GRID CAPTAIN

The Grid Captain shall have the discretion to determine the run order within each heat, balancing the conflicting goals of running in numerical order within class, fairness to drivers of both single-driver and two-driver, keeping entire classes together, and facilitating efficient event operation. Duties include:

  • Responsible for sending competing cars to the starting line, may delegate these instructions to the grid assistant.
  • Responsible for ensuring that no competitor shall take a second run until all drivers have completed their first run.
  • Must remain in contact with control in the event that control grants a re-run to a competitor or Sound/Safety has an issue with a competitor.
    Grid Assistant – Duties include:
  • Responsible for preparing competitors for their place in the run order.
  • Responsible for keeping a time log to assure compliance with the five-minute minimum for two-driver cars and time allowances for mechanical failures.

HELPFUL HINTS

  • Never turn your back on a moving car or to the direction of traffic flow in grid.
  • Relax and have fun with it. The drivers understand that mistakes happen and grid can be stressful if you stress out about it. Stay focused on the job and you’ll be fine.
  • Arrive early (10 minutes before the prior heat finishes?) to identify the two driver cars and mark them on your grid page as you find them (pick up the grid radio, vests and clipboard from the prior grid crew at the end of the prior heat). Walking by each car and showing 2 fingers while asking “two drivers?” is the usual method. Remind the two driver cars that they will be running immediately at the start of the heat.
  • There is a grid captain and 1 or 2 assistants. You’ll start as an assistant your first few times working grid to see how it runs. Usually, the assistant works ahead of the captain giving drivers a heads up that they will run in a few minutes. The grid captain typically sends the car to the starting queue. Some captains prefer to work it differently. Another option is for the captain to walk ahead with the radio and clip board pre-warning drivers with a 3-5 minute heads up, making sure drivers are getting in their cars with helmets on, and to have the assistant send cars. This has two benefits: first, the grid captain can work 8-10 cars ahead of the “sender”, and has time to stop and write down and address re-runs, sound, safety issues, etc, without a being rushed to send cars to the starting queue. Second, the grid captain can watch what cars are being sent and double check that the correct order is being maintained. Regardless of whatever method is used, the grid captain has the final say in how the run order is executed.
  • Try to maintain 3-5 cars in the starting queue.
  • Run order is: 1st drivers of all 2 driver cars, first half of the single driver cars (find a good break point between two classes during your 2 driver identification walk), 2nd driver of all 2 driver cars, second half of the single driver cars.
  • The grid captain has a radio to hear calls from control for DNFs, re-runs, sound violations, safety issues, number problems, etc. The grid captain should write these down and notify the driver, typically by sending a grid assistant
  • If junior carts have a driver seated and the engine running or are otherwise moving, no cars may be moving in grid, though cars may have engines running (engine cool down). If cars are moving in grid, junior carts may have either: a driver seated in it or the engine running (warm up and tuning), but not both.
  • Time between re-runs: drivers getting a re-run must wait 5 minutes before taking a re-run or risk a protest:
    • 7.4 RERUNS: Reruns will be granted only for timing failure or object on the course, and will not be given because of mechanical or other failure of the competitor’s car. A minimum of five minutes must have elapsed, before a competitor may take a rerun. The clock begins when the car has left the course and may not re-enter the course until five minutes have elapsed.
  • Time between regular runs in regards to two driver cars: 5 minutes must elapse before the same car is presented to the start line.
  • Drivers of cars with mechanical difficulty shall have ten minutes after the car is scheduled to start to present a car at the start line.
  • Drivers may take one mechanical delay per run. For this purpose, a re-run counts as a new run. Grid personnel will be notified of the mechanical difficulty, and will refer the request for a mechanical delay to the Chief Steward in cases where the competitor may gain an unfair advantage by delaying a run. Abuse of this allowance may be considered unsportsmanlike conduct and is protestable under 9.1.F.