A Guide to Race Track Etiquette

If you live and breathe cars, there are few things in this world quite like a day on a racetrack. Whether you are a competitive racer, a weekend warrior, or even just a car guy walking around, a day at a track is usually a good day.

For it to be a good day for all, however, takes a lot of cooperation from everyone involved. And while some tracks have written codes of conduct, not all of them do. So we've decided to take the guess work out, and make this handy, comprehensive track etiquette guide.

Common Sense Rules For Everyone

Whether you are a competitor or a spectator, there are some tips that apply to all of us. Here are a few of them.

• Know the rules of the event venue. Some rules differ from place to place, but they exist. It's our job as individuals to find out. And if we don't know, just ask. Most regulars will probably know the rules, or at least be able to guide you to the right person to ask.

  
  

• Be courteous and polite towards other racers, officials, marshals, and track personnel. This should be a no-brainer. If you are a participant and there are any disputes, let the stewards handle it. We’re all competitors here, but at the end of the day, racing is supposed to be fun so let’s keep the vibes positive.

  
  

• Don't wander in and out of garages that aren't yours. Even if you're just trying to cross over from the pit lane to the service road, it is common courtesy to ask permission from the people in the garage to enter. Most people are nice enough to let people pass, but in some cases, teams may be preparing for a session and don't want any distractions or potential obstacles from getting their car and driver ready. And if they were kind enough to let you in, don't touch anything or take photos without asking for permission again. How would you like it if someone came to your office unannounced, started walking around your desk, and started taking pictures of you?

  
  

• Don’t drive your car in a reckless or irresponsible manner - whether on the track or in the driveway. Think about it, how embarrassing would it be if the accident you had at a racetrack wasn’t even on track?

  
  

• Let’s keep away from alcohol or anything else that can intoxicate you. The race track is one of the worst places to not be in full control, whether you're driving or not. While we're at it, please only smoke or vape in designated areas. The only smoke most of us want come from burning rubber and the exhaust.

 If You Are A Participant of the Event

If you are a participant of a track day or a competitor in a race series, that's awesome! But as active participants, we have even more responsibilities to make sure the day goes smoothly for everyone.

• Please read, know, and understand all the rules, regulations and guidelines of the event you’re participating in. Different events have different rules, so don't assume you know what to do just because you've done this before. Being unaware of the rules don’t exempt you from any penalties or fines, and could get you barred from even joining the event. So read up ahead and make the day less enjoyable for everyone - including yourself.

  
  

• When in doubt, ask. Ask a marshal, a race official, or an organizer if rules aren't clear, or if an issue wasn't discussed. The best time to do this is in the driver's briefing, but if you didn't get a chance to, or if something comes up after the briefing, ask anyway.

  
  

• Be on time, all the time. That means being on time for registration, at the driver's briefings, at the pit entry - everything. A bunch of people being late can mean the difference between a smooth event and sessions potentially being cancelled due to time constraints. Some events also penalize participants who are late to briefings or sessions.

  
  

• Make sure your car is in good condition for track use. Balding tires, worn brake pads, old fluids, and loose body panels are easy failure points when on a racetrack. Breakdowns aren't just an inconvenience - they can be dangerous. Make sure you address any issues with your car before taking it to a track to keep your car, yourself, and others safe.

  
  

• If there is a marshal, say hi. Introduce yourself, ask any questions you might have, and inform him of your goals for the day. If a marshal gives you instructions, feel free to ask for clarifications, but do obey their instructions. Marshals are there to help and keep you safe, and if you're nice, they might even give you some helpful tips.

  
  

• Vehicles that are already on pit lane have right of way. Before you enter pit lane, check to see that it is clear of oncoming vehicles, as well as people or other obstructions.

• Always follow the pit lane speed limit. These are enforced for the safety of drivers, marshals, pit crews, and drivers. Pit lane speed limit violations can be expensive, too.

  
  

• Pit lane is a one-way street, and in many events, reversing is also not allowed. If you need to return to your garage from pit lane, ask a marshal if your crew can push you backwards. If not, there is usually an entrance to the service road area behind the garages at the end of pit lane.

  
  

• If you’re already on pit lane, remain aware of other vehicles trying to merge. Since you're already on pit lane you have right of way, but it’s still best to be aware in case another car enters unexpectedly so you can avoid an accident.

  
  

• If a marshal is deployed at the end of pit lane, slow down and wait for their signal to stop or proceed. That marshal is there to make sure you get on the track safely. They might also need to follow time gaps between releasing cars, to check for credentials, transponder, or even inform you of something happening on track.

  
  

  

• Cars that are already on track have right of way. So when joining the track from the pits, check for oncoming traffic and merge only when it's clear.

  
  

• Follow track limits, including pit lane entry and exit lines. Track limits are set primarily for the safety of the racers, as well as marshals and track personnel, so please follow them. Unless are a Max Verstappen or Lewis Hamilton level driver, there are better, more effective, and more sustainable ways of finding lap time.

  
  

• Unless you are in a parade lap leading up to a grid start, do not weave around in a zig-zagging manner or repeatedly accelerate and stop abruptly. You’re are probably using are road tires are street pads, and you don’t need to warm them up to get into their operating temperature. Even if it could give a slight performance advantage, remember that, once again, you aren’t Verstappen or Hamilton.

  
  

• Pay attention to marshal posts and obey signal flags. When you're doing your out-lap, it's a god idea to take note of the locations of marshal posts so you remain aware of track conditions. Most events will explain the flags as part of the driver's briefing, but they're so important, we've added them here anyway:

  
  

  

 If You Are Not Competing Wheel-to-Wheel

Most people are going to a track day just for fun, and even those who are competing are doing so in some a club-level (ie. non-pro) sort of a time attack type format. In these cases, there are a few more tips to keep the day safe and fun for all.

• If you are not in a grid race, like a practice session, qualifying, or a time attack event, give way to faster cars approaching from behind even if you haven’t been blue-flagged. If someone is really faster than you, it makes no sense to block them. First, you are actually losing time when you defend, and this makes no sense if you aren’t fighting for position. Second, you can actually learn from the faster driver by tailing them and observing their lines or braking points. 

• It's the responsibility of the driver overtaking to do so in a safe manner. If you are a beginner or novice, or if you are surrounded by beginners or novices, it's also best to wait for a straight to overtake. So don't dive bomb anyone. This isn't a video game.

  
  

• If you are overtaking someone, flash your lights to signal your intent to pass, and use hand signals or turn signals to communicate on which side you will be passing.

  
  

• If you are pro-actively letting someone through without a blue flag, gradually move out of the racing line and use your hand signals or turn signals to indicate to the car behind which side they should overtake you on. Some tracks specify a side in which overtaking is allowed, so make sure to ask before you take to the track.

  
  

• Avoid cool-down laps unless you cross the start/finish straight under a checkered flag, which signals the end of a race or a session. And if you are doing a cool down lap, get off the racing line. Other cars may be traveling at a high rate of speed and you will be a danger to them and yourself.

 If Something Goes Wrong

It happens to everyone. You get a puncture, mechanical failure, or even contact with a barrier or other cars. That is no time to panic, and you won't if you keep the following tips in mind.

• If you are stopped on the track for any reason, stay in the car and keep your seat belt on. That is the safest place for you and everyone else. Marshals will arrive to assist you and guide you to safety.

• In the event of a mechanical problem or tire blow-out, use your hazard lights and stay off the racing line so as to not impede other vehicles on the track. If the car is safe to drive – ie. It is not one fire, leaking fluids, or leaving debris on the track - proceed directly to your garage. But if it’s not safe to return, try to park your car in a runoff area out of track limits so as to not be a danger to other vehicles.

  
  

• If it isn’t possible to drive the car to a safe area or otherwise leave the track, or if you’ve successfully parked the car in a safe area, turn the ignition off using the keys or battery kill switch, and stay in the car.

• If your car catches fire, immediately park the vehicle outside track limits. If your car has a plumbed-in fire extinguisher, and if it is safe to do so, activate the extinguisher, check for oncoming cars, and get out as soon as it is safe to do so. If you have a hand held fire extinguisher, get the extinguisher if it is safe to do so, exit the vehicle, and use it to extinguish or control the spread of fire. Marshals will arrive to assist with putting out the fire guide you to safety. Vehicles on fire are usually not allowed the enter the pit lane, as it is a safety hazard to everyone.

  
  

• In the event of an on-track collision, try continue driving as normal if it is possible. If one or more vehicles is damaged, then proceed as if there was a mechanical problem and park the car where it is safe.

  
  

• If someone hits you or is driving dangerously, don’t attempt to retaliate or get back at the other driver for any reason! This only make matters worse. Keep your cool and the stewards and race officials handle it.

Most important tip of all: Be safe and have fun!