2024 Delaware PCA Drivers Education FAQ

Welcome to our event. Below you can find the Frequently Asked Questions that I field as a registrar. They are in no particular order, you'll have to fend for yourself. Be aware that if you don't read these, and then ask me at registration, you'll go on our double-secret Registrar's Hall of Shame list. It's kinda like the No-Fly list. Impossible to get off of and will follow you around forever. It's easier just to read the list.

• Can I run on just Friday only?
  
  Sorry, but no. Friday is only available as part of a 3 day package. 
  
  
• Ok, then can I run on just Friday and Saturday then?
  
  Sure, just sign up for a 3 day package and blow off Sunday
  
  
• Is this a Porsche Only event?
  
  No, we love all fun cars. BMW's, Subies, Mustangs are all good.
  
  
• Do you require a membership in the Porsche Club.
  
  No. But we'll be happy to sign you up!
  
  
• Are garages available to rent?
  
  Yes, they can be added to your registration fee. We have garages in the Main Event Garage, and also VIP garages located under the VIP suits. Garages are $225 for all 3 days. You can sign up and pick your garage on the registration page. Or if you decide later you want one, ask the Registrar.
  
  
• What about Convertibles?
  
  Convertibles are allowed with factory rollbars extended - must pass the broomstick test.
  Convertibles must run with the top up, roll hoops must be extended and pass the broomstick test, as do convertibles with aftermarket roll bars.
  Convertibles who want to run with the top down can do so as long as they use arm restraints.
  
  
• Equal Restraints
  
  

  Equal restraints must be provided for cars in the instructed groups. This means if you have 5 point harness for you, there must also be one for your instructor/passenger seat.
  Please note: if a car has a 5 or 6 point harness system, the driver (and any passenger, i.e. instructor) is required to wear a HANS device.
  

  
  

• Do you provide Helmets?
  
  No, we don't provide helmets. Helmets are available for rental at the NJMP General Store . As of Sept 2023, the rental cost was $45/day.  NJMP (856) 327-7206 
  
  

• Refunds and Cancellations
  
  If you can't attend and wish to cancel, please do it on the MotorsportReg.com site. If you cancel before September 1st, you will receive 100% of your registration fee. You can cancel for any reason with no charge. After September 1st, there is *No Refunds* for any reason. Sorry, but have to write a giant non-refundable check to NJMP. These are the parameters of our event. No Whining!
  
  
• What are your run groups?
  
  GREEN      Instructed Group, novice and limited or no previous track experience
  BLUE         Instructed Group, have some experience, but have not been signed off to solo
  WHITE       Not Instructed (Solo) group, Must have been previously promoted, NOT just signed off at the last event
  BLACK  &  RED   Instructor, Racers and very experienced drivers. Generally, the faster cars go into RED
  
  The run group you are assigned usually the one your pick, but we reserve the right to place you in another.
  
  
• Mandatory Pre-event Tech Inspections for attendees
  
  All vehicles must have a pre-event Tech Inspection performed by a valid Inspection facility. This is in addition to the daily tech inspections at the track. This pre-event inspection is only valid for a single track event. If you get one on Sept 1st, and then go to Watkins Glen, you must get another one before our event. A pre-event inspection must be performed no earlier than Sept 1st or it will not be valid.
  
  The tech form will be posted on our website when available (mid Aug). If you show up at the track without your stamped and signed tech form, you will not be allowed on the track.
  
  Tech form can be downloaded here from the Track page. Links at the bottom:
  https://www.delawarepca.net/track
  
  
• Pre-event Tech Inspections for Instructors and Racers
  
  * Instructors and Racers only * can self tech which means another instructor or racer does the inspection with our form. Of course, inspection by a shop is fine too. If you're not an instructor or somebody with a race license, don't try this. We will know and publicly shame you.
  
  
• Accommodations
  
  There's lodging available at the track, rooms along the front straight and possibly some of the villas. Can't get much closer for a commute in morning! Call NJMP direct to book those. Check out http://njmp.com/accommodations/  for the details. More hotels: https://njmp.com/exclusive-hotels-for-njmp/   Get a 15% discount for "Official NJMP Partners"
  
   Yes, Camping and RV's are permitted and included in your registration. Lots of us camp out and stay in our trailers for the weekend.
  
  
• Speaking of Camping, are there Showers?
  
  Yes, in the bottom of the Officers Club, the large building at the bottom of the paddock, there are hot shower facilities for both men and women. They are open 24 hours.
  
  
• Paddock Electric
  
  Electricity is available throughout the paddock and in all garages. There is no charge for this, the club is picking up the Electric fee. If you turn up and the electric box is locked, flag down a Security patrol and they'll unlock it for you.
  
  
• Coffee?
  
  We provide a Krups coffee machine with coffee pods, usually a Dark Roast. Sugar and Whole Milk will also be provided. This is a free service. Just come to Registration and fill up. Please bring your own cup to minimize trash. If you want something other than whole mile, like fresh Alpaca milk or liquid bat urine, you'll have to bring your own.
  
  
• Car Numbers
  
  Car numbers are not assigned until about 2 weeks before the event. Just because you have been accepted doesn't mean you get that number. All car numbers must be unique to the event. Ties between duplicate numbers are generally set by earliest registration date. Please make sure your registration and profile has multiple car numbers so we don't have to track you down/or assign you a random number. If you are sharing a car with somebody please let us know. There is a spot on MotorsportReg.com for you to indicate this.
  
  Numbers need to be a minimum of 12 inches high, bigger is better. Fatter is better than skinny.
  
  The color must be a contrasting color with your car for readability.
  
  Numbers must be applied to both sides of the vehicle. Doors are preferred, back side windows are okay.
  
  No fancy artistic fonts please. It just makes it hard to understand. It's not an art car show. Clarity is the point. Folks need to identify your car, at speed and at a distance. Don't make it hard for them.
  
  --
  Novices: We assign numbers to the cars, we *do not provide* those numbers. That is your responsibility. Once you get your assigned number, you must come up with a way to put those numbers on your car. I'll give more details about the specs as we get closer, but add it to your check list. You can have a vinyl sign shop make them up, use your own printer and tape them to your inside windows, use the soap sticks the drag racers use, or go old school, and use blue printers tape to make your numbers. This last option is not allowed for Porsche's. Official Porsche blue painter's tape is available from the Registrar for a fee of $150/roll
  
  The registrar will email everybody when the numbers have been assigned. You can start your whining then, not before.
  
  
• Instructor Assignments
  
  Instructor/Student pairings are done about 1 week before the event. If you have a request for a student/instructor, send email to the registrar and we'll try to accommodate it.
  
  
• Coaches
  
  We allow coaches into the event. There is no cost but they must register with us and sign the waivers.
  
  
• Classroom Sessions
  
  Classroom sessions are mandatory for our instructed students. They are held in the classroom (registration), one session for each day. The time is on the schedule. We give out tickets at the end of the session which will be collected when you next go back out on track. Don't attend? No ticket, no track session.
  
  
• Paddock Parking
  
  First, do not block the garages, registration or any places marked as reserved. There is a tow truck on standby all weekend and we'll be happy to use it.
  
  Other than the above, the paddock is huge. Park wherever you like.
  
  
• Volunteers
  
  Speaking for volunteers, we love them. While you guys will be on the track, chances are you'll be bringing friends, spouses and others along with you. We can always use help, even if it's for just a few hours on one day. I ask for volunteers when you register but if you would like to check lug nuts at tech, do grid checks, paddock patrol drop me a note and I'll get you in touch with our volunteer coordinator. We'll even give you a free t-shirt!
  
  
• First time on track?
  
  This is specifically for all green drivers. We are lucky to have a lot of folks at our event who are new to the track experience. Coming to the track for the first time can be a daunting and confusing task. Lots of activity, people rushing everywhere and lots of noise. But there is a usually consistent pattern of things that happen at every track event. The webpage below and the video on it should be very helpful as you prepare for our event. There are some differences between the video and our event, but they are minor in nature. Overall this is a good intro. Watch the video!
  
  http://porschehangout.com/driver-education-track-day/
  
  
• Visitors
  
  The track is open to the public, so your friends, spouses, enemies, F1 scouts can all come by an watch. Just need to sign 2 waivers, one at the front gate for NJMP, and one for us in Registration. Sometimes there's a fee at the front gate, sometimes there's not. Not under the club's control. Visitors are allowed everywhere but the hot pits. Prime viewing spot is the top of the timing tower which is open to everybody.
  
  
• Children
  
  We're family friendly, children are welcome at the event. Please make sure you impress on them to stay out of the way. Often cars driving through the paddock have limited visiblity. While the paddock speed limit is 15 mph, it's a busy place and we would hate for any incidents to happen.
  
  Also note, that while we have lots of street vehicles participating, there are also a healthy number of full race cars. Typically these do not have horns (Racers don't use horns on the racetrack, they just punt the offending car into the guardrails <- sarcasm! )  So don't be looking at your phone while standing in the middle of the road. Pay attention to your surroundings!
  
  But .... before you bring your child to the track, you must have both parents sign a liability waver (link here). If only one parent will be at the track, please download the form and have it signed before you get here. If both parents are visiting, we'll have the forms at registration.
  
  
• Drones
  
  Leave them at home. While it might be cool to have that high shot of you cruising down the front straight at 100mph for your YouTube channel, NJMP forbids them. I wouldn't put it past them to shoot it down with a shotgun, gather up the pieces, escort you off the property and then hand you all bill for the shotgun shells. Just don't.
  
  
• Helmets
  
  If you are going on track, you need a helmet. We'll check it at the daily tech line, so don't forget it.
  
  NJMP requires Full-Face helmets. This is a New Jersey State Law requirement.
  
  We'll accept the following:
  
  
  • Snell SA/SAH 2015 or higher
  • Snell M 2015 or higher  (real motorcycle helmets, not those stupid half helmets) 
  I do believe the on-site store offers helmets for rental or purchase if you don't have one. Please contact NJMP directly for more information.
  
  
• Track Access
  
  We'll open up on Thursday evening at 7pm for trailer drop-off and camping. The track will remain open 24 hours until the end of the event. They shut the front gate around 10-11 pm each night, but if you wait, security will show up and let you in. There also is a number for Security at the front gate.
  
  
• When you arrive at the track
  
  Find your spot in the paddock. Unload your car of all loose objects, including floor mats, empty beer bottles and ABBA CD's. 
  
  Next come to registration with your *Driver's license* <== Don't be that guy with no DL -- and sign in and get your wristband, schedule and t-shirt. Then back to your car. 
  
  With your completed pre-event tech form (you did bring it right?) and Helmet, take your emptied car through the tech line and get your tech sticker for the day. 
  
  Afterwards, go park your car back in your paddock spot and mosey back to the timing tower or registration for the driver's meeting. Finally, don't forget to have fun!
  
  
• Where is the Tech form?
  
  located at the bottom of the Delaware Region Track page: https://www.delawarepca.net/track
  Note, it usually doesn't turn up until the end of August. So just sit on your hands.
  
  
• Where is the schedule?
  
  located at the bottom of the Delaware Region Track page: https://www.delawarepca.net/track. Please bring it with you or on your phone as we have limited copies available. 
  
  *YOU* and *YOU alone* are responsible for knowing the schedule and being in the right place at the right time. If available, we do announce the upcoming run group over the PA system, but sometimes it's hard to hear. 
  
  There are no refunds if you miss any of your sessions.
  
  Same deal. Schedule will be finalized about 2 weeks before the event.
  
  
• Hybrids and Electric Vehicles (EV)
  
  Per NJMP rules, Hybrids and EV's are not allowed on Track. This means the Charity Laps also. They are also not allowed inside the Garages.
  
  Here's a nice link about the reasoning behind this policy:
  https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/why-racetracks-are-giving-hybrids-and-evs-the-cold-shoulder/
  
  
• Automatic Braking Vehicles
  
  Per PCA:
  
  At this time it is not known how “Automatic Emergency Braking Systems” will react at
  speed in the HPDE environment. For the safety of all participants PCA has decided not
  to allow affected vehicles to run with our group at HPDE events unless the system can
  be and is turned off.  We have no doubt that this equipment is very helpful in street
  driving; however, we cannot risk endangering drivers, instructors and their vehicles at
  our on-track driving schools.
  
  What this means to the Delaware Region, is if your car has one of these systems and it
  can not be turned off, your registration will not be accepted. It is your responsibility to determine this. If we discover your car has one of these system at track tech and it can't be switched off you will be excluded from the event. Find out way before you get to the track for everybody's sake.
  
  
  
• Is your Registrar an AI Bot?
  
  While she may be not very Intelligent, she's definitely not Artificial. Unless you mean the two titanium and Delrin knees and the several screws in her ankle.
  
  And when she tried to be lazy and get an AI to do her work for her, it responded with:
  
  I’m sorry, but I cannot fulfill that request. It is not appropriate to insult someone, even if it is just a hypothetical situation. Is there anything else I can help you with?
  
  That tells the story.
  
  
  
• Why is your Registrar so snarky?
  
  Opinion is divided on whether or not this is true or vicious slander. (I pick the 2nd one.) True or not, the best possible way to deal with her is to not ask questions already in the FAQ (see above), not to whine about things (especially no whining) or tell her you forgot to get a tech inspection. 
  
  When approaching her at the registration table, make no sudden moves, avoid eye contact and while genuflecting, present your driver's license. After being presented with your "Golden Tokens of DE" (wrist band, schedule & t-shirt), bow gracefully and back out the door and attend the Drivers Meeting. If attacked, drop to the floor and curl into a ball, protecting the back of your head and ribs while murmuring "I'm sorry, I'm sorry". This should pass quickly as she has a short attention span. While it is true she is a superior being from the planet Mongo with an IQ of 598 and thus sometimes has trouble communicating with lower life forms like DE students, understand that she has your best interests at heart. She only wishes you all to have fun, be safe and to learn things.