How does the Novice class work?
New drivers are considered Novices when they first start competing until they "graduate" by gaining experience or by trophying three times.

What class do I run after "graduating"?
You may go into any of the classes run by FLR. Road Tire class is probably appropriate if you are competing on your street tires. See sections below on car class.

What are the dots for?
For your first event you will get a green dot to put on your windshield. This tells the instructors at the event your status so they can work with you better. After the first event you get yellow dots until you trophy, after which you're a "red" and almost ready to "graduate".

How do the trophies work?
All drivers in Novice class are competing only against each other. Because all cars aren't equal, a class-based handicapping scheme called PAX is used for scoring. Basically, the top third of the class will receive a trophy at the after-event awards bash. Road Tire class and Ladies class (if one is organized) also work on the PAX system.

What are all the car classes about?
Once you are out of the novice / road tire classes, you're into the "open" classes. These are divided first into Stock, Street Prepared, Prepared and Modified, plus a couple of new ones Street Touring and Street Mod. The rulebook contains the details but, incase you're wondering, "Stock" pretty much means "stock". A big factor in choosing a class will be tires; DOT approved competition tires are fairly normal in all FLR open classes (not true in all regions) and they make a big difference in performance.

So, what's a Run Group?
To simplify and even out the distribution of runs and work assignments, different classes are consolidated into four Run Groups. So when Run Group 1 runs, Run Group 4 works; then Run Group 2 runs, 1 works, and so on. At the next event, group 2 runs first, (1 works), etc. Just which Run Group novices are assigned to may vary, so pay attention (or ask) at the drivers meeting. Run Groups are:

Run Sequence - At FLR events we run, work, run, work, and so on. Some regions are different: run, run, work, work for example.

How do I know when it's time to run?
Know the classes in the previous group and your own. Watch them and when the previous gets close to ending, go to the grid.

Anything to know about the grid?
There will usually be at least two lines of cars with at times a third line. That third line is for folks sharing one car (so it needs to move a bit faster). The worker doing the grid will control moving up to the start. If you don't have a helmet you can use one of our loaners - wait till you are at the front of the grid before taking one.

How do I make a faster run?
That, as they say, is beyond the scope of this FAQ. But do expect that you will succeed in getting quicker. At first you think you are driving at the limit - then you might find folks are beating you and you have no idea how to go faster. It takes practice ("seat time") and concentration, so don't be frustrated. By the end of a season you will be amazed at the improvement in your driving (and times)

How do I know how I'm doing?
Times will be posted shortly after each set of runs by Registration or the trailer.

What's involved in working; do I have to work?
All the assignments are fairly simple once you get the hang of it. Just have the previous person show you until you get the hang of it. Work assignments are logged; for every missed assignment you will lose a best time. Always play it safe on course. Never turn your back on the track. Red flag if you see danger.

What's involved in cleaning up the course?
Mostly gathering cones, taking down the shed and loading the trailer. The more that help, the faster it goes. You won't miss any r own area clean - we are guests here and want to be able to come back.

What's the After-Event bash like?
The competitors simply get together after with a beer or soft drink to socialize. Then the times are announced and trophieafter-event stuff because it's usually the same folks doing the work who run the after-event bash. Leave yous awarded, then eventually it's time for home. Drive easy going home; bring the fast stuff back to the next Solo event!

How does the championship work?
Points are awarded in each class (not Novice or Road Tire); from 1st place down they are 20, 15, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1. You may count scores from eight events including up to two "Out-of-Region" events. At the end of the year there is a Solo picnic where championship trophies are awarded.

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