Twickenham Auto Club

					Slalom Rules
					    1996

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 Eligibility: Points will be awarded only to members in good standing at the end of each event.

3.3 The Championship Series Calendar: A minimum of seven dates, preferably not occurring in consecutive weeks, shall be designated by the Slalom Committee to be used for Championship Series events. A non TAC sponsored event may be designated as part of the championship series.

3.4 Championship Series Scoring:

3.4.1 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 may earn class championship points in only one class per event. Entrants in a combined class will be awarded points in their normal car class.

3.4.2 Ties: For year-end class champions, 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.

3.5 Year-End Awards:

3.5.1 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.

3.5.2 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 3.5.3.

3.5.3 In order to be eligible for year_end awards, a member must earn a minimum of 30 worker points according to section 3.5.4.

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

	Master ........................................... 25 points
	Co-master ........................................ 20 points

	The number of points awarded workers will be at the discretion of the 	Slalom Master and range from 0 points to a maximum of 15 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
	d. Timing and/or scoring
	e. Starter
	f. Course clean-up
	g. Other functions as deemed necessary by the Slalom Master

3.5.5 At the earliest possible time the Slalom Committee Chairman will provide each Slalom Master with a pre-event folder containing the following materials:

			Slalom Event Folder

	1. Slalom rules (1)
	2. Slalom master tips (1)
	3. Sample flyer (1)
	4. Course maps (3)
	5. Equipment report (1)
	6. Event financial report (1)
	7. Slalom workers point sheet (1)

At the last TAC meeting before the slalom event (at the latest) the Slalom Committee Chairman will provide the Slalom Master for that event the Slalom Master's Box containing the following materials: 

			Slalom Master's Box

	1. Slalom rules (2)
	2. Slalom master tips (2)
	3. Equipment reports (3)
	4. Event financial reports (3)
	5. Slalom workers point sheets (3)
	6. Membership application forms (10)
	7. Timing sheets (10)
	8. Insurance waiver forms (10)
	9. Minor release forms)(10)
	10. Trophy boards (20)
	11. Position plaques
	12. Keys
	13. Restroom supplies
	14. Pens & pencils
	15. Shoe polish

The event master may contact, at the earliest possible opportunity, the Publicity Chairman for assistance with the following materials:

	1. event dash plaques
	2. event flyers

					4. Event Administration

4.1 The event shall be administered by the Slalom Master.

4.1.1 Duties and Authority:

4.1.1.1 Slalom Master: 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, administer the drivers' meeting, administer the course walk/drive-through, and answer questions concerning course direction.

4.1.1.2 Slalom Co-Master: The Slalom Co-Master, in accordance with all the rules and regulations set forth in this document, shall assume the duties of the Slalom Master if the Slalom Master cannot be available at the event, and oversee the safe conduct of the event and assure compliance of these rules and regulations.

4.1.1.3 Availability: Either the master or the co-master shall be available at all times during the event.

4.1.2 The course must be pre-checked by a representative of
the Slalom Committee with the accompaniment 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 the event Master's discretion.

4.2.2 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
	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 $15.00 per entrant. Different entry fees for special events (such as Driving Schools) will be determined by the Slalom Committee prior to the event.

4.4.2 Reserved car numbers: Slalom entrants may purchase a reserved car number for the entire season for the sum of $10. Reserved numbers can only be purchased at regular TAC meetings.

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 a vehicle or vehicles for which he is eligible, under sections 7 and 10, in one of the following:

		1. one vehicle in one class
		2. one vehicle in two classes
		3. two vehicles in one class each

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 the TAC meeting 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 workers are within 25 feet of the course and no cars, property, or other objects are within 50 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 worker 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. 

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 entirely outside its outline on the pavement. Pylon penalties shall be added to the contestant's time.

4.9.2 Pylon Time Penalty: The pylon time penalty shall be one second of time for each pylon moved as described in section 4.9.1.

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. 

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.

4.9.7 Passengers: When a passenger(s) is carried on a competition run then a DNF shall result for that run, except for the instruction of novice drivers and the permission of the Slalom Master.

4.10 Awards:

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

	1 to 3 entrants: ------ 1 trophy
	4 to 5 entrants: ------ 2 trophies
	6 to 7 entrants: ------ 3 trophies
	8 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 must be presented for a technical inspection in the tech area 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 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 6.4.6)

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 per wheel.

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 non-removable sunroofs shall have them closed and fastened.

5.10.3 Except in inclement weather, removable tops must be removed and convertible tops must be 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 Vehicle Identification: The vehicle identification shall consist of the vehicle number, 10 inches in height, followed by the class the vehicle is entered in. The vehicle identification shall be legible and shall appear on both sides of vehicle. If shoe polish is to be used, then the vehicle identification may be on the side windows, or if there are no side windows, then the vehicle identification may be on the passenger side of the windshield.

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.

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

6.2.2 Helmet: Each contestant must wear a helmet (without cracks or abrasions) 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: Passengers in the car while it is in competition shall wear seat belts and helmets in accordance with sub-sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.

6.2.6 All doors shall be fully secured.

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 or Co-master, result in the driver's disqualification for the remainder of the event.

6.4.2 Reckless Action Review: If sub-section 6.4.1 is exercised, then the Slalom Committee shall review the incident and may extend the disqualification up to the remainder of the year.

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

6.4.4 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.

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

6.4.6 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: Automobiles that comply with section 13 (stock category) of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook shall be designated "Stock".

7.2 Street Prepared: Automobiles that comply with section 14 (street prepared category) of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook be designated "Street Prepared".

7.3 Prepared: Automobiles that comply with section 15 of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook be designated "Prepared".

7.4 Modified: Automobiles that comply with section 16 of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook be designated "Modified".

					8. Car Classifications

8.1 All automobiles competing in TAC Championship Series events will be classified in accordance with sections 13 through 16 of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook or under the provisions of sections 8.2 and 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 as per sub-section 8.1 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 : Drivers who have won less than three trophies in slalom competition during the 2 years preceding the event.

9.2 Regular : 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 combinations will begin at the close of registration. Classes will be combined as per Appendix B (Bumping order) of the current year SCCA Solo II rulebook.