48 Hours at Sebring

Night Driving

Pre-requisite: Prior Sebring experience is REQUIRED to register for the Advanced Solo Night event.

Our Advanced Solo group is on the schedule for about 1 hour of night-time driving (that is, if you signed up for it).  A number of us had this experience last year, and that experience was enlightening and it was challenging. The following comments and procedures are derived from our previous years of experience.

1.         No matter how well you think you know this track, it is different at night. For the most part, turn-ins and apexes are not difficult, but in several corners, you cannot see the track out area. Specifically, turn 1 track-out is dark; turn 8 is o.k. but you cannot see turn 9; the area between 14 and 15 is very dark, and our old favorite, turn 17 is somewhat spooky as well. For the first 4 or 5 laps, plan on taking it a little easy until you get familiar with what Sebring looks like in the dark.

2.         The temperature will be cooler at night, and the cars will run better. You may carry more speed into corners, so you should be prepared to brake earlier and harder.

3.         IMPORTANT!  When pointing another car by, you will use your turn signal, not your arm. A left signal means for the car to pass you on the left, and a right signal means for the car to pass you on the right. Remember, if you are being overtaken, you stay on line!

4.         You will need all the light you can get, so plan to drive with your high beams, and your fog lights. We have rented some additional lights for various areas of the track, so it will not be completely dark. You may want to turn your mirrors down a bit to reduce glare.                                                  

5.         The grid and first lap procedure will be the same as the daytime sessions.

Cars entered in the night sessions must comply with the following lighting requirements:

1. Headlights and tail lights are required. Two primary headlights and two tail lights must be as bright as the original factory lights for the car model. The original headlights and tail lights for the car model may be used. Working turn signals must are required on the rear. Turn signals will be used for passing in lieu of the point by.

2. Primary headlights must be located on the front of the car, above the bumper and below hood level, and outside of the inner edge of the front tire. Up to two additional driving lights may be located between the primary headlights. Additional lights may not be brighter than the primary headlights. Roof lights are not allowed.

3. Tail lights must be located either as part of the light complex that includes the two primary brake lights or near those brake lights, outside of the inner edge of the rear tire. 

4. Excessive glare in the mirrors from overly bright and poorly aimed lights of cars approaching from behind is a significant problem, and all lighting must be adjusted to avoid this. However, adequate headlights are necessary to be able to see the track surface ahead, and tail lights are needed to be seen by cars behind.

It is highly recommended that high beams are used as the track is very dark and at speed the high beams are needed. 

Effective 1 Jan 2012

2012 PCA Club Racing Rules:

APPENDIX G - SUPPLEMENTAL LIGHTING RULES FOR NIGHT RACES

Cars entered in a night race must comply with the following lighting requirements:

1. Headlights and tail lights are required. Two primary headlights and two tail lights must be as bright as the original factory lights for the car model. The original headlights and tail lights for the car model may be used and no additional lights are required beyond these.

2. Primary headlights must be located on the front of the car, above the bumper and below hood level, and outside of the inner edge of the front tire. Up to two additional driving lights may be located between the primary headlights. Additional lights may not be brighter than the primary headlights. Roof lights are not allowed.

3. Tail lights must be located either as part of the light complex that includes the two primary brake lights or near those brake lights, outside of the inner edge of the rear tire.

4. Excessive glare in the mirrors from overly bright and poorly aimed lights of cars approaching from behind is a significant problem, and all lighting must be adjusted to avoid this. However, adequate headlights are necessary to be able to see the track surface ahead, and tail lights are needed to be seen by cars behind.

Be Safe,

Page Obenshain

Advanced Solo CTI