Hello GGC Autocrossers! We are fast approaching our season opener, so the time is now to publish event information. Please read thru the below info and let us know if you have any questions.

[b]Your GGC Autocross Team[/b]
Jeff Roberts, Jack Yu, Rodger Ball, Ryan Rich – Coordinators
Dave Sparks, Course Designer
Brian Cheung, Timing & Scoring
Michael Kolesar, rig driver

[b]Classification System[/b]
The new and improved Classification System is now open. If you had a car classified in 2012, your original car number has been preserved, but your classification data has been removed. Everyone participating in the 2013 season must create a new car classification before registering for your first event.

If you had an account in the old classification system, AND an account at ggcbmwcca.org, you will now log in to the classification system with your ggcbmwcca.org account credentials.

If you only had an account in the old classification system, a new account at ggcbmwcca.org has been created for you with those credentials – you will log in to the classification system AND ggcbmwcca.org using your old classification system credentials.

If you’re new to GGC autocross and need to create an account, you may do so at ggcbmwcca.org or at the landing page for the online classification system.

Access the online classification system here: http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/

The online classification system will close at Noon on the Wednesday prior to each event and will reopen at 6pm after the event has finished. You may make changes to your classification or car number at any time before the next event.

NOTE: When you create an account at Motorsportreg.com you’re asked to also create a car profile. This profile is separate and not associated with the GGC online classification system. You must create a car classification in our online system before registering for our events at Motorsportreg.com (MSR).

[i][u]2013 GGC Autocross Classification System Documenation[/u][/i]
You may view the data and additional information that drives the classification system here:

[url=http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/2013-GGCAutocrossClassificationSystemDocumentation.pdf]http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/2013-GGCAutocrossClassificationSystemDocumentation.pdf[/url]

Base points are mostly the same. Changes are:
– removed the additional entries that were based only on different wheel sizes for the same car. A car’s base points are now calculated only for the base model (smallest) wheels. Optional bigger sized wheels will now fall under mod points instead of being included in the base points.
– AWD cars get a points increase. This is the first time we are treating AWD different from RWD. AWD now provides a lot of the functionality of an LSD in that they can transfer power to any wheel. So the LSD points are now baked into the base points and the mod points for adding a LSD are now very low (0 or 1).
– newer turbo cars lost a point or two. Since BMW had been understating the power, we had been trying to use the actual HP. That was easy when there was only one or two turbo engines. Now with all new engines being turbos and variants, it is becoming a burden to try and find dynos for all of the new engines. So we decided to go back to using BMW published numbers for all engines.
– hybrids and electrics are now treated differently. We found dynos from Tesla and some other electrics and found that electrics make max power from 0 to about 60 or 70mph. So we changed the calc to account for that. We also factored in that electric cars have less drive train loss than gas engines – about 8% for electrics vs 15% for traditional. So we accounted for that too. We also factored in the lower center of gravity. That is just a guess at this point as we have not seen any CG numbers for the ActiveE. We will tweak this part of the calc as we get more data. The end result is that the ActiveE goes from 21 to 32 base points.

If you have any issues accessing the classification system, logging in to ggcbmwcca.org, or with your default car number in MSR, please contact us at autocross@ggcbmwcca.org.

[b]2013 Event Registration & Policies[/b]

[b]Insurance Waivers[/b]
Insurance waiver signatures will be collected at the gate and wristbands will be handed out upon entry to the facility where the event is held. All vehicle occupants will be required to sign the BMW CCA insurance waiver, and a Marina Motorsports specific waiver for events at Marina.

Everyone onsite will be required to wear a wristband as proof we have a waiver on file for you. Failure to comply with this mandatory policy may result in immediate removal from the site and no refund will be provided.

If you have minors with you, and this includes any person or child under the age of 18 in your car, a minor waiver will be required for each. Instructions and forms for completing the minor waiver AHEAD OF TIME can be found here:

[url=http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/waiver.pdf]http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/autocross/waiver.pdf[/url]

If you arrive at the event with minors in tow and do not have a completed minor waiver for each of them, you will be asked to leave and no refund will be provided.

[b]Pricing[/b]
Event pricing for regular season Marina events remains the same at $50 plus $5 for an optional lunch. Cost for the season end Top Driver Shootout and catered BBQ will be $65 with additional BBQ lunches available for $25 each.

A limited quantity of loaner helmets is available free of charge.

[b]Motorsportreg Registration[/b]
Our first regular season event is on Saturday April 20, 2013 at Marina. Registration will open on Wednesday March 20th. Registrations for subsequent events will open the Monday after the current event. For example, registration for the May event will open on Monday April 22nd 2013. Registration for the current event will close the Wednesday before the event at Noon.

Your 2012 car numbers have been preloaded into Motorsportreg.com (MSR) and linked to your account. When you register for a GGC autocross event, your current car number will be pre-loaded for you. If you’re new or you’ve changed your car number in the classification system and your default number no longer matches, simply select your new number from the drop-down to change your default car number.

During online registration, you will be asked to provide additional information including, but not limited to:

• What is your autocross experience level?
• Would you like a driver coach?
• Sharing a car with someone?
• Are you or someone you’re bringing under the age of 18?
• Would you like something announced at the event?

Drivers age 65 or older will check a box and let us know if they would like to drive in run group 1. These participants may be assigned to work the gate for their worker assignment… final decision pending further discussion.

The text of the actual insurance waiver you will sign is included on the MSR registration page and you must check a box indicating you “have read, understood, and agree to limit your rights as defined in the waiver” to complete your registration.

We will again be limiting each event to 100 drivers (except the top driver shootout, which will be limited to less). [strike]Cancellation policy remains unchanged. You have until noon on the Wednesday prior to the event day to cancel. All credit cards are charged on Wednesday at noon for confirmed attendees and no refunds will be given once that happens.[/strike] [b]UPDATED 7/14/13:[/b] We no longer offer deferred billing. Your credit card will be charged at time of registration. A $10 cancellation fee will be charged if you cancel prior to the close of registration and a credit for the balance you paid will be added to your account for use at a future event. This credit will expire one year from the date you cancelled.

If you do not cancel before the close of registration, or you do not show up to the event, no refund or credit will be given. You may cancel your registration via motorsportreg.com and we are automatically informed of your cancellation.

If you are on the wait list, you will be notified prior to 5pm on Wednesday before the event if you got in. If you do not receive an email by then you may assume that you did not get in. If you are on the waitlist and want to be taken off, you should cancel just as you would if you were registered for the event. If you do not cancel you may find you got in and your credit card was charged.

[b]Passengers and Coaching[/b]
First-time autocrossers and novice drivers joining us for the first time will be required to have a club provided coach and get signed off to drive solo or to take passengers. Be responsible and safe to impress your coach.

If you are an experienced autocrosser and would like to be a coach, please write us and let us know. Being a coach is very fun and rewarding and we will be glad to add you to the roster to have you share your experience. Don’t worry, you will be trained by an experience coach or coordinator prior to your first session of coaching.

Passengers are allowed provided five conditions are met:

1) passenger is 18 or over, waiver signed (all will sign as they enter the gate)
2) Under 18, minor waiver signed, notarized AND 4′ 9″ tall or taller
3) they wear a properly installed Snell 2005 or newer helmet.
4) driver is not a first-time autocrosser and/or has been signed off by coach or coordinator
5) each passenger has their own exit door – no rear-seat passengers in coupes

[b]Buddy System[/b]
We want new folks to experience the GGC Difference™ so we’re introducing the Buddy System for the 2013 season. For folks joining us for the very first time, one of our experienced autocrossers will contact you prior to the event to introduce themselves and arrange to meet you when you arrive at the event. We don’t expect you to hold hands all day, but your buddy will be there to introduce you around, answer any questions, and ensure you’re comfortable with everything that’s going on.

We tested this out at our January 19th Course Rewind event and it was a huge hit! If you’re interested in volunteering to be a Buddy, please contact us directly.

[b]Event Day[/b]
Event registration, donut eating, run stickers, worker assignments, and helmet checks will be done at the trailer as usual.

All participants will park in the indicated paddock area, not near the trailer. Only Staff is permitted to park their cars near the trailer. If you’re not one of the seven people listed at the top of this post, you’re not staff. 🙂

[b]Tech Inspections[/b]
Tech inspections will be performed at each event by trained inspectors. Plan to arrive as early as possible so your car can be checked and signed off prior to the driver meeting. Items we’ll be looking at include:

[ul]
[li]• Wheels are safely attached and exhibit no cracks. Wheel nuts/bolts are tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque value.[/li]
[li]• All loose items are removed from the vehicle. If a video camera is employed, it is securely mounted. Remove floor mats if they are not secured to the floor.[/li]
[li]• Tires show no cords, belts, or cracks in the tread or sidewall.[/li]
[li]• Seat belts and/or harnesses are properly installed and in good condition.[/li]
[li]• Brakes are in good working order, have no leaks under pressure, and have adequate fluid in the master cylinder.[/li]
[li]• No fluid leaks (fuel, oil, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission and differential fluids, brake fluid) are present while the vehicle’s engine is running.[/li]
[li]• Wheel bearings, steering mechanism, suspension, and shocks are in good operating condition.[/li]
[li]• The exhaust is in good working order.[/li]
[li]• Closed-toed shoes are mandatory for drivers. No open-toed shoes, sandals or “flip-flops” are allowed on course. [/li]
[li]• Roll bars, if installed, are properly and securely mounted.[/li]
[li]• Battery is securely mounted.[/li]
[/ul]
NOTE: If you bring an exotic, an exceptional classic BMW or MINI, or something more interesting than we usually see, a Coordinator may require a “safety check run” in your car before you will be allowed to go out on course. 👿 (joke of course!)

[b]Photography[/b]
Photographers are only permitted to shoot from a designated spectator area or the paddock. Under no circumstances will a photographer be allowed to set up on or near the course, in any “no parking” area, or within the active grid area. These rules are in place for your safety.

Prior written consent is required for any commercial photography or videography. Our events are private and are held on private property.

[b]Spectators/Guests[/b]
Our events are private and for registered participants and accompanied guests only. You may bring a guest with you, but if you invite someone and they are not on site by 8:45am, there is a very likely chance they will not be allowed entry to the site. If you have a special situation, please contact the coordinators ahead of time.

[b]Points and Scoring[/b]
We will be continuing with the “drop your lowest point event” concept for 2013. If you skip an event or have a bad day, your lowest point event will automatically be dropped from your total points for the season.

Everyone receives one attendance point per event you participate in.

The first ten placing competitors in each class at an event will awarded additional points based on this schedule:

First Place: 20 points
Second Place: 15 points
Third Place: 11 points
Fourth Place: 8 points
Fifth Place: 6 points
Sixth Place: 5 points
Seventh Place: 4 points
Eighth Place: 3 points
Ninth Place: 2 points
Tenth Place: 1 point

Class trophies for the three top point earners in each class will be awarded at the end of the season. Event Results and Season Standings will be updated and posted after each event to our forum and the GGC website here:

[url=http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/driving-events/autocross/autocross-results]http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/driving-events/autocross/autocross-results[/url]

[b]Official Runs & Fun Runs[/b]
We will try to give 6-8 runs per event (depends on course length and registration count). This year we hope to have time for fun runs after most events (although that is tough on Sundays).

We will continue having only 1 practice run. So, all those people who always have their second run as the fastest should be very happy. You should also be getting better, not worse, as the day goes on… but at least now that early run time will count.

[b]Top Driver Shootout Eligibility (TDS)[/b]
For 2013 we will be requiring participation in at least three regular season events to compete for the Fechner Cup at the season end Top Driver Shootout. However, depending on the number of people who register for the event, we may allow those with at least one event to participate for fun and join us for the catered BBQ. Final rules and eligibility requirements will be posted to the forum prior to opening registration for the TDS event sometime in October.

[b]Conclusion[/b]
Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing all of you this season! If you have any questions or comments, please post to this thread or write us at autocross@ggcbmwcca.org.