On Track Advice and Procedures

PASSING PROCEDURES

ORPCA allows passing at certain specific “passing zones”. The end of the passing zones are marked. Passing in any other area of the track will end your event with us at our discretion. The passing rules will be explained in the pre-event email we send to all participants and discussed at the drivers’ meeting just before the event. Additional copies of the event passing rules can be obtained in the tower.

Disabled Vehicle

In the event that your car is disabled while driving on the track, pull off the track as close to a flagging station as possible and away from the driving surface, stay in your vehicle unless it is on fire. Do not attempt to make repairs. In the event that another vehicle is stopped, do not stop to offer assistance yourself. The event officials will deal with the situation. A disabled vehicle on the driving surface that is not is a passing zone may be passed if the driver indicates to you that you should pass him or her. This is the only exception to the passing zone rule. Do not pass a moving vehicle under a yellow flag under any circumstances unless not passing will result in an immediate safety issue.

TRACK CONDITIONS

Fast Dry – Watch the line for Rubber and Oil, use the wet line if you feel slippery.

Wet – Move off of the line a full tire width or two, this will improve the available traction.

Many of the curves at PIR collect puddles of water in the apex areas. Be alert and adjust your line accordingly.

TIRE CONDITIONS

Tires – Use the factory setting prescribed by the manufacture. When on the track, tire stresses and temperature will rise dramatically. Be sure your tires are in good shape. Always check your tire pressures as soon as you can after you leave the track. Tire pressures grow with tire temperature and on the track your tires will reach temperatures that they will never achieve on the street. Any of the instructors can provide advice on tire pressures for you but it is your responsibility to keep your tires properly inflated.

BRAKES

Driver Education events place stresses on braking performance never experienced on the street. It’s extremely important to make sure that your brakes are in tip-top shape!

Brake fluid can boil on a hot day, indicated by a soft pedal. Slow down and cool down until the fluid has returned to functional temperature. Exit the track as soon as possible and have the issue corrected. Brake pads can become brittle and chunk through excessive heat cycles. This is detected by vibration during hard braking. ABS systems will set up a similar vibration but they do less harm to the brakes. Complete your lap at reduced speed when the brakes vibrate and pull into the pits to inspect your pads. If you are not sure what to look for, ask a tech inspector or any of the driving instructors. You should always make sure you have any brake issues corrected before continuing to drive the vehicle.

We highly recommend that you have your braking system flushed with new, fresh brake fluid and the brake pads have sufficient material before venturing out onto the track where these components can be used to their potential. Do not install new pads just before a DE event without breaking them in properly. You are responsible for ensuring your car is ready for the track.

Brake rotors (discs) experience much higher operating temperatures as you learn to use them to their potential. Damage to your rotors can be a result of too much heat unless careful steps are taken to minimize this. Cool-down laps with minimal braking are imperative to proper brake management and will extend rotor and pad life.

After exiting the track and parking your car in your paddock space, keep your foot off the brakes as much as possible and let them cool off. When the car is parked do not set the parking brake, instead leave the car in gear. If the parking brake is applied after a run session, the pads or shoes could become welded to the brake rotor or drum.

DRIVER CONDITIONS

Listen to your body. Drink a LOT of water, don’t eat excessively, and do not exceed your limits. Most experienced drivers will not stay on course for more than 20 to 25 minutes during hot days and hot laps. Body and mental fatigue can set in very quickly at a track event. The lapse of mental focus is the first sign that you are wearing down. You will notice that it becomes more difficult to execute the line through turns, and shift/brake points become erratic. Slow down for a lap or two to regain strength and focus. As in distance running or any athletic event, a short break will allow the body to rejuvenate. If, late in the day, you feel yourself drifting off of the line and having a harder time driving smoothly, you are probably tired and it would be a good choice to pull into the paddock and call it a day. Driving at speed is one the most cerebral and physically stressing things you will do.