2016 Autocross Season – Policies, Procedures, and Rules

Welcome to the GGC Autocross Program Forums GGC Autocross Forums Announcements and Course Maps 2016 Autocross Season – Policies, Procedures, and Rules

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    Jeff Roberts
    Participant

    Hello GGC Autocrossers! Please read thru the below info and let us know if you have any questions. I apologize for not posting this prior to the first regular season event – life got in the way.

    Autocross Team
    Jeff Roberts, Ryan Rich, Jack Yu – Coordinators
    Grant Mahler – Assistant Coordinator
    Dave Sparks, Course Designer
    Brian Cheung, Timing & Scoring
    Michael Kolesar, rig driver
    Al Kaehler – Chief Scrutineer

    Classification System
    If you had a car classified in 2015, and you participated in the program last year, your original car number has been preserved, but your classification data has been removed. Everyone participating in the 2016 season must create a new car classification before registering for your first event.

    If you’re new to GGC autocross and need to create an account, you may do so at ggcbmwcca.org or at the landing page for the online classification system.

    Access the online classification system here: http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/

    The online classification system will close at Noon on the Wednesday prior to each event and will reopen at 6pm after the event has finished. You may make changes to your classification or car number at any time before registration closes for the next event. No changes will be allowed between noon the Wednesday before and 6pm the day of the event.

    NOTE: When you create an account at Motorsportreg.com you’re asked to also create a car profile. This profile is separate and not associated with the GGC online classification system. You must create a car classification in our online system before registering for our events at Motorsportreg.com (MSR).

    Summary of changes for 2016
    – All prior classification data has been cleared. EVERYONE MUST RE/CLASSIFY BEFORE APRIL 23rd SEASON OPENER.
    – Unused numbers have been released. We ran a report of all accounts in the classification system and released numbers of folks who did not attend a competition autocross between 1/1/15 and 12/31/15
    – Minor reorganization of modification item UI
    – Reduction in tire points: cross-tread r-comps (Toyo RA1 type) have been absorbed into the summer tire category (0 point mod); Grooved r-comp (Hoosier A6/R6 type) are now 10 points; Non-DOT race tires are now 22 points.
    – Weight reduction simplified so you choose how much weight you removed.
    – More options for wheel width increases.

    2016 vehicles will be gradually added to the database. If you have one that is not in the system, write us so we will prioritize the update for your car.

    If you have any issues accessing the classification system, logging in to ggcbmwcca.org, or with your default car number in MSR, please contact us at autocross@ggcbmwcca.org.

    2016 Event Registration & Policies

    BMWCCA Membership
    Everyone signing up and paying to attend our events must be an active member of the BMWCCA. This is a mandatory tax requirement due to our status with the IRS.

    Insurance Waivers
    Insurance waiver signatures will be collected at the gate and wristbands will be handed out upon entry to the facility where the event is held. All vehicle occupants will be required to sign the BMW CCA insurance waiver, and a Marina Motorsports specific waiver for events at Marina.

    Everyone onsite will be required to wear a wristband as proof we have a waiver on file for you. Failure to comply with this mandatory policy may result in immediate removal from the site and no refund will be provided.

    If you have minors with you, and this includes any person or child under the age of 18 in your car, a minor waiver will be required for each. Instructions and forms for completing the minor waiver can be found here:

    http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/waiver.pdf

    Pricing
    Event pricing for regular season Marina events is $50 plus $5 for an optional lunch. Cost for other venues and the season end Top Driver Shootout may be higher.

    A limited quantity of loaner helmets is available free of charge.

    Motorsportreg Registration
    Registration for subsequent events will open at noon the Monday after the current event – so if the current event is on Saturday, reg for the next one opens the following Monday. Registration for the current event will close the Wednesday before the event at Noon.

    A note about driver numbers and Motorsportreg.com (MSR). The GGC classification system is the keeper of the driver numbers. When you register at MSR, you will select YOUR driver number from the drop-down list. If your number is not available, contact the staff immediately so we can help you out. Often times new folks skip the very important first step and claim a number that isn’t theirs.

    The number you select will be yours forever as long as you continue to attend events with us. If you go a whole season without attending, you risk losing your number.

    During online registration, you will be asked to provide additional information including, but not limited to:

    • What is your autocross experience level?
    • Would you like a driver coach?
    • Sharing a car with someone?
    • Are you or someone you’re bringing under the age of 18?

    Drivers age 65 or older will check a box and let us know if they would like to drive in run group 1. Typically, we do not require you to work a job, but if you’d like to, you’ll have a chance to let us know your preference.

    The text of the actual insurance waiver you will sign is included on the MSR registration page and you must check a box indicating you “have read, understood, and agree to limit your rights as defined in the waiver” to complete your registration.

    We will again be limiting each event to 100 drivers (except the top driver shootout, which will be limited to less). Cancellation policy remains unchanged. You have until noon on the Wednesday prior to the event day to cancel. You may cancel your registration via motorsportreg.com and we are automatically informed of your cancellation. If you don’t cancel in time, or don’t show up, no refund or credit will be issued. There is a $10 cancellation fee if you cancel prior to close of registration.

    If you are on the wait list, you will be notified prior to 5pm on Wed before the event if you got in. If you do not receive an email by then you may assume that you did not get in. If you are on the waitlist and want to be taken off, you should cancel just as you would if you were registered for the event. If you do not cancel, then you may find you got in and your credit card will be automatically charged.

    If you register for an event without first classifying your car in the online classification system, your MSR registration will be placed on hold. You will be notified and if you do not classify your car before the close of registration, or before it sells out, your registration will be cancelled. We will not process payments until you are classified and your spot is not guaranteed until we successfully process your payment.

    We reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone for any reason. Racing is serious business and we need everyone in attendance to take it seriously. If you’re not following instructions, not playing by the rules, or not taking your work assignment seriously, we may ask you not to come back.

    Passengers and Coaching
    First-timers and novice drivers will be required to have a club provided coach and get signed off to drive solo or to take passengers.

    If you are an experienced autocrosser and would like to be a coach, please write us and let us know. We will be glad to add you to the roster and have you share your experience. You will be trained by an experience coach or coordinator prior to your first session of coaching.

    Buddy System
    For folks joining us for the very first time, one of our experienced autocrossers will contact you prior to the event to introduce themselves and arrange to meet you when you arrive at the event. We don’t expect you to hold hands all day, but your buddy will be there to introduce you around, answer any questions, and ensure you’re comfortable with everything that’s going on.

    If you’re interested in volunteering to be a Buddy, please let us know.

    Spectators & Guests
    Accompanied guests are welcome, but registered participants are responsible for ensuring their guest enter before 8:15am to sign the waivers and obtain a wristband AND attend the mandatory meeting at 8:30am AND honor all the GGC guidelines.

    Event Day
    Event registration, donut eating, run stickers, worker assignments, and helmet checks will be done at the trailer as usual.

    All participants will park in the indicated paddock area, not near the trailer. Only Staff are permitted to park their cars near the trailer.

    Tech Inspections
    Tech inspections will be performed at each event by trained inspectors. Plan to arrive as early as possible so your car can be checked and signed off prior to the driver meeting.

    Tech Inspection Checklist
    Verify all of the following conditions are met before arriving at the event. Our tech inspectors will check your car and put a sticker on your windshield to indicate it passed. If your car does not pass, you will not be allowed to drive and no refund will be given.

    1. BATTERY IS SECURELY MOUNTED – THIS IS OUR #1 FAILURE POINT! Only factory battery hold-downs are accepted.
    2. Wheels are safely attached and exhibit no cracks. Wheel nuts/bolts are tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque value.
    3. All loose items are removed from the vehicle. If a video camera is employed, it is securely mounted. If your floor mats are not secured with Velcro or snaps, remove them.
    4. Tires show no cords, belts, or cracks in the tread or sidewall.
    5. Seat belts and/or harnesses are properly installed and in good condition.
    6. Brakes are in good working order, have no leaks under pressure, and have adequate fluid in the master cylinder.
    7. No fluid leaks (fuel, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission and differential fluids, brake fluid) are present while the vehicle’s engine is running.
    8. Wheel bearings, steering mechanism, suspension, and shocks are in good operating condition.
    9. The exhaust is in good working order.
    10. Closed-toed shoes are mandatory for drivers. No open-toed shoes, sandals or “flip-flops” are allowed on course. 
    11. Roll bars, if installed, are properly and securely mounted.

    Photography
    The BMWCCA is a private organization which requires all participants of our events to be members of the club. Since events are not open to the public and all activities that take place at our events are private, under no circumstances will we allow anyone to film or photograph any activity for commercial use. We welcome members to take photos to share with other members or for personal use only. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the coordinators.

    Points and Scoring
    We will be continuing with the “drop your lowest point event” concept for 2016. If you skip an event or have a bad day, your lowest point event will automatically be dropped from your total points for the season.

    Everyone receives one attendance point per event you participate in.

    To earn points for an event, you must have your car properly classified in the system prior to the close of registration for the event. This is because run groups are assigned based on your car class in the system. Come race day, you must drive in the run group the rest of your class drives in. If you run out of group, no points can be earned for that event.

    If you’ve misclassified your car, or you bring a different car that’s in a different class, you will be placed in the non-compete (N) class for the event. You may not switch run groups on race day.

    The first ten placing competitors in each class at each event will receive additional points based on this schedule:

    First Place: 20 points
    Second Place: 15 points
    Third Place: 11 points
    Fourth Place: 8 points
    Fifth Place: 6 points
    Sixth Place: 5 points
    Seventh Place: 4 points
    Eighth Place: 3 points
    Ninth Place: 2 points
    Tenth Place: 1 point

    Class trophies for the three top point earners in each class will be awarded at the end of the season to all but X and N class drivers. Event Results and Season Standings will be updated and posted to our forum and the GGC website after each event:

    Autocross

    Official Runs & Practice Runs
    We strive to give 6-7 runs per event (depends on course length and registration count). Your first run is a timed practice run, but it does not count towards your official runs for the day.

    Race Day Rules
    – If you registered to drive in an event, you must attend and drive in the event. You may not give your spot to another driver to drive for you. If you do, that driver will be ejected and you may be blacklisted from attending future events.
    – You must drive in the run group your class drives in to earn points for the event. If you run out of group, your classification will be changed to X/N for that event and no points will be earned.
    – If you do not arrive and check in prior to the 8:30am attendee meeting, you will not be allowed to drive.
    – If your car does not pass tech, you may not drive it.
    – You may not change your classification or points after the close of registration or on race day.
    – If you do not follow the course as defined, or you leave the course and come back on at a later point, you will receive a DNF (did not finish) for that run and it will not count.
    – No re-runs will be given during your practice run for any reason.
    – During an official run, you may stop on course to point out a downed cone or unsafe situation. If the downed cone or situation is confirmed, you will be given a rerun.
    – During an official run, if you’re stopped on course for any reason (red flag, obstacle, etc), you’ll be granted a rerun.
    – During an official run, if you do not get a valid time in the computer system, you’ll be granted a rerun.
    – All cones on the racing surface are in play, even cones before the start trigger and after the finish trigger. If you knock over, or push an upright cone out of it’s chalk box, a 1 second penalty will be added to your time. A pointer cone moved will not incur a penalty.
    – If someone contests your classification, the team will evaluate the claim. If we determine you are/were misclassified or deliberately cheating, you will be disqualified from that event.

    Top Driver Shootout Eligibility (TDS)
    For 2016 we will be requiring participation in at least three regular season events to compete for the Fechner Cup at the season end Top Driver Shootout. Final rules and eligibility requirements will be posted to the forum prior to opening registration for the TDS event sometime in October.

    Conclusion
    If you have any questions about the above information, post to this thread or write us at autocross.ggcbmwcca.org.

    • This topic was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Jeff Roberts.
    • This topic was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Jeff Roberts.
    • This topic was modified 7 years, 11 months ago by Jeff Roberts.
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