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The following is a draft of proposed Rules. They will be appended and revised continually, as comments are received and as I think of stuff I've missed, so keep checking them and sending comments. I'll post the major discussions about these Rukes on the "Mail" page too. Introduction These Autocross Rules are proposed as a "standard" for PCA Regions choosing to adopt them. They have been designed in a flexible way, such that both small and large Regions can use them. Safety and fairness are of paramount concern and these Rules stress them both. An Autocross is an all forward motion, competitive driving event that requires skill and precision by the driver in order to excel. An Autocross is intended to be a test of driving skill, not memory, thus the course should be clearly marked and obvious. Cars are timed as they individually navigate a temporary, ephemeral course, set up on a paved surface. A rolling start and rolling finish are required. See the complete "Autocross" definition in the Glossary. [While these Autocross Rules are flexible, they are also limited to "real" Autocrosses. In recent years, PCA Regions have invented many wonderful hybrid solo events, which are typically called Autocrosses, for lack of a better descriptive name. These Rules will intentionally exclude these hybrids. They WILL be defined at a later time and similar Rules developed to be used for the hybrids. In fact, we may decide to call these hybrids "_____ Autocrosses", thus simply put multiple definitions in these Autocross Rules to cover several similar, but different events?] Pylon Rules 
All the pylons shall be conical in shape, with a height-to-diameter (of the base of the conical section) ratio between 2:1 and 4:1. All pylons shall be orange in color, except that the pylons prior to (and marking) the Start Line and after (and marking) the Finish Line may be another color. This color contrast is recommended in the interest of safety and green is the suggested contrasting color. All pylons shall be at least 12" tall. Larger pylons may be used to mark key parts of features and in faster sections. This convention is encouraged. Note that all standing pylons count if hit, regardless of the color. The correct position of each pylon shall be marked on the pavement with chalk or similar substance, by drawing an outline around the base. A pylon is considered "hit" if: 1) it is disturbed by the competing car and ends up not standing on its base or 2) it is disturbed by the competing car and ends up totally out of the marked outline that defines its normal position. Pylons that are laid down to serve as "pointers", shall not be considered as a part of the course and if disturbed, shall not be counted. When disturbed, a pylon (including "pointer cones") shall be repositioned prior to the next car arriving at the course section where the disturbed pylon was located. Extra pylons shall be provided for workers for this purpose. If a driver hits a pylon while attempting to avoid an accident and is not otherwise at fault, the pylon shall not be counted against the driver. The penalty assessed for hitting a pylon shall be an integer, from 1 to 5 seconds. Normally, this penalty is about 3% of the total course time. The assigned pylon penalty shall be communicated to the competitors prior to starting the event. 
In sections where the course is outlined with pylons on the sides (excluding features like slaloms), the spacing of pylons shall be different than the course width. Pylon spacing shall be more than 2 times the course width or less than 1/2 the course width. [This makes it clear which path through the pylons is the course. It is confusing, thus unsafe, to have the pylon spacing approximately the same as the course width, as it is easy to drive through the pylon "wall" of the course, thinking that 2 of the pylons constitute a "gate".] Did-Not-Finish Rules A competing car is considered to have a DNF (Did Not Finish) run if: 1) all 4 wheels cross a physical line that denotes the "edge" of the course or 2) all 4 wheels go outside of an imaginary line that connects features, such as "gates". [Not all Regions will choose to use DNF Rule 2, which is OK. Note that a competing car CAN stop and back up and not DNF as long as they do not cross this real or imaginary line with all 4 wheels. Note also that the lines can be either straight or curved as appropriate to the course section.] 3) the car fails to negotiate the intended path the correct number of times in the correct direction [Some course designs do not have obvious ways to connect features to describe a real or imaginary course border. One example would be features which only describe the INSIDE of something, for example, a skid pad circle, preceded and succeeded by gates. In this case, there is a course border on the inside, but not on the outside. Another example would be a slalom feature, where widely spaced pylons are to be driven on alternating sides. Some slaloms can be navigated either way, but once started, the pylons must be alternately on the right and left. Not all Regions use these type features. Occasionally, circular features must be executed multiple times (as at the Milwaukee Parade, where a circle had to be circumnavigated twice and the Sacramento Parade, where the entire course had to be driven twice). In these instances, the 3rd DNF rule is needed.] 4) the driver gets out of the car while on course for any reason 5) the car fails to maintain certain minimum safety standards (see Safety section for rules about tires rubbing and cord showing) When a driver gets lost, goes off course, and fails to slow down, s/he shall be stopped by a red flag. [We should not encourage (or allow) drivers to circle around to pick up the correct course, when they get temporarily lost, especially at speed. That is a safety concern for the workers!] It is permitted for drivers to safely find the course and then continue a DNF run for practice. Rerun Rules If a driver can not complete a run to get a time, but is not at fault, an additional run attempt shall be offered to the driver. This additional run is called a "rerun". There are many reasons for a rerun: • The course is not intact (usually, a pylon is not correctly positioned) • A car stops and blocks the course • A car drives slowly and the following car catches it and has to slow down • A worker blocks the course and the driver has to slow down (or is distracted) • A worker waves the red flag • The timing system fails to give a correct time As soon as it is obvious that a rerun is required, the competing car shall be stopped and required to slowly return to the Staging Area and, if possible, to stay off the course during this return to Staging. Failure to stay off course or hitting pylons during this return to Staging will incur no penalty. However, if the driver drives too fast, drives erratically, endangers workers, or violates any safety rules or commands, the driver can be excluded from the event. If a driver hits pylons during the aborted run, those that are hit before the act of aborting will be recorded and carry over to the rerun. Pylons hit after the act which aborted the run will not carry over. During the rerun, any additional pylons hit will be added to the previous pylon count. If more than one rerun is required, only the pylons hit during the original run and the last rerun shall be counted. [A rerun is unfair to other competitors, since it allows a driver to "practice" part of the course. Everything possible should be done to minimize reruns. Picking the largest number of pylons hit during either the original run or the last rerun, has the appearance of unfairness to other competitors. It in essence tells the driver that s/he can hit the same number of pylons during the rerun, without additional penalty. By allowing a competitor, who already gets an "extra" run, to also have "free" pylons during a rerun seems obviously wrong. By accumulating ALL pylons, we also signal to the drivers that safe, in-control driving is expected, at all times.] Reruns shall be scheduled to occur with the same approximate interval as normal runs. In other words, a rerun shall not occur more or less quickly than if it was a normal run. [The rationale is that in one scenario, it could be unfair to allow the driver to quickly rerun while the tires are hot. Conversely, it could be unfair to allow a car to cool down prior to a rerun. To be fair, the time interval should be the same as all other competitors get for all their runs.] Timing Rules Timing of Autocross events shall be done by electronic timing means, automatically (non-manually) started and stopped by sensors across the pavement surface. The locations where the timing system is started and stopped shall be well marked. The sensors shall be located so as to minimize being triggered by false events (such as blowing debris) and to be triggered identically by all competing cars, regardless of ground clearance, weight, speed, or paint color. The sensors shall also be located where they are protected from vehicle impact. The resolution of the timing system shall be at least one hundredth of a second (0.01 seconds). The accuracy (repeatability) of the timing system (including the timer and the sensors) shall be at least one hundredth of a second (0.01 seconds). Resolution and accuracy of one thousandth of a second (0.001 second) is recommended. It is also recommended that the results be rounded one digit, before reporting. For example, a good timer design would resolve to one ten-thousandth of a second, then round the result to one thousandth of a second before reporting. The reported times shall be in seconds and decimal fraction of a second and shall be the sum of the raw time and any pylon penalties assessed. The number of pylons hit may also be reported. For example, the reported results might be "123.456 seconds (2 pylons)", where the reported time includes the pylon penalties assessed (ie, with a 2 second pylon penalty, the raw time was 119.456 seconds). Times for all runs shall be listed in the event results. The order of listing in the event results shall be based on the single fastest (lowest time) run by each car. The times of the fastest run by each competitor in a class shall be used to sort the times in ascending order. The lowest time is the class winner. Ties shall be resolved by using the next least significant unreported digit in the times. For example, if timing to one hundredth of a second, then the results to one thousandth of a second will be used to break ties. If more resolution is not available, then the ties shall not be broken. If after considering the first unreported digits, the times are still identical, then the ties shall not be broken. Each competitor shall be given the result immediately after each run. Class results shall be posted as soon as possible after a class finishes running (each set). Competition Rules All contestants shall be offered a "course walk" preceding the timed runs. No "practice" runs shall be allowed, however, optional "parade laps" can be taken if the speed of all cars is less than 30% of the maximum. Handicaped entrants shall be allowed to use equipment to gain access to and inspect the course, but they must not endanger or interfere with other entrants during their course inspection. All cars in a class shall be run together, at substantially the same time and conditions and with substantially the same interval between runs. Small classes can be combined into "run groups". Each contestant shall be offered the same number of run attempts. At least 3 runs shall be offered. There are four acceptable formats for runs: 1) All cars in all classes take their first run. Then all cars in all classes take their second run. Etc. 2) All cars in one class (or a group of classes) take all their runs. Then additional classes take all their runs. Etc. 3) All cars in one class (or a group of classes) take some of their runs (this is normally referred to as a "set" of runs). Then additional classes take some (the same number) of their runs. Etc. Then everyone takes additional "sets" of runs until completed. 4) A small subset of a class take some of their runs (this is normally referred to as a "set" of runs). Then an additional subset of the class take some (the same number) of their runs. Etc. Then other classes do the same until all classes are completed. Optional "fun runs" can be scheduled after the official runs are complete. The results of any "fun runs" will have no bearing on the outcome of the official compeition. Safety Rules No "passengers" shall be allowed during official timed runs. Instructors shall be allowed to ride with or drive a competitors car, but times with an instructor in a car (either as passenger or driver) will not be used to determine the results of the event. Cars on the course shall be spaced far enough apart to allow course workers to safely stop a car if necessary, but not less than 20 seconds apart. Seat belts shall be used by all people in a car during runs. Shoulder harnesses may be used only if roll over protection is provided. The drivers window should normally be open during runs, but there can be exceptions when it is closed. Sunroofs shall be closed. Removable roofs and roof panels shall be in place on the car. Convertible tops shall be up, unless roll over protection is provided. Loose objects in trunks and passenger compartment are not allowed. Snap-on wheel covers shall be removed from steel wheels. Hub caps for alloy wheels are allowed if they are securely attached. All tires shall be DOT approved, except that non-DOT tires may be used in the Modified classes. Recapped or regrooved tires shall not be used. Tires shall be free of visible sidewall breaks (superficial crazing is OK). Tires shall not rub on car during run, subject to DNF. Tire tread shall be measurable in two locations around each tire prior to each run. Tires with visible cord showing shall not be used. If tire cord is visible on a tire after a run, that run shall be considered a DNF run. There shall be adequate brake fluid and brake friction surfaces prior to starting runs. The gas cap shall be securely in place. No fluid leaks are permitted. There are no clothing requirements, except that full shoes shall be worn by driver during runs. Approved helmets, in good condition, shall be worn by all people in car during runs. All competitors shall have a valid state drivers license. At a minimum, workers on the course shall be provide red flags and fire extinguishers. All workers shall be instructed in the use of flags and fire extinguishers. Glossary Autocross An intrinsically safe automotive competition, run one-car-at-a-time on a paved surface, where the course is composed entirely of features defined by temporary pylons and temporary lines on the pavement. An Autocross course is ephemeral (one event use). An Autocross is an all forward motion event with a rolling start and rolling finish. Driving practice is not allowed at an Autocross. Instead, there is an opportunity to examine the course prior to competing. There are a limited number of runs at an Autocross (3 to 10 is the suggested range). At an Autocross, the results shall be based on the best (fastest) single run time, with penalties for hitting pylons and going off course. The competitors at an Autocross are grouped into Classes of similar performance potential, based on theory and historical data. Every entrant at an Autocross is expected to work. An Autocross course is designed such that normal highway speeds are not exceeded during competition. Grid Area The location where a competing car is started onto the course. Staging Area The location where cars line up and prepare for going to the Grid Area. Start Line The location on a course where timing begins. Finish Line The location on a course where timing ends. Impede The act of a preceding car being caught by a succeeding car. Run Group A group of car classes that run at substantially the same time. Run Set A group of runs (by a run group) that occur consecutively. Rerun A run offered to a competitor to replace a run that was aborted or which did not produce a valid time due to no fault of the competitor. Worker Station A safe location on an Autocross course where workers stand and observe, while not checking and repositioning pylons. Also called "corner station". Can you think of and propose changes, corrections, or additions? |