Rules

GENERAL RULES

SPECTATORS:

Box seats are available for sale for season or renting for the event.  Thundering Rock Raceway will keep a list of reserved and vacant box seats. If you are found in a box seat that was not properly reserved you will be asked to move to general grandstands on the first occurrence. If you are found a second time, you will be asked to leave.

SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED IN THE GRANDSTANDS! You will have to leave the grandstand and go down the ramp to smoke.

Patrons in the grandstands will not be permitted to go down the grandstand stairs into the space in front of the front stretch.

Security/Track officials are located in the grandstand and have the discretion to deal with issues how the deem fits. If patrons ignore, harass,  or fight with track officials they will be asked to leave.

There will be NO REFUNDS unless in the case of a special circumstance. Special circumstances have to be approved by track promoters.

PITS:

No admittance to the pit will be allowed until he or she has signed all the necessary releases and waivers for each event. Minors under the age of 18 MUST fill out a minor release and be accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Pit Gate SHALL NOT BE OPENED when it is closed. Only track officials are permitted into track and pit area before time set for gate opening. Pit gate is closed after the driver's meeting -- any late entry has to be let in by track officials with a $5 late fee, unless previous understanding made. Unauthorized opening of the pit gate can and will result in disqualification and/or suspension.

Thundering Rock Raceway reserves the right to accept or reject entry (car/truck owner, mechanic, person, and or driver) for any event.

Anyone admitted to the pit and racing area or participates in the competitions sanctioned or promoted by Thundering Rock Raceway or Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC does acknowledge, represent, and warrants that he or she has read, understands and agrees to abide by the rules and regulations in their entirety as set down by the promoters and/or track officials in charge of events under these rules, and that his or her permission to participate or enter the grounds shall constitute his/her acceptance of the same.

NO alcohol is permitted in the pit area. Anyone using alcohol or any altering substances prior to entering the pit area or while in the pit area will be asked to leave the property and subject to suspension for the rest of the racing season.

Any persons allowed in the pit area SHALL NOT CROSS TO INFIELD until given permission by track officials. Violation of this rule can and may result in suspension.

If you are asked to leave the pit area you will not be allowed re-entry or entry into the grandstand area.

PARKING:

General Parking  is FREE -- please follow directions of those at the front gates and follow them. We will not tolerate any of our volunteers being harassed, yelled at, or anything of the like. If there is an issue ask for one of the promoters. Pit parking for personal vehicles *not* carrying vehicle/trailer will be $5. Handicap parking is available in designated spots. If mobility issues are a concern from the spots, please let volunteers or management know and we will make arrangements. Pitting on the infield may happen periodically throughout the season. Parking in the pit is allowed. 

RAIN CHECK POLICY:

Events will be considered complete at the conclusion of qualifying, after that point rain checks are void. Any cancelled features will be made up at a later date at the tracks discretion. If event is cancelled prior to being considered complete, rain checks can be redeemed for face value at a future event. No rain checks will be redeemable for cash. Valid rain checks may be used for any remaining event during the same season (excluding fair or County events). At events with additional admission, the difference must be paid.

PAYOUT POLICY:

Payouts will be based on full field of cars. Promoters reserve the right to adjust the payout based on low car counts.

Payouts will be paid at the Security Building located near the Grandstand entrance.

Drivers will be paid the day of for events, unless otherwise noted or for a technical investigation

Drivers must complete a 1099 to be paid. Failure to complete the form may delay payment. 

Only drivers taking the initial green flag in a feature race and completing a full lap will be awarded a payout. 

Any driver who is disqualified will receive no pay for that event

Driver's will have 30 days from a qualifying race to claim their payouts. Anything after 30 days will be forfeited to the track. Payouts will not be mailed unless otherwise requested.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Registered driver is responsible for assuring their crew and families follow any and all rules

If an official observes any issues in a competitor's race car, equipment, or conduct they will report it to the Track Manager, Head Flagman, or Promoters who will then take whatever action they deem necessary to correct the issue. Such action may include, but is not limited to physical examinations, medical determinations, and car and/or driver disqualification and/or suspension.

By entering a race, competitors indicate that they are aware automobile racing involves risks and assumes these risks with full awareness and knowledge.

Through registration, you  have been given the authority and the privilege to be on this property, in conjunction with racing activities. This authority and privilege can be revoked at any time due to violation of raceway rules. 

When entering the raceway for scheduled events, car owners, drivers, pitmen, or agents agree to permit the Thundering Rock Raceway and Mountain Maryland Ventures and its assigned the use of their names and pictures, and picture of the car for advertising and publicity at Thundering Rock Raceway, both before and after any event; and do hereby relinquish all rights to any photos taken in connection with any event and give their permission to publish or sell the same.

Any persons on the Allegany County Fairgrounds property for any event sanctioned or promoted by Thundering Rock Raceway and/or Mountain Maryland Ventures must abide by any and all state and local laws. Anyone breaking the law will be subject to arrest.

Any person at an event sanctioned or promoted by Thundering Rock Raceway and/or Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC is subject to penalties for violation of any of the following, but not limited to; use of drugs or alcohol, fighting, communicating threats, speeding or driving erratically in the pit area, dumping grease or oil on the ground, dumping tires or debris of any kind onto Fairgrounds property, possession of a deadly weapon and/or forgery of track documentation, derogatory statements on social media, abusive language or actions towards track officials or track employees, violation of any of the listed rules, violation of any county, state, or federal laws.

Penalties for violation of the rules may include, but are not limited to disqualification, suspension, fines, and/or loss of points. If a driver is fined, unpaid fines will be take from payout monies. Drivers or car owners will not be allowed to compete until all fines are paid for drivers and/or crew. 

Suspension may be for a limited time or for entire season. Violations may also result in a permanent ban from the property during any event sanctioned or promoted by Thundering Rock Raceway and/or Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC.

If any patron is asked or forced to leave an event sanctioned or promoted by Thundering Rock Raceway there will be NO REFUNDS given.

Disciplinary action shall be at the sole discretion of the track and shall be final.

RULE BOOK DISCLAIMER 

The rules and/or regulations set forth herein are designed to provide for the orderly conduct of racing events and to establish minimum acceptable requirements for such events. These rules shall govern the condition of all events, and by participating in these events, all participants are deemed to have complied with these rules. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM PUBLICATIONS OF OR COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES AND OR REGULATIONS. They are intended as a guide for the conduct of the sport and are in no way a guarantee against injury or death to a participant, spectator, or official. 

The race director shall be empowered to permit reasonable and appropriate deviation from any of the specifications herein or impose any further restrictions that in his/her opinion does not alter the minimum acceptable requirements. NO EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF SAFETY SHALL RESULT FROM SUCH ALTERATION OF SPECIFICATIONS. Any interpretation or deviation of these rules is left to the discretion of the officials. Their decision is FINAL. 

The Management of Thundering Rock Raceway. 

2025 General Rules

Eligibility: 

1. Any car meeting technical, safety, and disciplinary standards set by the raceway management may compete in any division for which is legal. 

2. Any driver may compete in any and all divisions for which he/she has an appropriate car to do so. However, officials permission will be required for any experienced driver wishing to compete in an entry level class

3. ALL drivers are REQUIRED to use a RACEceiver radio to allow track officials to communicate. RACEceiver RADIO IS MANDATORY AT ALL TIMES!!

Qualifications:

1. Most races will be a heat race qualifying. Heats will be 5 laps for all divisions unless otherwise stated by the track manager or track promoter. 

2. Drivers are responsible for ensuring their car has been properly registered. Registration will close approximately 30 minutes prior to hot laps beginning. Any driver showing late or failing to register will be put to the rear end of the heat race line up. 

3. Relief or change of drivers are acceptable but must meet the following standards

   1. Officials must be notified before the event starts

   2. If the change happens after being registered but before qualifying the driver takes his assigned spot

   3. If the change happens after qualifying the driver will be forced to start at the rear of the feature event.

   4. The driver finishing the race will receive the points earned for the feature 

   5. The “car” will receive the money for which it finishes the feature

   6. If a driver tries to enter a second car they will be required to withdraw the first car in which it CANNOT be reentered into that night's event

4. In the event of a car being withdrawn from the lineup the field will move up to fill the appropriate vacancy(s). This will also be done on the INITIAL start when a driver loses their starting position. Once the race has begun no position changes are permitted and the field will be considered locked in

Insurance

4. 1. If you are injured while at the raceway, report to the Ambulance/EMTs for immediate assistance/treatment. You or someone with you needs to report the incident to track personnel before leaving the property

   2.  Pit entry payment and waiver signing, as well as posted signage, releases Thundering Rock Raceway and Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC, promoters, sponsors, and officials from and and all liability -- insurance carrier will be liable

   3.  Failure to sign the waiver shall nullify any and all claims against Thundering Rock Raceway and Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC, promoters, sponsors, officials, and insurance carrier for death or injury incurred prior to, during, or after the racing event.

   4. All participants, including, but not limited to owners, drivers, children, mechanics, pitmen, equipment operators, officials, and any agents of such, recognizing that automobile racing is a hazardous undertaking, assumes all of the risk by reason of his/her participation in, or association with automobile racing, and does for himself and/or herself, his and/or her, executors and administrators, successors and assigns, release and discharge Thundering Rock Raceway and Mountain Maryland Ventures, LLC, promoters, sponsors, and officials from any and all liability for personal injuries that may be received, and from all claims and damages for injury to persons or property, growing out of, or resulting from race, races or any other competition of any track or tracks equipment, cars, or other devices used therefore, whatsoever.

   5. Vehicles including towing equipment, wreckers, push trucks, and all other equipment located in the area or restricted parking area are not covered by insurance.

Pill Draw Qualifying: Heat races will be determined upon a pill draw.

1. Top heat race finishers will redraw for their feature starting position. Drivers eligible for redraw will be determined based on car counts and amounts of heats.

2. The remainder of the field will be lined up in order in which they finished the heat race to consist of a 24 car field.  

Regular Show Qualifying: Heat races will be determined upon a pill draw. Feature line up will be based on the finishing orders for the heat race. The previous week's feature winner will start no higher than 7th place if the driver qualifies higher than that starting position. 

Time Trial Qualifying: Drivers will pull a pill to determine their starting order for time trial qualifying. Lowest pill begins the time trial qualifying and will end with the highest pill. 

1. Drivers will be timed against only those in their designated heat race. Time trials will consist of two cars at a time unless an uneven number is presented or otherwise stated by the track manager or promoters. 

2. Fastest times in each group will be called to the registration table to do a redraw for the heat lineup. Number of positions to be redrawn will be determined by the amount of cars present. 

3. Any driver who did NOT make the fastest time list will file in order from fastest time to slowest time to fill out the remainder of the field.

4.  Drivers not present at the time of there qualifying will start at the rear 

Unpredicted Qualifying: This means of qualifying will be used when weather, time and or car count has to be taken into consideration. 

1. Drivers will be lined up based on the most up to date points starting highest to lowest

2. Drivers with no point standings will be placed at the rear of the field if more than one driver is present with no point standings they will be filled in by which order they showed

3. This means of qualifying will be used for ALL divisions on that nights program unless otherwise stated by the track manager or promoter 

Green (race) Flag Racing:

1. The HEAD flagman has complete and total control of the race

2. Drivers MUST remain in starting formation with no racing or passing until:

   1. Pole position passes the designated starting location on the raceway

   2. The leader will start the race and the head flagger will “throw” the green flag

   3. Jump starts will not be tolerated by any means. First jump will award the driver a warning. Two jumps will award the driver a two position penalty. The third jump will award the driver a DQ for the night with no points or pay out. Cars lagging behind will not be considered a jump if it occurs at the discretion of the starter.

   4. All restarts will be a single file restart and will be at the designated starting location

   5. Cars which are not at competitive speeds will be given the layover flag and MUST move outside of the racing groove 

   6. The feature will be considered a started event at the initial throw of the green flag

   7. The Head flagman will be given the option to do a single file start to include the initial start after their had been three unsuccessful attempts 

   8. Cars will exit only off of turn 4 into the pit area when pitted outside. Cars must exit off turn 3 or 4 when pitted inside 

   9. Cars will enter the track via turn 4 when pitted outside. Pit road into turn 1 when pitted inside

   10. Features on a nightly event will be the following unless otherwise stated

       1. Four Cylinders      12 Laps

       2. Crown Vics           12 Laps

       3. Pure Stocks          15 Laps

       4. Semi Lates           15 Laps 

       5. Modifieds     20 Laps

       6. Late Models         25 Laps

   11. Feature events having their distance changed will be

       1. Equipment Failure - One lap past halfway is official 

       2. Weather - One lap past halfway is official 

       3. Curfew - Upon curfew approaching the field will be given a warning and the event will be completed at curfew. Halfway is the official finish in this situation.

Yellow (caution) Flag Racing

1. ALL drivers not involved in the caution will slow down and fill in behind the leader immediately 

2. In the event of a caution before one complete lap the field will come to a complete restart. If there is one or more laps completed the field will file in for a single file restart.

3. Restart order will be as follows 

   1. Any lap the leader completes will be a counted lap as far at the total

   2. Any driver who completes the lap before the caution will be credited for that position 

   3. Any driver who does not complete the lap before the caution will not be credited and will be moved to the last credited position 

   4. Any car(s) stopping or leaving the racing surface from the initial green flag to the last lap will forfeit their credited position and will be moved to the rear of the field. Sufficient debris from a car which brings out a caution is included in this rule. Exceptions for stopping on the racing surface are for emergency vehicles or by official demand which may or may not result in the driver keeping their credited position.   

   5. Cars involved in the caution will fill in at the rear of the field in the order they leave the caution area or pit area 

   6. A car who is in some way responsible for the caution but does not stop on the raceway will be sent to the rear of the field 

   7. Any lapped cars will be placed at the rear of the field 

   8. Any driver causing 3 cautions will be black flagged 

   9. Absolutely no work will be performed on the racing surface during a caution. Drivers must enter their pit area to perform work and will be sent to the rear of the field. 

   10. Absolutely no crew members on the racing surface by any means

Red (emergency) Flag

1. All racing stops IMMEDIATELY

2. Unplanned red flags will permit the driver of the emergency on the racing surface 

3. No work will be permitted to any car

4. Line up will be based on Yellow flag C

5. Any car leaving the racing surface will start at the rear of the field 

6. Cars will line up in order in which they were last credited with the exception of those involved in the red flag. Red flag cars will line up in order at the rear of the field in which they join the field with lapped cars going to the complete rear

Black (disqualification) Flag

1. The black flag is to be used at the discretion of the head flagger

2. Drivers being blacked flagged must leave the racing surface immediately 

3. Drivers ignoring the black flag will result in the driver not being scored 

4. The use of the black flag is not permanent. If the issue can be resolved the driver may reenter the race at the rear of the field claiming the laps down if done so within the completion of the race. 

Technical Procedures

1. Any car that is present and wanting to compete MUST pass a pre race safety inspection. This will be done before the car enters the raceway for the first time and can be revisited if an official deems it necessary.

2. Feature winners will become official only after the tech team is satisfied with their findings

3. Any refusal of inspection will result in an automatic disqualification 

4. See rules for corresponding class for further information

Sportsmanship

1. Any protests (visual, technical or scoring) must be made to the proper official in an orderly and dignified manner.

2. Reckless driving or rough riding will result in an official warning and a period of probationary observation

   1. Further misconduct will result in suspension of racing at the Thundering Rock Raceway. Judging from the intent and results may result in a suspension on the first offense

3. Unsportsmanlike conduct, arguing, fighting, theft, vandalism, disrespect, misrepresentation at the raceway will result in a disqualification, fines and or suspensions.

4. Drivers who exit their car on the racing surface to create a nuisance, prolong an argument, or refuse to move the car when requested will result in a suspension 

5. No track official will be disrespected nor touched in an act of anger. This will result in an automatic disqualification and or suspension.

6. Drivers and car owners are responsible for the car, crews, and ALL associates of the car. The driver along with the above stated people will receive a disciplinary action based on the event.

Points Information:

Heats: 1st - 5 points, 2nd - 3 points, 3rd - 1 Point

Features:

1- 95 6- 72 11-58 16- 48 21- 38

2- 90 7- 69 12- 56 17- 46 22- 36

3- 85 8- 66 13- 54 18- 44 23- 34

4- 80 9- 63 14- 52 19- 42 24- 32

5- 75 10- 60 15- 50 20- 40 25 and Down- 30

Scoring: 

Thundering Rock Raceway will be responsible for scoring all drivers in all divisions. Scoring will be hand scored and tracked via google drive and paper copies. Cars will be scored in the position they are in when they cross the finish line under normal green flag racing conditions. The lap will be counted and scored if the leader crosses the finish line.