Last Updated 3.27.2024
EVENT CAPTAINS: Matt Kalmus & Corry Johnson
VENUE: Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn, MI, USA
ON-SITE LOCATIONS: Dynamic Area – Back Straight
TRACK LENGTH: Approx. 800 m (2600 ft)
The Event:
The Autocross event is designed to test the car’s handling qualities without the hindrance of competing cars. The event has two heats. Each heat has a different driver. A heat is composed of one driver making two runs of the course. The fastest of the runs completed, including penalties, will be used to calculate the team score. Cars that are unable to complete the course with a time within 145% of the fastest car will only be awarded 7.5 points.
Penalties:
1) A 2-second penalty for each cone knocked down or out of position (indicated by a chalk square at the base of the cone).
2) A 20-second penalty for going off course and not re-entering at a point prior to the missed gate. Missing one or more gates of a given slalom counts as a single off-course penalty.
All cones in the dynamic area can be scored as penalties. This includes cones before the start line and after the finish line.
Staging:
Following the announcement of the start of the event, all cars should begin staging in the first heat line on a first come first served basis. Upon completion of the first heat driver’s two runs, a car may either go to the second heat line or back to the paddock for repair and/ or adjustments.
- When there are no cars in the first heat line, cars in the second heat line will be allowed to run. Cars that have not run a first heat have precedence over second heat cars. The event may be cancelled or cut short due to weather or time, so it is important to be on time for the first heat. It is encouraged for teams to join the second heat line immediately after completing the first heat.
- At 5:00 PM, the Autocross Event is scheduled to close, and no additional runs may be made after the closing. Cars in line will not be allowed to run the course after 5:00. If there are delays in starting the event, rain delays, or extended track closures, the event captain has the discretion to extend the closing time if conditions permit. Please see the event captain or listen for announcements for any extensions.
A safety inspection (helmet, belts, kill switch) will be performed before entering the final staging area; each car will be staged 6.0 m (19.7 feet) behind the start timing lights and will accelerate from a standing start.
After a driver’s first run, the driver has the option of taking the second run immediately, or leaving the staging area and running later in the heat. A shortcut-turn, immediately following the finish line, will allow the driver to proceed directly to the start for a second run. This is called the re-run line. If a driver chooses to not take a re-run, he/she should proceed through the exit.
It is intended that the race be conducted without the hindrance of competing cars. If there is a stopped or slow vehicle ahead, the driver should proceed at a safe distance (3m) around the incident and/or follow the direction of the course workers, and then reenter the track to finish the run. Once past the finish line, the shortcut should be taken to go directly to the start line. At this time, the driver will be notified if another run will be allowed. If a slow or stopped vehicle ahead is judged by the track officials to not be a hindrance, a re-run will not be allowed.
A driver’s run may be stopped by a track official (indicated by a waving red flag or hand gesture), your car may be directed to complete the track or directed to follow a straight route back to the starting line (with caution). This is common when a red flag is shown in the first half of the course. Caution – course workers may also signal your car due to a malfunction (broken suspension, muffler, leaking oil, etc.). If this occurs, the car should be driven off course and brought to a controlled stop as soon as possible. Avoid stopping directly on the course. This prevents potential incidents with following cars and limits the amount of oil/water spilled on to the racing surface, preventing long delays.
If a car fails during a driver’s first run, vehicle repairs can be made to the car, and the driver can return to complete the second run.
Notes:
- Once the car passes the start timing line, the run has been officially attempted and cannot be re-started. If the car stalls before triggering the timing lights, it can be pushed back for a re-start. This is only allowed once. If the car demonstrates difficultly in launching it will need to be pulled away and repaired.
- Timing will rely on a combination of timing lights and an RFID tag to identify vehicles. Properly affixing assigned RFID tags will be required to register times.
- Please be aware that several cars may be running the course at the same time. Once past the finish line, slow the vehicle and exit in a controlled manner. Do not park the car at the exit of the course; this can create an unsafe situation and will cause traffic to back up.
- If time allows, drivers will be allowed to walk the course – please check the schedule and listen for announcements regarding the timing of walks. Walking will be allowed (time and weather permitting) on Friday before the course opens.
