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The Rules

This is a set of general rules NCRC will follow for all track events (see ARC Rules for rules related to our race series). Specific additional details, based on the local track's rules, may apply as well. Make sure you're aware of all rules for each track. You should also read through the Logistics section, for handy tips related to your car. 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!

Car and Equipment Requirements

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:

Roll Protection Requirement

For safety reasons, all convertibles are required to have roll protection that meets the following criteria in order to be driven at any NCRC event.

The car must have roll protection (factory or aftermarket) that allows the driver to pass the "broomstick test." This means that the top of the drivers helmet must be below the line from the top of the roll hoop or bar to the top of the windshield.[1] [2] [3]

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

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.

  1. Put your helmet on and sit in the driver's seat of your car
  2. 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
  3. 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, or lower your seat(s), or a combination of both.

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.

Driving Rules

These driving rules are for NCRC's Open Track events.

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 occur to 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. If the leading driver chooses to point to the "wrong" side, that's the side on which the pass should be made.

Contact

Contact with another car is one of the rare and unfortunate situations on the track. At NCRC events, it is the overtaking driver's responsibility to ensure a clean pass. If there is any doubt about the possibility of a successful, clean pass, it should not be taken. This applies whether point-bys are required in the run group or not.

In the case of contact of any kind, car-to-car or otherwise, you can receive a warning, probation, even up to 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, definitely 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.

If All Else Fails

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.