When we finally return to the racetrack, NASA events, as you once
knew them, will have changed. Our safety protocols on the racetrack are
the finest in the industry, and with the advent of the coronavirus, NASA
must rethink the way we conduct our events, for the safety of our
drivers, crew, staff and track personnel.
We at NASA are going to
do everything we can to keep our people safe, but inevitably many of the
new safety protocols will be the responsibility of NASA members. With
your participation, with your help, we as an organization will be able
to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Whitehouse.gov Opening
America guidelines at all times or risk being shut down again.
These
program changes are set forth as minimum guidelines for all NASA
Regions and NASA members to meet. Participants who refuse to comply with
these policies will be asked to leave the event upon first offense.
General Member Protocols
- All
participants must wear a cloth mouth and nose face covering or other
non-venting PPE mask when in public areas such as at meetings, Driver
Info and Registration, vendor areas and food lines, photography viewing
areas, pregrid, fan stands and track viewing areas, “communal” rental
garages, and vehicle tech inspection. Drivers do not need to wear a mask
or face covering while in their vehicles.
- All non-cohabitating
participants shall continue to maintain 6 feet social distancing. Face
coverings are not a substitute for physical/social distancing.
- All
participants shall practice good hygiene by washing hands or using hand
sanitizer often, especially after touching frequently used items or
surfaces, such as pens, faucets, doorknobs, etc.
- Outdoor
meetings are strongly preferred and still require physical distancing,
but if the weather is prohibitive, indoor meetings can be held under strict
physical-distancing protocols, including at least 6-feet-radius spacing
between non-cohabitating attendees, and continued use of face
coverings. Should this not be feasible, indoor meetings are prohibited.
- Vulnerable
individuals to COVID-19 (those greater than 74 years old, and those
with serious underlying medical problems such as hypertension, diabetes,
obesity, chronic lung disease and asthma, or immunocompromised state)
should neither participate in nor attend events and should shelter in
place at home until Phase 3, as outlined at
whitehouse.gov/openingamerica. Non-vulnerable participants need to
understand that there is risk of bringing the virus home from any event
and should take extra caution to isolate from vulnerable individuals
once back home.
- Participants who are sick or coughing should not go to the event and will be required to leave.
- All socially dense gatherings such as barbecues and beer gardens are suspended until further notice.
NASA Staff Protocols
- All
NASA staff working indoors or outside potentially in close proximity to
participants or other staff members must wear a face covering or mask.
- Driver Info desk should be set up outdoors whenever possible to avoid indoor gatherings.
- Race
control and timing shall be restricted to essential personnel only.
Both should be set up in a way that allows the recommended 6-foot
distance to be maintained at all times.
- Any lines that may form
during the event for participants or staff should be planned for ahead
of time to ensure 6-foot distancing guidelines can be maintained. This
can include the lunch line to order food, driver info, etc.
HPDE1 Changes
- In-car instruction is suspended until further notice.
- HPDE1
will require the first session on each event day be “paced” by 3-plus
instructor vehicles. This “pacing” is intended to control speed for the
first session, allowing HPDE1 students to familiarize themselves with
the track. Instructors will report to grid before the previous session
leaves. Instructors then take evenly spaced grid spots to “split up” the
HPDE1 students as evenly as possible before they begin to arrive.
- Subsequent HPDE1 sessions should provide “lead-follow instruction” to those who want it.
- Instructors
grid in the back for the session. Students looking for “lead-follow
instruction” report early and grid behind the instructor.
- Only cohabitating participants may ride in HPDE cars as passengers.
Tech
- HPDE/TT/Race
tech should be done with the participants staying in their vehicles and
pulling up in line to avoid any gatherings at the tech area. If more
than a vehicle weight is needed, the driver shall exit the vehicle and
wait at least 6 feet away from the driver’s side.
- Two or more “lines” spread 12 feet apart should be used when possible to speed up the process.
- Tech inspectors should wear PPE such as masks and latex gloves.
Podium Ceremonies
- Podiums should be conducted outside using a “no contact” process.
- Awards should be set up ahead of time on a table where drivers can pick up their specific awards.
- “High
fives,” hugs and handshakes following the race should be avoided. If a
podium can be set up, each position should be placed 6 feet from the
other.
- A minimum of 6 feet of separation should be maintained at
all times. If the podium cannot be conducted maintaining 6 feet of
separation, podium ceremonies should not be conducted.
We very much look forward to welcoming all NASA members back to the track for their fun filled adrenaline packed weekends!