Official Internet Home of the O'Reilly Mid South Racing Association

The Mid South Racing Association (MSRA) was formed in 2006, and began operation in 2007. Several Arkansas touring racers had expressed interest in being able to run their late models closer to home. Chris Ellis was listening, and he went to work on putting together a series. He signed up his own track, Poinsett County Raceway, and was soon on the phone with track owners he had worked with before (Southwest Arkansas, Batesville Motor Speedway, and 67 Speedway). They joined in, and along with Poplar Bluff Speedway, Tri-State, and I-30 Speedway, a series was born.

Chris Ellis, MSRA Director of Competion, states, “It is our goal to provide quality regional late model racing to the fans and tracks of the mid-south. In doing so, we will provide mid-south promoters an affordable series which is financially attractive to the racers, fans, and the tracks.”

The first year of operation was a huge success. Ninety seven racers competed in stand alone (non co-sanctioned) events with MSRA, the series averaged over 25 cars per night, and seven racers completed 100% of the series. Ellis added, "I want to thank the guys I call the magnificent seven: Billy Peden, Jeff Floyd, Billy Moyer Jr., Carl Thomas, Jordan Jones, Dusty Johnston, and Joey Mack. They endured rain-outs, schedule changes, and some long hauls to make our first season a memorable one."

As MSRA enters their second season, they have brought back their associate sponsors, and added a title sponsor. With O'Reilly coming on board for a multi-year deal, and GRT, Weld Wheel, Larry Shaw, Kuntz and Company, and JFR Graphics re-upping, it should be another great season.

2008 MID SOUTH RACING ASSOCIATION TOURING SERIES (MSRA)
SUPER LATE MODEL EVENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

1.         The Rules and/or Regulations set forth herein do not express or imply warranty of safety, from publication of, or, compliance with these Rules and/or Regulations. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the MID SOUTH RACING ASSOCIATION (MSRA) for Super Late Models, and are in no way a guarantee against injury to participants.
2.         These Rules and/or Regulations will apply to all MSRA events.
3.         Acting track officials shall have full authority over said events, and, in the event of any dispute, the Head Official’s decision will be final.
4.         All Late Models are subject to be inspected by the Technical Inspector at any time during the event.
5.         The MSRA reserves the right to alter or amend these Rules and/or Regulations in the interests of fair competition and their decision is final.

BODIES
“Dirt” style Body Rules. As the most common set of body rules, regulating traditional major races since derived from the original HAV-A- TAMPA rules, MSRA will utilize 2008 Dirt style rules.

2. Mufflers shall be optional unless required by local track rules. All drivers will be responsible for meeting decibel requirements at tracks that require mufflers.

3. If mufflers are required, then all mufflers must be securely attached to all cars. Pop riveting of mufflers will not be permitted. It would be strongly recommended that mufflers be welded to headers.

WEIGHT/ENGINES
1. Open Motor - 2300 LBS With Driver.
2. MSRA allows a 100 pound weight break (2200 pounds with driver) for steel block engines.
However, all cars must meet standard body rules, including rear spoiler height of eight inches.

3. Maximum engine setback will be six inches for all cars. Measured from center of ball joint to the number 1 (one) front spark plug hole.

4. All engines are limited to one (1) spark plug and two (2) valves per cylinder.

6. ANY ATTACHED WEIGHTS MUST BE SECURELY BOLTED TO FRAME, AND MUST BE PAINTED WHITE OR SILVER AND HAVE CAR NUMBER CLEARLY PAINTED ON THEM. Due to the high risk factor involved, any car that loses a lead weight during any event may be banned from series events for the rest of the season or fined. Two attaching mounts are required for any weight over ten pounds.

TIRES
Front: Hoosier “hard” tire (Hoosier 1600, Hoosier 55, or LM-40 Hoosier). Subject to durometer testing.
Rear: MSRA utilizes a Hoosier WRS D-55 or Hoosier MSRA Spec 1600. Rear tires must be inspected and stamped by MSRA, and are subject to durometer testing at all times.

TRACTION CONTROL DEVICES
1) All traction control devices utilizing wheel sensors or any means of measuring ground speed to control wheel spin are strictly prohibited.

2) Adjustable ping control devices, dial a chip controls, timing controls, or automated throttle controls are NOT permitted in the cockpit or any other position accessible to the driver.

3) Any remote controlled components inside or outside the cockpit of any competitor's race car are NOT permitted.

4) No data acquisition systems are permitted.

5) Any competitor found with any of the above will be fined could be disqualified and suspended for up to a year.

SIGN IN
It will be the responsibility of all Drivers/Teams to sign in, and pay the entry fee for all MSRA events. Payment, drawing and preliminary inspection must be complete before hot laps. Entry Fees are for a regular race are $100. Drivers starting a B but not making the feature will receive a $100 payout.

Entry fees will be used by MSRA for supplementing the points fund, with 50% of the paid entries going directly to the MSRA point fund. Payment of officials and administrative costs will be deducted from the entry money. If you suffer a mishap before qualifying your entry fee will be refunded. Once hot laps start NO refund will be given.

CONTINGENCIES AND AWARDS
Certain other products manufacturers will be awarding contingency to drivers finishing in the feature and year end point standings. These awards are dependant upon the manufacturer decal being carried on the race car. If you wish to be eligible to receive awards from the manufacturers concerned, it is your responsibility to ensure that the correct decal is affixed to your race car. Also, please be aware that the MSRA responsibility is ONLY to provide the manufacturer with your name and address, and not to pay the award. All cars finishing the feature races will be checked by series personal for the appropriate decals.

Drivers will be required (mandatory) to carry decals of primary series sponsors in order to be eligible for MSRA posted awards including point fund monies.

Any other MSRA sponsor decal that is carried on the car must be affixed prominently.

HOT LAPS
All Drivers will be allowed one (1) Hot Lap Session Hot Laps will be conducted in Groups in order, as per the Draw. Drivers/Teams are responsible for knowing what Group the Driver/Team is in. Lineups will be posted at track posting stations in the pits. Drivers must Hot Lap in their assigned Groups. If a Driver does not make it to the staging area in time for his assigned session, that driver will not be allowed to Hot Lap. No Exceptions.

RACE FORMAT
Race format is to be announced and posted in advance of each event. The number of Heats to be run will be determined solely by the Race Director, and will be based on the number of cars present with a goal of a maximum of twelve cars in any heat race event. Heats races may be 10 or 12 laps. The Top 12 drivers in passing points will advance to the feature, all others will be assigned starting positions in B Last Chance races based upon their points.
Passing points are based on two ways to accumulate points. First, each finishing position in the heat event is assigned a point value. All drivers will earn the points that the finishing position in the heat is worth.

Heat Points:
1) 59
2) 55
3) 51
4) 47
5) 43
6) 39
7) 35
8) 31
9) 27
10) 23
11) 19
12) 15

In addition to the points earned by finishing positions, each driver will earn 1 ½ bonus “passing points” for every position he advances in his heat event. Drivers that check in late, arrive at the staging area late, or voluntarily fall to the back of their heat event after receiving a starting position will not be eligible to receive bonus “passing points”.

Any car that scratches prior to a heat moving to the track will not be considered part of the “official” heat line-up and will receive zero qualifying points. All cars that move onto the track from the staging area will be considered to have officially “started” the heat, regardless if they take the initial green flag or not. The heat race line-up will become “official” once the cars roll out of the staging area and move to the track. Cars that are part of the “official” scored line-up that drop out prior to the initial green flag, or drop out before a full lap is scored, are considered “passed” and passing points will be awarded. Only cars not in the “official” starting order will not be considered “passed” in the heat event. Cars that scratch prior to the heat advancing to the track will not be included in the “official” starting line-up of the heat. The starting order will be re-drawn in the tower to reflect the cars “officially” part of the heat. Those cars that “scratch” after the line-up is deemed “official” will receive points equal to last place in the heat event run.

Any driver that would scratch or drop to the rear of the field with the express intent of assisting another driver gain passing points is subject to disqualification. Any driver that would be benefit by intent from such action is also subject to disqualification.
In the event that two or more cars finish qualifying with a tie in qualifying “passing” points, the tie will be broken by the heat event run. The earlier heat will be placed ahead of the later heat in all Feature and Last Chance Qualifying Line-ups.

NOTE: The Pole Position Driver does not have the option to start on either the inside or the outside of the front row - either for Heat Races, B-Mains or Main Features. He must start in the number one (1) position.

CHANGES/SUBSTITUTIONS
At the discretion of the Race Director. Drivers may change TO ANY CAR at any time between qualifying/heats and the start of the main feature. However, any change will result in the driver starting in the rear of his heat race, B-Main race or feature. It is the driver’s responsibility to notify track officials of any desired change. If a car not already entered, driver must bring car to inspection area before it can be allowed to compete.

PROVISIONAL STARTERS
In addition to the eighteen cars which qualify for the feature, MSRA will award two provisional starting positions based upon the points standings at the beginning of the race night. At selected race tracks, at the discretion of the Promoter, the Promoter may have the option to start extra Drivers at the rear of the Field. Any Driver who is allowed to start as a Promoter’s Option will score Points towards the points championship, apart from those points earned up to the start of the Feature. Any Driver who is the recipient of a Promoter’s Option must have taken the green flag for their assigned heat or B-Main Race.

POINTS CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2008 Points Championship will have a Points Fund, the MSRA Champion will receive at a minimum of 25% of the allocated points fund monies, plus other secured sponsor money and contingencies secured for the Points Champion. You must be a MSRA member to qualify for the points fund (MSRA memberships are $100 per annum).

Drivers must enter/compete in at least 80% of the completed MSRA events to receive posted awards, if sixteen or less races are ran the points fund will be pro-rated. In addition, if a driver misses more than 3 events, then they are not eligible for the points fund.

Point fund distribution:
1st –   $5,200
2nd - $3,500
3rd -    $2,500
4th –   $1,800
5th –   $1,500
6th -    $1,200
7th –   $1,000
8th -    $1,000
9th –   $1,000
10th - $1,000
11th- -    $500
12th-    $500
13th-    $500
14th-    $400
15th-    $400

The points tie breaker for any position will revert to number of wins, and if still tied, then number of seconds, and so on until the tie is broken.

MSRA Points will be awarded as follows:
1.100 Pts.                        11. 70
2. 96                                12. 68
3. 93                                13. 66
4. 90                                14. 64
5. 87                                15. 62
6. 84                                16. 60
7. 81                                17. 58
8. 78                                18. 56
9. 75                                19. 54
10. 72                              20. 52

Additional points are earned by:

Rookie Program:
$1,000 will be awarded to the MSRA Rookie of the Year.
Drivers’ eligibility for the Rookie of the Year Award will be determined by the MSRA as follows:
A.    Driver has not finished in the top 5 in points in any Dirt Late Model series.
B.     Driver has not ever won any MSRA event and/or other Dirt Late Model event paying $2,500 or more.
C.   Driver has driven a late model for less than five years, cumulative.

Drivers wishing to compete for the Rookie of the Year Award must indicate their intention by applying, in writing, to MSRA, and include- Age; Years of racing experience; Years competed in Super Late Model Division; Number of races won; Biggest purse won in Late Model events, List of Achievements; Details of car/team for the forthcoming season; and driver photo. Application letters must be received before the first intended MSRA event, or in any MSRA event prior to completion of third event.

RAIN-OUTS
Should an event be postponed until a later date due to inclement weather, all heats or B’s that have been completed will count. Any driver not present at the previous date may start at the rear of the B-Main(s) (or feature event is there is less than a full starting field).

RADIOS
No radios, or electronic communication between the driver and anyone not on the track. Crew members using flashlights or lighted wands to signal driver’s not allowed. Pit Boards or other pre-approved MSRA methods are acceptable.

RACE PROCEDURES AND RULES
Standard Flagging procedures will be used for each Event. If, for any reason, the Race is ran short or long, the Race is officially over when the Checkered Flag falls.

STARTS
1. Once the Field has been sent away from the Grid, after Driver Introductions, warm-up laps at racing speed without official’s approval will be considered a penalty, and the offending Drivers will start the race from the rear. Laps to warm up engines, transmissions and tires may be given.

2. Any driver jumping the original start will be warned for the first offense, and after the second offense will be put back one row. It is the responsibility of the outside front row starter to stay even with the inside front tow starter. The inside front two starter must set a reasonable and consistent pace.

Heats, B-Main or Features
1. A cone or markings will be placed on the track to display the designated starting point.

2. After the “one lap to go” signal has been given, the field must maintain an orderly, controlled pace around to the cone, with the front row running side by side. The pole-sitter will set the pace going into turn 3 and maintain that pace going to the line. It is the responsibility of the outside pole to keep his car even with the pole-sitter. Provided that the line up is good, the Race will be started at some point between the designated starting point and the flag stand.

3. Anticipating the start or firing before the green light or flag will be considered a penalty, and the offending Driver or Drivers will be put back one row.

4. In the event of a caution, before the first lap is complete, due to a multi car accident, the field will be lined-up for a complete re-start in the original Grid order, provided there are NO penalties to be assessed.

5. Any Driver who comes to a stop during the first lap, and in the opinion of the Officials, has done so deliberately to cause a re-start, will be put to the rear before the race is re-started. Any driver who spins out unassisted on the initial start will be put to the rear before the race is restarted.

RE-STARTS
Orange cones will be placed at the edge of the track in the location where drivers will be allowed to re-start the race and accelerate. The MSRA series flagman will turn on the green light, and the green flag will be displayed. As in an original start, if officials determine the start was un-fair then the same procedures will be followed as in the original start, and the same penalties will apply. Any driver involved in the caution, or deemed to have caused the caution will restart from the rear of the field.

DOUBLE FILE RE-STARTS
Standard restart procedures will be double-file, with the exception of the leader. The leader will choose to occupy the inside, or outside lane, then hold his position until the race re-starts. The remaining cars will align as follows
Leader
2nd 3rd
4th 5th – all others follow in this order

SINGLE FILE RE-STARTS
Series officials, in case of extreme track conditions, can revert to single file restarts. Once the track is deemed un-safe for double-file restarts, officials will signal the drivers to remain in single file. Two attempts will be made to restart in the double file configuration and if officials at that time deem the track conditions to be not- conducive to safety and fair competition, the call for single file restarts will be made.

CAUTION PROCEDURES
Any driver or drivers deemed responsible by officials for bringing out a caution flag shall be required to re-start the race from the rear of the field. Whether or not a driver breaks forward momentum will not be considered when determining responsibility for the caution. Any driver directed to the rear of the field by officials shall do so immediately. Any cars down a lap or more shall be lined up behind all lead-lap cars.

The MSRA series does not race back to the yellow. In the event of a caution, and the yellow flag is displayed, all drivers will be expected to slow their cars as soon as safety allows them to. MSRA series officials will do their best to communicate the trouble spot to the drivers. Under yellow flag conditions, drivers will continue to circle the track a pace lap speeds until the damaged cars are removed, and the line-up is determined to be good, and the drivers are directed to move to the double-file restart. If the Red flag is displayed, then the track is blocked, and it is unsafe for the cars to continue to circle the track. MSRA officials will direct the cars to the place on the track where the cars will stop until the track goes back to yellow. No driver will be allowed to get out of his car. No pit crewmember will be allowed on the track at any time. Drivers may exit the track and go to the pits for service during either yellow flag or red flag caution periods, but that driver will restart that race at the rear. Any driver that is stopped by a MSRA series official during a caution period will be allowed to restart the race from the position he was running in prior to the caution. Any driver that would stop on the track in order to purposely cause a caution is subject to disqualification from that event. Causing a caution for the avoidance of being lapped, or any other reason not related to a mechanical difficulty would be considered without cause. Flat tires are considered a mechanical difficulty, see FLAT TIRES.

ROUGH DRIVING
Drivers that engage in rough driving can be penalized by officials. Penalized drivers can be forced to restart a race from the rear, be scored laps down by judges, or be black flagged from an event. Any driver that is black flagged from an event must leave the track immediately. Drivers that do not follow official’s instructions may also be black flagged from an event. Drivers may also be black flagged from an event due to equipment problems. Those drivers are expected to leave the track immediately, but may return once the equipment problem has been repaired. If officials feel that a driver has acted in a blatant act of aggression on the track, or in the pits, that driver is subject to fine, disqualification, or suspension by MSRA series officials.

FLAT TIRES
MSRA series officials will allow a driver that has a flat tire to draw a caution, and then allow that driver to exit the track, replace the flat tire, and return to the race. Officials will give courtesy caution laps for that driver to move to his pit area, and return to the track as quickly as possible. The driver will not be given his spot back, and will restart the race from the rear of the field. It will be the driver’s responsibility to make his way to a location as to be seen by a MSRA series official to draw the caution. The number of courtesy laps will be determined by MSRA series officials due to pit location and track size. Drivers will not be given excessive courtesy laps. Courtesy laps will only be allowed for Flat Tires. MSRA series officials will not delay the race for any other type of repair.

SPIN RULE
Any driver that is involved in excessive spinouts and/or cautions, can be disqualified from the event, and sent to the pits. Excessive spins and/or cautions shall be determined by the number of laps per event, and shall be covered by MSRA series officials at the driver’s meeting.

Any member of any Team who works on the car, during a Caution or Red Flag, while the Car is still on the Track, will be judged to have made a Pit Stop, and will be sent to the rear. Only Track Officials may work on cars on the Track, and if the Officials are unable to fix a problem, they may send the car to the Pits. This Rule also applies in the event of an accident. Do not get out of your car unless you are prepared to resume the Race at the rear of the Field.

PENALTIES
Black Flag - means that you have been sent to the Pits and will take no further part in the current race, whether it is a Heat, B-Main or Feature. Your car will not be scored from the Black Flag time onwards.

RAIN DELAY
In a rain delay situation the Race Director reserves the right to amend the racing format in the interest of time restraints and scheduling conflicts. The format changes will be made with the Fans and Drivers best interest in mind, and changes will only be made if an Event is in jeopardy of being lost due to rescheduling availability, a time curfew, or inclement weather. Under these circumstances the amount of laps for qualifying, heats, and Main Event may be shortened. A feature race is considered complete when 50% or more of the laps are scored.

WEIGH-IN
All Cars will weigh in at the Scales immediately before, or following, their Qualifying Laps, as per the Weight Rules, and as per Track layout etc. The first four Cars must weigh in immediately following their Heat Races and B-Mains. If only one B-Main Feature is run, all transferring cars must weigh in.

Following the Main Feature, The top five finishers must cross the scales and weigh in correctly. This includes the Winner who must weigh prior to any Winners’ interview or Presentation held on the front straight.

NOTE: All Cars must proceed directly from the race track to the Scales. Any detour, to anywhere, may result in a penalty being assessed by the race director. Should any Car stop on the way to the Scales, and be touched by anyone other than a Race Official, the Driver will be disqualified. No Exceptions.

CARS MUST REPORT DIRECTLY TO SCALES AFTER ANY RACE, TO BE DECLARED LEGAL AND TO CERTIFY THEIR POSITION.

MID SOUTH
RACING
ASSOCIATION
Chris Ellis
DIRECTOR
msradirt.com
1812 Birchwood
Beebe, Arkansas 72012

2008 Point's Payout
Point fund grows to $22,000, winning increases to $5200
1st –   $5,200
2nd - $3,500
3rd -    $2,500
4th –   $1,800
5th –   $1,500
6th -    $1,200
7th –   $1,000
8th -    $1,000
9th –   $1,000
10th - $1,000
11th-    $500
12th-    $500
13th-    $500
14th-    $400
15th-    $400