BMW Club of Saskatchewan
Driver Training Rules & Regulations

Scroll to bottom to see Information for New Drivers

Section 1 Mandate and terminology

Mandate:

Our mandate is to provide a non-competitive environment where emphasis is on driver education and improvement of driving skills.

Terminology:

Event

A non-competitive experience where a vehicle takes part in a scheduled program and which has no competitive nature in that no points are given or tabulated.

Vehicle

A land vehicle propelled by its own means, running on at least two wheels.

SLIP Vehicle

A street legal, insured & plated vehicle. A vehicle that has been registered with a motor license issuer and is insured and can be driven legally on public roads.  A vehicle that has a temporary permit is considered to be a SLIP vehicle.

UNR Vehicle

A vehicle that is not currently registered with a motor license issuer.  This can be a competition only vehicle or a vehicle that has been previously registered, but is no longer currently registered.

Participant

A participant means any person or body involved at an event as a coordinator, driver, passenger or volunteer crew. All participants are required to sign a waiver.

Spectator

Any person or body not involved in the event, but there to watch the event.  All spectators in the Paddock area are required to sign a waiver.  If a spectator is under 18 years of age their parent/guardian must be present and sign an additional waiver for them.

Coordinator

A person in charge of running the event.

Driver

A person driving a vehicle in any event whatsoever.

NTC (New to course) Driver

A person participating as a driver in the event and has not driven on the track at the venue previously.

Passenger

A person who will ride along with a driver during a run of the course.

Volunteer crew

A person assisting the Coordinator in running the event.  This may include, but is not limited to the timekeeper, driving observer, vehicle tech auditor and course assistant.  The Coordinator may also take on any of these roles.

Vehicle Tech Auditor

A person in charge of spot verifying that a driver has performed the tech inspection on their vehicle.

Course Assistant

A person who will take direction from the coordinator to perform duties in a varying capacity.  These duties include but are not limited to sweeping the track, resetting overturned pylons and organizing drivers in the Paddock area.

Driving Observer

A person designated by the Coordinator and who will ride with NTC Drivers and/or Drivers during their run to offer verbal assistance when required.  The driving observer must ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle to perform their duties.  A Driving Observer must have at least 4 seasons of driving experience at the venue.

Timekeeper

A person in charge of operating the timing device and recording lap times.

Timing Device

A measurement tool used to record a drivers lap time as a means to show an improvement in driving technique.  In no way is this timing device used in the spirit of competition nor is any recognition given to those with the faster lap times.

Registration/Lap Record Sheet

Paperwork used to record the driver and vehicle information along with lap times.

Thumbs up

A signal given by the timekeeper to the driver waiting in the course Start Area that signifies the driver can begin to run the course.

Paddock

The area of the grounds where the participant vehicles will be parked during the event.

Pit Lane

Paved lane between the paved Track and the Paddock area.

Track

Paved area the driving event will occur on.

Start Area

The 40 foot section of the track preceding the start/stop line.

Course

The route that the vehicles will follow to be considered a complete lap on the paved Track.

Run

A set of laps around the course, usually two or three.

DNF

Did not finish.  In the event a vehicle is unable to complete a lap or leaves the course early, a DNF is recorded.

Parade lap

A low speed lap (or more) of the course route that will be used during the event.  All drivers are encouraged to participate in the parade lap, but are not required to do so.

Staging

A vehicle in line in the Paddock, ready to go on the track and complete a run of the course. 

Venue

The business that owns and operate the track.  In our case 3 Flags Motorsports Park.

Pit Pass

A pass required by the venue in order for participants to enter the Paddock, Pit Lane and Track area.

Outside area

The section outside the venue fencing where spectators may watch the event without the need of purchasing a pit pass.

Section 2      Events

Events will begin with all the participants and spectators in the paddock area signing a waiver and purchasing a pit pass from the venue.

Drivers will then register with the coordinator and tech inspect their vehicles for the event.  The Coordinator may at this time select vehicles for audit by the Vehicle Tech Auditor.  Drivers are required to inform the coordinator if they are an NTC Driver and/or will be driving a UNR vehicle in the event as additional rules apply.

Once the tech inspections and registration is complete a drivers meeting will be held to discuss the course that will be followed and briefly review the rules of the event.

At this point a parade lap will be performed, led by a Driver designated by the Coordinator.

At the conclusion of the parade lap, drivers will line up in the Paddock in the order designated by the registration/lap record sheet.  The first 3 drivers will line up at the east gate of the Paddock, ready to enter the pit lane.  Drivers (and passengers) in line are required to be wearing a DOT approved helmet and have their seat belt on.  The first driver will enter the pit lane and proceed on to the track and into the start area.  The other vehicles will remain staged in the Paddock, no staging is allowed in the Pit Lane.

When the driver receives the thumbs up from the timekeeper, they may begin their run of the course.  Once their run is complete, they will exit the track through the west gate.  At this point the next driver in line will enter the pit lane and proceed to the start area.  This process will continue until the conclusion of the event is called by the coordinator.

Upon conclusion of the event, all participant are expected to offer assistance in cleaning up the track and pylons.

Section 3      Rules

Event Rules:

  1. Absolutely no drifting. A driver intentionally drifting will be immediately expelled from the event.
  2. Vehicle stereo and personal cell phones must be turned off.(Headphones/earbuds are prohibited)
  3. Video recording devices are acceptable provided they are securely mounted in the vehicle. Hand held video cameras/cell phones are not allowed.
  4. No loose objects in the vehicle (occupant’s compartment, trunk & engine compartment)
  5. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license.
  6. Drivers must wear a DOT approved helmet, a seat belt and closed backed shoes.
  7. Passengers must wear a DOT approved helmet and their seat belt.
  8. NTC Drivers must have a Driving Observer as a Passenger on their initial run of the course. The Driving Observer will determine at the end of the run if the NTC driver can complete the next run alone of if the Driving Observer must ride along.
  9. You must receive a Thumbs Up from the Timekeeper before beginning your run.
  10. Only one vehicle is allowed on the course at a time.
  11. Staging is only allowed in the Paddock area.
  12. All windows but the drivers are required to be up, the driver window may be rolled all the way down, but preference is for it to be in the up position.(No part of the body shall be placed outside the window during a run of the course)
  13. If a passenger is under 18 years of age they can only ride in their own parent/guardians vehicle.
  14. If a driver is over 16 years of age, but under 18 years of age, their own parent/guardian must ride with them in the vehicle.
  15. Drivers are permitted to drive more than one vehicle in the event.
  16. Drivers must not consume alcohol or drugs (Either illegal or performance reducing) 12 hours prior to or during the event. A driver under the influence will be immediately expelled from the event.
  17. The Coordinator reserves the right to ban any vehicle from the event if they believe the vehicle to be unsafe. A vehicle may also be banned from the event if it does not meet the requirements of the hosting venue for reasons that may include, but are not limited to, excessive noise.
  18. Refunds will not issued to a participant if the vehicle, driver or passenger does not comply with event rules.

Additional Rules for UNR vehicles:

  1. Drivers and passengers must wear closed toe and backed shoes.
  2. Drivers and passengers must wear socks and long pants.
  3. Vehicle windows must be in the closed position if they are able to do so.
  4. It is strongly recommended that the vehicle contains a secured fire extinguisher.

Section 4      Track Etiquette

The following guidelines are to help ensure a smooth and fun event for all participants and owners of the venue:

  • Remain on the paved portion of the track at all times.  Do not leave the paved portion unless you have made a driving error.
  • Focus on the task at hand, ensure you are mentally prepared to run the course.
  • Traction control should be left enabled until the driver is comfortable enough to disable it.
  • It is strongly recommended that NTC drivers participate in the parade lap.
  • Braking should be done in a straight line before the corners.
  • The throttle should be pressed on and released off in a smooth motion.
  • Understand the limitations of yourself and the vehicle.

ENSURE YOU HAVE SIGNED THE WAIVER AND PURCASED A PIT PASS FROM THE VENUE.

Information for New Drivers at BMW Club Sask Events

Parking:

  • Vehicles that will participate in driver training are to be parked in the Paddock area.

Vehicle preparation:

  • You as the vehicle owner are responsible for this.
  • No loose objects in the vehicle (driver’s compartment, trunk and engine compartment including the battery)
  • Tire pressure should be set to factory recommend levels at a minimum.  No cords should be showing through on any of the tires on the vehicle
  • Fluid levels should be at factory recommended levels (eg: coolant, brake fluid, power steering etc…)
  • Fuel level: Note: Most factory vehicle suspensions are setup based on a full tank of fuel.
  • Ensure all wheel nuts are tightened to factory specification.

Driver Seating Position:

  • Seat belt and Helmet on.
  • Position yourself upright and close enough to the wheel to ensure good control.
  • Steering wheel positioned to allow a clear view of the instrument cluster.
  • Arms and legs slightly bent.
  • Shoes must have a closed back.  Flip flops are not allowed.

Driving on the track:

  • A parade lap will take place before the event begins
  • Review the course in your head after the parade is complete and you are off the track
  • One car only on the track at a time during the event.
  • Track entry will be on the east side of the pit and exit at the west side of the pit
  • One car running on the track, two staged and ready to go (driver in car ready to run).
  • Radio, cell phone and air conditioning off.
  • Traction control should be left enabled until the driver is comfortable enough to disable it.
  • Braking should be done in a straight line before corners.
  • The throttle should be pressed on and off in a smooth motion.
  • Drifting is prohibited
  • Focus on the task at hand, ensure your head is in the right place.
  • Understand the limitations of yourself and the vehicle

After the run and in the pit:

  • Check engine temperature, oil pressure and if the brake pedal feels “solid”.
  • Check the cluster, are there any fault indicators on?
  • Check for fluid leaks in engine compartment and under carriage.
  • Check tire wear on the sidewalls.
  • Ask questions and/or go for a run with a more experienced driver.
  • Assist with sweeping the track to clear gravel/debris

After the event:

  • All participants are expected to help with course clean up and sweeping