2009 NCR Autocross Rules

Registration | Scoring | Awards | Classification | Safety | Instructor Rules | Sound Restrictions

The purpose of these rules is to ensure safe, fair and enjoyable competition for all competitors at NCR autocross events. North Country Region Autocross rules are based on the PCA Parade Competition Rules (PCR) for autocross with local supplements as defined herein. Note, however, that the NCR classes are different than the PCR defined classes.

I. REGISTRATION

I.A. Eligible Entrants

PCA members in good standing, of any class of membership set forth in the by-laws, and non-members by invitation of the NCR Autocross Chair, may register and compete in NCR Autocross events. Non-members driving a Porsche are automatically invited subject to all other requirements. NCR members who wish to invite a guest should contact the autocross chair.

Competitors must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license. 16/17 year old drivers who are children of active PCA members may register with permission of the autocross chair. 16/17 year old drivers must hold a valid, unrestricted driver's license and otherwise comply with the requirements of the Junior Participation Program. Contact the autocross chair for more information.

I.B. Registration Requirements

Every registrant must present a valid driver's license and sign the insurance waiver. PCA members must present their PCA membership card or pay the non-member rate. All automobiles must successfully pass a tech/safety inspection. See the Safety section below.

I.C. Entry Fees

Entry fees are published on the NCR Autocross Registration Page.

I.D. Late Registration

Official registration and tech inspection will close as announced for each event (see Event Schedule). Late registration will be allowed only at the discretion of the Registrar and will be assessed a late registration fee. Late registrants may also forfeit morning runs.

I.E. Entrants per Automobile

A maximum of two competitors may register and compete in any one automobile in the same class. Each entrant must register separately. Any more than two competitors per automobile requires permission from the event chair.

II. SCORING

Competitors will complete a number of timed runs over a fixed course. The official time for each run will be as measured by the automatic timer plus any penalties incurred. A two-second penalty will be imposed for knocking a pylon over or out of its outlined box. If the pylon is left standing and touching any part of its outlined box, it is not a penalty. Pointer or "lay down" cones are considered directional aids and do not impose a penalty.

An event will normally consist of two sessions (morning and afternoon) with 3-4 runs in each session. A competitor's official score for the event will be the sum of the competitor's lowest official time from each session. If due to weather or unavoidable circumstances all run groups do not complete the same number of runs, only the number of runs completed by all run groups will be official runs. Any other runs will be disregarded. The course may be the same or different for each session. If there are less than two official runs in either session, the competitor's official score will be their single lowest official time in the other session.

Competitors will compete in classes set forth in these rules. The competitor with the lowest official score in their respective class will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie within a class, the tie will be broken by considering the single fastest run of each tied competitor, then the second fastest run and so on until the tie is broken.

III. AWARDS

Class awards per event shall be presented in accordance with the following schedule:

Number of Entrants	Trophies Awarded
1-2	1
3-4	2
5-6	3
7-9	4
10 or more	5

Awards will be presented at the conclusion of each event. Additional awards and Rookie awards may also be presented at the discretion of the event chair.

IV. CLASSIFICATION

The classes are defined to provide fair competition for all entrants while keeping a practical limit on the number of classes. If a model is not listed, then it will be placed in a Modified class unless the event chair formally places the automobile in an appropriate class. It is the responsibility of each competitor to classify his or her own automobile. Conflicts over classification will be resolved via a Classification Committee appointed by the Event Chair. Their decision will be final, and may involve moving an automobile to a more appropriate class or possible disqualification.

IV.A.Categories

Classes are grouped into five categories:

Category	Purpose
Strict Stock	Stock Porsche automobiles that are basically as they came from the factory.
Production	Stock Porsche automobiles with limited performance-affecting changes.
Improved	Porsche automobiles with more substantial performance-affecting changes.
Modified	Porsche automobiles with modifications beyond the limits of the Improved Category. Race or competition automobiles including factory-built race automobiles.
Non-Porsche	All non-Porsche automobiles.

The term "stock" as used herein refers to automobiles, components or configurations that were readily available from Porsche as standard or optional equipment on automobiles intended for street use as normally delivered and specified for use in the United States and Canada.

IV.B. Class Chart

While the NCR categories are similar to the PCR defined categories, the stock classes are quite different. There are seven Production Stock classes and seven Strict Stock classes that are grouped by similar performance across model lines. The NCR Improved and Modified classes are the similar to the PCR Improved and Modified classes. Automobiles are grouped into classes according to the class chart shown below. The event chair may at his or her discretion reclassify an automobile to maintain competitive classes.

Stock Classes
Strict Stock*	Production Stock	Models in Class
S1	P1	class eliminated
S2	P2	356; 912; 924; 944 (8 valve) exc Turbo
S3	P3	911 (1965-69); 911T (1970-73); 914/4; 944S
S4	P4	911S (1967-77); 911E (1970-73); 911 (1974-83); 914-6; 928 (1978-86); 944S2; 944 Turbo; 968
S5	P5	class eliminated
S6	P6	911 Turbo (930:1976-89); 911 (1984-94) exc Turbo; 928 (1987-94)
S7	P7	911 (993:1995-98); Boxster (All); Boxster S (986:2000-04); Cayman; Cayenne exc Turbo
S8	P8	911 Turbo (964:1990-93); 911 C2/C2S/C4/C4S (996:1999-2004); 911 C2/C4 (997: 2005+); Boxster S (987:2005+); Cayman S; Cayenne Turbo
S9	P9	911 Turbo/Turbo S (1995+); 911 GT3 (All); 911 C2S/C4S (997: 2005+);
Progressed Classes
Improved Classes*	Modified Classes*	Models in Class
I1	M1	Normally Aspirated 4 Cylinder, up to 2000cc
I2	M2	Normally Aspirated 4 Cylinder up to 2700cc
I3	M3	Normally Aspirated 4 Cylinder over 2700cc; Normally Aspirated 6 Cylinderup to 2400cc
I4	M4	All Turbo/Supercharged 4 Cylinder; Normally Aspirated 6 Cylinder up to 3200cc;
I5	M5	Normally Aspirated 6 Cylinder over 3200cc
I6	M6	All Turbo/Supercharged 6 cylinder and above
Other Classes
N*	Novice Porsche class. NCR Classification required. See Novice class rules below.
X*	Non-Porsche: All non-Porsche automobiles. SCCA classification required.
Z*	Novice Non-Porsche class. SCCA Classification required. See Novice class rules below.

*

PAX indexed classes

All Strict Stock entries (S1-S9) are combined into one indexed class for timing and scoring. All Improved entries (I1-I6) are combined into one indexed class for timing and scoring. All Modified entries (M1-M6) are combined into one indexed class for timing and scoring. All Novice Porsche entries are combined into one indexed class for timing and scoring. All Novice Non-Porsche entries are combined into one indexed class for timing and scoring. Run times for the indexed classes will be factored based on the corresponding PAX factors for the base class.

IV.C. Authorized Modifications

IV.D. Novice Class Rules

V. SAFETY

All automobiles must pass a safety inspection ("tech") at the event prior to any runs. The NCR safety inspection is basic in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for a proper technical inspection. The track-worthiness of the automobile is the responsibility of the driver. The following is a minimum list of automobile safety requirements:

1. Helmet - Each participant must wear an approved helmet in good condition. Acceptable approvals are the latest or next most recent SA or M Snell Memorial Foundation approval. Face shields, when used, must be made of polycarbonate plastic or the equivalent and must be in good condition. Contestants must use face shields if driving an automobile without a full windshield in any class.
2. Bare feet, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted while driving.
3. Children (except JPP competitors) and pets must be supervised and are not allowed in the Grid area at any time.
4. Roller skates, roller blades, heelies or anything similar are not allowed anywhere on the autocross site.
5. Roll bars.
1. Roll bars are recommended in all automobiles.
2. Roll bars are required in all swing axle automobiles (e.g. 356).
3. Roll bars are required in open automobiles in Production classes when using R compound tires.
4. Roll bars are required in open automobiles in any Improved or Modified class. The roll bar must meet current PCA Club Racing Rules.
6. Seat belts - Three-point seat belts are required in all automobiles. Properly installed shoulder harnesses are permitted except in the Strict Stock category. Shoulder harnesses may be used in an open automobile only if the automobile is equipped with a roll bar or cage.
7. Steering and Suspension - Must not have excessive looseness.
8. Brakes . Must have a firm pedal with no fade while the automobile is stationary. Brake pads should have adequate thickness.
9. Tires - Must be free of visible sidewall breaks or cords showing. Recapped tires are not allowed.
10. Wheels - Must be free of cracks. The correct number of lugs and nuts must be present. All lug nuts/wheel bolts must have a minimum thread engagement equal to one bolt diameter. All lug nuts must be torqued to the wheel manufacturer’s specifications.
11. Snap-on Wheel Covers and Trim - Must be removed from steel wheels for the driving event.
12. No Fluid Leakage. Gas caps, oil caps and other fluid caps must be securely fastened.
13. Batteries must be securely fastened.
14. Hood and Deck Lids - Must fasten securely.
15. Exhaust System - Must be in a safe condition (i.e., no leaks, securely mounted, etc.).
16. Sunroofs/Convertible Tops. Sunroofs may be fully open or fully closed. Open automobiles may run with their top down. Removable roof panels must be removed or fully secured. Tilt-up style panels/sunroofs must be removed or fully closed.
17. Automobiles with a high center of gravity including SUVs, minivans, and pickups are excluded from the Non-Porsche Class.
18. Windows. The driver and passenger window must be fully down.
19. Nitrogen bearing fuels are prohibited in all classes.

Any automobile that is judged by the Event Safety Chair to be in an unsafe operating condition at any time during the event shall be barred from further competition until the deficiency is corrected to the satisfaction of the Event Safety Chair.

VI. INSTRUCTOR RULES

The use of instructors is encouraged at NCR events. Two types of instructors are approved: official instructors and informal instructors.

An official instructor is an experienced driver whose work assignment for the event is to instruct. Experienced drivers who wish to be considered as official instructors for an NCR event should contact the event chair prior to the event.

An informal instructor is an experienced competitor (with at least two years of autocross experience) who may instruct another competitor on an informal basis. There must be a clear student/instructor relationship. The goal of allowing informal instructors is to offer competitors more time with experienced instructors and therefore quicken the learning process. Informal instructors must still work a regular work assignment and can therefore only instruct while their run-group is not working. Informal instructors or students who are in the same heat/sub-group must be ready to run when their own automobile is called to staging or forfeit their run.

In all cases the student may be either the driver or the passenger. All informal instructors and students must be registered entrants and have signed the insurance waiver.

With the permission of the Event Chair, an instructor may drive the student's automobile for educational purposes. The run will not count towards points or trophies but will count toward the run total for the student (or for the instructor).

VII. SOUND RESTRICTIONS

Certain autocross sites impose sound restrictions. These are the current restrictions:

Site	Sound Limit
Devens	90dB measured at 75 feet
NHMS	94dB measured at 50 feet

The sound level may be measured from any side of the automobile at any time and includes such noise sources as intake, turbos and tire squeal. Competitors are strongly encouraged to do their best to be significantly below this limit.

The violation policy is as follows:

1. The automobile may be red flagged and no re-run will be given.
2. An automatic DNF shall be assigned to the run so the time will not count.
3. After the first violation, the competitor(s) will be required to demonstrate that an effort has been made to reduce the sound level before the automobile is allowed to take any more runs. This determination will be made by the event chair or a designee.
4. If the automobile violates the sound limit a second time, that automobile will not be allowed to take any more runs and the competitor will be required to demonstrate that improvements have been made before being allowed to participate at further events.

This policy is a site restriction for all clubs. In order to maintain continued use of the site, the sound restriction is strictly enforced with no exceptions allowed.

[28-February, 2009]