Silver State Classic Challenge Fast Facts for Rookies

“Rookie” is defined as ALL First Time Participants to the Silver State Classic Challenge events, regardless of any past participation at other events.

Instruction Session is held at SPEEDVEGAS south of the Las Vegas Strip at 14200 S Las Vegas Blvd. School begins PROMPTLY at 8:30am on Thursday prior to Sunday race day. Google Maps and modern GPS will get your there.

If you get lost, call SSCC Rookie Coordinator, Blue Offutt (602) 478-9096.You will be met by SSCC representative Blue Offutt for a brief inspection and introduction. Then SPEEDVEGAS instructors will take you through class instruction and track time.

Instruction takes place in SPEEDVEGAS vehicles.

Registration in Ely: When school is completed, you will caravan to Ely via Highway 318. Caravan leaves from SPEEDVEGAS between 11 and noon (see below). You MUST present your Certificate of Completion from the school, your driver’s license and medical insurance card or you will not get registered. No worries if you do not get registered in Ely on Thursday as there is plenty of opportunity to do so on Friday and Saturday in Ely. However, if you are participating in the Shootout, there is special Registration session Thursday afternoon/evening.

Caravan to Ely: The caravan leaves South Point Hotel & Casino Oversize Parking Lot between 11-12 noon. Blue will give you the exact time after instruction. We stop in Alamo, NV (112 miles) at “Sinclair Gas Station” fuel, comfort break and additional instruction.

Course Orientation: All Rookies are encouraged to participate as rookie coordinators take you up course and give you pointers along the way. It is said they also have some secrets that they share with Rookies at this time!

Event Day Radios: At the starting grid on Sunday, you will receive GMRS radios. At the Drivers Meeting you will be instructed to the proper use of these. Once your event is complete and you arrive in the Final Finish Parking, return your radio where the Emcee is set up at the start of the pit area and you will receive your finishing medal. If you do not make it to the finish, please return the radio to an SSCC Official or mail it to us.

Rookie Graduation: Please gather in the finish pit area after the last 95 MPH car has entered the pits for the Rookie Graduation Ceremony.

3 Things to watch out for: Each event has several rookies experience unnecessary anxiety and expense due to a few key items they somehow miss in the Rules Book. While there’s no excuse for not reviewing the Rules Book, here’s a summary of the 3 biggies that frequently bring on additional stress for rookies.

  1. Wrong Helmet – For the past several years, at least one rookie has shown up with the wrong helmet. We really would like to break that streak. Motorcycle helmets will not be approved. The only acceptable helmets in 2019 are as follows:
     
    1. Snell foundation with a sticker reading SA 2015 or later
    2. SFI foundation with a sticker reading 31.1, 31.2, 31.1A, 31.2A and 31.1/2015 or higher
    3. FIA standard marked 8860-2018

    If you cannot find one of the stickers listed above on or inside your helmet, it will not pass tech. You will be heading into Las Vegas to buy a helmet. American Racing Supply and Crow Enterprises normally stock a few just for this occasion. If you get to Vegas and realize you need a helmet or other race gear:

    ARS is at 222 W Utah Avenue, 702-382-8520
    Crow Enterprises is at 4114 N. Pecos Rd, Ste 101, North Las Vegas, 725-726- 7432
  2. Wrong Fire Extinguisher Bracket – This is the next big miss for many rookies. Fire extinguisher bracket must be metal. Period. Plastic brackets will not pass tech.

  3. Wrong Tires – This miss doesn’t happen as often, but when it does, it is generally costly to correct. Best case, one just needs tires. Worse case, tires and rims (it’s happened). Everyone gets the speed rating correct, it’s an insufficient Load Rating that ruins a day. This generally happens when someone goes to a plus-1 rim size. Here’s an example: OEM tire spec for a 1993 Mazda RX-7 = P225/50R16 91V Owner decides to go plus-1 with 17' bling rims and puts on some Michelin Pilot Exalto 205/50R17 89V. Oops! Note the OEM 91V load rating and the new tires 89V load rating. That's 1356 pounds versus 1279 pounds. Speed rating is good at “V”, but the load rating of 89 misses. Fail.

    ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING YOUR TIRES PLEASE CONTACT PRIOR TO THE EVENT:
    Chief of Tire Tech: Eric Pettersen
    (925) 519-1168 (after 6:30pm – PST)
    Email:
    Tire_guy@sbcglobal.net

Those are the Big 3. Hope none of them bite you.

Additional resources - The first source participants should seek information from is the Rules Book. With the exception of getting to Qualifying School, everything mentioned above is covered in the Rules Book. ORR veteran Tom King also has a great website full of useful information, www.orraid.com. The Silver State Classic Challenge Message Board can be useful for information as well, http://silverstateclassicchallenge.hoop.la.

Remember: It is your responsibility to read and understand the rules. If you have any questions, please contact us.

Above all, we want you to have a fun and safe run down the “Silver State Classic Challenge Highway” and go home with a smile on your face and maybe even a trophy in your hand!