NEPA SCCA Pocono TrackSprint

RULES OF THE EVENT

A. GENERAL RULES: This event is governed by the 2020 SCCA Time Trial Rules (TTR), National Competition Format and National Classing as outlined at timetrials.scca.com plus the rules and procedures found on this page.  Drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid drivers license.

B. PASSING & TRACK PROCEDURES: There will not be any passing permitted on course.  If your car fails during your run, you should come to a safe stop preferably off the racing line or in the grass surrounding the track.  We will hold cars at start until the broken vehicle is removed or moved to a safer location.  Workers will radio the timing trailer for reruns if a faster driver catches a slower car or a rerun needs to occur for any other reason.  The event chair has the final word for requested reruns.

C. CLOTHING: Drivers are required to wear the minimum clothing outlined in the SCCA Time Trials Rules for their car and class. Safe apparel must be worn in the pits at all times (shirts and closed toe shoes). Family, friends, and crew will not be permitted at this event.  This is a “drivers only” event.

D. PACED LAPS: Paced Laps are intended for Novice Drivers and Drivers who have never seen the track. Other drivers may join with permission of their group's driver coach if they join at the back and track density permits.

E. PIT LANE: We will not be using a “pit lane” for this event.

F. IMPOUND: Novice drivers will report to impound for post-session debriefs immediately following each session. 

G. RESULTS: Results will be available at:  http://nepascca.org/time-trials/

H. FLAG PROCEDURES: Black Flag Station and other event-specific flagging procedures will be announced at the event.

I. SCALES: We will not be using scales at this event.

J. EVENT SCHEDULE: Although we plan to run the event on-time with session#1 beginning at 8am each day, actual session start times may be delayed from the published schedule due to unforeseen circumstances during the event. Please make sure you arrive at the track at the recommended arrival times.  Do not arrive early as you will not be permitted inside the facility.  If you arrive late, you will still only be allowed inside the facility for the session that you purchased.  Due to occupancy limits because of the virus, we can not allow drivers from one session to bleed into the next session. It is the driver’s responsibility to listen to the PA system and pay attention to activity on track. The schedule or run groups may only be changed at the discretion by the Event Lead, or as needed to accommodate situations during the event. Event text messaging will be utilized to keep participants up to date on changes as needed.

K. COMMUNICATIONS: Radio frequencies used by event officials are not public and can not be monitored by personal radios.

DRIVER ELIGIBILITY

A. DRIVER ELIGIBILITY: The event is open to all drivers with a valid state driver's license and a full annual membership to the SCCA.  If you don't have a membership you can join prior to registering for the event.  

B. TIME TRIALS LICENSES: It will help if you have one, but it's OK if you don't. SCCA members will be issued a Time Trials Novice license following the event.  No charge. You can request this license here:  https://timetrials.scca.com/pages/driver-eligibility

C. MEDICAL: Please notify the Officials of any pertinent medical condition(s). Any participants involved in an accident in which there is significant damage or any injury, or at a race official’s discretion, MUST present themselves or be transported to the track medical facility for evaluation. Off-site medical transportation fees may apply..

VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY

A. VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY: Competition is open to all vehicles conforming to the National Time Trials Classes.  This is NOT a points event for Solo or Time Trials.  We will be running SOLO Classes simply for posting times online after the event and LIVE TIMING.

B. TECHNICAL INSPECTION: All vehicles must be presented at tech to turn in tech forms and pass the event safety inspection (Tech) if required prior to any on-course participation. Tech may also compliance of Vehicle Identification.

D. TIMING & SCORING: Times will be posted on the NEPASCCA LIVE TIMING site and on nepascca.org after the event.  All cars will be classed according to Solo classing. Track maps will be available through the MSR event registration page a few days before the event.

 

POCONO SPECIFIC RULES

Arrival

 

Enter the track under NASCAR Turn2 (Tunnel turn).  Proceed directly to your pre-staging area.  Unload your vehicle and prep it in the pre-staging area.  Be ready to head to the hot area at the start time for your session.  Leave the hot area as soon as your runs are over regardless if you session time has not yet expired to allow for the next session to filter in easier.

COVID-19 Specific Track Rules (these may be altered leading up to the event)

 

Car club events at Pocono Raceway operate in a large open-air environment and are socially distanced in nature, due to participants operating out of their own privately owned vehicles on racecourses ranging in distance from under a mile to almost six miles.

All attendees will be required to wear cloth masks as well as rigorously comply with all other preventative requirements set forth by the State government and CDC guidelines.

Procedure

• Participant responsibility pre arrival – all participants should monitor their temperature daily for 3 days leading up to the event. 
• Check In: This will be conducted at Gate 1 (outdoor space). Attendees will que in line through a parking lot staying in their vehicle until their turn in line. Each attendee or family unit will exit their car with a mask, enter a waiver signing tent, sign the waiver while a Pocono Raceway employee oversees from a 6ft distance, Medical support teams assigned to the event will be on site to take temperatures of all individuals,(Anyone that is 100.00 F or above will not be permitted into the facility) exit tent and return to their vehicle. From this point, the attendee will be directed to enter the facility. Only participants will be admitted, and this will be based on pre-approved lists provided by the client. No spectators or additional individuals will be admitted.
• Staging/Garage/Paddock: Attendees/teams would be directed to stage/garage/paddock in pre-measured 1000 sq. ft. boxes. Each team would be allowed a maximum of three people in their designated area. They would need to wear masks and socially distance within their space. Ideally, support crew would be people currently cohabitating with participant and over the age of 18. Pocono Raceway’s Garage elements will either be off limits. 
• Social Distancing Monitor:  The event client, shall designate an individual who has no other responsibilities on the event day, to monitor and maintain social distancing amongst their participants.  Pocono Raceway will also assign an individual to monitor this aspect as well. 
• Safety/ Participant Briefings: Any sort of briefing would take place in open air environments with the use of Pocono Raceway’s sound system. This way attendees would be able to hear the information while remaining in their staging area. Any video instruction, rules, and schedules needed for the safety meetings would be emailed out to attendees ahead of time by the event organizer.
• Technical Inspection:  The client will outline in their pre event documentation a plan for technical and safety inspection that follows the needs of their organizing bodies, while maintain social distance.
• Track Activity: All track activity pre COVID 19 takes place inside of a privately owned motor vehicle allowing for social distancing practices to be maintained.
• Coaching: No “in-car” coaching will take place. Any coaching will be done in a “lead and follow” technique with the driving coach operating out of a separate car, leading the student on track while showing the proper and safe driving line.
• Concessions: Cafeterias and eateries on-site will be closed.
• Restrooms: All restrooms will be closed. The lease client will be responsible for renting one port-a-potty per 50 participants or an amount deemed necessary by State and CDC guidelines. Cleaning of said units will be done once mid-day and once upon completion of the day unless state and CDC guidelines say otherwise. 
• Classrooms and Ancillary Buildings: All Pocono Raceway classrooms and ancillary buildings will be closed and locked for the duration of the event. 
• Exit: Attendees will be advised to exit the facility promptly after their schedule track time slot has expired to minimize any congregation issues.
• Overnight Accommodations:  There will be no provisions for overnight accommodations within the infield of Pocono Raceway. Overnight accommodations can be granted in areas other than the Pocono Raceway infield to ensure that the infield remains as clean from COVID as possible. 

 

SCCA COVID-19 GUIDELINE SUMMARY

Full Guidelines can be located here: https://www.scca.com/pages/time-trials-track-events

 

• All participants and workers should wear masks outside of their vehicles, for not only their own safety but for the safety of everyone on-site
• Competitors should bring their own masks, sanitizer, ink pen, helmet, water, food. 
• Plan ways to limit in-person contact
• Event is closed to spectators
• Drivers meeting will consist of only 25 people at a time.   Maintain 6ft between each other and wear a mask. We “may” do an online drivers meeting prior to the event.
• Anyone who is at higher risk for severe illness, feeling unwell, or who has been in contact with anyone that is sick in the last two weeks should stay home
• Tech inspection will be handled primarily by the competitor.
• Bring your own water.  Shared coolers are discouraged.
• Use disinfecting wipes or disinfectant spray and disposable towels to wipe down equipment, supplies, shared work areas and surfaces between uses, shift changes and frequently throughout the day
• Clean frequently touched surfaces such as tables, counters, doorknobs, light switches, pens, keyboards, and cones (when used)
• As much as possible, staff should keep a single radio with them and not hand off between staff members; before storing or when giving it to another staff member, wipe off the radio with a disinfectant wipe
• Depending on the space available in the paddock, ask drivers to park 6’ away from other vehicles or as far as paddock space allows
• Only allow essential, on-duty workers are allowed in specialty work areas such as timing and scoring; when someone is not working a session, they should remain at their cars or follow social distancing protocols
• Six feet of space should be kept between individuals for the entirety of the event, except in cases of participants that are part of the same household
• Anyone who continues to ignore social distancing procedures even after staff input may need to be asked to leave
• Event staff should be required to wear masks
• Remember to, and encourage others to, wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds regularly especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if hand washing facilities are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Suspend social aspects of the event, i.e. meals, parties etc.
• Discourage eating in indoor/enclosed locations
• Close all indoor eating or lounge areas to discourage “hanging out.”
• Limit physical contact; refrain and discourage hugs, handshakes and high-fives

Important NEPA SCCA Rules/Supplementals to Remember

• As of the 2020 Solo season, all drivers, passengers, and participants in designated hot zones (grid, course, photographers, etc) will be required to be an SCCA member (annual, weekend, or trial). Annual memberships can be purchased online here. 
• Drones are not permitted at any NEPASCCA venues. Operation of a drove violates our agreement with all venue owners at this and is non-negotiable regardless of SCCA rules. Please leave them at home.
• NEPASCCA will monitor sound levels to ensure appropriate levels of noise are maintained during events. Cars exceeding a decibel rating of higher than 93db will receive a warning. Noise levels equal to or exceeding 96db will be required to modify exhaust systems to ensure compliance or cease competition runs. A "one-time" refund will be available if you can not make the necessary adjustments to quiet your car.
• Any driver whose car leaves the lot/course area during a competition run due to driving recklessly or outside of their limits will be asked to leave the event without refund.
• Anyone under the age of 18 who wants to drive, passenger, work, or spectate needs to have a Minor Waiver filled out before or at the event. Parent or guardian signatures are required. The official SCCA Minor Waiver can be downloaded/printed from here.

Plan for a long day at the track and varying weather conditions (snacks, sunscreen, water, etc....). Bring your own tents and umbrellas if you need to stay out of the sun or rain. The timing trailer and event staff equipment tent is OFF LIMITS to non-event staff.