Track
Event: Sponsored
by
25th
Annual ZCCA International Convention (ZCON 2012)
Track
Day Event
Firebird
Raceway West Track
September
21, 2012
The
track event is scheduled for Friday, September 21st
at Firebird Raceway, which is located across the street
from
the
Wild
Horse Pass Hotel and Casino. We
will utilize the West Track full course and Lot 4 for the
pit and
staging
area, which
is adjacent to the track. There will also be a Swap
Meet and Sponsor - Vendor Booths
located at the
West Track.
The Desert Z Association
has prepared a High Performance Driver Education (HPDE)
Track Day event and
we will utilize the West Track at Firebird Raceway in
Chandler, AZ. The HPDE format is designed to fit the
one time nature of this event and safely allow participation
by those wanting to experience a track event
with any Nissan vehicle regardless if it’s stock or highly
modified or anything in-between (pending the
vehicle passes technical inspection standards). The tech
inspection requirements and event format will be
similar to how other organized motorsport venues run their
events. This event is only available to
registered ZCON 2012 attendees and is not open to the public.
The
following general information is provided to assist you in
preparing for the track event.
General
Here are some general
policies pertaining to Firebird that must be complied with:
ü
Fire
and Rescue will be in place at the track for the entire
event.
ü
Tents
or canopies cannot be staked in any asphalt surface.
ü
Wood
blocks must be used under jack stands.
ü
No
alcoholic beverages are allowed on the Firebird property.
ü
Contact
Safety Crew immediately in the event of an oil or gasoline
spill.
ü
No
existing FIREBIRD signage can be removed or concealed by
other signage.
ü
Aggressive
driving will be closely monitored and discouraged. Event
stewards are in constant communication
with corner workers and will utilize black flags to ensure
everyone’s safety on track.
ü
The
convention team has arranged for restrooms, refreshments,
lunch, and vendor booths to be setup in the
Paddock area. Please have some cash available, refreshments
will range from $1-$5 and lunch from $5-$10.
Safety
Protocols
ü
Helmet
Requirements – Each driver is required to have a helmet
meeting organized
motorsport venue helmet
standards.
For the year
2012, helmets meeting Snell Standards M2000, SA2000, M2005,
SA2005, M2010 and
SA2010 (
www.smf.org
)
A limited number of loaner helmets will be
available. Please make sure you request a
loaner
helmet at the registration desk when you check in or
at the Tech Inspection.
ü
Driver
Clothing – Driver clothing is not restricted for the track
event, however, long pants and long sleeves are
recommended but not required.
Also closed toed shoes are required (no sandals or
flip flops).
ü
Tires
– Street or track tires will be permitted. Street tires
must be in good condition and will be checked for tread at
the
Technical Inspection.
ü
Technical
Inspection – Each vehicle must pass a technical
inspection. This
is to ensure the vehicle meets safety
requirements, and will not pose a risk to other drivers.
Vehicles not passing inspection will not be allowed on the
track
until the deficiency has been corrected.
Refer to the Vehicle Preparation section below for a
list of systems to check
before
the event.
Vehicle
Technical Inspection Form
HPDE
Open Track Flags
Flags
are the MOST IMPORTANT form of communication the Officials
have with the drivers while they are on the
track.
Therefore, it is imperative that drivers know what each flag
means.
Note:
Flags listed in this section are simplified from the
Competition Flags, for the purposes of HPDE Program.
Competition
License Candidates are held responsible for the information
contained in the “FLAGS, SIGNALS,
AND
COMMUNICATION” section #19.0 of the CCR.
Green
Flag
Session
is open.
Yellow
Flag - Motionless
Slow
down. Danger
ahead. ABSOLUTELY
NO PASSING is permitted until completely past the
incident, or
until
past next manned flag station that is not displaying any
Yellow Flag(s), whichever comes first. Note: There
may
be several yellow flags before reaching the emergency area.
The requirements are still the same,
“SLOW
DOWN, NO PASSING.”
Yellow
Flag - Waving
Great
danger, slow down. Be
prepared to stop. ABSOLUTELY NO PASSING is permitted until completely
past
the incident, or until past the next manned flag station
that is not displaying any Yellow Flag(s),
whichever
comes first.
Double
Yellow - Flags
Full
course yellow condition exists. Be prepared to encounter a
Pace Car and/or emergency vehicles. Drivers
should
not significantly slow down. Be prepared to encounter a slow
moving pack and other local flag conditions.
Always
obey the local flag conditions (e.g. waving yellow). ABSOLUTELY
NO PASSING is permitted until the
Pace
Car (if on track) has pulled off AND the driver has passed
the next manned flag station that is not
displaying
any Yellow Flag(s).
Black
Flag - Open
Track
Officials want to talk to you. Complete current lap and pull
into the pits for consultation.
Black
Flag - Furled
Warning.
You are driving in an unsafe manner or you did something
wrong. If you continue to do so, an open
black
flag
will be shown to you.
Black
Flag All
All
manned turn stations will display standing black flags
during this condition. Some turns will display a sign with
the
word “ALL.” All cars proceed to hot pits. No
passing. ALL 34
Checkered
Flag
Session
is over. Complete current lap cautiously and exit via pit
lane. Passing rules remain the same during the
checkered
flag lap.
Red
Flag
Emergency.
Come to an
immediate and controlled stop on the side of the track, in a
safe location. All
manned
flag stations around the course may display a Red Flag.
This
means that the session has been
stopped.
No passing is allowed. As soon as all drivers have come to a
stop in a safe area, all of the flag stations
should
drop their Red Flags and one of the following should take
place:
1.
All flag stations will motion to the drivers to
continue. All drivers shall proceed to the starting line
using
extreme
caution, being prepared to stop if necessary.
Drivers should remain in their cars and prepare for
the session to resume.
2.
All flag stations will display double yellow flags
indicating that the drivers should continue on course until
a
green flag is displayed.
3.
All
flag stations will display a black flag indicating that the
remainder of the session has been canceled and the
drivers should exit the track.
Note-
The local Yellow Flags should still be in effect where
hazards exist. Drivers must remain in their cars and stay
prepared
to restart. Drivers that enter the pit lane during a red
flag will be sent out at the end of pack during a
restart.
Note:
The Red Flag is meant to be displayed “Standing”
(motionless), however it may be waved at the drivers to
indicate
urgency. The red
flag can only be ordered by the Event Director or by the
Operating Steward in the
absence
of the Event Director.
SCHEDULE
Below
is the planned schedule for the event.
Minor changes may occur prior to the event, depending
how many groups
are
required.
NOTE
DRIVER’S MEETING – THE
DRIVERS MEETINGS ARE MANDATORY TO PERMIT YOU TO DRIVE ON THE
TRACK.
Desert Z Association
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Friday Sept 21, 2012 - Firebird West
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Subject to change
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07:30 AM SHARP!
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MANDATORY DRIVER'S MEETING @ Mobile
Trailer/Registration
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Start
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End
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ET
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6:00 AM
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n/a
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GATES
OPEN
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6:10 AM
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7:25 AM
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Tech
Inspection
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6:15 AM
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Registration
Opens
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7:15 AM
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7:29 AM
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Instructor
Meeting @ Classroom
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8:00 AM
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8:20 AM
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0:20
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HPDE4
- Advanced
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8:20 AM
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8:40 AM
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0:20
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HPDE3
- Intermediate
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8:40 AM
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9:00 AM
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0:20
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HPDE2
- Novice
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9:00 AM
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9:20 AM
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0:20
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HPDE1
- Beginner
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9:20 AM
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9:40 AM
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0:20
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HPDE4
- Advanced
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9:40 AM
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10:00 AM
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0:20
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HPDE3
- Intermediate
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10:00 AM
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10:20 AM
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0:20
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HPDE2
- Novice
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10:20 AM
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10:40 AM
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0:20
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HPDE1
- Beginner
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10:40 AM
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11:00 AM
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0:20
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HPDE4
- Advanced
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11:00 AM
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11:20 AM
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0:20
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HPDE3
- Intermediate
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11:20 AM
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11:40 AM
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0:20
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HPDE2
- Novice
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11:40 AM
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12:00 PM
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0:20
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HPDE1
- Beginner
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12:00 PM
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1:00 PM
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0.042
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Lunch
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1:00 PM
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1:20 PM
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0:20
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HPDE4
- Advanced
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1:20 PM
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1:40 PM
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0:20
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HPDE3
- Intermediate
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1:40 PM
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2:00 PM
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0:20
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HPDE2
- Novice
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2:00 PM
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2:20 PM
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0:20
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HPDE1
- Beginner
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2:20 PM
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2:40 PM
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0:20
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HPDE4
- Advanced
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2:40 PM
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3:00 PM
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0:20
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HPDE3
- Intermediate
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3:00 PM
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3:20 PM
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0:20
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HPDE2
- Novice
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3:20 PM
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3:40 PM
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0:20
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HPDE1
- Beginner
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Group Definitions
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HPDE1
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Beginner: Passing on main
straights only - Dave Riddle
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HPDE2
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Novice: Passing on
any straight - Group Leader - TBD
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HPDE3
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Intermediate: Some
restricted passing rules - Group Leader - TBD
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HDPE4
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Advanced: Open
passing w/ courtesy - Group Leader - TBD
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Event
Director - Tage Evanson
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Race
Control - Ramin Shute
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Run
Group Overview
The
following are the runs groups for this event:
BEGINNER
Personal 1×1 guidance is provided as part of the program
from experienced racers. As your car control skills and
confidence increases throughout the day the instructor will
allow you to drive closer to your personal limits.
Basics
of the class will address general track safety, the proper
“line”, braking, turning, accelerating and having FUN!
Passing is very limited in this group.
NOVICE
Your instructor has determined you have progressed enough
that you can drive safely on track with less
supervision. You apply what you learned in the sessions to
get more practice. Instructors will continue to be
available if requested. Sometimes this group is
combined with Beginners if participants do not warrant
a
separate group.
INTERMEDIATE
You have progressed past Novice. In this group,
passing rules are more relaxed but still
restricted in some areas
of the track.
ADVANCED
The Advanced category allows you to drive and share the track
at high speeds with others. There are no passing
restrictions as long as good judgment and proper track
etiquette is maintained. You and your peers now have a
safe, controlled environment to simply have fun with your
car.
Convertibles –
Normally convertibles must have a organized
motorsport venue approved
4
point role bar to participate
in a HPDE event.
For this event only, stock Z32
convertibles will be allowed with OEM roll protection.
However,
cars meeting this requirement will be limited to a special run
group only. Any non-stock convertible conversion will be
required to have a SCCA approved 4 point roll bar.
Offs or Spins
Excessive
spins and off’s could lose driving privileges
Crisis
management is one of the 1st things you’ll have to learn
on track. Should you find yourself in over
your
head,
your first priority is to come to a controlled and safe
stop. If possible, drive straight off and bring the
car to a
controlled
stop, preferably in view of a corner worker station.
Wait for the corner worker’s indication that it is
safe
to
re-enter the track. If you find yourself out of
control, go both-feet-in (clutch in, brake in). Do not
try to save the
car
– it will generally lead to the exact opposite
effect. After any loss of control (on or off-track),
or four wheels off,
you
must pit in and let the grid marshal check your vehicle over
for any safety issues. He/she will also make sure
you
are OK; and then let you back on track. Failure to pit
in will result in a black flag and an extended debriefing.
Mechanical Breakdowns
If
your car has a mechanical issue that has severely slowed you
down, drive off-line and display the pit-in signal
(raised
fist high above the driver’s
window) and proceed to pit-in if possible.
If the mechanical issue involves
smoke or potential fluid leaks they you are required to pull off
track immediately and in view of a manned
worker
station if possible. Stay
in your car. If
you are out of the way, you’ll
probably have to wait for the end of the
session.
If you are in a
dangerous position, we will black flag the session to get
you out of the way, and then
proceed
as time allows.
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