Post by C4Shane on Mar 21, 2007 8:09:12 GMT -5
Hi,
Reading over the forum, it is pretty clear that a number of folks will be making their first trip to the hallowed ground of Carolina MotorSports Park for the Autocross on April 7th. This will be quite different than AX'ing at Knights, NTI or many of our other sites. Here are a few things to consider (and I would ask others to chime in who have done this before):
1. First - other than the cones, you will be in an environment similar to a club/track trial. That is to say, you and your car will be on course for a longer period of time and at higher (somewhat) speeds than our typical course. Course length will be nearly 1 mile. So - Pull up a copy of the CCR annual Tech Sheet (or the TT supplemental sheets) and look it over. Check brakes (!!!) - good pads, fluid, etc. Tires, anything loose, make sure your coolant tank is sealed and not leaking (ruins the fun for everyone to puke on track). Check belts, hoses, etc. We will be doing tech on cars (without an annual) and it will probably be similar to the annual tech in that we will look you over pretty carefully - NOTE: check the tightness of your wheel bearings - seems like we are seeing more and more cars with a little bit of slop in them. I think it is due to the local brake shops (with high school labor) thinking that loose bearings are a good thing.
2. Other vehicle related items - I would suggest a fire bottle in the car (metal bracket strongly recommended) as the fire stations may be spread out a bit. Check your seat mounting and belts. Bring spare fluids for your car - I have been involved in a couple of runs to town to get ATF, A/F, etc for others. The little corner store sells snacks and fuel and not much else.
3. Personal safety - come prepared to be in the sun and fun all day! Sunscreen, folding chair, tent (if you have one), drinks, etc. there is a "cafe" on the site near turn 2, but that will be bit of a walk from where the AX paddock will be located (at the start of the front stretch if like a few years ago). Food is available and shouldn't be a problem.
3.a. Medical issues - If you have any unusual conditions, you will be some distance from a large medical facility - plan accordingly. Also, the Club Racers have started using a clever little medical info packet that is simply stuck to your helmet. It is tiny and is available for about a buck at motorcycle shops. We may have some on hand at the registration window. Simply fill out the form, stick it in the little pocket and attach it to your helmet. Some folks stick it on their badge/license holder so that it is with them even when they are not competing. Even if you don't have a significant medical issue, it includes a "consent to treat" sign-off that may be very important if a bread truck were to run you over.
4. CMP Track issues - pull up a copy of the supplemental regs for the TT and it includes the track rules - READ THEM!!! We don't want to be bad guests! Several things that you may not be aware of ~ the track is near a Church and so there are time limits on when engines may be run. The track also prohibits jacking a car up on their pavement - the paddock area is grass/sand surface so bring boards, steel plate, stop signs, front license plate or something to put under your jack/jackstands.
Have fun!
Reading over the forum, it is pretty clear that a number of folks will be making their first trip to the hallowed ground of Carolina MotorSports Park for the Autocross on April 7th. This will be quite different than AX'ing at Knights, NTI or many of our other sites. Here are a few things to consider (and I would ask others to chime in who have done this before):
1. First - other than the cones, you will be in an environment similar to a club/track trial. That is to say, you and your car will be on course for a longer period of time and at higher (somewhat) speeds than our typical course. Course length will be nearly 1 mile. So - Pull up a copy of the CCR annual Tech Sheet (or the TT supplemental sheets) and look it over. Check brakes (!!!) - good pads, fluid, etc. Tires, anything loose, make sure your coolant tank is sealed and not leaking (ruins the fun for everyone to puke on track). Check belts, hoses, etc. We will be doing tech on cars (without an annual) and it will probably be similar to the annual tech in that we will look you over pretty carefully - NOTE: check the tightness of your wheel bearings - seems like we are seeing more and more cars with a little bit of slop in them. I think it is due to the local brake shops (with high school labor) thinking that loose bearings are a good thing.
2. Other vehicle related items - I would suggest a fire bottle in the car (metal bracket strongly recommended) as the fire stations may be spread out a bit. Check your seat mounting and belts. Bring spare fluids for your car - I have been involved in a couple of runs to town to get ATF, A/F, etc for others. The little corner store sells snacks and fuel and not much else.
3. Personal safety - come prepared to be in the sun and fun all day! Sunscreen, folding chair, tent (if you have one), drinks, etc. there is a "cafe" on the site near turn 2, but that will be bit of a walk from where the AX paddock will be located (at the start of the front stretch if like a few years ago). Food is available and shouldn't be a problem.
3.a. Medical issues - If you have any unusual conditions, you will be some distance from a large medical facility - plan accordingly. Also, the Club Racers have started using a clever little medical info packet that is simply stuck to your helmet. It is tiny and is available for about a buck at motorcycle shops. We may have some on hand at the registration window. Simply fill out the form, stick it in the little pocket and attach it to your helmet. Some folks stick it on their badge/license holder so that it is with them even when they are not competing. Even if you don't have a significant medical issue, it includes a "consent to treat" sign-off that may be very important if a bread truck were to run you over.
4. CMP Track issues - pull up a copy of the supplemental regs for the TT and it includes the track rules - READ THEM!!! We don't want to be bad guests! Several things that you may not be aware of ~ the track is near a Church and so there are time limits on when engines may be run. The track also prohibits jacking a car up on their pavement - the paddock area is grass/sand surface so bring boards, steel plate, stop signs, front license plate or something to put under your jack/jackstands.
Have fun!
