Rules & Regulations – Panther Hollow Hillclimb

 

It is each competitor’s responsibility to understand and comply with all Rules and Regulations which apply to their car. Non-compliance may result in exclusion or disqualificationqualification. Ignorance of these rules is not a valid defense.

Standard Operating Procedures

Vintage sports car racing and hillclimbing are amateur sports where competition is meant to be friendly and casual. However, all forms of motorsports are dangerous; therefore, we have developed the following operating procedures to help you understand what action should be taken under certain circumstances. Your knowledge and application of this information are vital to a safe event.

  1. Official Race Control is through the PVGP Chief Steward and the marshals or other recognized workers. You must comply with their instructions. The PVGP will rule on all Hillclimb course conduct infractions.
  2. Race Procedure Grids for the races will be determined by the Chief Steward and previous hillclimb results. PVGP reserves the right to slot cars into the grid in the interest of safety. The Chief Steward’s decisions are final. The schedule is subject to change due to scheduling constraints, weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. Changes are announced at the Driver’s Meeting.
  3. Tech Inspection Tech inspection hours and location will be stated on the official schedule. Inspection Sheet – PDF
  4. Starting Grid Cars arriving after the five-minute signal may forfeit grid position. You may lose your run if you arrive after the grid closes. No one under the age of 16 years of age is permitted on the grid.
  5. Grid Entry and Exit Entry and exit should be at moderate or slow speed. Pit speeds will be announced at the driver’s meeting. The maximum speed allowed will be 10 mph. Please be aware of the heavy spectator traffic.
  6. Passing Cars will be released every 30 seconds. No car is permitted to pass another vehicle.  If a car is disabled, the entire hill will be red-flagged. In that case, proceed to the top of the hill slowly – if there is a disabled car waiting for tow, pass that car slowly.
  7. Return Cars will be gathered at the top of the hill and led down by a lead vehicle.  Do not attempt to return to the paddock until directed to do so.
  8. Fuel The PVGP will no longer be able to offer race fuel for sale in the Park.
  9. Car Problems and Off-course Excursions If you go off-course or experience car problems, stay in your car unless it’s on fire.
  10. Driver Meetings Please check the schedule for driver meeting times and location. Please remember that attendance is mandatory for all drivers.
  11. Cosmetic Appearance Standard As this is a spectator event, cars must conform to a high standard of appearance. Entries must be presented in a clean, neat, properly-finished condition. Amateur paint jobs, dents, rippled panels, unrepaired accident damage, and visible rust are not permitted. Panels may not be finished in primer. Photos must be provided when registering, and final approval is contingent on appearance. So-called “Fifty-foot” appearance will not be accepted.
Safety Equipment
  1. Seat belts All cars must be equipped with a standard 5 or 6 point driver restraint system. Y-type harnesses are not permitted. The lap & shoulder belt webbing may be 2 or 3” wide. FIA/SFI certified 2” belts are permitted at the discretion of the Chief of Tech. The crotch strap webbing may be no less than 1” wide. Belts must be in excellent condition. Undated belts and dated belts over 5 years old are subject to replacement at the direction of the Chief of Tech. The mounting hardware and all attachment points must exceed the strength of the actual belt. Snaps must be pinned or safety wired.
  2. Arm restraints Properly adjusted arm restraints are required in all open cars including open Targa tops, and on closed cars without window nets.
  3. Roll Bars Suitable roll bars are required on all cars except PreWar and Preservation.
  4. Fire Extinguishers All cars not equipped with an on-board fire suppression system must have either a 10BC rated dry chemical extinguisher (2-pound minimum) or a Halon 1301 or 1211 extinguisher (2-pound minimum)
  5. Towing Eyes All cars without an exposed roll bar shall have a towing eye or strap, front and rear, that does not dangerously protrude from the bodywork when racing, to be used for flat towing or hauling the vehicle. These towing eyes or straps shall be easily accessible without removal or manipulation of bodywork. A 2” towing eye is recommended. A removable towing eye carried inside the car is not acceptable.
  6. Helmets Crash helmets approved by the Snell Foundation with Snell sticker 2015 or later, or by the SFI Sticker 38.1a for open-faced helmets or SFI38.2a for closed face helmets or FIA standard 8860-2004. Closed face shields are recommended. Open face helmets require the use of goggles or face shields, preferably made of impact-resistant materials, if used in open cars. Glasses are not sufficient.
  7. Head & Neck Restraints Starting in 2017, the use of a head and neck restraint system became mandatory in all groups except Pre-War and Preservation.
  8. Driving Suits All drivers must wear a suit that covers the body from the neck to the wrists and ankles. One-piece suits are highly recommended. All suits shall bear a SFI3.2A/1 or higher certification or FIA 1986 Standard. Underwear of fire-resistant material shall be used but is optional with multiple layer suits. Socks of fire-resistant material and gloves made of leather and/or accepted fire-resistant material containing no holes are required. Face coverings (balaclava) of accepted fire-resistant material required for drivers with beards or mustaches.
  9. Driving Shoes Shoes with uppers of leather and/or nonflammable material that at a minimum cover the instep.
  10. Cut-Off Switch There must be an electrical cut-off switch to isolate the battery and cut off the ignition. Such a switch must be accessible from outside the car and be clearly marked.
Driver Eligibility
  1. Definitions: The event is open to any driver with a valid racing license. Drivers without a current license will be considered if evidence of racing experience can be provided. The license must be a current competition license.
  2. Autocross experience is not a valid competition license.
Pitt & Paddock
  1. The paddock will be on Schenley Drive in front of Phipps Conservatory and the Schenley Park Visitor Center. Space will be limited.
  2. No overnight camping or sleeping in the city park is permitted. There are plenty of nearby hotels available.
  3. The PVGP will have portable restrooms provided, and a food & beverage vendor will be positioned on Flagstaff Hill.
2025 Driver Forms

PVGP Competitor Medical Form – PDF

PVGP Tech Inspection Sheet – PDF