Allowable Cars
A well-maintained street car is typically what you’ll find in our open track groups. A “race car” is great, but not mandatory. All cars must be in good visual condition as well as structurally sound, and meet all rules listed here.
- We do not allow “project cars” with missing bumpers, windows or body panels, non-OEM body parts that don’t fit right, significant body damage or primer, or attached “artistic appendages” or signs.
- We do not allow SUV’s, pickup trucks, jeeps, crossovers, or other similar vehicles in any group other than our Driving School
- Open-wheel cars are approved to run at ARC race events, but not allowed for NCRC open track driving outside of the Driving School without specific approval from NCRC
- Sports racers are allowed in all groups
- Open top (convertible, t-top, sunroof, etc) cars are allowed pending compliance with the “Open Top Cars” section below
- For all groups except Solo and Driving School, drivers must not only be qualified themselves, but their lap time needs to be reasonable for the group they’re in. The goal being not to have any car/driver combination in the group which is way too slow for the average speed. There will be cars that we decide are not acceptable to drive in the Open or Point-By group, and thus an experienced driver with such a car may be moved down to another group, or in an extreme case not allowed to run at all. As a general rule track cars should be sports or race cars, and not family sedans, econoboxes, SUV’s or pickup trucks, but of course there are always exceptions.
If you have concerns about whether your car will pass the visual requirement, please mail a photo of each side of the car to Evan.
Car Qualification Policy
For all run groups, drivers must not only be qualified themselves, but their car must also qualify for that group. The goal being not to have any car in the group which is way too slow for the average speed of the group. There will be cars that we decide are not acceptable to drive in a particular group, and thus an experienced driver with such a car may be restricted to the Point-By, or even lower group. For example, the Open group is for modern sports cars and race cars, but of course there are always exceptions. The only group exempt from this rule is the driving school.
Inspection
You must inspect your car before the event and ensure any necessary repairs are made before the event. A Car Prep Checklist is available to help you decide what needs to be inspected. A car that does not pass inspection should not be brought to the event. Some tracks have a strict sound policy; if this may be an issue for you, please check track rules for specifics.
Open Top Cars
No open top cars (convertible, t-top, sunroof) will be allowed to participate in NCRC events without proper roll protection for the driver as defined below. Passengers will not be allowed and instruction will not be provided in open top cars without proper roll protection for the passenger. Track stewards will do the broomstick test and drivers will be removed from an event with no refund for failing to have adequate roll protection installed in their car.
NCRC ROLL PROTECTION REQUIREMENT
For safety reasons, all open top cars are required to have adequate roll protection in order to be driven at any NCRC event. This roll protection (factory or aftermarket) must allow the driver to pass the “broomstick test,” which means that the driver’s helmet must be below the line connecting the structural parts of the car. Typically in a convertible this is a line from the top of the front windshield to the rollbar.[1] [2] [3]
- Factory removable hard tops are normally not structural and do not meet our roll protection requirement.
- If the a-pillar is not structural, the front shock mount points should be used for the broomstick test.
- Factory pop-up roll protection systems cannot be tested at the track, so this requirement is waived for those vehicles.
THE BROOMSTICK TEST
Please note that the broomstick test is dependent on the height of the driver. While we can answer general questions about convertibles, “Is my car legal?” is typically not something NCRC can answer for you – you need to do the broomstick test with *you* in the car.
- Put your helmet on and sit in the driver’s seat of your car
- Lay one end of a stick on top of the windshield, and the other on top of the roll hoop, bar or other structural component behind your seat
- The top of your helmet should not be higher than the stick
If you do not pass the broomstick test, the typical solutions are to either get a taller rollbar, lower your seat, or both.
Note that NCRC currently has a Safety Equipment Reimbursement Program that helps you out financially with the installation of a rollbar, lower seat, or other equipment necessary to get you to pass the broomstick test.
Here are some vendors that may provide roll protection solutions. We are not affiliated with any of these businesses, or able to vouch for the quality of these products.
Miata
http://www.autopowerindustries.com/
Honda S2000
Hard Dog rollbar
Buddy Club seat rails and racing seats from f1Spec.com
BMW Z3
Hard Dog rollbar
Porsche Boxster, 911 Cabriolet
The removable hardtops on these cars are structural, and acceptable at NCRC events.
Camaro, Firebird, Corvette
http://www.autopowerindustries.com/
If you wish to further increase the margin of safety you might consider using arm tie-in straps or a window net to protect your arms from going outside of the car’s protected cockpit area.
