BattleX in November at SPC

[Native]

That's right! We're doing a special event in November - a BattleX at SPC, courtesy of Loren, and someone who volunteers to co-chair it with him! Who's it gonna be??

By nature of the type of event, it will need to be limited-participation, not everyone will be eligible.

We need the co-chair for now, and once Loren and [your name here] iron out the details we'll spread the word.

[Jamie]

We're going to do a pursuit event at SPC? Or are you shifting the site?

[Native]

Nope. Still at SPC. "The Professor" has some ideas...

[Loren]

It's not as crazy as it sounds, Jamie. I'd never really thought about doing it at SPC, but once I put pencil to paper (or pointer to digital map, as the case may be), things started to flow.

[Solar]

Okay, few questions:

What is a Battle X ?

Am I invited?

Even though I have no idea as what it is yet, could I be a co-chair?

(because it sounds like fun. 8) )

[Native]

One autocross course. Two starting lines, about half the course apart. Two cars start simultaneously, first one across his own start line (one full lap) wins. Drag-race, elimination-type event - last one standing wins it all!

It is fun, and if you meet Loren's detailed criteria, sure you can co-chair. Co-chairing is probably a good way to get a spot...

Loren?

[Loren]

Battle-X is the name we came up with for the "MirrorKhana" style of event. Imagine an autox course that forms a closed loop. Then put two start lines on it 180 degrees apart and start both cars at the same time with the drop of a flag. First car to finish the complete circuit and return to their starting point wins! No clocks. Head-to-head competition. THE coolest form of autocross ever.

It's run double-elimination tournament style, which is the biggest reason we need to limit entry. The other reason being that space is limited at SPC and I'm lazy. Not sure what the limit will be just yet, need to do some research and math.

It's also not a novice-friendly event. Obviously, having a newb go out and get lost and end up going the wrong way on course or something would be bad. We need experienced autocrossers... qualifications will be determined after we figure out where to set the entry limit.

Being a limited entry event, we'll definitely send out invitations to qualified FAST "members" (see the website for a definition of what a member is) to allow them to enter before we open it up to the general public.

Brian, I want a co-chairman that will really dive into how this event is put together and run so that perhaps they can do the next one instead of me. If you're up for it, cool. If not... maybe someone else is? It *might* be better to have one of the guys who did the previous Battle-X that we did in 2006. If one of those guys steps up, maybe you can be the co-co-chairman? It definitely wouldn't hurt.

(it ain't rocket science, but it's a little more involved than a regular autocross with the bumping/combining of classes, setting up tournament grids, etc.)

[Solar]

Brian, I want a co-chairman that will really dive into how this event is put together and run so that perhaps they can do the next one instead of me. If you're up for it, cool. If not... maybe someone else is? It *might* be better to have one of the guys who did the previous Battle-X that we did in 2006. If one of those guys steps up, maybe you can be the co-co-chairman? It definitely wouldn't hurt.

(it ain't rocket science, but it's a little more involved than a regular autocross with the bumping/combining of classes, setting up tournament grids, etc.)

Loren, all I can say is that I've never done, or worked, anything like this before, but would be willing to learn, and I'm a quick study. If you would be willing to show me the ropes, I'm sure we could make this happen. If not, then I'm okay with that too. 8)

[Anonymous]

The only problem I had at the last one was, I had to go to the bathroom after one of my runs, but for some reason they didn't have anyone else to send out except me, so the event got kinda delayed for a couple minutes waiting for me to walk back to my car.

Is it possible to make sure that we can get a little break between runs? Like always make sure you have more than one set of cars to send at any one time? I realize this might not be possible on the semi-finals or finals.

Maybe save the finals til the end of the day? That would be a waste of time, but kinda cool, no?

I can't wait. Hopefully I get invited. *bites nails*

[Loren]

One of the benefits of being at SPC is that the bathrooms are very close, that in itself should solve your problem.

Yeah, things get tight toward the end when there are just a few cars left competing... we do what we can. If the schedule permits, I WOULD like to split all of the semifinal/final rounds and run them after all of the prelims. It is a lot more fun that way.

I was pretty sure you were on the "invite" list, Jeremy, but then you started whining about potty breaks... now I'm not so sure.

[Anonymous]

uhhh, actually I meant I need time to cool my motor and tires. Yeah, that's it.

[Loren]

uhhh, actually I meant I need time to cool my motor and tires. Yeah, that's it.

Yeah, that's what I thought you meant.

[muddy]

uhhh, actually I meant I need time to cool my motor and tires. Yeah, that's it.

Pee on your tires. That should help with both situations.

[Agent]

For the people who aren't invited, is hanging out, spectating, and taking some photos a possibility?

[Loren]

For the people who aren't invited, is hanging out, spectating, and taking some photos a possibility?

Relax, we'll get to that in due time.

But, yes.

[Jamie]

It's not as crazy as it sounds, Jamie. I'd never really thought about doing it at SPC, but once I put pencil to paper (or pointer to digital map, as the case may be), things started to flow.

Not doubting divinely-inspired madness...just wondering if I needed to change the location info in the MAE schedule when I change the annoucement to "special invitational event".

[Loren]

Not doubting divinely-inspired madness...just wondering if I needed to change the location info in the MAE schedule when I change the annoucement to "special invitational event".

Nah, we're sticking with SPC. Unfortunately, Brooksville's typical airstrip layout would yield a pretty boring course for this kind of thing, and I'm not familiar enough with Lakeland to want to try it there. So, SPC it is.

I emailed you the course map for comment, didja get it?

[Jamie]

I did...will give you feedback today.

[Bone]

I'll co-chair, or do whatever else needs to be done. I THINK I'll have my car running by then... <grin>

Just kidding. I'm pretty sure it's good to go now, I just need to do a bit more testing....

RC

[Loren]

Okay, just a little bit more info... more to come.

Ron Croft will be my co-chairman, but will be sort of a "higher level" co-chairman with a focus on learning the chairman duties for this particular event.

Dave Balogh will be the co-chairman in charge of the typical co-chairman stuff, like lunch, equipment, worker wrangling, etc. Brian Kollar will assist him as necessary.

We're setting the entry limit at 48 cars. Because this event involves two cars running on course at all times (not just a 10-15 second overlap of runs like a typical autocross), we are requiring all entrants to have prior autocross experience. And due to it being a limited-entry event, our members will get first shot at registering by invitation.

Pre-registration with pre-payment is required for this event. Registration will close at least a week before the event (earlier if it is filled) so that we can set up the tournament brackets and worker positions..

The first round of invitations will be emailed (I'll call people we don't have email for) to "FAST members" which are defined as anyone who has competed in at least four FAST events in the past 12 months. If that doesn't fill the event, secondary invitations will be emailed to "qualified almost-members", folks who have attended three FAST events in the past 12 months. That should fill the event. If there are still slots available, we may open registration to fill remaining spots, but a history of three autocrosses will still be a requirement for entry.

Waiting on info from Steve before I can send out invitations. Hope to have them out by next weekend. But, based on the info above, you can determine if you fit the criteria or not and plan accordingly.

Even if you're not competing in this event, it's among the most fun types of autocross to watch. You get to watch two cars line up and compete head-to-head, and when two closely-matched rivals go against each other it can get exciting!

Event info flyer and course map coming soon... maybe today.