Speed Trials Overview
LET THE FUN BEGIN!
The Pantera Club of Northern California is proud to host the two-day Speed Trials track event at the 2011 POCA Fun Rally on June 9 & 10.
ON-TRACK INSURANCE NOW AVAILABLE!
Historically, one impediment to participation has been the fear of car damage while on track (even though that is extremely unlikely). We have contracted with a speciality insurance carrier
http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com to provide one- or two-day policies that will fully cover your car while it is on the track, if your existing insurance won’t do so. You can find a direct link to the insurance coverage page on the event registration page,
www.PCNC.motorsportreg.com.
SPECTATOR GUIDE
The track will not only be a great place for the participants but for spectators as well. Once again, spectators will be admitted free. The lunchtime track tour is at 12:10 which gives everyone the opportunity to drive on the track at a brisk yet safe speed. The cost is only $20 per car. Starting at 11:00, you can perhaps hitch a ride with someone in Group B or C for an exciting trip around the track at speed. You can also have something to eat, as food service will be provided.
RACING’S FIELD OF DREAMS—RENO-FERNLEY RACEWAY
Yes, for 2009 we will be utilizing the Reno-Fernley Raceway for the first time. The track offers up numerous different configurations; the event staff has chosen the one that will provide the best combination of sweeping corners, long straights, and a few low-speed corners. The course is technically demanding in some areas, with some significant elevation changes and plenty of run-off room. The front straight is substantially longer than the back straight at Spring Mountain, so top speeds will be even higher, and there is a fairly long secondary straight as well.
This location will provide an even more enjoyable environment for both spectators and participants. The facility boasts shaded picnic areas for spectators, and will have more than ample parking space for all. The track is located only about 30 minutes from the hotel, outside the town of Fernley, Nevada.
BARGAIN PRICES!
This is by far the most affordable track event anywhere in the USA, and we keep it that way to encourage your participation. Drivers can sign up for either one or both days, and signing up for an additional run group can give you even more track time. Remember there is a discount for signing up early.
EVENT T-SHIRTS
We will be giving away event T-shirts to everyone registered for the event. A limited number will be available to purchase at the track on race day. Entrants should note their t-shirt size on their entry forms and plan to pick them up at the track during the morning check-in/registration.
FOOD
Food will be available at the track.
PACE-CAR CONTROLLED LUNCHTIME TRACK TOUR—NO PASSING!
Those folks who don’t want to put their cars on the track at speed will still have an opportunity to drive their car on the track! During the lunchtime break, we’ll have a pace-car-controlled touring session, which will be open to everyone! This session will not require any safety equipment or technical inspection, not even a helmet. The touring session will be 45 minutes in length and cost just $20 per car. All Speed Trials participants may participate in the track tour at no additional fee. You’ll be able to purchase your Touring Session tickets at the track on Thursday and Friday.
FUEL & SPARE PARTS
Gas stations and auto parts stores are located just five miles from the track. Race fuel will also be available to purchase at the track.
RUN GROUPS
There will be three run groups. The A run group will be for drivers with a valid race license or those who have received approval from one of our driving instructors, and will be further broken down by car type (see below.) The B run group will be for drivers with more than four days of experience and who feel comfortable in an open track environment. The C run group will be for those drivers with four days or less of track experience. This group will receive both track time and classroom instruction making it the perfect group for the beginner or novice. To keep the groups from being too large, each group will be limited in size. In addition, all groups will be able to participate for free in the 20-minute pace car controlled morning warm-up session and the 45-minute lunchtime pace-car-controlled touring session.
ADDITIONAL RUN GROUPS
On a space-available basis, drivers may run in additional run groups. Drivers are eligible for extra group time only in those groups below their primary group rating. The cost for additional run groups is only $75 each day. This means that you can literally double your track time for only $75 each day! See the event organizers during morning registration to sign up; payment will only be accepted at the event.
RACE CLASSES - GROUP A
The classes will be the same as those in 2009. Cars participating in the Exhibition Race will be placed into the following classes:
GTP-U: Pantera Unlimited
Any Pantera no longer registered for the street, or using non-DOT slick tires, or fitted with an aluminum engine block.
GTP-M: Pantera Modified
Any Pantera that does not belong in the Unlimited or Street classes; it must compete on DOT tires (including DOT race tires) and be registered for the street.
GTP-S: Pantera Street
Any Pantera that is driven to the track; it must compete on DOT street tires with a tread wear rating of at least 100, and must be registered for the street.
GTS-R: Race Cars
Any non-Pantera race car. Tube frame/kit car or race car design. Anything goes except for open-wheel cars!
GTS-U: Sports Car Unlimited
Any production non-Pantera street car that does not belong in the Race or Street classes; it must compete on DOT tires (including DOT race tires) and be registered for the street.
GTS-S: Sports Car Street
Any production non-Pantera street car that is driven to the track; it must compete on DOT tires with a tread wear rating of at least 100, and must be registered for the street.
QUALIFYING
Grid position for the Friday Group “A” exhibition race will be determined by a qualifying race on Thursday; grid position for that race will be the finishing positions from the 2009 race. Those drivers that did not compete last year will be gridded at the back of the pack, in the order that their registrations are received (yet another advantage to registering for the event early!)
EXHIBITION RACE
This is the fifteenth Speed Trials Exhibition Race and the second race held at the Reno-Fernley Raceway. The race will be long enough that lapped traffic will play a role in determining the outcome. An Exhibition Race only differs from a normal race in that contact between cars is completely prohibited. The car must be kept under control by the driver at all times. A spin or four tires off the race surface is grounds to receive the black flag and a trip to the pits. This event is where all-out race-prepared Panteras get to strut their stuff against each other, and against Brand X race cars as well.
SAFETY
PCNC’s emphasis on safety will continue in 2011. Acknowledging that helmets deteriorate with age, Snell 90 helmets will no longer be allowed. All classes will require at least Snell M95, with at least SA2000 required for Group A.
Clothing should be a natural fabric, with long pants and shirts, and closed shoes in Groups B and C. Group A will require single layer Nomex suit along with race shoes and gloves.
Factory seat belts are required as a minimum in Groups B and C, and may be used in Group A in cars equipped with airbags. Four-point harnesses are required in Group A in cars without airbags.
Roll protection will be required for all open cars. Open cars in Group C will require 2-point protection, and Groups B and A will require 3-point protection.
Closed cars in Group A will require roll protection only if they are using competition tires (tread wear rating of less than 100.) Open or closed cars competing on DOT tires with a tread wear rating of less than 100 will be required to have 3-point roll protection. Open or closed cars running non-DOT race tires will be required to have a 4-point roll cage.
Group A cars will be required to have a fire extinguisher securely fastened to the interior of the car with a metal bracket. A fire extinguisher is STRONGLY recommended in all cars
See additonal safety requirements on the Detailed Tech Requirements page.
Passing zones will be established for Groups B and C; no passing will be allowed outside of those zones.
Group A will feature unlimited passing.
Minimum Safety Requirements Group A Group B Group C
Snell M95 Helmet or higher X X
Snell SA2000 Helmet or higher X
Fire Extinguisher with metal bracket X Recommended Recommended
Long-sleeve cotton pants/shirt X X
1-layer Nomex and nomex gloves X
Factory seat belts With airbag only X X
Four-point racing harness X
NUMBERS
Numbers will be the responsibility of the driver. All numbers should meet the following standard: Numbers must be displayed on each door and must be a minimum of 10” tall and of a contrasting color with the car. We highly recommend that participants purchase their own reusable magnetic numbers so as to reduce the chance of paint damage. Magnetic numbers can be ordered by calling Wild Signs at: 1-800-255-1790, or visiting their website at
www.wild-signs.com. Static cling numbers can be ordered from Solo Time at: 1-877-614-7656, or
www.soloperformance.com. Numbers/letters may also be obtained by contacting Pantera Parts Connection at 1-800-DETOMASO and asking for Larry. (If necessary, duct tape may be used as long as it is of a significantly contrasting color).
Drivers who pre-registered and participated last year will be assigned the same number. However, you may also request to have your number changed if you prefer.
Group A cars will also be required to purchase stickers indicating their Competition group (GTP-U, GTP-M, etc). These letters/numbers must be at least 4” tall and displayed on both sides of the car.
All cars must be wearing the appropriate numbers and stickers before they will be allowed onto the track.
CO-DRIVERS
Want to share the driving fun with your better half or a special friend? Well, you can do just that! When the first driver pays the event entry fee, a second driver will be allowed to share the car FREE! Of course, the car and drivers will only be allowed to run in one run group. If two drivers want to drive one car in two different groups, then they both have to register and pay separately.
PASSENGERS
Passengers will be allowed! You’ll be able to share the fun! Passengers will be permitted in all but the first B and C sessions. Group A will not be allowed passengers, except for qualified, registered instructors. But please take note; any driver spinning with a passenger will lose his/her passenger privileges for the rest of the event.
INSTRUCTION
All participants may register to receive personal driving instruction from a professional instructor. The cost is $25 per session. We recommend that you sign up in advance so that we can hire the appropriate number of instructors. An instructor in the passenger seat will greatly accelerate the learning process and help drivers gain the most from their track time.
Classroom time will be scheduled during the A driver sessions. This will give Group B and C drivers another opportunity to learn and ask questions at no additional cost.
A mandatory drivers meeting will be held each morning; nobody will be allowed on-track unless they have attended the meeting. Additionally, Group C drivers will have a mandatory instruction period immediately following the drivers meeting.
Qualified instructors who are attending the event without a car to drive are encouraged to bring their track gear and volunteer to help instruct. We will also offer the Mentor program (see below).
MENTORS
We will ask each Group A driver to make himself or herself available to ride with one Group C driver for at least one session. This will allow the racers to pass on some of their experience to the other drivers. This is an informal program and it’s up to the individual Group C driver to find a Group A driver to mentor you.
TRAILER STORAGE AND OVERNIGHT RV PARKING
Overnight dry camping and trailer storage are available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at no charge. The gates will be closed, but unlocked, to allow access at night, and the paddock is patrolled by security officers until 2:00 a.m. There has never been a security incident at the track.
REGISTER VIA THE INTERNET
Online registration will only be accepted at
www.PCNC.motorsportreg.com. Payment at this site, which we would prefer, can only be performed using credit cards and e-checks. You may also register online and mail your check, or mail both your registration (using the registration form elsewhere in this newsletter) and check. Additionally, you can register and pay at the track.
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS / SUGGESTIONS
For event and registration information, please contact our Motorsports Director, Larry Finch, at (559) 281-3497, or (preferred)
[email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots.
