The Boston Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America The Boston Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America


Autocross Day of Event Information

Please be sure to read and understand all of the following information prior to attending autocross events.

Warning: We will be carefully checking BMW CCA membership cards and valid drivers licenses at the gate. Please remember to bring your BMW CCA membership card to every event.

Waiver Of Liability Form

When you arrive at the gate, your name will be checked against the registration list for the event. If you are a registered driver or a registered guest, then you and everyone in your car will be allowed to proceed.

All participants, guests, and spectators 16 or older must sign the waiver of liability form. Everyone under 16 must have a parent or guardian sign a release form at the site. The forms are signed when you enter the gate at the autocross site.

Daily Schedule

Find a parking spot, unload your car, and prepare it for Tech Inspection. You will then drive your car over to the Tech Staging Area, which will be in the center of the runway in the paddock area. You will need to stay with your car while waiting for your car to get inspected

Upon passing Tech Inspection, a small sticker will be placed on your windshield. Cars that do not have this sticker will not be allowed to run.

After you have completed Tech Inspection, return your car to your parking spot. Make sure to attend the driver’s meeting and only walk the course if it is clearly marked or announced that it is open for walking.

2007 Daily Autocross Schedule
Gate Opens 7:00 am
Registration 7:00 am to 8:00 am
Tech Inspection 7:30 am to 8:45 am
Driver's Meeting 8:30 am
First Car Off 9:00 am

Visitor Policy

Visitors are encouraged. Autocrossing is fun to watch!

Visitors must pre-register. If you are planning on attending an autocross event, please drop an email to AutoCross Registrar, and ask to be placed on the guest list.

Spectators must not ever cross an active autocross course, and must stand well off of the runways. Please be very attentive to cars that are running. If you are unsure where you can safely spectate from, please ask at the timing tent.

Car passengers are permitted on the course as long as they are 16 or older and are wearing an approved helmet. All course workers must be 16 or older as well.

Tech Inspections

Your car must be in good condition and it must pass the on-site technical inspection to participate in the event. Vehicles are allowed to run at the sole discretion of the Autocross Chair.

Continued for 2007: A tech inspection good for the whole season is now available. This season long inspection is attractive to many drivers but is voluntary. BMW drivers competing for season points must submit a completed IMF (Inspection and Modification Form) to qualify. Non-BMW drivers and casual drivers may also get a 2007 Tech Inspection sticker by completing an IMF.

A year 2000 or newer Snell-approved helmet is required for the Boston Chapter Autocross Series. Both Snell SA (special applications) and Snell MA (motorcycle) ratings are accepted. Loaner helmets may be available, so feel free to come if you don't have your own helmet. If borrowing a helmet, please only use it for your run, as the number and sizes of loaner helmets are limited.

The single most common reason for failing Tech Inspection is loose objects inside the car. Cell phone in the door pocket? Jack stand loose in the trunk? Change in the ashtray? Floormats in the car? Please clean these out in advance.

The determination of whether a car is excessively loud is at the discretion of the Autocross Chair and Tech Cheif. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the Autocross Chair.

To help ensure that your vehicle and helmet fully comply with the Club's technical requirements, please review the following Technical Inspection Checklist:

Helmet

  • Each driver must wear a helmet. The helmet must be rated Snell 2000 (or later) or Snell SA 2000 (or later).
  • Non-compliant helmets will be confiscated and returned at the end of the day.

Engine Compartment

  • Motor mounts solid.
  • Battery securely mounted.
  • No cracked hoses, belts tight.
  • No oil, gas, antifreeze, hydraulic, or other fluid leaks.
  • Throttle must be free with no binding.
  • Brake fluid reservoir must be full, no dirty brake fluid

Wheels and Suspension

  • Tires must have adequate tread; no cracks, blisters, or cords showing.
  • Lug nuts must be torqued to spec.
  • Hubcaps must be removed.
  • Wheel bearings must not show excessive play and must be properly adjusted.

Interior

  • Solid brake pedal feel with no bleed down.
  • Seat belts must not frayed or cut.
  • All loose items removed from interior, glove box, and trunk.

Driver's Meeting

All participants must attend the Driver's Meeting.

Safety topics and special announcements are covered in this meeting, so don't be late. The Driver's Meeting is also where you learn your run group and worker assignments.

Run Groups

Each event's participants are assigned to one of two or three run groups based on the car's class and number of participants in each class.

Cars are classified when you register for the event. Each run group is made up of the participants from a number of classes. For example, a run group may consist of classes A, B, and C.

After the Driver's Meeting, the first run group lines up in the staging area. The second run group works while the first run group drives.

Drivers from the second run group receive their work assignments immediately after the Driver's Meeting. You may work as the starter, gate, control, timing, or at one of the flag stations.

Depending on the number of participants, the event may be run with split run groups. Running splits run groups is when each run group is split. Half of each run group will line up and take all their morning or afternoon runs at once, while the other half of each run group is on break. Use this time to get a quick lunch as there will be no formal lunch breaks. Each driver will have two such breaks.

After everyone in the first group have completed three or four runs, the second run group stages (lines up) to drive. The first run group reports to the timing and scoring booth for their work assignments.

Work Policy

All autocross registrants are required to work their assigned position. You will be required to work twice in one day.

Please report to the timing and scoring booth promptly when it is your turn to work, and report to your worker boss. Please try to report about 5 minutes early, so that we can minimize downtime between worker changes.

If you need to leave the event early, please notify the Autocross Registrar at least 5 days before the event so that we can try to give you a morning work assignment.

Persons who do not report for their work assignment on time, or don't report at all, will be disqualified from the event.

Habitual offenders will be disqualified from the entire autocross series.

Prepare For The Weather

You need to come prepared to brave the elements. Bring rain gear and warm clothing if weather warrants it. Also, there is no running water at the site.

More 2007 Autocross Series Information