ARPCA Drivers Education Participant Manual Revision #1 (DKP 08 JAN)- 2017 MAY 5,6,7 WATKINS GLEN
page 2 ARPCA DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT The mission and purpose of the Allegheny Region PCA Driver Education (DE) program is to afford participants the opportunity to drive their vehicle on a closed-course racing circuit in a safe, structured, and controlled teaching environment. The program is designed so that participants will improve their driving skills and acquire a better understanding of high-performance car control techniques and vehicle dynamics. ARPCA DE events are not racing, to be considered preparation for racing, nor a competition of any kind. Conduct considered by the Track or Safety committees to be either unsafe or inconsistent with the purpose or spirit of this mission will not be tolerated. Overview This manual contains important information regarding the Allegheny Region DE event at Watkins Glen on May 5-7, 2017. All participants are responsible for reviewing and complying with the information and procedures contained herein. Registration Procedures Registration will be held on Friday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. (recommended) and 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Saturday morning before the Drivers Meeting and consists of two steps: 1. Safety Check by our Safety/Tech inspection Team (complete this first.) This is located at the end of the garages closest to pit lane (1 and 30). Drive your car to Tech and: Present your completed Vehicle Safety Inspection form (see below) Present your helmet for inspection. All helmets must have a SNELL 2010 or 2015 certification. Please do not arrive with a 2005 sticker in your helmet as you will not be driving with us! Get your Tech form stamped. If you are sharing a car, you must bring a completed and signed form for each driver. 2. Registration. This will be held in garages 2 and 29 next to the Tech area. At Registration you will: Turn in your stamped Vehicle Safety Inspection form, Sign the PCA waiver, Sign the Garage Rental form (if you have rented a garage), Show your valid driver s license, and then Receive your registration packet Friday Lapping Day Registration: Lapping day participants may drop off their vehicle and/or trailer on Thursday evening before the event although there will be no registration available at that time. You will not be allowed to enter the track until 6 p.m. and must leave the track by 9 p.m. Registration for lapping day will be held from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. on Friday morning only.
page 3 Saturday morning late arrivals: If you do not arrive in time to complete registration before the driver s meeting, you must attend the meeting and then contact any of the event administrators who will arrange for your late registration. No driver or vehicle will be allowed on track without properly completing the registration process. PRE-EVENT PROCEDURES It cannot be overstated that the effort placed by the participant in ensuring that his/her vehicle is properly prepared for track use will result in the best chances of having the event be a safe and successful learning experience. It is far better and safer to have any potential mechanical deficiencies in your vehicle corrected before leaving home. High-performance driving on a racing circuit will quickly unmask any components that aren't capable of handling the stress that will be placed on them in this environment. VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION Vehicle Safety Inspection: The 2017 Vehicle Safety Inspection form must be properly completed and presented with your car at Tech inspection at the track. The form is located here: http://arpca.com/de/info/ All non-instructor-driven cars must have the tech inspection performed by any legitimate automotive repair/inspection facility no more than 30 days before the event. Instructors may "self-tech" their cars but must still complete a Vehicle Safety Form and present it to registration. Instructors do not have to present their cars to Tech inspection at the track nor are they required to display a Tech sticker on their windshield. Any questions regarding the Tech Inspection process should contact the ARPCA Safety Chairman at Safety@ARPCA.com. VEHICLE PREPARATION Responsibility: It is the responsibility of the participant to ensure that her vehicle is properly prepared for track use. The pre-event Tech Inspection and track Tech are only a check that the vehicle is track-worthy. You should be making a visual inspection before each track session for obvious mechanical issues, e.g. tire wear, brake pad wear, fluid leaks, etc Brakes and brake components: There is no component of any vehicle used on a racing circuit that is placed under greater stress than the brakes. As indicated on the Tech Inspection Form it is mandatory that brake pad thicknesses exceed 50% of what new pads for your car would have. The brake fluid should be replaced and the system bled (not just bled) with a high-quality DOT Type 3 or higher fluid. Although it isn't required, replacing OEM brake pads with those suitable for occasional track use and using a higher boiling-point brake fluid will surely pay dividends during the event weekend as the odds of having brake-related issues will be greatly reduced. Seatbelts: As a minimum, the vehicle shall have the OEM restraints. If you have chosen to install 5 or 6-point
page 4 harnesses, be mindful that the proper installation of these will require several changes to the vehicle to create a safe vehicle system. Harnesses must include an anti-submarine strap and be mounted in an approved manner consistent with the harness manufacturer instructions. A seat designed for use with harnesses will have passthroughs for the correct routing of the harness; both through the back and the seat. Equal restraint systems are required for both driver and passenger. Harness dating: All aftermarket harnesses will be inspected during Tech for expiration dates. Any expired harness will be granted a "one-time pass" to participate in that event but vehicle will not be allowed to be used in subsequent ARPCA DE events without replacement. Seating requirements: ALL participant vehicles must have TWO seats with equal restraints for the driver and passenger. This applies to all run groups (including instructors). Please do not arrive at the track with a car that does not meet this requirement. There will be no exceptions or special dispensation given for this rule. Convertibles/Roll Bar: All "non-fixed-metal" roofed cars must have OEM rollover protection (e.g. 996 and later Cabriolets, Boxsters, etc.) or a proper roll bar that passes the "broomstick test". Convertibles will run with the top up or occupants will wear arm restraints. Cars that are not permitted: All open-wheeled cars are prohibited. Cars with fenders attached to the suspension (e.g. Lotus 7/Caterham) and not attached to the body of the car in at least two locations are prohibited. In-car cameras & data acquisition devices: Any device used in the car must be attached by metal-to-metal means or by a commercially available suction-cup mounting system. The use of any device will be at the discretion of either the instructor assigned to the participant or any of the Track or Safety committee members. Filming of instruction prohibited. Externally mounted cameras: Must be permanently mounted with a commercially available permanent mount. The only acceptable external suction-cup mount is one that incorporates a tether. As with in-car cameras, the use of any device will be at the discretion of either the instructor assigned to the participant or any of the Track or Safety committee members.
page 5 AT THE TRACK PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION Vehicle Parking Tow Vehicle and Trailer Parking: For those who have purchased a garage and have a trailer, please park directly in front of or as close as you can to your garage space. Once unloaded, please park your support vehicle away from the garage if possible, thereby leaving room for track operations and others to park. Please allow plenty of space for counter-clockwise traffic flow around the garage to insure proper movement of vehicles in the paddock area. (See Watkins Glen Paddock Map below). Use of Garages: If you have rented a garage space you are required to sign a Garage Rental Agreement during registration. Note: The use of garages is limited to individuals who have reserved and paid for a garage and who have returned a signed user agreement. No Exceptions! Registration Packet Registration packet label: The sample label below shows that John Doe is in run group C and has been assigned car #1 in the C group. John s instructor is Kyle Hegg and John is sharing the car with Jane Doe. He has rented a garage and is in space G15-1. Note there are two spaces in each garage. Run-Group Car Numbers: Inside the envelope will be a car number (in this case C-1) which you affix to the exterior top center of your windshield. WGI also requires a number on each side of the car clearly visible, on the rear side window (if possible; if not, as best you can do on the rear side of the car). These are included in your package as well. Event Schedule: The event schedule provides the time and location where each run group will be during the weekend. This includes when you will be on-track and when you will be in the classroom.
page 6 Notes for any non-participants attending Watkins Glen International's policy for DE events is to only allow access to the track for those who are registered participants of said event. Any and all guests are welcome free of charge but they must be included in a roster that we will compile and provide to the track administration personnel. Please email the names of your guests to track@arpca.com. Even if you aren't sure if someone may be attending, it is best to just send us their name in either case. In addition, PCA requires all guests to sign the PCA waiver form. Please ensure that your guests go to registration and sign the waiver form. Guests that are under 16 must have a guardian adult sign for them as well. All guests will receive a wristband that must be worn for the duration of the event. All guests must remain in the garage or other spectator areas. They are not allowed in the false grid or pit lane which require a participant's wristband for access. All guests are the responsibility of the participant. Meetings Drivers/Instructors Meetings: There will be separate meetings for both drivers and instructors on both mornings starting at 0745 (Drivers meeting only for Lapping day). Attendance at all meetings is mandatory. Track sessions may be revoked for those failing to attend any meeting. The Drivers meeting will be held in garages #1 & 30 (where Tech was) and the Instructors meeting will be in the garage classroom. Classroom Sessions The attendance of classroom sessions is mandatory! Failure to attend any classroom session may result in loss of track sessions. The times of your run group classroom are clearly indicated on the event schedule. The classroom is located at the pit entrance end of the garages. Miscellaneous Event Information Use of any type of airborne drone device is prohibited at the event. Lunch at the track: The track will provide a catered lunch from 1200 until 1300 each day. Fuel at the track: The Sunoco fueling facility will be open all three days of the event. Both 93 and 100 octane unleaded as well as leaded racing fuel will be available. Air at the track: compressed air is available along the chain-link fence adjacent to the classroom entrance of the garages. "The Pyramid" WGI merchandise shop will be open on Saturday and Sunday. Ask for a driver discount.
page 7 Driver Preparation The following apparel is the minimum required when driving at the event: Long sleeve shirt. Short sleeve shirts may be allowed at the Chief Instructor s discretion depending on the weather conditions but don t count on it! Long 100% cotton pants ( jeans are fine) Cotton socks and leather or canvas shoes with thin soles You will be out in the open for a good part of the weekend; plan on appropriate clothing (in cold/foul weather extra dry clothing is recommended). Pack rain/foul weather gear if prediction is for this, and sunblock and headgear for summer events. We will run regardless of weather conditions unless the track is closed by the Chief Steward. Items to bring with you Consumables: Virtually all modern, late-model cars will be able to be driven for a DE weekend without need for service with fluids if properly prepared at the onset of the event. Having said this, it certainly wouldn't be a bad idea to bring with you oil, brake fluid, coolant in the case any of these would need to be topped up. Of course, these and anything else in your vehicle will need to be removed before you enter the track. Other essentials: Torque wrench and correct socket for wheel lug nuts, tire pressure gauge, glass cleaner and paper towels, any other tools or devices that are specific or unique to your car. "Nice to have": Of course, everyone has their own idea of what should be brought with them for a DE weekend but most would agree that a folding, "campsite-style" chair is a must. Having plenty of water and/or sports drink as well as healthy snacks will keep you hydrated and energy levels where they will need to be to perform well while on-track. ARPCA DE Novice Primer Designed for the new DE student, our Instructor corps has developed this great introduction to DE s explaining what to expect and how to prepare for your on-track experience. Participating in any form of motorsport requires both classroom work and on-track "seat time". The Primer helps you prepare for both. It is designed to prepare students who are new to Drivers Education for both the classroom sessions and your first time on track. We ve targeted this for students who have not been on track in a DE setting and as a tool for students with just a few schools of experience. The Classroom discussions build upon the information in this Primer. The Primer is structured to provide ideas and concepts on the left side of the page and room for you to take notes and write down questions on the right side of the page.
page 8 We recommend that you spend at least 30 minutes with the Primer before arriving to the track. Bring the Primer with you to the track for reference. You should consider quickly reading through the Primer each morning before getting onto the track as a refresher. You can find this information here: http://arpca.com/de/info/
page 9 Watkins Glen International Facility Map
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page 11 WGI Paddock Areas
page 12 WGI Vehicle Flow
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page 14 Date: Session: Conditions: TP Front Tires: Misc: Event: Car: TP Rear: Watkins Glen Track Debrief Form Driver Notes Turn Gear Braking Entry Mid-Corner Exit 1 2 3 Esses 4 Bus Stop 5 Outer Loop 6 Chute 7 Toe 8 Heel 9 onto NASCAR 10 11 Comments / Areas to Focus: