Section I – Safety and Car Requirements
General rules and requirements:
Tidewater Sports Car Club follows SCCA Solo Rules for Autocross events held by the club with the exceptions listed below in Section II. For reference, the latest SCCA rules can be downloaded from here which cover ALL rules including safety and classing: https://www.scca.com/pages/solo-cars-and-rules
Vehicle requirements at a glance:
- All loose items must be removed from the car, including inside glove-box and driver’s floor mat if not positively retained
- Seats and seat belts safely mounted and in good condition
- Tires have visible tread remaining and no cords showing
- DOT treaded street tires must have at least 2/32” remaining tread depth. This check will be done in accordance with the Virginia state inspection procedure. (updated 9/5/2023)
- Throttle return spring functions/is responsive if applicable
- No fluid leaks that could spill in grid or on course
- Brakes in good condition, with adequate pedal pressure and no fluid leaks
- Wheel bearings, shocks, steering, suspension in good condition with no perceptible play
- Exhaust must exit behind driver or to side of vehicle
The full list of tech inspection requirements are in section 3.3.3.B of the latest SCCA Solo rulebook available HERE.
Driver qualifications/safety requirements:
- Must have a valid driver’s license or permit (except for kart drivers)
- Helmets meeting requirements from Section 4.3.1 of the latest SCCA Solo Rules must be worn. For the 2024 season, the following standards are acceptable:
SNELL: EA 2016, SA2020, SA2015, SA2010, SAH2010, M2020D, M2020R, M2015, M2010, K2020, K2015, K2010;
SFI standards 31.1/2020, 31.1/2015, 31.1/2010, 41.1/2020, 41.1/2015, 41.1/2010; ECE 22.05* or R22.05*;
FIA standards 8860-2018, 8860-2018-ABP, 8859-2015, 8860-2010. - Full face or modular helmets shall be worn while competing in an open wheel car, formula car, or kart. Face shield, goggles, or similar face protection (conventional eyeglasses are not sufficient) shall be worn while competing in any other vehicle with less than the standard-size windshield.
- Closed-toed shoes must be worn!
- The full list of driver safety requirements are in section 4.3 of the latest SCCA Solo rulebook available HERE.
Section II – Vehicle Classing
Tidewater Sports Car utilizes the SCCA Solo Classes for base-classing and application of PAX/RTP. The 2024 the PAX/RTP numbers will be used.
A. TSCC Index Classing
Due to being a smaller region, base-classes are merged into similar PAX indexed classes. By looking at the list below, you can see which PAX Index Class your vehicle falls into when registering. For example, if you have an NC Miata on coilovers, your base class is STR. STR is part of the “ST” index class.
- S1 (Street 1) Index – SS, AS, BS, FS
- S2 (Street 2) Index – CS, DS, ES, GS, HS, SSC
- ST (Street Touring) Index – STU, STR, STX, STS, STH, SST
- PC (Provisional Class) Index – CAM-C, CAM-S, CAM-T, XA, XB, XU, Club Spec, *HCS, *HCR, **RTE, EVX
- R1 (Race 1) Index – SSP, ASP, BSP, CSP, DSP, ESP, FSP, SM, SMF, SSM
- R2 (Race 2) Index – XP, CP, DP, EP, FP, AM, BM, CM, DM, EM, FM, FSAE, KM
- L (Ladies) Index – Open to ladies in any base class
- N (Novice) Index – Open to novices in any base class
Note that within the R1 and R2 classes(except SSR, it’s 200tw equivalent is SS in S1), you may run 200TW tires for an additional 0.985 PAX multiplier for running street tires in a race tire class. You must mark your class with an “X” preceding the base class (X-CSP for example). Provisional classes are not eligible.
Open to all cars meeting the eligibility for their respective SCCA classifications as listed in the current SCCA Solo Rules and Updated based on monthly Fastrack Publications by the SCCA. 2024 SCCA Rules can be downloaded from HERE.
B. SCCA Classing
- Classic American Muscle classes (CAM-S, CAM-T, and CAM-C), and Xtreme Street classes (XA/XB/XU) will be offered as full competition classes per SCCA Solo Rules, Appendix B.
- *Heritage Classic Classes will be offered, but under the TSCC Revised Rule Set. This alternate rule set is in place to keep the vehicles in class true to the spirit and intent of the class. CLICK HERE FOR THE REGIONAL HERITAGE CLASSIC RULE SET, JOINTLY DEVELOPED BY TSCC, ODR, AND VMSC.
- **Raw Time/Exhibition (RTE) class is a TSCC-specific class for those who don’t care about rule books or PAX times, and just want to drive as fast as they can. This is a heads-up, run-what-you-brung class for bragging rights. It has no PAX (1.000), and no excuses. This class will be eligible for year end trophies like the rest. Note: Karts are not eligible for this class
C. Novice Class (N)
Is an indexed PAX/RTP class, open to all Novices that have ever previously competed in four or fewer autocross, gymkhana, road race events, time trials or similar competitions at the beginning of the season. The spirit of novice class is for individuals who have not competitively participated in Motorsports previously. A novice is eligible to complete the season in novice class if beginning the season as an eligible novice. Novice class is open to all novices but not mandatory, (Novices may compete in their open SCCA Class if they wish). Novice class eligibility is subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
D. Ladies Class (L)
Is an indexed PAX/RTP class, open to all ladies, but not mandatory (ladies may compete in their open SCCA Class).
E. Classing Mediation
All competitors are expected to register for a class where they and their car are in full compliance with the class requirements. After making a diligent effort to correctly self-class at the time of registration, should the competitor be unsure about a classing, they may ask for a classing decision from TSCC.
TSCC classing decisions will normally be made by consensus of the V.P of Operations and V.P. of Membership but if they have differing opinions, the club president will make the classing decision. These decisions apply only to TSCC events and are final. Competitors are encouraged to help police each other with regards to classing of cars.
Classing clarification can be brought to the attention of any TSCC staff member to be addressed with the competitor. If any member of the TSCC Staff either notices an obvious miss-classing or it is brought to their attention during an event they may also advise the participant of the correct class for future events and request the chief of T&S correct the cars class for the event in progress.
F. Club Overall Championship
Club Overall Championship is open to all club members who compete in the minimum number of required events. The Overall Championship is calculated using index PAX/RTP.
Section III – Points and Trophies
A. Year Points Championship points are earned by TSCC Club members only
- All classes compete based on PAX index, points are awarded based on PAX/RTP time calculated using the current year’s PAX/RTP factors. Class Points are awarded to all club members based on time of completion; points are prorated by the margin of victory. The fastest run of each driver modified by penalties, counts for the event. The top finishing TSCC Member driver in each class is awarded 100.00 points. Other drivers are awarded points by the ratio of the top time in the class divided by the driver’s time, to two decimal places. For example, if the fastest driver in a class finished in 60 seconds, and the second driver completed the course in 61 seconds, the second driver would be awarded 60/61=98.36 points for the event. Club members in unopposed classes will receive 90.00 points for the event.
- Club Overall Championship Points are awarded to all club members based on PAX/RTP time of completion; points are prorated by the margin of victory. The fastest run of each driver modified by penalties, counts for the event. The top finishing TSCC Member driver overall is awarded 100.00 points. Other drivers are awarded points by the ratio of the top time overall divided by the driver’s time, to two decimal places. For example, if the fastest driver finished with a 60 second PAX/RTP time, and the second driver finished in 61 second PAX/RTP time, the second driver would be awarded 60/61= 98.36 points for the event. PAX/RTP time is calculated using the current year’s PAX/RTP factors.
B. Trophies
- Individual event trophies will be given out at the end of every event for all Index classes, AFTER all is cleaned up and the timing and scoring bus is packed up. All members are eligible for individual event trophies.
- Year-End class trophies will be awarded based on both base-classing and for the Index classes:
- Trophies shall be given to the highest placed drivers in each base class on the following basis: One (1) award for one to three qualifying competitors (i.e. one to three (1-3) qualifying entrants in a class; two (2) awards for four to six (4-6) entrants in a class; three (3) awards for seven to nine (7-9) entrants in a class; one (1) additional award for every four (4) additional entrants or fraction thereof (e.g., six (6) awards for 18 entrants). Note: R1/R2 base classes eligible for Street Tires (“X” 200tw modifier) will be combined with their original base class for trophy purposes using the 0.985 200tw PAX factor.
- Special awards (historically jackets) shall be given to the 1st place drivers in each Index class.
- Club Overall Championship Trophies will be awarded to the 10 drivers who finish with the highest total number of Overall Championship Points. Trophies will include the name and finishing place 10th Place to Champion. Additionally, the top finishing driver will receive the Club Championship Perpetual trophy for the year with a plaque including their name and car information.
- The Autocross Championship will consist of 8 events held April through November. A minimum of 5 events are required to qualify for a trophy and the season points events for both class and the Overall Championship will be based on points from the best 6 of the 8 events.
Section IV TSCC Supplemental rules
A. Multi-driver cars are eligible to compete.
- The maximum number of drivers who can compete in a single car in a single class will be limited to 2. A car may participate with additional drivers in classes where the car would be eligible, for example a car can have 2 open class drivers and 2 ladies class drivers. The maximum number of competitors who can compete in a single car regardless of class will be limited to no more than 2 drivers per heat if the class is running in that heat.
- Drivers for 2 driver cars must alternate between runs with a minimum of 5 minutes between runs for the car. Drivers of multi-driver cars requiring a re-run will wait a minimum of 5 minutes between runs and may take their re-run prior to the second driver taking their run or at the end of the heat.
B. Ride alongs provision is unlike normal rules in that it does not clearly outline all possible permissible actions with the understanding that all other actions are forbidden. Rather, this rule is based on a single concept with additional points of guidance. It is up to the sportsmanship of the competitor to provide general enforcement of the rule however it is the responsibility of the Vice President(s) of Competition to observe, provide guidance and ultimately enforce the specifics of the rule. All questionable ride-alongs should be brought to the attention of the VP of Operations prior to the ride-along if possible.
- All ride-alongs are for the benefit of the inexperienced or struggling competitor.
This is not intended to improve the performance of the average or experienced driver. Experienced competitors may provide a ride-along prior to his/her competition heat to benefit an inexperienced or struggling competitor. - Ride-alongs involve the experienced driver riding in the passenger seat or inexperience or struggling competitor riding in the passenger seat of an experienced driver. At no time will any driver be permitted to drive prior to his competition heat. In general experienced drivers will be permitted to judge the appropriate number of runs they make prior to their competition heat however competitors should always keep possible performance advantages in mind and avoid making a number of runs that provide an actual or perceived performance advantage for that competitor. Competitors should seek the guidance of the VP of operations if the number of runs is in question. Ride-alongs involving two (2) experienced drivers prior to either driver’s last competition run is not permitted. Ride-alongs following a competitor’s final competition run are unrestricted.
- Ride alongs for non-competitors over the age of 12 are unrestricted.
- A maximum of one passenger is permitted at a time. Hand-held cameras are prohibited. Passengers must keep hands inside the car at all times.
C. Re-Runs If a driver does not receive a valid time for a run due to a timer malfunction, a red-flag, or an out of position pylon, the driver may receive a re-run. Drivers will not get a rerun if they caused the red flag or if they were off-course during the run. Penalties for pylons hit during a run resulting in a re-run do not carry over to the re-run. The driver receiving the re-run will start with no assessed penalties at any time.
D. Out of place Pylons – If a pylon is out of position the driver must come to a stop, point at the out-of-place pylon, and proceed to the finish at well below competition speeds. If the pylon in question was out of position the driver will receive a re-run. If the pylon is not out of position the driver will not get a re-run if the cone was found to not be out of position. If the pylon is out of place due to the driver having displaced it on a previous pass during the same run they will not receive a re-run.
E. Sound limit for cars competing in TSCC events is 100dB, as measured per SCCA rules. Sound will be enforced per Appendix I of the current SCCA National Solo Rules.
F. Pylons struck after the finish timing beams shall result in that run being scored as a Did Not Finish for the competitor. All drivers are expected to maintain control of their vehicles following the finish of their competition run.
Section V Heat Assignments and Car Numbers
A. Heat Assignment – Competitors will be assigned a heat based on Class, Novice Drivers will run with their base Car Class.
- Heats will rotate from event to event.
- Major Adjustments to the typical run groups may be required due to class participation and overall event attendance.
- Changes and exceptions to an assigned heat may be only made by the approval of 2 board members. Heat changes may be allowed for personal concerns or potential car issues. Heat changes should not be a regular occurrence and repetitive request will be denied.
B. Car numbers and class letters are required to be displayed on all cars per SCCA rules. This means numbers must be at least 8″ high and class letters must be 4″ high, and easily legible. Numbers and letters are NOT permitted to be placed on windows. Numbers and letters must be placed on the car prior to going to tech. Cars will not pass tech without numbers and letters applied. Painter’s tape is available from tech. Color must be highly contrasting: do not put blue tape on a blue car or black tape on a black car.
C. Season Subscriptions will be offered for sale to members of the club the subscription will include all championship Autocross events held by the club. Non-Championship and other special events will not be included in the purchase of the season subscription.
- Season Subscription holders will be guaranteed a spot in events only if they preregister for the event online. They will be allowed to show up the day of the event and register if registration is not full.
- Season Subscription holders will receive a season number at the beginning of the season. Numbers are issued/reserved on a first-come first-serve basis.
- Subscriptions and Permanent numbers will be limited to 100 total subscriptions or the cap for the smallest event whichever is lower.
Section VI Registration and Payments for Autocross events
A. Normal, On-line, Pre-registration:
- Registration for all TSCC events will be completed using Motorsportreg.com
- Registration will close 10 days prior to the date of the event when security lists must be submitted(such as ACU4), or the Saturday before the event at 7:00pm when list submission is not required.
- Payments will be processed through motorsportreg.com after registration has closed and prior to the event.
- Cancellations received prior to payment processing will not be charged.
B. Day of Event, Walk-Up, Registration:
- Unless prevented due to site access/security concerns, walk-up registration will be allowed until registration (check–in of preregistered competitors) closes or event capacity is reached. The participant will be required to fill out a walk-up registration form.
Section VII Cancellations of Events
A. TSCC will make every effort to hold events; however, some events may need to be cancelled or postponed after they have started or prior to the event for unforeseen circumstances.
- For normal Autocross Points Events, online pre-registration (and the $10 discount associated with it) is only refundable up until registration closes. You must go into the event on Motorsport Reg and edit/cancel your registration. Refunds will only be issued if registration is cancelled via Motorsport Reg before the day of the event. Please email the registrar via MSR.
- For events that are cancelled due to weather, equipment failure, or other unforeseen circumstance, all pre-registered individuals charged will be issued a credit towards a future event. Walk-up participants will only receive a refund if they have not made any runs and they come to the registration area/T&S trailer immediately following announcement of the cancellation to collect their refund. Subscription holders will not receive any refund or credit. The number of events used in season points will be decreased by one.
- For events that are postponed, all effort will be made to provide as much advance warning as possible, although registration periods may be truncated. When registration times are truncated and a prioritized registration period is not feasible, all competitors already registered for the event will be carried over to the new event, but may be granted a full credit towards a future event if requested prior to the event.
- For special events (track events, novice schools, test and tunes, etc), please refer to the Cancellation Policy on the Motorsport Reg event registration page.
Section VIII Miscellaneous rules
A. Smoking will only allow smoking in designated locations. Smoking includes but is not limited to the use of the following: Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes, Electronic Cigarettes, Water Vapor Cigarettes, or any other device used for tobacco. Designated smoking areas will be provided at each event.
B. Vice Presidents of Operations shall serve as the Safety Stewards at all TSCC events. In the event of their absence any present board member can serve as the Safety Steward.
C. Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Walk-Down participation is required of all competitors at the culmination of events at ACU-4. All competitors will clean up their grid and paddock areas and move their vehicles outside of the ramp area immediately following course clean-up, and will congregate along the water. Upon direction, all competitors will walk as a line through the course, grid and paddock areas and collect all trash and other foreign objects (bolts, plastic, car parts, etc). Early dismissal prior to completion of the FOD walk-down is only allowed with the permission of two club officers. Participants that leave prior to the FOD walk-down without permission will have their runs disqualified.
D. Classing Clarifications will be arbitrated in accordance with current SCCA Solo Rules with the Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Membership serving as the Protest Chiefs and Board of Directors serving as the protest committee. Penalties will be determined by the Board of Directors, which may elect lesser penalties such as reclassing competitors to appropriate classes.
E. Events at certain locations may be capped(typically 100-150) due to site location/size/etc. Events which reach their caps may only have 3 runs per competitor guaranteed unless time allows for additional runs as determined by the Board of Directors during the event.