Classing

[aparke]

Maybe this is something Jamie or Steve can answer... I've run in F class all year with my MS3; however, I'm considering running my stock Integra at the gymkhana. Could I still run in the F class (a higher class, mind you) as I have all year? Or would I need to switch to G class for this event?

[Dave-ROR]

Maybe this is something Jamie or Steve can answer... I've run in F class all year with my MS3; however, I'm considering running my stock Integra at the gymkhana. Could I still run in the F class (a higher class, mind you) as I have all year? Or would I need to switch to G class for this event?

You can run a slower car in a faster class if you want as far as I know. I know Ryan (A) has borrowed Jamie's car (C) and run it in A.

Edit: Actually I shouldn't say Slower car, but you can run a LOWER CLASSED car in a HIGHER CLASS.

[Native]

you can run a LOWER CLASSED car in a HIGHER CLASS.

Yep. Keeps the points in your "home class" that way...

[Jamie]

Edit: Actually I shouldn't say Slower car, but you can run a LOWER CLASSED car in a HIGHER CLASS.

Yes...in that particular case, the same car was faster in Class A than it was in Class C. I should have driven it in A...would have gone faster....

[rippin mazda]

Yes...in that particular case, the same car was faster in Class A than it was in Class C. I should have driven it in A...would have gone faster....

Imagine what would have happened if you ran it in the open wheel class...lol

[aparke]

Ok. In that case, maybe I should also run in A class just to see how fast my car really is...

Thanks.

[rippin mazda]

Normally I would say have an instructor drive your car so you have a benchmark to aim for. However with the Gymkanna, everything goes out the window. I never thought I'd need reverse in my autox car

[Loren]

Bwahahahahaha!

[aparke]

Normally I would say have an instructor drive your car so you have a benchmark to aim for. However with the Gymkanna, everything goes out the window. I never thought I'd need reverse in my autox car

Yeah, for the gymkhana, I think I'll tear up my own transmission. As for a typical autox, I've just been too selfish to give up a run to an instructor despite initial intentions. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_20

[rippin mazda]

I've just been too selfish to give up a run to an instructor despite initial intentions. Yellow_Colorz_PDT_20

What is the policy on this? If someone wants an instructor to drive there car so they know what it is capable of, would that run count against the instructee?
Other regions I've been to will not count that run against either person in the car. Also, they don't have problems with everyone taking "demonstration runs" since there are only a handful of people the club recognizes as instructors.

(Please note that I've used instructor and not buddy or friend.)

Ryan

[Loren]

We don't have a policy on it, really. If it's "buddies" swapping rides, then those rides should count, of course. But if there's a real need for an instructor to take a drive in a novice's car on occasion, I wouldn't have a problem letting that go as a "freebie" run. As long as "instructors" aren't abusing the privilege.

As an instructor, when I'm with a first-timer and see that they could really benefit from me taking the wheel while they watch what their car is capable of, I just do it (if they are willing). I make sure timing is notified that an instructor is driving and I let the timing crew decide whether to count the run against the student or not.

[Native]

Seems like a reasonable enough thing to do, but if it comes to be, preferrably it would be pre-arranged and made clear to whoever is doing timing and grid...now that I think of it, there must be some way the timing equipment/software we have could handle this kinda thing, right?

[Jamie]

Fairly easy. The local SCCA region handles instructor runs (instructor driving) by changing the car number to 600, so it doesn't count against the entrant.

[Loren]

If the run is being counted as one of the driver's runs, it needs to be a DNF. Easy enough.

If it's not being scored against the driver, the time simply needs to be deleted after the run.

I guess if we did enough of them and wanted to keep the times, we could create a "phantom" driver, and just punch in that number whenever an instructor is driving. Then the times would be stored, and it would be less disruptive to T&S. (they wouldn't have to delete the time, just punch in a car number, as usual)

[Loren]

Yeah, what Jamie said!

[snookwheel]

I like the idea of letting an instructor take a spin! I would welcome the opportunity to learn a bit more on how it's done. Having it not eat into the number of runs we get as a participant makes it even better

[aparke]

Well, that makes sense to me too (as long as it's not abused). So who are all of the "instructors"? I have some extra magnetic numbers so designating a "phantom" driver would be a quick easy change before/between runs.

So, Scott... when are you going to finish breaking in your new Mazdaspeed3 so Loren can set the bar for the both of us?

[Loren]

I'm always happy to flog someone else's car. 8)

I'm such a generous instructor that I'm even willing to take all of my runs in your car. Just ask Steve!

[rippin mazda]

So who are all of the "instructors"?

Here is where it gets interesting.

[Dave-ROR]

So who are all of the "instructors"?

Here is where it gets interesting.

lol

Technically, per the insurance, anyone in the passenger seat is an instructor.

FAST doesn't have real instructors, or anyone with that "title" or what not.

In the end, if you see a driver that you want to drive your car, just talk to them and see if they are willing. Some drivers are NOT willing to drive another's car for liability reasons.

I personally would just have the person lose a run, but that's me. Perhaps the instructors from the novice school(s) could be the "official" instructors, but it just seems like more trouble than it's worth.