5/2/2003
To:
Northern California Region Drivers
Dear
NASA Racer,
I
have constructed this special document as a reminder of some of the rules and
to convey some new information, as well as establish what is expected of
you. Please read this carefully. Your attention to these issues is very
important.
It
is expected that everyone reading this will take these matters seriously and
help bring the program to a higher level, where it should be. The following may, at some points, sound a
bit harsh, however this letter is very important to ensure safer and more
smoothly run events. This is serious
business; so do not be offended by anything in this attachment. There are some issues that we need to
address, and some things that need to be changed.
Thank
you,
Jerry
Kunzman
NorCal
Regional Director
cc:
David Lang, Race Director
PROCEDURES, REMINDERS, AND NEW POLICIES.
This document is not meant to replace the rules listed in
the NASA Club Codes and Regulations (CCR), nor any addendums.
In miscellaneous order:
1)
Refund Policy: NASA has a very liberal refund policy for their
racers. You may get a refund for any
event you miss, providing that you notify the regional office within five days
after the event. There is a reason for
this rule. In order to make the most
out of track time AND be able to get you a schedule in advance, it is
IMPERATIVE that you sign up several weeks in advance. Remember, you can always get a refund. This applies to race entries only, not HPDE.
2)
Online Entry: Please use the online entry system. You MUST login first before you do
anything! Always remember your login
name and password. DO NOT create a new
account. If you are receiving this
letter, you already have an account created.
Creating a new one will cause you to lose historical information and you
may end up paying for another membership.
If you need help call: 510-232-6272
3)
Registration: If you are pre-registered (that means prior to the
event), you do not have to go to Registration.
However, you should stop by Registration to pick up a current copy of
the schedule, even if you were emailed one.
Always remember to register before going on track. If we catch you on track before you have
registered for that event, YOU WILL BE BANNED FROM NASA!!!
4)
Vehicle Logbooks: EVERYONE must
have a tech inspector sign their Race Vehicle Logbook at EVERY event, BEFORE
going on track. This is very
serious. Failure to follow this rule
will result in a minimum fine of $50.
No more excuses and no more warnings!
Can’t find an inspector? Find
the Race Director or another top official.
5)
Annual Inspection: Every car must get an annual inspection done before the
first race of the season (for that car).
Here is a list of tech shops: http://www.nasaproracing.com/events/racetechstations.htm You may also possibly have it done at the
track. You must call for an
appointment. 510-232-6272 or
510-222-2601. We will try to get you an
appointment, but do not wait until the last minute! Going on track without a current annual inspection will likely
result in EXCLUSION from the remainder of that event. Other penalties may apply as well.
6)
Tech Inspection Form: You MUST completely fill out the Race Car Tech
inspection form and sign it, for EACH event.
This must be done BEFORE going on track. Keep the form with your logbook.
This is for your own protection.
The form provides a valuable checklist, and by signing it, you are stating
that you have personally checked these items, and you are taking responsibility
for them.
7)
Rookie and Provisional License Holders:
a.
Give
your driver’s logbook to the Race Director at the start of each event and
collect it back at the end of each event.
This is YOUR responsibility. The
Race Director will not likely sign off your logbook for any race that you run
without having given him / her the logbook first.
b.
Remember
that you are on probation for the first four races. Any contacts, spins, etc. at any time on course, where you are
deemed at fault may cause the Race Director to refuse to sign off on that race,
and other penalties may apply. In other
words, keep a low profile, and stay out of trouble!
c.
Read
the CCR with regards to your rookie identification marks. Failure to properly display these marks
while on track as ANY TIME will result in penalties.
d.
Remember
that part of EARNING your racing license is following the rules. If you can’t follow some simple rules and
stay out of trouble, then you may find yourself back in the HPDE Licensing
School for reevaluation.
8)
Pre-Grid: Check for a posting of the
pre-grid diagram. One can be found at: http://www.nasaproracing.com/norcal/events/pregrid.jpg or ask a grid-marshal for a copy. Walk over and look at the grid ahead of
time. Learn the driving pattern.
9)
Gridding: Check the grid posting for your grid space NUMBER. This is usually posted outside of
T&S. Park you car in the proper
space. Remember, your driver’s side
(left) front wheel goes next to the number (if on a cone). If the numbers are flat on the ground or
marked on the ground, you may park over them.
Do not run over cones with numbers, or the plastic number hats. You will be charged if you damage our
equipment.
10)
Body Contact: All “body contact” MUST be reported immediately
following the race. Report contact to
the Impound Steward and file a Body Contact Report form with the Race
Director. Read the rules in the CCR
about contact. There are occasions when
actual contact is not considered “contact.”
Other than those cases, ALL contact MUST be reported. Even if you are not at fault yet fail to
file a report, you will be penalized.
Contact in racing can happen, however at NASA, we do not take it
lightly.
11)
FIA Seat Ruling: As of this writing, NASA is making an exception to the seatback
brace rule in certain cases in which the driver’s seat is homologated
(certified) to FIA standards 8855-1999, and installed in accordance with those
standards referenced there within as FIA Article 253, sub-Article 16.
This is a very tricky code. NASA cannot recommend whether you should chose to follow that
code, however, should you choose to follow that code AND choose not to use a
seatback brace, then nothing less than STRICT compliance with that code and
standards is acceptable.
Furthermore,
100% compliance with the aforementioned standards is the sole responsibility of
the driver. NASA has no way to enforce
the strict letter of that code. We are
allowing this, because SCCA has amended their rules to allow this. We do not want to force a driver to make a
choice, as switching seat configuration back and forth is impractical.
There will be more published on this subject, but for now,
you must either follow the CCR or you may forego the seatback brace providing that
you conform to the aforementioned criteria in this section. This rule (or exception) does not prohibit
NASA inspectors from stopping a competitor from racing, should their seat
mount, or any other safety equipment be deemed obviously unsafe. Conversely, remember that just because an
inspector allows you onto the track, does not imply that your car is safe. Your safety is ultimately YOUR
responsibility.
12)
Transponders: You must have an AMB
transponder. You can purchase one at
registration. Whenever you register you
MUST include your transponder number.
If you are using a paper form to enter and there is no place for a
Transponder Number, then write it on the top of the form. DO NOT trade with your friends! You are responsible for being properly timed
and scored. You screw it up, you can
yell at yourself!
13)
Driver’s Meeting: There is almost always a mandatory driver’s
meeting on the schedule. “Mandatory”
means that you have no choice but to attend, if you plan on racing that day.
14)
Group Leaders: A “group” is defined as the set of cars,
regardless of classes that share the track.
Each group MUST elect a “group leader.”
In some cases, two group leaders might be fine. For example a run group may consist of
Legends, BG, RSR, SM, and GTI. Perhaps
the Legends may have a group leader, and the other groups may elect a different
group leader. It really doesn’t matter,
because the intent is to create an effective flow of communication. After each session (practice, qualifying,
racing) each group leader should report to Control (or send someone to Control)
to see the Race Director. The Race
Director will provide them with valuable information and / or infractions. The group leaders will be responsible for
hunting down violators if necessary, and dissemination of information. This is critical to the success of the
racing program. This is mandatory. Each group may choose a leader (which can be
different each weekend), or the Race Director will choose someone. Please help make NASA the best place to race
by volunteering a small part of your time, and helping affect this vital
communication link.
15)
Passing Under Yellow: This infraction is unacceptable and 99% of
the time inexcusable. Racers MUST pay
attention to the flags. You can expect
full enforcement of penalties. There is
a rule that states that all racers must give a wave of acknowledgement to each
flagger on the cool-down lap. There
are several reasons for this. But, one
main reason is to force you to get used to the flag station locations. This will help you avoid missing flags!
