May 21 - FAST Classic at Tampa Greyhound

[Loren]

This will be our last event at the dog track until late July, and our goal for this one is a 60-second course! It's gonna be loopy and fun, incorporating many of the best elements of previous courses there plus a few new angles.

This is a Classic event, which means fewer entries, more runs and no formal novice instruction. We do require all entrants to have competed in at least 3 prior autocross events so that they sort of know what they're doing. And don't forget that our new sound restriction will be fully enforced.

Registration is open until May 18, but you know how it goes. Sometimes these events fill up early.

Guest registration is not required unless said guests want to partake of lunch with us. We won't buy lunch for you if we don't know you're coming!

[Loren]

I'm not sure we achieved our goal of a 60-second course, but it should be acceptably long and a LOT of fun!

Hi-Res PDF Course Map

[twistedwankel]

Family calls us away to MA for a couple weeks so will miss this one. Looks like yet another winner.

For those of you needing seat/test and tune time here is a golden opportunity to prepare for the last two points events!! This is a mini Enduro by the look of it. Learn to breathe while driving.

Doug

[Loren]

It just occurred to me how to make this course a minute long very easily. Will have to discuss it with Steve and Drew, and if we opt to try it, we'll let the folks at the event decide if they want to do it at the driver's meeting.

Here's the idea: Do the outer loop twice.

So, instead of entering the hairpin from the end of the B line (connecting to C), we loop around and connect to the B line again and do that outer loop a second time. Then continue on through the rest of the course.

Pros: Adds a good 20 seconds to the course, gives you a slightly different entry (the second time) through the first sweeper, and a second shot at the fast sweeper on the far end.

Cons: Requires drivers to have the awareness to know where they are on course and what to do at that "decision point". (or we could put a flagger out there, maybe) Adds two more right-hand turns to the course with no more lefts to balance it. (we could make the hairpin a "full 360 skidpad loop" to balance it out) Due to the layout of the course, it could give us a start interval of 45-50 seconds, which reduces the "efficiency" of the event and ultimately reduces our run count. But, should still be able to manage 6 runs. I think it would be worth it just to be doing something that's different, but we'll let the masses decide.

Again, this is just an IDEA at this point. I'm not saying that we will do it for sure.

[vzwire]

Outer loop twice??? LET'S DO IT!

You threw the idea out before the last dog track event... I think it's time we just do it!

[Rawkkrawler]

I'm voting for more runs, only because I'm using this event for further tuning. I'm still trying to dial in tire pressure and shock dampening.

[Loren]

Not to twist your arm, but a longer run is going to get more heat into your tires and give you a better picture of what's going on. Also, doing that same loop twice on a run really will help you to get a consistent feel for what the car is doing. Sort of like an Endurocross, but not as much.

We're gonna need more opinions on this! I could go either way. I guess shorter runs are probably healthier for the FASTiva, though!

[ImpostorDan]

I am Switzerland. Another variation is to make the left side interior turn more skidpad and feed it back into the slalom line, back into the hairpin, and go through the outside in reverse. This negates the enduro gate...

[twistedwankel]

With two or three sessions and a fixed amount of time for run/work you could run different configs for each whole group making everyone happy? Doesn't look like you have to touch the course itself to do that. Might be a PIA for timing? I like cool new ideas. There won't be any newbies to worry about. The whole "Classic" concept is original in and of itself. Now will really miss this event.

[Loren]

I am Switzerland. Another variation is to make the left side interior turn more skidpad and feed it back into the slalom line, back into the hairpin, and go through the outside in reverse. This negates the enduro gate...

Time has proven that if we make stuff like this too complicated, people will screw it up. Aside from that, I like the idea.

Not gonna change this course, though. We'll run it as-is, or we'll run it with an extra lap around the outer loop (which doesn't require a course change).

[Rawkkrawler]

I think 6 runs and an extra lap around the outer loop would work. I agree, getting closer to 60 second runs would help get a feel for what the tires are doing. Changing my vote!

[ImpostorDan]

I am Switzerland. Another variation is to make the left side interior turn more skidpad and feed it back into the slalom line, back into the hairpin, and go through the outside in reverse. This negates the enduro gate...

Time has proven that if we make stuff like this too complicated, people will screw it up. Aside from that, I like the idea.

Not gonna change this course, though. We'll run it as-is, or we'll run it with an extra lap around the outer loop (which doesn't require a course change).

I got two words - Parade lap.

Other than that, I'm full of dumb ideas if you need some more bad course entertainment.

[Loren]

Something like that MIGHT work for a Classic event. But, for a regular event with a bunch of novices and first-timers... even a parade lap doesn't help when things get complicated. (plus, you'd have to run your parade lap like one car at a time if it goes out a slalom and BACK through the same slalom!)

Trust me, I've tried all sorts of crazy course ideas before, and different ways of implementing them.

[ImpostorDan]

Trust me, I've tried all sorts of crazy course ideas before, and different ways of implementing them.

Right, but yours are calculated with thought and driver challenge. Mine would be more like a big crayola swirly scrawl.

Looking forward to the event!

[Rawkkrawler]

Trust me, I've tried all sorts of crazy course ideas before, and different ways of implementing them.

Right, but yours are calculated with thought and driver challenge. Mine would be more like a big crayola swirly scrawl.

Looking forward to the event!

There was a time when Loren, Steve and Jamie allowed us to not only chair an event but also design the course, no pressure at all!

[jbrannon7]

All you see in a Parade Lap is the back of the car in front of you.

[Loren]

All you see in a Parade Lap is the back of the car in front of you.

Generally true. Sometimes it helps, but we don't bother very often. A thorough novice walk and making instructors available is much more effective.

[Inspecta]

This looks like it will be fun!

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[Loren]

I don't know why I didn't think of this until just now, but...

We're at the dog track this week, and at Tampa Bay Downs two weeks after. Would be convenient to not have to tow the trailer all the way back to Brooksville for storage. Anybody have a secure place we can park the trailer for two weeks? Needs to be close to the dog track or to Tampa Bay Downs, or somewhere in between. If there's much towing in any other direction involved, I might as well just tow it back to the airport.

[92mx-5]

Can't wait for my first place finish!