These rules apply to all NCRC open track events. See ARC Rules for rules related to our race series or Chrono Series rules for time trials. You should also read through the Car Requirements section, for requirements related to your car, note any specific additional Track Rules as well. and Logistics for a list of items to make you best prepared for your track day. 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.
Driving Rules
These driving rules are for NCRC’s Open Track events:
- You must be at least 18 years of age, 16 with parental consent, and have a valid driver’s license
- Passengers 18 years of age or older are allowed in your car for a session or two, as long as you’re not in the driving school, or other “green” (low experience) groups.
- Passing should be done in a safe and communicated manner at all times. The pass should be for purposes of moving a faster car around the track, as opposed to a racing pass to gain track advantage. In the groups which require point-by, the following driver must wait for a point-by.
- The leading driver is responsible for enabling a pass by pointing the following driver around on either side, staying on the racing line, and letting off the gas if needed. The following car is responsible for making it a safe pass.
- Wheels off the track, or spins are a symptom of a loss of concentration, and as such are a leading indicator of more problems to come. The track steward will manage response to spins and offs, with a “Three strikes and you’re going home” rule.
- Remember that open track driving is a sport people engage in for fun. Egos and “red mist” are not appropriate.
Common Sense
Alcohol is not permitted at our events while the track is hot, or during lunch.
Run Groups
Drivers in Open Track are grouped by similar experience levels, into Driving School, Solo, Point-By and Open run groups. The definitions of those groups are here.
Apparel
At a minimum, you must wear a t-shirt and long pants (cotton is best) on the track. A driving/fire suit is of course the better option.
A SNELL SA-10/15 (preferred) or M-10/15 (acceptable) or newer helmet is required for anyone in the car. NCRC does not provide helmets for you; you must bring one. The helmet must cover the ears as a minimum (no “shorty” type helmets), with a closed faced helmet being required in open cars, optional in hard-top cars.
Contact
Be aware that driving will be at high speed, and while most tracks have safe run-off areas, accidents can happen. Verify with your insurance company if you have concerns. Neither the track or NCRC will take liability for any incidents, and you will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging this at the beginning of the day.
Contact with another car is a rare and unfortunate situation, and such incidents are almost always the fault of both drivers, to one extent or the other. NCRC will not mediate financial restitution between the drivers.
In the case of contact of any kind, you may receive a warning, probation, or removal from the club. 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, the attitudes of the people involved, 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, based on our best judgment for the good of the club and those involved.
The Bottom Line
- If the flaggers or track officials see you violating rules, you will be black flagged, and pulled in for a discussion. Flagrant or multiple violations, and your day will be over, with no refund. Failure to know or see the flags is not a good excuse for ignoring them.
- We won’t tolerate any activity that appears reckless or aggressive to yourself or other drivers.
- Conformance to NCRC bylaws and is required. If you remember nothing else, remember these two phrases: “Track Awareness” and “Personal Responsibility”.
- NCRC reserves the right to remove any driver from an event, or from the club, for any reason.
If you have any questions about our rules, or need any clarification before attending an event, please contact Evan. At the event itself, verify rules with NCRC Management or Instructors.
