PCA Polar Driver Education Day

Want to find out what you and
your Porsche are capable of
under controlled conditions?

              Then spend a day on the track.

Driver Education Day 2010

Date:	Friday, July 16^th, 2010

Location:	Race City Speedway 11550 - 68 Street SE Calgary, AB »map & directions »track layout

Safety Inspection:	All participant vehicles must be inspected by a licensed mechanic prior to the event. The purpose of this inspection is to weed out any vehicles that are unsafe or improperly prepared for a high-speed track event, the presence of which would potentially make the event unsafe for other participants. This inspection will focus on vehicle safety equipment and components under greater than normal stress due to the nature of the event. »more The inspection form can be downloaded »here.

Cost:	Tentatively (depending on Race City rate structure for 2010) $295 per car (includes one driver) + $250 per additional driver using the same car. Lunch for non-drivers will be $35. Fees are payable in advance. A catered lunch (roast beef dinner) and professional in-car instruction is included. Registration is limited to Porsche sports cars, and sports cars of other makes owned/driven by Porsche club members (subject to review). Contact Michael Stevenson if in doubt (contact information »below).

Hotel:	Our DE date falls within Stampede Week, so expect hotel rooms to be scarce throughout Calgary. Our preferred hotel is : The Glenmore Inn 2720 Glenmore Trail SE Calgary »map Phone 1-800-661-3163 Discounted room rate may be available ... ask for the "Race City Rate."

Registration:	Registrations are being accepted on a first come first served basis. PCA members will be given preference until June 16^th. All other registrants will be placed on a wait/cancellation list. To register, please call Michael directly or complete the registration form and fax or scan/email to Michael (registration form »here and contact information »below).

Itinerary:	7:30	Race City gates open
	7:30 - 8:00	Check-in and registration
	8:00 - 9:00	Track Walk (strongly recommended for all drivers, mandatory for first time participants)
	9:00 - 9:15	Safety Meeting (mandatory for all drivers), cars divided into run groups
	9:30	Track hot — Driver Education begins
	~12:00-1:00	Catered lunch break
	4:00	Track shuts down — some time left in the pit area to change tires and load luggage, but reasonably prompt departure is expected as another motor sport event follows in the evening

Important Additional Information:

Participation by Minors: PCA considers Driver Education to be an acceptable activity for minors. Minors possessing a valid drivers license are welcome to participate as drivers or passengers riding with an instructor, and minors without a valid drivers license are also welcome as observers. However, there are additional considerations due to a minor's unique legal status. Therefore, in advance of the event:

Each minor must sign an Assumption of Risk Acknowledgement regardless of participation level.

If driving, riding with an instructor, or entering the pit area, each minor and both of his or her parents or guardians must sign this Release of Liability and Indemnity for Minors Driving or Riding and at least one parent must accompany the minor and inspect the venue upon arrival; or

If observing from the grand stands only, each minor and one of his or her parents or guardians must sign this Release of Liability and Indemnity for Minors as Observers Only and at least one parent must accompany the minor and inspect the venue upon arrival.

Please note that in the absence of the signatures of BOTH PARENTS OR GUARDIANS where required on these forms, the form will be considered invalid and entry to the minor will be declined.

Pre-event Mechanical Inspection: Track-based Driver Education events are designed to explore your limits and the limits of your vehicle, placing participant vehicles under greater stress than is typical under normal driving conditions. Participants should therefore expect accelerated brake and tire wear, and that the heat and stress of driving on the track may accelerate the failure of any marginal part or system, potentially jeopardizing the safety of those on the track. In the interest of the safety of all participants, we require that a licensed mechanic verify each vehicle is in suitable mechanical condition. The inspection will focus on those components subject to greater stress as a result of track driving, such as: brakes, steering, tires and safety equipment.

With respect to brakes specifically, the energy of stopping a vehicle at speed must be dissipated as heat. This heat can cause a number of underlying mechanical problems to become apparent. Perhaps the most common problem is water normally suspended in aging brake fluid, which will boil under extreme heat (referred to as "boiling the brakes"). Should this happen, it would result in enough steam in the brake lines to cause a sudden and complete failure of the brake system. Although cooling the brakes will generally condense the steam and return the brakes to normal operation, reaching the end of the front straight at speed and being entirely unable to brake is not acceptable. Luckily, boiling the brakes can be entirely avoided by periodically flushing out old brake fluid.

If you arrive at the event without a completed inspection form and proof of recent brake fluid flush, you will be turned away without a refund.

The inspection form can be downloaded »here.

Vehicle Servicing: In addition to the mandatory mechanical inspection, have the vehicle properly serviced in advance. All fluid levels must be up, wheel lug nuts must be tight, and tire pressure checked. Fill up with fuel before you go to the track (»closest gas station).

Loose Objects: Remove loose objects from the vehicle to avoid the possibility that they will move or dislodge under acceleration, deceleration, and cornering. Objects can become projectiles, or become lodged under the brake pedal, for example. Inside storage will be available at Race City for luggage if weather is wet.

Don't forget your helmet! Safety comes first. You won’t be allowed on the track without a proper helmet, and no exceptions will be made. Helmets should have a minimum Snell 2000 rating. Phone if you require more information.

Also, there will be a limited number of rental helmets available. Please contact Michael regarding a rental helmet if needed.

How to Dress: Wear comfortable clothing, and come prepared for changes in weather. Should weather be inclimate, there is an indoor viewing area for non-entrants, as well as for breaks between driving sessions. However, there will be outdoor activities — including a 30 minute track walk that is mandatory for first-time participants — and all participants should be prepared to spend time outdoors.

To gain the most pedal feedback and to allow advanced driving techniques such as heel-and-toe braking and trail braking, participants should wear flat rubber-soled shoes. Running shoes are generally suitable provided they do not have an aggressive tread.

No Passengers Permitted: Due to PCA insurance regulations, no passengers are permitted during driver education events. Only designated instructors may deviate from this for the purpose of providing instruction.
Insurance Coverage: As of 2006 most automobile insurance policies have a blanket coverage exclusion for events held on a closed circuit facility (a track). The intent of this education event is to teach technique and experiences that are transferable to the real world — this is not a race school. As such, the organizers ensure certain conditions are in place to minimize risk and to avoid consciously negating insurance coverage for participants, such as: allowing only controlled passing, prohibiting timing equipment, and prohibiting wheel-to-wheel competition. As a result of our strictly maintaining these conditions, your insurance company may continue to provide coverage.

Proper insurance coverage for your vehicle is entirely your responsibility. Neither the Porsche Club of America nor its instructors carry insurance on your vehicle ... the only potential coverage is under your existing policy. If in doubt, verify with your insurer beforehand that you have the appropriate level of coverage in effect.

Negotiating and maintaining appropriate insurance coverage is a matter entirely between you and your insurer. PCA Polar Region makes no assertions regarding insurance coverage in general or the suitability of particular coverage for this or any event.

For more information or to register,
contact Michael Stevenson
by telephone at 780-438-4651 (days),
by fax at 780-437-5446,
or by email at mstevenson at porscon dot com.