Rules & Information

Info | Rules

Vehicles Allowed

All high-performance vehicle manufacturers & models are allowed, after passing an inspection. Vehicle must have high-performance brakes capable of withstanding repeated use at high speeds without significant performance fade, and a low center of gravity. Vehicle driver or owner is responsible for vehicle's safe condition and operation. PNWR maintains the right to refuse entry to any vehicle or driver considered to be unsafe, and to expel a vehicle or driver for unsafe condition or operation during an event.

General Program

• Drivers get four 20-25 minute driving sessions at PRI, depending on when the day stops - some at 5 p.m. and others at 4 p.m.
• Drivers are grouped according to their driving experience/ability with their car. See our run group categorization.
• A mandatory driver's meeting the morning of the event familiarizes entrants and workers with rules, procedures, and any special conditions.
• Open only to PCA, Alfa, Audi, BMWCCA, Corvette, Mini, PDC, and Viper Club members, including non-Porsches.
• You must register online or mail your registration w/fee within 7 days for each event or you may not be accepted (which are on first come, first serve).
• Maximum of 2 drivers per car, who must run in separate run groups.
• Your vehicle needs to have a technical inspection on file.  Get a tech done by these shops, dealers, and individuals.
• Gates open at 7 a.m.  Morning tech and check-in must be completed prior to the mandatory Driver's Meeting at 8:15; first car runs at 9:00 a.m.
• These events are open to all students, beginners included. Pre-registration is required for anyone who has not been signed-off at a prior event!  Technical inspection is required - see inspection information.

Any questions, see the contacts list.

Tech & Safety Rules

DE Vehicle Tech Inspections required yearly.

A new Tech Inspection must be performed prior to the first attended Drivers Education event in 2008 for all instructors and entrants, regardless of club affiliation. It will remain in effect for the remainder of 2008 for that vehicle. Tech inspections will not be carried over to the next year.

After the TI has been documented for that year, if a vehicle is damaged and/or repaired, or if any changes or upgrades are made, a new inspection will be required for that vehicle. If you have questions regarding tech inspections, please contact the DE Technical Inspection Coordinator at deti@pnwr.org.

Get a Tech Form

You may get an inspection at any shop or dealership for your vehicle - you aren't limited to our list of suggested inspectors. Out of region drivers may select any local shop which can inspect your car for adherence to our Tech Rules below. Tech inspection forms are filled-out by your tech inspector for each vehicle you bring to an event. Sign the form and mail to:

DETI Coordinator
c/o James Whitney
PO Box 3434
Bellevue, WA 98009

A proof-of-inspection certificate (valid for the inspection year) will be emailed to the sender and should be presented at the track to expedite the track inspection process.  Please include your mailing and email address on the inspection form before mailing.

Vehicles passing PCA Racing or SCCA racing program technical specifications meet PNWR's DE program specifications implicitly, and must only present a current year log book from their host program - no separate technical inspection is necessary. Be sure to know the current-year's regulations.

Following are minimum requirements for vehicle condition at PNWR Driver Education events. While these rules are intended to establish safe operating conditions, they do not insure that a vehicle is necessarily safe for operation, and PNWR does not imply that these guidelines are meant to establish any safety standard. The vehicle owner(s) and/or registered driver(s) assumes all risk and responsibilities related to maintaining proper physical condition of the vehicle. Passing a PNWR safety inspection does not guarantee that a vehicle is safe or that it will not have a failure.

Make sure your vehicle has passed all parts of the technical inspection before arriving at the track, or you'll be turned away and won't get a refund! Completed inspection forms will be accepted at the track, but the proof-of-inspection certificate (described above) is preferred.

PNWR/PCA Driver Education 2008 Technical Requirements

Personal and Vehicle

General
All registered event entrants must be 18 years or older and possess a valid PCA, Alfa, Audi, BMWCCA/ACA, Corvette, Ferarri, Mini, PDC, or Viper Club membership and a valid, non-restricted, driver's license of any jurisdiction.

Helmets
Snell Memorial Foundation 2000 or later helmet is required; M or SA rating is acceptable. SA is recommended for increased fire protection. A limited supply of loaner helmets is available for a fee.

Roofs
Sunroofs, cabriolet tops, targa tops, etc. must be closed during your run session on the track.

Clothing
All vehicle occupants are required to wear natural fiber (cotton) material, and closed lace or Velcro fastener footwear. No sandals, bare feet, or slip-on shoes. Long-sleeve shirts are recommended.

Drugs & Alcohol
No consumption of illegal or drowsiness-inducing drugs before or during the event. No possession or consumption of alcohol on PRI grounds.

Exterior

Brakes
The brake system must be safe and fully functional without hydraulic leaks. Pads must be of sufficient depth to complete the event with a generous thickness of material left. Rotors must not be cracked or warped. The braking system must be able to sustain repeated heavy application from a high speed without significant fading or reduced performance.

Brake Fluid
Clean brake fluid, recently bled. Should be less than 1 year old. A high dry boiling point is important to avoid brake fade or failure. Do not mix silicone brake fluid with other types. Silicone (DOT 5) is not recommended for street or track use.

Suspension & Undercarriage
All 356 series cars must have negative camber at the rear wheels or a "Camber Compensator" installed. All suspension parts must be in good working order with no loose components or leaking shock absorbers. 944’s with aluminum front control arms should be checked for excessive wheel play.

Half-shafts securely & properly attached. CV joints secure. CV boots intact and not leaking.

Exhaust System
Must be securely fastened to the vehicle at all pipe mounting locations. Must not touch bodywork when shaken moderately by hand. System must not leak. Mufflers are required at some events; noise limit is 105dBA on those days.

Wheels
Any safe wheel, except aftermarket cast imitation Fuchs alloys, are acceptable. Carefully check older wheels for cracking at the lug seat. Insure valve stem brace is installed, if applicable. Check that valves & valve stems are secure. We recommend Porsche original hardware. Under no condition should a repaired alloy wheel be used!

All nuts or bolts must be of the same material on a given wheel, and must have a thread engagement length at least equal to the diameter of the stud or bolt.

Wheel Lug Nuts; Torque
Adjust to factory specified settings for your wheels. Usually, this is 108 ft-lbs for steel lug nuts on steel wheels, or 94 ft-lbs for alloy lug nuts on alloy wheels. Fastening hardware must engage at least as much thread depth as the fastener's shaft width.

Tires
Tires must be in good condition with no cord or belts visible, and no cracks in the tread or sidewalls. No leaks or temporary flat repairs. Front tires must both be of equal size. Rear tires must both be of equal size. All tires must be of the same make and model. All tires must have a speed rating which exceeds the vehicle’s top speed. No snow tires or studs. No slicks may be used during wet sessions. Treaded tires must have visible tread showing prior to running.

Batteries
Batteries must be securely fastened down and in good condition with no leaks or corrosion visible. All cell caps must be intact. Special attention should be given to 914 battery trays and fuel lines located below them.

Gas Cap
The gas cap must fit securely on the filler pipe and be leak free.

Rust, Damage
No structural rust or physical damage to chassis or suspension parts is allowed. Body panels should be in generally good condition.

Engine Compartment
Belts should be tight and without visible fraying or cracking. Water hoses, fuel lines, and oil lines should be in good condition with no leakage.

Lights
All manufacturer-supplied brake lights must operate. Must have at least one functioning brake light installed on the vehicle. Operating headlights and signals are not required.

Windshield/Windows
Glass must not be cracked or "starred". Driver's window must be openable. Non-glass windows must have restraining straps or brackets.

Mirrors
Rear view mirrors must be securely mounted. Must have at least one useable rear view mirror, either center or driver's side.

Doors
Doors must be operable from the inside & outside of vehicle via normal handles. Cars with doors permanently sealed are not required to meet this rule.

Interior

Pedals
Pedals must have free operation and return. Brake pedal must be firm with no leak down.

Seat Belts / Harnesses
Seat belts or harnesses must be securely installed with original equipment hardware or better, and at original mounting points or other suitably reinforced points (roll cage attachment in locations approved by the manufacturer is OK).

No four point systems are allowed in Porsches because of the integrated headrest supplied by the factory. In addition to the standard SFI and/or FIA approved five and/or six point system, the standard will allow a four point system in non-Porsches that meets the following requirements: 1. Meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 209, 2. Attaches to the factory seat belt mounting points, 3. Each belt is designed to work in a specific vehicle and that vehicle tag must be attached to the belt system. An example of a system that meets the above criteria is the Schroth Quick Fit system.

If the participant chooses to install a 5/6 point driving harness, several changes to the automobile must be made to create a safe occupant restraint system. Harnesses must include an antisubmarine strap and be mounted in an approved manner consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions. The Harness system must be used in conjunction with a seat which has the supplied routing holes for the shoulder and anti-submarine belts. A one piece seat is recommended but not required for it may interfere with the operation of the OEM three piece belt required for street application. All pieces of the restraint system must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

This means that a seat is required to have the proper routing holes for the harness as supplied by the seat manufacturer for the shoulder, lap and anti-submarine straps. The shoulder straps should be mounted at 90 degrees to the axis of your spine or at most 40 degrees down from horizontal. Because the addition of the harness system means that the occupants are fastened upright in the vehicle, a properly padded roll bar or roll cage is strongly encouraged to complete the SYSTEM. The use of one without the other may result in an unsafe environment and is not a COMPLETE SYSTEM. Due to UV degradation and wear the harness webbing must be replaced every five years.

Belts must not be frayed or showing friction burns and the buckle and release mechanism must be in good working condition. Old cars with belts mounted to the seats (1969-73 911 & 912) will require special attention to seat rails, stops, and adjusters on both seats.

Equal Restraints
Both student and instructor shall have substantially the same restraint system. All vehicles must be equipped with a properly installed lap and shoulder restraint system.

Seats
Seats must be securely mounted and in excellent structural condition. We recommend identical seats for both front positions. Head restraints must be present and secure. Passenger seatbacks must be secure and their locking mechanisms intact and functional.
Seat-back bracing is recommended, particularly for race-prepared vehicles.

Doors
Doors must be operable from the inside & outside of vehicle via normal handles. Cars with doors permanently sealed are not required to meet this rule.

Glove Box / Storage Compartments
Glove box and storage compartment latches, if any, must hold the door or cover shut properly. Loose doors or covers should have contents removed at final tech, and taped shut if the door or cover might open during the event.

Roll-over Protection
Boxsters, 996 & 997 Cabriolets, and all other vehicles with factory-supplied fixed or pop-up protective hoops are OK.

Vehicles must have adequate roll-over protection in front and behind the occupants' seating location. "Adequate" can mean U.S. DOT- approved roll hoops and windshield frame, roll cage, etc. All cabriolets or convertible-top cars without manufacturer supplied front and rear roll-over protection must have roll bars whose dimensions, material, and installation is as specified in either SCCA General Competition Rules or PCA Racing Rulebook 2006.

Aftermarket roll bars or cages must be covered with thick, absorptive material in the vicinity of occupant heads.

Fire Extinguishers
Recommended. If present, a 2.5 pound charge (minimum) class BC or ABC extinguisher of any material (Halon, dry chemical). Secured by a metal bracket (no plastic brackets or straps!) and at least 2 bolts and nuts (not sheet metal or self-tapping screws) to a metal mounting point (chassis, seat rail, bracket, etc.) The extinguisher must be reachable from the driver's seat.