Everyone is here to have fun and do what we love. Each person is responsible for respecting every participant — riders, parents, crew, and HSS workers. Hartford Snocross reserves the right to remove or disqualify anyone violating these rules or the code of conduct. Riders are responsible for the actions of their parents, family, crew, mechanics, and friends. Physical abuse of officials will be reported to law enforcement and is grounds for permanent expulsion.
Anyone entering RK Compound / Hartford Snocross Series property must sign the Accident Waiver and Release of Liability and pick up a wristband. Wristbands MUST be worn throughout the entire event. Riders or crews caught without wristbands, switching wristbands, or using old wristbands can subject the rider to disqualification or fines.
What age you are on the date of the race is the age group you can compete in through the final race of the season. Riders may advance to the next age group with approval from the Hartford Snocross Series Director. A certified copy of a birth certificate or driver's license is accepted as proof of age. Proof must be provided within 3 days of request — failure to do so results in disqualification.
Any machine that fits the respective class may be entered by two or more riders.
The time and location of riders' meeting is on the schedule. Important information is given at this meeting. Questions about scoring should be asked of an HSS Representative after the morning meeting or after the race.
It is the rider's responsibility to be at the start line on time. It is NOT officials' responsibility to locate riders. Riders must know what heat they're racing in and be in the staging area when called. Anyone who misses their heat and runs in the subsequent heat will be given their finish position but no year-end points for that heat. A rider cannot run in another heat if they miss theirs. If racing back-to-back, the rider's representative must notify officials.
If a rider leaves the course and decides to resume, they must re-enter at the point of exit before another lap counts. If unsafe to re-enter at exit, re-enter at the soonest safe place. Riders must stop and clearly look up-track before re-entering. Race officials MUST see the rider turn their head and look up-track. Riders must not gain position when re-entering. Riders caught not looking or gaining position shall be scored last, docked position, or disqualified at the Race Director's discretion.
If a mechanical breakdown happens near the finish line, the driver only may push or pull the machine across the finish line (without assisted devices). The rider must be in contact and control of the machine as it crosses.
There will not be a re-start unless decided by race officials or medical attendants — specifically if attendants or riders are in danger, or there is a malfunction at the start line.
Any unsafe or intentional hitting, bumping, taking out, unsafe riding, or course cutting deemed dangerous by track officials is grounds for disqualification or penalty. Blocking by lapped traffic could lead to disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct will NOT be tolerated.
The protest period is 15 minutes following the conclusion of each respective class final. Signed protests must be submitted to the Race Director within the period.
Protest fees: $400 for engine teardown, $200 for non-teardown. Hartford Snocross is not responsible for re-assembling protested machines.
If the machine is found legal, the protested rider receives the full protest fee. If found illegal, the protesting party gets refunded and the protested rider forfeits trophy/award, all points for the day, and the machine is moved to the proper class for the remainder of the season. Only riders (or parents of) in the same class may declare a protest.
All numbers must be readable — it’s the rider’s responsibility. If they can’t be read while racing, you risk disqualification.
Standard block-style lettering required. Numbers must be black on a white background — however, if you race ISOC and have another color background, you can use that. Numbers cannot overlap and must all be the same size. Number size: 8" × 1½".
Pick any number, only one number, all your sleds must have the same number. Duplicates get a colored line through one. If sharing machines, you must change out the numbers — your numbers go with you and only you.
Two-way radios are forbidden for any rider.
Sandbagging is not allowed. The Race Director has the authority to move riders down classes if necessary.
GO! The course is clear and the race is in progress.
Caution. Yellow zone starts at the first yellow flag and extends through the incident. No passing, no jumping, no significant ground gained on the next competitor until clear. Pass under yellow = furled black flag. If a rider mistakenly passes, drop back and let the passed sled regain position. Disobeying yellow may result in last-place points or DQ. Gaining more than one sled length is "gaining too much ground."
STOP immediately, regardless of track position. Used for downed riders needing medical attention or unsafe track conditions. If thrown during the last lap, race resumes with two laps (white and checkered). No work on the sled until called. Riders have 2 minutes to be at their sleds for restart. Downed riders must signal officials by raising an arm if uninjured.
Warning for equipment failure or rider conduct. Stop the activity that caught officials’ attention. Proceed to the start line for your penalty. If shown lap 1, you likely jumped the start — drop to the back of the field. If shown during racing, you likely gained position illegally — drop back and let three sleds by, then resume.
Immediate disqualification. Pull off the track immediately and safely. Do not stop at the finish line — go to the start flagman for questions. Penalty assessed after the race.
Shown to riders being lapped. Hold your line and let the leaders pass. Waved for the top 3 riders.
Final lap.
Race over. Follow through past the finish line jump landing. The race is not over until the checkered flag is displayed. Each rider must cross the checkered to earn full finishing points.
All machines must be suitable for competition. Any machine deemed unsafe by HSS officials will not be allowed to race. Riders cannot race until problems are corrected and rechecked by tech. HSS follows the ISR Rulebook for all class-specific tech specs unless otherwise noted.
Before practice on race day, riders are checked in staging for safety equipment.
Drivers or teams found in non-compliance with rules concerning fuel, sled construction, dimensions, materials, or components for their class face the following procedure. The Tech Director or Race Director determines the infraction and considers the gravity of the offense:
Maintain a reasonable speed (zero track spin) in the pit and staging area. Failure = DQ for that heat. Riders and one crew member only in staging. All riders and pit crew must have tethers securely attached while driving through the pit and staging area, plus eye protection.
Stands that catch and retain traction components and other items thrown by the track are mandatory. Must be used whenever the machine is raised to clean engine or track, and always in the pit/staging area. No full throttle on the warm-up stand. A tether must be attached to someone whenever the sled is running on the stand.
Drivers, crew, team owners, and support people may not be physically on the racing surface or within the gate surrounding the track once the event has started. This includes walking the track to inspect conditions. If your rider crashes you are NOT permitted in the fence — Hartford Snocross officials and the EMS team will aid the riders. Penalties range from verbal warning to ejection. Once a Red Flag occurs, you may enter the fenced area when the Race Director deems it safe.
Non-authorized motor vehicles are not allowed in the staging areas. UTVs & ATVs are allowed in the pits — drivers must be 18 or older. Pit bikes are not allowed. Anyone caught disobeying is disqualified for the day.
The HSS Director has the right to eject anyone from the race site for poor conduct.
Sunoco fuel is required. Fuel for all Pro classes and Sport classes is Sunoco Surge. All classes below Sport Lite have the option to run Optima. Fuel must not be blended in any way. Fuel is available to purchase at all events.
Each round consists of two qualifying heats per class. Finish positions from the two heats are added; cumulative score sets gate picks for the final (higher is better). Ties broken with the last round counting most.
If a front-row starter chooses to move to the back row, they take whatever spot is left after the rest of the final lines up. If a front-row starter doesn’t show, that spot stays empty — 11th place stays in the back row.
There is a podium presentation at the end of each session (morning and afternoon). Trophies are available for all classes. Payout classes: Pro, Pro Lite, Pro Women, and 30+. Payouts are based on number of entries plus any added purse, given during the podium presentation each day. Uncollected payouts are donated to Northern Power Race Park. It’s the rider’s responsibility to know contingency program requirements from manufacturers and sponsors.
| Place | Heat | Final |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 25 |
| 2 | 9 | 22 |
| 3 | 8 | 20 |
| 4 | 7 | 18 |
| 5 | 6 | 16 |
| 6 | 5 | 15 |
| 7 | 4 | 14 |
| 8 | 3 | 13 |
| 9 | 2 | 12 |
| 10 | 1 | 11 |
| 11 | 1 | 10 |
| 12 | 1 | 9 |
| 13 | 1 | 8 |
| 14 | 1 | 7 |
| 15 | 1 | 6 |
| 16 | 1 | 5 |
| 17 | 1 | 4 |
| 18 | 1 | 3 |
| 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 20 | 1 | 1 |
| DNF | 1 | 1 |
| DNS | 0 | 0 |
| DQ | 0 | 0 |
Hartford Snocross registration, weekend and season memberships, and waivers can be completed online through Trackside before every event. Online registration closes at midnight the Wednesday before each race weekend. We highly recommend registering online.
In-person registration is held at the park the Friday before each race weekend during a designated two-hour window. No race-day registration this season — register online or during the in-person window or you will not be allowed to participate.
All Hartford Snocross racers and crew members are required to purchase an HSS membership. Two options: weekend or annual. Season members receive a lanyard and ID card for identification and free gate admission to all HSS events (excluding Ditchbanger events).
Crew Memberships are required for anyone entering the staging or starting area. If a person without a crew membership is found in those areas, the rider receives a penalty at the Race Director’s discretion.
You must register for practice, pay in full, and receive a practice sticker before getting on the track (unless you have a Season Practice Pass). Riders caught on the track without a sticker are asked to leave and barred from one round of HSS. Stickers must be placed on the right-side chin of the helmet.
From 4-year-olds on Stock 120s to Pro payouts. HSS follows ISR class specs unless otherwise noted in this rulebook. ISR Rulebook →
Riders 4–7 years old; must turn 4 before December 1 of the season. See ISR Rulebook page 33 for in-depth specs.
Riders 6–12 years old. ISR Rulebook page 35.
Riders 6–12 years old. ISR Rulebook page 36.
Female riders 6–12 years old. Designed to encourage female athletes; female athletes are also welcome in any other HSS class. Shocks and skis may be changed; aftermarket shocks permitted but cannot exceed OEM length. No studs.
Stock 200cc, ages 6–8. Shocks and skis may be changed; aftermarket shocks cannot exceed OEM length. No studs.
Stock 200cc, ages 9–12. Same shock/ski rules as above. No studs.
Race sleds minimum 1 model year old. No studs, max lug height 1.75". ECU rev-limited to 6500 RPM (6600 for 2020 Polaris). Throttle restricted to 50% max. Exhaust valves blocked shut. Primary clutch engagement 4000 RPM (4100 for 2020 Polaris). Sunoco Surge 105 fuel.
Same specs as Transition 8–10 — minimum 1 year old, no studs, ECU/throttle restrictions, Sunoco Surge 105.
Same specs as Transition classes. Designed for female athletes.
Max lug 1.75". ECU rev-limited (6500/6600 RPM). 50% throttle restriction. Primary clutch 4000/4100 RPM. Hole shot function disabled. Sunoco Surge 105.
Same specs as Junior Girls. Hole shot function disabled. Sunoco Surge 105.
Open to riders 14–17; if a rider turns 18 mid-season, they may continue. Studs are allowed. 50% throttle restriction. ISR Rulebook for full specs.
Production trail sleds only (no snocross sleds). Trail permit / registration / proof of insurance required. Any 2-stroke or 4-stroke. Pump gas only — no race fuel. OEM-type tracks (no snocross-specific). Studs allowed but max 1/2" penetration beyond lug height. Must have functional snow flap and tail/brake light.
For racers with previous experience. Bridges Beginner and Sport. Riders may be moved up to Sport at the Race Director’s discretion. ISR Rulebook for specs.
For riders with previous race experience. ISR Rulebook for specs.
Women with previous race experience, 14+. Payout class for the top 3 finishers — based on total entries each round, paid at podium.
Riders 16+. Aftermarket can/silencers allowed. Stock OEM Y-pipe and main pipe required, unmodified. Aftermarket silencers, shocks, bearings, skis, and handlebars permitted. Payout class.
Riders 16+. Aftermarket can/silencers allowed. Stock OEM Y-pipe and main pipe required, unmodified. Aftermarket silencers, shocks, bearings, skis, handlebars permitted. Headlights must remain functional but don’t need to be covered. Payout class.
Riders 30+. Aftermarket can/silencers allowed. Stock OEM Y-pipe and main pipe required, unmodified. Aftermarket silencers, shocks, bearings, skis, and handlebars permitted. Payout class.
