An Introduction to

An Introduction to

AROSC TIME TRIAL & RACE EVENTS

Bruce Colby, August 2006

Introduction

The Alfa Romeo Owners of Southern California (AROSC) hold a series of track events each year. These events normally involve three separate activities: Time Trials, Races and an Introductory Group session. The purpose of all three is to have fun driving on real race tracks in a safe, controlled environment. All cars must pass a technical safety inspection and entrants must ware protective clothing. The purpose of this document is to summarize what goes on at the track events and how to get involved in them. Event applications and detailed information, including the AROSC Competition Code, are available at the AROSC website, www.arosc.org.

Introductory or “Intro” Group is a “follow-the-leader” session run on the main track. It takes place during the lunch break each day. The track sessions are preceded by classroom sessions which provide instruction on how to drive safely and effectively on a race track. There is no competition involved in this activity and the speed is controlled by the lead car which is driven by an instructor. Additional instructors are generally available to ride along with participants if desired. The purpose of Intro Group is to provide a low key race track experience in a highly controlled environment.

Time Trials are a form of competitive speed event where performance is measured in terms of lap time. Practice sessions are scheduled all day Saturday and again Sunday morning. Passing is only allowed on designated straight sections of the track. The timed sessions take place Sunday afternoon. For the timed sessions, cars are metered onto the track spaced at roughly 15 second intervals. The number of cars on the track at one time, and the run order, are arranged to minimize the chance of one car overtaking another. The timed laps involve a single warm-up lap, followed by five timed laps and finally a single cool-down lap. The fastest of the five timed laps is used to determine class winners.

Racing is wheel-to-wheel racing with the starting order established in a qualifying race. We use a rolling start and the first car across the finish line after completing a specified number of laps, is the class winner. Passing is allowed in practice sessions and the race, wherever and whenever a safe opportunity exists. It is the duty of the passing car to execute a safe pass. Even though this is racing, car-to-car contact and overly aggressive driving are not accepted.

For both Time Trial and Race activities, cars are broken down into a series of classes. The classes are organized such that cars of similar speed potential compete with one another. Alfa Romeos are classified using a point system that is described in detail in the AROSC Competition Code. Non-Alfas are classified based on power-to-weight ratio, tire type and suspension modifications.

The race tracks AROC frequently visits include Willow Springs, Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca. We occasionally hold events at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway and other venues are always under consideration. We normally have five or six time trial events per year.

Getting Started

There is no single correct way to get started. Many people start by attending a Time Trial event and participating in the Intro Group session to see if the “track experience” is something they enjoy. This approach involves the least commitment in terms of car preparation, time and money (about $40 entry fee). The other popular way to get started is to attend one of our 2-day Driving Schools. These schools include classes on Street Performance Driving, Time Trails and Racing. Typically, people new to track driving take the Street Performance Driving class for their introduction. Schools take a bit more preparation, time and money (about $250), but the training and experience are much more extensive. The schools provide about 4 hrs each of class room instruction, skid pad and track time versus about an hour each of class room training and follow-the-leader track time over the course of two days for Intro Group. More information is available about the Driving Schools is available at the AROSC website (see www.arosc.org and click the appropriate links).

If the initial experience is fun and exciting, and you want more, there are two ways to go. The more conservative is to attend the next AROSC Driving School and step up to the Novice Time Trial group. This will provide instruction and track time in a non-competition environment before attending an actual event. Alternatively, you can get your car and yourself ready for the next TT event, register and become an entrant. Either way, you start as a non-licensed (“Novice”) Time Trialer and you must attend the classroom sessions we run at our Time Trial events. In addition to attending the classroom sessions, you would run in the Time Trial practice sessions and in a timed session just as the other participants do. There are instructors at the track who can ride and/or drive with you and help you familiarize you with the course and how to handle it.

As a Novice Time Trialer, you will have to run with a large “X” on the rear of your car. This lets others know that they should give you extra consideration. After attending a TT Driving School and participating as a Novice in three or more Time Trial events, you will become eligible for a Time Trial License. Licensed Time Trialers do not have to carry a large “X” on the rear their car.

One final thing, you must be 18 years of age or older and hold a valid State Drivers License in order to participate.

Registration

Although you can download a registration form from our website, the best thing to do is to request one from either the Competition Director or Director of Registration via email or phone (see our website for contact information). We will then send you a complete registration package via either email or the US post. You should complete the form with all the requested information. We need all the information we ask for so please fill in all the blanks. You must have a valid US drivers license in order to participate but if you don’t have an AROSC Member Number or Competition License Number, just write in “none”. Information about your driving experience and car are needed to help us identify an appropriate run group for you at the track. The personal information we request is needed incase something unexpected happens at the track.

Send in the completed application and your entry fee prior to the due date. We take entries on a first come, first served basis, so it doesn’t hurt to get it in early. Once you’ve mailed the application, you should be all set. We will not send an acknowledgment unless you enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope. However, if we have any questions, we may give you a call.

Safety Technical Inspections

Safety is of primary concern in all our Time Trial activities. Consequently, all cars, in all run groups, including Intro, must pass a safety technical inspection. This must be performed at an AROSC certified facility. There are many locations throughout California plus some in Arizona and Nevada. A list of current locations is available on the website. Most shops charge a nominal fee for doing the inspection but you should definitely call ahead to arrange an appointment. If there is no inspection facility within 50 miles of where you live, just get your stuff ready and come to the track. We will do an inspection there for a nominal fee (about $10). Please be aware, however, that if there is a location within 50 miles of where you live, and you want to be inspected at the track, there will be a significant charge ($60 or more). This additional fee is charged in an attempt to keep things moving on the first morning of the event. However, if you tow your car to the track, only the nominal few will be charged.

The inspection will include the accelerator linkage, exhaust mounting, fluid leakage, steering, front and rear suspension, wheel bearings, brakes, brake lights, battery mounting, seat mounts and tires. It will also include a check of the safety equipment listed below. Sometimes it helps to download a blank form from the website, fill in the event information and your personal information and bring it with you when you go to get inspected.

Personal Safety Equipment

There are a variety of personal safety items that are required depending on the activity in question.

For Introductory Group, full body (long sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, socks, shoes), natural fiber clothing is required. Natural fiber refers to cotton, wool or leather; it does not include man-made fabrics like nylon, rayon and the like. A Snell 95 or newer safety helmet is also required as is some form of shatter resistant eye protection. This could be a flip down shield on the helmet but glasses are acceptable.

For Time Trials, full body (long sleeved shirt, long pants, gloves, socks, shoes), natural fiber clothing is required. Natural fiber refers to cotton, wool or leather; it does not include man-made fabrics like nylon, rayon and the like. A Snell 2000 or newer safety helmet is also required as is some form of shatter resistant eye protection. Eye protection could be a flip down shield on the helmet but glasses are acceptable.

For Racing, a full multi-layer Nomex® driving suit, including gloves and socks is required. For people with facial hair, or long hair, a Nomex® head sock is also required. A Snell 2000 or newer, full coverage safety helmet is also required as is some form of shatter resistant eye protection. Eye protection could be a flip down shield on the helmet but glasses are acceptable.

In addition to having all the personal safety items, it is important to arrive at the track well rested and with a clear mind if you expect to perform well.

Car Safety Equipment

There are a variety of required car safety items that are required depending on the run group in question.

For Introductory Group, Three-point seat belts are required. Factory belts are acceptable.

For Time Trials, 5-Point, competition safety harnesses less than 5 years old are required. The lap and shoulder straps must be at least 3 inches and the antisubmarine strap must be at least 2 inches. Sternum straps are not acceptable. Also, neither 4-point harnesses nor 3-point harnesses/belts are acceptable substitutes for 5-point harnesses. The car must have a 2.5 lb automotive (BC) fire extinguisher mounted within easy reach of the driver. For open cars, a roll bar is required. It must meet the requirements specified in the AROSC Competition Code (available as a download from our website). Most importantly, the roll bar must be two inches above the top of the driver’s helmet. In general, factory roll bars, including popup roll bars, do not satisfy these requirements.

For Race, 5-Point, competition safety harnesses less than 5 years old are required. The lap and shoulder straps must be at least 3 inches and the antisubmarine strap must be at least 2 inches. Sternum straps are not acceptable. Also, neither 4-point harnesses nor 3-point harnesses/belts are acceptable substitutes for 5-point harnesses. The car must have a 2.5 lb automotive (BC) fire extinguisher mounted within easy reach of the driver. A cross-braced roll bar is required in all cars. It must meet the requirements specified in the AROSC Competition Code. For open cars this includes being two inches above the top of the drivers helmet (details are available as a download from our website). Factory roll bars including popup roll bars do not satisfy these requirements. Drivers must wear arm restraints although a driver’s side window net is acceptable in a closed car. Catch tanks must be present for both the radiator and the oil breather, and wooden steering wheels must be covered by leather tape.

Before you come to the track, make sure wheel lug nuts are torqued properly, that there are no lose items in the car, including the glove box, under the seats, in the trunk, etc., that fluid levels are correct and that drain plugs are on tight. Also, check tire pressure.

Car windshields must be either glass or Lexan® (polycarbonate) and cars with modified flywheels must be accompanied by a scattershield. Wire wheels are generally not allowed without special evaluation by the AROSC Director of Safety and Technical Inspection. Again, the best place to get the all details is the AROSC Competition Code.

Safety Equipment Summary

A tabular summary of the above is given below:

Item	Intro Group	Time Trials	Race
Tech Inspection	Tech Inspection	Tech Inspection	Tech Inspection
Eye Protection	Required	Required	Required
Clothing	Full body natural fiber	Full body natural fiber	Full body Nomex®
Helmet	Snell 95	Snell 2000	Snell 2000
Seat Belts	Factory 3-point	5-Point Racing	5-Point Racing
Roll Bars	Not required	Open cars	All cars
Other	Not required	Fire Extinguisher	Fire ext., arm restraints, catch tanks, etc.

For all the details, please refer to the AROSC Competition Code. It can be downloaded from our website (www.arosc.org) or you can request a copy from the Competition Director.

Getting to the Track

Transporting your car to and from the track can be done in a variety of ways. Most people in Intro Group, many Time Trialers, and a few Racers, drive their cars to and from the track. However, as the car becomes more like a race car, the more likely it is to be towed. Some people flat tow their cars, others use tow dollies but most who tow use trailers. Trailers and tow dollies can be rented. There are a lot of different opinions on what is best so everyone has to find their own solution for this.

Since you need to be at the track and ready to go by 8:00 AM on Saturday, it is important to arrive with a bit of spare time for checking tires, lug nuts and getting all the lose items out of the car.

Where to Stay and Eat

The Club will make arrangements with a local motel for a block of rooms at special rate. This will be noted in the Registration packet. Most people stay there but there is no requirement to do so. In any event, you should call ahead by the date noted in the registration packet and make reservations. Some tracks have onsite camping and RV spaces. However, it is best to check the track website or call to determine what the camping situation will be if you’re not sure.

Nearly all tracks have some form of lunch vending capability. If food will not be available, it will be noted in the Registration packet. The Club will arrange some form of evening meal (Banquet) for Saturday but you will have to signup and buy a ticket to attend. Tickets are available at the track Saturday AM and early PM. We try to keep this meal moderately priced. There is no requirement to buy the track’s lunch or to attend the Banquet. The Banquet, however, can be a lot of fun if you like talking cars, tracks, racing, etc. If you’re new to Time Trials, you can often get some good tips from the other drivers as well.

When You Arrive at the Track

Most tracks seem to open their gates at 7:00 AM. When you arrive, take your Tech Inspection Form to the registration area. The location varies with the track so just ask someone around where you’ve parked. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. At registration you will get a list of the entrants which should list you, your car number, your class and your Run Group. If you are in Intro Group, you will be listed without the extra information. This sheet will also include a track map, a schedule and your car number.

If you are in a TT or Race Group, you need be sure that your car has the correct numbers clearly visible on both sides. If your car is a dark color, the numbers should be light and vice versa. Numbers that are hard to see or read because they are too small, blend into the background color of the car, or whatever, may result in you not getting timed properly. Usually the Club will have suitable white and black numbers for sale at the track if you need them.

The Time Trial Event

Events normally start at 8:00 AM on a Saturday and runs through about 4:30 PM on Sunday. On both days there are mandatory Drivers Meetings before the track is open. It is critical that you attend both these meetings in order to be made aware of safety issues and track conditions. Grouped practice sessions take place all day Saturday and on Sunday morning. Timed runs and races are on Sunday afternoon.

The charts below are typical of our events but the details may vary. The exact times, as well as the number, and length of Run Groups may differ so you must check the schedule for event particulars. The order of events on Saturday will look like something like the following:

Activity	Time on Saturday
Activity	0800	0830	0900	0930	1000	1030	1100	1130	1200	1300	etc
Registration	X
Late Tech	X
Drivers Meeting		X
Gp 1 Practice			X				X
Gp 2 Practice				X				X
Gp 3 Practice					X					X
Race Gp Practice						X					X
Lunch									X
TT Novice Class Rm			X				X
Intro Gp, Class Rm								X
Intro Gp Track Time									X

On Sunday, things will progress something like the following:

Activity	Time on Sunday
Activity	0830	0900	to	1100	1130	1200	1300	1400	1500	1600
Drivers Meeting	X
Practice Sessions, etc		X	X	X
Qualifying Races					X
Lunch						X
Intro Gp, Track Time						X
Gp 1 Timed Runs							X
Gp 2 Timed Runs								X
Gp 3 Timed Runs									X
Races										X

Car Classification

As noted earlier, cars are classified according to their speed potential. Alfa classification is a points-based system where Alfa model is assigned a base point value. To this, points are added to account for modifications that increase power or improve handling. The points are summed and based on the total, a class is assigned. All the details are provided in the AROSC Competition Code. Alfa classification is generally done at the track by either the Alfa Classification Director or the Competition Director. If you have an Alfa, you will have to seek one of them out in order to get classified. If you do not get classified, you will be assigned to Class A, the fastest class.

Non-Alfas are classified according to power-to-weight ration. Modifications to suspension, tires, transmission type and purpose built race cars are also accounted for and the car is assigned to one of seven classes. You will be asked to include some of this information on the registration form but cars that are new to the Club will be checked at the track to be sure they are classified properly. This is done by the Director of Non-Alfa Classification at the track.

When the Event is Over

When all the timed runs and races are over, the results are assembled and tabulated, and trophies are awarded. This is done at the track just after the event. The number of trophies per class depends on how many cars were in the class. Everyone who participates is eligible for these trophies.

In addition to the event trophies, “year-end” points are awarded for the first 6 places in each class. At the end of the year the points are totaled and trophies awarded to class winners for the year’s performance. These trophies are handed out at our Annual Awards Banquet where we also take time to thank all our volunteers for their efforts. Only AROSC members are eligible for these year end awards. But anyone can be a member; you don’t have to own an Alfa. In fact we encourage all our participants to join the Club and we offer a reduced entry fee to Club members; club membership generally pays for itself in three events. Our website contains information on how to join.

Some Notes on Instruction and Ride-Along

We encourage drivers who are new to a track, and especially encourage novice drivers, to take full advantage of our Driving Instructors’ experience and knowledge. AROSC Instructors are at all our events. Ask one of them to go out with you for a few laps and show you the way around. One note though, in order to do this, you will need a set of 5-point harnesses for the passenger.

Licensed TT drivers may carry passengers (ride-alongs) for instructional purposes in practice sessions. The passenger must sign our waiver, have a valid driver’s license, wear all the appropriate protective clothing a TT driver would wear, and be secured by a 5-point racing harness. No ride-alongs are allowed in Intro Group, TT timed sessions or in any Race Group session.

Some Notes on Time Trialing

Time Trialing is you against the clock. It is not racing. When you are on the track and a faster car comes up behind, you should point it by in the next designated passing zone. These passing zones will be identified at the drivers meeting. In general, you will have better lap times when you are not trying to race with others. Be courteous, you may want the guy you’re letting by to do the same for you some time.

Some Notes on Racing

In order to be eligible for Race Group, an entrant must satisfy all the safety requirements and either have an AROSC Race License or be in the process of applying for one. The Club will accept race licenses from some other organizations and will accept documented race experience with some other groups in lieu of an AROSC Race License but this must be cleared with the Director of Racing beforehand.

Also, racing with AROSC is club racing. It is for the fun of it. Drivers are expected to avoid car-to-car contact and to control aggression at all times. We understand that it is racing and that things can happen. However, if there is contact or if someone is judged overly aggressive, disciplinary action will follow.

AROSC Membership

We encourage all our participants, even those who do not own Alfas, to become Club members. If you join, you will get a significant price break when you register for our events. This includes Driving Schools.