2015 COTA Entrant Information and Guidelines

Printable Version (PDF)

The US Vintage Racing National Championship has returned to the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. If you are new to this event, please understand that this motor racing facility has been designed with only the needs of Formula One Racing in mind. Because of this, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association and its participants encounter facility issues and regulations that may be different than we are used to at various Vintage events. Based on our experience in 2014, SVRA and COTA are refining our procedures to make your experience at this event a memorable one. We ask for your co-operation and patience with this huge event. Please read over this document, in detail, and print out the Views and Maps for your use. The following information will be updated as needed.

Pre-Event Items

Hotel Reservation Service:
Available at : http://http://circuitoftheamericas.com/

Licensing/Credentials:
This event is open to competitors that hold a current Competition License from a recognized Vintage racing organization. Novice Permit holders or Temporary Licenses are not acceptable. Make sure you have your Licenses, I.D. and any other documents that you need to submit. If you forget or misplaced your License, it is the participant’s responsibility to contact his home organization for proper documentation.

VMC Infraction List:
A driver’s appearance on the Vintage Motorsports Council Infraction List and/or a history of driver issues, probation or suspension may negate the entry for this event. The Competition Director and the Event Committee will make this determination if warranted.

SVRA East Rules Compliance for Car Type, Group and Class:
It is the responsibility of the entrant to understand and comply with all of the relevant rules of SVRA East. This is especially important regarding Tires requirements, Fuel Cell requirements, Competition Bulletins and Technical Bulletins. You must have a current Race Car Compliance Form (RCCF) and an Engine Certification Form on file with SVRA for every car entered. Car compliance issues need addressing, prior to the event, with the SVRA East Technical Director (rick@svra.com).

Head and Neck Restraints:
Mandatory for this event and all SVRA events. These systems must meet SFI 38.1 Standards. Other devices have also been approved. Please review Competition Bulletin CB2013-009 or contact ray@svra.com.

Transponders:
Required for all entrants. No transponder means no times and no scoring. Please make sure your car is equipped with a transponder and the number is recorded in an accessible location and available during Tech Inspections. A limited number of rental units are available. Please contact Janet Harhay (jharhay@tampabay.rr.com) prior to October 10th if a rental is needed.

Event Basics

Maps and Views for the Event:
Please click on to review and Download as there are updates for 2015.

Schedule: PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE (PDF)
This schedule is a working model and may change dramatically once all entries are submitted and Grouped. The order of Run Groups and scheduled times will be updated as needed. SVRA reserves the right to change/modify this schedule without notice but will make every effort to firm up the schedule as soon as possible.

Staging of Haulers:
PLAN AHEAD. If you are planning to park with another hauler, rig etc, meet somewhere prior to arriving at the track and come into the Staging Lanes together. All haulers, trailers, towed vehicles, RV’s (all vehicles) etc., are to Stage on Circuit of the Americas Boulevard and will enter the Facility at Tunnel Gate 2. There will be no access to the inner Facility via Tunnel Gate 1 during staging. Roving SVRA staff will pass through Staging with Waivers and Entry Tickets for Tuesday Load-In to expedite parking.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: The 3 right lanes of Cota Boulevard will be used for Staging and will have posted signage as to what lane for a particular paddock area. SVRA and COTA staff will instruct you into the proper lane. Review the PADDOCKS Information carefully so you get staged in the proper lane. SVRA and COTA will have night-time staff in the Staging Lanes to aid proper line-up. If you come into Staging but must disconnect for any reason, you will be required to proceed to parking lots to driver’s LEFT on Cota Blvd and disconnect there. This will prevent any blockage of the Staging Lanes. Please inform the Staging Staff. DO NOT DISCONNECT IN THE STAGING LANES.

Drivers of haulers containing multiple cars must have a list of names of the drivers of the cars contained. This will aid in the parking process.

Hauler/Rig Parking:
If you want to park together, come to the track together. There will be no space-saving for another hauler/tow-rig in any manner. Haulers will be parked at the discretion of the Paddock Marshalls and have total authority over this process. Once parked, haulers may not move to another location for any reason. If you may have to leave the event prior to its conclusion, let SVRA parking staff know. We will try to give you a space to make this easier. Empty-trailer parking will be located at the lower end of H Parking.
Note: Rig Parking may take most of the day with the large number of entries and the temporary buildings for Formula 1 still in place. Please work with each other and the SVRA and Track Staff. Your patience is appreciated.

Load-In:
It is planned that Initial Load-In will begin on Tuesday, November 3rd at approximately 8:00am. There will be an estimated 2 hour delay between the start of Load-In and the opening of Registration. Once parked/setup, proceed to Registration. for normal Credentials.
Wednesday and other Load-In days–must go to Registration before entering track with haulers/ trailers etc. through Tunnel Gate 2 only.

Registration:
Located in the center of Parking Lot A when you enter COTA. Load-In: participants and crews will be able to go into the track with personal vehicles – Tuesday Only – to get parked and set-up before going to Registration. (See Staging)

PADDOCKS:
For better co-ordination between SVRA and COTA staff and for entrant convenience, some paddock areas have changed and the names of these paddocks have been modified. Please review/download the Google Earth Maps and Views so you become familiar.

MAIN/GARAGE/PADDOCK: primary paddock for garage renters, invited entrants based on 2014 entry, event tire suppliers and SVRA Sponsors and Vendors. Grid, Tech, Control, Medical, Media Building, and the Cota Cafe are located in this paddock. No electric in paddock area. Over-night camping, non-tow vehicles, buses or RVs are not allowed in this paddock. NO PERSONAL VEHICLES PERMITTED. (Personal vehicles must park in Parking Lot A or marked areas of Lot H)

B-SUPPORT PADDOCK: OVER-NIGHT CAMPING ALLOWED in your hauler/tow vehicle. This paddock services all entrants and the TRANS AM SERIES. No electric in this paddock. Non-tow vehicles buses or RVs are not allowed in this paddock. (RV pad rentals with hookups are available via COTA). NO PERSONAL VEHICLES PERMITTED. (Personal vehicles park in Parking Lot A or marked “car-slot” areas of Lot H).

A-PADDOCK: new area for 2014 and became “THE” place to paddock. We will be using 50% of PARKING LOT A for full paddock space. OVER-NIGHT CAMPING ALLOWED in your hauler/tow vehicle. This paddock services all entrants. No electric in this paddock. Non-tow vehicles buses or RVs are not allowed in this paddock. (RV pad rentals with hookups are available via COTA). Advantages to this Paddock: personal cars may park close by in Parking Lot A, and Registration is close by.

H-PADDOCK: This area is just outside of the Tunnel at Gate 2, will be the site for the Jaguar F-Series Autocross. There are marked areas near this large area to be used for personal car parking for SVRA entrants.

Paddock Regulations and Information:
Parking spaces will accommodate ONLY a hauler (tow vehicle) plus applicable awning. One (1) Paddock Pass per Hauler. All personal vehicles will be parked at the front of the facility in Parking Lot A or in the marked areas of Parking Lot H. Shuttles will run between Registration in Parking Lot A / A Paddock, Main/Garage Paddock, B-Support Paddock and H-Parking area beginning Tuesday at approximately 10:00am and stop running at approximately 6:30pm. No personal vehicles will be issued a Paddock Pass. Reproduction of any Paddock Passes will result in the vehicle being towed at owners expense. In order to aid in Paddock Security, there will be an entrance curfew of Midnight for the B-Support Paddock and the A Paddock.

Garages:
One (1) garage equals one (1) support hauler. Due to the presence of Formula 1 Team buildings immediately behind most garages, along with electrical and fire equipment, haulers may not be parked directly behind your rented garage. Every effort will be made to place the hauler as close as possible. No awnings, tent structures, etc. may be erected off of these haulers. Fueling, storing of fuel or starting/running a race car in a garage is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Room is provided on the paddock- side Fire Lane for this purpose. Fuel should be stored in your hauler. There will be no egress through the pit-side doors. These doors may be required to be closed if violations occur.

There may be a few garages still available for rent. Fees are $500/day, 5-day minimum. Interested parties should contact Kathy Swinford, SVRA Concierge, at kathy@svra.com.

RV and Toter Parking:
OVER-NIGHT CAMPING ALLOWED in your hauler/tow vehicle in the B-SUPPORT PADDOCK and the A-PADDOCK only . (Not permitted in the MAIN/GARAGE PADDOCK). There are no utilities available in any paddock area. If you have a separate RV, Bus or Toter that is not your Hauler/Tow vehicle, you are not allowed to park in any paddock.

RV Pad Rental with Hook-ups (50 amp service), are available through COTA. Any questions or to reserve, please contact:
Jason Brewer – jason.brewer@circuitoftheamericas.com – 512-536-1451
or
Austin Savage – austin.savage@circuitoftheamericas.com – 512-655-6462

Note: COTA does not allow race cars or work on race cars at the RV rental pad locations.

Tent Requests:
Large, free-standing tents for groups wishing to paddock together, may be accommodated only in certain paddock areas, if at all. No tent may be erected by anyone without the consent of SVRA Paddock Marshall and COTA Management. The Paddock Marshall will consider your request and, if feasible, provide you with the Tent Company contact information that COTA uses as its sole supplier. This will ensure the proper location/placement of any tents. Trailers supporting cars under these tents will be parked in a location designated by the Paddock Marshall. Tent requests or questions: please contact Scott Marvicsin (smarvicsin@yahoo.com) or Billy Mitchell (pitroad13@eathlink.net).

Paddock Support Vehicles:
Because of the size and scope of the COTA facility, the use of a support vehicle of some kind is suggested. Golf carts, scooters, mini-bikes, 4-wheelers are permitted as long as operator is legally licensed (no children). Bicycles are permitted. All vehicles must follow the designated “traffic-flow” pattern per the Event maps. Any dangerous operation of support vehicles, such as over-loading, will result in having this privilege revoked. Support vehicle ID stickers will be available at Registration.

Golf Cart Rentals:
Available from: KC Golf Cart Company, via their website www.kcgolfcartco.com Look for the GENERAL column, then the listing: US Vintage Racing National Championship. Use password “svra” for access to the SVRA COTA rate package. At track location will be the same as previous year below the temporary grandstands past the “H” Parking Lot. In order to guarantee your cart reservation, please reserve “on-line” with KC Golf Carts.

Paddock pit speed is 10 mph.

Shuttles:
Shuttles will run between Registration in Parking Lot A / A Paddock, Main/Garage Paddock, B-Support Paddock and H-Parking area beginning Tuesday at approximately 10:00am and stop running at approximately 6:30pm. Following days, shuttles should run between 6:30am and 7:00pm approximately.

Paddock Access/Drop-offs:
It is understood that there may be a need to bring a non-credentialed vehicle into the paddock to drop off people/equipment/supplies. The driver will be required to surrender his Event Credentials or an I.D. at the entry gate. If the vehicle does not return within 30 minutes of entry, the vehicle and team will be located and, if not removed, the vehicle towed at the owner’s expense. This allowance into the paddock is done as a courtesy and will be revoked to all participants if the privilege is abused.

Special Needs:
Visitors with special needs should come to Registration with their request. Paddock passes will be provided to those individuals with Handicap designations on driver’s licenses or display card used for everyday parking.

Paddock Care:
The asphalt at COTA may not be punctured by anchors, stake, jack stands, etc. Use weights, water buckets, etc. (Do not use N2 bottles). All awning or tent poles must have wood pads under them. Weights or wood pads are NOT available from the race track. Some type of trailer tongue rest must be used to prevent sinking into asphalt. Spills, leaks, liquids etc. must be cleaned up properly. Drip pans are suggested under a lot of Vintage cars. COTA staff will monitor the paddocks on a regular basis and you will be charged for any paddock facility damages.

Race Tire Support:
Participants may order race tires for at track delivery mounting and balancing from Bob Woodman Tires (bobwoodmantires.com) and Sasco Sports (sascosports.com).

Race Fuel:
VP Racing Fuels, the official racing fuel of the U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship, will be on site at Circuit of the Americas with a number of fuel blends for purchase including VP Vintage Leaded (98), VP Vintage Unleaded (96), VP110, C12 and more. VP (93) octane street gas is available at the COTA credit-card operated pumps. We recommend you submit a pre-order for this event to ensure the fuel you want is available in the quantity you need. To pre-order fuel, for advice on fuel selection or technical questions, contact VP at 210-241-1192 or vphq@vpracingfuels.com.

Truck Wash:
By appointment right on COTA Boulevard. Contact Joel Armistead at Hill Country Pressure Washing (hillcountrypw@yahoo.com) or 512-785-6455.

Noise Courtesy:
No race engine may be started/run between 9:00pm and 7:00am .

Camping:
Tent camping is not permitted. Camp fires of any type are not permitted. Barbecues, hibachis, heating and cooking equipment may be used in defined areas.

Minors:
No one under the age of 18 allowed in the Hot Pit area at any time.

Animals:
No Pets Allowed.

Additional Circuit of the Americas Facility Information

Waste Handling & Disposal:
COTA asks for strict compliance with the handling of waste and hazardous materials. Fluid disposal containers are located in the YELLOW buildings in a A and B paddocks. It is suggested that you bring an extra closed-lid container to transport waste fluids to these buildings. All spills must be treated immediately. Trash and waste such as tires, batteries, fuel containers, etc., shall not be left at the facility. Do not place any petroleum products in trash receptacles.

Nitrogen:
If you will be ordering Nitrogen, a local supplier is available:
Matheson Sales
Mr. Vance Kollatschny
1-512-385-0611 vkollatschny@mathesongas.com
N2 will be delivered to the Fuel Depot location.

All nitrogen, oxygen, acetylene, propane etc. must be securely fastened to a carrier and gauge cages must be used.

Fire Extinguishers:
Each competitor must have at least one (1) portable dry chemical fire extinguisher with at least a 12BC rating available in his/her paddock space and pit box area.

Shipments:
Packages shipped to the race track facility can be picked up the Maintenance Building, just above the “A” Paddock area. All packages must be clearly marked as follows:

Circuit of the Americas
Event Name
Team Name
Individual Name and Cell Phone Number
9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd
DelValle, TX 78617