Answers to some of the "Frequently Asked Questions"
NOTE: The following are answers to some common questions and, in some cases, an explanation of procedures and policies that are used as a guideline for conducting the racing program. Actual decisions made are at the discretion of track management and the officials so minor deviations could occur.
When does Hummingbird run? Saturday evenings at 7PM. (Gates open at 4:30.) Click the "Schedule" link on the left for complete info. For all events run in September (or later), the starting time will be pushed back one hour.
Where is the track located? On the Reynoldsville - Falls Creek Road (Rte 950) look for the Hummingbird Speedway sign. (The Gospel Center road.) Or - more detailed directions for those who are not familiar with the area... From I-80 Exit 97 (old Exit 16), head toward DuBois. Only about 1/2 mile (and just before the four lane ends) turn right at the stop light just past Sheetz. (Or - if you were coming through DuBois - take Rte 219 North and turn left at the light where Sheetz is on your left and the Pilot Travel Center is on your right.) This will put you on Rte 830. Go through Falls Creek. Turn left on Rte 950. Go 2.7 miles and you'll see the Hummingbird Speedway sign on the left (and the Gospel Center sign on the right). Turn right. Follow the road about a mile and you'll see the track on the left.
What is the admission cost? Unless otherwise noted (for special events), regular admission for the 2008 season is as follows:
- Adults... $10
- Children ages 6-10... $5
- Under 6... free
- Pits... $20
What is the rain-out policy? Once half the scheduled events have been completed, it is considered a complete show and the remaining events will be completed the following week(s). If the show is cancelled before then, rain checks will be honored for the next two regular events. If double-features are to be run, they may be split up over a several week period.
Are season passes available? Not at this time, but an update will be posted in this area if/when they are.
How can I find out if the races are cancelled? Here are some phone numbers... Track Owner Louie Caltagarone - 814-653-8400. Peach Caltagarone - 814-653-8750. Or (since no one may be at those numbers because they'll be at the track) the best bet may be to call the Pinecrest Motel, which is owned by Louie's daughter and son-in-law. There should be someone there all the time and the # is 814-653-8156. Another possibility is... listen to radio station Sunny 106.5 FM. We'll try to notify them so they can get any cancellation on the air.
How/where can I buy pictures or souvenirs? Pictures are available on race days by seeing photographer Joe Nowak or his representative at the track; at other times, you can contact him by e-mail (photos@hummingbirdspeedway.com). For souvenirs (hats, t-shirts, jackets, etc. and other Hummingbird items)... see Jo Caltagarone at the concession stand near the pits, or call 814-653-8400.
What classes of cars are there? Limited Late Model, Street Stock, Pure Stock (formerly Novice), Four Cylinders, and Front-Wheel Drive Four Cylinders.
How can I get a copy of the rules for a particular class? Click the "Rules" link to the left.
What is the pay-out for each class? Click the "Rules" link and you'll see a link titled "pay-out" underneath it.
What is the age limit for the pits? 16, unless a waiver is signed by the parent/guardian.
How does the points system work?
Heat races:
1. 5
2. 4
3. 3
4. 2
All other cars that start the heat – 1 point.
Features:
1. 70
2. 67
3. 64
4. 61
5. 58
6. 56
7. 54
8. 52
9. 50
10. 48
11. 46
12. 44
13. 42
14. 40
15. 39
16. 38
17. 37
18. 36
19. 35
20. 34
21. 33
22. 32
23. 31
24. 30
DNS (Did Not Start) - 5 less than the last place car in the feature. (If more than one car, decreases by 1 point for each position.)
NON QUALIFIERS... Starting with 1 less than the last DNS car in the feature or - if there are none - 5 less than the last place car. Points decrease by 1 for each position (determined by the consi finish).
Non-point / double-point events (Mid-Season and Season Championships) are indicated on the schedule.
How are cars lined up?
1. Each night, every driver draws a "pill" with a number to determine their starting position in the heat race. The features are lined up based on heat finishes with the following exceptions...
2. A "pill" is drawn to randomly select how many cars to invert. It can be from 1 (no invert) to 12.
3. The feature winner from the previous week will always start 13th. (If they're not there the following week, they'll start 14th the next time they do appear.)
4. A driver winning three features in a row will start last the next week.
5. New cars (first time at the track this season) will tail the field for their heat race, but earn a qualifying spot for the feature same as any other driver.
Note: 3, 4, and 5 apply to point events only.
Are points awarded to the car or driver? Points go with a combination of car AND driver, with the following exceptions:
• In the Front-Wheel Drive Four Cylinder class… points go with the car.
• In the Limited Late Model, Street Stock, and Four Cylinder, and Pure Stock classes… a substitute driver will be allowed up to three times within a season.
• In other words, a substitute driver OR a substitute car can be used, but not BOTH. (A driver cannot have someone else use their number to get points.)
• Also... Cars cannot be renumbered after racing has begun for the evening and drivers must use the same car for the feature that they qualified in, meaning a driver whose car is unable to continue can not use another one.
Are there any restrictions on what drivers can compete in a given class? Yes. Any driver that has won in an “upper” class (either in the current season or the past two years) cannot move back down more than one class (unless the win was as a “substitute” driver for another team).
Who is responsible for calls made as a result of a caution and how cars line up for a restart, and can you give a brief explanation of how that is determined? The flagman is in control of things anytime cars are on the track. He receives input from other officials, but he has the final say on what is done.
In general, all cars that are stopped on the track when the yellow comes out are “charged” with the caution and put to the rear of the field. If a car stops AFTER the yellow flag is displayed, they will get their spot back. Also, if the yellow is for one incident and another happens at the same time elsewhere on the track, only the cars for whom the cuation is displayed will be "charged".
Unsafe or intentional rough driving is subject to penalty at the discretion of the flagman. This may also result in exceptions being made to the above.
If a caution is called for one of the infield tires being hit and pushed onto the track, the car that caused it will be charged with the caution.
Two cautions in a heat or three in a feature will result in a black flag.
And a couple of - well, not really questions - but just some general info...
• Feel free to contribute your own pictures to a Photo Album.
• Drivers (or an "authorized representative")... Post your personal info in the "Driver Biographies" section if you'd like. (I'm sure the fans who frequent this site would appreciate it so they can get to know you better.)
• Drivers/car owners... Feel free to use the "Want Ads" section.
• If you have any other questions concerning the website or track, you can:
o send e-mail to dave@hummingbirdspeedway.com or hummingbirdspeedway@hotmail.com
o call Track Owner Louie Caltagarone at 814-653-8400
