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familiar to me, the less I had on my mind race week. That turned out to be a good idea. There's enough to think about, as it is . . . the car, navigator plans, safety equipment, etc.
Knowing what to expect helps take a lot off your mind. So . . . that’s MY job! Even if you can't make a trip ahead of time to check things out, I can help make sure you arrive well prepared and lead you through some things once you're there.
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1. PREP FROM HOME
CAR: Be sure to read ALL the rules that pertain to your car, especially about tires. Our race locations are somewhat remote so you don't want to rely on finding the correct equipment at the last minute. Think about assembling a “spares” kit, too, of unique parts you might need for your car to keep from spoiling your weekend!
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PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT: The requirements for fire suits, helmets, etc, depend on your speed class. At the very minimum, you will need an appropriately rated helmet. Be sure to read this section of the Rule Book very carefully.
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FORMS: Having the forms mailed to MKM ahead of time will make registration LOTS easier. Be sure to meet the deadline on submitting your tire form.
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AIR AMBULANCE: MKM contracts and pays for the services of an Air Ambulance Helicopter ON LOCATION to give you the fastest possible response in case of an emergency. The service comes automatically, but the Insurance Policy purchase option in your entry packet is to ensure you incur no out-of-pocket costs in case your medical insurance doesn’t completely cover Air Ambulance costs.
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The insurance for the air ambulance is cheap, covers you AND your whole family WHILE IN THE AREA EVEN IF YOU OR YOUR FAMILY ARE NOT RACING and will be a life saver (literally) if there's a problem. Send off the application before you leave home . . . one less thing to worry about race week.
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“STUFF”: There are some crazy things you'll find yourself wishing you'd brought. Most of us use glass cleaner to help make the decals easier to put on; sharpie pens are in high demand when we're all putting our names on the decals; you’ll want a heavy piece of cardboard to use for a "clipboard," as hard clipboards are not allowed unless secured to the car; colored pens help highlight your driving plan, which you’ll want to work out with your navigator before you arrive (download the course notes and contact me if you want help with mile marker times.)
PRACTICE WITH YOUR NAVIGATOR: Make up a driving plan for 50 or 70 mph or whatever and practice at legal speeds on the freeways. It's amazing how easy it is for navigators to get mixed up when subtracting time numbers. They've ALL said at one time or another " . . . we're ten seconds slow . . . uh, no, no, I mean FAST!!"
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2. RACE WEEK
When you arrive at the race, my job is to make your weekend go as easily as possible, taking you through the Registration and Tech process, Practice and Qualifying day, the Driver’s Meeting, and making sure you get to the Grid on Race Day morning. Just think of me as your “Mother Hen,” and if there are any problems over the weekend, I am there to help solve them for you.
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THURSDAY REGISTRATION: When you arrive at Registration, FIND ME! I'll be at a special desk, with a large sign. I'll have your weekend schedule of activities. If you go to the “Events & Event Schedules” button on this website, you can print a preliminary schedule which will help you with what to expect. Of course, the times may (and probably will) change a bit from this schedule.
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After we talk a bit, I can help you through the sign-in process... you need to fill out and sign MORE forms, pick up all your car decals, purchase banquet tickets,
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register for the “Car Games” on Saturday, and decide if you want to purchase pins, patches and shirts. You'll indicate your speed class at that time, but you can change classes up until noon the day before the race.
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FRIDAY TECH INSPECTION: You MUST complete Tech Inspection before your mandatory Qualifying Session on Friday morning. We have a special slot reserved at Tech for Rookies only, to get your Tech Inspection completed before the Qualifying Session. You will meet with me at a pre-determined place, and I will take all of the Rookies through Tech together. It will be EARLY in the morning, so set your alarm clock! Be sure to bring along all your personal safety equipment at that time (shoes, socks, suit, head sock, helmet, gloves . . . whatever you will be racing in.)
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QUALIFYING AND PRACTICE: After Tech Inspection, all Rookies will form up behind me and I will escort you to the Practice Road. This will be a 7-10 mile section of the actual racecourse, which we have closed exclusively for practice. You will have a Classroom Session first, with our Safety and Driving Instructors, and then you will be assigned a “riding” instructor who will accompany you on your Qualification run. Once you have passed your Qualification, you are free to practice on your own for the remainder of the practice session. Since this practice is not over the entire course, it's a good idea to find some time to drive the whole course (at LEGAL speeds, of course!) on Friday or Saturday. You can go over the course notes, identify mile markers and practice your "technique" for communicating target speed adjustments.
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WELCOME RACERS MEETING: This is our first social function, where you will meet the rest of the MKM Staff and all of your fellow racers. Mingle, introduce yourself, and enjoy the evening! Our veterans are very helpful and friendly, and the camaraderie among Open Road Racers is the greatest in racing.
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MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING: This will be held on Friday night in Elko and Wendover; on Saturday night in Battle Mountain. This meeting will cover essential safety and procedural topics for the race, and answer any final questions. This is a meeting you and your navigator MUST attend. If you do not, your whole weekend is ruined, as you will be disqualified from the race! I will gather the Rookies up after the meeting to review the Pre-Grid activities for the next morning.
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PRE-GRID: At 6:00 AM or so on race morning, we line up all of the participants in their final starting order, before we bring them to the final grid. Again, I will be there to help you. When all of the cars are in order on the Pre-Grid, you will be escorted in order to the final grid. If you are entering the Pony Express 130, be prepared for an exhilarating wake-up drive about 37 miles down the racecourse at 100-105 mph!
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FINAL GRID: Here, you will follow the directions of the Course Control Officials who will line you up for the start.
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GREEN FLAG!!!
This is what you’ve been waiting for!!
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AWARDS BANQUET: The final Event party, where we learn who won their Class. (You won't know your official time until the banquet and since there's always a lot of "oh, I dunno, I don't think we did very well . . . “you’re never REALLY sure how you did until then!)
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