FAST Duel 2015! Feb 28 @ Brooksville

[Professional_Slacker]

I'm ready to duel! I got a laugh at this when signing up:

"List all major modifications including wheels/tires."

Will the new shocks or plug wires affect my grouping?

and based on SCCA ( I know Loren, FAST isn't SCCA ), plug wires are an allowed mod and so are OEM type shocks/struts.

[Loren]

Wheels and tires (as long as they are street tires) don't normally affect FAST classing. We ask about that for the Duel because sometimes a class gets combined with another class, or a class might get split. In those cases, it helps us understand where each car/driver "fits" into their class to know where to place them. Tires are relevant.

The Duel is run in 8-car brackets. That won't always equate to the size of a class.

Just as an example:

If S4 is too small to make a class, but, S4+S5 is more than 8 drivers, then S4 might be split with part of it bumping up to run with S2, and part of it being combined with S5. And the "slower classed" car will get a handicap at the start when they go up against a "faster classed" car.

[Professional_Slacker]

Wheels and tires (as long as they are street tires) don't normally affect FAST classing. We ask about that for the Duel because sometimes a class gets combined with another class, or a class might get split. In those cases, it helps us understand where each car/driver "fits" into their class to know where to place them. Tires are relevant.

The Duel is run in 8-car brackets. That won't always equate to the size of a class.

Just as an example:

If S4 is too small to make a class, but, S4+S5 is more than 8 drivers, then S4 might be split with part of it bumping up to run with S2, and part of it being combined with S5. And the "slower classed" car will get a handicap at the start when they go up against a "faster classed" car.

ok, that makes sense.

[Rosko]

Where the heck are all the Duel entries?

I'd register, but the entry fee is too high at $63. Heck, I don't event like the high cost of the Classic.

I'll have to sit this one out, and leave you blue bloods to your fun.

[Native]

Yeah, it is pricier than a regular event (as are the Classics). Sorry it's farther than you'd like to go. Maybe see you at the next points event.

But in case you've gotten anyone else thinking about it, I would like to point out that, for a full-day's entertainment, lunch, and custom-designed t-shirt, it's a steal. Heck, a movie and snacks for two can easily run $50, and only lasts a few hours. Also, for what it's worth, this year's Duel, with entry and tshirt at $63, is $7 cheaper than the last Duel's entry and shirt.

[Loren]

And for those who didn't read my last post, the "no shirt" price goes into effect tomorrow. That's $48. Same as a Classic.

Last I checked, there are clubs charging $40-45 to "non-members" for their regular events. I'm not going to feel guilty about the pricing of this event, it takes a lot of extra effort to put on a Duel. (but if people aren't willing to pay it, this could be the last Duel for a long time)

[Loren]

I'll have to sit this one out, and leave you blue bloods to your fun.

That's a little presumptuous, don't you think?

Look at the entry list. 5 of 19 entries are in cars newer than 9 years old, and only three are newer than 5 years. What do you drive? I'm not questioning your choices at all, but we all have to prioritize how we spend our money. And choosing to NOT spend money on a new car to have more budget to enjoy other things does not make one a "blue blood".

Feel free to tell us you can't afford it, or think it's too steep, or whatever... but, there's no need to take a jab at anyone else on your way out.

[Rosko]

I'll have to sit this one out, and leave you blue bloods to your fun.

That's a little presumptuous, don't you think?

Look at the entry list. 5 of 19 entries are in cars newer than 9 years old, and only three are newer than 5 years. What do you drive? I'm not questioning your choices at all, but we all have to prioritize how we spend our money. And choosing to NOT spend money on a new car to have more budget to enjoy other things does not make one a "blue blood".

Feel free to tell us you can't afford it, or think it's too steep, or whatever... but, there's no need to take a jab at anyone else on your way out.

Wow, you took that "blue blood" comment directly at face value! It was meant to be sorta sarcastic and funny. Pardon my dry sense of humor. It seldom works in person, so I should not expect it to come through in written form.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to shopping for tires. <-------- See, I'm trying to be funny, because tires are super expensive, and this duel only costs sixty .... aw, nevermind.

Sorry for the trouble.

[Loren]

Yeah, I figured that after I posted it. Oh, well.

Like Drew says, "more smilies!"

[Loren]

On another note:

I've got a failing wheel bearing and I likely won't have it replaced by next weekend. Anybody up for a Duel co-driver?

[Solar]

And for those who didn't read my last post, the "no shirt" price goes into effect tomorrow. That's $48. Same as a Classic.

^^This is for me.^^ Plan to see my name on the list sometime this weekend.

The price put me off a bit only because I already have enough t-shirts that I never wear.

[Professional_Slacker]

On another note:

I've got a failing wheel bearing and I likely won't have it replaced by next weekend. Anybody up for a Duel co-driver?

I dunno, I think two events in a row with someone losing a wheel could be the start of a new FAST tradition.

[Native]

And for those who didn't read my last post, the "no shirt" price goes into effect tomorrow. That's $48. Same as a Classic.

^^This is for me.^^ Plan to see my name on the list sometime this weekend.

The price put me off a bit only because I already have enough t-shirts that I never wear.

All I can say is, oh my goodness gracious holy f***g s**t thank heaven you added that smiley...

[Omnislashx82]

i think i will be signing up tonight, got the time off from hell (work) and i think ill take the wifes new car just to be on the safe side. it is going to be a very different drive than im used to lol hopefully i can drive it well. hey loren i didnt see an email or anything about that partial credit for sitting out when my car crapped out, how does that work exactly?

[Loren]

Assuming I remembered to enter your credit, it should appear when you checkout.

[Omnislashx82]

if it doesnt ill just shoot ya a msg or something,thanks

[friskyflea]

I ended up booking a work day so will not attend - had to weigh the odds of event filling up before it opened to all v. a sure work day.

Reading the comments about cost... I hope you all appreciate how inexpensive this sport is to have fun with (notice I say fun, not necessarily win.) As many of you know, I ride horses, and I do so on a budget. My last "competition" horse was bought, untrained for anything other than racing at the track, for meat price. I can train my own - if not, you are looking to pay someone to do it or buy one trained already ($$$, like a car already set-up for AX). My most expensive splurge, a new saddle, was 4 times the price of the horse. Helmet costs are similar to racing, except you usually need 2; one for every day, one for competition. A good set of competition boots runs you about the same as a good set of tires: you use your old ones for every day riding.

Here's were things start diverging: they eat more a month than your car "eats" in gas, oil, brake pads and other sundry consumables. Trust me on that one. Then there's shoes every 6-8 weeks; if barefoot, then it's a trim - less than shoes but still 7-8/year. I do my own. Vaccines, Coggins test and dental care hopefully yearly, if all goes well - no other costs, but horses do try to self-destruct more often than cars.... Then there's room & board if you can't keep it at home (they don't do well in a garage.) The equipment for the horse and your own outfit are not optional, whereas you can AX in regular street clothes. AND, entry fees... a local non-recognized fun event (for what I do, eventing, which has 3 phases and runs all day) still starts at about $95 minimum, plus ship in or stabling fees, medical & office fees, lunch NOT included - bring your own for you and your mount. You can't "ride" to the event venue - truck and trailer also not optional.

In both I get to go fast and negotiate a course of obstacles from memory, but, as much as I love horses, autocrossing is the better $$$ bargain. Both are cheaper than a shrink

Soraya

PS - and now you know why I work some weekends; I have expensive vices to feed.

[Loren]

Thanks for an intersting perspective, Soraya!

BTW. Duel Registration closes at 6pm Monday.

[Omnislashx82]

registered and the credit thing worked out just fine, i didnt know which class my completely stock mazda 3 was in out of the 5 S classes though so i put unknown

[AScoda]

You can't "ride" to the event venue - truck and trailer also not optional.

Maybe you just need a smaller horse.