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33. General Safety

33.1.

a) Official instructions will be given to drivers by means of the signals set out in Appendix H of the Code. Competitors are responsible for observing and complying with these at all times and must not use flags similar in any way whatsoever to these. At circuits where flag signals are supplemented by light panels/signals, both means of signalling will be deemed to have regulatory value.

Except as provided for in Article 19.8, for reasons of safety, in case of conflicting signals between the flags displaced by marshals and the light panels/signals, drivers must comply with the requirements of the signal with the highest level of safety.

b) If any driver’s fastest sector time up to that point in any session or race is set while yellow flags are displayed in that sector, this will automatically be deemed to be a breach of Article 2.5.5 b) of Appendix H to the Code and will be penalised accordingly, unless it is clear that the car had already passed the location of the incident which caused the yellow flags before those flags were displayed, or that it was the first lap for that car in the race or session. A decision will be automatically issued by the Stewards without summoning the competitor to a hearing. However, if the Competitor believes they have clear evidence to suggest the penalty imposed is inappropriate they may submit any evidence for consideration in accordance with Article 16.7 above.

33.2.

Drivers are strictly forbidden to drive their car in the opposite direction to the race unless this is absolutely necessary in order to move the car from a dangerous position and in accordance with the instructions of the marshals.

A car may only be pushed to remove it from a dangerous position as directed by the marshals.

This rule is also applicable when the car is parked in the Parc Fermé.

33.3.

Any driver intending to leave the track must signal his intention to do so in good time, making sure that he can do this without danger.

33.4.

During practice and the races, drivers must at all times respect the provisions of the Code relating to driving behaviour on circuits.

33.5.

A driver who abandons a car whilst on the track must leave it in neutral or with the clutch disengaged and with the steering wheel in place.

33.6.

Repairs to a car may only be carried out inside or outside the pits, on the working lane, on the starting grid or as provided for in Article 47. A driver who manages to repair the car after it has been pushed to a place of safety, with or without remote assistance from their Team, may rejoin the session. Amendments to this Article for the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa may be given in the Supplementary Regulations for that Event.

33.7.

The Organiser must make at least two fire extinguishers of 5 kg capacity available at each pit garage and ensure that they work properly.

33.8.

Save as specifically authorised by the Code or these Sporting Regulations, no one except the driver may touch a stopped car unless it is in the Team's designated pit garage area, in the pit lane or on the starting grid.

33.9.

At no time may a car be reversed in the pit lane under its own power.

33.10.

Drivers must use the track at all times and may not leave the track without a justifiable reason.

The white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track, but the kerbs are not. A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track. Should a car leave the track for any reason the driver may rejoin.

However, this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any lasting advantage.

A driver may be reported to the Stewards should they perform any act which results in debris being brought onto the track

Drivers consistently crossing the white lines defining the edge of the circuit, whether or not they gain an advantage, will be stopped during the free practices, have their lap time(s) deleted during qualifying and may receive a drive-through penalty during the race. The Stewards can apply any other penalty available.

At the absolute discretion of the Race Director, a driver may be given the opportunity to give back the whole of any advantage he gained by leaving the track.

Notifications will be for the car, not the driver. During the CrowdStrike 24 Hours of Spa (Case B) notifications for track limits will be reset every six hours (i.e. after the first 6, 12 and 18 hours of the race).

The Race Director and/or the Stewards may use any video, electronic or other means to assist them in reaching a decision, in addition to or instead of Judge of Fact reports.

33.11.

a) During the periods commencing 15 minutes prior to and ending 5 minutes after every practice session, and the period between the commencement of the formation lap(s) which immediately precedes the races and the time when the last car enters the Parc Fermé, no one is allowed on the track with the exception of:

  • marshals or other authorised personnel in the execution of their duty;

  • drivers when driving or under the direction of the marshals;

  • Team personnel when either pushing a car or clearing equipment from the grid after all cars able to do so have left the grid on the formation lap.

b) At any time during a Competition, a driver may join the track, including the pit lane and the grid, only after starting the engine alone and unaided, and leaving his working area with no external assistance.

c) During any race, the engine may only be started with the starter except on the grid or after a stop-and-go penalty, where the use of an external starting device is allowed. The car must leave its position in the pit lane with no external intervention. Any car reported to have received assistance to start will be given a stop-and-go penalty, during which the car must be started by the driver alone.

33.12.

Drivers taking part in any session(s) must always wear the clothes, underwear, helmets, and frontal head restraint (FHR) specified in Appendix L to the Code and Article 26.7.

33.13.

A driver coming into the pits must not unfasten his safety harness or racing net until his car is completely stopped in front of the pit garage. After a pit stop, the car must only start moving after the driver's safety harness and racing net have been fastened. It is the car controller's responsibility to ensure that a driver is properly buckled in before the car leaves its working area to enter the track.

While driving in the fast lane of the pits, the driver must have at least one hand on the steering wheel at all times. He may unplug the radio or disconnect the drinks bottle and other such items but should not be distracted from watching the road ahead while doing any of these things. Tension in the belts may be loosened but the belts must remain in contact with the driver so that they are considered to still be properly restrained in accordance with ISC Appendix L chapter III Article 4. The driver's safety harness must be securely fastened before the car leaves the Team's working area but, on exiting the pits, the driver may further tighten the belts or adjust them. Any infractions noted by the pit lane marshals or identified through the driver-facing safety camera may be reported to the Stewards.

For the avoidance of doubt, the dispensation granted under Article 33.13 for the adjustment of safety harness belts does NOT extend to the positioning of belts in relation to the FHR. The driver must ensure that the harness and FHR are correctly positioned before leaving the working area and that the fitting of the harness and FHR meets the standards laid out in the International Sporting Code Appendix L Chapter III Article 3 at all times when the driver is seated in the vehicle either on track or moving in the pit lane.

33.14.

Extrication and Recovery exercises may take place before the Competition. Selected Teams will be notified by the Stewards and must make their car and any required personnel available at the stated time.

33.15.

If a driver has serious mechanical difficulties during practice or the races, he must leave the track or return to his working area as soon as it is safe to do so. At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner that could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry road, the pit lane or the pit exit road.

33.16.

a) The car's regulatory lighting system must function at all times during each Competition. Any car that does not present the minimum illumination listed below, may be stopped by the Race Director for repairs:

  • At the Front: 2 headlights (right and left) and 2 direction indicators

  • At the Rear: 2 lights, 2 direction indicators and 2 stop lights / brake lights.

  • Also the illumination of the numbers if required for the Event, and, should the weather conditions deteriorate, the rain light.

b) The Rain Light must have a flashing frequency of 4Hz (0.125 seconds on followed by 0.125 seconds off)

c) Direction indicators must be present on each side at the front and the rear of the car. They must simultaneously flash when under Full Course Yellow. They must have a flashing frequency of 4Hz (0.125 seconds on followed by 0.125 seconds off).

33.17.

Driver are not allowed to flash their headlights (main beams) as a warning or indication more than 3 times in succession between any two successive corners. Any car reported to have exceeded this number of flashes will be given a warning. A second infraction for any car during the same session will result in a drive-through penalty.

33.18.

During any period of mandatory lighting:

In terms of a failure of any part of the obligatory lighting, including the illuminated door panels, the Race Director , of his own volition or at the request of the Technical Delegate, may stop a car using the mechanical flag should they consider that this is causing an immediate safety issue.

Should they consider that the failure is not causing an immediate safety issue, the Team will be informed and they will have to make the repair at the next scheduled pit stop, and will be not allowed to leave until a Scrutineer has given their approval.

The following principles apply throughout any Event:

One front headlight not functioning Repair at next pit stop

Both front headlights not functioning Mechanical flag to stop

One rear light not functioning Repair at next pit stop

Both rear lights not functioning Mechanical flag to stop

One or both direction indicators not functioning Repair at next pit stop

One stop light / brake light not functioning Repair at next pit stop

Both stop light /brake lights not functioning Mechanical flag to stop

Rain light not functioning in rain conditions Mechanical flag to stop

Number illumination not working Repair at next pit stop

Flashing indicators not working under FCY Repair at next pit stop

Rain light functioning but not flashing Repair at next pit stop

Note : in case of the number illumination not working, Teams may add LED lights under the supervision of a Technical Scrutineer, to see if this fixes the problem. If the number still does not show up sufficiently, the car may receive a black/orange flag to stop. Any such additional LED lights must be removed when the backlit numbers are no longer in use.

33.19.

The car's headlights, red rear lights and rear rain light must be illuminated at all times when it is running on a track that has been declared a "wet track". It shall be at the discretion of the Race Director to decide whether a driver should be stopped because his car's lights are not working. If a car is stopped for that reason, it may re-join the Competition once the fault has been remedied.

Once a race has been declared Wet, it remains Wet for the remainder of the Race. However, instructions will be issued from Race Control to indicate when lights can be switched off. Should conditions improve sufficiently, the Race Director may also instruct that rain lighs must be switched off. Any use of the rain lights when not authorised may be reported to the Stewards.

33.20.

For Competitions run according to Article 5.2 case B or C, or to any other Competitions with night running, the following additional lights are authorised:

  • a maximum of four additional lights are allowed in the front bumper or front facia. They must be installed symmetrically and in pairs. The additional lights must be of ECE homologated type.

  • It is authorised to equip the car with a maximum of 2 identification lights (an assembly of LED Lights will count as a single light unit), with a maximum power of 25 watts or equivalent which must be approved by the Scrutineers. These may be placed on the roof, on the rear view mirrors, on the windscreen pillar, behind the passenger side of the windscreen or in any other location such as the radiator grille, as long as this does not distract the driver or the other Competitors. Any assembly must be carried out before the car undergoes Scrutineering. The use of flashing or revolving lights as identification lights is forbidden.

The obligatory period of illumination will be announced by the presentation of the "LIGHT"- panel by the Clerk of the Course.

When lights are mandatory (in wet conditions and in the mandatory night period) main beams must be switched on at all times that the car is moving; the additional lights may be flashed if needed, subject to the same limitation as for flashing headlights in Article 33.17.

33.21.

A maximum of six working Team members per participating car are allowed on the pit wall signalling area reserved for the Team during practice and the race(s). People under 16 years of age are not allowed in the pit lane, on the pit wall or on the grid, except during the 'pitlane walkabout' or the 'grid walk' when they may be allowed if accompanied by an adult and if authorised by the circuit. Personnel must adhere to the regulations concerning clothing and helmets according to Article 12.2. Infractions will receive penalties according to the following provision:

  • First offence: fine of three hundred euros (€300)

  • Second offence: fine of four hundred and fifty euros (€450)

  • Third offence: fine of six hundred euros (€600)

33.22.

Animals, except those which may have been expressly authorised for use by security services, are forbidden in the pit area, on the track and in any spectator area.

33.23.

The Race Director, the Clerk of the Course or the Chief Medical Officer can require a driver to undergo a medical examination at any time during an Event. This examination may include, if appropriate, a test for alcohol.

33.24.

At the end of any session or race, each driver may cross the Line only once.

33.25.

Failure to comply with the general safety requirements of the Code or these Sporting Regulations may result in the disqualification of the car and driver concerned from the Competition.

33.26.

The use of Fans and/or Blowers is not authorised at any time in the Pit Lane or on the Grid