Safety at Hartwell Speedway
Prepare properly.
Stay alert.
Protect everyone.
Essential safety expectations for drivers, crews, officials, volunteers and spectators at Hartwell Speedway.
Safety Responsibility
Motorsports involve risk. Preparation matters. Attention protects lives.
Every participant is responsible for arriving with safe equipment, following instructions and avoiding conduct that may endanger another person.
Passing a technical or safety inspection does not guarantee that a vehicle or piece of equipment is free from defects. Drivers and teams remain responsible for inspecting and maintaining their equipment.
Safety Principles
Four responsibilities shared by everyone
Inspect
Inspect vehicles, personal protective equipment and work areas before activity begins.
Communicate
Listen to officials, RaceCeiver instructions, public-address announcements and emergency directions.
Control
Operate race cars, support vehicles and equipment slowly and responsibly outside the racing surface.
Report
Report unsafe conditions, spills, damaged barriers, injuries and defective equipment immediately.
Driver Protective Equipment
Protective equipment must fit properly, remain in serviceable condition and meet the final standard adopted for the division.
- Full-face helmet: A properly fitted motorsports helmet meeting Hartwell Speedway’s approved certification.
- Fire-resistant suit: A complete fire-resistant racing suit without holes, tears or damaged closures.
- Head-and-neck protection: Use the restraint system required by the driver’s age and racing division.
- Gloves: Fire-resistant racing gloves are strongly recommended and may be mandatory.
- Footwear: Fire-resistant racing shoes are strongly recommended.
- No loose equipment: Remove loose objects from the driver compartment before entering the track.
Seat, Harness and Driver Compartment
- Racing seat: Use an approved racing seat securely mounted to the roll-cage structure as required.
- Harness: Use a properly installed multi-point racing harness meeting the required age and condition limits.
- Mounting: Belt angles, anchors and hardware must follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
- Window net: Install the required driver-side window net or approved restraint for the applicable division.
- Windshield area: Install approved safety bars or screen where required after removal of windshield glass.
- Driver access: Latches and restraints must permit efficient driver release and emergency-responder access.
Roll Cage and Vehicle Construction
- Roll cage: The cage must comply with the applicable division’s material, design and installation rules.
- Door protection: Driver-side door bars and protective plating must meet division requirements.
- Sharp edges: Body panels, bumpers and brackets may not expose dangerous points or cutting edges.
- Tow points: Clearly accessible front and rear towing points are strongly recommended and may be required.
- Battery: The battery must be securely mounted, protected and isolated when relocated.
- Master disconnect: Install and clearly mark a master electrical disconnect where required.
Fuel and Fire Protection
- Fuel system: Fuel tanks, cells, lines, caps and vents must comply with the applicable division rules.
- Fuel-cell protection: A racing fuel cell must be secured and enclosed as required.
- Driver extinguisher: Install a securely mounted working extinguisher or approved fire-suppression system where required.
- Hauler extinguisher: Each race-team hauler should maintain an accessible, charged fire extinguisher.
- Refueling: Shut down ignition sources and use safe containers, funnels and spill-control practices.
- No open flames: Smoking, torches and other uncontrolled ignition sources are prohibited near fuel.
Communication and Race-Control Equipment
- RaceCeiver: A working one-way race-control receiver may be required in every division.
- Function test: Drivers should verify receiver operation before entering staging.
- Transponder: Install the scoring transponder in the specified location and protective holder.
- Flags and lights: Drivers must continuously observe flag signals, track lights and official hand signals.
- No unauthorized radio: Driver-to-crew radio communication is prohibited unless expressly permitted.
- Failed equipment: Report a failed RaceCeiver or transponder before entering competition.
Pit and Paddock Safety
- Controlled speed: Operate all vehicles at a walking or posted pit speed.
- Spotters: Use a spotter when backing haulers or moving equipment through congested areas.
- Jack stands: Never work beneath a vehicle supported only by a hydraulic jack.
- Hot components: Protect crew members from hot exhaust, brakes, radiators and pressurized cooling systems.
- Work area: Keep tools, cords, tires and parts inside the team’s assigned pit space.
- Children: Minors must remain under direct adult supervision and away from active vehicle movement.
On-Track Incidents
- Remain in the vehicle: After an incident, stay restrained unless fire, immediate danger or an official directs evacuation.
- Red flag: Stop promptly in a safe location and do not block emergency access.
- Do not approach: Never walk toward another vehicle, driver or active racing lane.
- Follow responders: Obey fire, medical, recovery and track-safety personnel.
- Damaged vehicle: A vehicle involved in an incident may be reinspected before returning to competition.
- Medical evaluation: Track personnel may require evaluation before a driver resumes participation.
Emergency Response
In an emergency, make room for trained responders
Unnecessary movement, crowding or unauthorized assistance can obstruct medical, fire and recovery personnel.
Alert an Official
Report an injury, fire, fuel leak or dangerous condition immediately.
Keep Access Clear
Do not block pit roads, gates, ambulance routes or fire lanes.
Do Not Crowd the Scene
Only assigned personnel should approach an active incident.
Follow Instructions
Evacuate, shelter or relocate when instructed by officials.
Spectator Safety
Enjoy the race from approved areas
Dirt-track racing may involve high noise levels, dust, flying debris, changing weather and moving vehicles.
Safe racing starts before the green flag
Review the general track rules and complete every required inspection before competition begins.