56 Ill. Adm. Code 6000.305
Racing Go-Karts
Section 6000.305 Racing Go-Karts
a) Vehicle Requirements
1) All
vehicles shall be equipped with driver padding and passenger padding, if
applicable, including, but not limited to, steering wheel pad, headrest pad,
steering wheel support post and seat cushions.
2) All
vehicles shall be guarded to prevent interlocking of wheels during operation.
3) All
vehicles equipped with seat belts shall be equipped with a roll over protection
system.
4) Vehicles
shall be equipped with a guarding system that covers or encloses all rotating
parts of the drive mechanism except the tires. The exhaust system shall be
located or guarded to protect the passenger when entering or exiting the
vehicle.
5) Vehicles
with fuel tanks shall have the tanks mounted and/or guarded in a manner that
provides protection to the passenger during operation and if an accident should
occur. Fuel tank caps shall conform to ANSI SAE J-1241 and be designed and
maintained so as not to leak.
6) Wheels
shall be retained by a castellated nut and cotter pin or other positive method
recommended by the manufacturer. Nuts with inserts of nylon or other material
shall not be re-used.
b) Track and Course
Requirements
1) The
surface of the track or course used by go-karts shall be of a solid and binding
material.
2) A
barrier system shall be installed around the inner and outer edges of the track
or course used by go-karts and shall extend the entire length of the track or
course.
A) When
rubber tires are used for a barrier system, these tires shall be free of the
rims and/or wheels. They shall be fastened together to form a continuous
train. Tires shall never be stacked over two high.
B) If a
metal or fiberglass rail is used as the barrier, the rail surface shall be kept
free of sharp or protruding edges or seams and shall be maintained so that
there are no loose or unsecured areas.
C) A
barrier system shall be installed to designate and protect the pit area or
passenger loading area.
D) Access
to the entire track shall be restricted.
3) A
fence or railing system shall be installed at maintenance buildings or areas,
driveways, pit areas, and fuel storage/pumping areas to keep patrons awaiting
rides and spectators from entering these track areas without the permission of,
or direction by, track personnel.
4) No
intersecting course configurations, including but not limited to a figure 8
course or opposing traffic configuration, shall be permitted.
c) Operation
1) The
attendants or assistants shall be able to clearly view the entire course.
2) Fire
extinguishers shall be charged and readily available to the track personnel at
all times.
3) The
refueling of the vehicles with internal combustion engines or the recharging
and/or exchanging of batteries shall take place in the pit areas.
4) All
storage containers of gasoline and other flammables shall be in accordance with
Section 6000.190 (Fire Prevention and Protection).
5) Beginning
at twilight, track lighting is required and lighting is required for indoor
tracks at all times during operations.
6) Monitoring
A) A
signal system shall be installed to safely alert the drivers of the vehicles to
a caution situation or to stop the vehicles in case of an emergency. This
signal system may consist of, but is not limited to, a hand-held flag system or
a set of lights visible to the drivers. The system shall be explained to the
drivers before operating any vehicle.
B) Effective
January 1, 2006, each vehicle shall be equipped with a throttle control device
that can be activated from the ride attendant's station.
7) A
separate and distinct maintenance log shall be kept for each vehicle. The
maintenance logs shall be kept on a daily basis and kept available for
inspector review. All replacing of parts should be noted. A comment section
should be provided. The track mechanic shall sign each log sheet indicating
that the vehicle is ready to operate. This log shall include, but not be
limited to, the following information:
A) Brake inspection;
B) Tire wear and pressure;
C) Steering inspection;
D) Body inspection;
E) Padding inspection;
F) Lubrication and engine
oil check; and
G) Drive mechanism.
8) Only
one patron per seat shall be permitted in each vehicle. No in-line riding
shall be permitted.
9) Personal
Safety Equipment. Drivers of karts that are not equipped with seatbelts and
roll bars shall wear the following personal safety equipment while on the track
or course.
A) Drivers
of karts shall wear the following personal safety equipment while on the track
or course:
i) Head
Gear – A full-face helmet with head sock complying with a Snell Foundation test
specification as published in the Snell Helmet Safety Standards is mandatory.
A full-face shield is mandatory. The helmet must be secured by a chinstrap.
ii) Neck
Brace – The use of unaltered collar-type neck brace designed for racing is
mandatory. Any driver losing his or her neck brace shall immediately precede
to the pits and may, upon replacing the missing neck brace, return to the
track.
B) Drivers
of indoor karts that are not equipped with seatbelts and roll bars, and that go
less than 7 mph, are not required to wear personal safety equipment as stated
in this Section and are called kiddie karts.
d) Special
Circumstances/Waiver of this Section
1) The
Director may approve an operating permit for an existing facility that does not
meet the requirements of this Section if the following apply:
A) A written request
for waiver is submitted to the Director; and
B) The
facility requesting waiver was built and licensed prior to January
1, 2007.
2) If,
after January 1, 2007, any modifications are made to an existing track that
would have otherwise been exempt under this Section, the existing track with
the modifications shall not be eligible for a waiver and shall comply with this
Section.
3) Tracks
constructed on or after January 1, 2007 shall comply with this Section and are
not eligible for a waiver under subsection (d)(1).