RMSolo 2017 Supplemental Rules

(Updated February 10, 2017)

These rules supplement the 2017 SCCA National Solo Rules. They will take precedence over optional sections of the National rules where conflicts exist. Mandatory sections of the National rules, as defined in Section 1 of the 2017 SCCA Solo Rulebook, will be enforced.

Pre-Registration and On-Site Event Check-In Hours

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required for all events. Potential entrants arriving without first having pre-registered will be allowed to run only with the approval of the event chairperson. The pre-registration times and dates will be posted on the RMSolo website and announced on the RMSolo email list.

Any potential entrant arriving after on-site event check-in has closed will not be permitted to run. Exceptions must be approved by the event chairperson. The check-in hours will be clearly posted on the event announcement.

Behavior at the Event

Drivers must drive in a safe and controlled manner at all times while on the event site.
Posted speed limits on the event site must not be exceeded.

Speeds in the grid and pit area must remain at a walking pace, and any extreme driving maneuvers such as tire spinning or "skid pad loops" intended to heat tires before reaching the starting line of the course are expressly prohibited, and may result in forfeiture of a run, or in extreme circumstances, expulsion from the event.

Furthermore, any extreme driving displays or unsafe driving behavior in the general area surrounding the event site including public streets are expressly prohibited, and may result in disqualification at the discretion of event officials.

No Smoking Areas

There will be NO smoking or open flames allowed in grid or any other area where fueling may occur. Other areas may be designated no smoking at the discretion of event officials.

Vehicles Allowed in Grid and On Site

There are to be no wheeled vehicles, motorized or not, allowed in any grid area other than competitors’ cars or golf carts. The grid area is defined when grid is set up and ready for vehicles to enter and exit, until the course is closed at the end of the event, as determined by the Event Chair. Bicycles or any other vehicles allowed for use on the site, must be walked completely through grid. The Youth Stewards will be exempt from this stipulation for the purpose of escorting Junior Karts from grid to staging and back to grid as long as all vehicles have been stopped in grid by the Solo Safety Stewards.

The Chief of Safety may also restrict wheeled vehicles from additional areas as deemed necessary to promote safety at an event. Also, if a vehicle is required for a medical reason, its allowable use will be determined by the Chief of Safety.

At PPIR, the grandstand side of the grid areas will be allowed for use by cars and motorcycles for the ingress and egress from the site only. This does not allow for movement from paddock area to paddock area. Any question regarding this will be determined by the Chief of Safety.

Skateboards (motorized or manual, with or without handlebars or seats) roller blades, roller skates/wheeled footwear (motorized or manual) are prohibited from use in all areas of the event site. If there are any questions about the valid use of any vehicles, the Chief of Safety will make the final determination.

Timing Head Damage

Any entrant that damages the start or finish timing heads will be required to pay for the replacement of the damaged head. Approximate costs will be $125 per timing head.

Riders

Riders are allowed in competing vehicles. The riders must be at least 12 years old. The riders must also be wearing an approved, properly fitting helmet and seatbelt. All parts of the rider’s body must remain inside the car while on course. The purpose of this allowance is to accelerate the learning process. Minor (under 18) riders must have a properly executed (signed by BOTH parents) Minor Waiver on file.

This allowance does not permit a competitor to miss or be late for their work assignment, nor does it allow for undue delays of the event. Failure to report on time for a work assignment or failing to complete a work assignment will result in all runs for that event being DNF’ed. Should a competitor take a ride during their run heat that results in failure to be ready to compete, that run shall be forfeited.

Number of Drivers Per Car Per Heat

The number of drivers per car in any heat will normally be limited to two at any single event. Three drivers per car may be allowed, upon approval by the Event Chair. Approval must be obtained by direct communication with the event chair, prior to registration for the event.

Approval to run three drivers per car does not guarantee all drivers will receive all prescribed runs. The Grid Captain has the authority to cause a driver’s run to be forfeited, if allowing that driver’s run would unduly delay the event. It is the driver’s responsibility to effect driver changeovers quickly and efficiently so as not to cause an undue delay. The five-minute delay between runs rule will remain in effect.

Sound Controlled Events

When site restrictions dictate, sound limits will be enforced. Click here for sound control policy/procedures.

Considerations for Course Designers

Supplemental rules regarding course design for World Arena are available here.

Annual Championship Series

Series Qualifying

The championship series will consist of approximately 10 Points Events. Greater than half the series’ points events must be run in the same class to qualify for series standings, for example at least 6 events in a 10 event series.

To qualify for the series, a driver must score points in the same class at the required number of events. Qualified drivers are marked with a “Q” on series standings web pages.

The 2017 Tire Rack Championship Tour counts as a Points Event

A driver’s series points are the sum of the driver’s highest scores from the required number of events.
Championship Series year-end awards will be given out to all SCCA members who qualify by completing the prescribed minimum number of events. To receive a year-end award, the entrant must be an SCCA member. An entrant may become an SCCA member before the last event of the series to be eligible for a year-end award, in which case points will be awarded retroactively.

At the end of the Series, non-SCCA member results will be removed from the standings and members place standings will move up to fill the gaps.

Championship series points ties are broken by adding the points from the drivers’ next highest scoring events until the tie is broken.

Overall Points Trophies will be awarded to the top 20 qualifiers.
Series End Class Trophies will be awarded to all national and regional classes as follows:
X Class will award top 3 series qualifiers.

Novice Class will award top 10 series qualifiers.

All other classes will award the top 3 series qualifiers, and if there are 10 or more series qualifiers additional positions will be awarded. For these larger classes, trophy count is determined by dividing the number qualified by 3 and rounding up. For example: 19 qualified; 19 divided by 3 = 6.3; rounds up to 7 trophies.

The above series trophies and other year-end awards are presented at the Championship Series Awards Banquet.

Points Event Score

The fastest single run for each competitor will determine the finishing position.

For Points each driver’s fastest run will be scored relative to the event’s fastest indexed time.

With this formula: Event Points = 1000 * (fastest indexed time) / (your fastest indexed time)
Where: indexed time = (actual time) * (class RTP index)

For 2017, RMSolo is using the "Racers Theoretical Performance" PAX/RTP index.

Women’s and Novice classes will use open class index of each car.

A list of official indexes for all classes will be available at the events or by mail if necessary.

Driver Event Points are normally available after the Event Trophies are given.

Regional Classes

RMSolo will use all of the nationally recognized Solo classes, with the exception of the "L" classes (see "Women’s Class",) plus the following local classes:

Novice class

In addition to the standard SCCA classes, a Novice class will be available. The intent of the novice class is to provide an additional incentive and reward for "novice" drivers. Novice class is open to any beginning driver who has competed for less than a full series. A competitor that scored enough events to qualify in a prior RMSolo Championship Series is not eligible for Novice class.   A competitor can opt-out of novice class at any time.

Novice status must be requested during registration for each event.

Instead of competing only in Novice class, all Novice drivers will drive with and compete in their respective open class, and will be eligible for awards in those open classes. The novice class is indexed using the current indexes.

At the end of each event, a separate list of novice drivers will be created, sorted by index times, and novice trophies will be awarded from this list. This means that a novice driver could conceivably receive trophies in both novice and open class.

If a Novice class competitor scores 940 points or more at three Series Points Events, the driver will no longer be eligible for Novice status, but will still be eligible for the year-end "Rookie of the Year" award.

X Class

In addition to the standard SCCA classes, an X-class will be available. The intent of the X-class is to provide competition for "more experienced" drivers by allowing them to compete in one indexed class. The X class is open to any competitor.

Only the first 3 valid runs will be scored for X Class. All subsequent runs will be scored as a DNF, but times will be recorded.
Cars competing in X class should have ONLY their car number and index class designation (X) on each side of the car, not their open class designation.

A competitor can move to X class at any time during the series, and their series points will be moved to X class. However, no points earned while driving in X class may be moved out of X class.

Women’s Class

RMSolo provides a single indexed Women’s class.

Women have the option of running in the indexed Women’s class (W class), or running in open class, but not both.

Cars competing in the Women’s class should have ONLY their car number and index class designation (W) on each side of the car, not their open class designation.

Open Street Prepared

In addition to the standard SCCA classes, an Open Street Prepared class will be available. This class encourages maximum creativity for cars that do not fit in the SCCA’s other categories.

OSP vehicles must use DOT approved tires and be "street legal." RMSolo will make no effort to verify legality in terms of Colorado laws; however, an OSP car must be something that could conceivably be registered and driven on public roads. For example, it must have a windshield (if originally equipped with one), DOT legal headlights, taillights, windshield wipers (where applicable) and a reasonable exhaust. OSP is indexed at 0.880.

Formula Junior Karts

Formula Jr. Karts will follow the rules for FJr. kart classes as printed in the SCCA Solo Rule book, and amended in the FasTrack section of Sports Car magazine.

FJr. classes are eligible for Series Awards. Awards will be distributed following the guidelines found elsewhere in these Supplemental Rules.

Points will be scored using the same methodology described elsewhere in these Supplemental Rules.

Class Bumping

There is no minimum number of entrants required per class. Class bumping will not occur in classes that have only one entrant.

Changes to Supplemental Rules

Supplemental Rules will be approved by the active Chiefs Team, and published by the Solo Chair(s) prior to the first points event of the Championship Series. “mid-season” rules changes may be made to resolve a safety issue, or if deemed to be for the good of the sport. Changes to the supplemental rules will be voted on (in person or electronically) by the Chiefs Team. A simple majority of those voting will determine the acceptance of any change.

Sound Control Standards and Procedures

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). Since sound emissions may vary significantly from morning to afternoon and day to day, competitors are advised to target any vehicle sound emission level "adjustments" to well under the penalty level 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. Sound measuring stations may be located on both sides of the course lane, to ensure sound output levels are below penalty levels.

Standards:

• PPIR: Penalty level of 100db, A weighted, at the measuring point.
• PPIR: Warning level of 97db, A weighted, at the measuring point.
• Front Range Airport: Penalty level of 100db, A weighted, at the measuring point.
• Front Range Airport: Warning level of 97db, A weighted, at the measuring point.
• All other sound controlled sites: Penalty level of 93db, A weighted, at the measuring point.
• All other sound controlled sites: Warning level of 90db, A weighted, at the measuring point.

Measurement:

• The measuring point(s) will be established during course set up, and approved by the event chair. The course map shall be provided to the chief of sound two days before the event.
• When possible, measurements will be taken at all event sites to provide information for competitors.
• Measurement will be taken at a point on course where the car can be reasonably expected to be at full throttle, under load and at high RPM.
• The measuring point will be 50 ft from the edge of the course lane using a coned gate as a reference. More than one measuring point may be established.

Sound Station(s)

• A Sound Station will be established at the measuring point(s) on the course. At a minimum, an ANSI Type 2 sound meter with a digital readout will be used.
• The meter will be mounted on a tripod, 3-4 feet above ground level.
• The meter will be positioned perpendicular to the vehicles’ direction of travel.
• The meter will be set to "A" weighting, "Slow" response.
• When possible and practical, the Sound Station(s) will be as far away as practical from inhabited buildings (i.e., on the east side of the World Arena lot).
• The Sound Station Operator will record the Heat #, Run #, Car # and Class and Sound Reading, on a Log developed for that purpose.
• Sound Logs will be posted on site after each run group and on the web following the event.
• Sound Logs will be maintained for at least one year following the current season.
• Every car will be measured on every run (including “fun” runs).
• The Sound Station Operator and the Grid Sound Control Worker will be equipped with a radio set to the same channel as the Corners, Grid and Control.
• The Sound Control Grid worker will be equipped with a clipboard & notepad to record the car number and class of violators, as announced by the sound operator, for the driver’s reference when the car returns to Grid.

Violations:

• When a vehicle equals or exceeds the warning level the sound operator will inform the Grid Sound Control Worker. The Grid Sound Control Worker will notify the driver of the offending vehicle, as soon as practical, but before the driver’s next run.
• Any run at the penalty level or over will be scored a DNF.
• The driver will be notified of any measurement at the warning level or over
• When a car in violation (at the penalty level or over) returns to grid, the Grid Sound Control 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 Sound Control Worker, 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 Sound Control Worker, the driver(s) will forfeit all subsequent runs in that vehicle. The Grid Sound Control Worker may offer advice to competitors.  However, this advice shall in no manner be construed to imply that said suggested corrective action(s) absolves the competitor from complying with these Sound Control Standards and Procedures. This advice, if followed, is not a guarantee that the competitor will be able to comply with the sound restriction. It is only advice, suggesting methods that may reduce the sound level of the vehicle.
• If the vehicle equals or exceeds the penalty level on the “second chance” run, the vehicle may be given a “final chance” run if the vehicle meets all the requirements of the previous paragraph (second chance run).
• If the vehicle equals or exceeds the penalty level on the "final chance” run, all subsequent runs by that vehicle, if any, are forfeited.
• Drivers may appeal the decision of the Grid Sound Control Worker to the Event Chair.
• Temporary exhaust extensions (turn-downs, elbows, etc.) are permitted.  If the extension redirects the exhaust flow exiting the exhaust system, and the direction of the extension can be changed, the direction of the exhaust flow must be directed toward the ground and not to either side of the car. The acceptability of a temporary exhaust extension shall be at the discretion of the Grid Sound Control Worker, Sound Chief or Event Chair. Elbows and Turn-downs are a mildly effective method of sound reduction if pointed directly towards the ground, but they shall not be misused in order to direct exhaust flow away from the sound station.
• Any car that is DNF’ed for a sound violation on any run in three consecutive events in which it competes will not be allowed to compete at RM-Solo sound-controlled venues for the remainder of the calendar year. Competitors are expected to make substantive modifications to their cars in response to sound violations, such that multiple violations are unlikely.
• Competitors are reminded that an Event Chair has the option of excluding any vehicle at his or her discretion. If nothing has been done to lower the sound level of a vehicle after two events in which the car was DNF’ed for sound violations, the Event Chairs of the subsequent events would have more than enough justification to prohibit the entry of the offending vehicle.