2009 Gecko Cup Regulations

LEGAL NOTICE: The final text of these regulations shall be the Polish version which will be used should any dispute arise as to their interpretation.

§1 General regulations

1.1 These 2009 Gecko Cup Regulations (the Regulations) specify the rules governing the racing and participating in the quarter mile races.

1.2 Races mentioned above are under supervision of the Polish Hot Rod Association (the PHRA).

1.3 The legal regulations of the Polish Road Code are not in force during the Gecko Cup races.

1.4 Changes to the Regulations can be made by the PHRA. The changes can be made during the season in some justified cases.

§2 Events schedule

2.1 The consecutive races will be called rounds. Dates and places of these rounds are mentioned in Appendix no. 2. The PHRA has the right to change the date of any round, place where it is organized, to decrease number of classes and to increase or decrease total number of rounds in the case of exceptional events (especially in the case of force majeure). Change announcements will be published on the PHRA website (www.sss.org.pl).

2.2 Each round can be cancelled (before the round or during the round) in the case of force majeure (especially beacuse of severe weather conditions, timing equipment breakdown or other causes that may interfere with races) without any refund.

§3 (obsolete)

§4 Race track

4.1 The races take place on a quarter mile distance, that is 402.336 meters.

§5 (obsolete)

§6 (obsolete)

§7 Participants and vehicles

7.1 Participants competing in Gecko Cup have to fill in, sign and submit races application forms, pay participation fee in the amount established by the PHRA and have driver license of a proper type. The FIA licence is not required.

7.2 Participation in the Gecko Cup means that the participant knows and agrees with the Regulations and resigns from any legal or other, not specified in the sports regulations, claims against the PHRA.

7.3 Participation fee amount is set by the PHRA. The PHRA has the right to collect personal data about participants and to publish their names with race results.

7.4 Individual or group of individuals that has not registered for race through normal procedure can be awarded by the PHRA with "wild cards".

7.5 The PHRA can state the vehicle construction is dangerous for general safety. All vehicles (cars and motorcycles) constructed or assembled that way can be disqualified at any time. Every car has to be 4-wheeled. Every motorcycle has to be 2-wheeled. Wheelie bars (additional rear wheels increasing traction) are allowed.

§8 Vehicle classification

8.1 During the races organized as the Gecko Cup rounds the following DRAG car classification will be in force:

a) Mini - engine displacement up to 1550 ccm, N/A (any wheel drive)
b) Diesel - diesel engine (any wheel drive, N/A or with power adder, any displacement)
c) FWD - FWD, N/A
d) FWD Turbo - FWD, with power adder, any displacement - or - RWD and AWD, with power adder, engine displacement up to 1550 ccm,
e) RWD Turbo - RWD, N/A or with power adder - or - rotary engine (any wheel drive, N/A or with power adder, any displacement),
f) AWD Turbo - AWD, N/A or with power adder,
g) King of Poland - eight fastest participants (in accordance with qualifying phase results and point 9.6.3 of the Regulatons) from above classes are allowed to start in this class, knock-out system will be used to determine the winner. The organizer has the right to increase number of the competitors to the number of sixteen.

8.2 Additional explanation:

a) power adder means supercharger (compressor), nitrous, single or twin turbo or any number and combination of these elements,
b) FWD, RWD, AWD are abbreviations for an automotive drive system in which mechanical power is transmitted from the drive shaft to front wheels (FWD), rear wheels (RWD) or all four wheels (AWD),
c) rotary engine means Wankel engine,
d) N/A means naturally aspirated engine.

8.3 During the races organized as the Gecko Cup rounds the following motorcycle classification will be in force:

a) Moto - engine displacement up to 750 ccm, N/A,
b) Moto Plus - engine displacement up to 1100 ccm, N/A,
c) Moto Maxi - engine displacement over 1100 ccm, N/A,
d) Moto Extreme - with power adder, any displacement,
e) King of Moto - not meeting technical requirements for above classes, eight fastest participants (in accordance with qualifying session results and point 9.6.3 of the Regulatons) from above classes are allowed to start in this class, knock-out system will be used to determine the winner. The organizer has the right to increase number of the competitors to the number of sixteen.

8.4 During the races organized as the Gecko Cup rounds the following STREET car classification will be in force:

a) Street Power FWD - FWD N/A or power added
b) Street Power RWD - RWD N/A or power added
c) Street Power AWD - AWD N/A or power added
d) King of Street - eight fastest participants (in accordance with qualifying session results) from above classes are allowed to start in this class, knock-out system will be used to determine the winner. The organizer has the right to increase number of the competitors to the number of sixteen.

§9 Technical and safety requirements for DRAG classification

9.1 General conditions:

1) Vehicles with engine modifications, other mechanical and electrical modifications and body or interior modifications have to be equipped with fire extinguishing substance in amount of 2 kg. Each fire extinguisher must be immovably attached to the vehicle interior construction. It is strongly reccomended to have a civil liability insurance

2) All vehicles reaching the race elapsed time (the ET) below 10.5 seconds have to be equipped with a steel roll cage - or - a steel roll bar with strut mounted behind driver's seat and fixed to the floor in at least four points (at least two fixing points on the left side and at least two fixing points on the right side of vehicle interior, on the line between vehicle sides and floor). The roll bar must protect driver against roof top dent. The driver has to wear a race suit. These requirements must be fulfilled beginning the next round (after the 10.5 seconds limit reached). The race suit is required also if the fuel tank moved or its mounting method is different from the original one or the battery is mounted inside the cockpit (excepting a case when the battery is closed in hermetic metal box immovably fixed with the floor).

3) All replaced or attached body parts cannot have sharp edges or sticking out elements. These elements cannot overpass beyond the body outline except the parts mentioned in the following points of the Regulations.

4) Vehicles reaching the ET below 9.0 seconds must be equipped with driver-controlled fire extinguishing system and a roll bar/cage.

9.2 Car body and equpiment:

1) Floor construction and serial body can be modified. Removed floor elements must be replaced with titanium plate (1 mm minimum in thickness) - or - steel or aluminium or carbon fibre or kevlar plate (1.5 mm minimum in thickness), immovably attached to the vehicle construction. Floor construction has to be consolidated. The frame can be modified if a safety cage mounted. The driver seat has to be securely fixed with body or roll cage/bar if floor contruction under the driver seat is modified.

2) Replacing or attaching non-serial elements of body is allowed. These elements have to be made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, kevlar or polycarbonate and be at least 2 mm thick. Elements mentioned above must be immovable and securely fixed with metal braces or screwed on. Drivers door can be replaced if a safety cage mounted. Drivers door must be able to open and close.

3) Front or rear body can be one integral part (bumper and fenders with hood or tailgate as one part).

4) Windscreen has to be made of glass (with the exception of stock windscreen made of other material).

5) Non-serial glasses must be durable and securely installed. Non-serial glasses must be at least 2 mm thick. Tape mounting is prohibited.

6) Frame section, floor and body modifying is allowed if a safety cage mounted. Body must be immovably fixed to floor.

7) Efficient stop lights and rear trafficators are required.

8) Drivers seat and dashboard are necessary. Non-serial dashboard is allowed if made of carbon fiber, fiberglass, kevlar or polycarbonate. Additional elements helpful in mounting indicators, gauges or switches are allowed if not unsafe for driver.

9) (obsolete)

10) Vehicle must be equipped with the driver's seat belt.

11) Video recording devices and time measurement systems are allowed to use in the cockpit during the races. Videos recorded and results measured by these devices cannot be a base to any protests.

12) Movable elements and items in the cockpit are not allowed if unsafe for the driver.

13) Non-serial fuel tank can be placed at the original mounting point or in the trunk or on the same side as engine and has to be immovable. The fuel tank has to be made of incombustible material. Fuel wires have to be made of metal or have the metal isolation.

14) The nitrous bottle has to be immovable.

15) Window mechanisms are not necessary.

16) Braking parachutes are allowed.

17) Wheelie bars (additional rear wheels increasing traction) are allowed.

18) Firewall is required if the fuel tank is placed in the same space as driver.

9.3 Suspension, brakes and tires:

1) Suspesion mounting points can be moved.

2) Non-serial shock absorbers, springs, wheel arms and spacers are allowed.

3) Tire tread height must be at least 2 mm, except for point 5.

4) Slick tires can be used in every start class.

5) The minimum rim diameter allowed is 13 inches, with the exception of cars serially equipped with smaller rims. Tires can overpass beyond the body outline, not more than 30 cm at each side.

6) Vehicle must have working breaking and steering systems.

7) Emergency spare wheels are prohibited. Replacing the stock tires with tires unsafe for third persons is prohibited.

9.4 Engine and gearbox:

1) Engine swaps, electronic systems modifications and other power increasing modifications are allowed.

2) If any element of any power adder is mounted the vehicle is meant as power added (even if the power adder is not functional).

3) Any gearbox modifications are allowed.

4) Battery mounting point can be moved. Battery size can be changed. If the battery moved to cockpit it has to be located at least 50 cm far from the drivers seat and must be immovable and electrically grounded.

5) Decreasing serial engine displacement is prohibited if causes movement to lower starting class

6) Engine and engine equpiment have to be separated from driver with an incombustible partition at least 2 mm thick.

9.5 Exhaust system:

1) An exhaust system which end is located at a maximal distance of 40 cm from the driver is required. Exhaust system must be safe for third persons.

2) Exhaust fumes output from bleeder valve in power added cars is not an exhaut system end. Distance mentioned in point 9.5.1 is required.

3) Exhaust system ending element must be located at a distance of value between 0 (zero) and 100 cm from the body outline.

9.6 Other requirements:

1) Every DRAG class participant has to wear helmet during the race. Racing with passenger is prohibited, except special showcase runs sheduled by the PHRA.

2) Nitromethane, methanol, ethanol and isopropanol usage is allowed. The participant is obligued to notice the organizer in writing about possible use of these substances. The notice must be delivered to the organizer before the races beginning otherwise the participant can be disqualificated. Usage of petrol, diesel oil, furnace oil and LPG, CNG, electric current and hydrogen is allowed without noticing the organizer.

3) The organizer has right to allow not classified participants to compete in "King of" class to improve the general quality of competition.

9.7 Technical, safety and other requirements in motorcycle classification:

1) Each rider must wear a helmet, riding suit, gloves and boots. Racing with passenger is forbidden.

2) Motorcycle must be equipped with frame, braking system and have wheel drive type as in stock motorcycle. Rear stop light must be efficient.

3) All modifications (excepting the decrease of the engine displacement) are allowed if not unsafe for the participant or third persons.

4) Each motorcycle participating in one of the classes mentioned in points 8.3. a), b), c) and d) of the Regulations must have valid vehicle registration card, registration plate, vehicle inspection and civil liability insurance. For class King of Moto civil liability insurance is only recommended, not required.

5) Wheelie bars are allowed only in Moto Extreme and King of Moto classes.

6) The first motorcycle driver scoring ET less than 9 seconds will be awarded with 1000 USD.

9.A Technical, safety and other requirements in STREET classification:

a) Obligatory car equipment and others:

1. stock interior (minimal requirement)

2. stock body, floor structure and glasses

3. efficient all car lights

4. efficient braking system, steering system and engine cooling

5. stock fuel tank or certified LPG bottle

6. fuel available at public fuel stations, produced in accordance with Polish norms

7. efficient horn

8. valid vehicle registration card, vehicle inspection and civil liability insurance

9. wheel drive type as in stock car

10. participating both in DRAG and STREET classes with one car is forbidden

11. stock suspension mounting points

12. efficient windscreen wipers

13. If any modification is not listed above as an allowed it means it is prohibited.

14. rims at least 13 inches in diameter (with the exception of stock rims with shorter diameter)

15. fire extinguisher on board and efficient seat belts

16. (obsolete)

17. Wearing a helmet by STREET class participants is not required. Racing with passenger is allowed.

b) Permitted car modifications:

1. electronics and engine mechanics modifications

2. turbo or supercharger (compressor) replacing and mounting

3. exhaust system and intake system replacing and modifications

4. nitrous and water injection

5. tires admitted for driving on public roads in EU or USA, tread can be incised crosswise or slantwise, tires cannot overpass the body outline

6. transmission modifications, gearbox replacing with gearbox of any type is possible if floor not modified, straight-cut and sequential gearboxes are not allowed (except the cars serially equipped with these devices)

7. engine swapping, swapped engine must come from the same producer or group of producers as the original one, frame sections modifying is forbidden

8. replacing the hood, tailgate, sunroof and front fenders with the same elements made of kevlar or carbon fibre (minimum 2 mm thick) or other laminate (minimum 2 mm thick) mounted on stock holders, door handles removal is allowed

9. fuel system modifications, fuel pump replacement, fuel tank mounting point cannot be changed

10. suspension modifications and strenghtened brakes

11. racing front seats, sports seat belts

12. sports steering wheel

13. bumpers replacing and modifications in accordance with safety rules, each bumber must be one integral part, wheel housings can be widened

14. air conditioning system removal

15. rear seats can be replaced with car audio equipment, total weight of car audio equipment cannot exceed the weight of replaced elements, the participant is obligued to do a proper weight measurement after this modification and to notice the organizer about the measurement results

16. battery mounting point can be moved, the mounting point cannot be in the same space as driver

17. clutch replacing and modifying

18. roll bar

19. non-serial limited slip differential

§10 Races

10.1 During the rounds of the Gecko Cup the participants are to drive in the shortest possible time the distance of 1/4 mile that is 402.336 meters. The distance will be noted by a "START" line and "FINISH" line. The race is valid even if only one of the racing pair of cars reaches the "FINISH" line.

10.2 The participants of the races park their cars in the specifically appointed parking spot. The organizer has right to make a permission to perform an additional (paid or free) training session before races.

10.3 The control examinations and start numbers allocation take place on the parking spot or in other given place. The participant has to put the start number sticker on the rear windshield of his vehicle.

10.4 Each MOTO and DRAG class driver must wear a helmet during the race. DRAG and STREET participants and STREET passengers must have seat belts fastened during the race.

10.5 All car windows must be closed during the race.

10.6 (obsolete)

10.7 Each driver can drive only one car in each starting class during particular round.

10.8 Each car can start in only one starting class, excluding the "King of" class and according to point 9.A.a)10. of the Regulations. Starting in the "King of" class is possible if the participant passed the "King of" qualifying process or the organizer decided to allow the participant to start in the "King of" class (according to point 9.6.3 of the Regulations).

10.9 All changes will be announced to the participants.

10.10 Eight fastest participants after each class qualifying session are obligued to park the vehicle in the specifically appointed limited parking spot in 15 minutes from qualifying session results announcement. Participants vehicles presence at the limited parking spot is necessary to perform an additional technical inspection. Absence of the participant or his vehicle at the spot mentioned above causes elimination from the proper races. Two mechanics for each vehicle are allowed to enter the limited parking spot.

10.11 The starting signal for both of the racing cars will be a change in automatically controlled "christmas tree" lights. The start of the race is indicated by the green signal.

10.12 Promotion to the semifinals (or quarterfinals if ordered by the organizer) is determined by the race estimated time (the ET) summed with the reaction time (the RT) in the qualifying session. The quarterfinal, semifinal and final race winner is determined by the shorter result time (the ET summed with the RT). The ET and the RT are measured with milisecond precision. The ET is a time of driving the distance between the "START" line and the "FINISH" line. The RT is the time of the participant reaction on the green signal. In case of the equal results the winner is determined by the shorter ET.

10.13 Staging rules and false starts:

a) Vehicles are automatically staged by the timing system devices. The participant is obligued to slow approaching the "START" line and to stop when both "pre-stage" and "stage" lights are on. The participant has to wait for starting procedure after staging. Timing system will run the starting procedure in a "PRO TREE 400 MS" system - three amber lights simultaneously as a "get, set" signal, and then (after 400 miliseconds) green light as a "go" signal. After the race better ET lane is indicated by green light.
b) False start in quarterfinal, semifinal or final will eliminate the participant (excepting the situation when both participants false started - in that case the race will be retaken).
c) False starts will be marked at the results lists. The "christmas tree" indicates the false start lane with red light. Electronic scoreboard will display "FALSE".

10.14 (obsolete)

10.15 Races results are measured with proper timing system and displayed on the results screens in real time. If one lane of race track is out of order the PHRA has right to continue races on the single lane.

10.16 Each participant competes in two races during the qualifying session. Four best participants (ranked by the ET+RT) in each class will be promoted to the semifinals, according to point 13.4.

10.17 The semifinal races will constitute of the pairs I-IV and II-III.

10.18 The final race winner is the winner of the class. The third place will be determined by the best ET+RT from the semifinals.

10.18.A. The participant has to approach the "START" line within 2 minutes after the call to the staging (the Call), otherwise the PHRA will announce his loss. The opponent will be the winner, if ready to start (race is not necessary). If both vehicles damaged (after the qualifying session) and cannot approach the "START" line, classification will be based on the ET+RT from qualifying session.

10.19 A class must include at least 4 vehicles. The PHRA has the right to join classes with less than 4 vehicles. The PHRA has the right to create a new class (for example DIESEL STREET) to improve the general quality of competition.

10.20 If the car number in each class does not exceed 6 cars there is a possibility to cancel semifinals (or quarterfinals, according to point 13.4) and the next race is the final race (or semifinals and the final race, according to point 13.4).

10.21 The participant is obligued to be present at the podium ceremony.

10.22 Intercooler refrigerating during the race is allowed, but only with a proper refrigeration system which is part of the vehicle equipment.

10.23 Intercooler refrigerating is prohibited within the starting zone.

10.24 Vehicle repairs and modifications during the particular Gecko Cup round are allowed if not cause the change of starting class.

10.25 Vehicle repairs and modifications must end before the Call.

10.26 Vehicle repairs and modifications can be made by the participant or his mechanics team.

10.27 Crossing the line between the race track lanes is prohibited. Driving across the race track and opposite the race direction is prohibited. Turning back is allowed if specific point (marked with an arrow) passed. The arrow claims the allowed turning back direction. The vehicles returning from the "FINISH" line should drive along the shoulder of the racing lane, not exceeding the 50 kph (30 mph) speed limit.

10.28 Burnouts are allowed on the "START" line and in the areas marked out by the PHRA,

§11 Penalties

11.1 In case of any breaches of the Regulations and other rules being in force during the races the following penalties will be ordered by the PHRA:

a) warning
b) fine (up to 5000 PLN) - 1000 PLN if the track centerline has been crossed, 5000 PLN if timing system centerline wires have been broken
c) time penalty (up to 2 seconds added to the estimated race time)
d) loss of the right to start in particular race
e) elimination from the race
f) removal from the event location, especially for dangerous behaviour, breaking the fair-play rules or disturbing the races
g) elimination from the round (with points and awards cancelled).

11.2 Fine must be paid within 15 minutes after the penalty order. If the fine payment deadline is exceeded, the participant is disqualified.

11.3 Fine is not a damage compensation. Legal damage compensation will be priced additionaly. Unpaid fines will be prosecuted.

§12 Protests

12.1 The participant racing in a pair has the right to question the result achieved by its rival, if he thinks the result was achieved not in accordance with the Regulations.

12.2 Protests should be delivered in writing to the PHRA with a deposit of 500 PLN, within 10 minutes after the results publication. Protests can also be delivered during the races of particular class or before the races.

12.3 The deposit is refundable is the protest is justified. If the protest is not justified, a time penalty of 2 seconds is charged against the driver result and the deposit cannot be repaid.

12.4 Protests concerning suspicion of exceeding engine displacement limits or any other protests demanding engine or vehicle dissasemblation will be justified at the service station selected by the organizer. Costs are paid by the party which arguments are not accepted by the judging commision. The organizer has right to demand an additional 1500 PLN fee for possible judgement costs. Both participants and persons selected by them (2 persons maximum for each participant) have right to be present at the vehicle technical examination. The vehicle is secured by the organizer. If participant refuses securing the vehicle the penalties are in use - the participant is disqualified.

12.5 The PHRA will hear the parties and pass the judgement, without opportunity of appealing.

§13 Scoring

13.1 The drivers who won in their classes places I-VIII receive the following number of points:

I place - 10 points,
II place - 8 points,
III place - 6 points,
IV place - 5 points,
V place - 4 points,
VI place - 3 points,
VII place - 2 points,
VIII place - 1 point.

13.2 The winners of I-III places receive cups.

13.3 Places I-IV are awarded with points according to the semifinals and finals results, places V-VIII - according to the qualifying session results.

13.4 The organizer has the right to order the quarterfinals based on the knock-out system (I-VIII, II-VII, III-VI, IV-V) and then semifinals and finals. In that case points for places V-VIII will be awarded according to the quarterfinals results. When quarterfinals, semifinals and finals are not possible to run (if measuring system damaged or in all causes independent from the organizer) the final classification is based on the qualifying session ET+RT results.

§14 Final classification of the Gecko Cup

14.1 The driver is classified in a particular season in a starting class if finished at least one Gecko Cup round in this class.

14.2 The driver is awarded with the Gecko Cup points if completes at least one race and wins any place from I to VIII. The race is completed when the ET+RT is measured and displayed. False starts and disqualifications mean the race is not completed.

14.3 All points gathered during the Gecko Cup rounds will be taken into account for the final annual classification.

14.4 The winner in the final classification for the starting class is the driver with the highest number of points in this class.

14.5 In case of equal number of points among several drivers, the higher place will be awarded to the driver with higher number of particular rounds participations - and then - higher positions won in particular rounds. If the result is still equal then the position awarded at the last Gecko Cup round is decisive.

14.6 (obsolete)

14.7 Team classification of the Gecko Cup is ordered if at least 4 teams are classified during the season. The team means 3 racing licensed drivers. Winning places are determined by the sum of all points gathered by each team member, in accordance with point 14.3. Each driver can gather points from only one starting class. If the result of several teams is equal then the team points awarded at the last Gecko Cup round are decisive.

14.8 Team applications and information about chosen classes should be submitted during the any Gecko Cup round or sent to the PHRA (biuro@sss.org.pl). Necessary data: team name, members personal data, chosen classes, starting numbers, type and number of racing license. Any points gained by the team members before the team application are not the team points.

§15 (obsolete)

§16 Final regulations

16.1 The organizer is not responsible for any goods left, lost or left without attendance which were destroyed or taken by other people. The organizer is not responsible for any damages or losses caused by the participants to other people or their possessions during the races. The organizer has the right to call the participant responsible for any damage or loss for a compensation.

16.2 The PHRA reserves the right to interpretation of the Regulations.

16.3 The organizer has the right to order the showcase races (not classified within the Gecko Cup).

16.4 Detailed schedule of each event will be published on www.sss.org.pl.

16.5 Once the participant has entered the event area he is obligued to respect and fulfill the Regulations published on www.sss.org.pl website, recommendations and instructions of the organizers, umpires, security and other persons entitled by the PHRA. The drivers are prohibited from being under influence of intoxicating liquor or controlled or prohibited substance before the Gecko Cup round and during the races.

16.6 The participant is obligued to fulfill the safety rules and to respect the 20 kph (15 mph) speed limit within the event area. The speed limit is not valid during the race participation. The organizer has the right to remove any persons dangerous for other people from the event area.

16.7 The spectators are obligued to park cars and motorcycles at the parking place. Driving within spectators zone is not allowed. Crossing the boundary of the spectators zone is prohibited (especially entering the race track).

16.8 The participants driving out of the race track are obligued to give way to pedestrians and to take precautions against any dangerous situations.

16.9 The participants compete in the races at their own risk with full knowledge of the risks involved in the races (especially threat to life or health). The organizer and the races management are not responsible for any damages or losses caused by the participants to other people or their possessions during the races.


Appendix no 1 (obsolete)


Appendix no 2

2009 Gecko Cup rounds schedule:

a) Warsaw (Bemowo Airfield)
b) Borsk
c) Kamien Slaski
d) Warsaw (Bemowo Airfield)


Appendix no 3 (obsolete)

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