At FastLane Racing School, we offer a Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) full-competition license program. If you’ve earned your license, your next step is to go racing. A race track during a race weekend is very different than a private testing day. There are numerous official areas which will be explained below:
After you’ve gone through registration, you’ll look for a place to park your tow vehicle and trailer in the “paddock” area. This area is adjacent to the race track and in some instances have either garages or RV hookups (or both) available for rent. The next areas of interest off the track, but getting closer include the cold pit lane, grid area and impound/tech inspection area. This area is just on the other side of the “hot” pit lane where race cars come in to make pit stops or where drivers are called in to speak with a black flag/tech official or better yet, if you’ve won the race, the place to collect your checkered flag for a victory lap!
On the new “Circuit” at Buttonwillow Raceway Park, there is only one track configuration – 2.5 miles, clockwise. Therefore, the grid/pre-grid area will be on the east side of the cold pit lane. This is where you bring your car prior to going out on track. Keep in mind that on a racing weekend, you must have arrived and be placed in your designated spot by a grid marshal at least five minutes before the start of your race, otherwise you may be sent to the rear of the field.
Tech inspection and the impound area are where the tech trailer and scales are located on the west side of the cold pit lane. When you exit the track and enter the hot pit lane, you’ll proceed to a bit before the start/finish line and then make a U-turn to enter this area. It’s required to enter the impound area after the first qualifying session of a race weekend to attend the mandatory driver’s meeting held there by the chief steward. It’s also required to enter this area after the race in case the tech inspectors want to weigh you and your car to affirm your minimum required weight. The podium is where every driver wants to end up and the trophy presentations take place on the north side of the tech trailer. “Emergency Central” is located just west of impound. If you have a medical need that’s where you’ll want to go.
Other locations of importance include the “Question Box” whereby most questions you have can either be answered or at least referred to someone via radio to help you get the information you need. This is located adjacent to the cafeteria. Upstairs in the cafeteria is “Race Control” along with “Timing & Scoring” whereby the calls that come in from corner worker stations about car-to-car contact and off-track excursions are noted. The “Announcer’s” booth is also located upstairs. If this is your first race, make sure you meet the friendly and knowledgeable volunteers who help make these races run.
Finally, the corner workers “Flagging and Communications” are typically stationed out on the barrels around the track. They will display a white flag on the first lap of your first practice session of the weekend to help you locate them. There are other workers around during a Cal Club race to assist drivers and crew. Remember that these are all volunteers and a little “thank you” goes a long way to making this sport more enjoyable for all.

*NOTE: For more information on Cal Club (California Sports Car Club Region of the SCCA) please visit: www.calclub.com. For more information on Buttonwillow Raceway Park, please visit: www.buttonwillowraceway.com. For more information on FastLane Racing School, please visit: www.raceschool.com

By Larry Mason

Copyright © 2026 Larry Mason

photos Copyright © by Rebecca Case

Tech inspection, impound and scales are at the end of the cold pit lane after you’ve made a U-turn from the hot pit lane.

The grid/pre-grid area will have friendly folks in bright yellow to guide you to your spot before heading out onto the race track.

The driver’s meeting takes place adjacent to the Tech trailer and will be conducted immediately following the first qualifying session. This is also the area where trophy presentations happen after the races.

Emergency Central will be located close to the Tech trailer and is also a good place to let the emergency crew know if there are any specific medical/physical things going on with you just in case of an emergency.

The corner worker’s station/flagger’s station is staffed with knowledgeable people that have great flag information for you. If you ever catch on fire, they’re also equipped with a fire extinguisher.