Summary of TrackChaser Track Counting Guidelines

A .pdf version of this rulebook can be found in the Resources tab on this website.

1.0 Trackchaser

This version constitutes rulebook 1.04 and was last edited on May 22, 2026.

1.1 Trackchaser Contacts

Bryan Davis Keith, Commissioner (bryan.davis.keith@gmail.com)

Bruce Eckel, 2025-2026 Rules Committee rep (eckel9k77@gmail.com)

Andy Hickok, 2025-2026 Rules Committee rep (andyhickok@gmail.com)

Phil Levering, 2025-2026 Rules Committee rep (philter39@verizon.net)

Guy Smith, 2025-2026 Rules Committee rep, Commissioner Emeritus (rtryfbar@aol.com)

1.2 Preface

The following rulebook applies only to the TrackChaser group to allow comparisons between trackchasers to be as equitable as practicable. There is not a right way or wrong way to count racetracks, this is the group’s way. All trackchasers that wish to use this rulebook, either as members of TrackChaser or on their own, are welcome to do so. All resources, rankings and statistics maintained by TrackChaser and that govern the annual competition for the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award are compiled utilizing this rulebook.

Amendments to this rulebook may be suggested by members of TrackChaser at any time. The process for proposing an amendment to the rulebook can be found at Section 4.0.

1.3 Membership

The TrackChaser Facebook group is free to the public, with membership granted to all interested race fans. Membership in TrackChaser is free and open to all trackchasers. Chasers that seek to be members of the TrackChaser group, featured in the TrackChaser standings, compete for the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award and/or vote on rulebook amendments and other organization business should join the TrackChaser Facebook group, contact the TrackChaser Commissioner regarding their intention to join the group and submit their personal track list for review.

TrackChaser members must have a personal track count of at least 50 countable tracks to be featured in the TrackChaser rankings and/or vote on rulebook amendments and other organization business. TrackChaser members with fewer than 50 tracks are still eligible to compete for the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award. Trackchasers under the age of 18 are eligible to compete for the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award but are not eligible to vote on rulebook amendments and other organization business.

1.4 Conduct Policy

TrackChaser is an entirely volunteer organization made up of mutual race fans, from competitors to promoters to media members. As all members are passionate about motorsports and the hobby of trackchasing, disagreements and differences in opinions can and will occur. It is expected that members of TrackChaser will treat all members civilly and with respect in all interactions on social media and in forums facilitated by TrackChaser. The TrackChaser Facebook group and forums/social media maintained by TrackChaser are not to be utilized for monetized activities.

2.0 TrackChaser Trackchasing Counting Guide

All trackchasers utilizing this rulebook for purposes of counting racetracks are advised that the Robert Helmick Memorial Track Census and map maintained by TrackChaser are intended to identify all possible racetracks and racetrack configurations that conduct races that are considered countable per this rulebook. As outlined in this section, there are limitations on tracks that any individual trackchaser can count towards their personal total. As such, both the census and the map will contain racetracks and/or configurations that are ineligible for counting for some trackchasers.

As with pretty much all rulebooks written in racing, if the rulebook doesn’t say you can, you can’t! Knowing the rulebook, as well as the limitations on an individual’s personal count is the responsibility of each individual trackchaser.

Any questions relating to an individual count or this rulebook can be directed to the TrackChaser Commissioner. Should a trackchaser disagree with the ruling of the Commissioner regarding classification of a racetrack, they may request for a review from the Rules Committee for a final decision. The composition and role of the Rules Committee can be found at Section 4.1.

2.1 Countable Races

TrackChaser defines countable races as adult wheel-to-wheel auto racing. To count a track, a trackchaser must see actual wheel-to-wheel competition. Hot laps and time trials are not countable, even if multiple or all racers are on track simultaneously. Races where the winner is determined by elapsed time rather than first to finish or most laps completed within a time limit are not countable.

Races that are limited to fewer than three simultaneous starters do not count. Races with two starters count as long as the race rules do not limit it to two starters. Races where racers in a class start at various intervals are countable if results are determined by the actual order of finish. Races featuring adjusted finishing times to determine the results are not countable. Races with speed limits are not countable.

Last man standing events are not countable. Races featuring Chicago-style starts are not countable unless each start/finish line accommodates three or more simultaneous starters. Any racing event in which the shape of the circuit is not predetermined can not be used to count a track of any type. Barrel racing and “hound and hare” races are not countable.

Adult racing is defined as a class that allows for starters 18 years of age or older. Classes that feature all starters under the age of 18 are countable if the event rules allows for adults to compete.

2.2 Countable Racetracks

TrackChaser classifies racetracks into three categories: 1) oval tracks, 2) road circuits and 3) figure-8s.

Permanent and temporary racetracks of all configurations can be countable.

The addition of jumps and/or obstacles to an existing racetrack does not constitute a separate countable track.

Disconnected permanent racetracks (located on separate areas of a facility with no overlap) are separately countable whether or not they exist at the same time.

TrackChaser classifies racetrack surfaces into four categories: 1) Dirt/Natural surfaces (including but not limited to dirt, clay, shale, grass, gravel, etc.); 2) Paved/Man Made surfaces (including but not limited to asphalt, concrete, tarmac, wood, metal, etc.); 3) Mixed surfaces (portions of the racetrack include surfaces under categories 1 and 2 as defined above); and 4) Ice (limited to frozen bodies of water or frozen land that is not an existing racetrack)

Snow/ice tracks formed over an existing paved or dirt track are not counted as an additional track. Frozen tracks over land are classified as dirt/natural, paved/man-made or mixed surface racetracks on the Robert Helmick Memorial Track Census.

Tracks that change from a paved/man-made surface to a dirt surface or vice versa may be counted once for each surface. For example, Bristol Motor Speedway could be counted once as a paved oval and once as a dirt oval. Each surface may only be counted once (ex. the paved Bristol oval cannot be counted a second time once the temporary dirt surface is removed).

In addition to the tracks described in Section 2 of this rulebook, Appendix 1 lists other tracks and events that may be counted towards a trackchaser’s all-time count.

2.2.1 Oval Tracks

An oval track is defined as a racetrack that features all turns in the same direction. An oval track can be in configurations including, but not limited to: 1) traditional ovals, 2) tri-ovals, and 3) quad ovals (D-shaped).

An oval track with a slight chicane (sometimes referred to as kidney shaped) is still considered an oval. Any oval track that is composed entirely of the apron of another track (no physical separation) can not be counted as a second track, even if a class is supposed to race only on the apron.

Tracks run in a multiple oval configuration (flagpole races, barber pole races, double O races, etc.) cannot be counted in addition to the oval track or tracks that comprise it. In the case of a double O race, a trackchaser can count the double O as a new track if they hadn’t previously counted one of the two permanent ovals on which the double O race was run. For example, if a double O race is run on a track’s outer oval and inner oval, the double O race can be counted as the inner oval if a chaser hasn’t previously counted the track. A double O race cannot be used to count two tracks simultaneously.

Connected ovals (inner, frontstretch ovals, etc.) are separately countable only if they exist or are active at the same time.

All temporary ovals are only separately countable if they physically exist and are active at the same time, even if they are located on different parts of a property with no overlap. An exception to this rule exists for tracks located inside different buildings/halls/rooms (separated by walls) on the same property.

Oval tracks that have been enlarged, shortened, turned, reshaped or rebuilt are not counted as a separate track from the original version.

2.2.2 Road Circuits

A road circuit is defined as a racetrack that features both right- and left-hand turns. Due to the many different track configurations possible at one facility, only two interconnected tracks can be counted by a trackchaser in their personal total. Variants counted by an individual trackchaser must have at least three turns and one straightaway of difference.

To be countable as a road circuit, rovals must feature a defined right-hand turn. Rovals featuring a slight chicane are classified as an oval track.

Road circuits that have been enlarged, shortened, turned, reshaped or rebuilt are not necessarily counted as a separate track from the original version.

2.2.3 Figure-8s

A figure-8 is defined as any shaped racetrack that features an at-grade intersection. Changes in figure-8 configuration (single vs. double, etc.) cannot be counted as a separate track.

Figure-8 tracks that have been enlarged, shortened, turned, reshaped or rebuilt are not counted as a separate track from the original version.

2.3 Countable Race Vehicles

Any car or truck-type class that meets the rest of the criteria listed in Section 2 of this rulebook is countable. A UTV (SxS) is considered a type of car because the driver sits inside and it has a steering wheel. Half-cars are considered countable for this same reason.

Small cars (aka scale cars) such as micro stocks, mini cup cars, champ karts, winged outlaw karts, NASKarts, half midgets, quarter midgets, etc., count, assuming they are not age restricted and contest races that are in a countable format. Champ karts, caged karts and outlaw karts (winged and non-winged) are also countable, assuming they are not age restricted and contest races that are in a countable format.

The following vehicle types are not countable:

ATVs
Bicycles/motorcycles
Boats
Concession rides
Flat karts (to include UAS karts)
Juiceboxes/Power Wheels
Lawnmowers
Remote controlled vehicles
Snowmobiles
Tractors

3.0 TrackChaser Competitions and Statistics

TrackChaser maintains the all-time statistics of known trackchasers in a real-time standing. Individual trackchasers are responsible for providing tracks that they wish to see added to their counts to the TrackChaser Commissioner. Trackchasers are strongly encouraged to provide photos and/or video of their reported tracks to assist with accurate track classification.

TrackChaser annually sanctions competition for the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award, which recognizes the top five TrackChaser members with the most new track visits between January 1 and December 31 of the award year. All TrackChaser members are eligible to compete for this award. It is the responsibility of trackchasers that wish to compete for this award to submit their annual track visits to the TrackChaser Commissioner in a timely manner, along with the date of their visit. Visits reported after the calendar year of an award can count toward a trackchaser’s all-time total, but will not be applied retroactively to the annual standings that govern the Allan Brown Memorial TrackChaser Award competition.

3.1 TrackChaser Resources

The TrackChaser standings, as well as the resumes of all members of TrackChaser with at least 50 lifetime reported tracks, are currently housed on the Trackchaser.org website.

The Robert Helmick Memorial Track Census is the best effort of TrackChaser to list all racetracks that host countable racing for the current calendar year. The Census can be viewed in real time on the Trackchaser.org website.

The Robert Helmick Memorial Track Census Map is a geographic representation of the Census maintained by TrackChaser. In the event there is a discrepancy between the map and the Census please bring it to the attention of the TrackChaser Commissioner. The map can be viewed in real time on the Trackchaser.org website.

The statistics, Census and maps maintained by TrackChaser are considered publicly available information that can be shared with anyone, whether or not they are a member of TrackChaser. TrackChaser members are, however, asked not to share these items with individuals/entities seeking to monetize the group’s data.

3.2 Researched Drivers Project

TrackChaser maintains the resumes (i.e. tracks raced on) by racers across various disciplines and as submitted by interested parties. Any members of TrackChaser are welcome to submit driver resumes for inclusion in the researched drivers project. For a driver to be featured as a researched driver in the TrackChaser statistics, a driver must have raced on at least 100 tracks considered countable by the TrackChaser rulebook.

For purposes of all-time statistics, the Researched Drivers track lists maintained by TrackChaser are not classified in the TrackChaser standings unless a request is specifically made by the driver in question.

4.0 Rulebook Amendments

Any member of TrackChaser may propose an amendment to this rulebook at any point by submitting a proposal to the TrackChaser Commissioner. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment, the Commissioner shall contact the requesting track chaser to ensure understanding of the amendment, then distribute the proposed amendment to the TrackChaser membership for a vote. Voting will be done anonymously across the membership, with the final tally of the vote publicly provided to the group.

In the event a proposed amendment is passed by a majority of the membership, it will then be referred to the Rules Committee for final consideration. A proposed amendment that is passed by a majority of the Rules Committee will then be codified into the TrackChaser rulebook unless vetoed by the TrackChaser Commissioner. A veto by the Commissioner can be overrode by a unanimous vote of the Rules Committee, excluding the Commissioner.

A majority is considered based on the totality of the membership and/or Rules Committee. For example, if the Rules Committee has five members, at least three votes are required to pass an amendment. A 2-1 vote with two absences does not constitute a majority.

A proposal that is voted down by the Rules Committee may not be resubmitted for a period of two years.

4.1 Rules Committee

The TrackChaser Rules Committee shall govern the rulebook and all matters that arise relating to statistics and competitions facilitated by the group. Namely, the Rules Committee shall be responsible for considering all proposed amendments to the rulebook and any track classifications either appealed by a trackchaser or which the Commissioner requests feedback.

4.1.1 Composition of the Rules Committee

The Rules Committee shall consist of five members.

One seat shall be held by the TrackChaser Commissioner, who will chair the Committee.

Two seats shall be held by members voted on by TrackChaser members that meet the following requirements:

Have an official track count of at least 400 racetracks as reflected in the TrackChaser standings
Have been a member of TrackChaser for at least 12 months
Have reported at least one new track visit in the last 12 months

Two seats shall be held by members voted on by the TrackChaser membership at large.

To be eligible to hold a seat on the Rules Committee, a TrackChaser member must meet the following requirements:

Have an official track count of at least 150 racetracks as reflected in the TrackChaser standings
Have been a member of TrackChaser for at least 12 months
Have reported at least one new track visit in the last 12 months

Members of the Rules Committee shall be elected for a term of two years. It shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner to facilitate elections as required. In the event a Rules Committee member opts to leave the Committee prior to the end of their term, an election will be held to replace them as soon as practicable, with the newly elected Committee member serving a two-year term from the date of their election.

4.1.2 Duties of Rules Committee Members

Rules Committee members will be expected to participate substantively in consideration of all proposed rulebook amendments and track classifications requiring their input, as well as any other group business as deemed relevant by the Commissioner. It is contemplated that the Rules Committee shall meet monthly to consider amendments and other business, though this frequency may change in the absence/prevalence of group business.

Rules Committee members will not be permitted to abstain from votes. Votes on amendments/classifications will be made public to the TrackChaser membership. Failure to record a vote for scheduled group business is grounds for removal from the Rules Committee by the TrackChaser Commissioner.

It shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner to schedule votes and to provide the Rules Committee members with at least five calendar days notice of a vote.

Appendix 1: Grandfathered Venues

The below listed track IDs and specific events are considered countable towards a track chaser’s lifetime total despite ambiguity of its compatibility with the contents of this rulebook. The presence of a track ID in this appendix is not a blanket approval to count racing at the track in question. Only the specific event identified in this appendix may be counted.

[00107a] Alaska Sports Car Club Tanacross Track (Tanacross wheel-to-wheel event)