Pro-Slalom Events
The 2024 Pro-Slalom (also known as ProSolo) events have been postponed until further notice.
The "Push It To The Limit" Pro-Slalom Series is comprised of 2 events.
The format is 4 qualifying runs, then a round-robin elimination in each class, and then amongst the class winners to determine King of the Hill.
The course design is made up of two autoslalom courses, each a mirror of the other. Cars line up with a Christmas Tree start. First guy back with no cones down wins.
You are guaranteed the 4 qualifying runs, whether you continue competing depends on how quick you were during the qualifying sessions. The top 16 from each class continue on. Classes are reduced to A, B, C and D. No stock or mod separation. As a result, you may be classified in a different class than usual when competing in a ProSlalom format. As a result, we must say this "As this is a fun series, the organizers rarely accept protests from competitors, and politics do not belong in fun times."
We require that all participants have at least 4 solo II/AutoX events under their belt before competing. The reason for this is two fold.
- Because you are only guaranteed 4 runs and pay twice as much as a normal Solo 2 event where you pay less for more runs. A ProSlalom format is not a good place to learn how to drive an autocross course.
- Because there is another car in close proximity to you during the runs. If you go out there with your inexperience and overdrive the car and course, there could be issues. And remember, we want to have fun.
The ProSlalom event is one of the most exciting forms of amateur motorsport, it's really the only way you get to compete "head to head" with another driver and get to turn the steering wheel. A truly exciting experience, even just to watch, and many people do. We'd estimate several hundred people who were not competing came to watch each of the events in previous years.
Prize Money
Class Champion prize money: $200.00
Overall Elimination shootout Champion: $500.00
Pro-Slalom Classification
A Class
Consists of A Stock and B Stock Cars from regular PITL Classification
B Class
Consists of A Stock Plus, A Modified, B Stock Plus and B Modified cars from regular PITL Classification
C Class
Contains all C Stock, C Stock Plus and C Modified cars from regular PITL Classification
D Class
Open Class, contains D Cars from PITL Classification, vehicles on slicks, and other unclassified vehicles
Any driver can register for a class higher than their base class. For instance, a Class "A" driver, could compete in either A, B, C or D. B Drivers can compete in B, C or D but not A. Second/Multiple car drivers must have one driver in a higher class. Multiple same-car drivers can not compete in the same class.
Allowable Modifications for All Stock Classes
- Any make and size of tire and wheel combination.
- Any make of shock absorber/strut assembly, including adjustable shocks.
- Any modification of the exhaust system from the manifold back (no modifications to the manifold permitted).
- Any modification to the air intake system. Modification and/or replacement of the Throttle Body (fuel Injection) or Carb not permitted, unless the substituted part was available as an option through the OEM manufacturer for that engine.
- Larger sway-bars permitted provided they were available as an option through the OEM manufacturer for that car (must be Dealer option).
- Any alignment adjustment within OEM specifications.
Note: Cars with a gutted or stripped interior are moved up a class.
Entry Fee
Pre-Registration: $75.00
Event-Day Registration: Pre-registration only
Qualifying Rounds
All the drivers of each class will complete 4 qualifying runs alternating sides attempting to post their fastest time (it doesn't matter which side your FTD is completed on). Only during qualifying are times scored like a regular Solo 2/AutoX event using the "down and out" rule, with the same penalties, OC (off course), DNS (did not start) etc. The Top 16 qualifiers proceed to the Elimination round.
The difference being, the stopwatch starts on the GREEN light. So you'll want to react as quickly as possible to the green. Jumping the green light (leaving before the green) results in a DNF (did not finish), thereby no time for that particular qualifying run.
During qualifying, it doesn't matter if you win or lose, all you are trying to do is place a CLEAN fast time so you are able to continue on further for the Elimination Rounds.
Once all four run groups have completed the qualifying session, we will break for lunch for approximately 1 hour.
Elimination Rounds
On your return, the qualifying results will be posted.
From the 1st seed, 2nd seed etc.
You will also be able to view the elimination tree, and see who you'll be competing against in your class.
The format is round-robin elimination, best two of three (e.g. 1 vs 16 2 vs 15 etc...), with the higher seed of the pairing having lane choice.
Top-Gun / Overall Winner
The four class winners will compete against each other to determine who the best of the best is!
The fastest times recorded in the elimination rounds will be used. (Yes this is different than usual!)
The Driver with the fastest time recorded against the elimination times (not the qualifying times) will be determined the TOP GUN / OVERALL WINNER.
1) A-Class Winner against B-Class Winner (two runs only, one on each side) 2) C-Class Winner against D-Class Winner (two runs only, one on each side)
Then the winner of heat 1 against the winner from heat 2.
The average of both times will be the score used.
Elimination Round Rules
Simply: The worst penality/offender takes the loss.
- DNS (Did Not Start) - if the vehicle isn't ready/staged when the starter requires it (regardless of car problems etc...) automatic loss.
- RED LIGHTING - on the start is an automatic loss. This is starting your run before the tree goes green. (eg. if one car red lights, and the other goes off course. The car red lighting on the start takes the loss (car is determined to not have started the round)
Note: If both vehicles "red light", both take a loss unless this results in both drivers elimination which would require a re-run. - OFF COURSE - a vehicle who goes off course takes the loss. If both vehicles go off course, both take the loss unless this results in both drivers elimination which would require a re-run.
- END CONE - or stopping past or touching the end cone of the stop box is a loss. If both cars hit the end cones..both take the loss unless this results in both drivers elimination which would require a re-run.
- CONE PENALTIES - Using the "down and out rule", regardless of finishing first or last, the car with the most cone penalties takes a loss. If both cars hit an equal number of cones, the last one back takes the loss.
- CLEAN RUN - Meaning none of the above penalties occuring, the first car back is the winner.
Note during elimination rounds the stop box cones (not "the end cone") count as one cone each.
Multiple Driver Cars
Cars can be shared among drivers provided that they do NOT compete in the same class.
Cars can be shared among multiple drivers provided that they do NOT compete in the same class.
Multi-driver cars may compete in higher classes than the root class of the car:
- A class car may also compete in B, C and/or D class
- B class car may also compete in C and/or D class
- C class car may also compete in D class.
There MUST be one driver competing in the root class of the car.
Marshalling & Flag Duty
NOTE - AT ALL TIMES, PLEASE AWAIT VISUAL CONFIRMATION FROM THE TIMING TENT THAT YOUR PENALTY SIGNAL HAS BEEN OBSERVED. JUST BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD YOUR HAND UP FOR 30 SECONDS DOES NOT MEAN ITS BEEN NOTICED. SHOUT, SCREAM AND JUMP UP AND DOWN IF NECESSARY.
- Penalty Cones will be indicated by raising them in the air, and place the pylon back. Do Not correct cones until after the car has completed its run!
- Off Course - cross (make an 'X') with both station flags in the air or your arms.
- Stopping a Vehicle - wave the RED flag like your Gilligan stranded on an island. The reason for this is something urgent has happened, and we need vehicles stopped on the course. Instruction will then be given to the drivers on where to proceed by the marshalls.
- Safe Cones - or nudged but clean - please inspect all nudged cones, replace in the centre of the chalk square, and use the baseball safe arm motion.
Other Questions / Issues
- Can I run in a higher class? - Yes, by all means. If you like being the underdog and/or want to go up against a higher class of cars, enter your car in the higher class. It certainly makes for great competition and entertainment!
What do we do about Vehicle Numbers? - Place/Use your usual competition numbers, it's unlikely we'll have same number vehicles in the same class. - Numbers must be worn on both sides (and front and rear) of the vehicle. Things are happening fast for the officials and the score keepers need these numbers to be large and as clear as possible! You cooperation helps us run a more efficent and smooth event. Shoe polish will not be available. So please come prepared.
- Are passengers allowed? - No. Only at our regular Push-It-To-The-Limit AutoSlalom Series Events, not ProSolo/ProSlaloms.
- Will there be an "Official" Course Walk? - No. As there are no novices attenting this event (you must have completed a minimum of 3 autoslalom events). Both courses will be clearly defined and open to course walk throughs before the drivers meeting. You can crawl, walk, jog, sprint, rollerblade, scooter or bike the course, however no motorized vehicles allowed!
- Will there be fun-runs? - Highly unlikely at a ProSlalom.
- This event sounds wicked, how do I get involved? - Think you're a decent driver, or want to improve your driving skills??
Get involved at your local Solo 2/AutoX events, and once you're above novice standings, grab your Helmet and come on out!
The RX-7/MSOC club has hosted 2 Pro-Slalom events per year for the last three years, usually on the long weekend Mondays of Victoria Day, Canada Day, or Labour Day.
One Last Thing Very Important Item!
If the Organizers observe an unlawful act, dangerous driving, speeding in the vicinity of the venue, tire warming or any behaviour that is unwelcome, the Organizers reserve the right, and will exercise it to ask the offending party to leave immediately.
Without warning, an Organizer, can remove a vehicle from competition that doesn't appear to be in safe operating condition (i.e. spilling fluids, bad bearings/CV joints, etc...)
An Organizer can re-class a car during the event, if we find it necessary (so class your car properly!)