Rule 2.3.B: Course Design Rules (SCCA Solo Rules)

[Rad_ Delgado_]

B. The course shall be at least 15 feet wide, and single-file slalom
markers shall be at least 45 feet apart. Any series of course
markers which are generally in a line and have the effect of a
slalom are considered to be a slalom. Additional course markers
associated with the slalom markers to form gates, “boxes”, etc.,
do not cancel this limit.

I have been to the National Championships 3 times so far, and my perception is that courses (even at Heartland Park) are wide open. There are some guidelines for course design documented in the SCCA Solo rules.

Last weekend course felt very narrow, especially for a facility like El Toro (gigantic grippy tarmac and no poles).

Is rule 2.3.B just for Nationals, or does it apply to National Tours, Pros, Divisionals, or even the local events?

[Mike Simanyi]

That applies to all courses run under SCCA sanction.

The course we ran last weekend was fully compliant Rad. If you ever have the misfortune to drive a 45' spaced slalom, you'll know the definition of "tight."

If I had to drive 45' slaloms repeatedly, I'd take up a different hobby.

Mike

[George Schilling]

If you ever have the misfortune to drive a 45' spaced slalom, you'll know the definition of "tight."

If I had to drive 45' slaloms repeatedly, I'd take up a different hobby.

Mike

Amen

[Michael Palero]

According to Brian Robertson, there are Solo competitors with calibrated eyes that know right away and will make a stink when that 45' minimum isn't met.
Those folks were in attendance this past event.

[Christine Grice]

1.1 MANDATORY PROVISIONS
Sections 1 (all), 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.3 (except 3.3.3.A), 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.11 are mandatory in all Solo Events that a Region solely or jointly organizes, conducts, sanctions or otherwise cooperates as a Region in organizing. The titles of mandatory sections are underlined herein. At events where kart classes (F125, FJ) are offered, Sections 2.7 and 2.8 are mandatory. Vehicle classifi cations are not mandatory. Regions should use classing structures which are best for the development of their programs. However, Regions may not allow faster karts per age group than those already described in Section 19. National vehicle classifi cations are located in Appendix A of these rules. Suggested optional classes and rules are located in Appendixes A, G, and H. The entire Solo Rules are mandatory for Divisional and National Solo events. Additional rules governing the ProSolo National Series are in Section 20 of these rules.

2.3.B is not listed.

Either way, it didn't seem like the course I drove Saturday violated these guidelines.

[Marshall Grice]

if it felt tight you were probably driving it wrong... }:)

[Keith Brown]

2.3.B is not listed.

If 2.3 were mandatory, many regions would not be able to hold events. Small lots with light poles and curbs...

[Steve Ekstrand]

The kids course I did was 45ft slalom spacing and 15ft opening on the lane changes and chicago box.....
Painful. Wouldn't want to drive it in a car. But the kids seemed to have fun.
We've been trying to force them into proper lines and back siding key cones, or there is no way they can make it through. Teaching by natural selection.

[Rad_ Delgado_]

if it felt tight you were probably driving it wrong... }:)

I agree, entirely. I have never hit so many cones in one lap. The most I ever hit was a finish at a National Tour in Massachusetts, crossed sideways in my 996 GT3 trying to catch that fast "Junior Johnson" Elise time with my slightly modified 996 GT3. I hit 6 cones and gave a re-run to my co-driver's closest competitor, and he took my co-driver out of trophies. My co-driver and I are still close friends.

However, that one time I knew I hit many cones, but this Sunday I hit 50% more cones (9, nine!!! ) and I don't even know where I hit them, or what hit them, except 2 of them, I kept looking for cone marks around the car. I need to practice a lot more, and/or run one of those mini-size cars very popular these days in ST classes.

[Bill Martin]

Last weekend course felt very narrow, especially for a facility like El Toro (gigantic grippy tarmac and no poles).

I'm sure I had one of the widest cars out there and I didn't find it narrow, except perhaps for the awkward start, which certainly felt narrow. It's clear however it was not a typical course given the excessive pylons hit and DNF's. I wouldn't look forward to this becoming the norm for events, but as a one-off...what they say about variety.

[Craig Naylor]

1.1 MANDATORY PROVISIONS
Sections 1 (all), 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.3 (except 3.3.3.A), 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 5.11 are mandatory in all Solo Events that a Region solely or jointly organizes, conducts, sanctions or otherwise cooperates as a Region in organizing. The titles of mandatory sections are underlined herein. At events where kart classes (F125, FJ) are offered, Sections 2.7 and 2.8 are mandatory. Vehicle classifi cations are not mandatory. Regions should use classing structures which are best for the development of their programs. However, Regions may not allow faster karts per age group than those already described in Section 19. National vehicle classifi cations are located in Appendix A of these rules. Suggested optional classes and rules are located in Appendixes A, G, and H. The entire Solo Rules are mandatory for Divisional and National Solo events. Additional rules governing the ProSolo National Series are in Section 20 of these rules.

2.3.B is not listed.

Either way, it didn't seem like the course I drove Saturday violated these guidelines.

I'll agree the course was legal, but on the other issue...

While it may not be mandatory by National Rules, it is for our region as our sub Regs state we include all rules in the rulebook.

[Jayson Woodruff]

However, that one time I knew I hit many cones, but this Sunday I hit 50% more cones (9, nine!!! ) and I don't even know where I hit them, or what hit them, except 2 of them, I kept looking for cone marks around the car. I need to practice a lot more, and/or run one of those mini-size cars very popular these days in ST classes.

Well you hit 7 of them in my section one run through. Can't believe you didn't feel the last two on the chart, as one was punched and the other was a batch.

Jay W

[Joey Schilling]

I personally am thankful for courses like the one we saw last event. I like many other people hit cones and even had a DNF, which is very rare on competition days and my standing suffered from sub par driving. But this course was the most fun challenging course I have driven in a long time. It had a great balance between tight and technical, and open and fast. Some turns were hard to judge but my car and I never felt awkward going through any section of the course. If it weren't for courses like this one that challenge me on so many different levels, I would never improve as a driver. And what a perfect course right before the next two events, they can throw anything at me now and I will be prepared.

[Greg Peng]

^ Great... I'm screwed!