Occam's Racer Track Day

Run groups

Motorcycles. There will be one bike group capped at 25 bikes. Some of us are regulars at Pineview Run, and we mostly ride 400cc and under sportbikes and supermotos, so please ride something that mixes well with low-powered bikes. If you’re going to complain about being held up, or roost us on the straights with your Superbike, then this is not the event for you. Open passing on straights and on the outside of corners, please respect a 6′ space. Novice riders must wear an orange vest and will be given extra room.

Cars, open passing. This group is for licensed racers, advanced drivers, and intermediates by permission. Passing allowed anywhere on track, but be safe and courteous; no stealing apexes, no blocking, and consider pointing by faster cars. Anyone who exhibits dangerous passes, is aggressive, unsafe, or behaves like a jackass will not be allowed back on track, and will not receive a refund. If you've never been in an open-passing group, contact Mario (415.269.3246) before signing up for this group. 

Cars, point-by. This group is for intermediate (solo) drivers, cars going slower than 1:50, or anyone who prefers point-by passing. Passing on the left only, in three zones: the front straight, between T4 and T5, and between T8-T9. If you are stuck behind a train of cars that won’t let you pass, come through pit lane and ask the starter to find you a gap in traffic. Novice drivers may be allowed in this group on a case-by-case basis, contact Mario (415.269.3246) before signing up. You must be a highly skilled driver, and you’ll need a qualified driving instructor in the passenger seat until they feel you can drive solo. However, no instructors are provided for this event. I can put you in touch with some instructions, but you’ll have to make the arrangements on your own.

NYST rules and regulations

This event is held under New York Safety Track’s insurance, and so all vehicles must pass NYST tech inspection and follow their track rules. Their rules are posted online, please read them. If you don’t read the rules, and subsequently fail tech inspection, that’s on you. Cars: if you fill out NASA’s tech form, or similar, you should be well covered for this event.

Don’t crash

Crashing sucks, not just for you, but for everyone. Crashing requires cleanup, alters the day’s schedule, and results in less track time for everyone. For this reason, I highly discourage anyone from pushing themselves (or others) into chasing a record lap. If you get a PB lap because you’re put some things together better than you had before, that’s great. But don’t push yourself beyond the limits of your car or your skills.

Two off, four off, spin

• If you go two off, pit and have the track marshal check your tires. Some of the pavement can be sharp where it drops off, and it may cut tires. You may also get mud in your rims or brakes, and the marshal will be able to tell you what’s going on.
• If you go four off at slow speed or without drama, you may enter the track safely, but be hyper aware that you may be dropping fluids. $$$
• If you go four off with any kind of a bump, you should stay where you are. You may have oil pan damage and coming back on track could spread oil on track. Wait in your car (unless it’s on fire), and NYST will pause the session to check on your car.
• If you spin on track, but don’t put any wheels off, report to the pit marshall and tell them. There could be something on the track, and you could probably use a breather. There’s really no excuse for spinning, so get your head back in it before you re-enter the track.
• If you spin or go four off track twice, pit in immediately, you’re done for that session and the next one. You’ll get a stern talking to, and an instructor ride along when you go out again. If this happens three times in a day, you’re done, without a refund, and you’re not coming to another Occam’s Racer track day.

I crashed...

If you crash, stay where you are. Don’t leave the car unless it’s on fire. NYST will throw a red flag (which means return to the pits, not stop on track), clear all the cars on track, and then send the emergency crew. You might be waiting a while; you earned it.

Note that if you crash your car or spread oil/coolant around the track, NYST will charge you for cleanup. You’ll also get the stink eye from every other driver, since they are literally paying for your mistake. If you crash, you may be banned from future Occam’s Racer events.

Schedule

You may camp at the track Saturday night. NYST charges $20 per vehicle. People camping must arrive Saturday evening between 6-10pm.

6:30am Gates open
7:00-8:30 Registration and tech
8:30-8:55 Mandatory drivers and riders meeting
9:00-9:20 Cars – Open passing
9:20-9:40 Cars – Point-by
9:40-10:00 Bikes
Repeat on the hour
1:00-2:00 Lunch (or 12:00-1:00, TBD)
2:00-4:00 Same as the morning
4:00-5:00 Happy hour (cars only, open passing)

There will be six regular 20-minute sessions. That's a lot of time, so drink lots of water and pace yourself. The final hour is for cars only, with open passing for all. This is not as crazy as it sounds, as most people will be done for the day already, and everyone else is winding down. 

The schedule may change due to weather, on-track delays, or sign ups. If it rains, I may change the schedule to allow more dry track time for bikes. In the unlikely event that a lot of cars sign up and I can’t balance that with two run groups, I may add a third car group for either point-by or open passing. If another car group is necessary, I will pay for the full media package, so you'll get full access to all photos and videos for free. 

Sign me up!

Registration is open until April 30th, after that there’s a $50 late fee. Refunds will be given until April 30th. After that date, there are no refunds, please find someone else to take your place.

• Bikes – $175
• Cars – $350