GENERAL DRIVER GUIDELINES
2007

 

The following General Driver Guidelines are a partial summary of the VARA RULE BOOK, PART ONE – Driver Handbook. It serves as a quick reference, answering questions to the most common circumstances that racers encounter throughout a race weekend. Please keep in mind that this is a supplemental document and it is the responsibility of every driver competing with VARA to be familiar with the unabridged versions of the VARA RULE BOOK, PARTS ONE AND TWO

Starts:

The leaders will slow into 2nd gear(approximately 40-50 mph) before coming onto the start / finish straight. The leaders shall maintain this speed until the drop of the green flag. The rear of the pack will form up and not lag behind. Drivers shall not attempt to fill empty positions by alternating car position left or right on the race course. Each driver shall move directly to the rear of the racer in front of them as soon as the pace car begins grouping the field. You must stay in line and may not accelerate faster than the pace of the field until the green flag is thrown. Any driver jumping the start, breaking out of line to create clear track advantage or causing an improper or an aborted start, will be black flagged as an individual, subject to starters & Chief Steward’s discretion.
The pole position for Qualifying and Flag Races is determined by driver performance from the previous group session. For Qualifying Races, position is determined on lap time. For Flag Races, position is determined by Qualifying Race finishing position. It is the prerogative of the pole winner to choose either left or right starting position however, the default position is one which places the pole winner on the inside line of the first turn. Should the pole winner exercise the alternate option, the change shall only affect the front row positions. The positions for the remainder of the field shall be unchanged.

Safe Passing:
It is the overtaking cars duty to complete any pass in a safe manner. Do not hesitate to back out of a pass if you do not think you can complete the pass in a safe manner. Should a faster car close on you as you enter a corner, you have the right to the proper line through the corner and should make no sudden moves. The driver being overtaken shall signal the overtaking car on which side to pass by hand signals after completing the corner. As a slower car, you are responsible for the diligent use of your mirrors.

Paddock and Pit Speeds:
The paddock speed is always 5 mph for all vehicles including race cars. The Hot Pit speed limit is 2nd gear (approximately 50 mph). If you grab third gear in the Hot Pit Lane, you will be black flagged.

Contact Situations:
If contact occurs, regardless of the severity of the contact, all entrants involved must immediately report to black flag. Do not wait to be shown the black flag. You may resume racing depending on the severity and the initial assessment of fault of the drivers by the Black Flag Marshal.

Grid:
Please arrive at the grid in a timely manner. Once the 5 minute signal has been given, you are considered late to the grid. If you are late to the grid or cannot start in your grid position, you will start from the first available grid position at the back of the field. Push starts may only be used at the end of the grid and the driver must roll out at the first available opportunity at the back of the field. Push starts that are required after a car has been driven and properly positioned on grid shall only occur after the remainder of the field has rolled off grid. The driver shall remain in position and the crew off grid until the grid is cleared by the race officials.

Stopping on Course:
If you have a mechanical problem and cannot return to the pit, raise your arm to signal to drivers and officials that you are slowing. Do not stop on the race course, it is very unsafe and can cause a major incident. Pull off course in a safe manner, and position your race car as far away from the race course as possible. Stay in your car, belted and with helmet and driving gloves on, unless there is a fire or you are specifically instructed to leave the vehicle by course personnel.

Flag Clarifications:

Red flag:
Used primarily for when on track circumstances have created a major course blockage or the need for immediate critical medical response. During a red flag condition, the red flag will be shown at all flag stations, including the incident site, which will be showing the combination of a waving yellow flag and a red flag. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED. Slow down and stop your vehicle in close proximity to the very first approached, manned flag station, stopping in a position so that you can observe the worker for hand signals. If stopping near the incident site, stop at least 50 yards prior to the incident to allow access for emergency workers. Use your mirrors and hand signals in order to stop safely at the side of the track, near a manned flag station as previously described. As soon as the incident is under control, the corner workers will direct you how to proceed. Proceed, , as directed by the flag station officials, at pace lap speed around the course carefully and enter the hot pit lane, without crossing the S/F line. You will receive additional instruction by course officials as information is made available to them by the Chief Steward. All drivers are to remain in their race cars with all safety gear fully fastened, including helmet, gloves, head restraint devices and safety harness, unless otherwise directed by race officials. The session or race may, or may not, be re-started. If a race is to be continued, the grid will be formed based on the last lap completed.

Black flag all stations:
Used to stop the session for the protection of on track emergency personnel and course workers. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED. A standing black flag will be displayed at all corners, including the incident site, which will also be displaying additional flag(s) required for the incident. Use your mirrors and hand signals, slow down safely to a pace lap speed and proceed directly into the hot pit lane, stopping prior to the S/F line in a single line to await further instructions. You will receive additional instruction by course officials as information is made available to them by the Chief Steward. All drivers are to remain in their race cars with all safety gear fully fastened, including helmet, gloves, head restraint devices and safety harness, unless otherwise directed by race officials. The session, or race, may or may not be re-started. If a race is to be continued, the grid will be formed based on the last lap completed.

Yellow flags:
Standing yellow means be alert, something has occurred at the next corner which may require evasive movement. Drive at a speed safe for the conditions until past the incident. Give the incident plenty of clearance. Crowding the incident or emergency vehicles may result in a black flag to you as a driver. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Waving yellow means that the course is partially blocked or an incident has occurred on the driving line and possibly in a direct impact area. Slow down and prepare to take immediate evasive action. Noticeable slowing is required. You are under the control of the yellow flag until you can see the next turn station, and no yellow flag is being displayed. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Double yellow flags at all corner stations indicate that the field is being collected by the pace car. Do not lag behind. You are responsible for maintaining a safe speed and grouping yourself with the rest of the field while the pace car controls the track. Be extremely cautious as you may be required to pass the incident location as indicated by a waving yellow flag. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.

Blue flag:
The blue flag is an advisory flag. The blue flag may be for you or for another car in your vicinity. If you have been running in a pack with very close lap speeds and you receive a blue flag, it means that a faster car is approaching, use your mirrors. If you are about to be lapped, you are considered a back marker. You will be shown the blue flag to notify you that faster car(s) are approaching. As a back marker, you have not earned the right to race the leaders. Doing so may be considered a form of blocking and you could be black flagged. Maintain your speed and the proper driving line and use hands signals to point by the leaders as they approach.