Car and Equipment Requirements

As a general rule, any car in good working order will meet all the below rules, and function well for an open track day. We do require that cars be in good visual condition as well, and do not allow "project cars" with missing body panels, significant body damage or primer, attached "appendages", etc. We do not allow SUV's or other vehicles that will not handle safely on a track, but certainly a well-maintained street car is acceptable.

You will be required inspect your car before the event and ensure any necessary repairs are made before the event. A Car Prep Checklist is available to help you decide what needs to be inspected. A car that does not pass inspection should not be brought to the event.
Some tracks have a strict sound policy; if this may be an issue for you, please check track rules for specifics
You must wear a shirt and long pants (cotton is best) on the track
A SNELL SA-00 (preferred) or M-00 (acceptable) or newer helmet is required for anyone in the car. The helmet must cover the ears as a minimum (no "shorty" type helmets), with a closed faced helmet being preferred, but optional (required in open cars).

Open Wheel Cars

Open-wheel cars are approved to run at our race events, but not encouraged for NCRC open track driving.

Convertibles

No convertibles will be allowed to participate in NCRC events without proper roll protection for the driver as defined below. Passengers will not be allowed and instruction will not be provided in convertibles without proper roll protection for the passenger. Track stewards will do the broomstick test and drivers will be removed from an event with no refund for failing to have adequate roll protection installed in their car.

NCRC Roll Protection Requirement

For safety reasons, all convertibles are required to have adequate roll protection in order to be driven at any NCRC event. This roll protection (factory or aftermarket) must allow the driver to pass the "broomstick test," which means that the driver's helmet must be below the line from the top of the roll hoop or bar to the top of the windshield.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Factory removable hard tops are normally not structural and do not meet our roll protection requirement.
If the a-pillar is not structural, the front shock mount points should be used for the broomstick test.
Porsche 911 Cabriolet and BMW convertibles have factory pop-up roll protection systems that meet our requirement.

The Broomstick Test

Please note that the broomstick test is dependent on the height of the driver. While we can answer general questions about convertibles, "Is my car legal?" is typically not something NCRC can answer for you - you need to do the broomstick test with *you* in the car.

Put your helmet on and sit in the driver's seat of your car
Lay one end of a stick on top of the windshield, and the other on top of the roll hoop or bar behind your seat
The top of your helmet should not be higher than the stick

If you do not pass the broomstick test, the typical solutions are to either get a taller rollbar, lower your seat, or both.

Note that NCRC currently has a Safety Equipment Reimbursement Program that helps you out financially with the installation of a rollbar, lower seat, or other equipment necessary to get your convertible safer on the track.

Rollbar and Seat Vendors

Here are some links to sites that may provide roll protection solutions. We are not affiliated with any of these businesses, or able to vouch for the quality of these products.

Miata

http://www.autopowerindustries.com/
http://www.teammiata.com/mall/Boss_Frog_Roll_Bar.asp
http://www.bethania-garage.com/m2_hardcore.htm

Honda S2000

Hard Dog rollbar
Buddy Club seat rails and racing seats from f1Spec.com

BMW Z3

Hard Dog rollbar

Porsche Boxster, 911 Cabriolet

The removable hardtops on these cars are structural, and acceptable at NCRC events.

http://www.bkauto.com/porsche/r3010.php

Camaro, Firebird, Corvette

http://www.autopowerindustries.com/

If you wish to further increase the margin of safety you might consider using arm tie-in straps or a window net to protect your arms from going outside of the car's protected cockpit area.