HPDE

Paddock speed limit is “walking speed” and it is strictly enforced. Only licensed drivers may operate any type of motorized vehicles in the paddock. Please place wood or other material between any jacks/jack stands and the asphalt. If you have a fluid spill, please contact an event official immediately. The organizers and track management are not responsible for damage or theft of equipment. Speeding and reckless driving are strictly prohibited and could result removal from the property.

Any driver who spins or leaves the track surface with all four wheels shall immediately pit and speak to an Event Official. Failure to pit will result in a Black Flag. The Safety Steward reserves the right to Black Flag and speak with a driver for any other on-track issues (i.e. repeated instances of putting two wheels off the track surface, improper passing). The Event Lead reserves the right to exclude any driver from the event for unsafe vehicle operation on, or off, track. 

All passenger cars that are street legal, currently registered vehicles are eligible. All other "close wheeled" are eligible. Properly equipped Vans, Pick-up Trucks and SUVs will be allowed in HPDE on a case by case basis and only with pre-approval of the Chief Instructor or Safety Steward. All cars must have a passenger seat with at least a three-point seat belt, both meeting DOT standards as a minimum. Open Wheel (Formula Cars) are allowed on a case by case basis in HPDE only after they have been pre-approved by the Chief Instructor or Safety Steward. Event organizers may exclude any vehicle on the basis of unacceptable on-track risk e.g. rollover potential.

Open (convertibles, with or without removable/retractable hardtop) cars must have a legal roll bar or factory rollover protection (bring factory documentation). The top of the roll bar must be above the top of the helmet of both driver and instructor. Rollover protection should be such that all vehicle occupants are able to pass the “broomstick” test when properly seated, belted, and helmeted. Removable hardtops are NOT considered rollover protection.

At an HPDE all participants (and sometimes Instructors) must bring their completed Pre-Event Tech Inspection Form to the event. All participants must have their car inspected at the event prior to being allowed on the track. Tech Inspection includes but is not limited to:

• Convertibles with roll bars - convertible tops must be fully down or fully up and fastened.
• Sunroofs must be closed securely.
• T-Tops removed.
• Operational brake lights are required on all cars.
• Restraints must be the same for driver and passenger. The stock 3-point seatbelt is acceptable. If a person chooses to put in a multi-point harness, they must do so for both seats. Drivers cannot use a harness unless there is an equal one for the passenger.
• For participants with an instructor – the front passenger seat must be equivalent to that of the driver. Only the Safety Steward prior to the event may waive this requirement.
• Any car that is found to be unsafe during the event must have those problems corrected before continuing.
• All loose items inside and outside the car must be removed including the driver’s floor mat. The passenger seat back and cushion must be secured.
• All Roll-Bars or Cages should be sufficiently padded with proper materials in any location where an occupant’s helmet could contact the roll structure. The “equal protection for driver and instructor” rule applies here.

• All on-track participants must wear at minimum shirts (short-sleeve acceptable), long pants or shorts, and closed footwear covering the entire foot with non-slip soles while on course. We STRONGLY recommend materials that are non-reactive to heat (i.e. Cotton is preferred over synthetic).
• Helmets with a minimum Snell K, M or SA 2015 rating are required. Helmets with only a DOT rating are not permitted. Please refer to your event organizers rules for specifics on other helmet certifications (ex: SFI or FIA) that may be used. Participants are responsible for providing their own helmets – although some organizations may offer "loaners" or "rentals" for entrants.
• All drivers of open cars must wear eye protection, shield, goggles or similar face protection made of impact resistant materials.

The solid yellow flag, or caution flag, universally requires drivers to slow down due to a hazard on the track, typically an accident, a stopped car, debris or light rain. However, the procedures for displaying the yellow flag vary for different racing styles and sanctioning bodies.

• A single waved flag denotes a hazard on the racing surface itself.
• A single stationary flag denotes a hazard near the racing surface.

• Two flags waved simultaneously denotes a hazard that wholly or partly blocks the racing surface. This informs the driver that there may be marshals on the track and to prepare to stop, if necessary.

• When the safety car is on the circuit, all flag points will display a White flag. When flag points are under radio control, this will happen immediately, otherwise, the White flag is displayed when the safety car comes round for the first time. This is accompanied by a waved yellow flag. Standard yellow flag conditions apply to the whole circuit; notably, overtaking is completely forbidden.

The red and yellow striped flag, or debris flag is displayed stationary at local flag stations to indicate that track conditions have changed due to substances on the track which could reduce grip or cause a car to lose control. Generally oil, coolant, small pieces of debris or sand are the hazards. It can also be "rocked" back and forth (but not waved) to indicate a small animal on the racing surface. Many organizations will display this flag for only two laps, after which the changed surface is considered to merely be "part of the track".

A mechanical black flag is a black flag with an orange disc (aka "the meatball") in its center indicates that a vehicle is being summoned to the pits due to serious mechanical problems or loose bodywork that presents a risk to other competitors.

The solid (furled) pointed black flag is used to summon a driver to the pits. It is usually associated with a penalty imposed on the driver for disobeying the rules, but may also be used when a car is suffering a mechanical failure, leaking fluid, exhibiting damage such as loose bodywork, loose hood, dragging bumper, or any other damage that could potentially become a hazard to the driver or other competitors.

There are some instances where a Black Flag will be shown inconjunction with the White Flag, this is to indicate to all drivers coming back to the pits, that there is an emergency vehicle present in the area, but their actions remain guided by the black flag rules: return to the pits.

The solid red flag is displayed when conditions are too dangerous to continue the session. Depending on the series and the circumstances, the cars are typically directed to proceed immediately to pit road, or to stop at a specific spot on the track (the closest visible corner station). In some severe cases the cars might be required to stop immediately where they are.

 >>

Generally, when Red Flag conditions are lifted, they are immediately followed by a Black Flag requesting that all drivers return to the pits.

Guidelines on Stopping a Session

When it is necessary to stop a session, the Race Director or Chief Steward may do any of the following:

• Order a black flag with an “ALL” sign at Start (this sign may also be shown at additional stations elsewhere
  on the course) and a black flag at all other flag stations around the course.
• Order a red flag at Start and all other flag stations. Further instructions will be conveyed by officials.
• Order the checkered flag to be displayed to the lead car if at least 50 percent of its scheduled time or distance has been completed.

A solid blue flag, sometimes with a diagonal yellow, orange, or red stripe (seen below) -

informs a driver that a faster car is approaching and that the driver should move aside to allow one or more faster cars to pass. During a race, this would only be usually shown to a driver who is getting lapped but during practice or qualifying sessions, it could be shown to any driver. In most series, the blue flag is not mandatory—drivers obey it only as a courtesy to their fellow racers. As such, it is often referred to as the "courtesy flag".

The white flag indicates the presence of an official car or a competitor moving at below normal speed in the section of track covered by the flag station.

When the safety car is on the circuit, all flag points will display a White flag. When flag points are under radio control, this will happen immediately, otherwise, the White flag is displayed when the safety car comes round for the first time. This is accompanied by a waved yellow flag. Standard yellow flag conditions apply to the whole circuit; notably, overtaking is completely forbidden.

A white flag with coupled red cross, to indicate medical attention is required near the marshalling post. Can also mean an ambulance is on the course (generally a red cross is followed by the race being "red flagged")

The checkered flag is displayed at the start/finish line to indicate that the race is officially finished. At some circuits, the first flag point will display a repeat checkered flag (usually on the opposite side of the circuit). Upon seeing the checkered flag and crossing the finish line, drivers are required to slow to a safe speed, and return to their garage or the paddock.