General Competition Rules
ver. 2.0 [12/2007]
This is the NCRC Time Trial Rule Book. If you have questions about these rules, or find errors, contact Alex Ramirez.
Table of Contents
Click on a section to go to that part of the rule book
Organizers
Competition Format
Entry Requirements
Car Classes
Scoring
Trophies & Awards
Number Assignments
Required Safety Equipment
Additional
Competition Guidelines
Organizers
Northern California Racing Club
(NCRC) and their authorized agents and representatives are the
organizers of the NCRC Time Trial Challenge Series. All the
participating parties (competitors, officials, and organizers)
agree to apply as well as observe the rules governing the series.
The NCRC Time Trial Chairperson is
Alex Ramirez.
Competition Format
The Time Trial series will be run during regular DE/Open Track sessions, with all cars timed via AMB timing. Each car will be timed for all on-track laps, for all sessions in the day. The scored time for the event will be the driver's best lap of the day. Intermediate times and rankings will be available during the event day, so drivers will be aware of the current position/status of all cars in the TT.
Entry Requirements
In order to participate in any of the Time Trials that make up this NCRC series, a participant must adhere to all the following requirements:
- An entrant must be 18 years old or over and have a valid driver's license before he or she can drive or compete.
- Must be registered and have paid for the NCRC event within which the Time Trial is being run. All entrants must pay to have timing for the event.
- Must be running in any of the "solo-approved" run groups (Solo, Point-By, Open) or otherwise have obtained special permission from the Time Trial Chairperson.
- NCRC uses an AMB timing device for more efficient scoring, and has transponders available to rent at the track.
- Must have filled out the Car Classification Form and have it on file with the organizers or turn it in at the TT drivers meeting prior to running the event.
An entrant may register only once for each event and will
be assigned only one number. Class and car declaration pertain
to each event separately. Points earned by an entrant in different
car-classes in a particular series will not be cumulative
for year-end awards purposes.
Car Classes
Our objective in classing the cars for the championship is to keep to no more than 4 classes + an exhibition (or open) class for all the cars entered. This makes for a simple classification system and large fields of competitors for each class. We think this is the most fun.
The classes from highest to lowest are:
Exhibition, GT1, GT2, GT3, GT4
Car classification works as follows: Your car, before modifications or tire choice are accounted for, begins in 1 of the 5 classes listed above according to its stock wt/HP ratio and any stock upclassing or downclassing befitting your car model.
Most of the participant's cars will be classified using the stock car weight to engine power definition established in the classification below. However, because of various car designs, engine, induction, or exhaust modifications or other merit, some cars will be upclassed or downclassed in order to provide the most level playing field. When registering to participate in the championship, the organizers will work with you to properly class your car.
Modifications and tire choice may then reclassify your car up or down 1 class (but never greater than 1 class). These parameters are:
Street tires =( -1) class
Race (slick) tires = (+1) class
R-Compound tires = (no class effect). Allowed r-compound tires are: Toyo RA-1, Kumho v700 victoracers, Kumho ecsta v700, Hoosier, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup, Yoko AO32R
Non OEM forced induction or engine displacement upgrade = (+1) class
Modifications that cumulatively count to up-classing
Modifications in 4 of the listed categories below results in +1 class:
- Lightening except removal of spare tire, tools, jack
- Upgraded/Aftermarket ECU, Chip
- Headers, Exhaust (full or cat back), cat removal
- Airbox removal / modification of intake
- Suspension any of: Shocks, springs, swaybars
- Big brake kit (ss lines, aftermarket fluids, hot pads do not count)
- Engine or drivetrain including cams, porting, lightened flywheel, short gears, ignition, race fuel, aftermarket intercooler to OEM turbo, NOS.
Therefore after looking up your beginning class and applying any modifiers your car will either result in a final class up 1 class, down 1 class or no change from your starting class. Modifications and tire choices that lead to +2 class increments are treated as only 1 class increment. Class increments do not apply to the exhibition class.
Car Class Overview Table | Car Class Complete Table
| Class | Definition wt / Hp | Examples of beginning class |
|---|---|---|
| GT1 | Less than 10 | Viper, Z06, ZR1, 911 Turbo, 360 Modena |
| GT2 | 10 to 11.99 | E46 M3, Vettes, Z28's, 911, Boxster S, S200, Mustang GT, Supra TT, 300ZX, 3rd Gen RX7, 944T, NSX |
| GT3 | 12 to 15.49 | WRX, E36 M3, E30 M3, Audi S4, 944,MR2T, Boxster, Z3, 2nd Gen RX7, Integra GSR, Celica GTS, Eclipse GST |
| GT4 | 15.5 and above | Miata, 318is, Civic Si, Integra, Eclipse GS, Mustang, Camaro, TransAm |
Scoring
Points are earned at each
series event and are accumulated for the year-end championship
and awards. Points are awarded to the top 8 finishers for
each class as follows:
1st = 10 pts, 2nd = 8 pts, 3rd
= 6 pts, 4th = 5 pts, 5th = 4 pts, 6th
= 3 pts, 7th = 2 pts, 8th = 1 pt.
The driver's best official time will be counted for finishing position. If a participant's timing box is not functioning properly, that participant registers a "T" for their qualifying time. This will allow all participants to qualify to score points.
A total of nine events will be counted for each driver, during the 2008 season. That is, the best achievable score is 90 points (wins in 9 TT's). Attending additional events will cause lower scores to be dropped. If a driver does not participate in nine trials, then there will be zero scores for those missing events.
Participants registering a "T" for their qualifying time will be scored behind the person registering the slowest lap time within that participant's class. If no other person in that participant's class registers a time then that participant will receive the full points awarded for fastest time in class for that event. In the event there are more than one participant in a class registering a "T" then those participants will be scored the same, or tie, relative to their position in their class (i.e. Six people in a class record a lap time and two people register a "T", the "T's" will tie for seventh).
A DNS (Did Not Start) or DNF (Did Not Finish) receives no points.
Contact with another car is an automatic DNF and subject to removal from the remainder of the event.
In case of a tie, where two or more drivers finish the season with the same number of points, the higher place in the shall be awarded to:
a) The holder
of the greatest number of first places,
b) If the number of first places is the same, the holder of
the greatest number of second places,
c) If the number of second places is the same, the holder
of the greatest number of third places and so on until a winner
emerges.
Trophies & Awards
To be eligible for year-end awards, you must have entered in at least 50% of the events during the year.. Year-end awards are presented in each class to the top 3 finishers. In the event of a tie, duplicate awards will be given for that position and the next award position will be eliminated.
Other awards presented by the organizers and/or sponsors may be awarded to participants as well (i.e. best turned out car, best sportsmanship, most car problems, etc.)
Awards may consist of trophies, plaques, ribbons, cash and/or product/services prizes. We usually determine the trophies at the end of the season.
Number Assignments
NCRC members should use their standard NCRC car number as their time trial number. The possible range of numbers is from 1 to 999. Every effort will be made to grant the entrant's number of choice, but numbers are assigned on a first come first serve basis. Contact Dave if you want to change your car number. There is some duplication in NCRC car numbers, and you should be prepared to change your number if you enter the time trials (or ARC racing).
Car numbers must be on the car at all times in order for course personnel, event officials and your fellow competitors to identify cars. Numbers must be of a contrasting color, and distinguishable from a distance. Shoe polish is not allowed. Numbers must be from 8 to 10 inches high and must be securely attached. Only one unique number should appear on the car (I.e., don't show car "25" as well as "123" on the same car).
Three numbers shall be placed on the car: one on each side, and one on the hood. Exceptions are on case-by-case bases and approved by NCRC Officials.
Required Safety Equipment
Safety regulations and equipment are those mandated by the event rules and regulations. No additional equipment is required.
These regulations must be strictly followed. Conformance with these regulations is the entrant's responsibility. Adherence to these regulations does not imply or guarantee that injury or death will not occur. The driver, passengers, crewmembers, family members, and spectators agree to participate in each event at their own risk, without recourse to NCRC or its representatives. NCRC recommends, regardless of the requirements for each class, that all cars and drivers are equipped with the maximum amount of and highest quality safety equipment available on the market. Safety equipment in excess of that required under the Rules, including chassis stiffening roll-cage has no bearing on the car classing scheme used to determine which class the car competes in.
Additional Competition Guidelines
The basic driving and passing rules during the Time Trials are the same as those during the Open Track sessions that the driver is approved to use. Offs and spins will be dealt with the same way, racing or aggressive driving as well. Please keep these rules in mind, even though you're running a timed session.
Specific rules for on-track competition will be supplied to official entrants via driver's bulletins and the web site. The Organizers reserve the right to change or modify these rules as they see fit and the Organizers also reserve the right to eject any competitor from the event for non-compliance with safety or other rules.