Event Philosophy & Operations
Track Operations:
Day 1
|
Day 2
|
|
6:30 |
Track gate opens |
6:30 |
Track gate opens |
|
8:00 |
Driver meeting |
8:20
|
Have a coffee
|
|
8:30 |
Track is Green |
8:30
|
Track is green
|
|
12–1:00 |
Lunch |
12-1:00 |
Lunch
|
|
4:30 |
Done driving |
4:30 |
Done driving |
The gas pumps will be open. The concession stand will be
closed.
Please do not arrive before the track gates open. The town
police do not allow parking on the street. There is no need
to arrive early. Since this is a limited attendance event,
there will be plenty of garage space for everyone. In fact,
some "late risers" will not even unload their cars until
after the track goes green. Pace yourself – 14 hours is a
lot of track time….
We will not be able to drop off cars and trailers the night
before the event. If you must leave a trailer the night
before, leave it at the Registration Building up the street
from the main gate.
On Track Format
The event will be run in an
“open track format”. However, the checkered flag will be
thrown every 1/2 hour merely as a “time marker” for the
driver’s convenience. There is no need to pit-in if you
don’t want to. If you are pitting, maintain speed and
remember the track will
remain hot.
Other drivers are at speed. Signal them as needed. Anytime
you enter the track assume the track is hot and up to speed.
At Watkins Glen, when pitting out, stay to the RIGHT all the
way into the Esses. Do NOT move track left to "get on line"
after the blend line ends. Doing so may put you directly in
front of a car at speed with a large speed differential.
You cannot see such a car when exiting the pits. Doing so
will result in a black flag for you, or worse.
Remember to pace yourself. Typical car club sessions or
club sprint races are usually only 20 to 30 minutes long.
In addition they include warm-up and cool-down laps which
take up to 5 minutes out of that time. So, many drivers are
not used to driving extended sessions. This is a good venue
to practice this skill.
Please watch your mirrors and be courteous to other
drivers. Point them by as needed. When approaching a
slower car, please be sure they see you before overtaking.
Watch for an overtaking signal. The track will be so empty
that there is little to gain (and a lot to lose) from
diving-in on someone. This is not a race. There will be no
racing or “contesting corners”.
You may not be used to seeing Blue (a.k.a invisible) Flags,
but please watch for them. The professional Watkins Glen
flaggers are very helpful - occasionally the Blue Flag will
be shown several corners ahead of a very fast car which you
can’t yet see in your mirrors. If you are approaching a
slower car and see a Blue Flag consider that while it may be
for the car in front of you, it may also be for both of
you. Another faster car may be approaching both of you.
Also please pay attention to the White Flag and the waving
White Flag. As you know, the White Flag means you are
approaching a slower vehicle or (sometimes) an emergency
vehicle. A waving White Flag means it is between that flag
and the next flag station.
A standing Black Flag will be used to clear the track.
Other flagging details will be provided in the driver
meeting.
All drivers & passengers must wear Snell SA-95 or later
helmets and clothing appropriate for their vehicle. Note
that we are currently transitioning this requirement to
SA2000 or later. As of 2008, SA-95 will not longer be
accepted.
Passengers are allowed in all cars. Passengers must be over
18 (track requirement), complete personal information &
experience form, sign all waivers from Kojote and the track,
and must wear an approved helmet and shoes. We would
appreciate it if they wear more than that though.
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Entrants are advised to be
aware that the State of New Jersey has enacted regulations
governing motorsports activities. All entrants are
required to obey these regulations. You should
familiarize yourself with these regulations prior to the
event. You can find them at:
New
Jersey Motor Vehicle Racetrack Regulations
Chapter 62:
http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/pdf/racing_regulations.pdf
The regulations cover
various on and off track operations procedures. They also
mention you and your required vehicle preparation. Please
read them BEFORE the event.
Qualifications
This event is for advanced
drivers only. These include car club (PCA, BMW, FOC, etc.)
approved instructors & advanced run group drivers in good
standing, and drivers with active racing licenses (FIA, HSR,
SVRA, IMSA, SCCA, PCA, etc.), also in good standing.
EVERYONE who goes on track (drivers and
passengers) must complete a personal information &
experience form, and sign all waivers from Kojote and the
track. These forms must be on file with Kojote at the event
before the people may go on track.
Guests
Guests are allowed, but the
track requires that we provide their names and addresses in
advance. Please include that info in your registration /
personal information form. If you want to add others later,
please
e-mail us with their names and addresses. All guests
names and addresses must be listed on the entrant's personal
information form. Otherwise, they will not be allowed into
the track. Improper behavior by any guest will reflect on
that guest and
the entrant who brought them. All guests must sign all
Kojote and track waivers.
Minors must have a parent / guardian consent form completed
for them at Kojote registration. This must be on file with
Kojote at the event, or the minor will not be allowed to
stay. Minors are not allowed on track under any
circumstances. They are also not allowed over the pit wall
or in the hot pits at any time.
Animals are allowed but must be leashed at all times.
Animals are not allowed on track. (See above helmet
requirement…)
Car Tech
There will be no car
inspection at the track. You are responsible for the proper
maintenance and safety of your car. This event provides a
lot of track time. Please pay extra attention to wear and
tear on your car. Plan ahead. Bring brake pads, tires, and
other equipment as needed. Use your time wisely. Stay on
top of your car’s running condition.
Your car should be equipped with safety equipment
appropriate to the car. For example, if you are driving a
race car, the car should be equipped with racing seats,
harnesses, a roll cage, and a fire suppression system. If
you are driving a street car, we strongly recommend that the
car be equipped with a proper seat, 5 point harnesses and a
fire extinguisher.
All Play and a Little Work
At times we may request
volunteers to assist with track operations during the
event. If individuals are willing to volunteer at times,
then the organizers will be able to drive. We’ll appreciate
your help with this!
The format of this event will allow you plenty of time to
improve your driving skills in a methodical fashion, test
car setups, practice pit stops, etc. |
