Welcome to the DIY Program!

Members should become familiar with this content prior to registering for an event.

DIY Program Overview – We Love Newcomers
The Do-It-Yourself (DIY) program allows National Capital Chapter members work on their own cars under the guidance of experienced members and technicians provided by the DIY sponsors. The purpose of a DIY event is to learn and practice proper maintenance and repair techniques that you can routinely complete. Access to the sponsor’s lifts is timeboxed within a two-hour time period.
There are typically several NCC members who can assist you when an extra pair of hands or advice is needed. We are happy to show newcomers the joys of working on your own car. Most events start at between 8 am and 9 am and typically finish at 2 pm. Lunch for the event is provided by the club.

DIY Event Types
Large DIYs will be held at sponsors with six or more available lifts, smaller ones at sponsors with five or less. Please note that jobs accepted for a DIY are based on the sponsor’s agreement. There may be occasions where a complex job is not accepted, or a sponsor only wants to have smaller, less complex jobs performed.

Ladies Are Welcome
During the year, we are stage several DIY (LDIY) events that are geared as introduction to the DIY experience. We also have a ladies’ introduction overview at several DIY events in conjunction with new member orientations. This gives you an opportunity to hear about LDIY events from ladies that have participated in the past. It also allows you to see an event in progress and the jobs that can be performed. Mary Snyder is the LDIY coordinator and has designed the LDIY program to serve the novice and advanced DIY’er.

Registration
Registration for DIY Events is through the MotorSport Reg website. Registration usually opens four weeks before each scheduled DIY and closes two weeks before the DIY.

You may register as either a worker or a helper. When you register, you will be asked to identify whether you are a worker or a helper, the job(s) you are requesting to perform, the vehicle you will be working on for the event, and any special tools needs. You will receive an automatic message of receipt when you register.

You will receive confirmation of your attendance to the DIY by the coordinator no later than the Monday (five days) prior to the event. We will try to notify you sooner, but DIY coordinators must work with the sponsors to ensure the jobs meet their standards and time frames.

Registration Payment
Your Motorsport Reg account can facilitate DIY fee payment with a credit card.

DIY Event Communication
The DIY Committee limits worker attendance based on registration numbers, intended DIY projects, perceived member skills, and the size of the sponsor’s facilities. No later than the Wednesday before the DIY, and usually sooner, the applicable NCC Coordinator will send an e-mail message to each person who has registered, giving additional information about the DIY.

Please Take Note

• Access to lifts is generally timeboxed at two hours. Subsequently, general maintenance work can be accommodated and is in scope.
• All parts, oils, and other equipment installed at the DIY should be sourced from the DIY Sponsor. Any exceptions must be requested through the registration form by the car owner, and explicitly agreed to by the Sponsor, the DIY Coordinator, and the member before the event.
• Members should direct all questions or comments about the DIY, sponsor, or any other issues to the DIY Coordinator of the event. Contact information for the DIY team is below.

Tools
All Club members are expected to bring their own tools, such as metric wrenches, socket sets, etc. For job-specific tools you may ask to borrow another Club member’s tools.

The DIY Committee has established a selection of special tools, which may be used at an event. Please note that our sponsors do not provide tools.

Special Tools Program*

The DIY Committee has purchased specialty tools to assist our members. Any special tool needs to be identified when you sign up. We have the following tools available for an event:

• Oil filter housing cap.
• Oxygen sensor tool.
• 17mm non marring socket for wheel lug bolts.
• Fluid transfer tool or differential fluid.
• Brake fluid pressure bleeder.

*DIY tools are only for use at our events. Please clean fluid tools before returning to the DIY coordinator.

Parts
Each participant is reminded to buy all parts (including oils & other fluids) from the event sponsor if they sell parts. Most service shops offer discounts to Club members and buying parts from the event sponsor helps to offset their costs for the day. If you want to bring your own parts, you must inform the DIY coordinator well before the DIY and receive approval. The coordinator will respond to you in a timely manner.

Scheduling
Participants’ times are assigned by date and time of registration. Participants must arrive before the start of the event, or risk losing their assigned lift time. Please note, the DIY Coordinator has the authority to rearrange the schedule for exigencies. Please be prepared to help other members while awaiting a lift. On the day of the DIY, if space and time are available, and with the coordinator’s and Sponsor’s approval, “walk-ups” may be admitted.

Contact
If you have any questions, would like to help organize a DIY, or know a facility who wants to host an event, please contact DIY program chairs.