Entrants Briefing

COMPULSORY ENTRANTS BRIEFING

There is an entrant’s briefing at the car inspection tent in the pits at 5.00pm on the Sunday afternoon before Speed Week (Subject to change).

After the meeting there will be an opportunity to drive Track 1 and have all the features of the track shown to you. Rookies will also drive down Track 2.

For those entrants who did not attend the Sunday briefing, there will be additional entrants briefings on the Monday and Tuesday time and place to be advised, but you must make arrangements at the Registration Van.

You cannot compete if you have not been to an entrant’s briefing and had your name checked off.

Welcome

Welcome to drivers and riders, team managers and support crews to Speed Week.

This briefing is to give you important information so please pay attention.

The Race Director is Shaine Benson.

The Chief Car Inspector is Simon Black.

The Chief Motorcycle Inspector is Graham Hadley.

Technical Chairman is Bob Ellis.

Our Chief Timer is Peter Hulbert

Our Chief Starter is Harry DeRee

Our Fire and Rescue is managed by Russell Branson

Our doctor is Dr. Scott Lewis

Event Secretary is Pam Telford

Clerk of Course is Greg Wapling Any questions will be answered by contacting info@dlra.org.au or 0490 488 100.

It is my duty of care to inform you:
By entering this event you have acknowledged that land speed racing is dangerous, and you are exposed to certain risks. You may be injured physically, mentally or worse. Your machinery or equipment may be damaged, lost or destroyed. You need to always be aware of your surroundings, the track or event conditions may be hazardous and change without warning. You have an obligation to yourself and to others to act safely and within the law, and to abide by the rules and regulations of the Dry Lakes Racers Australia Inc.

Your responsibilities:

Make sure you have read and understood the duty of care statement on your entry form and any final instructions.

If you believe you have been disadvantaged due to a rule being broken or have an issue with the behaviour of another competitor or their crew, then please see the Race Director. Should they not be able to address your concerns then you have the right to formally lodge a protest through the Event Registrar or the Clerk of the Course for the event. Forms are available at the Registration Van.

Your Responsibilities Include:

Attending the entrants briefing
Taking the opportunity for prior inspection of the track.
Driving and riding to the track conditions with due regard for the safety of other riders and officials.
Obeying directions of officials, medical team and fire & rescue crew.
Signing entry and indemnity forms to signify your acceptance of the risks involved in participating this week.

Safety Concerns:

If you have safety concerns with the venue or the operation of the meeting, you need to alert the Race Director immediately.

If they cannot satisfy your concerns, then you need to consider withdrawing from competition at this meeting.

Storage of Fuel and Oil:

All fuel and oil containers must be labelled with their contents and must be stored in a bund or secondary container capable of holding all the fluid stored in the original container. It must be stored in proper containers, in a safe place, away from naked flame.

All competition vehicles must display a hazard label or sign describing the fuels used in them.

Volunteers

This event is run solely by volunteers. There are a critical number of volunteers required each session for the event to proceed.

If we do not have enough volunteers each session, the event WILL NOT PROCEED.

When volunteering for timing positions, please arrive at the registration van early. If you are late, this will delay the event and reduce the number of runs we can have in a day. You have permission to jump the queue at the edge of the lake. 0730 for the morning session, returning at 1245, and 1300 for the afternoon session, returning at 1830.

The club provides water and an esky for volunteers only. This is NOT for the use of entrants or spectators at the start line. All teams and spectators are responsible for their own food and water

Treatment of volunteers:-

If you don’t like the way a volunteer is doing their job, or if you don’t like the way the event is run, alert the Race Director. Volunteer abuse will not be tolerated and may lead to you being stood down for the day or excluded from the rest of the event.

Public have Access:

Be mindful of the security of your equipment when you are in the pits. Over the last couple of years, we have had instances where things have gone missing. Just be careful where you leave things. This is just another reason why we don't want spectator vehicles in the pits.

Be mindful of public safety when you are in the pits and on the access roads.

Road Rules and Speed Limits:

The lake is a National Park and a public road, all South Australian Road rules apply including seat belts to be worn in cars, helmets on riders, not riding in the back of utility vehicles, and drug and alcohol laws.
Speed limit on the ramp is 5 kph, on the access roads 60 kph and keep to the left.

Drug and Alcohol Testing:
Random drug and alcohol testing may take place at any time during this meeting.

Crashes & Breakdowns:

If possible, get yourself and your vehicle off the track as soon as practicable after your run. On track 1 turnout to the RIGHT, on track 2 turn out to the LEFT as this will put you closer to fire and rescue vehicles.

Damaged vehicles or vehicles in an incident must return to technical inspection prior to competing again.

In the event of an incident, under no circumstances are a team or family members (and especially media) permitted to enter the track areas, as you may in fact hinder emergency vehicles in the performance of their duties.

The majority of the timing equipment is located on the opposite side to the turn out i.e.:- left hand side of track 1, right hand side of track 2, so please do NOT leave the course other than on the turn out side.

The timing beams are located behind the marker flags.

If you need to abort the run, focus on where you want to go, not on what you want to avoid. If you focus on the marker flag because you want to avoid it, chances are, you will hit it.

If you do hit any markers or timing equipment, please let the rescue crews know before leaving the track. We may not know the equipment is damaged until the entrant behind you has nil result recorded because the equipment is damaged or out of alignment. If in doubt, let us know BEFORE leaving the track, as once you leave the track, the next entrant is cleared to go.

Medical Crew

The medical crew are located next to the Merchandise Truck and are they happy to be consulted for any illness or injury. You are encouraged to consult the doctor early rather than letting anything get worse. Also let them know if there they have any significant health issues which may impact on them during the race.

The Doctor has arrangements with SA Ambulance, the State Medical Retrieval Service and the Royal Flying Doctor Service for response to major incidents. The Doctor also has an arrangement with Wrightsair regarding their possible role in transporting people to Whyalla or Port Augusta for care if required

Injured Competitors:
Team and family who have an injured competitor must go to the Registration Van where they will be kept informed of the situation. They will be accompanied by a race official to the medical centre when appropriate.

Anyone who has been recently Hospitalized:
If you have been in hospital in the last 7 days you should check in with the medical team so they know your medical history should they have to deal with you during the event.

REGISTRATION

Don't forget to pack your DLRA license and your logbook!
Pick up your paperwork from registration before you go to tech inspection.
All entrants will receive a brief orientation when they present to registration, rookies a longer orientation.
You need to return your completed paperwork to registration to receive your inspected sticker. No sticker and the starter will turn you away.
If you are changing classes with the same vehicle, you need to pick up your paperwork, get your vehicle inspected, and submit completed paperwork to registration to receive your new inspected sticker.
If you need to pay for anything, bring cash as we have limited eftpos facilities.
Do not leave your gear out in plain view, keep them locked up. Arrange with you pit neighbour to keep an eye on your gear whilst you're not there

CHIEF CAR INSPECTOR

When you present your car for inspection you must have all your paperwork from registration. The driver and all his safety equipment, and the fully suited and strapped in driver will be required to perform a bail out from the vehicle.
Unless a bailout has been previously logged by you in this vehicle, you will be required to be suited up and perform bailout.
Bring your fully equipped support vehicle for inspection at the same time.
No glycol or coloured coolant. It stains the lake.
Support vehicles; 2.5kg fire extinguisher, flashing light, shovel and broom, UHF radio tuned to Ch10UHF

CHIEF MOTORCYCLE INSPECTOR

When you present your bike for inspection you must have all your paperwork from registration. The rider must have all his safety equipment with him at the time of inspection. Helmet, suit, gloves, boots, under garments, etc. Bikes will be started, and lanyards tested.
Bring your fully equipped support vehicle for inspection at the same time.
No glycol or coloured coolant it's flammable in some circumstances and it doesn't evaporate and it stains the lake. The rules allow for water wetter which is coloured but disappears quicker than you can say where the hell did that go.
Support vehicles; 2.5kg fire extinguisher, flashing light, shovel and broom, UHF radio tuned to Ch10UHF

ROOKIES MEETING

All first-time entrants (Rookies) must assemble at the Car Inspection Tent after the entrants briefing for additional information, make sure you sign the attendance sheet.

For their first run, Rookies are restricted to Track 2. You are restricted to under 125 mph or as directed. Once you have been observed to have completed you're first pass successfully, you get your rookie sticker signed and you’re not a Rookie any more.
The DLRA run a graduated licensing system. Once you have made your rookie pass you can then attempt your Category D - 125 mph license.

TRACK DRIVE

Do not drive on the actual track, you will drive along the east side next to it.
Assemble at the start line with your UHF radio on Channel 10
The timing start point will be shown to you, note the signage.
The other timing points will be shown to you, note the signage.
The exit points will be shown to you, note where they are located and how they are sign posted, also note the all clear flags and position.

DRIVER LICENSING

All drivers/riders shall have a current DLRA competition license.
ALL DRIVERS SHALL COMPLETE & SUBMIT A MEDICAL INFORMATION FORM. A driver under the age of 18 shall have a signed Medical & Minor Release Form from a parent or guardian before he/she will be allowed to compete.
All new cars/drivers/riders or drivers/riders new to the car/course may be required to make runs at less than full throttle or less than full course length. Successful completion of the license requirements shall include, but not be limited to, starting line procedure, course navigation and shutdown procedure as determined by the Contest Board.
Experienced drivers/riders holding licenses in a slower category may qualify for the next faster category by satisfactorily completing one or more runs at a speed within 5% of the next faster category. Licensing requirements are: a current and valid driver’s license, a DLRA driver’s license, and timing slip for the next higher category verified by the Race Director or his delegate, after viewing the licensing run.
If you have not raced in the last 3 years, your license will drop one category i.e.: if you held a ‘A’ license, your licence will drop to a ‘B’ licence, and so on. This is a cumulative rule, so for every 3 years not raced, 1 licence class will be dropped.

RACE DIRECTOR

If you become disorientated or lost while on the tracks, STOP. Whatever you do, DO NOT KEEP DRIVING. It makes you harder to find you and further for someone to chase you..
On Track 1 when turning off the track, you do not stop until after you have cleared the "Course Clear" Green Bali flags.
On Track 1, support vehicles must use the designated support vehicle track when traveling from the start line to the "track clear" flags at the exit point. Speed limit past the pits is strictly 60 km/h. Check Track layout map.
Support vehicle UHF radios must be tuned to Channel 10 whilst on duty.
Support vehicles watch your speed in front of the pit, 60kph only.
On Track 1, all vehicles are running the short course, unless by prior approval with the Race Director, which means they turn out after the 3 mile and before the 4 mile. Only long course qualified vehicles (with “Long Course Qualified sticker attached to vehicle) can nominate to the starter that they want to go to the 4 or 5 mile.
Track 2 is speed limited to 150 mph for cars and 175 mph for bikes. To go any faster you must run on Track 1.
Speed limit in the pits is walking pace only.

PRE-STAGE

Competitors vehicles, with their support vehicles (mandatory) are to queue at the southern end of the pits.
Competitors details will be taken as they join the pre-stage queue.
When the Pre-Stage Marshall receives a request from the start line, they will signal for the next 10 vehicles to drive to the start line in order. Every competitor moving to the start line must have a support vehicle accompanying them.
Before leaving Pre-stage, the first entrant in each group of 10 will be given the order sheet for that group. They must give this order sheet to the Starters Assistant or take the order sheet to the start line van so the queue order can be entered into the timing system.
There will be an exemption for a small number of “Special consideration vehicles” that take a long time to stage or prepare. These vehicles have been identified by the Race Committee prior to the event, and once receiving clearance from the Race Director, can proceed directly to the start line and line up in the middle lane at the start line, as it is difficult for them to turn sharply. THEY ARE NOT JUMPING THE QUEUE.

START LINES

Entrants are to not enter the Start line area (Track 1) until directed to by the Start line Assistant or one of the “Wranglers”. You must have your support vehicle with you, otherwise you will not be cleared to enter the Start line area.
At no time is an entrant or crew member to talk to or distract the Starter from his duties. There will be a Starters Assistant available if a discussion is required. There will be a designated area at each start line, the only people permitted in that area are the starter and the next competitor.
There are various cables around the start line van and the start lines. The majority of these are away from the spectator area, however, please be mindful of them, and do not walk or drive over them. This also applies at the registration area.

TRACKS

Track 2 is a short course with timing over one mile only.
Track 1 is a combination short and long course track with timing from the 2 to the 3, and from the 2 to the 6.
Only vehicles that are faster than 175 mph are usually permitted to run long course on Track 1. Exemptions can be made by application to the Race Director.

CHIEF STARTER

The starter will be looking for the number on your “Inspected” sticker to identify your vehicle. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure appropriate placement of the sticker so that the starter can read it.
Only one entry sticker must be visible on the vehicle when it presents to the start line.
When you are at the start line you need to confirm with the starter what you are intending to do - licensing run, short course / long course. (eg. I'm a rookie doing my first run or I'm doing a short course for my 150-mph license or I'm attempting a record run on the 5 mile course)
When you are third in the queue at the start line, you should be ready to go.
The starters assistants are there to check that your seat belt is tight enough, your helmet is done up, your visor down.

FIRE AND RESCUE

On Track 1, if you break down or require assistance from fire and rescue, turn right off the track.
On Track 2, if you breakdown turn left towards the return road, if you require assistance from fire and rescue, turn right off the track.
If there is an incident on the track, under no circumstances are spectators, media, or crew to enter the track or surrounds, this is a prohibited area and restricted to competition and official vehicles only. It is imperative that this area is kept as clear as possible especially during an incident.

AUSTRALIAN RECORDS

As of 2019 all record attempts are considered to be the average of two consecutive runs over the same mile. No other entrant can ride or drive the vehicle whilst the entrant is attempting a record.

IMPOUND

There are only 2 situations where an entrant will go to impound.

First presentation (qualification), if you think your “Qualifying Run” was faster than the existing record:

Get your timing slip from Race Control and park your vehicle in the Impound lanes.
Present to the Impound Officer within 30 minutes of making your run.
The Impound Officer will check the timing slip against the existing record.
Where vehicles are entered in a GAS class, a sample of fuel will be taken.
You will then have up to 4 hours to service your vehicle in Impound. Do not return the vehicle to your pit.
When you are ready to conduct your “Record Run”, you will need to present to the Impound Officer to receive clearance to conduct your run.
“Special Consideration vehicles” require clearance from the Race Director and will attempt their “Record Run” at his discretion.
Your return run shall be undertaken before the end of the next session (i.e. if your qualifying run is in the morning session, your backup run shall be conducted before the end of the afternoon session, and vice-versa.)
All back up runs in the morning session will be carried out as the first runs of the day.

Second presentation (record certification)

Once you have made your run, get your timing slip from Race Control. You must bring the driver and vehicle Logbooks and Entrant pack.
If the average of the two runs over the same mile exceed the existing record, go straight to Impound.
Present to the Impound Officer with your timing slip and Record Certification Sheet.
The Impound Officer will check your timing slips.
Where vehicles are entered in a GAS class, a sample of fuel will be taken and both samples analysed.
The Technical Inspector will measure engine displacement and certify engine capacity.
The Technical Inspector and/or the Category Representative will confirm the vehicle class as correct.
If all criteria above are successfully met, the Record Certification Sheet will be completed.