| What
run group am I in? |
| Drivers are separated according to their experience
level into four basic groups: One, Two, Three, and Four. There
are no speed limits in any group. All Group One and some Group
Two drivers will be assigned instructors for safety reasons.
Mandatory classroom sessions will be provided to all groups
and instructors are available by request (and if available)
to Group Three drivers
Group
1: ‘Novice’ drivers are those who have
attended no or very few track days and have never been signed
off to drive solo. All Group 1 drivers are required to have
an instructor. You will receive one-on-one, in-car guidance
from experienced instructors as you learn to control both
your car and yourself. Your teacher will provide you with
guidance as you learn to drive at the limit. You will learn
the proper phases of cornering (Turn In, Apex, Track Out),
the driving line, gear selection, brake timing and technique,
track etiquette and the meaning of all those flags. You will
decide when cars behind may pass and will signal safely with
a “point-by.” (Reaching your left arm out the
window to “point” the overtaking car by on the
right or left.) Passing cars may not pass without a point-by.
The session sometimes includes a lead-follow session. Passing
is very limited in Group One and only done in specified straight-aways.
Group
2: ‘Intermediate’ drivers are those who
have driven multiple track days on at least one track and
have been signed off to solo. Group Two drivers may be required
to have an instructor, especially if they are at a track unfamiliar
to them. Passing in Group 2 is only allowed on specified straight-aways
after the driver of the lead car signals. All passes are still
done with a point-by from the car being overtaken.
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Group
3: ‘Advanced’ drivers are those who have participated
in at least 10 events on at least two different tracks and have
been signed off to solo at every track driven. Group Three drivers
may request instructors, and we encourage them to do so. Passing
other cars in Group 3 is only allowed after the driver of the lead
car signals a point-by, but may be done anywhere on the track. You
have progressed to the world of high performance driving. You must
learn to share the track at high speeds with others. You are expected
to have gained a great deal of track experience and this is your
venue to shine. A lot is expected of you as a driver and good judgment
must be displayed. Remember that all passes still require a point-by.
Group
4: ‘Instructors’ are those who have completed
at least one NASA Instructor Certification clinic. Passing in Group
Four is only allowed after the driver of the lead car signals but
may be done anywhere on the track. Although instructors have this
dedicated run group, they also may drive in any other group with
student passengers for educational purposes. This is strongly encouraged.
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