The following rules are written for the safety of all participants in all HPDE and Time Attack. The event should be a fun, exciting, and a quality experience for all involved.  Safety is the primary focus of every track event hosted by us and the following rules reflect what is thought to be the minimum needed for safety for all Time Attack participants.  

 

HPDE (high performance driving groups)
The HPDE is for practicing to learn the line on Grand Course. HPDE sessions are designed to provide a safe and controlled environment for drivers to participate in on-track driving without a competitive element. Drivers are required to operate their vehicles within the rules that will be given at the event, and within the limits of their automobiles, the track, and the tracks current conditions. Racing within the HPDE groups is not allowed.  

 

Timed Sessions

Time Attack is a non wheel-to-wheel time based competitive series for advanced and expert drivers. Time Attack is not open to novice drivers and is open to all makes and models. We run five classes in order to provide competition and fun to everyone. Time Attack is about safety first. We recommend that all Time Attack cars have added safety features like roll cages and harnesses even if they are not required. Our rules are simple and make it easy for long time HPDE drivers to make a transition to competitive driving.

 

The following General safety and Vehicle prep rules apply to HPDE and Time Attack:

 

ALL Drivers must:

·      Be at least 16 years old and have current state driver's license

·      Have a NASA Membership

·      Attend all required driver meeting

·      Pass a NASA tech inspection on site and complete NASA tech form 

·      Have the proper safety equipment

·      Follow the rules in this document long with event rules on track day

·     Sign required waivers and tech inspection form prior to driving in the event

·      Abide by any and all rules of the event. Take proper care to not damage
   the track facilities in any way possible.  Any driver car causing the damage
   to the track shall reimburse the track for expenses.

On track conduct for HPDE

All drivers must have an understanding NASA rules including:        

        

1.     Track Flags.  When you sign up, the track flag PDF will be provided before the event and will be reviewed in drivers meeting.

           2.     Passing Signals

·       You must have a point by in order to pass. This is not an option.

·       Make sure you make a clear point by out the window if possible.

·       It is one point by per car

·       If you need to let of the gas to let a car by then do so with caution.

 

If drivers on track drive in a manner that suggest a lack of understanding to any of these items, they will be brought Black Flagged to pit and discuss with the track controller.

 

DRIVERS MUST:

 

1.   Use proper and safe speed (less than 10 MPH) on the grid and in the paddock.

2.   When entering the track, DO NOT CROSS THE BLEND LINE.  Stay track right all the way to turn 1.

3.   Pay attention to corner stations looking for flags. Flags and their meanings will be demonstrated at the driver’s meetings

4.   Driver and passenger arms and hands must remain inside the vehicle at all times unless giving a passing signal.

5.   Do not exit the vehicle on track at any time unless instructed to do so by a corner worker, or if the car is on fire. FIRE IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE REASON TO EXIT YOUR CAR ON TRACK.  If fire happens, run away from the track surface (as cars might still be driving the track at speed), or toward a corner worker station if possible, without crossing the track itself.

6.   Going off track accidentally or spinning off the racing surface, including flat spins without exiting the racing surface, are highly discouraged. You will have three strikes. After your third strike you will be removed from the rest of the event for the safety of the other drivers and yourself.  

7.     Any and all unsafe and reckless/out of control driving that is seen by participants is asked to be reported to staff.  

8.     Allow faster drivers by as soon as possible while it is safe. As well keep a safe distance before passing.  

 

Passengers
Passengers are allowed only in the Advanced Group with Approval, and they are allowed in any novice where a professional instructor is driving.

 

Helmets
Only Certain Helmets are Accepted and will be checked.  Sn ell 2010, 2015, FIA 2010, FIA 2015. No Motorcycle helmets

 

Clothing

1.     Non-synthetic fabric clothing (i.e. Cotton)

2.     Long pants only, no shorts on track.

3.     For Time Attack you must wear long sleeve shirts. For HPDE you may wear short sleeved shirts, but long sleeved is encourage.

4.     Shoes must be closed toed and in good condition no holes or rips.

5.     In race prepped cars you must wear a full driving suit, gloves, shoes, and fire-resistant undergarments are recommended

6.     Driving gloves and shoes are recommended for all drivers.       

Time Attack Safety Rules

 

The Event Director shall be the authority for control over all track sessions for the day  with the Time Attack Director controlling Time Attack and the HPDE Director have authority over the HPDE groups.  All rule changes will be considered effective immediately unless otherwise noted. Any input from a participant will be considered, but the ruling of the Event Director and stewards of the event will be considered final. The Event Director will only stop on-track operations for weather related reasons in the event of lightning within 1 mile of the track facility or conditions of ice on the racetrack. Rain will not be a reason for cancellation unless lightning strikes are a factor, for the safety of the track worker and corner worker staff.

 

Drivers

Time Attack is a non wheel-to-wheel competition series for advanced and expert drivers only. Time Attack is not open to beginning drivers. Stated experience will be evaluated and drivers that do not meet an advanced level may not be able to run in Time Attack. 

Driver’s safety equipment . A.neck restraint system, such as a HANS device is required for unlimited Time attack participants. Long pants are required for Time attack. For unlimited time attack participants. drivers are required to wear driving suits that must effectively cover the body from the neck to the ankles and wrists. All suits shall bear an SFI 3.2A/1 or higher certification label or FIA 8856-2000 homologation. Drivers helmets must be Snell SA2010 rating or higher. Motorcycle rated helmets are not acceptable. Drivers gloves must be fire resistant and have no holes. Nomex balaclavas worn under helmets are highly recommended. Balaclavas are required for drivers with facial hair.

 

Harnesses.   All cars with roll bars or roll cages shall use 5 point-or-greater harnesses or harnesses with ASM technology, with SFI ratings, and harnesses must be “IN DATE”, meaning, 5 years or less shall have passed since manufacture of the harness, as indicated on the date stamp of the harness. Non-dated or non-labeled harnesses will not be allowed. Harnesses must be correctly installed, as indicated in diagrams, and all mounting points to sheet metal shall be adequately backed by large plates on opposite side of sheet metal.  

 

Conduct . All drivers and their crew members participating in an event shall conduct themselves according to the highest standards of behavior and sportsmanship. This includes their interaction with all competitors, officials, staff, and all participants or attendees who may or may not be participating in the track events or attending the festivities.

 

Contact on track deemed unacceptable . All cars participating in the Time Attack must be driven in such a manner that they do not contact other cars on track. Racing room must be given to all participants in every corner of the track and on straightaways. "Racing Room" is defined as the ability to keep all four wheels of a racecar on the paved racing surface at all times. Dive bombing with the intention to disrupt another participant and send them off track, or "moving over" on another car with the result of them exiting the racing surface is unacceptable. Failure to avoid any and all contact will likely result in loss of racing time and or privileges entirely. This is intended to be fun, competitive for all. Contact resulting in visible damage to either car involved will result in cars being black flagged and sent to "contact impound", where the situation will be sorted out between both drivers and the contact impound steward. Video evidence will be reviewed when available.

Contact (if not black flagged) may result in the loss of finishing position of the car and all trophies/prize money/contingency resulting from said finishing position if deemed intentional or avoidable by contact impound steward. Finishing position may not be bettered as a result of contact. Impacting of a car to a barrier is also discouraged, and could potentially result in the driver having to pay for the cost of repair to the damaged barrier if the track staff demands it.

 

Flags . General flag rules will be observed. Flag rules will be gone over in the race group drivers meeting at the start of the race weekend. During any competitive event a double yellow flag condition resulting in the safety crew pulling a car off track or to a safe position will require cars to slow to 35 MPH in the area of the safety vehicle and to pass the safety vehicle as the driver of the safety vehicle directs (via point-bys, or other signals)

 

PASSING RULES  -All passes must be made in a safe manner. A "safe manner" means that ABSOLUTELY NO contact between any cars involved in the pass occurs. The driver of the car making the pass must anticipate all potential problems arising from the pass attempt before executing the pass, and the car or cars being passed must leave "racing room" for the car that is passing. " Racing room" is defined as the ability to keep all four wheels of a racecar on the paved racing surface at all times. All passes must be clean and safe. Contact resulting from poorly executed passes is likely to result in the finishing position being changed for any and all cars involved in the incident. Passing rules must be adhered to during all competitive events. Contact between cars is unacceptable, and any driver involved in an incident has the right to protest the finishing order of the race.

 

Stopping on track . Coming to a complete stop on track is prohibited if at all possible. A full-stop vehicle will automatically result in a yellow , black, or red flag situation for all cars in the area of the stopped vehicle or on the entire racetrack. If a car needs to stop on track, please stop near or behind a safety worker station/track barrier cutaway, and drivers may only exit the vehicle if given the permission of the safety worker. It is strongly advised not to stop any vehicle on tall, dry grasses, as fire and inevitable vehicle damage will likely occur.  If the vehicle is on fire, the driver may exit as soon as possible.

TIRES

Street class must run on DOT Tire with 80 treadwear or greater.  Race Classes can use any brand of slicks.

 
Lights . Functional brake lights (at least one easy to spotlight at rear of car) must be on all cars and functional at all times or a car may be black flagged.

Rollbars/Roll Cages and HANS 
Roll-bars and roll cages are encouraged for Time Attack but not required. HANS devices are encouraged for all cars with roll-bars and harnesses.

Harnesses

1.     Shoulder belts must be 3+" wide unless narrower is required for use with a head and neck restraint. (HANS specific belts, etc), and include anti-submarine belts. 5 + points or ASM technology.

2.     Harnesses must be in working condition without frays or tears.

3.     The release mechanism must be in proper working condition.

4.     Harnesses must be name-brand, quality pieces.  Non-labeled (SFI , FIA, etc) “knock off”, or “show car only” harnesses will not be allowed.  

 

Convertibles

1. If the car has stock seats and belts, we strongly suggest installing a roll bar and using arm restraints. A rollbar is REQUIRED for the Mazda Miata. Convertibles with factory rollover protection (IE: 2002 Porsche Boxster, Honda S2000, MINI Cooper Convertible) are allowed to run with the factory seats and seatbelts. All convertibles must pass the broomstick test. Driver’s head, with helmet, must be below the line “created” from the top of the windshield to the top of the rollover protection. It is highly encouraged that all convertibles add aftermarket rollover protection.

2. The top of the driver/passenger helmet must be below the top of all bars of the halo in a roll cage. For a roll bar, the broomstick test may be used as a guide to determine if the driver/passenger are properly protected.

   Tech Inspection

NASA on-site tech inspection is REQUIRED and drivers must also complete NASA tech form

 

Tech Inspection Requirements

Here is the form that must be completed and signed before you arrive at track or you will have to complete inspection at track:  

www.kaizenautosport.com/slides/slide/kaizen-autosport-annual-technical-inspection-form-20

Participants shall bring their car to tech as it will be driven on track. This includes the tires and pads they will use on track. All loose items should be out of the car, and helmet and any device that will be secured to the car during the event should be present and installed. Participants must demonstrate that any device that will be attached to the car (inside or out) is secured properly. Any device secured to the outside of the car should also be checked by track staff prior to each session. Floor mats that are not pinned in must be removed, and glove boxes and storage areas must be emptied.  If an item isn’t tied down, it should not be in the car.  

 

Below is a basic list (common issues in bold) of issues that should be addressed prior to going to tech,or going on track. Please check for these issues throughout the event and correct them if they appear on a vehicle:

· Corded tires, or tires rubbing on suspension arms/fenders

· Loose lug nuts

· Brake lights not working

· Excessive play in the brake or clutch pedal

· Loose throttle cable

· Play in the steering wheel

· Loose bolts - please torque ALL bolts to spec before going through tech

· Warped or cracked rotors

· Loose/bad wheel bearings or balljoints

· Fluid leaks of any kind  (windshield washer fluid, oil, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid)

· Hoses that can rub on sheetmetal , causing damage or cuts in the hoses.   

· Brake pad thickness less than the recommended minimum thickness

· Loose body panels/wings

· Loose objects in the car

· Loose dipstick tube

· Low oil pressure, high coolant/water temperature

· Check engine lights(CELs) All CELs must be investigated and resolved in order to pass tech - other than a CEL due to a bad catalytic converter or use of a test pipe, or other emissions related CELs.

· Engine / rod knocking

· Frayed belts

· Loose/missing gas cap

· Excessive valve train noise

· Battery not tied down properly.  TIE DOWNS MUST BE OEM OR BETTER QUALITY.  Rubber or ratchet straps are not acceptable.

· Exposed wiring, or wiring that can potentially rub on sheetmetal in a damaging way to the wiring.  General wiring, especially underhood, must be neat and secure in layout.

· ECU not properly secured

· Low tire pressure

· Low oil levels

· Noise level (if the track has a decibel limit)

· Lack of exhaust -  Running open header at these events is not allowed. You must have an exhaust, or at minimum, a b-pipe with a turn down. Excessively loud vehicles can and will be refused track-time. If you think your car is excessively loud, it very well might be.  Please correct this with the use of a muffler or resonator.

What if I fail tech inspection? 

If any changes are required as a result of a tech inspection, participants must complete an additional inspection to ensure the changes are compliant. The lead NASA tech inspector or event director will be able to discuss why a car failed and may be able to give some recommendations on how to best address the issue.

Participants should ensure that they bring adequate tools, as well as extra fluids, pads, and spare parts. This is recommended for any track event, and will help ensure that they maximize track time. If a car cannot pass tech, it will not be allowed to drive on track. Complying with the safety rules and ensuring a car is in good mechanical condition will ensure that it will pass tech. This is a firm rule, with no exceptions.  Participants should go over every inch of their car prior to the event, and check all systems, bolts, and have quality and fresh fluids in their car. The responsibility of ensuring that the vehicle is safe and in proper mechanical condition to participate in the event falls exclusively upon the driver. Refunds will not be issued for non-compliant cars.