Beginners / Novices / Experts - Clarification

Hi guys, just looking to clarify what the definition or qualifications are for the above classifications? I'm thinking in particular in relation to the upcoming 2014 Beginners Championship.

I think the rule was a beginner should have done nothing at all before the start of the championship, that may have changed though.

Novice definition from MI yearbook:

A Novice is defined as a driver who has not won more than eight awards in OPEN autotests before the date of the first championship round in each season, except that 2nd or 3rd place awards in a novice class will not count towards this total of eight. 1st place awards in a novice class or any awards in a “car class” or overall placing in any
autotest (whether championship or not) other than a closed event will be counted towards a driver’s total. Any driver who is eligible for the Novice class at the date of the first round of a championship will remain eligible for all the events in that championship.

Hi Kingers "To qualify as a beginner for the TDC Beginners' Championship, a competitor should have competed in their first ever event involving autotests no more than 11 months before the first round of that Beginners' Championship season. They may then complete that season as a beginner.
The winner and runner-up in the previous year's championship may not compete as a beginner in the next season.
The TDC Committee reserve the right to exercise some discretion in regard to a competitor’s status as a beginner and its decision will be final.
TDC Autotest Beginner status is intended for the 'raw' first timer and is not intended to include "occasional" competitors".

Hope that's what you were looking for.

Thanks lads.

What's the difference between open and closed autotests?

What's meant by a 'car class'?

I note that 2nd and 3rd places in a novice class don't count towards the '8', but do 2nd and 3rd places in the beginner class count?

Also, regarding the beginners status - does the reference to 'autotests' refer to Autotests or Multi Venue AutoTests?

'Open' autotests are open to everyone, 'closed' are for club members only (all autotests in the south are open)

'Car class' just means the normal classes. eg mini saloons, specials etc (not beginner, novice, expert)

I think the beginner and novice classes are amalgamated for the calculation of this. i.e. if finishing as 1st beginner would also put you 3rd in novice class, then it counts. Felix would be the man to ask to be sure