Save the Date - 2020 Annual Sevens HPDE Event at NJMP - October 17/18, 2020

[Vovchandr]

Karting booked out the accommodation? Wow That’s a first. Never seen that happen in 10 years.

 

Some first timer I'm being told.

 

Looks like I missed it by just a few weeks. Live and learn. Still doing better than last year already with the closer hotel reservation.

[Croc]

Please no swapping belts in the hotel parking lot at midnight this time.

[panamericano]

Please no swapping belts in the hotel parking lot at midnight this time.

 

Is that something kinky? Pants?

[Vovchandr]

Question for NJMP seasoned Vets

 

My rear 888's are approaching the wear mark. They aren't on it yet but they are getting close to it.

 

NJMP form for cars just says this "Tires: absolutely no cord showing"

 

I'd like to finish the season off on these before getting new ones for next year.

 

I will bring the spare set of "race wheels" just in case.

 

I talked to Kraus about ordering a set of better tires but not sure if I want to bite the bullet on $1100 just yet this season if I don't have to.

 

 

So is approaching the wear bar a concern or they literally care about cords showing?

[Croc]

The answer is that it depends.

 

You can run at the wear bars as cord would not be showing. BUT, it’s not far from there to cords showing.

 

An example, I went out on Lightning circuit at the wear bars once and mid way through the session could see cords and stopped immediately.

 

Admittedly the Thunderbolt Circuit is not as abrasive at destroying tires but you take a risk.

 

There is a very good chance you will run out of tire at the event and will need a back up set of wheels/tires in order to keep running. Otherwise you are not allowed on track.

 

Does that make sense?

[yellowss7]

Vlad, it's an easy decision really. You'll be faster on new tires. :smash:

[Croc]

Bad tires usually lead to the following outcome

 

 

[SanderGA]

I’ve looked around trying to figure out the HPDE rules for the NJMP event. Haven’t found much so I’ll ask a couple of questions specific to me.

 

I’ve done about 5 HPDE events with different clubs but never enough with any club to have enough sessions to be promoted out of the novice group. I have no evidence of those past events.

 

My car has a road roll bar.

 

Will I be able to drive on the track?

Will I have an assigned instructor? (I’d rather not.)

Do I need an FIA roll bar or cage?

Will I have to run with a windscreen because of the broomstick test? (I’d rather not.)

 

Thanks

 

Sander

[Croc]

I can cut and paste them here in a few hours once I get home.

[Kitcat]

Vlad: if you have back-up wheel/tires bring them. But I don't think the wear bars are a big deal as long as it stays dry. Tire tread is only there to deal with wet conditions.The less tread, the faster you will be, that's why folks shave their new tires for track use. Or buy "slicks" with no tread. Of course, if they are heat cycled out, they won't be much fun in any event.

 

I once ran thu a set of tires at the NJMP event and was kindly lent a spare set from Karl, whose Caterham YellowSS is the current custodian of.

 

I also once failed to notice a corded tire on my old Miata and the tube finally burst thru the tire carcass, but never exploded. Instead, it blew up so large it filled the entire wheel well and could no longer spin. I kid you not.

 

SanderGA: As far as being a novice, just keep a sharp eye on your mirrors for cars on your bumper. Some cars/drivers are much faster than others. No one will care how slow you are, unless you hold them up and won't let them by. Having run in every category over the years, I can say the single defining characteristic of the "advanced" group drivers is constant situational awareness, including being alert to giving point-byes.

 

Croc or Tom will know, but I don't see a problem with you running without an instructor/windshield and with the stock roll-over bar. You will need a full face helmet. NJMP, as has been noted, is totally anal abt expired belts and 5-6 pt belts, not 3 point ones. After that, its up to you. HANS is not needed. Typically, we se7en drivers run with arm/wrist restraints. They are not required but are cheap insurance for keeping them out of harm's way.(EDIT:wrist/arm restraints ARE required, as Croc notes below, sorry!).

Edited August 20, 2020 by Kitcat

[Croc]

I’ve looked around trying to figure out the HPDE rules for the NJMP event. Haven’t found much so I’ll ask a couple of questions specific to me.

 

I’ve done about 5 HPDE events with different clubs but never enough with any club to have enough sessions to be promoted out of the novice group. I have no evidence of those past events.

 

My car has a road roll bar.

 

Will I be able to drive on the track?

Will I have an assigned instructor? (I’d rather not.)

Do I need an FIA roll bar or cage?

Will I have to run with a windscreen because of the broomstick test? (I’d rather not.)

 

Thanks

 

Sander

 

These are all good questions that I was planning to answer when the registration site goes live next week. But let me answer them now.

 

All safety requirements that are mandatory for all participants are specified in New Jersey law - Chapter 62 here:

https://www.njsp.org/divorg/operations/pdf/mvracetrack/20150709_racing_regulations.pdf

 

Refer the section on HPDE. Its not that long.

 

You will be required to complete a tech inspection - the relevant form to guide your preparations is here:

https://njmp.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/NJMP-Tech-Form-2019-1.pdf

 

Please take the preparation seriously - it is your safety we are concerned about.

 

Summarizing the key requirements of the NJ laws:

• Helmet Requirement: A Snell M or SA rated full-faced helmet dated 2010 or newer is required for all drivers and passengers on the track. Open face helmets are not permitted in open cars like sevens. Rental helmets are available with prior arrangement through the NJMP General Store.
  

 

• Arm restraints: NJMP requires open top cars to be driven on track with drivers and passengers both wearing arm restraints and full faced helmets.
  

 

• Open Top Cars: Must have approved rollover protection. Pop up roll bars or detachable hard tops are not accepted by NJ State Law.
  

 

• Broomstick rule is applicable for rollover protection: Driver and instructor must pass broomstick test with helmets on.
  

 

• Belts: Only 5 or 6 point belts are acceptable. Belts age must be on a label on the belts. No label – no driving. SFI belts must be 2 years or newer. FIA belts must be within 5 years or newer. No 4 point belts allowed. No DOT 3 point road belts are accepted in open cars like ours.
  

 

• Numbers: Painters tape numbers on both sides of your seven are acceptable. Don’t pick “7” as everyone does that and you will be asked to change it.
  

 

Please note that Kitcat is incorrect above - NJ is mandatory for arm restraints. For those that forget, I will make people use a pink fluffy set on track and post your photo here. They are pretty cheap - Simpson, OG Racing, even Caterham have them.

 

To answer your specific questions:

 

1) I’ve done about 5 HPDE events with different clubs but never enough with any club to have enough sessions to be promoted out of the novice group. I have no evidence of those past events.

 

Thats not a problem. The usual range for moving from novice to a passing group is 7 to 10 days. I would suggest you start off in the novice group with its paced laps, we assess your progress/comfort level after Day 1 and consider whether you can move up on Day 2.

 

2) My car has a road roll bar. Do I need an FIA roll bar or cage?

 

Reading Chapter 62 for the section under HPDE, there is no mention of requiring a cage or an FIA or even SFI labelled roll bar. I know some people refer to the "FIA" bar on a Caterham but its never been officially labelled or stamped as an FIA roll bar since the old imperial chassis. I believe the cages can be received with an FIA sticker but a cage is not mandatory for an HPDE. So as an example my Caterham CSR is a metric chassis and it does not have an FIA roll bar.

 

The Birkins and Westfields run the event with a roll bar very similar design to the one on your car without the cross bracing. If I recall correctly, a small number of Caterhams in past events have run with the same roll bar design as yours. My ex-maroon Caterham SV used to run the event with the same roll bar design as yours. So you are not the only one who has to make an evaluation on your comfort level with your car's level of safety. The NJ HPDE law requirements are a minimum and you can choose to go higher based on your preference.

 

3) Will I be able to drive on the track?

 

Yes if you meet the safety criteria.

 

4) Will I have an assigned instructor? (I’d rather not.)

 

Its up to you. If the event was today then the answer is no as the current COVID restrictions prevent an instructor from riding passenger (or student riding as passenger). That is expected to change by the time of our event so you probably could have an instructor if you wanted one.

 

Assuming we have the COVID regs change by the time of our event then I expect you would be able to ride passenger with an instructor in the passing group with Tom, Jeff, Simon, me or John as we are all NJMP instructors. This way you get to see the right line and where we apply brakes. You also get to enjoy the session with lots of other sevens on track.

 

5) Will I have to run with a windscreen because of the broomstick test? (I’d rather not.)

 

Broomstick test on a Caterham is from top of roll bar to the nosecone. A helmet adds about 0.75 inch to the top of your head. You would have to see how close it is. If your helmet is above the level of the roll bar then I do not need a broomstick to know that you fail it. A windscreen is not structural in a Caterham so that will not help you with a broomstick test.

 

The solution for that problem is work out how to lower your seat. Taking it off the adjustable runners and direct bolting to the pan gets you about an extra inch clearance. Your seat squab is the old style removable type. Coming up with a thinner foam temporary seat could give you more "head room" as a temporary solution for this event. Neither of these is particularly difficult.

[BlueBDA]

I believe last year arm restraints were required. (Just see now that Croc answered that above).

 

On another note - what's the hotel people usually stay at? I camped last year, but thinking hotel this year.

Edited August 20, 2020 by BlueBDA

[Croc]

I believe last year arm restraints were required. (Just see now that Croc answered that above).

 

On another note - what's the hotel people usually stay at? I camped last year, but thinking hotel this year.

 

Yes - to reinforce the message, arm restraints are mandatory.

 

For hotels, the best ones:

- Fairfield Inn in Millville. This is the usual preference and fairly close.

- Hampton Inn in Vineland - about 3 miles back up rt 55

- Holiday Inn Express in Millville

- Wingate by Wyndham in Vineland - just next to the Hampton Inn.

 

Sadly the track accommodation is booked out.

[yellowss7]

I have a piece of firm foam that I used to get me lower for more leg clearance from the steering wheel. Worked really well in dropping me down lower in the car. I used it until I got around to making a foam bead seat to replace it. It’s still in my trailer. You are welcome to use it. It will definitely get you a lot lower if needed. Tom.

[Kitcat]

I just stumbled across the New Jersey Health "Self-Quarantine for Travelers FAQ" advisory regarding COVID19. It was issued in June and updated August 18,2020. It lists 35 states from which visitors to NJ are expected to voluntarily self-quarantine for 14 days. It is only a recommendation so not enforceable, so just tossing it out there in the FWIW category.

 

If followed, folks from a majority of states would not be able to participate in our se7ens gathering. Absent from the list of banned states, however, are PA and NY, so at least Tom and Croc can come:). Ditto Ohio (me), Colorado, Connecticut and Massachusetts. So maybe no one who typically comes is affected?

[yellowss7]

Don’t ask. Don’t tell. And it’s a peaceful protest if anyone asks. :bs:

[wemtd]

So we can all be quarantined in Croc’s garage for two weeks? Doesn’t sound too bad to me.

[Croc]

Its 7 weeks away. They took states off the list this last week at least one is coming off next week. I have been making calls to a health supremo official to get the inside scoop (yes you have met him!) and I expect some more to come off before October. The really problem states are the sun belt which are not expected to lift the restrictions in the next 2 months but I am not expecting anyone from FL, TX, AL or MI this year or CA for that matter.

 

Don't panic - we will be fine.

 

Still trying to work out dinners on a safe social distancing basis - I do not want to put you at risk of getting infected.

[Croc]

NOTE: Late change in dates as a result of NJMP needing to accommodate some event-related COVID changes

 

It is now Saturday October 17 and Sunday the 18th, 2020.

 

Numbers are capped at 15 cars. Still an exclusive 7 run group for intermediate and advanced HPDE participants. Introductory green group remains available.

 

Working on registration site this week.