Info for NHMS4 - Oct 13/14

[CP]

What track config will be used for this event...south oval or chicane?

[Stynger]

Chicken/chicken...

[WillM]

LOL. Yes, chicken/chicken.

We've split our events 2 & 2 at NHMS this year.

This is our 4th event at NHMS for the season. So far we've done 2 South oval and 1 chicken/chicken.

With crisp fall air in play, this event should be a great opportunity for personal bests and track records!

[tang-o]

Looking forward to it. I've never run this configuration before. Quick question on this. If I have never run a configuration or track then I need to get signed off to solo on that particular configuration/track, correct?

Thanks!

[chaos4NH]

You must be signed off to solo EACH time you attend an event until you are signed off for your license. Number of times at a particular track has no bearing on the sign off requirement.

[tang-o]

Thank you! Ok. Right, I forgot about the license. I'm all set then.

[cuda6666]

You must be signed off to solo EACH time you attend an event until you are signed off for your license. Number of times at a particular track has no bearing on the sign off requirement.

Is this correct? You mean, if I sign off a student as "Safe to Solo" one day, he must go through the process again the next time he shows up for en event? I thought that a signed off driver just needed to show his log book to run solo after being signed off, and that the value of the license was only to get on track at non-COM events. Please clarify.

[chaos4NH]

You are a "student" until signed off for your license. At each event, until that happens, you will ride with an instructor on day one. Why? So you can be evaluated and graded by more than one instructor. It is up to the discretion of your instructor whether to sign you off to solo at each event. The speed at which your skills improve determine how long you will remain a student. Questions on the process can be addressed by Will Martins, Chief Instructor.

[WillM]

Sam is correct.

Safe-To-Solo is short for "Safe to Solo for the remainder of this event". A student given Safe-to-Solo status is permitted to participate in the remainder of the event without having an instructor in the car with them, provided that the track configuration does not change during the event. The premise being that the student has demonstrated sufficient safety awareness and driving skills to drive their car at the current track configuration in a reasonably consistent and safe manner. A Safe-to-Solo student retains their student status going into their next event. All student event registrations must include "day 1" or the "school day" and may include day 2 or day 3 (if available). Students CANNOT register for the competition day of an event without registering for at least one of the event's "school days" (usually day 1).

On the other hand, a student that earns a license ("Recommend License" grade given by their instructor and approved by the Chief Instructor) becomes a licensed driver. A Licensed driver can register for just 'day 2' (the time trial day) if they so desire. Licensed drivers do not have to attend the school day (day 1) to stay for the competition day (day 2). Once you have a license, that is it, you do not ever need to register as a student again, even if you are attending a new track for the first time. That said, licensed drivers going to a new track for the first time are highly encouraged to request the assistance of an instructor at that event. You retain your license and the instructor will spend as much or as little time with you as necessary.

So, yes, the COM license is quite different than 'safe-to-solo' status!