EVENT PREP/INFO
UPON ARRIVAL
WHAT TO EXPECT AT REGISTRATION
After parking in the paddock, head to the designated registration area, typically located in a higher-numbered garage marked with Edge Addicts banners. Here, you’ll turn in your Tech Inspection sheet, sign our waiver, and collect your driver’s wristband. Here you can also purchase vinyl numbers for your vehicle and rent a helmet if you need one. Place the colored wristband on your left arm, as you’ll need to show it to the grid marshal each time you enter the track.
Ensure your car has identifying numbers on both sides, 10" - 12" tall, and smaller numbers on the rear, at least 4" tall. These can be made with blue painter’s tape or vinyl numbers prepared in advance. Please avoid using the numbers 11, 17, 71, 77, 111, or 777, as they are sometimes hard to distinguish from by the corner workers/control.
Once registered, proceed to the driver’s meeting, typically held in loft 203 or 204 above the garages. Meeting details, including the exact time and location, will be listed on the schedule. Driver’s meetings generally start at 7:00 AM, and you can access the lofts via any stairwell along the garages.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT DRIVER'S MEETINGS
This is a fast-paced meeting, and attendance is mandatory. We will cover important safety topics and discuss the foundational aspects of performance driving, including exit strategies, mental capacity, passing protocol, how to get onto the grid, and the meanings of each flag, as they are our primary means of communication between drivers, instructors, and track marshals.
Once you are released from the driver’s meeting, you are free until it's time to line up on the grid for your driving session. This is a good time to remove all loose items from your car, including the floor mats.
Afternoon meetings and classroom sessions are sometimes held to review foundational skills, advanced techniques, or address specific issues in particular run groups. These meetings are mandatory, and class times will be announced over the PA system.
WHEN IT'S TIME TO DRIVE
Please be on the grid with your car and helmet 5-10 minutes before your scheduled session. All first-time, novice drivers will be assigned instructors, and under no circumstances are you allowed to enter the track without your instructor. Your instructor will find you on the grid at COTA, trackside of the garages outside of the registration garage.
We recommend arriving at least 10-15 minutes early so that you have time to meet your instructor and discuss your session before heading out on track. Edge Addicts staff will be present to help facilitate, and your instructor, who has been pre-assigned, will be looking for you.
If you are an Edge Addicts solo-approved driver, you will be allowed to drive without an instructor in the car. However, our instructor team remains available, and we encourage you to seek additional instruction if needed. In this sport, you will never outgrow the need for instruction and coaching. At any point throughout the weekend Edge Addicts may place an instructor with you, and can revoke solo privilege at any time.
Once on track, we will use a flag system to communicate information to you and your instructor. Flag marshals are located at key spots around the track, so it's important to have an understanding of the flag colors before you arrive at the event.
ON TRACK - NO SPEED LIMIT
While there are no speed limits on the track, it’s important to remember that this is a high-performance educational program on a road course. The emphasis here is on mastering the corners, which are far more significant than achieving top speeds.
Throughout the event, you’ll focus on developing essential skills such as weight transfer, enhancing peripheral vision, improving situational awareness, practicing threshold braking, and refining smooth throttle application, among various other skills. Staying focused is crucial.
Your primary goal should not be to push for the highest speed down the straightaways. If speed is your main focus, a drag strip event, where there are no sharp corners, may be more suitable for you. Mastering performance driving on a racetrack involves refining skills that are also important for everyday highway driving. Concentrate on making smooth transitions between acceleration, braking, turning in, and tracking out.
PASSING
When passing other cars on the track, it’s essential to do so in a controlled and predictable manner. The driver of the lead car should extend their arm out of the window with a pointed finger to signal the approaching car to pass, while maintaining a steady line as the pass occurs. Once you signal for a car to pass, it’s crucial to stay on your line and avoid making any sudden movements. You should also slightly ease off the throttle to ensure the other car can pass you smoothly.
TRACK FLAGS
Understanding and learning the track flags used at our events is crucial for a safe and effective experience. These flags serve as the primary method of communication between drivers, corner workers, and control, providing essential information about track conditions and safety. Familiarizing yourself with their meanings ensures that you can respond appropriately during your sessions, helping to maintain a smooth and secure environment for everyone involved.
RUN GROUPS
At our events, drivers are separated into run groups based on their skill level and lap times to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone on track. This structure allows beginners to learn and progress at a comfortable pace while providing intermediate and advanced drivers with sessions suited to their experience and abilities. By organizing drivers in this way, we create a balanced environment that prioritizes learning, fun, and safety.