FAST Classic Events -- Your Thoughts

[Loren]

On the flip-side... there are those who would welcome a "pro" series, perhaps one that included fewer events per year. Would satisfy their desire for good competition on more than a "per-event" basis, but not require them to make 9-10 events to win.

We'll see how the poll plays out and weigh those results into what we decide to do. One thing is clear: Most people like the events as they are! So, we're not going to make significant changes to that.

Vote early, vote often!

[jbrannon7]

My issue is not the money, but the time. Like most, I love all the seat time I can get, but unfortunately, the ins and outs of daily life, and maintaining a family and home restricts the monthly time allotted for my racing activities. I support continuing these particular events if possible, but due to time and distance, only the occasional SPC "classic" events for me.

And if the "classic" events continue, I'm for just maintaining the "run for fun" aspect. As evident from many of the previous posts, money is an issue, and a second points series not only increases our racing budget, then those that also take their position serious have the additional competitive mental strain as well.

One of the reasons it was suggested to make it a secondary points series was to get the number of participants up. The last event was well populated but I think much of that was due to the SCCA event the following day. Also a contributing factor may have been the rain event at SPC. I for one love the grippy concrete at Bville.

[Loren]

Interestingly, while we do see a fair number of "SCCA guys" at the Brooksville Classic events... MOST of them are the same "crossover" people that we see at our Championship events, as well. For the last event, there were 42 entries... and looking through the list, I only see about 4 or 5 names that were people we don't normally see and who were registered for the Sunday SCCA event.

I pay attention to that probably more than I should, just trying to understand "what's going on". In general, there are a lot of people who JUST run with one club or another, and a smaller group who run primarily with one club and occasionally hit another event... and a growing group of hardcore autocrossers who just chase the action wherever it may be on any given weekend.

It's truly stunning to look at something like... a full FAST SPC event on the same day as a pretty well-attended SCCA Brooksville event. I've seen a total of 150-160 people or more autocrossing at concurrent events at those two locations. There are a lot of clubs in this area, a fair number of sites... and a LOT of autocrossers!

[Rosko]

I read your economic treatise Loren. It definitely put things into perspective. Like many, I do not have a transparent view of the cost of an autocross event.

I will make it when I can to a Classic event. Unlike the others, though, more competition would definitely tantalize me... even if it's something unofficial. It would be fun. I have neither the time nor money to drive my way to the sharp edge of a PAX competition, but I would love to try to do it for the sheer chase!

Autocross without competition is kinda like HPDE - pointless.

[Evan]

I haven't been to all the classic events, but I want to say that the ones I have been to were fantastic as they were:

• More seat time per event is probably the biggest thing for me personally. I often find myself struggling to put together all the lessons I've learned driving a Championship course in a "measly" five runs, whereas on a track day where I'm running a course for something like ten laps per session I find I can really put lessons together a lot more cohesively (and that's not even counting being able to do that four times in one day). Having an autocross day with eight, ten, or even more runs has the same positive effect on my learning - unlike a regular event, I've never come away from a classic event feeling like I did not improve as a driver.
• I love the practice element setups. Again, from a learning perspective these represent a rather unique opportunity to take a single element of driving skill and experiment with it in isolation. I don't get that anywhere else.
• Thumbs-up for the "Work Group"-centric focus rather than "Run Group"-centric focus. This opens up the day and gives a great deal of flexibility in how I spend both my time and mental focus. It feels less... constrained than a regular autocross day, though it may just be all mental.

In the absence of a driver's school class, the classic events help to fill the huuuuuuuuuuuuuge gap in my competitive driving education Despite their higher cost, I find I walk away with a higher satisfaction-per-dollar-spent ratio regardless.

[Loren]

Great feedback, Evan. Thanks!

A note about doing "work group" vs. "run group". The norm is to focus on "run group". There are two main reasons we have sometimes done a "work group" format where you work one of three groups and are free to drive at any time during the other two.

First, is just a question of numbers. If we only have about 30 drivers in the event, that means groups of 10. 10 cars on grid with a typical 30-second start interval means you're being called up to the line every 300 seconds or 5 minutes. Doesn't sound like a big deal, but that's barely enough time to get out of the car, take a sip of water, go check your times and get back into the car! So, allowing two groups to run together means there are more like 20 cars on grid... which is closer to the pace that we're all used to.

The other reason was to give people time to play on the practice elements that we had set up, and also to allow them to switch between running the course or the practice at their whim.

It's a very flexible format, and I rather like it... but, when the event is better-attended (around 45 drivers), then combining groups has the potential to make the grid too crowded. And, if we're also not doing a practice element (like the last event), then it just makes more sense to do a standard 3-group format with just one run group on grid.

It's just another tool in the arsenal.

[blacksheep-1]

I just wanna go fast.....I like the regular series but appreciate the fact that the "classics" open them up some for a little diversity.
whatever you guys want is fine with me...50 bucks is not too much, it doesn't happen every time.

[twistedwankel]

I would assume one who has no stickers or chance at a Famous FAST t shirt would naturally prefer Classic's.

That pretty much describes me this last season trying to sort out two cars that were not top competitive but still could occassionally get a sticker.

I think SPC pavement sucks now (thus low turnout?) so I perfer the consistent Concrete of Brooksville that always has grip. Then there is the laughs and relaxed awesome lunch at a Classic where everyone is there all day.

Big surprise I'm old school.

The Mayor

[Loren]

SPC pavement doesn't suck any more than it always has.

It is at it's slickest right after they seal it, which they haven't done in a while.

In spite of that, though... aside from this last event (which was a perfect storm of bad schedule conflicts and weather), for a long time, SPC events would get more entries than Brooksville events. A lot of people come to them because they live near St. Pete and they're not willing to drive all the way to Brooksville.

I'm with you on the "old school", though. That's what drove the creation of the Classic series. Our 100-car events are great, and allow us to accomodate a lot of people without having to turn many away. But, even split in half so that there's only 50 people at a time, they still didn't have that casual "feel" of our early events. Classic events are just plain fun!

[jev61]

Classic events are just plain fun!

[AScoda]

Autocross without competition is kinda like HPDE - pointless.

At the classic events, you still get a sticka!
An autocross in any form is always a competition. Otherwise, it's just driving like an idiot in a construction zone.

[twistedwankel]

Autocross without competition is kinda like HPDE - pointless.

At the classic events, you still get a sticka!
An autocross in any form is always a competition. Otherwise, it's just driving like an idiot in a construction zone.

This is probably why I like "Drew".