Twickenham Auto Club

					Slalom Rules
					revised 1990

Under the auspices of the bylaws of the Constitution of the Twickenham Auto Club, the Slalom Committee has the responsibility for:
	-Determination, with Club approval, of the Club's slalom regulations.
	-Determination, with Club approval, of rules and regulation of an 
	 annual slalom championship series.
	-Conducting all Club slaloms.

The Slalom committee shall report directly to the Club Vice-President.
The Membership shall be:
	-Chairman: The Vice-President (Activities Chairman) shall choose a 	 	 Chairman to preside at its meetings and to act as its spokesman.
	-Voting members: The Committee shall be composed of the Vice-	 	 	 President, the chosen Chairman and any others chosen by the 	 	 	 Chairman to form a committee of from three to seven members.
	-Participation: Attendance at and participation in any meeting of the 	 Committee will be open to any member of the Club.

		______________________________________________

					1. Purpose

This document provides the rules and regulations for the organization and operation of a series of slaloms. These rules shall provide the minimum standards for event safety, fairness, and performance quality. All Championship Series events shall abide by this set of rules, and additions or revisions as may be approved by the Slalom Committee and the Club membership; non-Championship Series events shall abide by these rules except as expressly approved in writing by the Slalom Committee. The Slalom Committee shall have the authority to waive, at its discretion, any portion of the slalom rules for a particular slalom.

					2. Amendments

2.1 Procedure: Amendments to these rules may be proposed to the Slalom Committee. After study, the proposal shall be brought before the Club at the next regular meeting if immediate action is required.

2.2 Approval Requirements: A 2/3 majority vote of the members present is required to pass amendments not recommended by the Slalom Committee. A simple majority vote of the members present is required to pass amendments recommended by the Slalom Committee.

					3. The Championship Series

3.1 Purpose: The Championship Series will determine the most consistently outstanding drivers for the calendar year.

3.2 The Championship Series Calendar: A minimum of seven dates, not occurring in consecutive weeks, shall be designated by the Slalom Committee to be used only for Championship Series events.

3.3 Championship Series Scoring:

3.3.1 Points Awarded: Year-End championship points will be awarded in each class according to the following schedule:
	1st place --- 9 points
	2nd place --- 6 points
	3rd place --- 4 points
	4th place --- 3 points
	5th place --- 2 points
	6th place and below --- 1 point
	DNF/DNS ----- 0 points

Class champions will be determined by the total number of points earned in a single class during the season. The member earning the most points in a single class will be designated the overall champion. Entrants in multiple classes (no more than two) per event may earn points in both classes and could possibly win class championship in no more than one class. Entrants in a combined class will be awarded points in their normal car class as listed in Table I.

3.3.2 Ties: Ties will be broken by determining the difference between the best and worst time for each event run. The difference will be totaled and divided by the number of events run. The smallest average difference will win the tie.

3.4 Year-End Awards:

3.4.1 Year-End Awards will be presented to the champion of each car class as listed in Table I, and to the overall champion. For this purpose, the novice classes shall be combined in the regular car classes. The overall championship will be determined by points awarded in a single class. Awards will normally be presented to the champions at the Year-End Awards Party.

3.4.2 All Club members by the first meeting in July will be eligible for year_end awards subject to section 3.4.3.

3.4.3 In order to be eligible for year-end awards, a member must participate in at least 50 percent of the championship series events in a class and earn the minimum number of worker points required by section 3.4.4.

3.4.4 In order to be eligible for year_end awards, a member must earn a minimum of 20 worker points according to section 3.4.5.

3.4.5 Members will be awarded worker points* for assisting in a slalom or rally according to the following schedule:

	Chairman or Alternate Chairman: .................... 20 points
	Worker (non-driver) for entire event, slalom, or
		slalom school: ................................ 10 points
	Worker for promotional or prizes event (driver or
		non-driver): .................................. 10 points
	Worker (full event) and participant: ...............  7 points
	Worker (partial event) and participant: ............  5 points
	Worker and participant: ............................  5 points

* To earn these worker points, a member must work in duties assigned by the Slalom Master, i.e.:

	a. Assist in course set-up
	b. Technical inspector
	c. Corner worker (must work at least one set of runs)
	d. Timing and/or scoring
	e. Starter (must work at least one set of runs)
	f. Course clean-up (number to be determined by the Slalom Master)
	g. Other functions as deemed necessary by the Slalom Master

3.4.6 The Slalom Committee Chairman will provide each Slalom Master a folder including instructions and forms to be used by the Slalom Master conducting the event to be staged. This folder will be provided at least one month prior to the day of the event and will include:

	a. Pre- and post-event publicity requirements
	b. Schedule for submitting course layout approval
	c. Financial report forms
	d. Worker point forms
	e. Results forms
	f. Membership application forms
	g. Timing sheets
	h. Insurance waiver forms (including minor release forms)
	i. General instructions

					4. Event Administration

4.1 The event shall be administered by the Slalom Master.

4.1.1 Duties and Authority: The Slalom Master, in accordance with all the rules and regulations set forth in this document, shall design the slalom course, supervise the set-up of the slalom course, administer the driver' meeting and course walk/drive-through. The Slalom Master should answer questions concerning course direction and should supervise all aspects of slalom administration.

4.1.2 The course may be pre-checked by an experienced non-competitor only under the supervision of the Slalom Master. No participant is permitted to ride with the driver during the course pre-check.

4.1.3 If a scheduled event is cancelled for any reason after insurance coverage for the event has been ordered, the Slalom Master must notify the Club Treasurer within 24 hours of the cancellation, so the cost of the event insurance can be refunded or applied to a new date if the event is re-scheduled.

4.2 Registration:

4.2.1 Registration shall close at 12:30 PM.

4.2.2 Late registration will be from 12:30 to 1:00 PM. Late registrants will forfeit their first run. There will be no registration after late registration closes.

4.2.3 During registration, entrants are required to sign the event insurance waiver, complete the entry form according to section 4.3.1,

and have their vehicle undergo a technical inspection by event officials.

4.3 Entry Form Information:

4.3.1 The entry form shall contain the following information:
	a. Entrant's name and address (including zip code)
	b. Class and category (stock, tampered, novice, etc.)
	c. Car make, model, displacement, license number
	d. Serial number of driver's license
	e. Club affiliations (if any)
	f. Supplementary regulations

4.3.2 Filing Entry Forms: All entry forms must be submitted to the Slalom Committee Chairman within 7 days after an event so that championship points may be awarded.

4.4 Fees

4.4.1 The entry fee shall be $7.00 per entrant. Different entry fees for special events (such as Driving Schools) will be determined by the Slalom Committee prior to the event.

4.5 Entrant Restrictions:

4.5.1 Driver's License: All entrants shall have a current driver's license acceptable under Alabama State Law.

4.5.2 Vehicles: A driver may enter no more than two vehicles. The vehicles may not be in the same class. A driver may enter a car in any two classes for which he is eligible under sections 7 and 10.

4.5.3 Practice: Any entrant practicing an event course, in or on any motorized vehicle, shall be disqualified from the event. A drive-through for all entrants, under the supervision of the Slalom Master, is acceptable.

4.5.4 Minor Drivers (under age 19): Minor drivers must present a waiver (available form the registrar at each event) signed by their parent or legal guardian to participate in the event.

4.6 Course Description:

4.6.1 Course Map: A clear map (not necessarily to scale) of the planned course and pre-grid area must be presented to the Slalom Committee for approval no later than 7 days prior to the event. The map shall show the planned course and its boundaries, and all pylons to be used, and after approval shall be posted at the event site.

4.6.2 Pylon Location: The base of each pylon must be outlined to mark its position on the pavement. If a pylon is moved out of position, either by the passing of an entrant's vehicle, or by any other force, it must be replaced in its original marked position before any subsequent entrant's vehicle passes that pylon as a part of the course. (refer to section 4.9.5)

4.7 Course Dimensions:

4.7.1 Lane/Gate Width: The course shall have a minimum lane/gate width of 15 feet and any turn shall have a minimum outside radius of 35 feet.

4.7.2 "Square" Corners: "Square" or acute corners may be used if the course is wide enough so that a course conforming to section 4.7.1 could be laid out completely within its boundaries. "Square" or acute corners shall have a minimum lane width of 21 feet at both entrance and exit.

4.7.3 Safety Margin: The course shall be laid out so that no spectators are within 25 feet of the course and no cars, property, or other objects are within 100 feet of the course. This safety margin must be increased appropriately around "fast" corners. Unobstructed spin-out areas shall be included where advisable. Where a natural boundary does not occur between the course and spectator areas, an artificial barrier will be used.

4.7.4 Start/Finish: The slalom shall be an all forward motion run with a flying start and finish. The portion of the course from 25 feet preceding the finish line to a minimum of 50 feet past the finish line must be straight. After crossing the finish line. The mandatory stop requirements may be waived by the Slalom Master depending on the course layout and the approval of the Slalom Committee. If a mandatory stop is required and an entrant overruns the stopping point with all four wheels of his vehicle, he will be given a DNF for that run. Lesser overruns result in a minimum time penalty of one second.

4.8 Timing:

4.8.1 Timing Equipment: An Electric timer capable of recording in increments as small as one-one-hundredth of one second will be used for official timers. The timer will start as the car crosses the start line and stop when the car crosses the finish line. Should the automatic electric timer become inoperable, at least two stopwatches recording times to two-tenths of one second, operated by different persons, will be used, Using the stop watch method, official time will be the average of the two most closely matched times.

4.8.2 Timer Failure: In the event of timer failure or trouble (including failure at start), the car on course shall be stopped. After the trouble has been remedied, the car shall be given an official re-run counting for points and trophies.

4.9 Scoring:

4.9.1 Pylon Penalties: Pylon penalties shall be charged only if a pylon is upset or if the base is moved outside its outline on the pavement. Pylon penalties shall be added to the contestant's time.

4.9.2 Pylon Time Penalty: The pylon penalty shall be one second of time for the first pylon moved as described in section 4.9.1 and shall be two seconds of time for each additional pylon disturbed in the above manner.

4.9.3 Penalty Record: Course personnel who are responsible for counting these penalties will record them on paper (with at least the color and make of vehicle), and the record will be kept.

4.9.4 Course Deviation: A contestant's run shall be disqualified if he makes a four-wheel course deviation and does not return to the course at the point of deviation. Significant deviation from the intended path as defined on the official course map, such that the contestant would benefit may, at the discretion of the Slalom Master, result in a DNF for that run.

4.9.5 Official Re-run: An official re-run will be allowed, or may be issued, if the contestant did not receive a fair run through fault of the Club.

4.9.6 Gimmicks: There will be no gimmicks wherein luck may be a factor in winning.

4.10 Awards:

4.10.1 Trophies: Trophies shall be awarded in each class on the following basis:

	2 to 3 entrants:	 1 trophy
	3 to 5 entrants:	 2 trophies
	6 to 9 entrants:	 3 trophies
	10 or more entrants: 4 trophies

4.10.2 Fastest Time of Day: The Fastest Time of Day award, in lieu of any class trophy, will be presented to the entrant recording the fastest time for the event.

4.10.3 Fastest Stock Time of Day: The Fastest Stock Time of Day award, in lieu of any class trophy, will be presented to the stock entrant recording the fastest time for the event, including cars bumped out of stock classes.

4.11 Protests:

4.11.1 Protest Committee: The Protest Committee shall be appointed at or before the driver's meeting. The protest Committee shall be composed of three Club members and one alternate; two of these members must be members of the Slalom Committee.

4.11.2 Protests: Protests concerning driver categories and/or car classes must be submitted to the Protest Committee in writing before the end of the second run of the event. Protests concerning course layout must be submitted in writing before the end of the first timed run. Other protests must be in the same manner within 20 minutes of the time at which the subject of the protest occurred. All protests shall be accompanied by a $10 fee. Additionally, if the protest requires equipment tear-down, a bond covering the cost of the tear-down will be required. If the protest is denied, the fee will be forfeited and shall go into the Slalom Fund, and any bond shall be awarded to the protested entrant to reimburse his expense. If the protest is upheld, appropriate action will be taken, and the protested entrant shall be responsible for his incurred expenses and the fee and bond will be returned to the protestant.

4.11.3 Appeal: The decision of the Protest Committee may be appealed to the Slalom Committee by submitting a written protest within 10 days after the event, together with a $25 fee for each protest, In the event of an appeal, it shall be the responsibility of the driver protested to provide official specifications relating to his car's legality, If the appeal is upheld, the fee(s) shall be returned and appropriate action shall be forwarded in writing to those concerned.

					5. Technical Inspection

5.1 Requirements: Each car shall be subjected to a technical inspection prior to running the course and must meet the minimum requirements given in this section before it will be permitted on the course, At this time, the technical inspector shall confirm that the car has been entered in the proper class according to make and model. If the inspector suspects an illegality in the car according to the his class entered, a note shall be added to the entry/technical inspection form stating the suspected illegality. It is not the responsibility of the technical inspector to insure legality. (refer to section 6.4.5)

5.2 Seat Belts: Each car must be equipped with a quick-release, metal-to-metal latch type seat belt for the driver. The seat belt must be anchored securely to the frame, or with large diameter washers on both surfaces of the floor mounting holes. Factory installed seat belts are acceptable.

5.3 Steering and Suspension: The steering and suspension must not have excessive looseness.

5.4 Camber: A camber compensator, negative camber, or camber-limiting straps are required on swing axle suspensions, except for Porsche automobiles. Stock camber limiting straps on pre-1967 Volkswagens are not sufficient.

5.5 Brakes: The brakes must be tested for pedal fade (failure to maintain constant pedal height under sustained pressure) while the car is stationary, and such additional tests as may be required by the technical inspector. Brake tests conducted with hands off the steering wheel are prohibited.

5.6 Fluid Leaks: No car shall be allowed on the course with fluid leaking (gas, oil, water, etc.).

5.7 Battery: The battery must be securely fastened. Factory mounting is acceptable, if intact and secure.

5.8 Tires:

5.8.1 Inflation: Tube-type tires (except racing tires) must be inflated to at least 25 psi pressure. Tubeless tires (except racing tires) must be inflated to at least 32 psi pressure. Lower pressures will be allowable at the discretion of the technical inspector.

5.8.2 Tread: All street tires must have visible tread and no cord showing.

5.9 Wheels:

5.9.1 All wheels shall be mounted tightly, and shall have no visible cracks. All studs and lug nuts must be present and functional.

5.9.2 Wire wheels shall have no more than one missing spoke and must not have more than three loose and/or missing spokes.

5.9.3 Hubcaps: Hub caps, wheel covers, and other snap-on wheel trim must be removed.

5.9.4 Wheel Adapters: Entrants may be required to remove wheels to inspect wheel adapters. These adapters shall have no visible cracks.

5.10 Vehicle Passageways and Openings:

5.10.1 doors must latch securely, and there shall be no evidence of impending structural failure.

5.10.2 Cars equipped with sunroofs shall have them closed and fastened.

5.10.3 Except in inclement weather, convertible and removable tops must be removed or secured in a stored position.

5.11 Other Requirements:

5.11.1 Drivers must wear adequate shatterproof eye protection (goggles, bubbleshield, etc.) if windshields are removed.

5.11.2 Mufflers: All cars shall have functioning mufflers. Any car deemed by the Slalom Master or his designated representative (i.e. the technical inspector) to be excessively loud shall not be allowed to compete.

5.11.3 Overall Safety: Any vehicle judged to be unsafe by the technical inspector (at any time prior to or during the event), regardless of meeting all other requirements of this and other sections, shall not be allowed to compete at the discretion of the Slalom Master and those Slalom Committee members present. If the competitor is able to correct the unsafe condition to the satisfaction of the aforementioned Club personnel, he may rejoin the event in the normal run rotation. Any runs missed during such repairs are to be forfeited.

					6. Safety

6.1 Requirements: The requirements contained in this section shall be the minimum requirements for the staging of an event.

6.2 Driver's Responsibility: It is the driver's responsibility that all requirements of this section are met prior to each run, and failure to do so shall constitute a DNF for that run.

6.3 Seat Belt: Immediately prior to a contestant's run, his seat belt shall be checked to see that it is securely fastened.

6.4 Helmet: Each contestant must wear a helmet which is approved by the Snell Memorial Foundation, or meets the U.S. Government Z.90.1

rating, or is approved by the Slalom Committee. Immediately prior to a contestant's run, his helmet shall be checked to see that it is securely fastened and is in proper working order.

6.2.3 Loose objects inside the passenger compartment must be removed.

6.2.4 Tonneau Covers: Tonneau covers are prohibited.

6.2.5 Passengers: No passengers shall be allowed in the car while it is in competition.

6.2.6 All doors shall be fully closed and locked.

6.3 Fire Extinguishers: A minimum of two fire extinguishers must be at the course at all times. The fire extinguishers must have been certified within the past 12 months prior to the event for which they are used. Gauges on extinguishers must indicate that they are charged.

6.4 Disqualification:

6.4.1 Reckless Action: Reckless operation, in or aboard any type of vehicle, on or about the event site shall, at the discretion of the Slalom Master, result in the driver's disqualification for the remainder of the year.

6.4.2 Driving Safety: Obvious inability to negotiate the course safely will result in the driver being stopped and disqualified.

6.4.3 Alcohol and Narcotics: Consumption of alcohol or the use of narcotics by an entrant or worker on or about the event site during an event shall result in his disqualification, and shall, at the discretion of the Slalom Master, result in the driver's or worker's disqualification for the remainder of the year.

6.4.4 Any entrant will be disqualified from the event for failure to abide by supplementary regulations governing the use of the event site.

6.4.5 Vehicle Classification: The technical inspector will confirm that the vehicle has been entered according to make and model only. Should technical inspectors observe modifications which would cause car reclassification, they shall note these observations on the contestant's entry/technical inspection form. Technical inspectors are not responsible for declaring a car misclassed. This responsibility rests with competitors who are entitled to lodge formal protests. Technical inspectors will not verbally declare their suspicions (see section 8.4).

			7. Automobile Categories and Authorized Modifications

7.1 Stock: Series produced automobiles which have undergone limited modification which improves their performance shall be designated in this section are forbidden. Updating and backdating of equipment, which could have been ordered on the car for delivery in the U.S. and installed on the factory production line is permitted.

7.1.1 Exhaust System: Free, except that functioning mufflers are required.

7.1.2 Wheels: Rim width may not exceed that of the widest manufactured supplied wheels through the latest year of the car make/model concerned. Wheels of standard diameter (for the car) must be used. No distinction will be made as to source or material of wheels.

7.1.3 Tires: Type and size of tires are free provided they are specified by their manufacturer as suitable for highway use and provided the entire tread width of the tires is covered by unaltered fenders at the top of the tires as viewed from above. Street recaps are also allowed.

7.1.4 Suspension: Only the following suspension components may be removed, substituted, or modified:

	a. Shock absorbers may be substituted for others of the original type
	   and number provided that no modifications to the original supports or 	   mountings are required to fit the substitute shock absorbers.
	b. Suspension stabilizing devices: A commercially available anti-sway 	   bar or traction bars may be fitted.
	c. swing axle suspensions: (see section 5.4)

7.1.5 Safety Equipment, Accessories, Trim: Additional and/or substitution of safety equipment, accessories or trim (roll-bar, instruments, lighting, etc.) is permitted without limit provided that no direct beneficial effect on car performance results from the change. Spoilers may be fitted. Normal maintenance items may be replaced by any part which exactly duplicates the function of the original.

7.2 Tampered: Series produced automobiles which have undergone limited modifications designed to improve performance on the slalom course shall be designated "Tampered." Performance-improving modifications not expressly authorized in this or previous sections are forbidden.

7.2.1 Induction System: Carburetors, fuel injection, and intake manifolds are unrestricted. Air cleaners may be removed or substituted and velocity stacks may be fitted. Exhaust gas recirculation and air injection devices may be removed or modified.

7.2.2 Exhaust System: Free, except that functional mufflers are required.

7.2.3 Ignition System: Free.

7.2.4 Wheels: Rim width is unlimited within the provisions of section 7.2.5. No distinction will be made as to source or material of the wheels. Any wheel larger in diameter than a stock wheel may be used.

7.2.5 Tires: Same as section 7.1.3, except that fenders may be flared.

7.2.6 Suspension: Suspension components may be modified and/or substituted as authorized below:

	a. Shock absorbers may be substituted provided that the location of
 	   their mounting points remains unchanged.
	b. Springs: Spring rates may be altered in any fashion provided that the
	   original type and number of springs and their points of attachment
	   remain unchanged.
	c. Suspension stabilizing devices: Any anti-sway bar, any anti-wrap-up
	   device for leaf springs or any lowering device may be fitted.
	d. Swing-axle suspensions: (see to section 5.4)

7.2.7 Safety Equipment, Accessories, Trim: Same as section 7.1.5, except that direct beneficial effects on car performance may result from the changes.

7.2.8 Coachwork: Bumpers and their supports may be removed. Air scoops may be fitted. Air dams, spoilers, and sideskirts may be fitted.

7.2.9 Ride Height: No part of the body, frame, or suspension may be lower than the bottom of the wheel rim.

7.3 Modified Production: Series production automobiles which have undergone modifications beyond those permitted for the Tampered class shall be designated "Modified Production." Modified Production automobiles may be altered in any fashion except for the limitations listed below.

7.3.1 Engine, Gearbox, Rear Axles: Any modification to or substitution of components is allowed so long as the engine block, cylinder head, transmission case, and rear axle housing is standard or optional equipment for that make/model car without regard for year of production. Standard or optional equipment is that which could have been ordered with the car, installed on the factory production line, and delivered through a dealer in the United States. Where a car is out of production, and the manufacturer is either out of business, stocks no parts, or no longer has a required part, a part of any origin but as similar as possible to the original may be substituted.

7.3.2 Suspension: The make and type of shock absorber may be changed, but not the number.

7.3.3 Wheels: Rim width and diameter are free.

7.3.4 Ride Height: No part of the body, frame, or suspension may be lower than the bottom of the wheel rim.

7.3.5 External Coachwork: The original make/model body may be altered but it may not be removed. The use of lightweight body panels is prohibited.

7.3.6 Internal Coachwork: Only those elements of internal coachwork having no effect on vehicle safety may be removed, replaced, or modified as desired.

7.4 Formula Libre: Sports/racing cars, formula cars, and vehicles subjected to modifications beyond those permitted for Modified Production shall be designated "Formula Libre." The only limitations of the construction of Formula Libre vehicles are described below.

7.4.1 Wheelbase: The wheelbase must measure a minimum of 72 inches.

7.4.2 Track Width: The track width must measure a minimum of 42 inches.

7.4.3 Safety Equipment: Installation of an approved roll bar or roll cage is mandatory. The top of the roll bar shall not be below the top of the driver's helmet when the driver is in his normal driving position.

7.4.4 Ride Height: No part of the body, frame, or suspension may be lower than the bottom of the wheel rim, unless manufactured in that manner (i.e., Formula 440 cars)

					8. Car Classifications

8.1 Listed Cars: All automobiles competing in TAC Championship Series slaloms will be classified in accordance with Table I or under the provisions of sections 8.2 or 8.3. Any misclassification identified by the Slalom Master or his representative may, at his discretion, result in reclassification of that car before the end of the second run.

8.2 Unlisted Cars: Any automobile appearing at an event and not already classified in Table I will be classed on the spot for the event by the Slalom Master and as many members of the Slalom Committee as are present. Permanent classification will be made by the Slalom Committee at a later date. All drivers of the automobile may participate in all discussions regarding classification, but not in the final decision.

8.3 If two or more entries in special-type cars register for an event, special classes may be formed by the Slalom Master for that one event. No year-end points will be awarded in these special classes.

8.4 It shall be the responsibility of the entrant to declare the classification of his car upon registration.

8.5 Administrative errors which result in the misclassification of a car shall be corrected when discovered by competitors or event officials. This correction must occur before completion of the presentation of awards for that event.

					9. Driver Categories

9.1 Novice (2): Drivers who have won less than three trophies in slalom competition during the 2 years preceding the event.

9.2 Regular (1): Any driver not entered in a Novice category or for whom that category cannot be constituted at an event.

					10. Class-Category Combination

Classes will be combined for the purpose of trophy awards at individual events in the following manner:

10.1 General: Two cars are required to constitute a class for the purpose of trophy awards other than Fastest Time of Day.

10.2 Class combination will begin at the close of registration starting with the highest numbered vehicle class and driver category (the number in parenthesis is section 9).

10.3 Class/Category Movements: If there is only one entrant in a Novice Class, that entrant will be moved to the next lower numbered vehicle class within the driver category. If a class cannot be formed at that point, the driver will be returned to his original vehicle number class, and will then be moved to the next lower numbered vehicle class until a class of at least two cars is constituted. The exceptions to this rule are that any Class XIII vehicles will first move to Class IX, and Class XIV vehicles will move to Class X. Any further moves of Classes XIII and XIV vehicles will follow normal moving sequence as described above.