I know I've heard a few people at events say they're doing their first National Tour this weekend at Dixie, so I wanted to throw together a quick guide for everyone who is a first timer.
A lot of the Carolinas people paddock in the red area near Tim's "Dirty White Trailer". You're more than welcome to come hang out over there with all of us. The main restrooms and the area for the Friday Welcome Party are in the building shaded with purple. There's a small restroom in the building shaded with green. The site is somewhat "middle of nowhere" and the only nearby food is a Blimpie in a gas station, so bringing some snacks in a cooler with you is a plus
Tech is a bit different for National Events. Tech takes place at the "Lincoln Driver's Center" which is the trailer with awnings that SHOULD be in the blue area. Tech will be on the north side of it, nearest course. Go by, get your car teched, know your class and number, and if you're in a Mod/Prep class, know your minimum weight and wheelbase (especially wheelbase). Get any decals you need for the event or contingency there, and make sure they get applied to your car before you run. If you haven't yet signed up for contingency, DO IT NOW! https://www.scca.com/contingency
Driver check-in will be at the timing trailer in the green shaded area. Have your SCCA card and license ready when you go up. You'll get your work assignment and heat there, and they'll ask if you need a barcode. You do. If you're sharing a helmet with someone, make sure you cover up the other barcode with painters tape so that only yours shows while you run. IF YOU NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO REG, DO IT BEFORE 7PM FRIDAY!!!
There are 2 grids for the event. Odd numbered heats will use Grid 1, and even numbered heats use grid 2. In the morning, they will post grid spots in the Lincoln Driver's Center (blue) on the fence side. Find your grid spot, and when it comes time to bring your car to grid, find and park at that numbered cone in the respective grid. All drivers will get a 5 car warning as the grid "puller" comes around, so make sure you're ready before they point at you to go. Marko the grid chief is very German and likes his grid to run like a well oiled German made machine. Don't be the cog that messes up Marko's machine! When you pull to the line, point the scanner at the correct barcode for them to scan. On your first run each day, you will also have to stop to have Car Chex photos taken. After you're done with your 3 runs, National events are subject to impound. If you're in a Mod/Prep class, you need to be weighed, so after your 3rd run head down to the Lincoln Driver's Center to go across the scales. After that, or if you're not weighed, head back to your grid spot and pop your hood/trunk and don't leave until they've brought the results, everyone in your class has approved them, and you've been released from impound. It's highly unusual but not TOTALLY unheard of at a Tour to have to jack up a car and possibly remove a wheel in impound, so it's not a bad idea to bring a jack and jackstands to grid with you.
And finally work assignment check-in is done at the Lincoln Driver's Center on the fence side. They don't hot-swap workers like we do at locals, so after you check in, just hang out and watch the action until that heat is done running.
Hopefully that hits all the big points of what's different between a tour and what you're used to at locals. If anyone has questions or needs help figuring out where to go or what to do, you can find one of us and we'll be glad to help, or basically just ask anyone.... almost everyone there is polite and willing to lend a hand.
