2016 Circuit Hero Supplementary Regulations

Pan Delta Super Racing Festival 2016 Circuit Hero Supplementary Regulations

The Zhuhai Motorsports Association will organize and Zhuhai International Circuit will promote the “Pan
Delta Super Racing Festival 2016” with the agreement of Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Sport
of People’s Republic of China (CAMF) and governed by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile
(FIA).

All the participating parties (ASN, Organisers, Competitors and Circuit) undertake to apply as well as
observe the rules, governing the event.

Should any dispute arise, the panel of the Stewards of the meeting will be the only authority to make a
decision (ISC-Art.11.9).

1) REGULATIONS

1. The final text of these Sporting and Specific Technical Regulations shall be the English version which will be used should any dispute arise as to their interpretation. Headings in this document are for ease of reference only and do not form part of these Supplementary and Specific Technical Regulations.
2. All races are governed by the FIA International Sporting Code (the Code) and its Appendixes (including Appendix J), the circuit General Prescriptions, and these Supplementary Regulations their relevant Appendixes / Bulletins, the “Zhuhai Motorsports Association Sporting Regulations 2016” and all the communications or final instructions issued by the Organizer.
3. Clarification, interpretation and arbitration of any rules, requirements and regulations not covered by the FIA ‘General Prescriptions’ and Specific Regulations, Sporting Code, Technical Regulations, the “Zhuhai Motorsports Association Sporting Regulations 2016”, these Supplementary and all the communications or final instructions issued by the Organizer shall be decided by the stewards of the meeting.

2) GENERAL UNDERTAKING

All drivers, competitors and officials participating in the Event undertake, on behalf of themselves, their employees and agents, to observe all the provisions as supplemented or amended of the International Sporting Code (the Code), the Technical Regulations, FIA Official Bulletins and the present Supplementary Regulations.

3) GENERAL CONDITIONS

3.1 It is the competitor’s responsibility to ensure that all persons concerned by his entry observe all the requirements of the Code, the Technical Regulations and the Supplementary Regulations. If competitor is unable to be present in person at the Event he must nominate his representative in writing. The person having charge of an entered car during any part of an Event is responsible jointly and severally with the competitor for ensuring that the requirements are observed.

3.2 Competitors must ensure that their cars comply with the conditions of eligibility and safety throughout practice sessions and the race.

3.3 The presentation of a car for scrutineering will be deemed an implicit statement of conformity.

a) All persons concerned in any way with an entered car or present in any other capacity whatsoever in the paddock, pits, pit lane or track must wear an appropriate pass at all times.

b) The competitor shall declare that to the best of his belief his driver(s) possess(es) the standard of competence necessary for an event of the type to which the entry relates, that should his driver(s) at the time for the event be suffering from any disability whatsoever he shall declare the disability to the Stewards prior to the driver(s) driving on the track, that the vehicle entered is suitable and roadworthy for the event having regard to the track and the speed that will be reached and that he, his driver(s) and team members enter upon and use the track and its facilities entirely at his or their own risk.

4) ELIGIBLE DRIVERS AND COMPETITORS

All drivers and competitors must hold current and valid COMPETITION LICENCES, authorizations issued by their ASN(s). A driver must also be in possession of a current medical certificate of aptitude, either included on the competition license or on an attached document.

All documents must be presented at the event at the times stated in the appropriate Appendix

5) EVENT

5.1 The Event will have the status of a RESTRICTED ZONE INTERNATIONAL and/or NATIONAL Event.
5.2 The Event is restricted by invitation.
5.3 The Event shall include all practices and race.
5.4 All practices and race will be carried out as stated in the appropriate Appendix.
5.5 The race lengths will be as stated in the appropriate Appendix.
5.6 The Event will take place in Zhuhai International Circuit.
5.7 The Organizer reserves the right to postpone, abandon or cancel the Event or part thereof. In the event of abandonment, cancellation or of postponement for more than 48 hours, the Competitor will have no right of claim against the Promoters or the Organizer in respect of any prize moneys or loss of expenses that he may have incurred or may incur as a result.

6) SCHEDULE AND OFFICIALS

The Provisional list of officials is noted in the appropriate Appendix.

The Provisional Schedule for Scrutineering / Equipment / Document Checks / Practice / Qualifying sessions is noted in the appropriate Appendix.

The Race start time is noted in the appropriate Appendix.

7) OFFICIALS

7.1 The following officials will be nominated by the Organizer :

• three Stewards of the meeting one of which will be the Chairman;
• the Clerk of the Course.

7.2 The Clerk of the Course, the Stewards must be present at the Event on the date of initial scrutineering.

7.3 The Clerk of the Course must be in radio contact with the Chairman of the Panel at all times when cars are permitted to run on the track. Additionally, the Clerk of the Course must be in race control and in radio contact with all marshals’ posts during these times.

7.4 The Clerk of the Course shall have authority in the following matters:

a) the control of practice and the race, adherence to the timetable and, if he deems it necessary, the making of any proposal to the Stewards to modify the timetable in accordance with the Code or Supplementary Regulations ;

b) the stopping of any car in accordance with the Code or Supplementary Regulations ;

c) the stopping of practice or suspension of the race in accordance with the Supplementary Regulations if he deems it unsafe to continue and ensuring that the correct restart procedure is carried out ;

d) the starting procedure ;

e) the use of the safety car.

8) ENTRIES

Detail of drivers’ entry information will be indicated in Appendix One

9) PASSES – TEAM IDENTIFICATION

Detail will be indicated in Appendix One

10) INSTRUCTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS TO COMPETITORS

10.1 The Stewards or Clerk of the Course may give instructions to competitors by means of special circulars in accordance with the Code. These circulars will be distributed to all competitors who must acknowledge receipt.

10.2 All classifications and results of practice and the race, as well as all decisions issued by the officials, will be posted on the official notice board.

10.3 Any decision or communication concerning a particular competitor should be communicated to
him forthwith in writing within 30 minutes of such decision and receipt must be
acknowledged.

11) INCIDENTS

11.1 Incident means any occurrence or series of occurrences involving one or more drivers or any
action by any driver, which is reported to the Stewards by the Clerk of the Course (or noted by
the Stewards subsequently investigated ) which :

• a) necessitated the suspension of a race under Article 37 ;
• b) constituted a breach of these Supplementary Regulations or the Code ;
• c) caused a false start by one or more cars ;
• d) caused an avoidable collision ;
• e) forced a driver off the track ;
• f) illegitimately prevented a legitimate overtaking manoeuvre by a driver ;
• g) illegitimately impeded another driver during overtaking ;
• h) caused a pit lane infringement;
• i) unless it was completely clear that a driver was in breach of any of the above, any incidents involving more than one car will normally be investigated after the race.

11.2

• a) It shall be at the discretion of the Stewards to decide upon a report or a request by the Clerk of the Course, if a driver or drivers involved in an incident shall be penalised.
• b) If a driver is involved in a collision or Incident (see Article 11.1), and his team have been informed of this by the Stewards no later than Thirty minutes after the race has finished, he must not leave the circuit without their consent.

11.3 The stewards may impose the penalty below on any driver involved in an incident:

• a) A drive through penalty. The driver must enter the pit lane and re-join the race without stopping.
• However, should the penalty above be imposed and notified during the last three laps, or after the end of a race, the Article 11.3.a) will not apply, instead a time penalty of 30 seconds will be added to the elapsed race time of the car concerned.
• b) A time penalty.
• c) A reprimand.
• d) Deletion of a driver’s qualifying lap(s) or time.
• e) Drop of any grid position.
• f) A fine.
• g) Exclusion from the results.

Should the Stewards decide to impose the penalty provided for in Article 11.3.a), the following
procedure shall be applied:

• - From the time the Stewards’ decision is notified on the timing monitors and / or on theLINE, the relevant driver and his car may cross the LINE on the track no more than oncebefore entering the pit lane.

12) PROTESTS AND APPEALS

12.1 Protests shall be made in accordance with the Code and accompanied by a fee in cash of CNY5,000 ( FIve thousand Chinese Yuan “Renminbi”)

12.2 In case of a team to team technical protest, an additional bond of CNY5,000 (five thousand Chinese Yuan “Renminbi”) for each specific part of the vehicle will be lodge with the organizer and returned to the protester if the protest is upheld or paid to the protested team in the case of an invalid protest. Each protest will only cover one specific item.

12.3 Appeals must be made in accordance with the International Sporting Code. Appeal fee will be in cash of CNY20,000 (twenty thousand Chinese Yuan “Reminbi”)

12.4 Appeals may not be made against decisions concerning the following:

• a) The penalties imposed under Article 11.3.a), b), c), including those imposed during the last three laps or after the end of the race.
• b) Any penalty imposed under Article 28.5.
• c) Any decision taken by the Stewards in relation to Article 31.4.
• d) Any penalty imposed under Article 33.5 or Article 38.3.

13) SANCTIONS

The Stewards may inflict the penalties specifically set out in these Supplementary and Specific Technical Regulations in addition to or instead of any other penalties available to them under the Code.

14) DRIVING

14.1 The driver must drive the car alone and unaided.

14.2 A driver may not deliberately leave the track without justifiable reason.

14.3 More than one change of direction to defend a position is not permitted. Any driver moving back towards the racing line, having earlier defended his position off-line, should leave at least one car width between his own car and the edge of the track on the approach to the corner.

14.4 Manoeuvres liable to hinder other drivers, such as deliberate crowding of a car beyond the edge of the track or any other abnormal change of direction, are not permitted.

14.5 Drivers must use the track at all times. For the avoidance of doubt the white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not.A driver will be judged to have left the track if no part of the car remains in contact with the track.Should a car leave the track for any reason the driver may rejoin. However, this may only be done when it is safe to do so and without gaining any advantage.

14.6 As soon as a car is caught by another car which is about to lap it during the race the driver must allow the faster driver past at the first available opportunity. If the driver who has been caught does not allow the faster driver past, waved blue flags will be shown to indicate that he must allow the following driver to overtake.

Any driver who is deemed to be ignoring the waved blue flags will be reported to the Stewards
of the meeting.

15) RACE NUMBERS AND DRIVER’S NAME

15.1 Each car must carry the race number assigned by the Organiser for its driver. The number stickers will be provided by the Organizer. All numbers must be in position before scrutineering. The number stickers must be placed on the bonnet / nose of the car and on each side of the car and the Scrutineer may reject any vehicle whose numbers stickers is not provided by the Organizer.

15.2 Every competitor must display the name of the driver and his national flag on the bodywork or
on the outside of the cockpit. These must be clearly legible.

15.3 The position above the start numbers must be left free for possible use by the Organizer for
their sponsor’s identification to a height of 12 cm. and equal in width to the number background.

15.4 Additional requirements relating to the start numbers may be noted in the relevant Appendix, specific Sporting Regulations or subsequently issued notices.

16) PROMOTION

16.1 Drivers must take part in any promotional activity requested by the organizers including , but not limited to autograph sessions, prize giving, press conferences, pit road walkabouts and pre-race parades. This is in addition to Article 30.

16.2 The drivers, competitors and manufacturers give the right to the Organiser to use their name for any promotional, advertising, publicity and public relations purpose, for the promotion of the Event.

16.3 Use of the Organiser logo by the competitors, manufacturers and drivers or their agents or representatives is prohibited other than by prior permission in writing from the Organiser.

17) NUMBERS OF CARS PARTICIPATING

The number of cars allowed to start each race and practice will be based on the Circuit homologation.

18) ELIGIBLE CARS

All vehicles must comply with the requirements noted in the Specific Technical Regulations relevant to the appropriate category.

19) FUEL

19.1 98 RON unleaded gasoline available at the ZIC fuel station is the specification fuel for the event.

19.2 No other fuel or grades of gasoline may be used for practice, qualifying or race. Additives are not permitted. A fuel sample may be taken at any time during the course of a meeting in order to verify that the regulations are strictly observed.

20) PIT ENTRY, PIT LANE AND PIT EXIT

20.1 The section of track between the first safety car line and the beginning of the pit lane will be designated the “pit entry”.

20.2 The section of track between the end of the pit lane and the second safety car line will be designated the “pit exit”.

20.3 The pit lane will be divided into two lanes, the lane closest to the pit wall will be designated the “fast lane” and the lane closest to the garages will be designated the “inner lane”.

Other than when cars are at the end of the pit lane under Article 33.3 the inner lane is the only area where any work can be carried out on a car. However, no work may be carried out in the fast lane if it is likely to hinder other cars attempting to leave the pit lane.

20.4 Unless a car is pushed from the grid at any time during the start procedure, cars may only be driven from the teams designated garage area to the end of the pit lane.

20.5 Any car(s) driven to the end of the pit lane prior to the start or re-start of a practice session, or any car(s) required to stop at the pit exit during a safety car period, must form up in a line in the fast lane and leave in the order they got there unless another car is unduly delayed.

20.6 Any driver that is required to start the race from the pit lane may not drive his car from his teams designated garage area until the 10 minute signal has been given and must stop in a line in the fast lane. Under these circumstances working in the fast lane will be permitted, but any such work is restricted to :

• starting the engine and any directly related preparation
• changing of wheels when a climatic change has been confirmed
• When cars are permitted to leave the pit lane they must do so in the order they arrived at the end of the pit lane unless another car is unduly delayed. At all times drivers must follow the directions of the marshals.

20.7 Other than drying, sweeping of any tyre rubber left when cars leave their pit stop position, competitors may not attempt to enhance the grip of the surface in the pit lane unless a problem has been clearly identified and a solution agreed to by the Chief Scrutineer.

20.8 Competitors must not paint lines on any part of the pit lane.

20.9 Other than in Article 20.6 above no equipment may be left in the fast lane. A car may enter or remain in the fast lane only with the driver sitting in the car behind the steering wheel in his normal position even when the car is being pushed.

20.10 Team personnel are only allowed in the pit lane immediately before they are required to work on a car and must withdraw as soon as possible.

20.11 It is the responsibility of the competitor to release his car after a pit stop only when it is safe to
do so.

20.12 Starting an engine with an external device will be considered working on the car, consequently this will not be permitted in the fast lane of the pits. (deleted)

20.13 Under exceptional circumstances the Clerk of the Course may ask for the pit entry to be closed during the race for safety reasons. At such times drivers may only enter the pit lane in order for essential and entirely evident repairs to be carried out to the car.

20.14 During the course of an official qualifying session, all competing cars must remain in the pit lane whilst not on the track. At no time will competing cars be allowed in their garage or the paddock areas until such time as the official qualifying session has ended and the car has been cleared from any post-qualifying scrutineering checks and released from the Parc Fermé, except with the express permission of the Chief Scrutineer.

21) SPORTING CHECKS

21.1 During initial scrutineering, and at any time during the event, each competitor must have available all documents required by Article 4.

21.2 Unless a waiver is granted by the Stewards, competitors who do not keep to time limits will not be allowed to take part in the Event.

21.3 The Organiser may require competitor to fit an Electronic Self Identification Module for the purpose of accurate timing, the exact position of which will be advised prior to the race. These modules will have to be in place and switched on for all practice sessions and the race.

22) SCRUTINEERING

22.1 Initial scrutineering of the car will take place at the times indicated in the appropriate Appendix.

22.2 Race numbers and any official advertising must be on the car for inspection during scrutineering.

22.3 No car may take part in the Event until it has been passed by the scrutineers.

22.4 The scrutineers may :

• a) check the eligibility of a car or of a competitor at any time during the Event ;
• b) require a car to be dismantled by the competitor to make sure that the conditions of eligibility or conformity are fully satisfied ;
• c) require a competitor to pay the reasonable expenses which exercise of the powers mentioned in this Article may entail ;
• d) require a competitor to supply them with such parts or samples as they may deem necessary.

22.5 Any car which, after being passed by the scrutineers, is dismantled or modified in a way which might affect its safety or call into question its eligibility, or which is involved in an accident with similar consequences, must be re-presented for scrutineering approval.

22.6 The Clerk of the Course may require that any car involved in an accident be stopped and checked.

22.7 After each race and all qualifying practice sessions at least five classified cars may be selected and must undergo scrutineering.

22.8 Checks and scrutineering shall be carried out by duly appointed officials who shall be responsible for the operation of the Parc Fermé and who alone are authorised to give instructions to the competitors.

23) TYRE LIMITATION DURING THE EVENT

23.1 Wet-weather tyres may be used only after the track has been declared wet by the Clerk of the Course for the session (Free Practice, Qualifying) and the races.

23.2 Dry-weather tyres and Wet-weather tyres may not be mixed on a race car.

24) WEIGHING

24.1 All vehicles must comply with the requirements noted in the technical regulations to the appropriated races.

24.2 Only scrutineers and officials may enter the weighing area. No intervention of any kind is allowed there unless authorized by such officials.

24.3 In the event of any breach of these provisions for the weighing of cars the Stewards may drop the driver such number of grid positions as they consider appropriate or exclude him from the race.

25) GENERAL CAR REQUIREMENTS

No signal of any kind may pass between a moving car and anyone connected with the car’s competitor or driver save for lap timing purposes, legible messages on a pit board, body movement by the driver and verbal communication between a driver and his team by radio

26) SPARE CARS

Spare cars are not permitted.

27) GENERAL SAFETY

27.1 Official instructions will be given to drivers by means of the signals laid out in the Code. Competitors must not use flags similar in any way whatsoever to these.

27.2 Drivers are strictly forbidden to drive their car in the opposite direction to the unless this is absolutely necessary in order to move the car from a dangerous position. A car may only be pushed to remove it from a dangerous position as directed by the marshals.

27.3 Any driver intending to leave the track or to go to his pit or the paddock area must signal his intention to do so in good time making sure that he can do this without danger.

27.4 a) During practice, qualifying and the race, drivers may use only the track and must at all times observe the provisions of the Code relating to driving behaviour on circuits.

b) Other than by driving on the track, competitors are not permitted to attempt to alter the grip of any part of the track surface.

27.5 a) If a car stops on the track it shall be the duty of the marshals to remove it as quickly as possible so that its presence does not constitute a danger or hinder other competitors. If any mechanical assistance results in the car rejoining the Stewards may drop the driver such number of grid positions as they consider appropriate if the incident occurs during a practice session or qualifying or exclude him from the race (other than under Article 27.12d).

b) A driver who abandons his car must leave it in neutral or with the clutch disengaged and with the steering wheel in place.

27.6 Repairs to a car may be carried out only in the paddock, pits and on the grid.

27.7 Refuelling is not permitted during Practice and qualifying sessions or the race.

27.8 The replenishment of any liquids is forbidden following the start of the race until after post race scrutineering.

27.9 Save as specifically authorised by the Code or these Suplementary Regulations, no one except the driver may touch a stopped car unless it is in the paddock, the teams designated garage area, the pit lane or on the starting grid.

27.10 At no time may a car be reversed in the pit lane under its own power.

27.11 At no time may a car be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which could be deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.

27.12 During the periods commencing five minutes prior to and ending five minutes after every practice session and the periods between the commencement of the formation lap which immediately precedes each race and the time when the last car enters the Parc Fermé, no one is allowed on the track, the pit entry or the pit exit with the exception of :

• a) Marshals or other authorised personnel in the execution of their duty ;
• b) Drivers when driving or on foot, having first received permission to do so from a marshal ;
• c) Team personnel when either pushing a car or clearing equipment from the grid after all cars able to do so have left the grid on the formation lap ;
• d) Team personnel when assisting marshals to remove a car from the grid after the start of the race.

27.13 During a race, the engine may only be started with the starter except: In the pit lane or the teams designated garage area where the use of an external starting device is allowed.

27.14 Drivers taking part in practice sessions and the races must always wear the clothes and helmet
specified in the Code.

27. 15 A speed limit of 60km/h will be enforced in the pit lane. Except in the race, any driver who exceeds the limit will be fined minimum CNY500 (five hundred Chinese Yuan “Renminbi”). During the race, the Stewards or Clerk of the Course may impose the penalties under Article 11.3a) and fine minimum CNY500 (five hundred Chinese Yuan “Renminbi”) on any driver who exceeds the limit.

27.16 If a driver has serious mechanical difficulties during a practice session or the race he must leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so.

27.17 Only four team members per participating car (all of whom shall have been issued with and wearing special identification) are allowed in the signalling area during practice and the race.

27.18 People under 18 years of age are not allowed in the pits, pit lane, on the pit wall and on the
starting grid.

27.19 Animals, except those which may have been expressly authorised by the Organiser for use by security services, are forbidden in the pit area and on the track and in any spectator area.

27.20 The Stewards, the Clerk of the Course or the Chief Medical Officer can require a driver to have a medical examination at any time during an Event.

27.21 Failure to comply with the general safety requirements of the Code or these Supplementary Regulations may result in the exclusion of the car and driver concerned from the Event.

28) PRACTICE SESSIONS

28.1 Save when these Supplementary Regulations require otherwise, pit lane and track discipline and safety measures will be the same for all practice sessions as for the race.

28.2 No driver may start in the race without taking part in a qualifying practice session unless the Stewards agree to take free practice times into consideration.

28.3 During all practice sessions there will be a green and a red light at the end of the pit lane. Cars may only leave the pit lane when the green light is on. Additionally, a blue flag or a flashing blue light will be shown at the pit exit to warn drivers leaving the pit lane if cars are approaching on the track.

28.4 If a car stops during a practice session it must be removed from the track as quickly as possible so that its presence does not constitute a danger or hinder other competitors. If the driver is unable to drive the car from a dangerous position, it shall be the duty of the marshals to assist him.

If technical means are used by the marshals to remove the car to a safe position, this assistance cannot be used to help the driver/car concerned to rejoin the session.

28.5 In the event of a driving infringement during any practice session, the Stewards may drop the driver such number of grid positions as they consider appropriate. Unless it is completely clear that a driver committed a driving infringement any such incident will normally be investigated after the relevant session, any penalty imposed shall not be subject to appeal. Where appropriate, regard will also be given to the provisions of Article 13.

28.6 The Clerk of the Course may interrupt a practice session as often and for as long as he thinks necessary to clear the track or to allow the removal of a car. Whenever possible, the time lost by the suspension of a practice and qualifying session shall be recovered so that the minimum scheduled period for the session may be accomplished. However, it is not compulsory to resume the session or re-run the session to achieve the time criteria. The decision of the Stewards in this matter shall be final. No protest will be accepted as to the possible effects of the interruption / shortened session on the qualification of any Driver. Any driver taking part in any practice session who, in the opinion of the Stewards, stops unnecessarily on the circuit or unnecessarily impedes another driver shall be subject to the penalties referred to in Article 28.5.

28.7 Should one or more sessions be thus interrupted, no protest can be accepted as to the possible effects of the interruption on the qualification of drivers admitted to start.

28.8 All laps covered during qualifying practice will be timed to determine the driver’s position at the start in accordance with Article 31.

29) STOPPING THE PRACTICE

Should it become necessary to stop a practice session because the circuit is blocked by an accident or because weather or other conditions make it dangerous to continue, the Clerk of the Course shall order a red flag and the abort lights to be shown at the Line. Simultaneously, red flags will be shown at all marshal posts. When the signal is given to stop, all cars shall immediately reduce speed and proceed slowly back to their respective pits, and all cars abandoned on the track will be removed to a safe place. At the end of each practice session no driver may cross the Line more than once.

30) PRESS CONFERENCES

Drivers must make themselves available to attend Press Conferences as directed. After each final qualifying session all the drivers are required to make themselves available to attend a press conference in the media centre. This will normally take place 15 minutes after the end of the qualifying practice session.

31) THE GRID

31.1 At the end of the last qualifying practice, the fastest time achieved by each driver will be officially published.

31.2 The grid for the race will be drawn up in the order of the fastest qualifying time achieved by each driver during the qualifying sessions. Should two or more drivers have identical times, priority will be given to the one who set it first.

The starting grid will be published after the final qualifying. Any competitor whose car is unable to start for any reason whatsoever (or who has good reason to believe that their car will not be ready to start) must inform the Clerk of the Course accordingly at the earliest opportunity and, in any case, no later than one hour and fifteen minutes before the start of the formation lap.

If one or more cars are withdrawn, the starting grid will be closed up accordingly and the final starting grid confirmed one hour before the start of the formation lap. Should two or more drivers have identical times, priority will be given to the one who set it first.

31.3 The fastest driver will start the race from the pole position on the grid which has been designated as such by the FIA Circuit License.

31.4 Any driver whose best qualifying lap exceeds 110% in his respective class of the fastest time will not be allowed to take part in the race. Under exceptional circumstances however, which may include setting a suitable lap time in a previous free practice session, the Stewards may permit the car to start the race. Application should be make no later than ONE hour after the “Qualifying-Provisional classification”  published.

Should there be more than one driver accepted in this manner, their order will be determined by the Stewards. In either case, a team will not be able to appeal against the Stewards' decision.

31.5 a) Standing Start:
The grid will be in a staggered 1 x 1 formation and the rows on the grid will be separated by 9 meters.
b) Rolling Start:
The Grid will be in 2 x 2 formation and the rows on the grid will be separated by 9 meters.

31.6 Any car which has not taken up its position on the grid by the time the five minutes signal is shown will not be permitted to do so and must start from the pits in accordance with Article 33.3 and 34.2.

32) MEETINGS

32.1 A Drivers’ meeting will take place on the venue and time indicated in Appendix Three, all drivers entered for the Event and their team managers must be present. Any driver or team not attending and signing the attendance sheet at the meeting will be brought before the Stewards for their consideration and subject to penalty of CNY1000.

32.2 A further meeting, if deemed necessary by the Clerk of the Course may take place and at a time to be notified to the competitors.

33) STARTING PROCEDURE / ROLLING START

33.1 The race will use a rolling start.

33.2 15 minutes before the time for the start of the formation lap, the cars will leave the pit lane exit to cover one or more reconnaissance laps. After the completion of the reconnaissance laps they will stop on the grid in starting order with their engines stopped.

Should they wish to cover more than one reconnaissance lap, this must be done by driving down the pit lane observing the pit lane speed limit between each of the laps.

Any car which has not taken up its position on the grid by the time the five minute signal is shown will not be permitted to do so and must start from the pit lane in accordance with Art. 33.3.

33.3 12 minutes before the start of the formation lap, a warning signal announcing the closing of the pit exit in 2 minutes will be given.

10 minutes before the start of the formation lap, the pit exit will be closed and a second warning signal will be given.

Any car which is still in the pit lane exit can start from the pit lane exit, provided it reached the end of the pit lane exit under its own power. If more than one car is affected, they must line up in the order in which they reached the end of the pit lane exit.

All such cars may then join the race once the whole field has passed the end of the pit lane for the first time after the start.

33.4 The approach of the start will be announced by board signals shown ten minutes, five minutes, three minutes, one minute and finally thirty seconds before the start of the formation lap, each of which will be accompanied by an audible warning.

When the five minute signal is shown, everybody except drivers, officials and team technical staff must leave the grid.

33.5 When the five minute signal is shown, all cars must have their wheels fitted and the car must be resting on their wheels, after this signal wheels may only be removed in the pit lane, or may only be removed if the car has been moved out of the fast lane during a race suspension.

The Penalty under Article 11.3a) will be imposed on any driver whose car did not have all its wheels fully fitted at the five minute signal.

33.6 When the one minute signal is shown, engines should be started and all team personnel must leave the grid by the time the 30 second signal is given, taking all equipment with them. If any team personnel or team equipment remain on the grid after the 30 second signal has been shown, the driver of the car concerned must start the race from the pit lane as specified in Article 33.3. A penalty under Article 11.3 a) will be imposed on any driver who fails to start the race from the pit lane. If any driver needs assistance after the 30 second signal he must indicate this to the marshals, when the remainder of the cars able to do so have left the grid, marshals will be instructed to push the car into the pit lane. In this case, marshals with yellow flags will stand beside any car (or cars) concerned to warn drivers behind.

33.7 When the green lights are illuminated or by waved green flag the cars will begin the formation lap with the Organizer’s official leading car leading, maintaining their starting order. When leaving the grid, all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position. Marshals will be instructed to push any car (or cars) which remain on the grid into the pit lane by the fastest route immediately after the cars able to do so have left the grid, the mechanics may then work on the car again. If successful the car may then start from the pit lane.

Any driver being pushed from the grid may not attempt to start the car and must follow the instructions of the marshals.

33.8 During the formation lap practice starts are forbidden and the formation must be kept as tight as possible.

33.9 Overtaking during the formation lap is permitted only if a car is delayed and cars behind cannot avoid passing it without unduly delaying the remainder of the field. In this case, drivers may only overtake to re-establish the original starting order, providing it is safe to do so.

Any car who is delayed leaving the grid may not overtake another moving car if he was stationary after the remainder of the cars had crossed the Line, and must start the race from the back of the grid. If more than one car is affected, they must form up at the back of the grid in the order they left to complete the formation lap.

33.10 The speed of the Organizer’s Official Leading Car (as which a Safety Car will be used) must be around 80 kph during the formation lap. The Official Leading Car will pull off at the end of the formation lap. The cars will continue on their own with the pole position leading at a constant speed between 70 kph and a maximum of 90 kph. A judge of fact will monitor the speed of the car in pole position by radar. Any divergence between the prescribed speeds (70/90 kph) before the start is given will result in a drive-through penalty.

During the formation lap the red light will be on. The starting signal will be given by green lights. However, the race shall not be considered to have started until the cars pass the Start/Finish LINE and timing shall commence when the leading car passes that Start/Finish LINE (as described in the Code).

Overtaking is allowed only and exclusively after the cars have crossed the Start/Finish Line; until this time, all cars must hold their positions.

33.11 a) During the start of a race, the pit wall must be kept free of all people, with the exception of properly authorized officials and fire marshals, all of whom shall have been issued with and shall be wearing the appropriate pass.

b) If a problem arises when the cars reach the Start/Finish Line at the end of the formation lap, the red light will stay on. Yellow flags will be displayed at all observation posts. The cars, with the pole position leading, will complete a new formation lap that will follow the same rules as above; as the Official leading car will no longer be on the track, the driver in pole will be responsible for the speed, which must comply with the regulations governing speeds in the presence of the Official leading car.

c) If additional formation laps are necessary, the start will be considered as having been given at the end of the first formation lap. The Race Starter will be the judge of fact.

All cars starting from the pit lane must be stopped by the marshals at the pit lane exit. These cars are considered to have started as soon as released by the marshals. The lights at the pit lane exit must be observed strictly. Cars starting from the pit lane will have completed their first lap as soon as they cross the Start/Finish line for the first time.

33.12 Only in the following cases will any variation in the starting procedure is allowed:

a) If it starts to rain after the five minute signal but before the race is started and, in the opinion of the Clerk of the Course, Teams should be given the opportunity to change tyres, the abort lights will be shown on the Line and the starting procedure will begin again at the ten minute point.

b) If the start of the race is imminent and, in the opinion of the Clerk of the Course, the volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be negotiated safely even on wet weather tyres, the abort lights will be shown on the Line. Once the start time is known at least ten minutes warning will be given.

c) If the race is started behind the safety car, Article 36.15 will apply.

33.13 The Stewards may use any video or electronic means to assist them in reaching a decision. The Stewards may overrule judges of fact. A breach of the provisions of the Code or these Sporting Regulations relating to the starting procedure may result in the exclusion of the car and driver concerned from the Event.

34) STARTING PROCEDURE / STANDING START

34.1 15 minutes before the time for the start of the formation lap, the cars will leave the pit exit to cover one or more reconnaissance lap. After the completion of the reconnaissance laps they will stop on the grid in starting order with their engines stopped.

Should they wish to cover more than one reconnaissance lap, this must be done by driving down the pit lane at greatly reduced speed between each of the laps.

shown, will not be permitted to do so and must start from the pit lane in accordance with
Article 34.2.

34.2 12 minutes before the start of the formation lap, a warning signal announcing the closing of the pit exit in 2 minutes will be given.

Any car which has not taken up its position on the grid by the time the five minutes signal is 10 minutes before the start of the formation lap, the pit exit will be closed and a second warning signal will be given.

Any car which is still in the pit lane exit can start from the pit lane exit, provided it reached the end of the pit lane exit under its own power. If more than one car is affected, they must line up in the order in which they reached the end of the pit lane exit.

All such cars may then join the race once the whole field has passed the end of the pit lane for the first time after the start.

34.3 The approach of the start will be announced by board signals shown ten minutes, five minutes, three minutes, one minute and thirty seconds before the start of the formation lap, each of which will be accompanied by an audible warning.

When the five minute signal is shown, everybody except drivers, officials and team technical staff must leave the grid.

34.4 When the five minute signal is shown all cars must have their wheels fitted and the car must be resting on their wheels, after this signal wheels may only be removed in the pit lane, or may only be removed if the car has been moved out of the fast lane during a race Suspension. The Penalty under Article 11.3a) will be imposed on any driver whose car did not have all its wheels fully fitted at the five minute signal.

34.5 When the one minute signal is shown, engines should be started and all team personnel must leave the grid by the time the 30 second signal is given, taking all equipment with them. If any driver needs assistance after the 30 second signal he must indicated this to the marshals, when the remainder of the cars able to do so have left the grid, marshals will be instructed to push the car into the pit lane. In this case, marshals with yellow flags will stand beside any car (or cars) concerned to warn drivers behind.

34.6 When the green lights are illuminated or by waved green flag, the cars will begin the formation lap with the pole position driver leading. When leaving the grid, all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position. Marshals will be instructed to push any car (or cars) which remain on the grid into the pit lane by the fastest route immediately after the cars able to do so have left the grid, the  echanics may then work on the car again. If successful the car may then start from the pit lane.

Any driver being pushed from the grid may not attempt to start the car and must follow the instructions of the marshals.

34.7 During the formation lap practice starts are forbidden and the formation must be kept as tight
as possible.

Overtaking during the formation lap is only permitted if a car is delayed and cars behind cannot avoid passing it without unduly delaying the remainder of the field. In this case, drivers may only overtake to re-establish the original starting order, providing it is safe to do so.

Any car who is delayed leaving the grid may not overake another moving car if he was stationary after the remainder of the cars had crossed the Line, and must start the race from the back of the grid. If more than one car is affected, they must form up at the back of the grid in the order they left to complete the formation lap.

34.9 When the cars come back to the grid at the end of the formation lap, they will stop on their respective grid positions, keeping their engines running.

There will be a standing start, the signal being given by means of lights activated by the starter appointed by the Clerk of the Course.

Once all the cars have come to a halt the five second signal board will appear and any time after that the race will be started by extinguishing all red lights.

34.10 During the start of a race the pit wall must be kept free of all persons with the exception of four people from each team and properly authorised officials and fire marshals all of whom shall have been issued with and shall be wearing the appropriate pass.

34.11 If after returning to the starting grid at the end of the formation lap a problem arises, the following procedures shall apply:

a) If a car develops a problem that could endanger the start, the driver must immediately indicate this to the marshal and the marshal responsible for that row must immediately wave a yellow flag.

If the Clerk of the Course decides the start should be delayed, the green lights will be illuminated or waved green flag ，two seconds after the abort lights are switched on, a board saying “EXTRA FORMATION LAP” will be displayed and all cars able to do so must complete a further formation lap whilst the car which developed the problem is moved into the pit lane.

When leaving the grid to complete the extra formation lap all drivers must respect the pit lane speed limit until they pass pole position.

The Team may then attempt to rectify the problem and, if successful, the car may then start from the end of the pit lane. Should there be more than one car involved their starting order from the pit lane will be determined by the order in which they reached the end of the pit lane.

Every time this happens the race will be shortened by one lap.

b) If any other type of problem arises and the Clerk of the Course decides the start should be delayed the following procedure shall apply:

h) If the race has not been started, the abort lights will be switched on, a board saying "DELAYED START” will be displayed, all engines will be stopped and the new formation lap will start five minutes later with the race distance reduced by one lap.

The next signal will be the three minute signal. Every time this happens, the race will be shortened by one lap.

Tyre changing on the grid is not permitted during such a delay.

• If the race has been started the marshals alongside the grid will wave their yellow flags to inform the drivers that a car is stationary on the grid.
• If, after the start, a car is immobilised on the starting grid, it shall be the duty of the marshals to push it into the pit lane by the fastest route. Any driver being pushed from the grid may not attempt to start the car.
• Once the car is in the pit lane his mechanics may attempt to start it, if successful the driver may rejoin the race. The driver and mechanics must follow the instructions of the track marshals at all times during such procedure.

34.12 Should Article 34.11 apply, the race will nevertheless count towards the final result no matter how often the procedure is repeated, or how much the race is shortened as a result.

34.13 No refuelling will be allowed on the grid if more than one start procedure proves necessary
under Article 34.11.

34.14 The penalties under Article 11.3a) will be imposed for a false start.

34.15 Only in the following cases will any variation in the start procedure be allowed:

a) If it starts to rain after the five minute signal but before the race is started and, in the opinion of the Clerk of the Course teams should be given the opportunity to change tyres, the abort lights will be shown on the Line and the starting procedure will begin again at the ten minute point.

b) If the start of the race is imminent and in the opinion of the Clerk of the Course, the volume of water on the track is such that it cannot be negotiated safely even on wetweather tyres, the abort lights will be shown on the Line. Once the start time is known at least ten minutes warning will be given.

c) If the race is started behind the safety car, Article 36.15 will apply.

34.16 The Stewards may use any video or electronic means to assist them in reaching a decision. The Stewards may overrule judges of fact. A breach of the provisions of the Code or these Sporting Regulations relating to the starting procedure, may result in the exclusion of the car and driver concerned from the Event.

35) THE RACE

35.1 Team orders which interfere with a race result are prohibited.

35.2 During the race, drivers leaving the pit lane may only do so when the light at the end of the pit lane is green and on their own responsibility. A marshal with a blue flag, and/or a flashing blue light, will also warn the driver if cars are approaching on the track.

35.3 If a car stops during the race, it must be removed from the track as quickly as possible so that its presence does not constitute a danger or hinder other competitors. If the driver is unable to drive the car from a dangerous position, it shall be the duty of the marshals to assist him. If any such mechanical assistance ( for example tow, crane, snatch vehicle, telescopic handler or the like ) results in the engine starting and the driver rejoining the race, the car will be excluded from the results of the race.

If technical means are used by the marshals to remove the car to a safe position, this assistance
cannot be used to help the driver/car concerned to rejoin the race.

36) SAFETY CAR

36.1 The approved safety car will be driven by an experienced circuit driver. It will carry an approved observer capable of recognising all the competing cars, who is in permanent radio contact with race control.

36.2 15 minutes before the start of the formation lap the safety car will take up position at the front of the grid and remain there until the five minute signal is given. At this point (except under 36.15 below) it will cover a whole lap of the circuit and take up position.

36.3 The safety car may be brought into operation to neutralize a race upon the order of the Clerk of the Course.

It will be used only if competitors or officials are in immediate physical danger but the circumstances are not such as to necessitate suspending the race.

36.4 When the order is given to deploy the safety car, all marshals’ posts will display waved yellow flags and “SC” boards for the duration of the intervention.

36.5 No car may be driven unnecessarily slowly, erratically or in a manner which is deemed potentially dangerous to other drivers or any other person at any time whilst the safety car is deployed. This will apply whether any such car is being driven on the track, the pit entry or the pit lane.

36.6 The safety car will join the track with its orange lights illuminated and will do so regardless of where the race leader is.

36.7 All competing cars must then reduce speed and form up in line behind the safety car no more than five car lengths apart.

36.8 With the exceptions of the cases listed under a) to h) below, no driver may overtake another car on track, including the safety car, until he passes the Finish Line for the first time when the safety car is returning to the pits. However, if the safety car is still deployed at the beginning of the last lap, or is deployed during the last lap, Article 36.14 will apply.

The exceptions are :

• a) If a driver is signalled to do so from the safety car ;
• b) under 36.15 below ;
• c) When entering the pits a driver may pass another car including the safety car remaining on the track after he has reached the first safety car line ;
• d) When leaving the pits a driver, including the safety car may overtake or be overtaken by another car on the track before he reaches the second safety car line ;
• e) When the safety car is returning to the pits it may be overtaken by cars on the track once it has crossed the first safety car line ;
• f) Whilst in the pit lane or pit exit a driver may overtake another car which is also in one of these three areas.
• g) Any car stopping in its designated garage whilst the safety car is using the pit lane (see 36.11 below) may be overtaken ;
• h) if any car slows with an obvious problem.

36.9 When ordered to do so by the Clerk of the Course, the observer in the car will use a green light or green flag to signal to any cars between it and the race leader that they should pass.

These cars will continue at reduced speed and without overtaking until they reach the line of cars behind the safety car.

36.10 The safety car shall be used at least until the leader is behind it and all remaining cars are lined
up behind him.

Once behind the safety car, the race leader must keep within five car lengths of it (except under 36.12 below) and all remaining cars must keep the formation as tight as possible.

36.11 Under certain circumstances the Clerk of the Course may ask the safety car to use the pit lane. In these cases, and provided its orange lights remain illuminated, all cars must follow it into the pit lane without overtaking. Any car entering the pit lane under these circumstances may stop at its designated garage area.

36.12 When the Clerk of the Course decides it is safe to call in the safety car, it must extinguish its orange lights, this will be the signal to the drivers that it will be entering the pit lane at the end of that lap.

At this point the first car in line behind the safety car may dictate the pace and, if necessary, fall more than five car lengths behind it.

In order to avoid the likelihood of accidents before the safety car returns to the pits, from the point at which the lights on the car are turned out drivers must proceed at a pace which involves no erratic acceleration or braking or any other manoeuvre which is likely to endanger other drivers or impede the restart.

As the safety car is approaching the pit entry the yellow flags and SC boards will be withdrawn and, other than on the last lap of the race, replaced by waved green flags with green lights at the Line. These will be displayed until the last car crosses the line.

36.13 Each lap completed while the safety car is deployed will be counted as a race lap.

36.14 If the safety car is still deployed at the beginning of the last lap, or is deployed during the last lap, it will enter the pits at the end of the last lap and the cars will take the chequered flag as normal without overtaking.

36.15 Under certain circumstances the race may be started behind the safety car or resumed in accordance with Article 38.5. In either case, at the five minute signal its orange lights will be illuminated, this being the signal to the drivers that the race will be started or resumed behind the safety car.

When the green lights are illuminated, the safety car will leave the grid and all drivers must follow in grid order, no more than five car lengths apart, and must respect the pit lane speed will start when the green lights are illuminated.

Overtaking is only permitted if :

a) A car is delayed when leaving the grid and cars behind cannot avoid passing it without unduly delaying the remainder of the field, or

b) There is more than one car starting from the pit lane and one of them is unduly delayed. In either case drivers may only overtake to re-establish the original starting order or the order the cars at the pit exit were in when the race was started.

Any driver delayed in either way, and who is unable to re-establish the original starting order before he reaches the first safety car line, must enter the pit lane and may only join (or rejoin) the race once the whole field has passed the end of the pit lane.

The penalties under Article 11.3a) will be imposed on any driver who, in the opinion of the Stewards, unnecessarily overtook another car during the first lap.