MATPA

General Rules for 2009, 2010, and 2011

1. Membership is mandatory; one day membership is $5, yearly is $25
2. Drivers under the age of 18 must have written parental consent (signed form good for 1 season) and be able to demonstrate control of their tractor (steering, clutching, stopping, and backing).
3. Tractors in ALL divisions will have to pass tech committee inspection. A sticker will be provided for each tractor passing tech inspection. A tractor must have that sticker displayed to pull. The sticker will be good for one season, but a tractor may still be subject to inspection if protested.
4. There will be a full pull line used at ALL pulls. The full pull line will be positioned according to available track length. A full pull will be declared when the front of the sled is at or passed the full pull line.
5. The official pull measurement is to be taken from the sled’s reading. The cones at the end of the track are for reference purposes only.
6. If any contact point of the tractor touches or crosses the out of bounds line the pull will be disqualified. It is the driver’s responsibility to stay inbounds. The out of bounds line will be marked from the start line to the full pull line.
7. Exhaust pipes MUST go straight up or down. Curved pipes are not allowed.
8. Drivers must stay in the seat of the tractor at all times. One hand must be on the steering wheel, hand brake, hand clutch or throttle at all times during the pull.
9. Any tractor or puller found to be unsafe or illegal may be disqualified or barred from hooking. This includes excessive use of alcohol.
10. Any weight falling off of and separated from the tractor after being hooked to the sled and until unhooked will result in disqualification. (example-if still held on by strap there is no DQ)
11. Gas, diesel or LP only. Gas can be used with a maximum specific gravity of 750. No alcohol or nitrous oxide allowed. All tractors are subject to random fuel checks.
12. Enhanced electrical systems permitted in all classes.
13. No locked rear-ends..
14. All tractors equipped with swinging seats must have a positive stop to prevent contact with rear tires.
15. All rules will be interpreted by the MATPA Board. Any unforeseen problems or oversights will be ruled on by the Rules Committee with their findings being final.
16. Protests must be made by a puller in that class. A protest must be made to a track official before the tractor leaves the track. The protester's tractor will also be checked. Any tractor found illegal for the same offense more than once will the banned from all MATPA Points Pulls for the calendar year (January 1 – December 31).
17. A guideline for entries will be that no entry for a class will be accepted after the class has started, and no more than 3 classes per tractor.
18. 5 MPH speed limit in the pit/scale area. This includes 4-wheelers/support vehicles. Anyone observed violating this rule will be told to load and go home.

Rules will not be changed for a period of three years with the exception of a safety issue.