A. -- The sanctioning organization, Atlantic Region Motor Sports Inc (ARMS), is the governing body of amateur motorsport within Atlantic Canada appointed by ASN Canada FIA, the National Sporting Authority. ARMS is an Eastern Canadian association of member clubs whose members have a common interest in automobiles and a desire to enjoy them through competition. The events organized by ARMS member clubs vary from Sunday afternoon rallies that the whole family can enjoy to auto slaloms which test your driving ability - one car at a time - on a prescribed course in a parking lot, to the highly skilled high speed performance rallies and road racing. The member clubs of ARMS are individual organizations each holding their own regular meetings and social gatherings as well ascompetitive events.

ARMS formulates common rules, assists with the organization of Regional and National events, supplies technical event personnel and coordinates the calendar of events. ARMS also provides other services such as arranging for competition insurance and arranging sponsorship for various events and series. Any person entering an ARMS sanctioned event is automatically covered by liability insurance during the competition. Because of the nature of ARMS, and the strength it has as the governing body of amateur motorsport in Atlantic Canada, people entering an ARMS sanctioned event are assured of safe, well organized and fair competition. ARMS events and clubs provide the opportunity for involvement with every level of the sport. You can compete, marshal, organize or simply spectate and you may even have the opportunity to be appointed to one of the regional committees that govern the sport. All areas have programs for novices to teach you how to compete properly.

Q. -- What are the Sedan road racing classes in ARMS?

A. -- There are two main classes of cars that can be raced under ARMS. Improved Touring (IT) and Grand Touring (GT). Each main class is divided into sub classes based on horsepower and vehicle weight.

IT cars are essentially production sedans with minimal modifications to keep costs as low as possible. The car must be at least 5 years old and modifications are mainly safety items. These race cars can be driven on the street and are the most popular race cars competing in ARMS. IT sub classes consist of ITS, ITA, ITB, ITC. “ITS� is normally the fastest class and “ITC� is normally the slowest class. There is a special “ITE� class that contains cars that will not fit into any S, A, B, C class.

Improved Touring Website: http://www.improvedtouring.com/

GT cars are purpose built race cars with extensive modifications. GT sub classes consist of GT1, GT2, GT3 and GTL (GT Lite). Again based on horsepower and weight of car. “GT1� is normally the fastest class and “GTL� is normally the slowest class.

Grand Touring information: http://www.gt-racecar.com/

Q. -- What/where are the rules?

A. -- ARMS rules are taken directly from SCCA’s General Competition Rules (GCR’s). These rules are on-line and can be down loaded from SCCA.

SCCA GCR’s: http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/File/2005GeneralCompetitionRules.pdf

SCCA Grand Touring (GT) rules: http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/File/2005GTCategory.pdf

SCCA Improved Touring (IT) rules: http://www.scca.com/_Filelibrary/File/2005ImprovedTouringCategory.pdf

Q. -- What cars can be raced?

A. -- Almost any normally aspirated car can be raced with the following exceptions; Turbocharged, supercharged, all wheel drive, automatic transmissions and station wagons are not allowed.

Q. -- Where/when does ARMS race?

A. -- Currently, the only location for ARMS Road Racing events is located at Atlantic Motorsport Park (AMP) located in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. AMP is a 2.75 km, 11 turn purpose built closed circuit Road Racing Facility.

Atlantic Motorsport Park website: http://www.atlanticmotorsportpark.com

ARMS Regional schedule: http://armsinc.ca/schedules/index.html

ASCC Club schedule: http://www.ascc.ca/index.php?name=CPGNuCalendar

Q. -- What do I have to do to my car to race it in ARMS?

A. -- Obviously, download the rules. There are many. However, the main modifications you have to do to your car are as follows: 6-point rollcage, removal of ignition key lock, race seat, kill switch, 5-point seat belt harness (less than 5 years old), fire extinguisher. GT classed cars also require a fuel cell and fire suppression system.

Q. -- What safety apparel do I require?

A. -- You will require the following personal safety items: 2 layer Nomex driving suit, 2 layer Nomex gloves, 1 layer Nomex socks, 1 layer Nomex balaclava, Nomex shoes, SA95 rated (or better) helmet (no motorcycle helmets).

Q. -- Are there any race cars in the region forsale?

A. -- Usually there are race cars forsale. It is almost always cheaper to buy a race car, then to build one. A good place to shop for a race car and/or related items is the ARMS Buy and Sell Forum.

Q. -- How do I get involved?

A. -- Step 1 is to join one of the motorsport clubs under ARMS. The clubs are:

Atlantic Formula Racing Association http://www.afra.ns.ca/
Atlantic Sports Car Club http://www.ascc.ca
Bluenose Autosport Club http://www.bluenoseautosport.ca
Fredericton Motorsport Club http://www.fmc-inc.net/
Moncton Motorsport Club http://www.mmsc.ca/
New Brunswick Sporting Car Club http://www.armsinc.ca/nbscc/
Targa Newfoundland Motorsport Club http://www.targanewfoundland.com/
Vinland Motorsport Club http://www.vinland.ca/

Step 2 is is to participate in a performance driving school. There are usually two or three schools put on each year by one of the Motorsport clubs above. Once you pass the course you will be issued a beginners Regional Road Race license and can start competing in ARMS sanctioned Road Racing events. You will be competing under probation for a minimum of three Regional Race weekends. Then you will be issued a full Regional Road Racing License. To participate in a school you will require a suitable street car that is mechanically sound, a SA95 rated helmet, a club membership and an ARMS medical. The medical is required so that ARMS knows that you are healthy for this course and are not a health safety hazard to yourself as well as others. ARMS medical forms can be downloaded here: http://armsinc.ca/applications/index.html

Q. -- What are all the costs to get involved?

A. -- Approximate minimal costs are as follows:

Motorsport Club membership: Approximately $30.00/year
ARMS Medical: $20.00-40.00 by your own Doctor (you may have it done for free depending on your Doctor)
Performance Driving School: $175.00
Nomex Suit and Helmet: $1000.00 (there are used items usually forsale)

To find out when the next school is, contact the Chief Instructor, Derek Lugar at info@vantagemotors.com

After your first year (and you obtain your full competition license), the costs to maintain your competition license are as follows:

Motorsport Club membership: Approximately $30.00/year
ARMS Medical: $20.00-40.00 by your own Doctor (required only every 2nd year unless you are over 40)
ARMS Competition License: $80.00
AMP Track fund: $50.00
ARMS car number: $10.00

Q. -- At this time I can’t actually race. Can I still participate?

A. -- Yes. There are several ways you can get involved in ARMS events.

1) Become an ARMS official. ARMS is always looking for volunteers to help put on these Road racing events. Contact the officials at: http://armsinc.ca/contact_information.htm

2) Become a track corner marshal. The Atlantic Regional Race Control Association (ARRCA) is the organization that controls all the racing while the race cars are on the track. They are the corner marshals that operate the flags. It’s the best way to get close to all the action. To get involved, contact Kay Wilson, 902-835-8820.

3) Become a race team crew member. Many race teams are always looking for volunteers to help on their team. It’s one of the best ways to learn Road Racing and participate. You can post to see if anyone needs a hand on the ARMS Forum or show up at the track and ask around.

4) You can still get some track time by participating in other ARMS-sanctioned events such as SoloSprint and lapping sessions.