Member Track Rules and Procedures

Welcome to your new home for motor sports! In conjunction with our efforts to maximize the experience for our membership. MSRHouston would ask the members to help us ensure this experience remains special and safe.

When you arrive at MSR Houston proceed to the track office and check in. If for some reason we are not available, you may proceed to your garage or the paddock area. Under no circumstance are you or your guest allowed on the track or in the pits until the proper insurance and guest forms are signed. No exceptions!!

New Updates for 2008.

1. All members and guests must sign in at the front office upon arrival. We now run the track in both directions and as the video monitoring system is installed we will have a light system to control the track. It is important to be aware of track conditions and session information for that day. This is for your safety and is a requirement.
2. No one has to access the track when the track is closed.
3. Individual guests are allowed two visits per year.
4. The Host Member must be present for guests to have access to facility.
5. All garage space is rented to MSR Houston members only. We have limited garage space and it remains full.
6. Please remember Paddock Speed is 10 mph, this is a family experience for many of our members.
7. Members will be charged a flat rate of $100 for Test and Tune days prior to a race weekend. This is because we have special services on those days such as Ambulances, Wreckers, and Corner workers.
8. Trailers left at the facility will be charged $50/month and must be parked off of the Skid Pad, unless special permission is given.
9. There will be no access to the facility after 9:00 pm or prior to 7:00 am unless arrangements were made prior with Al, Scott, or Leslie.

General

1. No one is to enter the track without permission of MSR personnel. We will group vehicles by type and driving experience. We will make every effort to put you in a group with which you are comfortable.  Please check the session groupings when you check in at the office and they will be posted on a white-board in the inspection bay.  Remember that all groupings are subject to change. Make sure you know the direction of traffic for the day.

2. Paddock speed limit is 10 miles per hour.

3. All new drivers must go through an MSR orientation class.  Once you are out on the track, take the first couple of laps SLOWLY to warm up the tires and vehicle systems.  This will also allow you to remember where the track goes and settle yourself.

4. THIS IS NOT A RACE!  Take time to find braking points, entry points, apex points and exit points for each and every turn.  Also pay close attention to the amount of grip the surface of the track is affording on the day.

5. Off-course excursions/spins:

• In the event that a driver loses control and is in jeopardy of leaving the track surface, drive straight off the track, slowing until regaining control, then drive cautiously back on to the track.  If visibility is impaired, wait until conditions improve.
• Two wheels off ? slow until you gain control, and then cautiously return to the track surface.  Forcing the vehicle back on to the track at speed could result in loss of control and possibly spinning into oncoming traffic.
• Four wheels off ? same as above, except that the driver is required to return to the hot pits for a vehicle inspection.  Upon completion of inspection and subsequent repairs for damage, you may return to the track.
• Loss of control causing a spin on the track surface ? regain control of the vehicle and continue, being aware of other vehicles on the track.
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, pull off to the closest point away  from the track and REMAIN INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE.  The only reason you should get out or off your vehicle is if it is on FIRE!
• Two off-course excursions and/or spins on the track, in any session, will be cause for you being black flagged.  Return to the hot pit and speak to the grid marshal.  Three spins means the end of your session.

6.  Be Safe and have Fun.

Drivers

1. Members in good standing, may drive on the track, provided that they have completed MSR orientation course and have had a solo check ride by MSR staff.
    
2. Member?s guests that desire to drive on the course must meet the same requirements as the member.  Members are responsible for any fees incurred by their guests.  The number of guest drivers is limited by membership type.  Member must be present in order for his or her guest to be able to drive.  Guest must complete a guest driver registration from each time they come out.  This form requires the member?s signature each time as well.  Each guest is limited to two visits a quarter or four times in a one year period which ever comes first.

3. Access to the track is granted by the grid marshal.  The grid marshal also reserves the right to prohibit access to the track if the marshal deems that a driver?s experience level, vehicle worthiness, or attitude is a safety risk.

4. Drivers are required to have Snell approved helmet: SA90 or later for cars, M90 or later for motorcycles, as well as SFI rated fire suit or leathers for the motorcyclist.

5. We recommend that a current medical profile be on file for each driver with MSR.

6. Each driver is responsible for learning the names and locations of all corners on the track, as this will be a means for giving instructions to the driver.

 Equipment

1. Each vehicle must be inspected by you or your mechanic before going on the track.  If your mechanic does it, we want you there to observe.  This will serve many purposes, all of which make for a safer day at the track.  The inspection bay is located adjacent to the main office.

2. All vehicles must be maintained at a high level due to the stresses which they are subjected to.  Please be familiar with our vehicles? required pressures and fluid levels so that it may maximize your enjoyment of the vehicle?s high performance profile.  MSR reserves the right to require additional inspections as deemed necessary for the enjoyment and safety of others.

3. All open cars, including convertibles, must have a roll bar, except for touring laps.

4. A multi-point safety harness is strongly recommended in all vehicles.

5. A fire extinguisher, securely mounted, is also recommended in all vehicles.

On Track Communication

1. All vehicles on the track are under control of the grid marshal at all times.  Follow all instructions.  Examples: 

• The course is green  -  Drivers may inter the track.
• Caution on course  - A vehicle has spun in the first turn; proceed with caution in the area of the incident.  No passing allowed prior to and through the exit of the incident area and await further instructions.  (Yellow Flag Condition).
• Red Flag Condition  -  A dangerous situation exists on the track.  Come to a stop as safely and quickly as possible, be sure and signal with a raised hand to the person following you.  Stay where you are until marshals tell you what to do.
• Black Flag  -  Reduce speed and proceed directly to the pits (no short cuts).

2. All track locations will be referenced to by the corner names.

3. Standard racing flags will be displayed at the start/finish line.

• Green flag - Track is clear
• Yellow flag  - Caution, no passing allowed prior to incident
• Red flag  -  Danger, come to a safe stop at the edge of the track.
• Black flag  -  If pointed at YOU, you are the only offender, make  your way to pit road at a reduced speed.
• Blue with diagonal Yellow stripe - You are holding up traffic, allow them to pass on the next available passing straight.
• Red and Yellow striped flag  -  Designates fluids and/or debris are present on the track.
• Standing White flag  -  Denotes slow moving or emergency vehicle on the track.
• Checkered flag  -  Session is over, make your one cool down lap and pit in.
• The safety light system is the green, yellow, and red system; we are all familiar with on the street.  So pay attention to the lights as  well as the flags.  It is meant to be used as another check system for the safety of all.

Passing

1. Passing is only allowed on the three main straights.  Unless otherwise instructed.
    
2. All passes must be completed prior to turn in at the next corner.

3. Drivers being overtaken are to remain on their normal line.  It is the overtaking driver's responsibility to make a safe, clean pass.

4. If a driver notices a vehicle in their mirror for several turns, please allow that driver to pass at the next available passing straight.  Blocking will be cause for a visit to the grid marshal.

5. If you notice a driver is not paying attention to their mirrors, make your way to the grid marshal and warn them about the negligent driver.

NOW!! GO SATISFY YOUR NEED FOR SPEED!!!!!
PLEASE BE SAFE AND COURTEOUS TO EVERYONE