TSCC April Autocross

Schedule

7:30                             Gates Open

7:30 – 8:45                  Registration

7:30 – 9:00                  Tech

8:00 / 9:00                   Novice Meeting/Course Walk at Start Line (Mandatory for all Novice Registered Drivers)

9:15                             MANDATORY Driver's Meeting at the TSCC trailer

9:30                             First Car Off

The event will take place RAIN OR SHINE. In the event of severe weather, a decision will be made at the driver’s meeting to determine whether or not we will be running. You will be notified by email if the race event is cancelled before its scheduled date.

Heats

The event will be split into three or four heats, depending on the amount of participation. As an organization ran by volunteers, entrants will participate in the event by driving one heat and working another. During off heats, you can relax and enjoy watching other competitors’ on-course.

Workers

Work schedules for 3-heat events are as follows:

Heat 1 drivers will work Heat 2

Heat 2 drivers will work Heat 3

Heat 3 drivers will work Heat 1

Every person driving in the event MUST work the event.  Workers will check-in with the Chief of Workers (COW) at a designated location to receive their work assignment approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of the heat. Failure to work the event without notifying the COW with a valid reason, you will be banned from participating in the next event. If this should occur a second time, you will be banned from participating in any events for the season. 

Workers will change out on the fly. If you are unsure of the duties your work position entail, the COW will explain or direct you to an experienced member who can help in explaining what your work assignment will entail.  Be sure to coordinate with the COW as soon as possible if there are any particular assignments that you may not be able to perform. 

Car Preparation/Tech Inspection 

Cars must be fully prepared before proceeding to tech.

• Check all lug nuts (wheel bolts) are present and torque is 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)
• Numbers:  Number (at least 8” tall) and class letters (at least 4” tall) must be displayed on both sides of the car.  Painter's tape will be available from tech.   If you are unsure of your classing, please let us know before proceeding to Tech and we can help you
• 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 M2000, SA2000, K2000 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 reulations 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 2016 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.