Track Day, SCCA School, & Racing (+Cars&Coffee)

For complete driver, safety gear / clothing, and vehicle requirements, as well as racing rules, pit lane/fire safety, etc. refer to the complete rulebook here: Link: CORNER FASTER DAY RULES and EVENT INFORMATION

DRIVER REQUIREMENTS

• All drivers, regardless of run group, must be 18+ years of age, hold a valid state-issued driver’s license, and be in good health.
• POINT-BY PASSING: Intermediate and advanced track-day drivers: no first-timers; minimum 10 track days and promoted out of Novice run group with regionally or nationally-recognized organization.
• OPEN PASSING: Significant on-track experience, including advanced HPDE, Time Trial license, and/or Open Passing experience
• INTRO TO RACING: Significant on-track experience, including advanced HPDE, Time Trial license, and/or Open Passing experience
• NOT JUST A MIATA RACE: Racing license from a nationally or internationally recognized racing school, academy, or series OR prior wheel-to-wheel experience OR Successful completion of INTRO TO RACING

On-track experience may be checked by event organizers.  Written confirmation and/or letter of recommendation from a chief instructor may be required, depending on the situation.

Event organizers may request evidence of Not Just A Miata Race credentials: picture of racing license, picture of racing school / academy graduation certificate, and/or list of race entries / organization / team owners.  Event organizations may follow-up with staff from other organizations and/or team owners to verify experience.

Drivers must submit signed driver experience attestation forms at the event.  Drivers found to have misrepresented driver experience will be ejected from the event.

Email: Nick@CornerFaster.com with regarding driver experience and run group eligibility.

 

DRIVER, PASSENGER, and CREW SAFETY GEAR REQUIREMENTS

• POINT-BY, OPEN PASSING, and INTRO TO RACING: 
  • Helmet, open or full-face, SA2015+
  • No tank tops
  • Long pants
  • Close-toed shoes
  • No holes in clothing
  • Head and neck restraint device required with racing harnesses
• NOT JUST A MIATA RACE (drivers)
  • ​​​Helmet, full-face, SA2015+
  • Fire suit, FIA 8856-2000+ or SFI 3.2A/5+, SFI 3.3 underwear req. with SFI 3.2A/1 
  • Gloves, SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856/2000+
  • Shoes, SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856/2000+
  • Socks, SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856/2000+
  • Head and neck device required
  • Recommended: SFI 3.3 or FIA 8856-2000+ balaclava
• NOT JUST A MIATA RACE (crew involved with fueling)
  • Helmet, full-face, SA2015+, VISOR DOWN
  • Fire suit, FIA 8856-2000+ or SFI 3.2A/5+, SFI 3.3 underwear req. with SFI 3.2A/1 
  • Gloves, SFI 3.3/5 or FIA 8856/2000+
  • Fire-resistant shoes 
  • Fire-resistant socks
  • Recommended: balaclava
• ANY GROUP: Crew / Adults within 20' of pit lane wall
  • No tank tops
  • Long pants
  • Close-toed shoes
  • No holes in clothing

All drivers participating in Not Just A Miata Race must submit a driver gear self-tech form.  All crew members participating in fueling during Not Just A Miata Race must also submit a crew gear self-tech form.  

Safety gear and clothing requirements will be enforced by event staff.  
Email: Nick@CornerFaster.com with any questions regarding driver and crew safety gear.

 

VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS

• All drivers and vehicle owners are responsible for making sure their vehicle is prepared for the session in which they are participating - seek professional assistance if needed.
• All vehicles must meet event 100db sound limits, enforced by Palmer Motorsports Park
• POINT-BY PASSING:
  • Any closed-wheel track-ready vehicle: completely empty, no leaks, tires appropriate for race track, fresh brake fluid, no play in wheel bearings, lugs torqued, vehicle #’s
  • Convertibles must pass broomstick test, and top up, hard top, root net or arm restraints required
  • Recommended: tow hooks (or track staff might use bodywork instead)
• OPEN PASSING: 
  • ​​​​​​Track-ready vehicle: completely empty, no leaks, tires appropriate for race track, fresh brake fluid, no play in wheel bearings, lugs torqued, vehicle #s
  • Convertibles must pass broomstick test, and top up, hard top, root net or arm restraints require
  • Recommended: tow hooks (or track staff might use bodywork instead)
  • Participants need either a modern track day vehicle (2009 or newer), or need installed:
    • Fixed back racing seat
    • 5, 6, or 7 point racing harnesses
    • A 4-or more point half or full bolted or welded in roll bar/cage
    • Vehicles approved for open passing by other organizations, and/or by exception, may run in Corner Faster Day Open Passing sessions
• INTRO TO RACING: 
  • Track-ready vehicle: completely empty, no leaks, tires appropriate for race track, fresh brake fluid, no play in wheel bearings, lugs torqued, vehicle #s
  • Convertibles must pass broomstick test, and top up, hard top, root net or arm restraints require
  • Recommended: tow hooks (or track staff might use bodywork instead)
  • Participants need either a modern track day vehicle (2009 or newer), or need installed:
    • Fixed back racing seat
    • 5, 6, or 7 point racing harnesses
    • A 4-or more point half or full bolted or welded in roll bar/cage
  • INTRO TO RACING vehicles will be identified with a rear-ward racing “R” displayed on each vehicle
• NOT JUST A MIATA RACE: 
  • Logbook or pictures of build required - all vehicles subject to at-event inspection
  • Fully-prepared wheel-to-wheel vehicles that meet all “Baseline Wheel-to-Wheel” Requirements in the table below:

Category	Requirement
Vehicle Type	Production-based, originally intended for street, or with VIN
Chassis	No major modifications, including frame, pillars, floor, firewall, etc.
Body	All panels must be present, driver side mirror required,  windshield of OE size required, no glass sunroof, no soft top with glass, recommended: remove windows (otherwise must be down)
Lights	2+ working brake lights, recommended: headlights during rain
Rain	1 rain light, recommended: FIA-style (hazard light OK), 1 wiper
Ballast	Must be securely secured/bolted, max: 200lb
Convertibles	Must pass broomstick test, run arm restraints or hard top
Roll Cage	No EWR/seam-welded cages, Recommended spec: SCCA or NASA Club Codes and Regulations; final authority lies with event staff
Fire System	Secured, charged, unpinned 10lb+ fire bottle within reach for a worker, or Highly recommended: FIA technical list #16 or 52, or SFI 17.1
Seats, Harnesses, Nets	One-piece racing seat, securely mounted, in good condition 5, 6, or 7-point racing harnesses with FIA or SFI rating, current or expired less than 12 months Driver side window net required
Transponder	AMB or Westhold required (available for rent for $20)
Number & Class	6” or taller vehicle numbers (8” preferred) on each side of vehicle 4” or taller class letters on each side of the vehicle, forward, and rearward facing (4x total) Font must be legible by workers with contrasting background
Fuel System	Fuel cells must have sealed firewall; fuel capacity cap: 26 gallons
Other Safety	Battery must be bolted or clamped down Master switch must be in-reach from outside vehicle OEM ignition/steering locks and overrides (e.g., lane assist) OFF Minimize antifreeze - use water and/or water wetter Tow hooks front and rear No fluid leaks or exhaust leaks Forward facing cameras, recommended:+rearward facing

Email any questions, descriptions, and/or pictures regarding vehicle builds, inspection, or compliance to Nick@CornerFaster.com

 

VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION

All vehicles competing in Not Just A Miata Race must class into one of the 3 classes outlined in this section

Similar to classic endurance race classes (e.g., SCCA: E0, E1, E2, etc.) which combine existing classes, Not Just A Miata Race features 3 classes, with baseline performance for each benchmarked against Spec Miata, Spec MX-5, and MX-5 Cup, respectively.  Vehicles must comply with the series/class rules declared by the competitor, including tires.

	SPEC	MX	CUP*
SCCA	SM, SSM, SM2, ITB, IT7	Spec MX-5, ITA, ITS, ITR, T4	MX-5 Cup, T3
NASA	Spec Miata	ST5, H2, GTS1	ST4, H1, GTS2
ChampCar	F Class	A, B, and C Class	D Class
World Racing League**	GP4 (old)	GP3	GP2
Northeast GT***	GT18	GT14	GT11
COMSCC****	T30, T40	T50, T60, Super E	T70, T80, Super D
GLTC	-	-	GLTC

*Exhibition cars, those that do not fall into any class above but run lap times of 1:48 or slower (in dry conditions) may be admitted and run in the Cup class. Email: Nick@CornerFaster.com about running as an Exhibition entry.

 

Compliance

Competition weight will be measured immediately following the race or qualifying session - parc ferme conditions exist from pit lane until the vehicle is visually inspected and weighed.  Select vehicles will be chosen for inspection and may include podium winners and/or vehicles selected by event staff as well as protested vehicles.  Protests must be submitted within 5 minutes after the race.  This is a fun day of racing - expect rulings on the side of leniency rather than scrutiny.  Vehicle compliance will be verified with a visual inspection and measured competition weight only.

**WRL vehicles may compete at their WRL competition weight, except WITH driver and end-of-race fuel level.

***Northeast GT class vehicles will not be weighed with heaviest driver + full fuel, per NEGT rules; instead 100lb will be subtracted from the legal competition weight 

****COMSCC is a time trial series, but all vehicles still need to meet all baseline wheel-to-wheel vehicle, driver, and gear requirements in order to participate in Not Just A Miata Race sessions.

 

: RACING RULES

Event staff monitor on-track conduct, and contact will not be tolerated, not even bump drafting.  Corner Faster Day welcomes teams, drivers, and vehicles from racing series that tolerate light or situational car contact...but while you are here, no contact means no contact.

Expectations for passing - every single pass:

• Check the flag before coming at all alongside - every time
• Catch the car ahead, then size up the pass
• Do not dive, lunge, or make a move deep the braking zone
• Always leave an out throughout the entire pass
• Leave and give space to everyone around

Expectations for being passed / defending - every single pass:

• Choose a side of the track, no double moves or moving under braking
• Anticipate the pass, don’t get passed unexpectedly
• Check your blind spot for the passing vehicle
• Leave the door open, do not close down the apex with a car beside
• Make space and leave extra room for the pass to be completed smoothly

Double file pace car race start

• Staff determine when the race is safe to start, at which time the pace car lights will be turned off, and the pace car will return to the pits on that lap. 
• Pack shall remain at the pace set by the pace car (approx. 35mph), and in formation, until the green flag is waved and the race is officially started. 
• A green and yellow flag together indicates the race is being started under yellow/caution condition

Single file pace car restart

• In the case of an on-track condition requiring a Full Course Yellow, the race will be re-started via pace car and single-file restart
• The pace car will catch the leader by turning the pace car lights on in front of the race leader; the pace car driver may wave-around vehicles caught inadvertently
• Staff determine when the race is safe to re-start, at which time the lights on the pace car will be turned off, and then the pace car will return to the pits on that lap. 
• Pack shall remain at the pace set by the pace car (approx. 35mph), and in formation, until the green flag is waved and the race is officially started. 
• A green and yellow flag together indicates the race is being re-started under yellow/caution condition

Qualifying

Grid order for the first race will be determined by a qualifying session (grid order for subsequent races will be determined by the fastest lap set in the prior race).  All lap times from the qualifying session will be thrown out if a vehicle either:

• Goes 4-wheels off track
• Spins on or off-track
• Contact another vehicle or any permanent portion of the track/facility
• Otherwise causes an unsafe driving condition and/or interruption in track time by causing a debris, yellow, and/or black flag

Track damage

Racers are liable for costs associated with any track damage resulting from facility/wall/barrier damage, spills, or leaks.

Penalties for teams/drivers found at fault for violating any of the rules above may receive a warning or a penalty, depending on the frequency and degree of the infraction.   Penalties will range from 1 lap for basic infractions, multiple laps for severe or repeated infractions, and event ejection for egregious or continued infractions.  

Adjudication Process:

• Track corner worker typically calls in infraction, but could be noticed or reported by event staff or other teams/drivers
• Chief steward reviews the information, makes an initial ruling, and follows up with team and informs of initial ruling
• Video evidence may be used to appeal the initial ruling and is allowed to be submitted within 10 minutes of end of race, otherwise ruling is applied
• NOTE - if a violation is reported, the race MAY continue without the alleged vehicles being black flagged; however, vehicles that are black flagged will have likely committed an obvious and/or egregious violation of the Racing Rules, and must obey the Black Flag command immediately, or risk ejection from the event.

Flags

Corner Faster Day will be utilizing flag commands and rules from SCCA - the following are excerpted from SCCA GCR sec. 6.1, version June 2024:

• GREEN FLAG (Solid Green) - When displayed, the green flag indicates that the course is clear, and that racing is underway. The green flag is ordinarily shown only by the Starter.

• STANDING YELLOW – You are approaching an incident where your and other’s safety are at risk. The racing surface may be clear but there is immediate danger to you or others if you left the racing surface. Slow significantly and proceed through the incident at a reduced speed. There is no passing from the flag until past the emergency incident.

• WAVED YELLOW – You are approaching an incident that has great danger to you and others. The racing surface may be partially or completely blocked. Slow significantly and be prepared to stop. All efforts should be made to proceed through a Waving Yellow Flag in single file order. There is no passing from the flag until past the emergency incident.  The no passing zone starts at a perpendicular line across the track from the flag and ends at a perpendicular line across the track from the last component of the incident causing the yellow flag. The last component may be the car, driver, responding officials, other vehicles and/or large debris.

• DOUBLE YELLOW, DISPLAYED AT ALL STATIONS – Indicates the entire course is under yellow (full course yellow). All stations will display double yellow flags for all pace and safety car laps. SLOW DOWN, NO PASSING. However, cars may carefully pass emergency vehicles and other cars that are disabled or off pace (see SCCA GCR 6.6.2.). NOTE: A driver may encounter several flags before reaching the emergency area. The requirements are still the same: SLOW DOWN, NO PASSING.

• BLUE FLAG (Blue with Diagonal Yellow Stripe) - Another competitor is following very closely or is trying to overtake. This flag may be displayed standing or waving, depending upon the speed differential.

• SURFACE CONDITION (Yellow with Vertical Red Stripes) - Take care. A slippery condition exists, or debris is present on the racing surface. This flag is displayed standing.

• STANDING WHITE - Caution and take care for a slow moving race car, ambulance or other emergency vehicle on the racing surface. The standing flag is displayed for 2 flag stations prior to the vehicle in question. In addition, a standing white flag will be displayed during the first lap of each race group’s first session of the day unless another flag is already on display to indicate the location of the flagging stations.

• WAVED WHITE - A waving white flag if displayed by the Starter shall indicate the start of the last lap of the race.

• CLOSED BLACK FLAG (Furled) – Pointed or shaken at an individual car from the Starter’s stand (optionally, accompanied by a number board indicating the car number): WARNING for driving in an unsafe and/ or improper manner. Continued unsafe and/or improper driving will result in an OPEN BLACK FLAG.

• OPEN BLACK – Displayed from the Starter’s stand with a number board indicating the car number: Proceed directly to the pits and the location designated by the Race Director or Chief Steward or event Supplemental Regulations for consultation with Officials. DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER LAP.  NOTE: This flag and number board may also be displayed at station(s) elsewhere on the course.

• OPEN BLACK, DISPLAYED AT ALL STATIONS – The session has been stopped; all cars must stop racing, and proceed directly and immediately to the pits, exercising extreme caution. This flag will be displayed with an ‘ALL’ sign at the Starter’s stand and the sign may also be shown at station(s) elsewhere on the course. NOTE: THE BLACK FLAG CAN ONLY BE DISPLAYED BY ORDER OF THE RACE DIRECTOR OR CHIEF STEWARD AS RELAYED THROUGH RACE CONTROL.

• MECHANICAL BLACK FLAG (Black with Orange Ball) - Displayed from the Starter’s stand with a number board indicating the car number. There is a mechanical problem with the car. Proceed directly to your pit or the location designated by the Race Director or Chief Steward or event Supplemental Regulations. DO NOT TAKE ANOTHER LAP. SCCA GCR - 49 NOTE: This flag and number board may also be displayed at station(s) elsewhere on the course.

• CHECKERED FLAG (Black and White Checks) - Displayed at Finish to indicate that the session is finished. Continue cautiously to the pits.

• RED FLAG (Solid Red) Displayed at each station and on the Starter’s stand – EXTREME DANGER – THE SESSION HAS BEEN STOPPED. Come to an immediate, controlled stop at the side of the race track (preferably before and within sight of a staffed station or where specified in the event Supplemental Regulations). When released by an official, proceed cautiously to the pits. Once a red flag has been displayed, it will not be withdrawn until all cars have come to a stop. NOTE: THE RED FLAG CAN ONLY BE DISPLAYED BY ORDER OF THE RACE DIRECTOR OR CHIEF STEWARD AS RELAYED THROUGH RACE CONTROL.

 

: PIT LANE & FUELING SAFETY

Pit Lane: Non-fueling rules

• Speed limit: 35mph from pit entry line to pit exit line
• No small children unattended at the event, or within 20’ of pit lane wall, attended or not
• No working on the car for more than 15 minutes on pit lane
• No staging tools on pit wall
• Tire changes: 5 total tires over wall at any time, 2 tires max in the air at any time, 1 gun
• Up to 5 crew members, including drivers, may be on hot side of pit wall at any time 

Pit Lane: Fueling rules

• Fueling of vehicles entered in the race only allowed on pit lane during race sessions
• “Fueling” is when EITHER, the fuel cap, or any other part of the fuel system is loosened/removed, OR any fuel jug, full or empty, is on the hot side of the pit wall
• Up to 5 crew allowed over the wall during fueling, but all must have all safety gear + visors down - fireproof gear not required for person on cold side of pits handing fuel jugs 
• Jug staging - may not rest on the wall; however, single jug may be staged on a stepstool 
• Before fueling: Car off, Driver out, Door latched
• Do not touch the car or work on the car while fueling
• No fuel spills: No careless fueling, deep and wide catch pan w/ absorbent required, and any spillage must be cleaned up immediately
• 1 fuel jug allowed over the pit wall at a time, 6 gallon max capacity per jug
• No pressurized/gravity fed systems
• All crew involved with fueling must have required gear and visor down
• Fire bottle must be minimum 10lb, charged, un-pinned, and aimed for use

Three (3) minute pit stops - One (1) stop required during 1-hr race, two (2) stops required for 2-hr race

• Vehicle must be stopped in the assigned pit box and not move under its owner power for 3 minutes, uninterrupted (Staff will verify reported infractions via pit lane camera)
• Before the vehicle may move:
  • All repairs on the vehicle must be complete, fueling must not be in progress, and all body panels closed and securely latched
  • All driver restraints must be fastened, and all other accessories (e.g., radio cable, drink bottle, etc.) must be in-place - no making adjustments on pit lane / hot track
• Penalty for missed pit stop: 10 lap penalty, per missed stop, applied to end of the race 

Penalties for teams/drivers found at fault for violating any of the rules above may receive a warning or a penalty, depending on the frequency and degree of the infraction.   Penalties will range from 1 lap for basic infractions, multiple laps for severe or repeated infractions, and event ejection for egregious or continued infractions.  

Event Pit Lane Staff identify infractions, make an initial ruling, and inform the team of ruling; video evidence may be used to appeal if submitted within 5 minutes of end of race.

 

TIME TRIAL RULES

Optional Time Trial is available for any driver of either open lapping session.

• AMB or Westhold transponder required - Westhold transponders available for rent ($20)
• Best lap of the day counts, including any timed point-by or open passing sessions
• The first session of each run group will be untimed
• Results will be posted after each session and again at the end of the day
• Drivers may declare any organization/class for which their vehicle is legal - no enforcement will be conducted for this particular event; but I will asterisk results that are ostensibly BS
• Time Trial rules - all lap times in a given session will be thrown out, if a vehicle:
  • Goes 4-wheels off track
  • Spins on or off-track
  • Makes contact with another vehicle or any permanent portion of the track/facility
  • Otherwise causes an unsafe driving condition and/or interruption in track time by causing a debris, yellow, and/or black flag

 

Cars and Coffee Rules

Judged vehicles to park in designated areas only.  Judging will be open from 10am-3pm with results announced after the start of the 2hr race.

Please Respect the property by not doing the following:

🚫 No Revving
🚫 No Burnouts
🚫 No Loud Music
 

APPENDIX: SUPPLEMENTAL EVENT INFORMATION

Palmer Motorsports Park Staff

Track Director Christopher Tier (GM@Palmermotorsportspark.com)

Corner Faster Day Staff

Head of Event & Driving Nick Fontana (Nick@CornerFaster.com)

Chief Instructor & Race Steward Kevin Zhu

Race Director Brittany Dralle

Timing & Scoring Sal Baisley

Tech Inspector Pete McParland of McParland Motorsport

Tech Inspector James Cole-Henry of Grasshopper Machine Werks

Pace Car Driver James Blumenfeld

GATES OPEN

8pm Saturday (trailer drop only)

7am Sunday (registration and tech 7-8)

Note, a Clean Culture Car show will be held at the track on Saturday.  It is scheduled to run until 10pm, but expect most attendees to leave well before then.  Stay tuned for announcements regarding exact locations for trailer drop.  For more info on the car show, check out: https://www.cleancultureevents.com/

Garages and Carports

Can be reserved online or at the track.

$50 for garages, $40 for carports

Carport A is for Corner Faster Day Tech

Link: https://www.palmermotorsportspark.com/EventDetails.aspx?EID=2081

Limited electrical hook-ups available in the paddock and garages

Corner Faster Day Merchandise will be available 

Sunoco Fuel will be available

Photos / Videos / Drones

No drones allowed, except those contracted by the event organizers

Pets and Children may not roam freely; must be under supervision at all times

Trackside Support

Pat Gorman of Gorman Performance Engineering

Nick Laro of Fab Lab NH

 

DISCLAIMER - WARNING: ON-TRACK DRIVING & RACING IS DANGEROUS AND DEADLY

High-performance driving and racing are inherently risky. By participating in any Corner Faster Day session, entrants accept these risks and acknowledge that they do so at their own risk. It is up to each entrant to ensure they are in good health and fit to participate, as determined by their judgment or a trusted medical professional. Corner Faster Day and Fontana Racing LLC are not liable for any injuries, accidents, or damages that may occur before, during, or after the event. Entrants should take all necessary precautions and consider their health and safety before participating in on-track and racing activities.

Entrants must accurately follow all vehicle safety, driver gear, and experience requirements for Corner Faster Day and specific run groups and sessions. Misrepresenting experience may result in being expelled from the event and potentially disallowed to participate in future Fontana Racing LLC hosted events. 

It is each entrant's responsibility to ensure their car is track-ready. Seek professional help if needed. By participating, entrants agree their car is in good mechanical condition and take full responsibility for it. The rules in this document are minimum safety standards. Corner Faster Day, Fontana Racing LLC and its affiliates are not liable for misconduct or negligence.

Further, Corner Faster Day organizers, teams, drivers, and other attendees will indemnify, defend, and hold SCCA, its affiliated corporations, and their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees, harmless from any and all liability, loss, damage, cost or expense for bodily injury and/or property damage including court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees due to a violation or breach of any representation, agreement, obligation, or warranty made or assumed by Corner Faster Day organizers, teams, drivers, and other attendees herein, as well as any claims, allegations of negligence that may arise from their actions.

Email: Nick@CornerFaster.com with questions.