NEW DRIVERS GUIDE TO RACING AT PRCC

Everybody has to start somewhere, the following guide should help you to understand and enjoy Rallycross/Monster Truck racing. We welcome drivers of all abilities from complete novices through to experienced racers. If you intend to compete at one of the race meetings, you should arrive at the track at about 8:30am to help build and peg the track (Latest booking in is 9:15).

BOOKING IN

When you arrive you will have to book in at race control, which is the container. Booking in takes place shortly after 9.00am and the first race starts at 10.00am. When you book in, you will need to tell us your name and all the frequencies that you have available. We advise to have at least 3 frequencies with you but it is not mandatory. The entry fee is £12 for non-members and £8 for members.

PRACTICE

Practice is open from 9.30am until just before 10.00am. If you want to practice, you must first take the peg that has your frequency number on it and replace it with a peg with your name on it (pegs can be supplied). The pegs are located on a board next to the container. This peg entitles you to switch your radio on and use your car for 5 - 10 minutes. When you have finished, please return the peg to the board, as other drivers may be waiting to use the same peg. You must not switch your transmitter on during practice unless you have the correct peg. If the peg is not on the board, either ask the drivers on the rostrum, or come to race control and we will put out a call on the P.A system.

DRIVERS BRIEFING

Before the racing begins, a driver's briefing will take place. You should attend this, and listen to the instructions that are given. This will explain the start procedure, marshalling duties, etc and any special procedures for the day. If you have any questions, please ask.

A list of all the heats will be displayed on the board next to the container. You should check this as it has 3 important pieces of information on it.

• Your heat number
• Your car number
• Your frequency

If you booked in and had more than 1 frequency, you may have to change frequency. The preffered choice that you give us, may not always the one that you will end up racing on. If you give a choice of frequencies at booking in, please make sure that you have them with you and that you can change to them if necessary.

The car numbers are available from race control, as are the transponders, which will automatically count your laps. The transponders are available for collection prior to your race and must be returned immediately after your race. They should be securely fixed to the car. Most cars now have a special transponder mount fitted to the radio tray, if not it should be securely fitted to the inside of the bodyshell. You will need to drill an 8mm hole and have a spare bodyclip. The windscreen or side pod away from the engine are favourite. Never allow the transponder to come into contact with the hot engine / exhaust, or any rotating gears / shafts, as they will be damaged.

QUALIFYING ROUNDS

An announcement will be made over the PA system, calling drivers for the next heat. If this is you, you should make your way to the rostrum, with your car and mechanic (don’t worry if you don’t have a mechanic, just ask around someone will help you). Before each race there is a couple of minutes of warm up. Use this time to get your car's engine warm and get used to the track. You are not racing at this stage. The cars will be called to the line and you should drive your car up onto the raised pit lane. Never drive the wrong way around the track or into pit lane. If you have just started a new lap, continue the lap and enter pit lane. We will wait for you to finish the lap.

Once in pit lane your mechanic should fill your car and wait for the start marshal's signal to release the car. The cars are released at 2 second intervals. This is called a "staggered start". Qualifying is against the clock not other drivers. Your 5-minute race will begin when your car passes under the timing loop for the first time. If during the race, a faster car comes up behind you, do not block or crash into it, instead you should pull to one side and allow the faster car through. Try and follow the faster car, you will learn the correct lines and corner speeds. Remember "slow in fast out", by this we mean enter a corner slowly, choosing the correct line, will allow you to exit the corner faster and achieve faster lap times. If you are going faster than another car wait for them to pull over (or make a mistake), and pass them cleanly. Accidents will happen, but do not deliberately crash into other cars.

At the end of the race, "race over" will be called and you should drive into the pit lane, turn off your car and transmitter, return the transponder and quickly go to your marshal point. You only have to marshal the race following your own, and you should stand at the numbered post that corresponds to your car number. Whilst marshalling you should remain alert at all times and be as quick as possible getting to cars that need assistance. However, never put yourself at risk, such that a car can hit you. Remember these cars are travelling at high speeds, and if they do hit you, they can break bones.

The heat results are put on the board after the race. When you have finished marshalling, you can check the results, clean your car, alter the set-up etc. Don't be afraid to chat to other drivers if you need help or advise, they are all very friendly. Look around the pits and see if anybody else is driving the same car as you. A 5-minute chat could save you a lot of frustration, as well as time and money.

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