Please read this entire page before attending your first ETRSCCA SOLO or RallyCross event.

Novices & Beginners

We really like seeing new people at our events.  We even have a class specifically for Novices.  If you are new to Solo or RallyCross, please read the ETRSCCA FAQs and checklist, specifically written with ETRSCCA Regional events in mind.  At your first event, a lot of things will happen very quickly.  If you read both the Novice Handbook and the FAQ’s in their entirety, you’ll be much more prepared.

If you have a question at an event, feel free to ask on our forum or ask anyone at the event.  They may not know the answer, but they can point you in the right direction!  Our novice chief for this year is Jim Simmons.

About Novice class (Solo Only)

After testing a new novice format for a season, it’s been decided that it would be best to revert to the previous process.

Starting in 2020, ETRSCCA will base novice results on PAX time.

  • Novice class will compete based on PAX time plus cone penalties (+2 seconds per disturbed cone).
  • Novices will compete against other novices in different car classes.
  • Novices will run with their base class.
  • The winner will be the novice driver with lowest PAX time for the day.
  • You may compete as a Novice for 3 events or 1 year (12 months), whichever comes first.
  • A Novice competitor may choose to move into Open Class competition at any time, but may not move back to Novice.
  • Novice class cars must be designated with “N” followed by class. E.g.: NAS, NSTR, NSM, etc.

Special Waiver for Competitors & Spectators Under 18 Years Old

All minors under 18 years old require a minor waiver to compete or spectate. For competitors the waiver must be signed by both parents, or by a verified single parent/guardian (requires evidence of status). This waiver is good for all events for a full calendar year from the date of its signing as long as the minor retains the pink waiver copy. For a minor spectator, one parent or guardian can sign a waiver good for a single event.  ETR has minor wavier forms at the event.

Please visit our community forum if you have any questions about this wavier.

Registration and Entry Fees

We highly encourage you to register online when attending a solo event.  Registering online only take a few minutes and saves everyone time, including yourself.  Rest assured that registering online doesn’t obligate you to run or pay for the event.For regular regional Events:

SOLO
SCCA Member: $45
Weekend (Non) Member : $65

RallyCross
SCCA Member: $40
Non-Member: $55

From time to time, ETRSCCA will run special events or schools with unique pricing.

Entrants Must Work

ETR is an all-volunteer organization.  Everyone that runs at a Solo or RallyCross must work during the event.  Everyone has to help out in order to make the event happen.  Most people will end up working on the course picking up cones that have been knocked over, but if you’re willing to learn, there are other positions that are just as important.

If you run and don’t work your shift, your runs will be disqualified.  Depending on the situation, additional penalties can be assessed.

Tech Inspection

Before any car can run, it must be inspected to make sure it is safe. The basics of the inspection include:

  • Battery securely bolted down. (This is the most common problem)
  • Tires – no cord showing
  • Wheel bearings, shocks, steering, and suspension in good operating condition.
  • Seat belts in good operating condition.
  • Brakes – firm pedal with no detectable drop with car not running and proper level of fluid in reservoir.
  • All loose items removed (radar detectors, floor mats, etc.)
  • Hubcaps and wheel rings removed unless they bolt on.
  • All lugs present and tight.
  • Throttle return action safe and positive (no sticky throttles)
  • No excessive fluid leaks.
  • Acceptable numbers and class designation on both sides of car.

Numbers and Letters For your Vehicle

Event officials will need to be able to identify your vehicle’s class designation and number during competition.  These will need to be place on the vehicle prior to tech inspection.   The numbers and letters should contrast with the car color and be at least 8 inches tall and the class designation should be at least 4 inches tall so that they are legible at a distance.

The best way to go about identifying your vehicle is by purchasing magnetic numbers and letters.  Before buying magnets, it’s a good idea to confirm the class your car will run in by visiting the experts on our message board.

There are several options for purchasing numbers and letters made from magnets.  You can go to an arts and crafts store like AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, or Michaels and get a roll of material for around $20.  This will be enough to share with at least one friend.  Make sure you get the 1/8 in. thickness magnetic material, NOT the 1/16 in.  The thinner material will simply blow off at speed.

Also, one of our very own ETRSCCA members can make magnetics for you:

Gary Mitchell
EP Vinyl Works
EPVinylWorks@gmail.com 

If you don’t have time to arrange for magnets, you can print the numbers and letters at home on you home printer and tape them to the car with blue painters tape (it won’t hurt your vehicle’s paint), or fashion the numbers and letters with painters/masking tape (in a contrasting color).  “Frog Tape” or regular beige masking tape works great for blue and black cars!  Again, the number should contrast with the car color and be at least 8 inches tall and the class designation should be at least 4 inches tall so that they are legible at a distance.

SHOE POLISH OR WINDOW CHALK IS NOT PERMITTED

Below are good examples of magnets (by EPVinylWorks) and tape numbers.

magnetics

magnet_example02

ETRSCCA Vehicle Sound Policy

This sound policy is in place to protect our access to event sites.  Loud cars aren’t usually appreciated by the general public.  The competitor shall carry sole responsibility for ensuring their vehicle complies with these Sound Control Standards and Procedures. Vehicle sound emission is not a constant factor that can be trimmed to barely legal (in the manner of engine displacement or vehicle weight.) Sound emissions may vary significantly from morning to afternoon, and day to day, so the competitor is advised to target any vehicle sound emission level “adjustments” to well under the limit, to allow for variations in conditions. The intent of the following rules is to truly make our events quieter by limiting the sound level produced by individual vehicles. Competitors are expected to use mufflers as the primary method for sound reduction.

STANDARD and MEASUREMENT

  • Maximum limit of 100 dB, with the meter set to “A” weighting, “Slow” Response.
  • The microphone will be mounted on a tripod, 3-4 feet above ground level at the measuring point 50 ft from the edge of the course lane, using a coned gate as a reference.
  • The microphone will be positioned perpendicular to the vehicle’s direction of travel.
  • Measurement will be taken at a point on course where the car can reasonably be expected to be at full throttle, under load, and at high RPM.
  • Sound control operator will record readings over 93dBA and may at the operators discretion record or check off those under 93dBA for reference later.


VIOLATIONS

  • When a vehicle exceeds 96.5dBA, the sound operator will inform the grid worker, and the driver will be notified.
  • Any run 100dBA or over will be scored a DNF. The accuracy of the meter will be taken into consideration and the max value will reflect this. Our current meter is plus or minus 1.5dB so driver will receive a DNF when over 101.5dB with this meter.
  • Purposely lifting or coasting by the sound meter will result in a DNF.
  • When a car in violation (101.5dBA or over with current meter) returns to grid, the Grid worker will notify the driver of the car’s measured sound level. The driver will be given the opportunity for a “mechanical delay” to attempt to reduce the vehicle’s sound level. If, in the judgment of the Grid worker, Sound Steward, or other Event Chief, the driver has attempted a viable remedy, he will authorize a “second chance run”. If the driver(s) declines any “repair” action, or the “repair” is deemed inadequate or inappropriate by the Grid Worker, Sound Steward, or other Event Chief the driver(s) will forfeit all subsequent runs in that vehicle. The Grid Worker, Sound Steward, or other Event Chief may offer advice to competitors. This advice, however, shall be in no manner be construed to imply that said suggested corrective action(s) absolves the competitor from complying. If the vehicle exceeds either limit on the “second” chance run, the vehicle may be given one “final chance” run if the vehicle meets all the requirements of the previous paragraph (second chance run).
  • If the vehicle exceeds the limit on the “final” chance run, all subsequent runs by that vehicle, if any, are forfeited.
  • Drivers may appeal the decision of the Grid Worker or Sound Steward to the Event Chair.