You’ve decided to make the leap from talking and or dreaming about racing to actually doing it! The UC staff will be with you every step of the way to assist you in making this transition.
Understand that to us at UC the term “rookie” has a wonderful ring to it! In a time when almost all forms of motor sports are seeing declines, YOU are part of motor sports GROWTH!
Since we at UC were all rookies at some point, we understand that making the transition from “rookie” to “experienced” can seem challenging. So we decided to give you a step by step process that will allow you to make your transition as safe, competitive and FUN as we could.
What Rookies Should Expect:
Where To Start:
We’re going to assume you already have a team formed with a Team Captain.
When your team applies to run a UC event you or your team captain will mark the box labeled “racing experience” on the application by checking the “Rookie” box under your name.
Now, assuming you and your team are accepted to run a UC event here what’s next.
Prior to heading to the track every rookie should click here and read Road Racing 101. It’s a basic outline designed to help inform entry level drivers about some of the on track events they may encounter.
Upon entering the track for the first time, you’ll be awarded with the coveted ROOKIE credentials.
We’ve created two ways to complete our Rookie Orientation program.
Option 1. All Rookie Drivers will be required to attend a simple two part Rookie Orientation (also hosted by Reed Kryder). This two part “Rookie Orientation” will give you a good idea of what’s going to happen when you go out on the track for perhaps the first time.
Part I explains “the rules of the track” and is offered just before Friday PM practice.
NOTE: For Rookies, participating in a UCDE qualifies you to skip Part I of the UC Rookie Orientation.
Part II is offered on Saturday morning before the race starts AFTER you’ve had some on-track exposure, and will be a review of Part I, as well as some more advanced stuff to make your first racing experience safe, competitive, and FUN!
NOTE: All Rookies are required to attend Part II, even if they participated in the UCDE.
After you complete steps 1 and 2, you will have your credential marked, and will receive regular Driver credentials!
Option 2. is UCDE
ROAD RACING 101
There are a number of aspects that make road racing unique. Road Racing 101 is a basic outline to help inform entry level drivers about some of the on track events they may encounter. RR 101 will be discussed in more detail at the UC Driving Experience (optional for all drivers) and Rookie Orientation Parts I, and II which are required for all rookie drivers.
Safety at Nelson and USEDCAR
Even before 1975 when founding track manager John McGill, was credited by Lloyds of London for inventing the interwoven tire wall (minimizing damage to both car and driver in an incident) Safety at the Nelson Ledges Road Course and USEDCAR have been a primary focus.
The Safety Teams
The Safety Teams include the Ambulances, Fire and Rescue, Towing, and the Corner workers.
These teams work together seamlessly. The passion and time these volunteers invest to make racing safe, competitive, and fun at Nelson is unprecedented.
At this point open this window- http://www.nelsonledges.com/TFMap.aspx
Notice the green numbered boxes. These are the corner stations.
These corner stations, are where the corner workers (identified by their all white clothing) alert race control and the drivers to any issues on track. They communicate to the drivers using flags, lights, and other signals.
Each driver must know the location of the stations and pay attention to them each and every lap on the track!
Track Etiquette
Any time you have an opportunity to interact with any person putting on the race please be respectful to them. We all consider Nelson our home and are glad to have you as our guests. Please act accordingly.
While on track it is imperative to obey all on track personnel immediately and politely.
No person is to go onto the track. Such action will result in immediate expulsion from the track.
A driver should NEVER exit a race car or remove the safety harnesses on track unless directed to by an on track official or if it’s on fire.
FLAGS-PURPOSE AND MEANING
The purpose of flags is to allow corner workers to communicate with drivers any track or car conditions they need to know about while on the racing surface.
Green Flag- means go- safely and without contact.
The Yellow Flag is used for road racing in 3 ways: stationary, waving, and double (2 Yellow Flags).
Stationary Yellow-something has occurred, but is off the racing surface. BE CAREFUL!
Waving Yellow-something has occurred ON the racing surface. BE REALLY CAREFUL!!
Double Yellow- full course caution. SLOW SAFELY AND LINE UP SINGLE FILE!
Yellow Lights- Used at night for full course caution (see actions described above under double yellow).
When they go out-it means go- safely and without contact.
There is No Passing Allowed under ANY Yellow Flag (or Yellow Light) condition.
Blue Flag- Courtesy Flag indicating a faster driver is preparing to pass you. Check Mirrors/Hold your line.
Surface Flag- Yellow with Red Stripes. Used alone to indicate small stuff on the track, and with a yellow for big stuff on the track. BE CAREFUL, and prepared to take whatever evasive action is needed.
White Flag- slow moving vehicle on track- Be prepared to back off slightly and predictably prepare to pass the vehicle SAFELY.
Black Flag: The Black Flag alerts a specific driver that they are being summoned to the pits for a consultation with race officials.
Mechanical Black or “Meatball” (Black Flag with Orange Ball in Center). It’s displayed to a specific driver to tell them there is a mechanical issue with their car.
The Black and Meatball Flags are displayed along with a large number board indicating the car # the officials want to speak to. They are displayed at 2 locations: start/finish and station 10. When a driver sees their car # and either flag the driver is to proceed to pit road and report to the Black Flag station.
Black Flag at all stations- Race is stopped- all cars to pits.
Red Flag at all stations- Stop on the track safely, predictably, and where you can see a station (if possible).
Additional Information to know:
Unlike oval track racing a single Yellow Flag displayed either stationary or waving DOES NOT mean a pace car is coming on the track. On road courses a condition may arise in only a certain section of the course. This condition is referred to as a local yellow. There is No Passing Allowed under ANY Yellow condition.
It is permissible for drivers to pass a competitor who is stopped, or unable to maintain a reasonable speed due to mechanical problems SAFELY.
A driver may pass a Safety Vehicle on track SAFELY.
The only time a driver should slam on the brakes on course is to avoid an incident directly in front of them.
There are 13 Corner Stations: Every Driver needs to know where they are and make visual contact with them during each lap. The location of the stations are here. http://www.nelsonledges.com/TFMap.aspx
Corner workers wear all white and have your life in their hands while on track- watch and listen to them.
THE END!!
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