ADTO
The
Association of Track Day Organisers (ATDO), a non-profit body, was
established in 1999 to set general safety standards and good practice
for track day organisers and operators. Its current membership is just
under 30 different track day organisations and motor racing circuits.
ATDO came into official existence on the 3rd December
1999 as representatives of 30 organisations involved with track days
voted at a Silverstone meeting to form themselves into the Association
of Track Day Organisers. The association's members include both
motorcycle and car day organisers as well as motor circuit owners. Calum
Lockie of Gold Track was voted chairman of ATDO and Geoffrey Sturgess
from Motorcycle Folly Ltd as vice chairman, creating a balance of
interest between cars and bikes
Track days are a growing leisure industry, ATDO
members allow those people with powerful road machinery to use it in
safe circuit conditions which are free of traffic regulation and
congestion. This prevents drivers from using public roads to put their
vehicles "through their paces" and for participants who own
competition cars or bikes to use them to practice or to use them without
having to enter competitive racing.
Some track day organisers offer training. All track
days give participants a chance to improve their driving or riding
skills. ATDO supports its members as a lobbying organisation, as a sign
of quality, and by providing assistance with model form documentation (e.g.
indemnity) and insurance arrangements.
ATDO CODE OF PRACTICE FOR TRACK DAYS
1. Track days shall be non-competitive. Where racers
are allowed simultaneous access to the track they shall be subject to
the same rules as other participants
2. Organisers shall specify and not exceed a maximum
number of cars/bikes on the track at any time.
3. Organisers must carry at least £2,000,000 public
liability insurance.
4. Experienced staff/officers must be in attendance
throughout the event.
5. Drivers and passengers/riders shall be required to
sign-on and attend a briefing session.
6. Access to the track shall be monitored to prevent
access by those who have not signed on and attended a briefing.
7. On track instruction shall be available.
8. Venues shall be adequately
marshalled.
9. Driving/riding whilst under the influence of
intoxicating drugs or alcohol shall be prohibited.
10. Drivers and passengers/riders must wear helmets
and where appropriate, suitable protective clothing.
Strongly recommended:-
Use only ARDS or otherwise approved instructors.
Specify rules for overtaking.
Operate according to a written operating procedure
Further information can be obtained from their
dedicated web site www.atdo.co.uk
Acknowledgements to the ATDO for the content above