Mobil1 SoloSprint FAQ
Edit: Feb 5, 08, transponders/timing. Run group info.
Edits: Jan 30,08, spot not transferable, must be a CSCC member, Registration(partial details)
1. What kind of seatbelt do I need?
2. Who's in charge of the Solosprint series?
3. What are rules on safety?
4. What kind of helmet do I need?
5. Where can I buy a helmet?
6. What do I bring to the track with me?
7. What if I wreck my car or crash into another car?
8. Can my friend ride in my car?
9. Can my buddy drive just 1 or 2 laps?
10. Can I get a refund if I don't want to continue for some reason?
11. How are the different cars classified?
12. Can I let my buddy drive my car and split the cost?
13. A few brake and tire tips.
14. How do I enter the Solosprint series?
15. Timing and transponders info.
16. Run group info.
1. What kind of seatbelt do I need?
Stock seat belt are approved.
Also 4 point race harnesses are good, but WCMA recommends that you have a rollbar with 4 point harnesses because in the event of a
rollover you may be unable to move your head when or if the roof collapses due to the harness holding your head straight up.
Belts that have shoulder belts webbed into the lap belt are not approved. Complete rules should be read here:
http://www.wcma.ca2. Who's in charge of the Solosprint series?
The series is run a committee of several people typically about 7 people(varies), most of them competitors, who volunteer their personal time to
organize all details such as operations of the event days at the track, booking track days, budgeting and accounting, decision making,
emailing information such as results and photos. We are a self run series which relies on all participants to help in some way, be it on the
committee or simply working as a corner marshall etc during the events. The Racetrack does not provide much other than opening up the gate for us.
The track is mostly just a rental facility.
3. What are rules on safety?
Safety rules are set by the WCMA(Western Canadian Motorsport Association).
http://www.wcma.ca. Too much to put here.
4. What kind of helmet do I need?
Requires M2000(motorcycle) or SA2000/SA2005 type helmet. Helmets often have a rating sticker underneath the helmets fabric lining, you'll need
to pull back the lining to see this. DOT helmets are not allowed. Snell and a few FIA approved standards, as published on the ASN Canada FIA
website under SoloSprint Rules.
5. Where can I buy a helmet?
Motorcycle dealer, Rallysport.ca, Western Motorsports, or other. If you have a choice between SA2000 or SA2005, then buy the 2005 because it
will be legal for a longer period of time. Typically WCMA rule changes will expire helmets at around the 10 year old mark. Get your helmet early, as
stores tend to sell out in the spring time.
6. What do I bring to the track with me?
You may not need all of these but most will come in handy. Some things are required.
Items to bring to the track with you:
1. Helmet. Required.
2. Wear pants and long sleeve shirt. Refueling safety. Required.
3. Mosquito repellent
4. Rain Jacket.
5. Air pump
6. Tire gauge
7. Lunch(concessions are usually closed.)
8. Drinks
9. Full tank of gas plus extra fuel if high HP car.
10. Tarp or storage bins to store/keep your stuff dry.
11. Sunscreen
12. Hat
13. New for 2008, transponder fees will be included in your registration fees. Transponders are handed out at each event, and returned at the end of the day.
14. Extra oil/coolant.
15. Jack and jack stands.
16. Run group info.
7. What if I wreck my car?
Your car insurance will not cover damage to your car when on a racetrack. It is not advised to even pursue this. Your insurance company will not like the
fact that you have taken your car on a track. You the participant will have to pay for the repairs and damage yourself. You assume the risk.
There is insurance is for Third Party Liability. Covers other people and property, participants may injure or damage. Does not cover drivers personal injuries
or their personal property damage.
8. Can my friend ride in my car?
Yes, but only during the morning warmup. Not during timed sessions. Yes for un-timed sessions, typically evenings. Passenger requires a helmet SA2000 or M200.
9. Can my buddy drive just 1 or 2 laps? No.
10. Can I get a refund if I don't want to continue for some reason.
Refunds cannot be made due to racing series committing with the Racetrack for race dates. Be sure you can commit.
Essentially once you sign up and pay, you have committed and your money is destined to go to the racetrack.
The track does not offer refunds, nor does the Calgary Sports Car Club Solosprint series. Your reserved spot in Solosprint is not transferable to another person.
11. Cars are classed into several lap-time brackets. For example cars doing laps of 1:30.000 to 1:31.999 are one class.
The committee will evaluate the season's results using the National SoloSprint Classes to see where competitors end up, using that system for potential future use.
12. Can I let my buddy drive my car and split the cost?
No.
13. Tips, Check your brake pads, as the track tends to wear down your pads quickly. Stop at a service station and inflate your tires a bit higher than normal before heading to the track. Higher pressure helps avoid rollover and sidewall wear, just remember to check tire pressures after a few laps at speed to make sure pressure does not get higher than the tire manufacturer recommends. It's quicker and easier to let air out of your tires vs. having to hook up a compressor and put air into the tires.
14. Registration will be announced in late late Jan or early Feb. Stay tuned to the website. Registration will be done at the CSCC clubhouse in NE Calgary, or it can be done via mail, but note those registering in person will get higher priority. Those from outside Calgary who cannot travel, can have a friend or relative come to the CSCC clubhouse to register for them. New this year, you must be a Calgary Sports Car Club(CSCC) member. Memberships can be purchased upon registering for Solosptint.
Stay tuned for further details on this. Check the dates to be sure you can commit, and you must attend the school.
15. We use the DBcom system for timing. Each driver will either rent a transponder(typical) or they can buy their own. The CSCC owns 40 transponders which are rented out. Several people already own their own. If you wish to buy one the price is approximately $210 US from
http://www.digitaltiming.com/. They may quote a better price if several ordered at once. They may also have used transponders at lower prices on occasion.
Note: No point in buying a transponder since it's likely the track will close at the end of '09. At about $200 for a transponder you'd need to use it for 3 seasons to come out ahead. Cost to rent is $15/ raceday, and we don't use them for the lapping evenings. (thnx Doug!)
See the other thread here which answers many more questions.
http://cscc.speedracer.ca/forums/index.php/topic,7534.0.html16. Run group info.
New this year, we will run 5 cars on track at a time. In the past we ran 4. For those who do not know the general format, we will group 5 cars with close lap times and send them out spaced about 20 seconds apart. If all works well, then cars will not bunch up. Timed runs
are 1 warmup lap, 3 fast laps, 1 cooldown lap. Hopefully cars will not catch up to the person ahead. If so then spacing will need to be adjusted or the run order of the cars will be shuffled. Competitors should help with this. If you become quicker than the car in front then on your next session, start ahead of him/her.
