Going Racing !
(By Douglas McLay)
A survivors guide to a Monoposto Race Meeting
This short description of a typical Monoposto Championship race day is given
to help those who are new to club racing in the UK. It is in two parts. Firstly
there is a narrative about how a typical day goes. The second part is a series
of check lists for the critical parts of the day. I hope that these notes help
you find your feet, and that you enjoy a good days racing with the Monoposto
Club.
Although these notes are written from considerable experience of how race meetings
run, they all vary. Study the organisers Final Instructions, which usually arrive
about a week before the event. If they are at variance with anything written
here, follow the Final Instructions!
Preparations
The Monoposto race meetings are held at most of the British mainland
circuits. They are normally one day meetings with all the formalities, practice
and the race being held on the same day. However for most teams the race meeting
starts the day before, with all the tools and spare parts being sorted out and
then being loaded into the tow car. This is best done with the aid of a loading
list. Once you have been racing for some time you will develop your own list
in the light of experience. However a suggested list of essential items is given
below.
Once the tow car is loaded the race car is put on the trailer and tied down
with a strap at each corner. The trailer is also used to carry a shelter to
pitch in the paddock, a table to work on and of course the treaded rain tyres.
If you haven't a suitable shelter, one of the cheap garden centre gazebos is
a widely used, being light to carry and easy to put up. Finally the trailer
is hitched up to the tow car and the lights are tested before all is ready for
the off.
If the circuit is more than a couple of hours drive away or you are in an early
race you could set off the night before and stay at a bed and breakfast overnight.
Take the car to the circuit in the evening before, unload it and pitch the shelter
to give you a flying start the next day
Raceday
The actual race day is usually very hectic. Make sure that you
know what times the key events are scheduled for, and get there in plenty of
time! There will be paddock announcements but they can easily be missed in the
noisy paddock environment.
Usually the first thing is for the helpers to start checking over the car whilst
the driver goes to the office to have his paperwork checked. This includes a
racing licence, a medical certificate and a club membership card. You will be
given a signing on slip, which you will need to present at scrutineering. Meanwhile
back at the car the tyre pressures are being set, fluid levels checked and the
wheels are torqued up.
Scrutineering
Next the car is pushed to the scrutineering bay where it is checked
for safety and eligibility. The drivers helmet and racing overalls are also
checked at scrutineering. Be ready to remove the bodywork and, if you don't
have see through reservoirs, the brake master cylinder tops. The scrutineer
will check that all is done up tight, and that the basics of steering, brakes
and suspension appear OK. They will also check the rear light and electrical
cut out switch. The key thing to remember at scrutineering is to keep calm!
Even experienced competitors get caught out by the scrutineers from time to
time, but the scrutineers objective is to get you through, so listen carefully
to any advice that they give you. If you need help to get past scrutineering
don't hesitate to ask one of the regular Mono competitors who is not too busy,
we all want to see you out on the track ! When you've been passed by the scrutineer
he will give you a ticket. Stick it firmly on the car straight away, because
it will be checked before you are allowed out to practice or race.
Once the car has been passed by the scrutineers it is pushed back to the shelter
and prepared for practice. The bodywork is refitted, the safety belts loosened
and the mirrors and helmet visor are cleaned. Finally the engine is started
and warmed up before you are called up for practice. Do not leave starting the
engine until the last minute. Racing engines which start every time in the garage
become erratic when handled by a nervous driver desperate to get it to fire
up! Also if it is raining, or it is damp, demist the inside of the visor with
some soap. Don't use the demist liquids, which are useless, but try washing
up liquid or shower gel!
Noise Tests
There may well be a noise test before you go out for practice.
This is another hazard because results seem to vary a great deal. Try and find
out if there is to be a test (watch earlier practice fields going out), and
take your car down early, so if there is a problem you can sort it out, again
with help from your Monoposto friends!
Taking part in practice is essential. You must record a time to be allowed on
the grid. If for any reason you miss your session, ask the Clerk of the Course
to let you practice in a later session, so you will be allowed to start, even
if from the back of the grid with a ten second penalty.
The car is driven to the collecting area where it joins a queue before being
released onto the track. Here the pit crew check the seat belts and helmet,
remove any loose stones from the tyres and plug in the slave battery so that
the engine can be started. The pit crew are really busy now because they must
start the car when the track is open and then sprint to the pit area with the
tools, battery trolley and signalling board to be ready for the car as it comes
round!
During the first laps of practice drive the car gently whilst the tyres, engine
and brakes get warm and you play yourself in. At the end of each lap you should
see your pit board displaying the time on the previous lap which your pit crew
have timed using a stop watch. Some competitors use an automatic device for
timing the car and displaying the time instantly in the car. At the end of practice
you will see the chequered flag, slow down and follow the marshals directions
to the paddock. You should immediately resets the tyre pressures whilst the
tyres are still warm, ignoring the urge to go and chat over practice with your
fellow competitors!
Drivers Briefing
If you haven't raced (as opposed to having just tested) at the
circuit before, then you must attend a new drivers briefing. Details are usually
in the final instructions, if not ask at signing on. Make sure that you attend
before you practice, or you could be in trouble. At some circuits there will
be a general drivers briefing for all drivers, probably at lunch time. Again
make sure that you attend, or you could be in for a fine and an endorsed licence.
Getting ready to race
After practice the car is checked over for faults, particular
care being taken to check suspension, brakes and steering. The oil and water
levels are checked and the car refuelled before the crew can relax and pray
that there isn't a change in the weather requiring that the wet tyres be fitted!
The pre race procedure is pretty much the same as that before practice except
that the cars are put in starting order in the collecting area so that the marshals
can line us up easily on the starting grid.
The big moment !
Once you are on the starting grid you sit and wait for the starters
3 minute to go signal. This will be followed by two and one minute boards and
a thirty second board. The time between boards is often accelerated. The cars
are then waved away by a green flag on a warm up lap and return to their allotted
positions for the actual start. This is where the pulse really starts racing
as first gear is engaged and the 5 second signal is given. The lights are know
the same as those used in F1! The red lights come on in sequence then all stay
on for a random time between 0 & 5 secs, When they will all go out and its
Go Go Go. It is a good idea to watch the start of an earlier race if
possible, just to see the whole starting procedure in real life.
As the lights go out the engine notes rise and all the cars jostle for position
into the first bend. Take care here not to let the ++++ red mist++++ take over
and come a cropper on the first corner. Remember that when you are new to racing
you need to get as much racing under your belt as possible, so don't take too
many chances until you are more experienced. You will learn nothing from a spectacular
spin into a gravel trap on the first lap! The laps soon fly by and the chequered
flag is out and it's all over!
On returning to the paddock the field may be directed into parc ferme, where
the cars are held to allow any protests to be lodged. This is a formality in
Monoposto racing, because no one can remember an incident in parc ferme! So
just get out of the car and exchange experiences with your fellow competitors
before returning to the paddock.
________________________________________
Raceday Check List
EVENT (Location) BRING COLLECT
Signing on Racing Licence Signing on slip
(Race office) Club Membership Card programme
Commentators sheet
Scrutineering Car Scrutineering Ticket
(Scrutineering Bay) Tools to remove bodywork
Signing on slip
Helmet
Drivers overalls
New Drivers Briefing Driver Make sure attendance is registered
(Ask)
Noise Test Car Make sure you know result
(Noise test bay)
Practice Car
(Collecting Area) Correctly dressed driver
Slave battery
Tools
Scrutineering ticket
Race Car
Correctly dressed driver
Slave battery
Tools
Scrutineering ticket
________________________________________
Suggested Equipment List
It is virtually impossible to come up with the ultimate Loading
List! Everyone has his or her own favourite items, and of course the amount
of spares and tools you carry depends on what jobs that you would feel like
tackling at the circuit and what you have available. This suggested list has
all the basic items that you would need for an average days racing. Gear ratios
are not mentioned, but if you have them, then take them !
Drivers Equipment
++++ Helmet
++++ Fireproof overalls
++++ Fireproof underwear
++++ Fireproof gloves
++++ Fireproof socks
++++ Fireproof balaclava
++++ Driving boots
++++ Waterproof jacket
++++ Towel
++++ Racing Licenec
++++ Club Card
Car Spares
++++ Plugs and plug leads
++++ Distributer cap and rotor arm*
++++ Ignition unit*
++++ Coil*
++++ Points*
++++ Crank sensor*
++++ Brake pads
++++ Assorted nuts and bolts etc
++++ Wire and connectors
++++ Mirror
++++ Wet tyres
Consumables
++++ Tie wraps
++++ WD 40
++++ Polishes
++++ Bars Leaks
++++ Fuses
++++ Rear light bulb
++++ Body clips
++++ Yellow dusters
++++ Instant gasket
++++ Various gasket sealers
++++ Degreaser
++++ Tank tape
++++ Insulating tape
Oils etc
++++ Engine Oil
++++ Gearbox Oil
++++ Petrol
++++ Water
Pit Equipment
++++ Caddy
++++ Slave battery
++++ Jack
++++ Chassis sta nds
++++ Torque wrench
++++ Wheel nut socket
++++ Shelter
++++ Tyre pump
++++ Tyre pressure gauge
++++ Umberella
++++ Pit Board
++++ Stopwatch
++++ Clipboard and pen
Tools
++++ Spanners +
++++ Socket set +
++++ Screwdrivers +
++++ Hacksaw
++++ Hammer
++++ Soft hammer
++++ Mole grips
++++ Pliers
++++ Feeler gauges
++++ Tyre lever
+ To fit every nut, bolt and screw on the car
* If fitted to your car