Open Track Rules
This is a set of general rules NCRC will follow for all open track events (see ARC Rules for rules related to our race series). You should also read through the Car Requirements section, for requirements related to your car, note any specific additional Track Rules as well. and Logistics for a point-by-point list of items to make you best prepared for your track day. There will be a driver's meeting at the beginning of the day to go over rules, flags, instructions, questions, etc. We will only have additional driver's meetings during the day if there is an urgent issue to deal with. At the event, the Track Steward is responsible for enforcing these rules. If you are called in for a violation, it will be the Steward you talk to. He will be the person at the head of the hot pit, monitoring cars entering the track, and will be in radio communication with all the flaggers. Make him your friend!
Driving Rules
These driving rules are for NCRC's Open Track events:
- You must be at least 18 years of age, 16 with parental consent, and have a valid driver's license
- Passengers 18 years of age or older are allowed in the cars for a session or two, as long as they're not in the driving school, other "green" (low experience) groups, or race groups. We do not want you to have a passenger for the whole day, though, as it causes distraction from your driving. If the officials have any trouble with passenger'd cars going off track or any other issues, they may discontinue all passenger rides, in all cars.
- NCRC operates on a philosophy of personal responsibility. Drivers are expected to act like mature adults at all times, whether on the track or not. Safety of yourself and others is of utmost importance, and overrides your interest in driving fast, passing another car, or any other priority you might have.
- All passing should be done in a safe and communicated manner at all times. The pass should be for purposes of moving a faster car around the track, as opposed to a racing pass to gain track advantage. In the groups which require point-by, the following driver must wait for a point-by. All drivers should keep an eye out behind themselves (which isn't anything new) and not use the fact that a car has been coming up fast to test out the new nitrous system!
- All passes are encouraged to be on the side with the inside line to the next turn. For example if two cars are driving down a straight with a left turn at the end, the point-by and pass should typically occur on the left. But the leading driver always has the final say on side of the point-by, and the following driver should pass, if desired, only on that side.
- When preparing to pass a slower car, the second car in line has "right of way" for the pass. Cars behind the second car should pull in line behind that second car, and note a continued signal from the car being passed. The car making the pass is always responsible for making it a safe pass.
- Wheels off the track, or spins are a symptom of a loss of concentration, and as such are a leading indicator of more problems to come. The track steward will manage response to spins and offs, with a "3-strikes and you're going home" rule.
Contact
Contact with another car is one of the rare and unfortunate situations on the track. Contact incidents are always the fault of both drivers, to one extent or the other. Financial restitution between the drivers is not something NCRC management will engage in.
In the case of contact of any kind, car-to-car or otherwise, you may receive a warning, probation, or removal from the club for a period of time or permanently. This will depend on whether contact or accidents are a pattern, even on the first offense, if it's heinous enough. The actions taken by NCRC's management will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and might depend on factors like how avoidable the incident was, the attitudes of the people involved, did injuries result, previous behaviors, how you've decided to resolve any damages (friendly or not), etc. We'll try to be fair, but the bottom line is there is no appeal process and the decision on what actions taken by the NCRC staff are final and absolute, based on our best judgment for the good of the club and those involved.
The Bottom Line
- If the flaggers or track officials see you violating rules, you will be black flagged, and pulled in for a discussion. Flagrant or multiple violations, and your day will be over, with no refund. Failure to know or see the flags is not a good excuse for ignoring them. If you're a novice, read up on the flags ahead of time, and we'll also talk to the flags in the morning driver's session.
- We won't tolerate any activity that appears reckless or aggressive to yourself or other drivers.
- Conformance to NCRC bylaws and professional code of conduct is required
- It is your responsibility to make sure that your family, crew and guests understand and follow all event rules.
- Be aware that driving will be at high speed, and while most tracks have safe run-off areas, accidents can happen. Verify with your insurance company if you have concerns. Neither the track or NCRC will take liability for any incidents, and you will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging this at the beginning of the day.
- NCRC reserves the right to remove any driver from an event, or from the club, for any reason.
If you have any questions about our rules, or need any clarification before attending an event, please contact Dave. At the event itself, verify rules with NCRC Management or Instructors, as the Track Steward is unlikely to be available to you.