About this event
Update 3/16/20:
All TSCC members and friends,
Yesterday state and local governments placed restrictions on all events over a certain number of participants for an undetermined amount of time. Unfortunately, we cannot positively control the number of participants at our events and ensure we stay below those limits. Furthermore, the concerns with social activities and the uncertainty of events could also lead us to situations where events could result in below our minimum break-even point resulting in losses to the club.
Autocross: Due to this the board has really no choice but to suspend the 2020 autocross season until further notice. We do plan to develop a makeup schedule so that we can still maintain 9 points events for the season. However, it is too early to tell how long this delay will last and therefore what timeframe we will have available for our events. Therefore, we cannot provide any further details regarding the 2020 schedule and make up events.
We will be processing refunds and/or cancelling payments for both the PE1 and the Novice School due to the uncertainty of the timeline for the events. This will take place over the next day or two.
Season Subscription holders, please remain patient until we determine the plan for the number of points events and makeup events. We will issue partial refunds if we are forced to drop events from the scheduled 9.
On a side note: We have discussed two-day events and two events in a month to make up missed events but we just don’t have enough to go on yet. This will be determined at a later date, though we would like member input on Saturday-Sunday double event weekends vs just adding another Sunday to each month. Please email membership@tidewatersportscarclub any input you may have.
Winter Karting Series: Due to the reasons above, and the challenges we have had with equipment this year, the board has elected to conclude the 2020 Winter Karting Series. We have not determined if the three events held will result in a Series Championship or not. We are working with Lemans to collect the results data before making this call.
HPDE and Gripfest: NC Government has placed 30-day restrictions on large events at NCCAR which currently does not affect our April HPDE event, however, we are actively watching and plan to make a call on the HPDE schedule within the first week of April. As of now both events are still a go.
I apologize for these delays and appreciate your patience as we all strive to keep everyone healthy and safe. TSCC is using this time to prepare and have the racing season get started as soon as possible.
Rob Godiciu
2020 President, Tidewater Sports Car Club
“Come for the racing…Stay for the family”
Welcomes You to The Premier Autocross Club of South East Virginia Since 1953.
2020 Novice School - March 28th at Military Circle Mall!
Note: this event was originally scheduled for March 14th, but due to Coronavirus threat has been rescheduled to March 28th.
The Tidewater Sports Car Club (TSCC) autocross season runs from March through November with championship series events typically taking place on the 3rd Sunday of the month. This is a great opportunity for new participants to get involved with autocross.
This Autocross Novice School is geared towards novices to get some one-on-one instruction and a lot of seat-time to get their driving skills up to speed. If you have less than 10 events under your belt, this is for you!
Costs:
TSCC Members - $75
Non-Members - $90 -
****Become a member here first and save $15 towards this event and recieve $10 off each autocross event. Students recieve $10 credit towards the March event so if you sign up today you will be recieving your 2020 TSCC Membership for only $15 more****
Proceed below to preregister
The TSCC 2020 Autocross Rules can be reviewed here: http://www.tidewatersportscarclub.com/club-autocross-rules/
Not sure about classing your car? Read our Classing Guide: http://www.tidewatersportscarclub.com/classing-guide/
Event requirements
This Autocross Novice School is geared towards novices to get some one-on-one instruction and a lot of seat-time to get their driving skills up to speed. If you have less than 10 events under your belt, this is for you!
During the morning, all students will take runs on an autocross course with key elements strung together un-timed, to work on technique and focus on driving. Afternoon runs will be timed to gauge progress, like a normal autocross course.
The event is currently limited to 24 students with additional entries added to a wait list. In the event of cancellations or additional instructors being available, people in the waiting list will be notified. We are committed to provide the best novice instruction we can and will limit each instructor to 2 students. Pending instructor availability, up to 25 students may be accepted... this is limited to give everybody as many runs as possible.
Novice School Entry will get you lunch provided for the school, plus a $10 credit for Points Event #1 the following day on March 15th
7:30 Gates Open
7:30 - 8:00 Registration + pairing up students with instructors
7:45 - 8:15 Tech
8:00-8:30 Instructors Meeting
8:30 Drivers Meeting / Class/ Group Instruction
9:20 Break up into groups - Group 1 to Grid
9:30 First Car Off
9:30 - 10:30 Course Driving Group 1
10:30 - 11:30 Course Driving Group 2
11:30 - 12:30 Working Lunch (Provided by TSCC) with open discussion about driving techniques, things learned, etc.
12:30 Instruction resumes
12:30 - 1:30 Course Driving Group 1
1:30 - 2:30 Course Driving Group 2
2:30 - 3:30 Course Driving Both Groups (Instructors working Course)
3:30 End of Day meeting all help set up course for Sunday/clean up
*Schedule Subject to Change
Car Preparation/Tech Inspection
Cars must be fully prepared before proceeding to tech.
- Check all lug nuts (wheel bolts) are present and torqued according to manufacturer’s specifications
- Inspect your tires, ensure no cords are showing, do not use tire shine.
- Check your brakes for pedal pressure and proper brake fluid levels
- Clean windshield/windows.
- Place your registration card under the driver’s side wiper.
- Check throttle return spring
- Check wheel bearings
- Ensure your car is not leaking excessive amounts of fluid
- Ensure your battery is secured(Bungee Cords are not an authorized method of securing the battery)
- Interior: Clean out all unnecessary items from inside your car (i.e. floor mats, loose speakers, items hanging on rear view mirror, wrappers, tools, etc) Plan on bringing a couple grocery bags with you for this purpose
- Trunk: Remove spare tire, tools, jack, loose/unsecured items
- Helmet: Helmets must be SNELL M2005, SA2005, K2005 or newer; SFI 31.1, 41.1, 31.1A, 31.2A, 41.1A, 41.2A or British spec BS6658-85 type A/FR are also acceptable. Any helmet must fit properly and in good condition. DOT helmets that do not meet the more stringent regulations are not permitted. Club loaner helmets are available for those who do not personally own an approved helmet
- Sound Limits: TSCC will be enforcing sound limits of 100dB as measured per SCCA rules, and will be enforced per Appendix I of the 2019 SCCA National Solo Rules.
Course Workers:
The most common work assignment, especially for novices, is course working. Course workers stand at worker stations around the course and reset cones as they get knocked over.
- Never turn your back on a car! You need to look down to reset the cone, but keep one eye on that car as long as it's still on-course.
- When you set a cone, please RUN, don't walk, and hustle back. This is for your safety, and helps the event run smoothly.
- The Radio operator at each worker station will also hold red flag - unfurled - but holding the tip to keep it from flapping in the breeze. The radio operator should be calling in downed cones, not running for them.
- If you see a dangerous situation, do not hesitate, throw a red flag and call "RED FLAG, RED FLAG" on the radio. If one red flag is thrown, all stations will throw red flags.
- No sitting or kneeling at worker stations while cars are on the course. We try to place worker stations in safe positions, but drivers can lose control in unlikely places- you need to be on your toes and ready to react at any instant.
- Cameras, cell phones and other distractions are prohibited at worker stations.
- Watch out for your fellow workers- keep them safe, too.
- Only upright cones are assessed as penalties. Lay-down pointer cones are not assessed as penalties unless struck after the finish. Cars are required to be under control after passing the finish beams; any cone struck after the finish disqualifies the run.
Radio etiquette:
TSCC assigns one experienced course-worker at each station to operate the radio and red flag. The radios used by TSCC have a delay after depressing the transmit button, and the first second or so gets cut off, so always pause before speaking. State "[pause] Control, this is Station [#]". After Control replies, key the button, pause, and call in your report. This etiquette is especially important for events at large venues where 2-3 cars are on course at once and multiple cone penalties are being assessed simultaneously. The exception to this is a red flag, which should be called immediately. When reporting penalties, always refer to the car number, not the car description.
Insurance Waiver
All competitors will be required to sign an insurance waiver upon entering the facility. Minors will need to have a minor waiver signed by both parents in order to compete or to ride along. The minimum age for riding along is 12 years.
Important Site Information:
In addition to the customary competition requirements you also agree to abide by the following rules and regulations required by our host facility.
- You will drive no faster than walking speed while in the Paddock, Grid or elsewhere on the site.
- There is NO tire warming anywhere on the site.
- There is NO vehicle testing anywhere on the site.
- The only authorized smoking area is near the Dumpster including Vapor Cigarettes
Karts and Junior Carts are NOT allowed to run at this event.
TSCC operates under the SCCA rules for almost all cases complete rules can be found HERE.
TSCC may be monitoring, recording, and enforcing sound levels at this event.