1. What do I need to do to prepare my car for the driving events?
For all driving events (defensive driving, autocross, acceleration run, time trials):
1. Check your tire pressures—a good starting point for most street tires is 40psi in all 4 tires.
2. Remove all the loose items from the interior and trunk—cell phones, briefcases, soccer balls, tennis rackets, GPS units, etc.
3. Make sure the spare tire and trunk contents are fastened down
4. Make sure the battery is securely fastened
5. Check all fluids and look for any signs of leakage under the hood or under the car
6. Remove the driver’s floor mat unless it is securely fastened using factory anchors.
7. Make sure the wheel lug bolts are tight and at factory specs.
8. Start the day with a full tank of fuel!
If you are participating in the performance driving school and time trials at Mid-Ohio, you must have the MBCA Tech Inspection completed by a qualified technician prior to the event. You can print a copy of the sheet here.
The on-site tech inspection will be a cursory inspection of the above items. As is customary, you are responsible for the safety and condition of your vehicle.
Note for convertible owners: All automobiles participating in performance driving school, time trials or time trials practice must be equipped with a hardtop or roll bar (2 point mount). SL and SLK models with retractable hard tops must run with hard top up. CLK and E-Class cabriolets must run with soft top up and roll bars in the up position. It is strongly suggested that 1990-2002 SL models run with hard tops in place. If the hard top is unavailable, the car must be run with the soft top up and the roll bar in the up position
2. Do I need a helmet? Helmets are required for all driving events except defensive driving. Helmets must have a 2000 or later Snell or MC certification. ANSI & DOT certification alone is not acceptable. (NOTE: SNELL certified helmets may also have ANSI and/or DOT certification.) Helmets designed for bicycle use are prohibited. There will be a small number of loaner helmets available.
3. What do I need to bring to the event? First of all, dress for the weather and bring whatever you think you will need—layers of clothes, sunblock, hats, rain gear, umbrellas, lawn chairs. Bring any snacks or soft drinks that you would like (no alcohol please). Bottled water will be provided. There are many choices for lunch near the autocross and defensive driving site. The concession stand will be open at Mid-Ohio.
4. What should I wear? All participants must wear a complete closed shoe with low heels and rubber or similar soles (no sandals) for all events including defensive driving. For track events, it is required that drivers wear full-length pants and socks, and recommended they wear long-sleeved shirts. Further it is suggested that clothing be of a non-synthetic material.
5. Won’t I hurt my car or ruin my tires? First of all, if your Mercedes-Benz could speak, it would probably say “Thank you! I can finally behave the way I was designed to be driven!”. Safety is the #1 priority in any MBCA driving event. Drivers are encouraged to drive at speeds they are comfortable with and to gradually increase their speed as their skills and confidence increase.
6. I’ve never done this before and I’m nervous and don’t want to embarrass myself. No problem—our group of experienced instructors is at the event to help and to encourage you. We were all first-timers too!
7. Who will I compete against and what awards can I win? You will be grouped in classes of similar cars. Awards will be presented in each of the classes for autocross, acceleration run, and time trials. There are also 3 special awards; fastest time of day for men and women awards are presented to the drivers with the lowest total time in the 3 driving events. There is also the MBUSA award presented to the participant with the best overall record in the concours and driving events. Complete event rules are available here: MBCA Event RULE BOOK 2009 2010