PDX 101
Ten easy steps to having a great time at the Western Ohio Region PDX
Step 1 - Getting to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Many ways to get there, but the closest access is from Interstate 71 (between Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio). From I-71, take Exit 165 (Lexington/Bellville).
Turn West on Oh 97 and go approximately 2.7 miles.
This will “T” into E Main St (US Rt 42). Turn left and proceed through Lexington approximately 1.2 miles. Please observe speed limits so you don’t have any unexpected contributions to the local economy.
After the Fire Station at the bend, turn left onto Steam Corners Rd and go approximately 2.5 miles to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Turn right into Gate 3 where you will find the Registration building on the left. Parking is across from registration.
Step 2 - Registration
Workers/Drivers/Crew/Instructors all register at the friendly windows of the Registration Building. You will need an SCCA membership card (or pay for the weekend membership) and a photo ID. Drivers and Instructors should have their valid state driver’s license. Here you will sign the SCCA Waiver, and most likely a Mid-Ohio waiver. Drivers and Instructors should receive an Information Packet and Event Credentials. ***NOTE: For minors please complete the SCCA and Mid-Ohio minor waivers***
Step 3 – Paddock
From Registration, proceed straight ahead, stopping at the Mid-Ohio Guest Services (friendly way of saying Security) to show your credentials, and proceed down the hill to the Paddock areas. At the bottom of the hill turn right between the chain-linked fences. About half way along the fence on the left is access into the Middle-Paved Paddock, and if you proceed through the Middle-Paved Paddock D, you will reach the Lower-Paved Paddock E area where the permanent garages are located F. The garages will be rented for the weekend, and the parking area directly in front of the garages G will be taped off. Almost any other area in the Lower or Middle-Paved Paddock areas that is not taped off is available to paddock. The Upper-Paved Paddock H area should be closed off for Mid-Ohio School events over the weekend. If you don’t turn left into the Middle-Paved Paddock area and proceed past the end of the chain-linked fences, there is a multitude of grass paddock space I on the right side stretching back up the hill towards Registration. Pick your space and please be courteous to others, there is plenty of room.
Step 4 – Tech Inspection
Tech Inspection for the PDX will be held in Garages 7 and 8 L. Bring your vehicle in “race prepared condition”, helmet, completed Technical Inspection form and Time Trial Log if you have one. Race vehicles should bring their SCCA Log Book. This is where you will receive your vehicle’s Tech Sticker that is required to be on your car prior to your car going onto the track.
Step 5 – Classroom Session
All Novice Group Drivers are required to attend a Classroom Session (all participants are welcome to sit in, you might learn something). This is where you will learn the logistics of how things will operate on and around the track. The schedule for Friday, getting on and off the track, the track layout, passing zones, passing rules, flag communications, the three-strike rules, things to check on your car, and a lot more. There will be one session Friday morning, immediately following the 8:00 drivers meeting in the Goodyear Building K (Lower-Paved Paddock area). At the end of this session you will receive your Time Trial Log Book that should be filled out and given to your instructor. If you cannot attend the Thursday evening session, there will be another session after the Friday Drivers’ Meeting.
Step 6 - Drivers’ Meeting
A mandatory Drivers’ Meeting will be held on Friday morning at 8:00 in front of Garages 7-8 L. All participants and instructors must attend. Crew and workers are encouraged to also attend. After the Drivers’ Meeting, those in the Novice Group (Groups 1 & 2) that did not attend the Thursday evening session will have a Classroom Session, again in the Goodyear Building K.
Step 7 – Grid
Please know which Group you are in. Please also know who your instructor is and their full name. Every participant will have an instructor assigned. Novices will have an instructor with them for each on-track session. Intermediate students will have their instructor with them for at least the first on-track session. Experienced students will have an instructor assigned, but is not required to ride with them. The Instructors will be the first group on the track, followed by groups per the announced schedule. Please listen for the PA announcement for your group’s call to Grid. When your Group is called, proceed to the designated Grid line forming at the B-C Split M. Make sure your car is ready and has fuel. Grid workers will be checking to make sure you have your Tech Sticker, the proper attire and safety equipment on prior to going out each session. But you can help by getting in the habit of checking yourself while you are setting on Grid. Once the prior group’s session is finished, and any on-track logistics are taken care of, you will be released through the B-C Split turning left onto Pit Lane where you will proceed to Pit Out N and onto the track. If you or your instructor is not quite ready when your group is released, please be patient and wave others around you on the Grid.
Step 8 – On-Track Sessions
Your instructor will guide and talk you around the first few laps on the track. The first lap they should be pointing out the Corner Stations where a white flag will be displayed. This is done so that you can become familiar where the Corner Stations are located. These corner stations and the Starter are the primary form of communication to you (and your instructor) as to the conditions on and around the track throughout your session. As you come around to the Start Tower O at the end of the first lap, the Starter should display a Green Flag, indicating the track is open for instruction “at speed”. Your instructor will guide you through various steps of building your confidence while they assess your vehicles dynamics and your capabilities. Each instructor is different in the way they will go through the instructing, just as each student is different in their capabilities. Listen to your instructor and try to absorb everything they are telling you. Make your instructor feel comfortable by keeping your car on track, listening to their instructions, and occasionally checking your mirrors to know what is going on behind you. Your first session will be full of information, and may be overload for you, but it will be over before you know it when you see the checkered flag waiving at the Start Tower. This means your session has been complete and you should proceed around the track on a “cool-down lap” and at Turn 15 (The Carousel) exit left into the Pit Lane. Proceed past the Start Tower (it should be on your right side now) and turn left at the A-B Split P. If at all possible, allow your instructor to give you a quick debriefing, but be aware that they may have another student in the next group.
Step 9 – Off-Track
Once you have completed your session, proceed back to your paddock. It might be good to take the time now to write down any comments your instructor had, and to think about what you just learned, both good and bad. Once you have cleared your head, get something to drink and eat (do not neglect, or over do this). Once you are relaxed, start checking through you car. Check fluid levels, look for leaks, and look at your brake pads, rotors, and tires. Check the tire pressures, tighten the lug nuts, and most important, make sure you have fuel for the next session. You don’t want to be the person that holds up your group while you get towed off the track. If you have any questions about your car’s condition, please check with the Tech Inspectors prior to going out for your next session.
Step 10 – Repeat, Repeat, Repeat
Continue with your on-track sessions throughout the day until you go home with a big smile knowing that you have improved your driving abilities, and have driven one of the most challenging tracks in the country.
