Track Rules

The Northwest Alfa Romeo Club rents tracks for our members and participants to use. We frequent the Pacific Raceways Park and Bremerton Motorsports park. Each track has its own rules and differences which can effect how you prepare for the day. We've described some particular information for each track on their own separate page. We encourage you read all of our pages to understand what is expected of you.

Typically, we'll run open track events with three or four run groups, separating skill levels into novice, intermediate and advanced, etc. Each group should get 4-6 track sessions for each group.

Schedule permitting, the first track session of the day will be a "lead-follow" set of parade laps for any beginners to follow some of our instructors to see the correct line around the track. Then we'll go into sequences of open lapping sessions for about 20-30 minutes each session.

Passing rules will generally be more open in the faster groups, though we require safe passing for all groups. All groups must use a hand out the window for "point-by's" in restricted passing zones. Any passing without a point-by will set you up for a black flag, and flagrant violation of this or any NWARC rule is likely to get you booted out of the track for the day. We enforce a strict NO RACING policy, anyone caught side-by-side with any vehicle in an area not desiganted as a passing zone will be kicked out.

Speed limit in the paddocks is 10 mph. There are many pedestrians walking around vehicles so keep your eyes sharp.

See the specific track pages for more details on run groups and configurations of tracks.

NWARC Roll Bar Protection Rule

As of July 1, 2008, ALL makes, models and years of convertible vehicle are required to have roll protection that meets or exceeds the following criteria in order to be eligible to participate in NWARC HPDE events.

1. A factory hard top is acceptable protection if the construction is metal and acts as a viable support structure. Otherwise,
2. All roll protection must be in a fixed position and visible at all times. Roll-over protection devices designed to automatically deploy are not acceptable unless they are in the full upright and locked position at all times. A convertible top frame is NOT considered a form of roll protection and will not be accepted.
3. All roll bar protection must allow the driver and passenger to pass the "broomstick test."
   • The top of the driver and passenger helmets must be at least one inch 1" below the line measured from the top of the roll hoop to the top of the windshield. Measurements are taken while occupants are in a normal upright driving position.
   • If the windshield A-pillar is clearly not structural, the front shock mount points should be used as a reference point instead. The front shock towers can be considered a support structure on closed wheel monocoque construction vehicles.

The preceding are the minimum roll bar requirements, and will be checked during safety inspection prior to convertibles being allowed on the track. If you wish to increase the margin of safety beyond what is required, which we strongly recommend, consider the following:

1. Arm tie-in straps or a window net to protect your arms from going outside of the car's protected cockpit area.
2. An over-height roll bar, high enough to pass the broomstick test to the nearest support structure in front of the cockpit -- i.e. the front shock towers.
3. An SCCA approved and properly installed roll cage.

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The following are specific roll protection requirements pertaining to vehicles which frequent our HPDE events.

Honda S2000 Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar or the factory hardtop to be eligible to attend NWARC events. (We recommend the Elda Engineering Roll Bar)

Mazda Miata Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar or the factory 4 point hardtop to be eligible to attend NWARC events. (We recommend the Boss Frog Roll Bar)

Porsche Boxster Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar or the factory hardtop to be eligible to attend NWARC events.

Porsche 911 Targa Models are eligible to attend NWARC events.

BMW Z3 Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar to be eligible to attend NWARC events. At this time the factory hardtop is not allowed due to insufficient information.

Chevrolet Corvette Convertibles require an SCCA approved roll bar to be eligible to attend NWARC events. At this time the factory hardtop is not allowed due to insufficient information.