Disclaimer: This article is meant to serve as a general rule of thumb, and merely suggest some of the
actions one may take in preparing for their first practice event. As each venue is
different, please use your best judgment and follow all rules pertaining to safety.
Pre-Registration: Most practice events are announced months in advance, however, certain events
may be announced with shorter notice due to an opening at a venue. The registration for
practice events is generally available at least one month in advance. Majority of the
practice events are scheduled on weekends,
Supplies: Most of the items you will need you can most likely can think of off the top of your head.
But no matter how hard you try to think of everything, you will most likely forget
something simple. That’s where we try to help by giving you some common items we
recommend you bring to every event.
- Water or any other liquids that will hydrate you (i.e. Gatorade).
- Meals and snacks; generally there are places to eat nearby, but sometimes we hold
events in the middle of nowhere. - Extra clothes to accommodate changes in weather throughout the day. We hold
events in the rain, and sun, so be sure to plan accordingly. - Tents/canopies will aid in blocking the elements (don’t forget anchors).
- All Drivers Must have Long Pants
- Helmet with a rating of at least M-95 or SA-95 is ok for parking lot events.
- Tires, lots and lots of tires. You don’t want to go home early because you didn’t
bring enough tires to the event. And make sure to leave one set aside to drive
home on. - Tools, you never know when something may come loose, broken, or need to be
adjusted. - Sun block, even during the cold months the asphalt can still act as a mirror.
- Jack and tire iron, you’d be surprised how many people forget one.
- AAA membership in case your car needs a tow, plus the other discounts offered
by being member has its benefits.
Before the Event: Pack all of your equipment in advance, this way in case you overlook something you
forgot to buy or replace, you have ample time to correct the problem. Pre-tech your car
and make sure everything on your car will pass prior to the event. You don’t want to
drive all that way only to find out your car is not allowed on track. You can download a
copy of our technical inspection guidelines
HERE and review the list on
your own. If you have questions concerning the condition of your car or the technical
inspection guidelines, feel free to email
tech@vegasdrift.com
Day before the Event: Be sure to get lots of sleep. A day outside in the sun (or other elements) can be tiring.
You want to make sure you are alert and at 100% of your abilities.
Arriving at the Event: Be on time. Certain venues have specific gate times, so be sure to check the event details
concerning when you can arrive. There are 30+ other drivers at most events; and as
much as you mean to us, the show must go on, even in your absence.
At each event, there will be a designated area for participant parking called the paddock.
Once there, you should unload your car and prepare it for technical inspection. Do not
leave valuables or any other important items unattended. Even though theft is virtually
unheard of at our events, there is a first time for everything and we’d hate for it to be you.
Registration/Tech: The registration booth will be located in the paddock and is usually set up with a tent.
You must check in here first. Be sure to bring your valid driver’s license to verify your
name, age, and entry. If you are pre-registered, they will have your information on file
and all you need to do is check in, sign the waiver, get a wristband, and obtain your tech
sheet. If the event is still open registration you will need to register. You will have to fill out an event entry form and then check in, sign the waiver, get a wristband, and obtain your tech sheet.
Depending on the venue, there will either be a designated tech location or a walking
technical inspection. At designated locations, drivers will simply drive their cars to the
tech spot similar to a drive through and the tech inspectors will perform the inspection. A
walking tech is where tech inspectors will walk around the paddock and tech all cars with
their tech sheets pinned under their windshield wipers (designating there car is ready to
be inspected). It is your responsibility to make sure your car is ready to be tech’ed at an
event and is done so prior to the driver’s meeting.
Driver’s Meeting: Driver’s meetings are MANDATORY. Driver meetings will discuss the format of the
event, issues that must be addressed, rules, etc… You must attend them, even if you have
been to every event we have ever held. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask
them. Others drivers may have the same questions as you and this way they can all be
addressed together. If you would like an instructor to assist you or ride with you, this is
also the perfect opportunity to request one, as during the course of the day they may be
preoccupied with other drivers or duties.
Parade Lap: Parade Laps are highly recommended. You will have plenty of time to drift once you
learn the course. Many times drivers just assume they know the course or can learn it on
their own. Although a select few may be able to do this, it is in everyone’s best interest
for every driver to be prepared. If drivers do not take the time to walk the course and
learn it prior to their first run, they may end up off course or knocking over cones using
up valuable track time that could have been prevented with a course walk.
Lining Up: When your group is called to the starting grid, be sure that you have your helmet with
you. Make sure you have your wristband on and your tech sticker on your windshield.
When you are approximately 2 to 3 cars back from the starting grid worker, be sure to
have your seatbelt/harness and helmet securely fastened.
On Course: Once on course, stay on course. If you find yourself out of control or off course, come to
a safe and controlled stop. Once you have regained control of the car, if you went
slightly off track simply return to the course or look for direction from an official if you
are lost. If you hit a cone, do not stop to fix it, we have course workers for this. Please
do not aim for the cones on purpose either.
Flags: The most common two flags you will see at practice events are yellow and red flags.
Yellow flags alert you of a potential hazard ahead and to stay alert and take caution. It
may be ok by the time you get there, however, if not a red flag will be waved. Red flags
alert you to come to a safe and controlled stop. There is either a car in front of you that
has spun or some other hazard that may affect your run. Once the official that waved the
red flag gives you the ok, you may continue your run.
End of the Day: At the end of the day, we ask you to please clean up after yourself. Just like you, we too
are tired from a long day of fun, and the last thing we want to do is stay late and clean up.
Besides, if we do not leave the venue in the same condition as we found it, we may not be
asked to return for another event.
We hope that you will enjoy your first event and that you will return for many more. As
with anything, practice makes perfect. So if you didn’t do as well as you thought you
would, don’t give up. We are always willing to help you progress, so don’t hesitate to
ask for assistance. We also welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can
make each event better.
Regards,
Vegasdrift/U.S.Drift
And Twitter 
accounts!