2009 Novice school post-event discussion

[Native]

I have the results from Kenny, and I'll get 'em posted as soon as I can...

Lemme start off thanking all the staff who were able to make it, and wish well those who called in sick. Combined with only one student who couldn't make it (also sick), the attendance at this event was fantastic!

I hope all the students feel as if they learned a lot, got their money's worth, met some nice folks, and really had a great time. Everyone I was able to talk to seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Aside from a slightly delayed start, we did very well cramming a huge amount of autocross into a relatively small amount of time. Job well done to everyone. It took a lot of attention and cooperation, and everybody did their part in making today go smoothly.

Lunch was from a small pizza place in St. Pete called Paul-O's. As far as I'm concerned, when it's pizza for lunch, they'll be back. Of course, we're always open to other suggestions.

Anyhow, if anyone has any comments or compliments or complaints, this is the thread to do it. Thanks again to everyone!



by the way, we need a chair for February's event, please.

[Loren]

Another one of those things I'm really glad we only do once each year! It's fun, and it helps our club stay healthy, but it's certainly a lot of work.

I think this was possibly our best school ever. It ran very smoothly, we seemed to have enough help, and everyone had a good time. Running essentially the same curriculum for 3-4 years in a row probably has something to do with that.

I only wish we had a site with all the amenities of SPC, but with more available space.

Oh, and I wish my Yaris wasn't so slow.

[Native]

RESULTS




Registration for next weekend's autocross has been extended until tomorrow at 10 pm. There's still a few spots available.

[d_rasp]

Fantastic school. It IS a big event to run, but my enthusiasm for AutoX always peaks each year around the time of the school.

It's just great seeing folks explore their cars & their own limits for the first time & then seeing the excitement at their success - I love it! Only better thing is seeing students come back & become regulars & heck, this year, a student I had a few years back was instructing! Way cool.

Big thank you to everyone, especially the day's unsung heroes, the course workers. Big Ups, Yo.

[Jack]

great time, i really enjoyed myself.
it was so nice to meet all the new poeple.
even though its a long day, its worth it to see people learning new skills!
see everyone next sat!

[DeltaNu1142]

THANKS to the instructors & courseworkers for an educational, fun & safe day, I for one had an awesome time.

The only scary moment yesterday was when the grid got bunged up by someone that left their car to check their time, and backed everyone up "in the line of fire" coming through of the last gate... may be a good thing to remind people of next time.

Someone asked me to post my videos, I've uploaded the only one that's not entirely embarrassing to YouTube here. Soundtrack courtesy of Rush.

[Jen]

I'd also like to thank everyone who worked the event. This was my first autox event and I had a great time!! I met lots of great people, learned a ton...and can't wait for the next event!

[Native]

I think this was possibly our best school ever. It ran very smoothly, we seemed to have enough help, and everyone had a good time. Running essentially the same curriculum for 3-4 years in a row probably has something to do with that.

Using the same curriculum, that, and probably 75% of the staff have done a school before, either as staff or student. Practice makes perfect, eh?

But, that doesn't mean in the future new volunteers can't be used - if any of you out there think you might like to be involved with the next school, don't hesitate to speak up when the time comes.

[Loren]

Wow, the results are pretty stellar! Looks like almost every student improved by a second or more, some a lot more. We broke Lisa, though. That's okay. Sometimes it takes a while and a little more practice for all that you've learned to sink in. We covered a LOT of stuff yesterday!

Here's a little something that I sometimes print and hand out at the end of the school (but since I wasn't planning to do the classroom instruction, I didn't this time) as a "take-away" to reinforce some of the most basic concepts that we tried to teach throughout the day. It will help you conceptualize and remember some of the things you were taught:
Andy Hollis' Top Ten Autocross Driving Tips

[Dave-ROR]

The only scary moment yesterday was when the grid got bunged up by someone that left their car to check their time, and backed everyone up "in the line of fire" coming through of the last gate... may be a good thing to remind people of next time.

Good old Charles

Actually I had plenty of time to easily stop and wasn't hard on the brakes, I locked them up to give Ron a little extra adrenaline but it honestly wasn't close at all.

Big thanks to all the workers, I don't remember having to wait for cones to get reset, which was awesome since the students were able to get that much more seat time, and having worked one of these schools in the past having to run cones for hours and hours isn't the most fun thing to do on a saturday.

It was great to see the students improve, they started looking ahead, started to drive a LOT smoother and faster. It'll be great to see them next weekend!

Too bad I'm too lazy to install the rear shocks in the beast

[Dave-ROR]

I'd also like to thank everyone who worked the event. This was my first autox event and I had a great time!! I met lots of great people, learned a ton...and can't wait for the next event!

Have someone fast drive your car next time....

[Loren]

Have someone fast drive your car next time....

Not that I consider myself "fast", but...

I was gonna "car whore" and drive whatever anyone would let me yesterday, but I wanted to get at least one run in the Yaris just to see how it would do. And I had so much fun with that run that I just stuck with it!

I'm always up for a drive in someone else's car, though. Not just cool or fast cars, I'll drive anything. (c'mon, I drive a Yaris!)

You really can learn a lot from having a decent driver show you what your car is capable of. *I* still take advantage of the opportunity to have better drivers ride with me and let them drive my car when I can. Even after about 13 years of autocrossing, I'm still learning!

[Dave-ROR]

Not that I consider myself "fast", but...

I was messing with Brian with that post He drove her car.. and didn't beat my times due to cone penalties..

[Native]

Wow, the results are pretty stellar! Looks like almost every student improved by a second or more, some a lot more. We broke Lisa, though.

Nah, Lisa shouldn't feel bad. Her fastest pre-run was a 44.xx - pretty darn good to start off with. She should feel good about that, and just start coming out to events and practicing.

[Loren]

Not that I consider myself "fast", but...

I was messing with Brian with that post He drove her car.. and didn't beat my times due to cone penalties..

Oh, okay. I think I remember that while I was out working course. Fast... but not pretty.

[Anonymous]

What an awesome time the school was. Lots of practice and great instruction. I want send out a shout out to Jamie and Howard for the great tips and patience for working and running all over place. I am glad that I made the school this year and definitely learned a lot, all the while pushing my car harder than ever!
Great Job to Everyone!!!
Brian W.

[cameronarrow]

I really had a great time. I got to learn to drive my new car and learn how it behaves when pushed. I really love how it handles. The school is an excellent value. I highly recommend it

Thanks

Tony

[Charles]

I'd also like to thank everyone who worked the event. This was my first autox event and I had a great time!! I met lots of great people, learned a ton...and can't wait for the next event!

Glad you enjoyed the event and it's always nice to meet new Nissan peoples

Brian owes you some rubbing compound or a hand detail on the Z

btw, you can find a full schedule of all autoX events in the area over on tamparacing.com to find whatever fits your schedule best

For all novices, seat time, seat time, and more seat time is the best way to improve your skills.

[miazda man]

great job everyone i think the event went great. everyone had a good time also someone just needs to switch me and Ed C. (#27) he has my time and i have his

[Jamie]

The only scary moment yesterday was when the grid got bunged up by someone that left their car to check their time, and backed everyone up "in the line of fire" coming through of the last gate... may be a good thing to remind people of next time.

The grid setup for the school is unique...normally we don't do a "rolling grid" like that, in part because it's so easy to disrupt.