Membership Benefits

Introduction

The Club track awards – Honours Two and Honours One – reflect the increasing interest in track based driving, both among driving enthusiasts as a whole, and within the Club.

The aim of the awards is to recognise those drivers who have demonstrated a high degree of proficiency on track, building on the core car control skills taught on Honours Three. The awards will also act as an incentive for Club members to improve their track driving skills in a structured way.

The awards in context

Honours Two and Honours One sit 'above' Honours Three, and alongside the Club's road awards (Silver, Gold and President's Award).

Whilst being awarded Honours Three is a pre-requisite for taking the Gold Award, because it focuses on core car control skills that are relevant to both road and track, Honours Two and Honours One are pure track awards aimed at those members who wish to progress their track driving, or in preparation for racing.

Honours Two and Honours One can only be attempted after Honours Three has been successfully completed.

Honours Two is an award which will recognise core track driving skills including:

preparing one's car for the track
track craft, safety and etiquette
cornering technique
car control skills (eg, heel and toe, threshold braking, linking throttle and steering) overtaking and traffic management.

In general, Honours Two skills would need to be demonstrated in the member's own car on at least two different tracks of reasonable difficulty (ie, not just on airfield tracks such as Bruntingthorpe). Honours Two is a high standard that represents an achievement equivalent to the Club's Gold standard for road driving.

Honours One is the Club's ultimate accolade for track driving, and represents an achievement equivalent to receiving the President's Award for road driving. Whilst the core skills that are required to be demonstrated are the same as Honours Three and Honours Two, the key differences will be the member's ability to drive at the highest standard on any track, in any conditions and in any car.

Skills and competency framework

On the following pages, the core skills, underlying competencies and the behaviours that should be demonstrated are set out.

The core skills for Honours Two and Honours One are the same. However, the specific competencies for Honours One are, for some skills, more advanced than for Honours Two.

1.Preparation and Familiarisation

	Honours
Competencies - Vehicle preparation and familiarisation	One	Two
Prepare the vehicle adequately prior to the track event. As a minimum this should include inspection and correction (if required) of the following items: Oil level. This should be set by reference to the vehicle. For example, oil level should not be too high for oil cooled cars (eg, older 911s) as oil expands when hot Other fluid levels, including brake fluid, coolant and petrol. Petrol tanks should not be overfilled on cars prone to leaking fuel when on track Check condition of tyres to ensure no damage visible. Ensure adequate tread on the tyre, and for cars with heavily cambered set ups check for wear on inner edge Set tyre pressures to a level appropriate for the vehicle Remove all loose objects from inside the vehicle (passenger cell and boot) Ensure all windows are clean Check for proper operation of harnesses and seat belts	Y	Y
Arrive with the appropriate equipment for the event, including helmet, gloves, boots and if appropriate, racing overalls	Y	Y
Familiarise with the vehicle (if not the driver's own car) including: Type of drive (rear, front, four-wheel) Engine configuration, type and placement, with reference to assessing the impact of these areas on the way the vehicle will respond and drive on track. For example, demonstrating an understanding of: Turbocharging – impact of engine lag, risk of power arriving 'in a rush' mid corner Rear wheel drive – risk of oversteer with excessive power Front, mid or rear engine placement – impact on likely dynamics of the vehicle (e.g., low polar moment of inertia with mid-engine cars) Electronic drivers’ aids, including ABS, traction control and stability control systems Weight distribution and its impact on handling, braking and traction characteristics	Y	Y

Demonstration

The driver would be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the checklist items for preparing the vehicle for the track.
An Honours One driver will be comfortable with the preparation of and familiarisation with any vehicle.

Assessment of Track Protocols, Conditions & Warm-Up

	Honours
Competencies - Assessment of Track Protocols, Conditions & Warm-Up	One	Two
Read track rules, protocols and safety instructions. Demonstrate clear understanding of flags	Y	Y
Assess the weather and track conditions, and the level of experience of fellow participants, and modify approach to warm up laps accordingly	Y	Y
If the track is unfamiliar, review circuit layout with aid of diagrams at the venue and/or discussion with experienced participants. Discuss and assess danger areas – eg, corners with limited visibility, run off etc.	Y	Y
Check for proper operation of vehicle controls, especially brakes through static brake test	Y	Y
Undertake sighting / warm up lap. Demonstrate appreciation of the need to warm up the car and tyres. Identify location of all marshals’ posts	Y	Y
If on the first lap of an unfamiliar track, display the ability to ‘see the line’ and drive precisely in order to embed correct turn-in, apex and exit points	Y	Y
If taking a passenger, provide an appropriate briefing covering safety, actions to be taken in the event of an accident / incident, signals for the driver (eg, raise a hand if not comfortable)	Y	Y

Demonstration

The driver should display a clear, systematic approach towards preparation of self and the vehicle for the event.
With respect to a new track, Honours One drivers will display an ability to rapidly gauge the track conditions and within one or two laps, have assessed the proper line and be driving precisely to that line.
Honours Two drivers will take longer to adapt to a new track, but will still display a systematic approach to learning the track.

2.Car Control

	Honours
Competencies - Car Control - Steering	One	Two
Displays fixed hold steering technique, with relaxed elbows and hands (ie, grip not over-tight)	Y	Y
Operates steering in a smooth fashion, with smooth and precise turn-in, and appropriate unwinding of lock as power is applied	Y	Y
Displays appreciation of slip angles and a clear ability to link steering and throttle inputs to optimise steering input. Displays an appreciation of 'hinting' technique to maximise responsiveness of tyres	Y

Demonstration

Good steering technique is one of the key skills for the driver to master. The driver should be able to demonstrate the feel and finesse described in the Honours Three standard document, and apply this consistently and at speed.
With fine steering and throttle control, the driver will maximise the grip of the tyres and the stability of the car. Transitions will be well managed.

	Honours
Competencies - Car Control - Gear Changing	One	Two
Displays firm grip on gear lever. Grip is taken early – i.e., not in a rushed fashion which could lead to risk of slipping or missing the change	Y	Y
Speed of shift is appropriate to track driving – i.e., brisk whilst remaining smooth	Y	Y
Heel and toe changes required during braking phases. All down changes to be executed smoothly. Ability to synchronise changes at high rpm levels	Y	Y
Gear choice is optimal at all times for maximum control and acceleration	Y

Demonstration

The driver will, as required, adapt gear changing style for the track. Changes will be quick, smooth and well timed.
An Honours Two driver will demonstrate the ability to choose the right gear for each corner.
An Honours One driver will demonstrate an ability to flex gear choice depending on the vehicle being driven, recognising the different power characteristics of different engines. The driver will also adapt gear choice to driving conditions e.g., using a higher gear in wet conditions to avoid losing grip under power.

	Honours
Competencies - Car Control - Braking	One	Two
Aware of whether the vehicle has anti-lock brakes or not, and adapts braking technique accordingly	Y
Braking is applied smoothly and firmly, keeping the vehicle under control	Y	Y
Ability to threshold brake – ie, find the maximum available retardation	Y	Y
Recognises and adapts for the impact of the following variables on braking performance: suspension geometry (eg, camber) bumps, ridges and cambers on the track track conditions including temperature and variable dampness	Y
Ability to trail brake to maximise stability on turn-in and entry speed	Y

Demonstration

One of the key areas for a driver to demonstrate is an ability to use the brakes to their full effect. This is clearly in contrast to road driving.
For vehicles with ABS, the driver will be able to demonstrate maximum retarding, generally by finding the point of ABS intervention and keeping braking pressure marginally less than this threshold.
For vehicles without ABS, the driver at Honours One level will be able to cadence brake to avoid wheel lock up and potential flatspotting.
The driver will also show an appreciation of the risk of brake fade, and adapt accordingly.

3.Overtaking and Traffic Management

	Honours
Competencies - Overtaking & Traffic Management	One	Two
Displays excellent appreciation of the position of other cars on the track and is never 'caught out' by faster vehicles Particular attention is paid to the risk of 'T-boning' other vehicles if undertaking or being undertaken on the approach to a corner	Y	Y
Plans and executes overtakes systematically and with precision. A consistent safety margin for each overtake is maintained	Y	Y
Displays awareness of speed differentials on track, particularly with respect to cars which are faster in the straight but slower in the corners. For example, if driving a fast car (in a straight line), allows a slower car (but quicker in the corners) past, and then backs off to create space and avoids entanglement	Y	Y

Demonstration

The driver will demonstrate a high degree of skill in managing the traffic on track. This will involve assessing the best place to both be passed and to pass other vehicles.
To minimise the risk of misunderstanding when overtaking other vehicles, the driver will ensure the overtaken driver is aware of the intention to overtake through appropriate positioning and use of lights / indicators.
When being overtaken, the driver will make clear the intention to allow the faster vehicle to pass, through positioning and / or use of the indicators (or hand signals). The driver will avoid driving off line unless necessary, and if driving off line will reduce speed accordingly, showing an appreciation of the risk of running out of room.
Honours Two drivers will overtake with reasonable confidence, but will not necessarily take all opportunities.
Honours One drivers will take all opportunities safely, making maximum progress, with due regard to the experience and competence of other drivers.

4.Cornering

	Honours
Competencies - Cornering	One	Two
Demonstrates an ability to see the best line for speed / balance through the corner	Y	Y
When learning a track, demonstrates the capacity to refine the line through awareness of potential areas for improvement	Y	Y
Demonstrates precision when cornering – turning in at the correct point, hitting the apex, and using the maximum width of the track on exit (as appropriate)	Y	Y
Maintains the vehicle’s balance whilst cornering through skilful blend of braking, steering and throttle inputs	Y	Y
Utilises available grip to maintain progress	Y	Y

Demonstration

This is one of the key skills for the driver to demonstrate. The driver must be able to utilise the performance of the vehicle safely – braking, grip, acceleration – as this represents a key differentiator from road driving and recognises that the purpose of track driving is to use the performance of the vehicle to the maximum.

5.Personal Application

	Honours
Competencies - Personal Application	One	Two
Be physically prepared for the track, including awareness of the impact of dehydration and food intake on performance	Y	Y
Aware of concentration levels and adapts pace accordingly	Y	Y
Drivers should demonstrate a degree of verve and commitment, pushing themselves to perform at a high level and not just driving too far within their comfort zone	Y	Y
Able to manage stress effectively – eg, being baulked or harassed by another driver	Y	Y
Able to recover from a mistake and maintain application and concentration.	Y	Y

Demonstration

Track driving is demanding physically and mentally, so drivers need to be aware of their condition and adapt their driving accordingly.

6.Car Sympathy

	Honours
Competencies - Car Sympathy	One	Two
Car is properly warmed up before high revs are used	Y	Y
Cooling down lap to protect brakes and engine (particularly if turbocharged)	Y	Y
Handbrake is not applied after being on track	Y	Y
Vehicle oil and tyre pressures are checked throughout the day (as appropriate) to ensure optimal for track work	Y	Y

Demonstration

Car sympathy is not only important to protect the vehicle from premature wear, it also ensures that the vehicle is operating optimally (particularly tyres) before pace is increased.

7.Risk Management & Safety

	Honours
Competencies - Risk Management & Safety	One	Two
Ensures vehicle is safe to drive on track (see Vehicle Preparation and Familiarisation)	Y	Y
Enters and exits pit lane with due regard for traffic on track and observance of any signals and instructions from marshals where appropriate	Y	Y
Demonstrates acute awareness of track surface conditions – spotting oil, dust – and adjusts line and speed accordingly. Driver is also aware of surface changes, particularly in the wet	Y	Y
Obeys all flags and marshal instructions	Y	Y
Awareness of the proper procedure in the event of an accident	Y	Y
Displays caution when driving in the pit lane or pit area, and good spatial awareness	Y	Y

Demonstration

For both Honours Two and Honours One, the driver must show a very high regard for safety matters. All competencies above must be clearly displayed.

Training and Assessment Process

Unlike Honours Three, there will be no formal Club endorsed training programme for Honours Two and Honours One. Members will be expected to develop their skills through training as they deem fit and generally through miles on track. They will also be able to take advice from experienced HPC track drivers.

Honours Two assessment process

Members will be assessed at not less than two separate track events during the course of one calendar year. These can be any track event (not necessarily an HPC event). The assessor will sit with the member for a reasonable period at each event and assess the member’s competencies against the framework set out in this document. This may involve spending time with the member at the start of the day discussing the member’s objectives for day, vehicle preparation, testing the member’s knowledge of the track rules and safety procedures, and then moving on to sitting in with the member on track at intervals during the day to assess the member’s skills and competencies against the framework set out above.

Members will submit their two assessment forms to the DSC for consideration as to whether they have met the standard required for Honours Two.

The award can be given throughout the year whenever the DSC meet to consider applications.

Honours One assessment process

The same process will be applied as for Honours Two, in that members will be required to be assessed at track events throughout a given calendar year (not necessarily HPC events). A member applying for Honours One will need to submit forms from three different track events reflecting the need to display the ability to demonstrate the core skills on varying and demanding circuits.