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Important Information About Driving Schools
A. Assumption of Risk • Performance driving is a hazardous sport. However, the sport can be enjoyed safely despitethe risks involved. BMW CCA Driver Schools are conducted on racetracks and even though there are many controls built into the curriculum to promote safety, performance driving at high speed with its inherent risks is an aspect of the event. Therefore, it is important that you consider the physical, financial, and property risks involved prior to participation. • In order to protect the sport and those who organize events, each participant must sign a waiver form. A copy of this waiver is included for your review. Read it carefully. The waiver form acknowledges the dangers involved and describes the rights that you relinquish. • The sponsoring Chapter(s) purchases insurance in conjunction with BMW CCA driving events. However, coverage is limited to a focus on bodily injury, disability and medical expenses. Coverage for damage to your vehicle, regardless of circumstances is excluded. • You should understand the rules that apply to public roads do not apply on the racetrack. The waiver form that you must sign to participate will preclude recovery from another participant or his/her insurance company. • If you carry collision insurance, your personal automobile insurance coverage may pay for the damage to your vehicle. If in doubt, check with your insurance provider. Please be aware that you must rely on either your personal insurance or your checkbook to pay for any damage sustained in an accident on the track. Also, if your automobile insurance or other policies include coverage for medical expenses, your policy(s) will respond on a primary basis for the cost of an injury. Coverage for medical expenses included in the policy provided to BMW CCA respond in excess of other available insurance. Also be aware that there may be vehicles on the track that are not insured. • Participants assume all risk of injury and property damage during the event. This includes the times when an Instructor drives your car. Since you assume risk, you should be satisfied with the manner in which the Instructor handles your car. If you are not satisfied with how your Instructor respects your car, promptly contact the Track Steward, School Coordinator or Chief Instructor. • Drivers are responsible for any additional costs the Chapter(s) incurs due to their conduct on the track and throughout the Facility. The participants are responsible for damage to the track and its facilities arising from abuse or misuse of those facilities. The Chapter(s) will bill participants after the event for charges incurred due to damage to infrastructure, e.g., cleanup of fluids spilled on the track, fire extinguishers, guardrails, etc. • If these considerations represent a risk beyond an acceptable level for your current personal /financial situation, perhaps you should elect not to participate.
• The timing of laps is not permitted. Timing equipment, if present it cannot be operated.
B. Run Group and Instructor Assignments • Each student is assigned an Instructor in the appropriate Run Group with consideration givento his/her track experience in general, Lime Rock Park experiences in particular, and overall skill levels. The Run Groups are organized as follows: Novice - Red Intermediate - White Experienced - Yellow Advanced - Green Instructor - Black All students will be assigned one Instructor for the day. Students are encouraged toevaluate Instructors and provide feedback to the Chapter via the Event Critique Form. Duringthe event, if you find your Instructor unsatisfactory, please consult with the Chief Instructor.
C. Emergency Telephone Number • Emergency numbers at Lime Rock Park: (860) 435-9126 or (860) 435-9285. • Emergency number at Watkins Glen is (607) 535-2481The caller MUST be patient.
D. Helmets • Participants are required to bring their own helmets. Helmets will not be provided. • All drivers must wear a helmet that is SNELL rated 1995 or 2000, SA (recommended) or M at all times while on the track. • All helmets will be inspected and a signed “BMW CCA Helmet Release” is required.
E. Apparel • Driver must wear appropriate attire for driving on a race circuit. • It is required that all drivers wear long-sleeve cotton shirts or jackets and long pants. NO SHORTS, NO SHORT SLEEVES AND NO SYNTHETICS PERMITTED. • A light pair of sneakers is good driving footwear. You may want to consider driving shoes. Sandals, cleated shoes, and heavy boots and leather soles are not permitted.
F. Driver Requirements • Valid Driver License: Drivers must be at least 18 years of age and possess a driver licensethat is not suspended or revoked. No junior licenses or Learner Permits are accepted. DRIVER’S LICENSES WILL BE CHECKED AT TRACK REGISTRATION. • Medical Condition: Drivers with any pre-existing medical conditions, who are taking medication(s), or who any reason to be concerned about the degree of stress while driving at speed on a race circuit should consult with their physician prior to the event.
G. Fuel and Air • Air is available at the track. • Fuel is usually available at the track and is PREMIUM.
H. Paddock Area • Pick a parking space. It will be yours all day. First come, first served. • There are no garages available at Lime Rock Park. • There are usually a limited number of garage space available on a first come, first servedbasis at Watkins Glen. • There are no services available other than air. • Paddock roads are one-way with a 5-mph speed limit. THESE RULES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED. VIOLATORS WILL LOSE TRACK TIME OR BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE PREMISES.
I. Pre-Event safety Inspection • It is the responsibility of each participant to follow the “Pre-Event Safety Inspection”guidelines on the Safety Inspection Checklist form before the date of the event. • No more that four weeks prior to the event, the vehicle to be used in this event MUST be inspected by a qualified individual to ensure it is in proper condition. The mechanic must use the “Pre-Event Safety Inspection” checklist form. • You must have a completed and signed original Safety Inspection Checklist form. No refund will be given for lost or incomplete Safety Inspection forms, or for a failed “On-Site Safety Inspection”.
J. On-Site Safety Inspection • In addition to the participant having the “Pre-Event Safety Inspection” performed, theChapter will perform an “On-site Safety Inspection” prior to the event. • The equivalent restraint rule will be strictly enforced for any vehicle in which a passenger iscarried.
• A failed “On-Site Safety Inspection” does not entitle the participant to a refund. • PARTICIPANT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN AT THE SCHOOL
K. Car Requirements • The track is the wrong place to confirm that you have mechanical problems. Thoroughlycheck out and correct any deficiencies prior to driving on the track. Lost track time due to mechanical problems is your responsibility and you will not be compensated. Tires and Wheels: Snow and recapped tires are not allowed. Performance tires are permitted. Higher than normal inflation pressure (36-42 psi) is recommended for street tires. This is more accurately measured before you leave for the track while the tires are cold. Cuts, bruises, ply separations, or body rubbing the sidewalk are not allowed. Tires must be H speed rated or higher and must be suitable for expected speeds. Wire wheels will be rejected if they have more than two adjacent loose spokes or more than three total on a wheel loose. Wheels must be free from bends and cracks; hubcaps and trim rings must be removed. All lugs must be in place and torque set to OEM specifications with a torque wrench; recheck tightness before your first Run Group and periodically during the day. Do not tighten lug nuts after a Run Group while the wheels are still hot; they will be over tightened on cooling. Locking lug nuts or bolts must allow for proper tightening. Brakes: Brakes must be capable of stopping a car in a straight line. Brake fluid reservoir must be full. The brake system must be flushed with fresh brake fluid nomore than two (2) months prior to the event. Cars with obviously discolored brakefluid in the reservoir will automatically fail safety inspection and not be allowed on the track. Do not use brake pads worn thinner than the thickness of the backing plate. Suspension: Suspension must be suitable for high speed cornering and handling. Loose, soft springs or sloppy ball joints are grounds for rejection of the car. Steering gear and linkage should have minimal play. Wheel bearings must have minimal play. Subframe mounts should be checked. Engine Compartment: Engine Compartment should be clean with no oil, water or fuel leaks. No worn hoses or lines will be allowed and all must be properly clamped. All wires must be connected and not frayed. Fan belts should be in good condition. Exhaust systems must be firmly mounted. Radiator must have coolant overflow control. Windows, Doors, Sunroof, Window-Nets: Driver and passenger side windows must be completely down while on the track. Door locks must be unlocked. Sunroof must be closed and latched. Window nets must be rolled up or removed. Window Tinting: Excessively dark (usually aftermarket) window tinting that reduces visibility will not be permitted.
Open Wheel Cars: No open wheel cars are permitted. Convertible and Cabriolet Cars: Must have a full roll cage per the SCCA General Competition Rules for Open-Top Cars. 5 or 6 point harnesses and arm restraints are required for the driver and the passenger. Documentation must be verifiable. Arm Restraints: Arm restraints are required for all Drivers and passengers in TARGA type vehicles, convertibles and cabriolets. Noise Restrictions at Lime Rock Park: All vehicles on the track must be equipped with an appropriate muffler and comply with the local regulations. This is a muffled event, the track controls the sound level limits. The track on-site representative will be the sole and final judge of any vehicle’s compliance with the regulations. Any vehicle found to be violating the sound level limits will not be allowed to operate on the track grounds. Seatbelts: Equivalent restraints must be provided for driver and passenger. Factory seatbelts and 5 or 6 point harnesses with anti-submarine belts are permitted. 4 point harnesses are permitted on the driver and passenger sides, if factory seatbelts are also available for use on the driver and passenger sides, at the Instructor's discretion. All types must use metal to metal buckles, be in sound condition and must be mounted using the factory mounting points and/or be mounted per the SCCA General Competition Rules. Seats: Must be in sound condition and securely mounted. Equivalent seat are recommended for driver and passenger.
L. Arrival at the Track • When you arrive at the track entrance, and again at registration, each person will be requiredto sign the release form enclosed with these materials. • Go directly to the paddock area and completely unload your vehicle. It is a good idea to bring a tarp, blanket or piece of plastic to cover your belongings in case of inclement weather. There can be no loose objects in the trunk, glove or passenger compartments. • Proceed IMMEDIATELY to the TECH Inspection in the pit area. (Tech Inspection may be available the night before the event. Check your confirmation letter.) After completion of Tech Inspection report to the Registration area. We will not hold up the event for any individual(s) who are unable to arrive on time for any reason. There is very little time to complete Tech Inspection and Registration before the event, so BE ON TIME.
• ABSOLUTELY NO JOY RIDERS! Only school Instructors are allowed to ride with students or take a passenger on the track. • Drivers Meeting: All participants are required to attend the Drivers Meeting/Safety Orientation Session prior to the start of the event. • Instructors Meeting: The Chief Instructor will hold a brief meeting with the Instructor Corps to review the day’s objectives and make any special announcements. All Instructors are required to attend. • Classroom Session: Both the RED and WHITE Run groups will be scheduled for a classroom session. There may be an optional classroom session for the YELLOW and GREEN Run Groups. The exact time and location will be included in the detailed schedule in the registration packet.
M. Registration Packet On the day of the event, you will receive a registration packet, which will contain the following information: Run Group Assignment Instructor Assignment Run Group Time Schedule Classroom Time Schedule Flags and Flagging Rules School and Track Safety Rules Track Map – Map of Course Car Numbers and Instructions Passing Areas Pit Procedures Event Critique Form
N. Accommodations • Iron Masters Motor Inn, US Route 44, Lakeville CT (860) 435-9844. • Interlaken Inn, Route 112, Lakeville CT (860) 435-9878
O. How to Contact Us Event Coordinator D J McCardle (518) 674-1510 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Registrar: Ron Bass (518) 357-9656 (6P–9P) or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Chief Instructor David Gelardi (845) 266-4656(6P–9P) or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Chief of Tech: Tom Hansen (518) 331-3637 (6P – 9P) or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |