What’s new for 2010?
Lots of Days, Lots of Tracks, Lots More Fun:
This year we have once again organized a coordinated calendar between the Northeast (NER) and North Country (NCR)  regions of the PCA. These coordinated events provide the dedicated DE enthusiast the chance for 18 days of driving on five different circuits; including a return to Lime Rock Park. In answer to many requests, we have 2 weekend events in 2010; one at our home track in Loudon, New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) with 8 total days there; and a 3-day weekend event at Watkins Glen in New York. Our signature event at Canada's Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant (LCMT), July 12-14, is once again during the free Mt. Tremblant Blues Festival, making it a great opportunity for a family outing.  And that event is immediately preceeded by a 3-day event also in Canada at Calabogie Motorsports Park, July 8-10 with the 11th set aside for travelling to LCMT, only a 3 hour drive.

For those new to DE:
2010 will feature our annual Novice Day with a few new wrinkles. The event will be held at NHMS (a short, one-hour drive north of Boston) on May 7th and will be hosted by NER. The morning will include special programs for Novices including braking exercises, car control clinics on a skidpad and a slalom course, as well as classroom time with pro-driver and coach Dennis Macchio covering basic driving, driving techniques, terms, fundamentals and objectives. The afternoon for Novices will be devoted to on-track driving with experienced NER/NCR instructors. Note: While details are still being worked out, the plan is for this day, May 7th to be focused on true Novices. Since registration numbers are obviously unknown, first time DE participants will be admitted first, followed by Green run group drivers with limited experience, and a wait list will be established for more experienced Green run group drivers and Yellow run group drivers who will be admitted to the Novice Day activities if there are more instructors than required for the Novice group. Drivers in the Blue, White and Black run groups may register for the May 7th event and participate in a normal DE day.  They will have the opportunity for extra track time while the Novice group is involved with their non-track activities. The following 2 days, May 8-9, will be normal DE days for ALL run groups and is hosted by NCR. 

No more paper… save the planet! 
NER is no longer be accepting paper registration. To register for any event hosted by NER you will need to do so online at clubregistration.net. Once registered with clubregistration.net it is a quick, simple process to sign up for an event, and payment through PayPal is available. You will, however, still be able to send a check by ‘snail’ mail if you prefer. See our web site for details. For NCR hosted events go to their website and their registration site.

Watch the NER web site  

While we email information to registered drivers the web site should be checked periodically for new and updated information. For example the rates and reservation information for the LCMT hotels with which we've negotiated rates will be posted on the web site at the "DE Event Information" page.

Registration Process
How to register:
The coordination of the two regions’ schedules means two different websites for registration, one for NER events  and another for NCR events . Though we’re both sponsoring all events, only one region will handle the registration for an event.
   On the event calendar you will notice the host region is identified. Although both regions will be working together to coordinate the actual event days, it is the host region that will handle registration. All rules, policies and pricing will be the same regardless of host region. The host region’s registration web site will be the only point of registration for the events they are hosting. This means, for example, for the May 7th Novice Day event you must go to NER’s registration website and for the May 8-9  event that follows at New Hampshire you must go to NCR’s  (the host’s) registration web site  to register. 
   Each region may also require you to establish your credentials as a driver, and give details of your car before you are able to register for an event. Both regions have similar policies and requirements though the registration web sites may have differences in formats. In all cases this should be a one-time affair unless your vehicle and/or other profile items change. After you have provided your details to each region, you will be able to log in and will be automatically remembered. Be sure to up-date your car info if you change cars AND keep your email address current
   At the end of these FAQs you will find contact details and web addresses for each of the regions. If you have any issues with registering either yourself as a driver or for any particular event, please do not hesitate to contact any of us. As a general rule, it should be as simple as going to the host region’s web site, finding the menu item for Driver Education and then following the link to registration; or going directly to the registration web site.

When to register:
In most cases registration for all NER events opens on March 1, 2010.
   As a general word of warning, be aware that both regions accept entries on a first-come, first-served basis. This year (as a result of the coordinated calendar) there will be much greater demand for most events; we fully expect that most will be sold out very early. Although you cannot register before the registration opening day, we strongly suggest you register as early as possible after March 1 to avoid disappointment. This is particularly important for the Green & Yellow student groups as the number admitted to any event is dependent upon the number of instructors signing up. Instructors are notoriously late in registering; so Student drivers, sign up early.  It is also particularly important for the Mt. Tremblant event, July 12-14, because only 30 cars are allowed on the track at any time (a maximum of 150 cars for the event).

Other important information about registration:
Though NER and NCR are entirely separate and distinct regions, we’ve done our best to coordinate our policies and procedures to make the DE season as seamless as possible. Even so, please familiarize yourself by reading the host region’s policies as found on their individual web sites. Do not assume that rules you are used to with your home region will be the same with those of other regions.

 A few registration caveats:
Registration closes 2 weeks prior to an event:
   Signing up for an event without paying is not a full registration. Until your payment is received, either check or credit card through PayPal, you are not registered and a space will not be held for you in the event.
If you pay after the 2-week cut-off or at the event with permission of the registrar, you may be subject to a $50/day or $100/event surcharge, whichever is less.
   All registrations will normally be for the entire 1, 2, or 3 days of the event. A driver wishing to register for fewer days than the entire event may have to pay a surcharge ($25/day) and should check first with the registrar.

Instructors are urged to register early to allow us to admit as many student drivers as possible. 
   If Instructors register within 2 weeks of an event, they will pay an additional $25/day beyond the Instructor rate. In the case of NHMS events that period is 21 days prior to the event and the charge is $75/day.
   All of the above surcharges are at the discretion of the Registrar, Chief Instructor and/or Track Chair and will be determined by the individual circumstances of each event.

Who can drive in a PCA Driver Education event? 
Both host clubs have the same basic requirements:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You must be a currently licensed driver
- You must not be under the influence of drowsiness-inducing or mind altering substances (prescribed or not) prior to or during the event.
- You are a member of PCA or other recognized car club.
For more information on requirements click here.

What can you drive at a PCA Driver Education event?
Both regions accept any Porsche vehicle (excluding tractors, because they don’t have seat belts). NER also accepts any non-Porsche driven by a PCA member, or other car club recognized by NER. NCR has agreed to conform to the above at our shared events. If in doubt, contact NCR’s registrar This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
   Generally speaking, any Porsche that is ’as delivered‘ and is currently in good, safe working order will be acceptable for entry in any Driver Education event. Depending on the host’s specific rulings, the same can be said of most cars produced by other makers. The only consistent exceptions are:
   All cabriolets (other than Porsche 996s, 997s and Boxsters) must be equipped with a roll bar.
   Some older Porsche cars (pre-1969) may be required to modify the mountings of, or install, seat belts. Host web sites will give details of requirements and should be checked periodically to stay current with any changes. All vehicles are required to have (at least) 3-point seat belts.
     For vehicles modified from original specification, please check your host’s web site for requirements. Most importantly, check for specific details regarding the installation of racing harnesses, racing seats and the need for equal restraints on both passenger and driver seats .  Also be aware that many tracks restrict permissible noise — a modified exhaust may not be acceptable.

What else is needed?
Both regions will require that your vehicle be given a pre-track Technical Inspection by a PCA-recognized Inspector. These inspections must be undertaken prior to arrival at the event and are intended primarily to ensure the safety and track-worthiness of your vehicle. Details of these inspections along with a downloadable NER Tech Form and a list of recognized inspectors can be found at each of the host regions’ web sites. Each host region will have slightly different forms and requirements, but each will accept the host region’s “Tech” form signed and stamped by another region’s registered tech inspector. Please be aware, however, that technical inspection does not remove the responsibility from the driver/owner of any vehicle for the vehicle to be safe and in compliance with all PCA, host region and/or track requirements.
   All PCA Driver Education events require that you wear a helmet while on the track. Both host regions require that these helmets meet at least the SA2000, SA2005, M2005 or M2000. In all cases SA ratings are strongly recommended for their fire safety qualities. Note: If you’re buying a helmet for the first time, make sure you get an SA2005 or SA2010. Helmet certifications occur every 5 years and are valid in PCA events for 10 years. So an SA2000 will only be valid for this year.
   While NER does not require that your car be equipped with a fire extinguisher, NER does strongly recommend it.  You should be aware, however, that most regions still do require a 2-½ lb (minimum) class BC or ABC fire extinguisher be mounted in a metal bracket and bolted to a metal surface although some regions allow a one-time exemption from this requirement for the first event a driver attends. Be sure to check the host region's requirements.

In summary:
   Identify who is hosting the event or events you wish to enter
   Go to the host’s web site and locate links to Driver Education
   Go to their registration site and register for events
   Pay online or forward a check to the host region
   Have a fire extinguisher installed in your car (if that is required by the host region)
   Beg, borrow or buy a helmet that meets or exceeds SA2000 or M2000
   Download a tech inspection form a couple of weeks before the event
   Locate a nearby tech inspector from your home region’s web site
   Have your car inspected and keep the tech form, as you will need it at the event
   Read the articles on what to expect and what to bring that appear on our web site
   Come to the track and have fun
  

.For more information on Technical requirements and inspections for Northeast region click here.


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