Matt Ammon Memorial Lapping Days '20
Ridge Motorsports Park, Road CourseAbout this event
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY: This event is quite different compared to our typical HPDE events.
Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, Audi Club Northwest (ACNW) presents a modified version of the Matt Ammon Memorial Driving School (MAMDS), called Matt Ammon Memorial Lapping Days (MAMLD), to take place Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th at Ridge Motorsports Park (RMP). If possible, we are looking into repurposing the QuattroCross event, scheduled for June 14, to be a Driver Skills day in order to replace the Driver Skills portion of our usual MAMDS schedule.
On April 2, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee extended the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order through May 4th. Assuming this emergency order is lifted on May 5th, we believe that that the most likely scenario going forward is that there will be a gradual lifting of restrictions on social gatherings. Referring to previous restrictions imposed, it’s likely that gatherings of more than 50 people will be banned for a period of time, and gatherings of 50 or fewer people will need to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines.
With these assumptions, we are structuring the Matt Ammon Memorial Lapping Days event as follows:
- Only solo drivers that have previously driven solo at an ACNW event may register. There will be no in-car instruction. Only the driver will be allowed in the car.
- The number of participants will be limited to 50. No guests will be allowed. If updated guidance from the state of Washington is provided that allows this number to be increased, we will cap the event at 60 participants. If the guidance is for a lower number of people allowed at a gathering, we will adjust the numbers as appropriate by canceling registrations in order of latest time registered. If the number is too small to make this event financially viable, we will cancel the event.
- We will NOT be renting helmets at this event, so you will need to bring your own helmet that meets the minimum requirements. See next page for details.
- The format will be open lapping. Each day will start with half the participants driving for the first 30 minutes of the day, and the other half will drive for the second 30 minutes of the day. After that, anybody may drive whenever they want, for as long as they want; but we will meter the total number of cars on track to about 25. The track will be hot from 9:00AM-12:00PM and then 1:00PM-5:00PM both days. That's over 3.5 hours of driving time if you can manage to be on track for half of the time the track is hot!
- Everyone who registers will first be placed on the waitlist, as we have been doing for the past year or more. We will then confirm up to 50 people into the event in order of registration time but prioritizing 2-day registrations first. We will NOT charge your credit card until we can confirm that the event will take place.
Note that it is very possible that national and state guidelines for social distancing may be extended and therefore we may need to cancel the event. It is possible that RMP may not be able to staff enough corner workers or may not be able to reserve an EMT crew for the event, which also could cause a cancellation. So why are we opening registration now? From the club’s perspective, it would be extremely difficult logistically to open registration a week or a few days before an event and work with the track to make the event happen. In addition, we believe that participants would want to make arrangements (car prep, lodging, etc.) for an event that they believe is happening versus an event that just opened a few days before. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and hope that you will register with the knowledge that last-minute changes may occur.
Driving fees for this event are $550 for two days, $325 for one day. As mentioned above, two-day registrations will be confirmed first. Note that these fees are roughly 10% more than our usual fees, but you will get substantially more driving time than our typical event. As always, it is the Club’s intent to structure fees so that, on average, we break even financially for a given event. Our calculations show that we should be able to (barely) break even for this event provided that we fill it at 100% capacity.
Lunch is not included these fees. We recommend that you bring your own lunch, but there will be an option for a $20 boxed lunch for each day which can be selected during registration.
There are two recommended hotels for MAMLD but note that we cannot guarantee that these hotels will be open at the time of the event, so please check with the hotels on their availability.
Shelton Inn, 628 West Railroad Ave, Shelton, WA 98584. Call (800) 451-4560 and mention "Ridge Motorsports Park" for a special discounted rate.
Super 8, 2943 Northview Circle, Shelton, WA 98584. Call (360) 358-3793 and mention "Ridge Motorsports Park" to receive a discounted rate.
If you have any questions about registration, your qualifications or anything else, send a message to the registrar or the event master Adrian Power.
Event requirements
Please read the 2020 Matt Ammon Memorial Lapping Days Driver Handout and ACNW HPDE Event Information for Drivers documents posted on ACNW's Driving School Materials page. This information may change (e.g. the classroom will likely move to the Ridge's new Performance Center building), so please re-read before the event.
You need to be a member of Audi Club North America to drive at this event*. If you’ve not yet joined the club, you can get in the club by clicking here.
All participants must be at least 16 years of age.
*Reciprocal instructors from BMWCCA Puget Sound Chapter and PCA Pacific Northwest Region may instruct and drive without an ACNA membership
Release and Waiver of Liability:
Everyone must sign the Release and Waiver of Liability form for Audi Club Northwest’s insurance coverage when coming onto the facility. This requirement includes drivers, instructors, guests and visitors. The full text of this Release and Waiver of Liability is on the last page of the registration form, and can also be found on the ACNW's Driving School Materials page, under Adult Waiver. Two Minor Waiver options are posted there too. Please read it and contact the Event Master or Registrar prior to the event with any questions about these important documents.
Convertibles:
Convertibles lacking rollover protection are not permitted in ACNA High Performance Driving Schools (HPDE, lapping, or any events held “at speed”). Vehicles with removable hardtops or retractable hardtops lacking a rollover protection system are also not permitted at high-speed events. Convertibles with factory-installed rollover protection (either fixed or deployable) meet the ACNA minimum requirement for high-speed events and are acceptable, subject to approval by chapter leadership and event staff. We strongly recommend driving with the soft-top up or the hard top installed; otherwise, SFI and/or FIA approved arm restraint system(s) must be used.
High Center of Gravity Vehicles:
High center of gravity vehicles (truck, van, SUV-Sport Utility Vehicle, CUV-Crossover Utility Vehicle, SAV-Sport Activity Vehicle) are not permitted in Audi Club Driving School events held “at speed” (DE-Driver Education, HPDE, instructed or non-instructed lapping, track days), except those models included in the ACNA Vehicle Participation Exception List found in the "ACNA 2019 Driving School & Event Guidelines" document. These exceptions include Audi Q3/Q5, BMW X1/X3/X5, Porsche Macan, Cayenne, for example.
Audi Club North America policies for convertibles and high center of gravity vehicles are posted on the ACNW's Driving School Materials page under ACNA Driving School and Event Guidelines for your review.
Helmets:
Approved helmets are required to be worn when on track at this event. Approved helmets include only Snell SA2010, M2010, SA2015, EA2016 or later. Except for Snell M2010, the M (Motorcycle) and K (Karting) designators have lapsed.
We will NOT be renting helmets at this event, so you will need to bring your own.
Safety Inspection Policy:
For every event, ACNW requires two (2) signatures on your Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist form. View this form here.
- The signature at the bottom is yours. It is your car and we need you to take responsibility for its safe condition and operation.
- It is ACNW’s expectation that your car will be inspected per the areas of emphasis on the Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist form, by someone in addition to you. This should be a dealer, a local automotive shop, or any other person you believe has the technical knowledge and experience to properly inspect your car for safety. Ultimately it’s your responsibility to confirm that your car is safe to operate at the event, and ACNW strongly encourages you to be honest with regard to your own mechanical abilities/knowledge. Should you feel capable and confident in inspecting your own vehicle, it is permissible for the second “Inspected by” signature to be your own.
- View the entire Safety Inspection Policy and Procedure here.
On the morning of the event, you will hand in your signed and completed Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist to registration before getting your registration packet. Completion of the Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist form, including the second signature, should be completed PRIOR to the event.
*NEW for 2020* Vehicle Safety Inspection Process:
Morning of event:
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Visit registration:
- Bring your helmet for inspection if you do not already have an ACNW helmet inspection sticker on it. If you are renting a helmet you will pick it up at registration.
- Bring your signed and complete Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist form
- Bring your valid driver license
- Check in and get your registration packet (with event car numbers)
- Ensure your vehicle meets all areas of the Vehicle Safety Inspection Checklist form, particularly removal of all lose items from the cabin and trunk
- Apply the two larger event car numbers to car exterior on both sides; rear windows are recommended, if possible.
- Apply the smaller 4" event car number sticker to the top center of the windshield
- We will no longer have a tech inspection line; instead, a brief inspection will happen while in pre-grid prior to your first session on track
Pre-grid, prior to first session on track:
- Drive your car to pre-grid, with car empty of loose items, helmet on, restraints fastened securely. Please arrive at the pre-grid 10 minutes prior to the start of your first on-track session.
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A volunteer will inspect you and your car to make sure that:
- Your car's tow hook(s) are installed (if available)
- You have equal restraints installed (i.e. both driver and passenger, if there is one, have the same type of harnesses or OEM 3-point seat belts), and that 4-point harnesses are of the anti-submarine (ASM) style
- You have a helmet with a valid ACNW helmet inspection sticker on and buckled securely
- If you have a forward head and neck restraint (e.g. HANS, Simpson Hybrid, etc.), that it is positioned properly under the shoulder harnesses and connected to your helmet
- Your car is empty of loose items
- If you are driving a convertible, that it passes the broomstick rule for driver and passenger, and if you're running with the top down that you have approved arm restraints
- If everything checks out, you will receive an additional inspection sticker on your vehicle windshield; otherwise you will be required to leave the pre-grid area to fix the safety concern
Please reach out to David Kelley with any questions on this policy.
