D1 Grand Prix USA Rules & Regulations:

The following rules are mandatory for ALL vehicles, drivers and teams participating in a D1 Grand Prix Series match, D1GP Qualifying Event and/or a D1GP Ikaten (driver search) event.

2007 D1 Grand Prix Vehicle Regulations: 

ALL COMPETITORS AND TEAM/MECHANICS MUST READ AND ACT IN ACCORDANCE.

Participating Vehicles

l       Only FR, RR, FF and MR drive-trains (two wheel drive cars) are allowed.

Ø         AWD to RWD conversions are permitted.

Ø         FWD to RWD conversions are permitted

l       Vehicles constructed by an automobile manufacturer solely for the purpose of racing are NOT prohibited.

Ø         Homologation cars previously released to be legal for the street use is permitted as an exception to this rule.

l        Only the stock body as constructed by an automobile manufacturer is allowed.
Each car must maintain the OEM uni-body structure. No tube chassis allowed. Tube frame chassis (including frame extensions) are not allowed in any D1 Competition, only exception is written below.

Ø         Exception is for any tube chassis cars as it comes from factory as street legal car, manufactured as street-legal, road cars (IE Lamborghini Diablo, Lotus Élan…)

Ø         Tube addition fore and aft of the axles, and as addition to the complete and non-modified body as reinforcements are permitted if approved and certified by D1 official prior to building. (Inner fender or firewall rigidity bars and strut tower braces)

l       VIN number needs to be visible on the vehicle. VIN # must remain in its original position and has to be identifiable.

Ø         Excludes non-USA, foreign sourced cars in which case VIN# can be substituted for manufacturer product ID tag.

l       Hard top must be installed on open roof vehicles.

Ø         Hardtop must be secured via safety devices or welded to the car, no clip-on, or temporary/ part time hard top devices are allowed.

l       Exterior must remain similar to original manufacturer design, and Interior must be complete with dashboard, front door inner/ interior panels and both front driver and passenger seats. These items may be substituted with non-flammable materials and constructions, but not omitted.

Vehicle modification regulations

l       The exhaust and intake (include all mechanical) sound level must be compliant according to event venue and city regulations. 92 decibels maximum is a rule of thumb, but may be stricter due to local, event-specific regulations. All cars must meet the venue specific noise regulations. (Including a catalytic converter and silencer if required. Please check with each venue/circuit and D1 Grand Prix event-specific rules before participating).

l       All vehicles must be equipped with a complete exhaust system with a muffler leading to outside the dimension of the vehicle, but not protruding more than 5cm and aft of the driver door rear trailing edge.

l       Placement of unauthorized decals in official D1 decal locations (on the front windshield and both driver and passenger side door glass) is prohibited.

l       Window tint / smoked glass are prohibited on all windows, except in cars equipped with slightly tinted glass as OEM part only, aft of the driver and front passenger side windows.

l       Vehicle must be equipped with headlights, brake lights, and emergency hazard lights.

l       Main frame (include fire walls) must be fully intact, must not be cut or sectioned.

l       Upper suspension mounting points must not be modified at the top of the strut tower and/or upper double wishbone link.

l       Dripping FLUID LEAKS OF ANY KIND will not pass technical inspections and will be disqualified.

l       Requirement of a 6 point or better roll cage, including driver side reinforcement beams, is strictly enforced (steel and chrome-molly grade, Main 6 Point Cage and Side Protection Beams must be constructed of high quality 1.5" OD X .095 DOM tubing). All roll cages must be securely welded to the frame. If bolted it must be securely reinforced with an anchor plate and backing plate sandwiched around the floor pan.  In addition, upper driver and passenger seatbelt anchor must be secured to the lateral roll cage bar aft of the seats, and no more than 1” above/below the shoulder pass-through holes in the seats.  

All competition cars with carbon, FRP, fiberglass or any non-metal doors must have the door impact protection “X” or double bars welded to both front (A-pillar cage section) and center pillars (B-pillar cage section).  The side reinforcement bars must be installed so that it provides easy vehicle ingress and egress. Furthermore, the bar must provide protection from impact. Side reinforcement beams must be welded onto the front side arches.

Vehicle/Driver Safety Regulations

1.)   Driver’s Side Door

-          Driver’s side window must be functional (must open & close, up and down as originally designed).

-          Acrylic / Plexiglas / Lexan windows are prohibited on both driver and passenger windows if it does not open and close normally. 

-          Passenger’s side window must be closed.

-          Front Windshield MUST remain OEM grade, laminated glass.

2.)   Fuel related tanks (fuel cells, collector tanks, NOS bottles) as well as wet type batteries, and oil coolers mounted inside the cockpit space, must be partitioned off completely within it’s own compartment, and/or sealed with approved containers.

3.)   Batteries must be securely fastened, positive terminals well insulated. If mounted inside the cockpit, battery must be covered or have leak proof box and strapped shut with approved devices.

4.)   Tow Hook

-          Vehicle must be equipped with front and rear tow hooks during competition. 

-          Tow hooks and their points of attachment must be secure and provide strength to pull with force of 2500lbs without damage.

-          Tow Hooks must be visible and easily identifiable and ready at all times.

-          Tow Hooks must also comply with the following:

o        Constructed of steel

o        Inner diameter of tow hook must be a minimum of 50mm (2 inches)

o        Ends of tow hook must be rounded on all corners

o        Must be painted yellow, orange, or red

-          Stock tow hooks may be utilized; however they must not be covered by any objects such as an aftermarket body kit, and exposed dimensionally and no further than 6 inches from leading and trailing edges of the car.

5.)   Safety Belts

-          Safety belts / harnesses must be 4 point or above

-          The width of Driver’s side seat belt / harness must not be less than 2 inches. (For additional safety, 3 inch-5 point belts are suggested however.)

-          Steel buckles and a quick release system must be intact.

6.)   Body Components / Wheels & Tires

-          Any aftermarket hoods, trunks, and rear hatches must be accompanied with hood pins.  (Anchors of the pins must be mounted securely to the hood and body structure)

-          Aero parts such as GT wings and canards must not exceed overall vehicle width and length  We reserve the right to remove any components that are considered hazardous or pose a threat to the safety of persons at the venue.

-          Protruding body components such as GT wings and canards must have rounded edges.

-          Steel or aluminum retaining clips and rails must accompany all rear acrylic / Plexiglass / Lexan windows. They must be bolted down or riveted to prevent detachment from the car while in motion.

-          Wheel spacers must not display any form of physical flaws, and made of high-tensile forged aluminum. 

-          Any vehicles manufactured 10 years or prior to event date are required to have recent hub bearing service of at least within the last one year prior to technical inspection for the day of event.

-          All exterior components including body, wheels and tires must be securely fastened to the vehicle by correct fasteners and be able to withstand a harsh impact without detaching from the vehicle.

7.)   Fire Extinguisher

-    Every vehicle must be equipped with a hand held fire extinguisher with valid and current expiration date and certified for automotive, electrical and petroleum fuel classification capability.

-          The extinguisher should be placed for reach and use by the driver.

-          The extinguisher must be secured in a vertical position with approved hanger. (riveted fastening is prohibited)

-          Metal straps that provide a single handed release mechanism enforced. (Zip ties are prohibited)

-          The extinguisher must be placed within arms reach of the driver and must be able to be accessed by the driver.

-          Common fire extinguisher standards such as capacity must be listed clearly on the label. Dry powder type extinguishers need to be re-packed every 3 years and display the expiration date.

-          Fire extinguishers with any sort of external damage are prohibited.

-          Fire extinguishing device must be present when fueling. Refueling must be performed with 2 persons. One person shall hold the fire extinguisher at the ready to be able to address any emergencies.

-          Regardless of whether the vehicle is in or outside of the pit area, mechanics refueling the vehicle must be outfitted with a fire resistant suit and a helmet.

8.)   All competitors must be equipped with a fire resistant face mask, race suit, full length socks, shoes, and gloves. 

9.)   All competitors must be equipped with a JIC or SNELL compliant helmet during competition. Half helmets and open faced helmets are prohibited. SNELL-SA approved helmets with 2000 Snell Foundation (SA2000 to year 2010) or later approved sticker inside. Head and neck restraints are optional but must be Snell Foundation (SA) approved. Face shields are mandatory.

D1 Grand Prix USA Sporting Regulations

1.) Regulations specific to qualifying and first round single runs.

A)       When abnormality on the rolling stock (the vehicle) was found before the grid positioning, the Team is allowed to change the run order/group to the following group (later position), if the driver reports it to the official grid control staff, or D1 Grand Prix track official.

B)       When the vehicle has entered the course, and on the way to the grid, the driver or the vehicle heads back into the paddock area or outside of the course, it is considered abandonment and will be ground for disqualification/forfeit.

C)       When abnormality was confirmed to a rolling stock (the vehicle) after entering the course, the driver must report the situation to a starter promptly. In such case, after an official inspects the vehicle, and the track official recognizes it to be incapable to compete, the vehicle will become disqualified.　

D)      Mechanics and crews are not allowed enter the “hot” course area unless authorized by an Official.

E)       You must not perform tire exchange / refueling on the course.  However, some maintenance in manners that does not disturb competition progress by a driver is possible.  (Simple suspension setup, shock valve rate changes or electrical fuse replacement, etc)

F)       When there is a competition vehicle on the course, delivery of items such as tools and parts to the course area is not possible from the outside areas of the course.

G)      When a driver or vehicle is not present at the grid at the starting position, and  unable to start on time, the driver is automatically disqualified from the competition.

2.) Regulations specific to the “Best 16, tandem “tsuiso” rounds.

A)       A Team Crew with proper credentials is allowed to enter the starting grid areas as per regulation exception during designated time.  This is venue specific and will be disclosed before the start of the event.

B)       A Track Official has the ultimate authority to remove some or all of the Team from the start area if deemed necessary for any reason.

C)       The maximum number of the mechanics/staff per team, who can engage in work, is four people at each round. Shared mechanic /staff resource is permitted, however time extensions will not be allowed for any service work.

D)      Tire changes and refueling is permitted on the start area of the course, but off the grid and in designated areas only.

E)       Regardless of whether the vehicle is in or outside of the pit area, mechanics refueling the vehicle must be outfitted with a fire resistant suit and a helmet.

F)       Fire extinguishing device must be present when fueling. Refueling must be performed with 2 persons. One person shall hold the fire extinguisher ready in case of any emergencies.

G)      Total restoration/repair of a vehicle or adjustments to the vehicle, as well as parts exchange, the time allocated between each paired match is exactly 5 minutes, including “sudden death” match. 

H)       Time for this 5 minutes repair time between runs, within the round, starts as soon as one car reaches the grid and official deems the vehicle and driver at the start to be ready.  When vehicle was not able to arrive at a start spot within five minutes, you are disqualified at that point.

3.) A Common matter

Before the signal is given by the starter to proceed with the competition run,

the “Start Line” shall not be crossed for any reason when on the grid and preparing to start.  Disqualification will result from such infraction.

Mandatory Official Series Sticker/Decal Placement:

All qualified drivers must receive the official decals and car numbers at the official D1 registration booth on the Qualifying day and place them as instructed.

Official Controlled Decal and Positions    

• Both left and right Fenders　

• Front Windshield

• Official decals would be placed only for final event competition vehicles (Top Singles Round, after Qualifying Rounds)

• All official decals must placed on specified places.

• Do not modify official decals.

• Vehicles in the Top Singles Round after Qualifying and missing required decals as mentioned above will be disqualified.

D1 Grand Prix USA Driver Licensing Regulations

2007 D1GP USA PARTICIPATION QUALIFICATION

1.)   All drivers who participated in D1 Grand Prix USA Round in 2006.

2.)   A driver who received (or obtained) a D1 license at “IKATEN” driver search in 2007. 　

D1GP USA LICENSE REGULATION

1.)   All drivers who participated in 2006 D1 Grand Prix USA Round are considered D1 Licensed Driver(s) for 2007 D1 Grand Prix USA.

2.)   If the D1 licensed was obtained at D1 “IKATEN” driver search in 2007, the license will be valid for a year from the date the license was obtained.  (For example, License will be valid until December of 2007 if a driver received D1 License in December of 2006.)

3.)    For 2007 D1 Grand Prix November Event Participants ONLY, all participants will automatically be allowed to extend the expiration of the D1 License for one year from the date of the event (November 24^th, 2007).

4.)   Effective as of the first event held in 2008, drivers who remain in top 30 will be allowed to extend the expiration of the D1 License for one year from the date of the event.  (For instance, D1 license will be valid until May of 2008 if a driver remains in Top 30 at D1GP USA event held in May 2007.  If a driver remains in Top 30 at both events held in March and May of 2008, D1 license will be valid until May of 2009.)

D1GP USA LICENSE TERM

1.)   For 2006 D1 Grand Prix USA Participant(s) ONLY, D1 License will be valid until November 25^th, 2007.

2.)   For Drivers who obtained D1 License in 2007, License is valid for one year from the date the license was issued.

3.)   For all 2007 D1 Grand Prix November event participants ONLY, D1 License will be valid and/or extended for ONE year from the date of the event.

4.)   From 2008 D1 Grand Prix Events, D1 license will be valid and/or extended for ONE year from the date of the event where a driver remained in Top 30.

    *The Driver(s) who lost the D1 License during the year of 2006-2007 must acquire a D1 License by participating in a D1 “IKATEN” driver search.  Otherwise, the driver(s)’ entry to D1 Grand Prix USA will not be accepted.

    *D1 License will be issued ONLY to driver(s) who has a valid driver’s license.