March 10 - SPC - Split Event Format

[Loren]

Registration for March doesn't open for another week, but I wanted to get some info out about it early. Again, this is for the MARCH event, not the upcoming February event.

Since we've been consistently hitting our 65-75 car limits at both SPC and Brooksville for several years, and more recently, we've been doing so within days of pre-registration opening, we're going to experiment with something that will allow us to run more cars without a lot more fuss. What we're trying will allow us to run up to 25 more cars per day, hopefully with more pros than cons.

The Split Event Format:
What we're doing is essentially running two separate events, each having two run groups of 25 cars. There will be a morning session and an afternoon session, each with separate registration, but scored as a single event.

Pros:

• We can easily run 100 cars, hopefully allowing all who want to run with us the opportunity to do so.
• We'll generally only have to wrangle 50 cars and drivers at a time, making the event easier to manage and giving it a smaller "feel".
• If you run the morning session, you'll be done by noon and have the rest of your day free to fix what you broke on the car, go boating, mow the lawn, take a nap, or one of the hundreds of other things that people are always asking to leave early for.
• If you run late, you get to stay out late the night before (or work late... blah), sleep in and come to the event at 11am and still get in a full autocross.

Cons:

• We'll most likely have to limit ourselves to 5 runs rather than the typical 6, at least the first couple times we do this. If we find ourselves ahead of schedule, we can try adding in the 6th run later.
• Classes will no longer be able to run as a group. (though the members of each class can certainly get together and agree to run early or late if that's important to them)
• If you run early, you'll have to get there about an hour earlier than usual. (no later than 8am)
• We'll all have to be a little more "on the ball" to ensure that we start on time and keep on schedule
• No Famous FAST Lunch. We'll still have drinks available and probably donuts/snacks, but not lunch.

Before anyone asks, YES, if you choose to pay two entry fees and work two work assignments, you can sign up for both the morning and the afternoon. We don't expect a lot of people will do it, but you're welcome to. If too many people do it, we may have to nix it because it would be counter-productive to the goal of getting more people into the event. But, if the <5 people that I expect do it, it shouldn't be a big deal. Only your morning runs would count toward competition.

So, start thinking about whether you want to run early or late, and you can read more specific info about the Early and Late schedules here:
http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frm ... t_id=13515
http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frm ... t_id=13626

I think once we iron the kinks out of this, people will really like it. If nothing else, spending 4-5 hours at an autocross (7am-12pm or 11am-4pm) vs 8-9 hours (8am-5pm) should appeal to most people.

This is an experimental event at this point. If it fails spectacularly, we won't do it again. If it works, we'll try to run with it. We have yet to approach Brooksville about it, yet. But, we're hoping that they'll allow us to run "two events" without overlap. We'd have to clear the site of most of the morning people before allowing the afternoon people in, but it would keep us under their 70-person limit. We'll cross that bridge when we get there... first we're going to experiment with this event at SPC.

Registration opens February 8th!

[Loren]

Steve and I were going to co-chair this event, but Steve can't make this one, so Dave O'Neil is co-chairing with me. (and Dave's so good that I probably won't have to do anything... awesome!)

A couple of key people we're going to need:

• Someone to tow the trailer... you MUST be early, no later than 6:30am delivery! The whole schedule falls apart if we don't get the course set up on time.
• Two qualified (people who have done it before and are good at it) Registration people to work afternoon registration from about 10:45-12:15. You'll be set up at the GATE to catch people as they arrive and get them signed in, pointed in the right direction and be sure they know where to be when.
• The rest of the workers should fall into place from the usual work position request system. We'll make further requests if necessary.

[Jamie]

For this one, you might consider moving registration out to the paddock -- use one of the pop-up canopies and a folding table, and give 'em a radio to stay in touch. Easier to catch people as they come out of their cars.

[Loren]

That would work, too.

[RacingHart71]

I hope to make this my first event.

[Jeremy]

Would it be possible to break down registration even further so we can register for the specific run group we want?

This would allow co-drivers to choose how to run and also eliminate someone from having to split the groups up manually, 2 times per event.

[impalanut]

would it be possible to deliver the trailer and set up the course the night before. This would really make it easier to get started on time.

[impalanut]

Also, I think daylight savings time starts that day so another hour lost.

[Jamie]

Would it be possible to break down registration even further so we can register for the specific run group we want?

This would allow co-drivers to choose how to run and also eliminate someone from having to split the groups up manually, 2 times per event.

That's only true if an equal number of people choose each group...we'll see snow before that happens! If co-drivers want to split up, I'd suggest including a note to that effect when registering.

[Jeremy]

Would it be possible to break down registration even further so we can register for the specific run group we want?

This would allow co-drivers to choose how to run and also eliminate someone from having to split the groups up manually, 2 times per event.

That's only true if an equal number of people choose each group...

It's the same thing that's being proposed now, just split one more time.
People will choose whatever group isn't full.

Current - 1 group of 80
Future - 2 groups of 40
Suggested - 4 groups of 20

[Loren]

Yep, you both nailed it.

Equal groups won't happen by themselves, the only way to do it would be to further subdivide registration.

To that I say, sorry... but, no. The benefits of doing that are minimal compared to the extra hassle and confusion involved. (and not just for the organizers... when the event starts getting full, a person would have to check FOUR separate events to find out if slots are available... two is plenty)

Like Jamie said, if you want/need to drive separate from your co-driver, simply put a note on your registration telling us who your co-driver is and that you'd like to run separate from them. Simple.

[Jeremy]

It's going to take away from the socialization factor of the events. Which from what I've seen is very important to a lot of members.

If a friend and I sign up for the afternoon session. There is a 50/50 chance I will not see that person at all during the event.

If you open up registration by run group, there is a 100% chance we will be able to run and work together and make less work for the person splitting up the groups.
Seems like a win/win to me.

Now you are going to have to manually split up groups and mess around with notes from people saying I want to run in this group, but opposite from this person but in the same group as this person, but this other person needs to leave early so they have to be in the first run group. Thanks!

I guess this can be brought up later if this format even takes off. But just to dismiss it outright is incorrect. But don't worry I am used to being right and misunderstood. You'll figure out I am always right eventually.

[Loren]

That's the thing about being in a position to make decisions. You earn the priviledge of being wrong from time to time.

This is a big enough change. And it's experimental. We do not wish to make it a bigger change at this time.

It won't please everyone. Obviously nothing we do ever does.

[RacingHart71]

But just to dismiss it outright is incorrect. But don't worry I am used to being right and misunderstood. You'll figure out I am always right eventually.

Wow...did that just sound like someone's wife.

Sounds like these events have been run smooth enough in the past that a compromise will be reach to make everyone happy-ish.

Its cool seeing the working dynamic this group has developed.

[Jeremy]

But just to dismiss it outright is incorrect. But don't worry I am used to being right and misunderstood. You'll figure out I am always right eventually.

Wow...did that just sound like someone's wife.

Simmer down, noob. I will make you my wife on course. You can hold my tire pressure gauge and drink while I take my laps.

[yamaha731]

I know im nobody important but you took something I thought was perfect and you beat it with a stick. Iess run time no lunch everyone has to rush. You could win in the morning go home happy and find out later you where beat inthe afternoon unless you pay twice then you have an advantage over someone who can only afford one autocross a month. Blah blah blah dont like it bitch bitch bitch wine wine wine

[RacingHart71]

But just to dismiss it outright is incorrect. But don't worry I am used to being right and misunderstood. You'll figure out I am always right eventually.

Wow...did that just sound like someone's wife.

Simmer down, noob. I will make you my wife on course. You can hold my tire pressure gauge and drink while I take my laps.

Oops. I must have touched a nerve.

Regardless...though you may lay down some quick times on the course, I more than likely will not have time to hold your tire pressure gauge or drink, because i'll be trying to figure out how to correct my cars stupid understeer issues or determining how much of a roll the coefficent of linear expansion plays in the lack of power my car experiences once it gets to proper operating tempertures.

Happy motoring!!

[Loren]

Legitimate complaints are honestly appreciated. We know that not everyone will like this change. And we're not even sure it will work.

But, in spite of the fact that MY ideal of "the perfect event" is exactly 60 cars... the club keeps wanting to grow, and we feel obligated to try to accomodate.

FYI, you don't HAVE to go home at noon if you're a Morning driver. You can stick around and watch, just like you could do under the old system if you were, say... a setup/registration/tech worker who drove in the first run group.

If you gotta know the results, stick around. If you want to socialize more, stick around. If you just want to see the action, stick around.

But, I know that the number one complaint about autocross as a sport is this:
An entire day of waiting around for 2-3 minutes of seat time. We're trying to cut that back to half a day for roughly the same seat time. AND accomodate more people.

[Jeremy]

And you missed that he thinks that registering twice will gain you an advantage, which you already stated will not since only your morning runs will count if you do that.

[shakedown067]

Interesting....I'm hopefully finally in for my first event this season. If for some reason I don't get the car up and running, the truck will be making it's racing debut (and I would be available to tow).

I might get some magnetic numbers cut just in case.