The first thing that may pop up in your head when you think of a motorsport event is probably cars and drivers competing to push them to their limits on a road or a track. However, the reality of a motorsport event is a little more complicated than that. Depending on the sanctioning body that is in charge of that event, there are governing regulations that you need to follow, especially if you want to have a good time and not get into trouble. In this article, we will discuss some of the things that you should not do at Bristol Motor Speedway, whether you are a regular or a visitor.
Stay Out Of The Rain
One of the biggest concerns whenever there is a motorsport event is whether or not it will rain. When it rains at a motorsport event, it usually means that there is no point in going full throttle because even the best cars cannot produce good results in bad weather conditions. While you can drive your car on the track even if it is raining, you should not do it if you want to have any kind of decent performance. You should also try to avoid driving on the track when it is wet because if you spin out or have some sort of accident while driving on the track, you will not have any chance of salvaging the situation. The last thing that you want is to get stuck in the mud or have your car damaged because of poor driveability.
Don’t Forget To Wash Your Car
One of the first things that you will be asked when you check in at the track is whether or not you have cleaned your car. You will also be given a bucket and a sponge to clean the insides and outside of your car with. For decades, drivers have been grumbling about all the debris that is found on tracks during a race. While some of that is due to the fact that the tracks are always covered in dirt from driving on them, there is more to it than meets the eye. Washing your car can remove some of that grime and give you and your passengers a fresh start for the day. However, there is also a time and a place for shunning social correctness in favor of a clean, well-groomed appearance—and the track is definitely not the place for it. One of the best things that you can do for your car at the end of a long day is to give it a quick wash before you put it away for the night. The least that you can do for your automobile is to keep it clean and shiny. Washing your car at the end of the day is also a great way to prepare for the cold weather. You will be surprised at how much cleaner your car will look when you are done.
No Skimming Or Gutting The Corners
If you want to make sure that you get a good finish every time that you drive your car, you need to keep it sharp. Sharp corners are the result of driving smoothly and firmly without wasting a single bit of energy. When you skimp out on corners, you will be inviting trouble. Every now and then, there is an accident at a motorsport event that is the result of someone cutting a corner too fast. If you want to avoid that kind of situation, you should not cut any corners or climb any hills while passing other cars. You should also try to make sure that you leave enough space for other drivers to pass you when necessary. Cutting corners and climbing hills all of a sudden becomes a whole lot more stressful when you are trying to maintain a consistent lap time and you happen to be speeding!
No Backseat Drivers
While some people may feel that they can drive better if they are sitting in the backseat, this is definitely not the case. When you are in the backseat, you are taking a load off the driver’s arms and he or she will have more time to concentrate on driving. This is why most professional drivers prefer to have the backseat passenger during a race. However, if you happen to be a regular backseat driver at your local track, you may ruin the experience for the driver. Despite the luxury that the backseat brings, you should never touch anything while the driver is in the process of driving because this is something that the driver needs to deal with. One of the best things that you can do for your car is to leave it in the hands of professionals who know how to make it work for them. This is especially important if you are going to be driving on the track during a race because the last thing that you want is to get distracted by something happening in the backseat.
Checkpoint Markers
One of the biggest mistakes that newcomers make at a motorsport event is to try to play chicken with the police officers and race track officials who are waving you down at the checkpoints. If you are racing, you may think that it is funny to taunt the people who are trying to control the flow of traffic at the gate. However, this is not the case. The people who are there to catch speeders usually do not have funny jokes to say to you and may even think that you are being stupid. Do not taunt them or play any tricks on them because they will not play on your side. The last thing that you want is to attract the attention of the law and have them pull you over for speeding or some other infringement. You should also know that you will be required to stay at the scene until the officer checks with his or her superior and they notify you that you can leave. This can take a while and distract you from the race. It is also not the police officers’ job to help you with your car, it is yours. The last thing that you want is to have your car break down on you just as you are about to cross the finish line because you cannot remove it fast enough from the grid. This will likely cause you to lose a lot of time and the race may even be over before you know what happened. Do not try to be a smartass with the police officers or any other track workers. They will not appreciate it and you may end up in a world of trouble because of a simple childish prank!
Cell Phones
Despite the presence of technology in other areas of our lives, many people still prefer to use their phones as a mode of communication while at a motorsport event. Many tracks have banned cell phones in the cars ever since drivers began getting into accidents because they were handling texting and calling the wrong way while driving. Do not bring your cell phone into the track with you because they will never allow it there. It is already against the law for you to be using it there anyway so do not even think about it. You will also be subject to severe penalties if you are caught using your phone in the vehicle. If you really need to contact someone during the race, there are plenty of people around you who are probably more than willing to help. You should not expect that the person you are calling will be able to assist you when there is so much going on around you. Trying to handle a phone call in the middle of a race is simply exhausting and can cause you to make careless errors. It is also against the law to use a phone while driving so do not even think about it!
Alcohol
The use of alcohol at a motorsport event is strictly forbidden. If you are caught consuming alcohol or bringing it into the track, you will be suspended and possibly removed from the race. While you may think that a drink here or there will not hurt you, the sad truth is that it can. Alcohol can cause your reactions to become delayed and your judgment to be impaired, which is why it is strictly forbidden at all times. You should also know that consuming alcohol will likely lower your car’s performance and make it harder for you to drive. This is why professional drivers typically do not drink alcohol while they are on the job. They know the risks that it poses and they are smart enough not to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. You should also avoid getting into a car with someone who is drinking alcohol because it may ruin your experience as a passenger. Being in the same car with someone who is drinking can also cause your car to break down and you to have a horrible accident. Even people who are not drinking may suffer from drowsy and distracted driving because they are tired of the constant ringing in their ears caused by the incessant noise of the car stereo or the whirring of the tires as they pass by.