Purpose

I. PURPOSE

I. A. Eligible Entrants

PCA members in good standing, of any class of membership set forth in the by-laws, or nonmembers driving a Porsche, may register and compete in autocross events. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Junior Participation Program
Children of PCA members who are fully licensed, unrestricted drivers, who have a completed parental permission form, and have signed the Minor Risk Acknowledgment form and are accompanied by their parent may participate.

I. B. Cars per Entrant

An entrant may drive more than one vehicle at an event provided that the second vehicle has been entered (fees paid), and passed tech inspection before registration closes. No points or trophies will be awarded for runs in the second car, and no entrant who drives a second car will get more runs than any other entrant in his/her run group.

I. C. Late Registration

Official registration and tech inspection will close as announced for each event. Late registration will be allowed only at the discretion of the Registrar, and late registrants will forfeit their morning runs.

I. D. Entry Fees

The cost per event for members and nonmembers, and the availability of a preregistration discount will be determined by the Northeast Region Board before the series starts each year and will be published in the NOR'EASTER. See Registration Info

Scoring

II. SCORING

For the purpose of accumulation of points toward the series championship, the following rules shall apply:

1. PCA members of any class are eligible for the series class championships.
2. Points will be awarded 9-6-4-3-2-1 in order of finish.
3. Points will not be awarded to the lowest finisher in a class; an entrant must be in the point range and finish ahead of another class entrant in order to win points.
4.  A five event series is planned. To qualify for the overall points championship, a driver must have participated in at least four events. If, due to weather or other unavoidable circumstances, we only run four events, a driver must have participated in three of those events. Points towards the championship will come from the driver's best four or best three events depending on the number of events in total. For 2009, the two day Zone 1 event will count as NER points event #4.
   
5. Point ties at the end of the series will be broken by adding the single best runs of each event for each tied entrant for those events, which both entrants attended. The lower total time places higher.
6. Ties within a class at an individual event will be broken by a single run each for the tied entrants. These runs will be done after all other official runs are completed, and within ten minutes of each other. The entrant with the better (that is lower) second -best time may elect to run first or second in the runoff.
7. A two-second penalty will be imposed for knocking over a pylon, or if the pylon remains standing
   
8. In the event of a re-run, there must be a minimum of 5 (five) intervening cars, before the rerun is taken. If there are no intervening cars due to a re-run being issued at the end of a session, the car must be held for a minimun of sixty (60) seconds. 
9. Failure to complete runs prior to the session closing reults in a DSQ.  Competitors are expected to complete their runs in a timely fashion.  Under no circumstances will rule #8 be abridged, if a competitor through his/her own inaction has failed to complete their allotted runs.

Awards

III. AWARDS

Class awards per event shall be presented in accordance with the following schedule:

The top novice in each class will receive a ribbon, until they win a trophy in their normal class, at which time their novice status ends.

A "most improved autocrosser" trophy may be given at the annual dinner to that individual deemed to have made the most improvement over the course of the year, as determined by the autocross committee.

Classification

IV. CLASSIFICATION

By defining the rules in this area, we are trying to afford all entrants the fairest possible competition while keeping a practical upper limit on the number of classes. It is the responsibility of each participant to classify his own car. If a model is not covered here, the participant must apply in a minimum of 1 week in advance for classification. Failure to do so may result in the car running unclassified for the event -or- may be classed at the discretion of the chair. A competitor in the same class may protest a car's classification, but must do so before the first competitive timed run. Conflicts over classification will be resolved via a Classification Committee appointed by the Event Chair. Their decision will be final, and may involve bumping a car into a more appropriate class.

Cars, for purposes of competition, are free to progress to higher classification level should they so choose. For example, should the driver of a street tire classed car wish to compete in the appropriate r-compound class, they are free to do so.  However, this must be declared prior to the running of the event. Additionally, once a classification is chosen, if the car is co-driven, it must be done so under this classification. 

A driver may be registered and participate in more than one vehicle for the event. However only one vehicle can be used for competition purposes and must be designated as the competition vehicle for the event prior to the event start. All runs taken in the non-competition vehicle are considered educational runs and will scored as a DNF. The total number of runs taken will not exceed the normal number of competitive runs for the event.

IV. A. Class

Classes are new for 2009

Cars shall be grouped into classes according to the class chart shown below.

A minimum of one entrant shall constitute a class for any given event.

IV. C. Tire Classing

For cars in classes where an S/R designation must be determined, classification decided on the basis of the tire wear rating as specified on the sidewall of the tire. Cars equipped with tires displaying a wear rating greater than or equal to 140 are deemed to be in class S. Those tires with wear ratings below this number are deemed to be in class R. For cars other than class 10, all tires must be DOT approved. Any Porsche shod with non-DOT tires is automatically moved to class 10. DOT tires are free in classes 8 and 9. For classes 1-8 and 11S all free modifications are allowed regardless of tire choice. Cars with penalized modifications as per current rules are placed in class 9. As cars are permitted to run in a higher class, cars with S designated tires can elect to run in R on a seasonal basis. As stated elsewhere, cars are classified, not drivers. If a car is co-driven, it must run with a single class designation. 

IV. D. Free Modifications

In this area we have tried to adopt a loosely interpreted, more lenient, version of the Parade Competition Rules (PCR's). This allows for various upgrades and replacement of troublesome items within a model range without bumping an entrant into a modified class.

Free modifications allowed in "stock" classes shall be as follows:

    1.    Changes within class (including engines and transmissions within model range, i.e. body style for
           years sold in US).

    2.    Modified ignition and distributor

    3.    Cross bar supports on shock towers

    4.    Modified carburetor jets

    5.    Electric fuel pump

    6.    Wet sump modification

    7.    Modified oil cooler/filter

    8.    Engine rebuilds (cannot exceed factory tolerances and specifications).

    9.    Substituted chain tensioners/guards

    10.  Exhaust modifications after the head (not to include open exhaust)

    11.  Limited suspension modifications (no machining)

    12.  Substitution of coil springs, torsion bars, shocks, sway bars, coilovers

    13.  356 Rear camber compensator

    14.  Any DOT wheel/tire combination fitting stock fender configuration (Subject to tire rules in Section IV.C. above)

    15.  Roll bars

    16.  Spoilers

    17.  Gear shift linkage

    18.  Limited slip differentials

    19.  Cross drilled rotors and/or competition brake pads

IV. E. Penalized Modifications

Cars which have one or more of the following modifications will be placed in the appropriate improved class unless it meets the criteria for the modified class. In this context "stock" is taken to mean components and configurations for the model and year which were/are readily available from Porsche as standard equipment or options as delivered through normal US dealers and intended primarily for street use:

    1.    Engine

           a. Displacement increase from stock of more than 5%.

           b. Compression ratio increase by more than 0.1 points.

           c. Non-stock camshaft(s)

           d. Head modifications beyond polishing (e.g., porting, oversize valves)

           e. Turbo/supercharging if not originally so equipped.

           f. (Turbo cars) Modifications increasing boost, including waste gate mods, chips, non-stock turbo
              charger, etc.

           g. Nitrous injection.

    2.    Drive train

           a. Non-stock gear ratios (intermediate or final drive)

    3.    Suspension

           a. Relocation of mounting points, including camber plates, etc.

           b. Non-stock or modified components which alter the suspension geometry and/or allow
               adjustment beyond that obtainable within the normal adjustment range.

           c. Change of type (e.g., coil-over replacing torsion bar)

    4.    Body

           a. Significant lightening by substitution of stock body panels or glass with lighter weight
               components.

           b. Significant lightening by removal of body components (e.g., bumpers).

           c. Lightening by substantial gutting of interior components.

IV. F. Race

The Race class is for cars originally constructed or modified such that the primarily or sole intended use is racing and competition.  A car will be placed in Race if any of the following criteria apply:

    1.    The car was originally constructed by the factory  primarily or solely for racing/competition use.

    2.    The car is modified such that the primary or sole intended use is racing/competition. i.e., it is no
           longer "streetable".

    3.    The car is running on non-DOT racing tires (e.g., racing slicks).

    4.    The car is unregistered or unregisterable for use on public roads.

Cars meeting one or more of the criteria for Race may be placed in an appropriate improved or stock class by appeal to the classification committee. The burden is on the entrant to show why the car should not run in Race. For example, an otherwise stock car which is unregistered and trailered to the event would be placed in the appropriate stock class. Committee decisions are final and apply for the remainder of the season, unless something has been changed which warrants reclassification.

Modifications not falling into any of the above categories shall be reviewed by the Classification Chair for suitability and safety. Decisions relative to those items, and classifications or reclassifications by reason of additional modifications, shall be made by the Classification Committee at its discretion.

Safety

V. SAFETY

All entrants are required to wear a helmet in good condition and seatbelts while driving in the events. Helmets with a safety rating of Snell 2000 or later are required. Both M and SA types are acceptable.

Roll bars are required for open cars in events termed "high speed"; this does not include Targa models. Boxster roll hoops are deemed adequate for "high-speed" events.

A three-point seat belt, with metal to metal fasteners, is required in all vehicles. Four-, five- or six-point harnesses are acceptable if properly installed as defined by the standards of the Driver Education program.

Tires must have visible tread with no cord showing. If cord shows no runs or further runs will be allowed until the problem is corrected.

No bare feet or sandals are permitted for while driving in the event.

Trucks, SUVs and vans are not allowed to compete in the non-Porsche class.

All cars must pass a tech inspection performed prior to the event. The purpose of this tech inspection is to perform a quick visual inspection of the major components including among other things, properly torqued wheels, tires in good condition showining no cording or cracking, battery firmly secured, wheel bearings tight, throttle not sticking, no loose object in the cockpit or trunks.  This inspection is a cursory one performed by volunteers.  It should in no way be construed as a professional appriasal of a competitors car and its worthiness to compete. All competitors are strongly encouraged to have their vehicle checked prior to an event by the qualified mechanic of their choice.  

Instructor Policy

VI. INSTRUCTOR POLICY

Objectives

1. Improve driver education and driving skills of novice participants
2. Provide instruction to help develop the  basic skills training necessary to effectively compete

Instructor Qualifications & Designation Process

1. Must have completed a minimum of twenty (20) autocross events (4 years)
   
2. Demonstrate an ability to compete at a high level (minimum 1 contested class championship or ten top ten time of day finishes) 
3. Demonstrate both the knowledge and ability to communicate clearly on topics pertinent to autocrossing
1. Physics of car control
2. Autocross strategy
3. Line and course analysis
4. Ocular driving techniques
4. Receiving an instructor designation will require the recommendation of two officially designated instructors, as well as the approval of the current autocross chair(s).

Rules for Instruction during Autocross Events

1. Rules #3-#5 detailed in the passenger rules section apply
2. Instruction of novices is deemed a work assignment.
3. Instructors shall not be permitted to provide demonstration runs to anyone not officially registered for that day’s autocross event and/or who does not meet all current criteria to participate (valid drivers license, appropriate age, paid the appropriate event entry fee). 
   
4. To ensure level competition, instructors are allowed no more than two demonstration runs per work session. Any demonstration runs must be taken in the instructors vehicle.
5. Instructors are to be passengers only in a participant’s vehicle, and will not drive a vehicle other than their own while instructing.

Identifying Instructors

1. Instructors will be designated at the drivers meeting as their work assignment for the event.
2. Novice participants will be advised of all available instructors during the drivers meeting.

Passenger Policy

VII. PASSENGER POLICY AND  RULES

Objectives

1. Improve driver education and driving skills of all participants at all levels of accomplishment.
   
2. Continue to provide a level playing field on which all participants may compete equally.

 Rules and Requirements

1. Under no circumstances may anyone other than a registered competitor participate in on course activities.  Any participant found to have an unregistered person as a passenger in violation of this rule will be subject to permanent expulsion.
   
2. If there is more than one person in a car, at least one of the participants must have completed a minimum of 10 (ten) autocrosses (2 years) with NER.  Out of region participants with sufficient experience may apply for a waiver which can be issued at the discretion of the track chair or his/her designee.
3. Competitors are only allowed to drive the car in which they have registered for the competition. Under no circumstances is anyone allowed to drive another participants car for demonstration purposes. Violation of this policy is grounds for permanent expulsion from future events.
4. While there are no hard numeric limits on the number of passenger rides any participant may take, there is a pratical limit.  If a participant fails to be ready to take their runs within their designated run session, there will be no make up. The untaken runs for that session are forfeit for the event. See the section on Scoring #8, #9. It is the responsibility of each participant to manage this privilege and it is unacceptable to force workers to remain on station even a minute longer than is necessary. 
5. This program is not an avenue for showboating or showing off. Its purpose is to raise the group's level of competency. If any participant is, in the judgement of the autocross chair or his/her designee, misbehaving intentionally, driving erratically or abusing this policy to the detriment of the competition,  their privileges can be revoked, they can be suspended from the event and banned from future events.
   

Noise

IV. ACCEPTABLE NOISE RESTRICTION

Increased scrutiny of the use of property used for Autocross events has forced us to adopt a policy for the acceptable noise level and the self-policing of sound levels throughout an event. A more detailed description of acceptable noise levels will be developed but based on the following guidelines.

    1.    All cars participating must be muffled.

    2.    As there are different ways of muffling an engine a static test during tech will be performed on all 
           cars.

    3.    Perimeter checks of sound levels during the event will be taken and recorded.

    4.    The Autocross committee reserves the right to prohibit any car that exhibits excessive noise
           during the event from participating.