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TRACK EVENT PLANNING
Contributed by
Paul Gasporola
In the planning process, you
will identify a track to be used and establish preliminary costs for
the track. There are numerous hidden costs associated with a track
event as well as a whole new set of liabilities. This section will go
over the basics needed to finalize the event. It will not go over the
actual running of the event as that will be covered later in the manual.
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CONTRACT
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Most tracks have standard contracts. These contracts
will specifically discuss what comes with the track rental. In most
cases the contract is to rent the track only for a specified period of
time. An average track day is $5000.00 to $8000.00 dollars for
the day. Establish the times of the day the track will be open for
workers and the exact time the track will close.
In the contract, negotiate the ability to sell convention merchandise
and allow convention vendors to set up displays and/or sell their goods. |
LIABILITIES
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The contract will clearly identify what you are
liable for. Expect to pay for any damages to the track facilities. The
example would be a guard rail. Try to negotiate this out.The ZCCA and
the host club will be required to show $1,000,000.00 in limited
liability insurance. This is procured from the ZCCA insurance
agent.There will be a specific section of this manual on convention
insurance. You will need to provide the track a copy of your insurance
specific to the event. Look for hidden costs and/or liabilities. |
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DRIVER
EXPERIENCE
Some tracks will require all drivers not licensed by a sanctionedrace
organization.
A driver must complete a driver’s school prior to open track sessions.
Specifically ask this question as your track schedule will be impacted
by this.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Most tracks will provide one emergency ambulance in the contract. If
the supplied crew is not an advanced life support crew, you will need
an additional ambulance. Will the track medical facility be available
to the emergency teams? It is critical to have at least one tow vehicle
to remove cars from the track that breakdown or crash. Just as
important as the ambulance and the tow truck is the RapidResponse
vehicle. This team and vehicle is designed to get the driver out of the
car, respond to fires and any other emergency. In most cases the
track will have this type of service available.
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USE
OF TRACK OWNED EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES
Each track contract should have the use of a pace car and/or truck to
control each race session and to transport workers to their stations
onthe track. It is customary to have these vehicles in the contract.
For your Motorsport Manager from the host club as well as VIPs, you
should get and have the use of no less than 3 golf carts. Most tracks
will sell race gas at the track at the going rates. Insure that this
service is available.Paddock area and garages Include in the contract
the use of the paddock areas and covered garages if they have
them. Worse case, have the track provide one set of garages and
the paddock area.<>Food Services In most cases the track will
have a restaurant and ask that all food be procured from them.
Negotiate the times food and drink will be available. Determine if
people are allowed to bring their own food. Water, sodas are usually
OK. Communications The Team Managers will need to have< radio
communications with the track, safety teams, corner workers and among
themselves. Standard walkie talkies will not suffice. Either the track
or the SCCA can provide the communications needed for the
event.Spectator areas Clearly define in the contract what areas of the
track will be open to spectators, both convention attendees and the
general public. Only those who are paid attendees of the convention
should be allowed in the active paddock or near the track. Part
of the registration process is to provide arm bands for drivers and
convention attendees. Some tracks will provide these as part of the
track rental. If not, then the host club is responsible for the arm
bands and the administration of them.Negotiate in the contract the use
of the track registration building for final track registration. At
this location the track will have insurance waivers to be signed along
with the ZCCA insurance waivers. This is where arm bands will be
distributed. |
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CORNER WORKERS
This in my estimation is one of the critical factors for a safe track
day. Do not run a track event without trained corner workers.
Determine if the track provides corner workers and any associated
costs. I highly recommend that the host club contact the SCCA (Sports
Car Club of America). They can provide licensed workers, communications
gear, flags and also aid in getting the support teams required. All
SCCA workers are volunteers. It is recommended that you offer $75.00 to
$100.00 per worker for the day. This is to cover any worker expenses.
This will be added incentive for the workers and insure> you get the
crew needed. |
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