for every additional minute.

The Stewards may adjust or alter these penalties.

20.4 Case C: for 6-hour races

It is not mandatory to change driver or to change all four tyres at each pit stop.

Restrictions (in terms of either a minimum or a maximum refuelling connection time) will be imposed on all pit stops including refuelling, in accordance with Article 20.1. The length of any other pit stops is free.

The minimum refuelling time for Case C will be announced in the BOP for the Event together with the provisional maximum refuelling times per Brand for short stops. Both of these values may be amended in accordance with Article 30.1. The total maximum driving time per driver is 140 minutes (two hours and twenty minutes) except in the case referred to in Article 13.1.1 b or another value should this have been given by the SRO Sporting Board in the case of a Derogation. This time is taken by adding any stints by that driver, excluding time spent in the pits. Except for force majeure recognised as such by the Stewards, a penalty will be imposed on the car of any driver who exceeds this limit.

For cars according to Article 13.1.1 b, the Bronze driver must complete a minimum of three hours and 40 minutes. This includes time spent in the pit lane. If both drivers are Bronze then no limits are applied unless specific limits on the driving time per driver have been imposed in the document of approval from the SRO Sporting Board. In all cases, there must at least be one driver change during the race.

20.4.1. Driving Stints

a) A maximum driving stint time (MDS) will be confirmed in a Stewards’ Bulletin or in the Appendix 1 for the Event, along with an extended driving stint time (EDS) which will apply if the Safety Car has been on track or if a long Full Course Yellow (as such announced by Race Control) period has been in operation during a driver’s stint.

The first driving stint will be counted from the start of the race until the first time that the car crosses the pit lane entry line. For the final stint, the last driving stint will be counted from the last time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the end of the scheduled duration of the race. For all other driving stints, the time duration will be counted from the time the car crosses the pit lane exit line until the next time the same car crosses the pit lane entry line. The stint time will be rounded down to the nearest second.

b) If a Competitor exceeds the MDS (or EDS if a Safety Car or if a long Full Course Yellow (as such announced by Race Control) period has been in operation during the relevant stint), the following penalties will apply: - up to 5 minutes : a drive-through penalty - 5 minutes and longer: a stop-and-go penalty of up to 30 seconds. Should either of the above-mentioned penalties be imposed in the last ten minutes or after the end of the race, at the discretion of the Stewards, this procedure shall not apply and the penalty shall be converted to a penalty of 60 seconds to be added to the elapsed time of the car concerned in the case of a drive-through penalty or the penalty time plus 65 seconds for a stop-and-go penalty.

c) If the same Competitor exceeds a driving stint for a second time, a longer penalty will be imposed by the Stewards, and in the event of further repeated infringements, the penalty could go as far as disqualification of the relevant car from the Competition.

d) All time spent between crossing the pit entry and pit exit lines whilst serving a drive-through or stop-and-go penalty, or when the field has been led through the pit lane by the Safety Car, or whenever a car chooses to drive through the pit lane without stopping for a pit stop as defined in Article 20.1, is included in the driver’s stint time and will not reset the stint clock.

20.5. Case D for Competitions with two one-hour races.

20.5.1.

A mandatory pit stop is to be carried out during each of the races. The car must cross the pit entry line from 25:00:00 after the Official start of the race until 34:59.99 after the Official start of the race.

a) Should a car perform its mandatory pit stop having entered the pit lane before 25:00:00 or after 34:59:99 it will be reported to the Stewards who will impose a minimum penalty of a stop-and-go.

b) Except for single-driver cars, a driver change must take place during the mandatory pit stop. Only one driver change may take place during each race.

c) All four tyres must be changed during the mandatory pit stop. In the case where wet tyres are being used, the tyres will be considered to have been changed if they are removed, taken behind the line, and then the same tyres are placed back on the car.

20.5.2.

If the Safety Car is on track or a Full Course Yellow period is in operation at the time when the pit window is scheduled to open (25:00 after the start of the race) the pit window will be delayed. The pit window will be opened immediately after the green flag is shown at the end of the SC or FCY period. At the end of a Safety Car period, all cars must take the green flag at the Line before pitting. The pits will remain open for 10 minutes after the green flag was shown for the mandatory stops. Any pit stops taken before the start of the new pit window, or before the car has taken the green flag on track, will not count as the mandatory pit stop.

20.5.3.

If the Race Director decides for any other reason than given in Article 20.5.2 above that the pit window cannot be opened at the scheduled time then he may take the decision to delay the pit window. In this case, the Teams will be informed via the timing monitors and the radio. A new pit window will be communicated, the start time of which will be given in terms of the time remaining in the race. Any pit stops taken before the start of the new pit window will not count as the mandatory pit stop.

20.5.4.

Should the Safety Car be called on track, or a Full Course Yellow period be declared, during the pit window, the Race Director may extend the time of the pit window by a time between one and three minutes.

20.6. Pit Stop Time for Sprint Races

A minimum pit stop time will be imposed for the Bronze Cup for Sprint races. The pit stop time will be issued for each Competition in a Bulletin from the Stewards. Any relevant car whose pit stop time is less than the given time between pit in and pit out will be given a penalty by the Stewards. There will be a one-second tolerance which can be used once during the Competition (ie once during the two races).

For single-driver cars according to Article 13.1.3, a minimum pit stop time between pit entry and pit exit will be applied which must be adhered to. This time will be published in a Bulletin from the Stewards at each Competition.

20.7. Amendments to driving stints and pit stop times

If the circumstances so require, the Stewards may adjust minimum or maximum driving times, or pit stop times, at their discretion at any time during any Competition.

20.8. Penalties for Refuelling and Pit Stop Times

20.8.1. Cases A, B and C – Minimum refuelling times

If the measured refuelling time during a pit stop is shown on the timing system to be under the minimum refuelling time for that Event, a time penalty will be given according to the following calculations :

The missing time, calculated as the minimum refuelling time minus the actual refuelling time, will be rounded up to the next multiple of 5, before a further penalty is added :
1^st infraction : missing time rounded up to next multiple of 5 seconds + 10 seconds 2^nd infraction : missing time rounded up to next multiple of 5 seconds + 15 seconds 3^rd infraction : missing time rounded up to next multiple of 5 seconds + 20 seconds 4^th infraction : missing time rounded up to next multiple of 5 seconds + 25 seconds Any subsequent infractions may be given an additional penalty by the Stewards.

20.8.2. Cases B and C – Maximum Refuelling times - Short refuelling pit stop

If the measured refuelling time during a short refuelling pit stop is shown to be over the maximum ‘short stop’ refuelling time for that Event, but below the minimum refuelling time, it will be deemed to be a breach of the minimum refuelling time, and the procedure as given in Article 20.8.1 will be used. For the avoidance of doubt, all penalties will be given in relation to the minimum refuelling time; there is no alternate penalty for short refuelling times.

20.8.3 Case D – Pit Stop Times for Bronze Cup and Solo drivers

For all cases where minimum pit stop times have been applied, e.g for the Bronze Cup or for solo drivers, if the pit stop time, measured between pit in and pit out, of any car is under the mandatory pit stop time for that car as published in the Bulletin for that particular Competition, the minimum penalties will be as follows :

• Under one second for the first time in an Event : use of the joker second
• Under one second for the second time in an event : 10 second time penalty to be added to the race time
• Over 1 second : time penalty of 10 seconds plus the missing time, rounded up to the next full second.