Both the On and Off-Road tracks are available to club members for practice outside of official race days, but there are some simple rules that must be adhered to.
Use is restricted to paid up club members and friends/family who are potential club members. Access is not not free-for-all for your mates.
Practice days are not to replace normal club days. We want you all at the official club race days.
Continued Use of the Grounds
We are only tenants of the Hastings District Council and of the Hawke's Bay A&P Society, who have been very generous in their support of our club.
We are responsible for looking after the grounds and behaving in a wholly respectful manner. Any bad behavior could jeopardise our use of the track locations, both of which would be almost impossible to replicate elsewhere.
Noise Control
Be respectful of neighbours, at the netball courts in particular; they are in the middle of a residential area. People have a right to their privacy and to a reasonable level of silence.
Electric cars only at the On-Road track. We are not allowed to run nitro/internal combustion cars at the Sylvan Road location for obvious reasons.
Music - You may want to hear your own playlist but the neighbours probably don't, so keep any music to a sensible level.
No Smoking or Alcohol
Like all Council sports grounds, the courts and showgrounds are Non-Smoking areas (this includes vaping). There is also a liquor ban in place.
Respect for Other Groups
The DIY Coffin Club, Pickle Ball, and Menzshed also share the Sylvan Road facilities; while there are often other groups (particulary equestrian) using the Showgrounds. We currently have great relationships with all of them.
The more legitimate groups make use of the facilities, the more likely we are to be allowed continued access. Plus, we all provide a degree of security when other groups are not present. We help them, they help us (e.g., our power supply comes from the Coffin Club); we want to keep it that way.
Respect their areas and equipment. Be polite to their members, even if a conflict arises. We don't want to be seen as the bad guys!
Track Key Availability
Gate keys for both track locations are available in Hastings and Napier, by calling and organising a time with one of the following people:
Keys must be picked up by the user and dropped back at the end of your practice session.
No copies are to be made. This is not only a club rule, but also a directive from Hastings District Council and other key issuers.
Race Day Guidelines
Please try and get to race days as close to the advertised start time as possible. There are a few jobs that need to be done before racing can get underway, and any help with both set-up and pack-up is very much appreciated!
Timetable
Track Set-Up - Power leads & boxes, club/sponsor banners, and lap counting equipment all need to be set up before any track use.
Open Practice (uncontrolled) - Be courteous to other drivers!
Track and Race Preparation - Track swept, sprayed or hosed, and corner mats and markers laid out.
Drivers Briefing - All drivers must attend.
Race Day Programme - Heat order, qualifying results, and final positions will be posted on the trackside boards when available, and can also be accessed live during the day at the link below.
Pack-Up - Club equipment (power leads, track markers, tables, etc) to be packed away, and all rubbish to be removed at the end of the day.
Marshalling
You must marshal the race immediately following your own.
If you are in consecutive heats, you are responsible for finding someone to take your place, and/or marshalling the next available race when needed.
If you are in 3 races, you should be marshalling 3 races.
Be out on the track and in position
well before the next race starts.
Concentrate on the job at hand; no cell phones or food, avoid chatting and other distractions.
Keep your attention on the area of track you are responsible for, not the race at large!
Please volunteer if there is a shortage.
Footwear
This is a Health and Safety requirement.
Appropriate closed toe shoes must be worn when marshalling. No jandals, as they are not only a tripping hazard, but greatly increase the risk of injury from out-of-control cars.
Driver's Stand Etiquette
Only drivers currently racing or practicing are allowed on the drivers stand.
Please ask non-drivers, spectators, and family members to sit on the other available terraced seating or watch from the top court, behind the track fencing.
Do not abuse other drivers or marshals.
Rule Books
Hawke's Bay RC Car Club run all nationally recognised classes in accordance with the NZRCA rule books.
