What Happens at a Solo
People begin arriving before registration opens so they can unpack their car, change tires and get ready for the day before registration begins. It is best to arrive at or before the beginning of registration so you will have time to register, tech your car, walk the course, and have ample time to talk to the Novice Chief.
Tech Inspection
Your car must pass tech inspection before you can compete.
Tech and Registration may be at one central area. Please stop by the Tech Area first.
The tech inspector will sign your card if you pass, or recommend changes to make the car pass, such as additional tie-downs for the battery or removal of loose items or hub caps if you've forgotten.
Registration
To register you must have a valid driver's license and entry fee (usually $25to $35). Fill out the information card at the registration area if you did not pre-register online. They will help choose the class for your car if you don't know what it is. You will also be assigned a car number for the day. At registration, you will be asked to sign the insurance waiver. You must do this to compete, and any guests you bring must sign the waiver also.
Once you know your class and car number, mark your car using white shoe polish on the side window (it comes off with Windex), tape paper numbers inside the window, or use magnetic numbers if you have them.
Course Walking
After tech and registration, you will have time to walk the course. Walk as many times as you can. There will be a Novice walk after the drivers meeting that will take you on a guided walk of the course and explain some tips if you need any. Try to have the course memorized before you go on the guided walk.
Drivers' Meeting
The drivers' meeting is mandatory for all drivers. The event chair will hold the meeting approximately one half hour before the first car starts. Be sure to attend. This is where you will find out information you'll need to know about the course conditions, number of runs, particular safety concerns, how penalties are assessed, and how work assignments will be handled.
At the end of the drivers' meeting, the Novice Chief will announce the novice course-walk.
Your Runs
You will have a minimum of three timed runs, weather permitting we usually get in 5-6 total runs. Find out who is running before you and after you, so you know when to line up. Running in order makes the timing people's job easier, and keeps the event running smoothly, but if someone gets in front of you, or you are running a little behind, don't worry too much about it.
Once you are in grid, you will wait for the cars in front of you to launch, and you will move up until you are on the start line. A starter will wave a green flag when it is OK for you to start. The green flag means go as soon as you are ready, the timer will not start until you pass through the lights. Don't take too long if we are running two cars on course at once, because you start is timed to make sure you do not get too near the car already on course.
If you do get "lost" on course, take the time to orient yourself and continue. Don't head back to the start line, because you may be pointed toward another car. Just take the time to get back on course, and continue the run as a practice! If the next driver catches up, they will be red-flagged and be granted a re-run (which they'll use to its fullest potential).
Times are posted as they become available. Your fastest run of the day is used to determine your finishing position.
Your Work Assignments
It's best to report for your work assignment as quickly as possible when it is time for you to work. Otherwise, some people end up working longer than others, which is no fun. The place to get work assignments will be announced in the drivers' meeting.
We try to put a novice with an experienced driver on a station if we have enough people. For a little bonus instruction, ask your co-worker to talk about the techniques of the cars on course.
Fun Runs
If time permits, fun runs are held at the completion of the event while trophies are being readied. This is your opportunity to ride with other drivers and have them ride with you. Fun runs usually cost one to two dollars.
Course Clean-up
Once all the timed runs and fun runs, if any, are complete, everyone helps clean up the course. This involves bringing in the fire extinguishers and flags, cones and timing equipment, and storing them in the trailer. Scoreboards need to be cleaned off and the pit area needs to be checked for trash. When everyone helps, this can be completed in fifteen to twenty minutes.