Rules and Regulations

What is Autocross? 

An autocross event is a timed driving competition where participants navigate a course marked by cones in a controlled environment. For the Sebring Autocross, the controlled environment is Sebring International Raceway’s famous Ulmann Straight and Turn 17. Drivers compete individually against the clock, with the fastest time winning, and penalties for knocking cones down or going off course. The course layout will emphasize car handling, driver skill, and maneuverability rather than high speeds. The Sebring Autocross course is well defined so that memory is not required to remain on course. 

Who do I race against? 

You race in your class for the fastest time. Vehicles go down the track one at a time trying to achieve the fastest time in their class. 

Do I need a Helmet? 

Yes, helmets meeting the following standards must be worn while on course: Snell Memorial Foundation standards EA 2016, SA2020, SA2015, SA2010, SAH2010, M2020D, M2020R, M2015, M2010, K2020, K2015, K2010; SFI standards 31.1/2020, 31.1/2015, 31.1/2010, 41.1/2020, 41.1/2015, 41.1/2010; FIA standards 8859-2020, 8860-2018, 8860-2018-ABP, 8859-2015, 8860-2010. Full face or modular helmets shall be worn while competing in an open wheel car, formula car, or kart. Face shield, goggles, or similar face protection (conventional eyeglasses are not sufficient) shall be worn while competing in any other vehicle with less than the standard-size windshield. For maximum protection, helmets must fit securely and should provide adequate peripheral vision. The chin strap must be securely fastened. 

Will helmets be available for rent? 

No  

Will there be a Course Walks?  

Yes, drivers may walk the course before the competition begins. 

Do I have to have working headlights? 

Yes, BOTH headlights must be working. 

Do I need a Driver License? 

Yes, all competitors must have a valid driver’s license. No exceptions 

Is there an age requirement? 

Yes, all competitors must be at least 18 years of age with a valid driver’s license. No exceptions 

Can I have a passenger ride with me? 

Yes, one ride-along passenger is permitted. Passengers must be at least 18 years of age with a Florida ID. All passengers must wear helmets. Ride-alongs are $20 per person.  

How are the classes structured? 

All our classes are structured to be as fair and competitive as possible given the types of vehicles that typically compete in Auto Crossing events. All classes that are not in a race tire class must run a tire with a 200 tread wear rating or higher. Vehicles running in any of our Race Tire classes must run a 200 tread wear or lower rated race tire compound. 

What do I wear while competing?  

Drivers are required to wear a minimum of a standard T-shirt and shorts with closed-toed shoes. No Sandals, Tank Tops, or sleeveless shirts permitted for racers. 

Do I have to wear a seat belt? 

All competitors and passengers must wear seat belts while on course and competing. Vehicles are to have all seat belts in factory OEM positions or via a harness that is secured to the chassis via roll bar or securing system that is up to safety standards. 

Event Start Requirements 

All drivers are expected to have passed tech inspection requirements for the Sebring Autocross prior to the event start. Prior to the event’s start there will be a driver’s meeting, and a course walk through. All drivers are to have filled out the Sebring Autocross forms and waivers with their information and classes prior to the driver’s meeting and course walk through. If a driver does not attend driver's meeting the driver will not be permitted to race until they receive a safety brief. Driver will have to wait to have a private meeting with organizer for safety brief. Refunds will not be issued for late drivers or no-show drivers.  

Timing Standards 

All Vehicles are instructed when to start by Sebring Autocross staff, and timing occurs from the indicated start to the indicated finish. If drivers come off course or have mechanical issues, drivers will receive a DNF time for that lap. Vehicles are sent down the track when the current vehicle on the track is 3/4 of the way to the finish point. 

Penalties

Drivers that hit cones are penalized -2 seconds per cone hit. Drivers that are seen purposely drifting will be given a -5 second penalty for their first and DNF for their second penalty. 

Re-Runs

Drivers that are on course and blocked by an off course or DNF vehicle prior to finishing their lap are permitted to re-run. 

CLASSES 

Rear Wheel Drive Classes 

RWDS - Rear Wheel Drive Stock is a naturally aspirated vehicle with tire tread wear over 200. 

RWDM- Rear Wheel Drive Modified is a naturally aspirated vehicle with 200 tread wear tires 

RWDFIS - Rear Wheel Drive Forced Induction Stock is a vehicle that has a turbo or is supercharged with tire tread wear over 200. 

RWDFIM- Rear Wheel Drive Forced Induction Modified is a vehicle that has a turbo or is supercharged with 200 tread wear tires 

Front Wheel Drive Classes 

FWDS - Front Wheel Drive Stock is naturally aspirated with tire tread wear over 200 

FWDM- Front Wheel Drive Modified is naturally aspirated with tire 200 tread wear tires 

FWDFIS- Forced Induction Front Wheel Drive Stock has turbo or supercharger with tire tread wear over 200 

FWDFIM- Front Wheel Drive Modified, has turbo or supercharger with 200 tread wear tires 

All Wheel Drive Classes 

AWDS - All Wheel Drive Stock, vehicle with tire tread wear over 200. 

AWDM- All Wheel Drive Modified, vehicle with 200 tread wear tires 

Specialty Classes 

MCS - Muscle Car Stock is an American Muscle Car with tread wear over 200 

Examples are Mustangs, Camaros and Challenger  

MCM - Muscle Car Modified are American Muscle Cars with 200 tread wear tires 

Examples are Mustangs, Camaros and Challenger  

EV- Electric Vehicles are any Eletric vehicle. 

SUPER STOCK - High performance exotic car or super cars.  

Porsche, McLaren, Ferrari Aston Martin, Mercedes SL AMG 

UNLIMITED OVERALL – cars with tires under 200 tread wear, any other class is automatically participating in overall class. 

All Modified Class Requirements & Specifications for Coupes and Sedans  

Must have sports car, coupe or sedan body originally produced by an automobile manufacturer. Moderate customizing permitted. Vehicle roofs may not be cut or lowered. All tops must retain original windshield and rear window angle. Body may not otherwise be altered in height, frame width, length or contour. Removal of cosmetic front body panels prohibited. OEM type fiberglass/carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, grille and doors permitted. Full fendered, steel-bodied roadsters and convertible coupes/sedans allowed full top and windshield. Convertibles require roll bar or factory Active Roll-over Protection. All entries must have fully operative mechanical/electric door handles to permit exit/entry from either side. 

FENDERS: Four full fenders required for body used. Exact duplicates in fiberglass permitted. Rear fenders may be cut for clearance of wider tires. Altered fenders must have edges re-rolled or beaded. Wide body fender modifications permitted with the exception to full chassis tub modifications. 

FIREWALL 

Firewall is Mandatory. 

FLOOR 

Mandatory. Fuel cell floor modifications permitted only to allow for fuel cell installation. No chassis modifications to areas like wheel wells or areas other than motor cradles and subframes. 

HOOD 

Carburetors and fuel injectors must be completely covered. Intake filter and carburetors must remain covered with no direct opening to carburetors or injection systems. Hoods may be made of Fiberglass and/or carbon fiber. Hoods, no matter the material, must be securely tied down via OEM or aftermarket tie downs. 

RADIATOR 

Larger-than-original radiators may be used. Modified tubular supports to accommodate modified radiators or forced induction set ups permitted without chassis changes. 

SPOILER 

All spoilers must be secured and safely mounted on the vehicle. No restrictions on size. 

WINDSHIELD and WINDOWS 

Windows may be replaced with clear Plexiglas or Lexan, .125inches minimum thickness. Windows must be closed during competition. Front windshield must retain OEM glass angle; no cracks in windshield permitted. 

BATTERY 

All cars must be self-starting. Wet cell batteries must be located in the engine bay or trunk. Wet cell batteries are not allowed in passenger or driver areas of vehicle. Battery relocation to the trunk must be tied down and covered. Must be self-starting.  

BRAKES 

Must be operated by foot pedal mounted in conventional manner. Bigger brake pads, rotors, and calipers are permitted. 

DRIVER 

Must be in stock location. Seat(s) may be moved rearward for added leg room, not to exceed 10" from stock location. 

Roll Cage 

Roll Cages are Permitted.  

FRAME 

Stock only, altered automotive-type or tubular frame construction not accepted. No tubular front halves or back halves permitted. Factory frame rails are required. No full tubbed chassis modifications permitted. Front end chassis modifications are only permitted from the front suspension towers forward. No removal or weight reduction of chassis panels, portions or segments. Chassis reinforcement permitted without chassis panel or portion removal. Tubular sub frames for engine swaps are permitted. 

SUSPENSION 

Must be equipped with at least one shock absorber per wheel. Otherwise suspension pickup points must remain OEM factory positions. Stock style suspension  

TRACTION BARS 

Traction bars and/or mounting brackets must not be lower than lowest edge of front/rear wheel rim.  

WHEELBASE 

Must retain OEM wheelbase. Axles-body location must remain as originally produced.  

WHEELS 

Aftermarket wheels permitted.  

TIRES 

Minimum UTQG Tread wear Grade of 40. Minimum molded tread depth of 5/32" as specified by the manufacturer. R compound tires and race tires permitted. 

ENGINE 

One automobile engine required. Year, make and model optional. Any modifications may be made to engine and/or components. Engine may not be relocated. Engine swaps permitted and must be in stock location no exceptions, front-to-rear drive conversions, or drive type transfer modifications. Dry sump oil system permitted. Any type of intake system allowed. Tubular sub frames permitted for engine swaps only.  

EXHAUST SYSTEM 

Open exhaust, split manifolds and/or individual headers permitted, must be permanently and securely attached.  

FUEL SYSTEMS 

Fuel cells recommended, may be mounted in trunk. The top of the fuel tank may not be higher than the top of the rear tire. Must be vented to outside of body. For vehicles with fuel cells in the cabin fuel cells require a fire blanquette. 

GASOLINE 

All fuels permitted. Vehicle must be self-starting.  

TRANSMISSION 

Must have full transmission, manual or automatic. Any year, make, model or gear ratio accepted. Vehicles may not relocate transmission to accept front-to-rear conversions. Clutch-assisted automatics allowed. 

REAR END 

Locked differentials permitted. Tubular sub-frame support is also permitted. 

VEHICLES NOT ALLOW: Trucks, SUV, Mini-Vans, Vans, three wheeled motorcycles, motorcycles, Fiat 500 (except Abarth) and cars with a high center of gravity.  See charts below to see if your vehicle is allowed to compete. 

CONDUCT: 

• All participants must act respectfully toward organizers, workers, and other drivers. 
• Unsportsmanlike behavior (yelling, threats, arguing with officials) will not be tolerated. 
• Any protest must be submitted in writing to the organizers within 10 minutes of the last timed run. 

RULES CONTINUED 

1. All competitors must have a valid driver’s license. 
2. Competitors are required to wear seat belts and approved helmet.   
3. Alcohol may not be consumed within the gates of Sebring International Raceway. 
4. The use at an event by any participant of any federal Schedule 1 controlled substance (including marijuana or other drugs that affect the ability of the participant to safely participate in the event or may otherwise adversely affect the safety or integrity of the event is specifically prohibited. CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES MAY ALSO IMPAIR PERFORMANCE SO COMPETENT MEDICAL AUTHORITY SHOULD BE CONSULTED PRIOR TO USING SUCH MEDICINES AND PARTICIPATING IN THE EVENT. Any participant who violates this prohibition: a. Shall not seek to participate in the event. 
5. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Any driver who drives unsafely at/near the event location or displays unsportsmanlike conduct shall be disqualified.  
6. Children under twelve (12) years of age shall be prohibited in the staging, grid, start, finish, and course areas. All children must be under parent supervision at all times. 
7. Smoking (including e-cig, PV, or ENDS use) is not permitted in grid or staging areas.  
8. Cars may not be off the ground, in gear, while running for tire shaving, tire cleaning, or other reasons. Exception: Vehicles which have snowmobile-derived drivetrains, such as Formula 500/440, may be started with the rear wheels off the ground. If a car with a snowmobile-derived train is started with the rear wheels on the ground, a driver must be on board. 
9. Drivers are not allowed to be intoxicated or have any traces of alcohol in their blood system. 
10. All loose items must be removed from the vehicle. 
11. Drivers are responsible for the actions of their guests.  
12. The event will run rain or shine unless conditions are deemed unsafe by the organizers. In the event of cancellation, updates will be communicated via email or social media. 
13. ASSUMPTION OF RISK Solo® is a potentially dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. Participation in all aspects of the activity is voluntary. The ultimate responsibility for participant and vehicle safety lies with the participant, vehicle owner, driver, and crew members. The participant agrees that by entering an event, the participant has had the opportunity to inspect the event site and acknowledges that the event site is safe and suitable for competition. The participant also acknowledges that by participating in the event, the participant may suffer bodily injury or death, or loss or damage to property. The participant further acknowledges that the participant has voluntarily assumed the risk of bodily injury or death or loss or damage to property and waives any claims against Sebring Autocross or Sebring International Raceway. Drivers injury or death, or loss or damage to property against Sebring Autocross, its directors, officers, employees/agents, event officials, event sponsors, racetrack operators, site owners/operators, and other participants; discharges such persons and entities from responsibility for such losses; and covenants not to sue such persons and entities for bodily injury or death or loss or damage to property. 
14. Any competitor with a known medical condition (including pregnancy) which could affect their ability to compete may do so only with the concurrence of their personal physician. 

Register now to secure your spot at the Sebring Autocross event. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!