Sept 14, 2013 - Post Event

[tmeadows1988]

It was was much needed before I head to silverstone for nissan gt academy next week

You're one of the remaining finalists? Wow, that is really a fantastic accomplishment. No wonder you have such amazing times for a "noob".

Best of luck at Silverstone.

Hahaha thanks man. I appreciate it.

[jaball77]

I actually liked the course in terms of the elements. I love that there were sweepers and hard braking points on a little St Pete course.

The thing that I didn't like was the intersection to the left of the start. It just wasn't easy to read at all. Clean that up and I think you have a winner.

Although I'm not sure the little loop right after the start added much. That can go, too.

[Loren]

Oh, I think that little loop added more than you know. It was one of many stumbling blocks for a lot of people. If you knew enough to stay wide on the entry (ignoring the first "apex"), temper your throttle through 75% of it, and focus on your exit line and getting on the gas early, it was GREAT. But, a lot of people didn't do that... which makes it a good element.

That, plus it was fast enough for 2nd gear. If it was a 1st gear turn, it would have sucked.

[AScoda]

Best of luck at Silverstone.

Hahaha thanks man. I appreciate it.

Punturina = Eva Chang = NOT a man.

Just so you know.

[AScoda]

Jason, the camera mount is awesome! The only video location that you can see everything--the course, the drivers hands, proximity to the cones, corner entry setup, even where the driver is looking if he turns his head. It also conveniently doesn't show the speedometer clearly, so you have plausible deniability of not exceeding 60 mph.

[tmeadows1988]

Thanks

[jaball77]

Jason, the camera mount is awesome! The only video location that you can see everything--the course, the drivers hands, proximity to the cones, corner entry setup, even where the driver is looking if he turns his head. It also conveniently doesn't show the speedometer clearly, so you have plausible deniability of not exceeding 60 mph.

Yeah I'm really really happy with how it came out. I just need to work on the sound! The Hero3 doesn't have an audio-in so I'm not sure how to use an external mic... Have to research that.

Any roadster could use a setup like this really. Even if it didn't have the hardtop bolts I have you could do it on 3 suction cups.

[Lava Speed 05]

Hero 3 uses the mini USB port for audio in. $19.99 at best buy.

http://gopro.com/camera-accessories/3-5mm-mic-adapter

That is a nice camera set up. I really need to contact gopro as I have horrid battery life even with the extended battery.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Dave]

As Loren mentioned about following the lines, getting on the proper line going into the two "east end" sweepers, (and maintaining that line all the way through the turns) put you right where you needed to be going through the intersection. Knowing the course prior to ever putting foot to throttle and being able to see your run in your head before heading out onto the course cleans up any sections that may seem confusing at first.

[jesup16]

I probably ended up with the M1 slot from the doubled numbers with the 350Z. Also Jesse Olsen and Jimmy Hughes didn't come out in the BMW, they were in a Subaru of some sort and I'm not sure if the classing is correct for them.

We wanted to stay in class to try and earn points.

[AScoda]

Knowing the course prior to ever putting foot to throttle and being able to see your run in your head before heading out onto the course cleans up any sections that may seem confusing at first.

I chose an alternate method of not ever walking the course and begging a ride in the fastest car I could find-Tony's Porsche Carrera.
Then, you know, wing it.

[Native]

Knowing the course prior to ever putting foot to throttle and being able to see your run in your head before heading out onto the course cleans up any sections that may seem confusing at first.

I chose an alternate method of not ever walking the course and begging a ride in the fastest car I could find-Tony's Porsche Carrera.
Then, you know, wing it.

Which leads me to comment that there really is more than one school of thought here. I know some folks think a "good" autocross course is completely readable and simply interpreted without ever walking it or riding it; that you should just be able to drive it and follow it without any challenge. Others believe that a course that requires a little learning before-hand, and maybe some memory during the drive is better - that it is more challenging. The latter was this course - it helped to see it before you drove it, and it helped to remember certain parts of it - like the intersection in the NE corner - go outside first lap, inside second lap (not a lot different than remembering which way you want to enter an optional slalom...).

Either way is why we schedule time for a course walk - independently and guided - so that any one individual can decide for themselves which type of course they are dealing with.

And while the first type of course is easier for novices or the unpracticed, I don't mind the second type that needs a little memory and strategy...makes the game a little more interesting!

[jbrannon7]

I was unable to attend. After watching some of the videos it looked like a NASCAR course with some debris on the back stretch. You know all left turns with the exception of the little right circle near the start.

Joe

[Loren]

Yeah, unfortunately autocrosses on a small site are often that way. To get turns in each direction, you have to do crossovers. Likewise, to get significant distance, you have to do crossovers. It's always a balancing act.

But, I didn't hear anyone who drove it complain about the "all left" aspect of the course. The lefts were not all the same flavor.

[tmeadows1988]

I thought the course was very interesting after the first run. It's all about adaption and being adaptive. Being fast in under any layout and learning quickly. I only had 2 good runs and my last run put me in first. That's what I love about it. Such a short amount of time to get it right. I love the challenge of that.....

You guys run a great event and I hope to run with you all again one day.

[puncturina]

The all lefts is good after doing mostly rights at the Enduro. Our tires thank you.

[jaball77]

Knowing the course prior to ever putting foot to throttle and being able to see your run in your head before heading out onto the course cleans up any sections that may seem confusing at first.

I chose an alternate method of not ever walking the course and begging a ride in the fastest car I could find-Tony's Porsche Carrera.
Then, you know, wing it.

Which leads me to comment that there really is more than one school of thought here. I know some folks think a "good" autocross course is completely readable and simply interpreted without ever walking it or riding it; that you should just be able to drive it and follow it without any challenge. Others believe that a course that requires a little learning before-hand, and maybe some memory during the drive is better - that it is more challenging. The latter was this course - it helped to see it before you drove it, and it helped to remember certain parts of it - like the intersection in the NE corner - go outside first lap, inside second lap (not a lot different than remembering which way you want to enter an optional slalom...).

Either way is why we schedule time for a course walk - independently and guided - so that any one individual can decide for themselves which type of course they are dealing with.

And while the first type of course is easier for novices or the unpracticed, I don't mind the second type that needs a little memory and strategy...makes the game a little more interesting!

I know we're not the SCCA here, but they did kind of invent the modern autocross... And the SCCA design guide expressly states that a course should not rely on memorization and should be able to be read easily while driving. I know that at St Pete's space constraints necessitate crossovers if we want courses longer than 20 seconds and I think you guys have done a great job over the years making good courses at SPC.

I think this one was a little more confusing than most in terms of reading it on the fly, and I've been doing this a loooong time. As much as you plan and try to memorize it still takes brain power to override your instincts when you're on course...and I don't have a whole lot of brain power to spare.

I think it would be fun to do a SUPER simple course at St Pete. Like... just a plain old figure 8 or something. It would be short, but you could have a bazillion runs.

[Jeremy]

The only part that was truly confusing to me is pictured.
It was impossible to see the apex there through about 25 cones and 3 walls.
Just a crappy design there (hidden apex), the rest was fine.

[aw614]

That was where I got lost the first run and completely missed it, even on the later runs, I was still unsure if I missed it or not.

[Native]

Yep that portion of the course was not ideal.
Y'all shoulda seen it before it got adjusted during setup... heh.