January 17th - SPC

[Jamie]

Y'all know that REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS NOW OPEN! Don't you?

[Native]

REGISTRATION

[Dave-ROR]

I'll do whatever. setup is fine.

[buddy bodean]

A guy I work with registered for the novice school. He wants to register for this event, at the 50% discount. He wasn't sure how to do it on the MAE website. Does it prompt you for this information?

And, since I am working the 10th, how do I register for this event at the 100% discount price?

[Jamie]

A guy I work with registered for the novice school. He wants to register for this event, at the 50% discount. He wasn't sure how to do it on the MAE website. Does it prompt you for this information?

And, since I am working the 10th, how do I register for this event at the 100% discount price?

On the payment page:

1) There's a payment option for school students to register for half-price.
2) There's another payment option for people with event credit -- I believe Steve gave all the courseworkers two event credits.

[Native]

Yes - courseworkers get two credits, instructors each get one credit.

But because of the timing of the events, please don't register for the event on the 17th with credit you won't earn until the 10th, unless you are waiting until after the 10th to register for the 17th.

The credits won't expire - use 'em in Feb. and Mar., or whenever - but you can't use 'em before you actually earn 'em.

[AScoda]

you can put me down for course setup or timing

[Loren]

Okay, the Course Design is done. This one's a little different. People always ask "why don't we just run the law enforcement course?" The main reason is safety, they run a lot closer to the walls and other hard obstacles than we do. Well, this time I decided to give it a try, making the required adjustments for safety.

The map begins with the standard LE course. Some cones are deleted (shown X'ed out on the map) and some are added (shown larger with black borders), and the areas that are circled will be moved away from the edge of the pavement as much as we need to for safety.

Remember, the cops run this course in full-sized sedans, so no whining that it's too narrow or too tight!

Steve and I discussed, and we've decided that for this event, more than 4 cones will be called a DNF, and hitting ANY cones in the stop box is also a DNF. You WILL cross the finish under braking, which is a departure from our norm... but you can do it, I'm confident in you.

[Native]

you can put me down for course setup or timing

Thanks, Drew!

and thanks Loren for setting up the course.

[Jack]

it looks very difficult for the novice drivers.
i dont have a problem myself.
this going to frustrate them not make them more confident.
its your call not mine, just my 2 cents

[Jack]

oh now i though about it, there going to be so much better after the school that they will drive flawless!
just a lot of confusion with all the cones
it will be fun to watch!
thanks for the work guys!

[Bone]

I've reviewed the course, and as **ahem** safety guy, I suggest that everyone consider checking their brake pads and fluid.

This course will require more reliance on brakes for safety than our usual. Brake fluid absorbs water over time (decreasing its boiling point), and should be replaced on a regular schedule for cars that are run hard.

Here's a bit of info re: brakes and safety

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-part" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... e-line.htm

[Native]

it looks very difficult for the novice drivers.

Loren and I (and maybe Loren and Ron, too) discussed that. The map is overwhelming to look at because of all the marks - I know it took me a while to visualize it. But, if you look at it, and don't forget (as I did) there will be some chalk line put down, it's actually not all that bad and shouldn't be difficult to follow at all.

[nc4me]

Native, I concur. As if my opinion means anything.

[Loren]

Speaking of chalk, we need to be sure we have some. I'm pretty good at using it sparingly, just make sure we have at least one fresh bag.

[Anonymous]

I assume you are going to launch a second car as the first car approaches the back straight. Wouldn't that put a car right near the finish area as the next car heads straight towards them on the fastest part of the course?

A few people blew the long straight at the last SPC event and went into the finish area. And that didn't have a car-upsetting kink in the middle like this one does.

[Loren]

I assume you are going to launch a second car as the first car approaches the back straight. Wouldn't that put a car right near the finish area as the next car heads straight towards them on the fastest part of the course?

A few people blew the long straight at the last SPC event and went into the finish area. And that didn't have a car-upsetting kink in the middle like this one does.

This has not been decided or even much considered yet. The course "is what it is" since we're basically running a variant of the LE course. If we can't do a lot of run overlap, we'll live.

As a bonus, the course will take VERY little time to set up, so we should get started nice and early. Even without overlap, we should be able to get in a minimum of 6 runs.

[Anonymous]

I think it looks fine, but me just a novical driver.

[Native]

Speaking of chalk, we need to be sure we have some. I'm pretty good at using it sparingly, just make sure we have at least one fresh bag.

We do have one bag. But, if someone from the Seminole way wanted to stop at Allen's Sporting Goods and pick up another bag or two, that would be ok...

[Tim_M]

Looks like I need to bring the Mini again...