The VSCDA Board of Directors has established the following philosophy for VSCDA racing.

 

“The primary objective of the sport of Vintage and Historic Automobile racing is to promote the preservation of these cars in a racing format which emphasizes driver safety and etiquette.

          The sport is intended to provide a format for friendly wheel-to-wheel competition with vehicles prepared faithfully and safely to their era.

          All racing is dangerous and only the proper attitude of the driver and the careful preparation of cars will diminish the danger and enhance our appreciation of this sport.”

 

Conforming to this philosophy means always leaving a margin for error or the unexpected when competing.  Succinctly put, this means driving at 8/10ths, others in the sport may be less qualified and still learning.  These drivers may be much slower than you expect.  They may inadvertently do something an experienced driver would never do that’s called learning!  And, if our sport is to continue, we must provide a racing format that allows new drivers to learn racing in the vintage spirit with safety always first.

 

The VSCDA Drivers Committee uses a Driver Penalty Guideline that emphasizes driver responsibility for safe driving with consequences for driving aggressively, recklessly and with errors.  Any driving incident or example of over-driving may result in immediate probation or suspension of driving privileges for the remainder of the VSCDA event or longer.

 

Be forewarned – unsafe and dangerous driving will not be tolerated at any VSCDA events.  Sanctions will be imposed on drivers who are found at fault in any driving incident involving property damage, personal injury, or who are judged to be “over reckless or aggressively driving.”  When you are sitting on the false grid, spend some time considering these matters.  Take time to collect your thoughts and reaffirm your commitment to the proper vintage racing philosophy of friendly, safe, wheel-to-wheel competition.  Remember there are no trophies.  There are no cash prizes.  Not one single vintage driver has ever gone on to CART, Formula One or NASCAR.

 

If you have any questions about the VSCDA Driving Policy, please contact a member of the VSCDA Drivers Committee or a member of the Board of Directors.  They are always introduced at the mandatory prerace drivers meeting.

Race Event Cancellation: If you become unable to race at an event, a refund for that racing event will be accepted if the driver doesn’t turn a wheel on the track (subject to a cancellation fee).  A credit may be applied in place of a refund (without cancellation fee) for up to the end of the next years racing season.  Any credit not used within the next racing will be assumed a donation to the VSCDA organization.   Specialty race credit is allowed if registration is notified prior to the end of race on Sunday.  After the race is completed, it is considered a donation to the VSCDA organization.

 

VSCDA Board of Directors

2020

 

 

Standard Race Operation Procedures

 

1. Only the VSCDA approved and registered Driver for the entered Race Car is allowed on the race track for practice, qualifying, and race sessions. This is a zero tolerance rule.
2. Rookie Drivers must display “Xs” on their car. Open wheel cars on 2 sides and closed wheel cars on all 4 sides.  After the completion of 3 races with VSCDA the Drivers may remove the “Xs”.
3. unsafe or dangerous driving will not be tolerated. Sanctions will be imposed, by the Drivers Committee, on Drivers who are found at fault.  There is no appeal process.  Drive safely without incident.
4. if you are involved in an incident that causes any damage report to the chief steward, who will coordinate with the Drivers Committee. if you do not report, your driving privileges will be suspended.
5. if you go off course or spin and can continue do not rejoin the field until instructed to do so by a corner worker. If no Corner Worker is present, you may rejoin only when there is an interval in the field such that if you should stall, your position can be clearly seen from a distance by oncoming cars.  When in doubt, wait!  If you go four wheels off during a warm up, practice or qualifying session, you must come into the pit lane and report to the tech representative and/or steward.  Failure to do so will result in a black flag. You may be black flagged for a major on-course spin as well.
6. passing: The responsibility for a clean pass rests with both Drivers.  Primary responsibility is with the over-taking car.  Corner stations will advise slower cars with Blue Flag (passing flag).  Watch your mirrors.  The over-taken Driver should clearly indicate to the over-taking Driver on which side the pass should be made while maintaining a predictable racing line.

flags:

1. white flag: Open, may be displayed at all corners and start, at the beginning of warm-up and practice sessions. Passing allowed – you may encounter slower safety vehicles on track.
2. black flag: Open, displayed at all corners means the session has stopped. All cars shall proceed cautiously to the pits.  no passing.  An “ALL” sign will be displayed at the Starter’s Stand.  Individual driver black flags may be accompanied with a car number.  Report to Steward in pit lane or Tech Rep for a technical “meat ball”.
3. red flag: Means extreme danger – the session has been stopped. Come to an immediate controlled stop at the side of the race track, preferably in line of sight to a staffed Corner Station.  When released by an Official, proceed cautiously to the pits or as otherwise instructed.
4. yellow flag: There is no passing from the point of the flag until you are past the incident or assisting worker that is near trackside beyond the incident and the next maned corner station has no yellow flag displayed.

standing – a situation exists that warrants your attention and caution.  no passing!

waving – a hazardous situation exists that warrants your attention and extreme caution.                            Slow down and no passing!  You will probably have to deviate from and modify your driving line.

double – when you see a station displaying two yellow flags, a full course yellow exists –                        no passing!  A Pace Car may be used.

Note – PASSING under a yellow flag will not be tolerated!  Penalties and potential Drivers Committee actions will be imposed.

 

grid positions and starts:  Cars arriving at the false grid after the five minute signal forfeit grid position.  Do not attempt to regain your original grid position during the pace lap.  You may improve position only after green flag is displayed by Starter.  This rule also applies for Drivers who lose their position during a pace lap i.e., engine kills but restarts after the field has passed.  If you improve your position or do not stay in line and maintain an appropriate (1-2 car lengths) interval prior to display of the green flag, you will be black flagged.

 

pace car:  If the Pace Car enters the circuit slow down and follow in single file.  Do not change position

And do not pass the Pace Car unless waved by.

cool-off lap:  The Cool-Off Lap is considered to be under racing conditions.  Do not remove gloves, belts, helmet, etc.  Remain alert as passing could occur.  Passing is discouraged during cool-off lap.  If you do pass during cool-off lap, total responsibility for a very slow, clean and safe pass rests with the passing Driver.

 

 

official race control is through the Chief Steward and the staff.  It is imperative that you comply with their instructions.  Should any serious infraction of conduct occur VSCDA will follow their recommendation for action.

 

VSCDA is a member of the Vintage Motorsports Council (VMC) and has adopted the following philosophy for racing:

“The primary objective of the sport of Vintage and Historic Automobile racing is to promote the preservation of these cars in a racing format which emphasizes driver safety and etiquette.

            The sport is intended to provide a format for friendly wheel-to-wheel competition with vehicles prepared faithfully to their era.

            All racing is dangerous and only the proper attitude of the driver and the careful preparation of cars will diminish the danger and enhance our appreciation of this sport.”

 

schedule:  The Steward and Race Director may alter the program and schedule in order to balance the competition and to ensure participant safety.  The event will continue in inclement weather, but may be shortened and/or modified.

 

Crew credentials:  Credentials for track entry may be obtained ONLY during scheduled registration hours.  Please advise your crew and guests that if they are not present to register during registration hours, they will not be admitted.  Please remember that all race entrants, touring entrants, crew members and guests must sign in at registration and obtain wrist bands before they are allowed to enter the track.  Crew members and guests not listed by the driver on the registration entry form will not be admitted until the driver physically or in writing gives their authorization to registration.  Without authorization, any unlisted crew members or guests will be required to purchase an over-crew wrist band to gain admittance.  Drivers are responsible for the conduct of their crew and guests.  Children must be under the direct supervision of an adult at all times.

 

drivers meetings:  all drivers meetings are mandatory

 

technical inspection:

• Your technical inspection sheet will be issued to you at VSCDA registration. Both sides must be completed, signed and presented with your log book at time of technical inspection.  These are the only items required if you already have obtained a VSCDA (or approved affiliate) approved annual technical inspection.
• All cars must remove or cover previous technical stickers.
• All cars entered in warm-ups, practice, qualifying, race or touring sessions must be registered, pass technical inspection and display a technical sticker and group number before they are allowed on the track.
• Note: Helmet, snell rated SA 2010 or newer required. Head and neck restraints are now mandatory.
• All race cars must display their assigned race number at technical inspection. After the car has been issued its technical sticker the number may not be changed without official approval from VSCDA registration and technical inspection.
• All camera mounts must be approved at technical inspection.
• All driver safety equipment must be presented at technical inspection. This requirement is waived for those with current VSCDA annual technical inspection approvals. Certain approved affiliate organization annual technical inspections are acceptable.  Check with Chief of Tech.

2020

Drivers Committee Penalty Guidelines

(For Drivers found to be ‘At Fault’ in On-Track Incidents)
Single Race Incidents	Action Taken at This Event		Action Taken for Future Events
Damage Level		Minimum	Maximum
NONE	Probation	NONE	NONE*
SLIGHT	Probation	(1-3) VSCDA Race Probation	4-5 VSCDA Race Probation
MODERATE	Probation**	4-5 VSCDA Race Probation	13 Month VSCDA Probation
HEAVY	Suspension***	13 Month VSCDA Probation	VSCDA Suspension****
PERSONAL INJURY	Suspension***	13 Month VSCDA Probation	VSCDA Suspension****

 

* = Further Action Considered for Repeat Offense or Serious Driver Error
** = Race Car must be re-inspected by Tech

*** = Driver must report to Medical for evaluation; Race Car must be re-inspected by Tech
**** = Appeals of sanctions are to be directed to the Drivers Committee ([email protected]) for reconsideration and finalization.  Suspension vs Probation at the Discretion of the Drivers Committee