Building a RallyCross Program

1. Building a RallyCross Program SCCA Performance Rally Presented by Mike Halley, MiDiv ClubRally Steward but NOT from Roanoke …

2. Building a RallyCross Program When was the last time you suffered through a Pop Quiz???

3. Building a RallyCross Program What’s wrong here?

4. Building a RallyCross Program What’s wrong here?

5. Building a RallyCross Program What’s wrong here?

6. Building a RallyCross Program What’s wrong here?

7. Building a RallyCross Program What’s wrong here?

8. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross vs. ClubRally Rallycross Closed Course Entry Level Street Cars (No Preparation) Safety Inspection Emphasizes Driving ClubRally Closed Roads Entry Level - Experienced Street Cars (Prepared) Safety Inspection (Logbook) Emphasizes Driving

9. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross Safety – What’s New?? • First, The Guy in Charge … RMDiv’s Tom Nelson, the new RallyCross Manager, will do for SCCA RallyCross what the ClubRally Manager has done (will do) for SCCA ClubRally. • Wants the core pieces of RallyCross the same nationwide • Predicts NO changes this year • Six months going to school on the state of SCCA RallyCross • Learn what we can from the successful SCCA Solo II series

10. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross Safety – What’s New?? • The RallyCross Manager will be looking for volunteers around the country to fill Divisional and Regional positions like: • Divisional RallyCross Stewards • Assistant Divisional RX Stewards as needed • Divisional RallyCross Safety Stewards

11. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross Safety - Hazards Based • Reduced to two questions: • Where are the most hazardous areas? • How can the hazards in these areas be minimized?

12. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross Safety - Hazards Based • Most Issues Related to Course Design • Tech Inspection (Scrutineering) • Pit/Paddock • Start/Finish Locations • Access to Site by Others

13. Building a RallyCross Program SPEED - What’s right? 1. Speed Max 45mph use lowest common denominator in course design (the novice) 2. Reasonable and Prudent for the Conditions Encountered meeting safety requirements means prudent good judgement and common sense 3. Speeds on Straights should not exceed 45mph for the fastest cars Source: NPRR Rallycross Rules

14. Building a RallyCross Program Event/Site Safety Plan • Promotes thinking about hazards • Promotes thinking about ‘what-ifs’ (safety) • Define medical response/facilities • Use communications • Take responsibility for actions

15. Building a RallyCross Program Different approaches to Safety... Safety is less casual Formal Safety plan required No on-site medical (usually) Safety steward required Ambulance, hospital & law-enforcement contact numbers with chairman & safety steward.

16. Building a RallyCross Program • A good safety plan covers: • Competitors • Workers • Spectators • The nearby community

17. Building a RallyCross Program Competitor Safety Common Sense! • A good competitor is always aware of safety • Stupidity is not rewarded! • CPR training recommended • First Aid training recommended • Communications

18. Building a RallyCross Program Rallycross - Getting Started • Course is usually .5 to ~1 mile • 4-8 runs at 2-4 mins per run • “Local” classes • Unpaved, not necessarily smooth • Learn driving techniques at safe speeds • Avg ~25-30 mph, max 40-45 (straights) • Safe car (tech inspection) • Helmet required (SA/M90) • Seat belts must be used • No one under 16 in a car during a run

19. Building a RallyCross Program RallyCross - Getting Started Equipment needed: Basically, just a solid car Helmet Mud/Snow tires (rally tires) Prepared cars too, if you have one … Stepping- stone to Clubrally?

20. Building a RallyCross Program

22. Building a RallyCross Program Locating Your Dirt … • Size? 1/4 mile course minimum • As few barriers as possible • Whole course visible from one spot • Terrain change is OK - but no yumps • How will the surface change? • More than one course? • Don’t forget ice!

23. Building a RallyCross Program Locating Your Dirt … • Will dust or noise be an issue? • Getting permission • Tools: SCCA site acquisition package, sanction and insurance • Fees: expect to pay

24. Building a RallyCross Program Who Is Gonna Help??? • It’s always more fun with two… • Your Region… • Those Solo II guys • Registrar, Tech, Timing, Starter and a gaggle of pylon pickers... • A Safety Steward

25. Building a RallyCross Program Mark, Time, Score & Control … • Pylons, of course • Stopwatches work fine • Computers and lights don’t like dust • Tagboard and markers • Radios can be helpful • Porta-potties

26. Building a RallyCross Program Paperwork … • Your ClubRally Steward! • Article 11 of the Performance Rally Rulebook • Sanction, insurance, audit forms... what do they buy me? • All the paperwork available on the web, www.scca.org • Get those papers in early

27. Building a RallyCross Program Course Building … • Plan the layout of the overall space • Think about traffic flow, entry, exit • Clearly define the course with pylons…avoid penalty boxes. • Top speeds - cornering speeds • Carefully monitor the corners -watch for rutting. • Plan a backup course.

29. Making it happen! The day of the event…

30. Building a RallyCross Program Making It Happen … • Get there early... • Have a drivers’ meeting, or two or three… • Check the course for changes... • Make sure everyone knows that the course will change • Bring a hose…rakes…shovels... • Have fun!

31. Building a RallyCross Program The Day After … • Publish your results. • Thank your workers • Settle up with the Region • Complete your audit form!

32. The End … Photos included in this presentation were stolen from all over the world wide. This Power Point Presentation was created from the remains of two loaned me by Tom Nelson and one ripped off from Bruce Weinman! Thanks to all for the help. As Dillon might say, “RallyCross On!”