Jan 13 at SPC

[AScoda]

Regarding the classing question:
There won't be any changes to the classes this season. There has been much discussion on the classes that were decided on and consensus is that under and over 3L will run fine together. It has been shown many times that handling is going to beat cubic inches(or liters in this case). The class winner and FTD yesterday was from a Miata driver. FTD was set several times last season by Scott in his S2000. Both under 3L cars. There will be some cars that may not be quite as quick, but that is the case with stock classes as well. And, remember, it's an open class. Any and all modifications are allowed. You could add a V8 and 2 foot wide tires and not change classes. :shock:

[kenjen]

Kenny - Great coarse, I liked it.

To all those that made it happen thanks.

I'll see you guys next month.

[Alizarin]

The delay in starting was pretty much entirely my fault. I hadn't applied any sunscreen that morning, so after things were settled with the course and the timer and registration, I took a what was supposed to be short break to apply. It took longer than I had expected, so the driver's meeting was delayed by about 10 minutes. That, and I had to change out my tires. Good thing I didn't wait, because I ended up in the first run group.


And I don't think the lack of setup help was a big problem. 3 of us got the whole course set up by 9, and Jamie and Brian walked the course to sort of smooth things out after that. IMO, an army of setup help only would really work at Brooksville, where you can count off grid "zones," start dropping cones, and be all but sure that things will line up. At SPC you seem to have to sort of line things up, make sure you leave enough room, etc.

[Native]

Not to change the subject, but I have the results almost done, but in light of a little confusion over our new classing rules, I just need a little assistance in confirming/correcting the following:

#12 Ryan Broderick yellow Miata - Class A?
#59 Nate Shirmer Rx7 - Class A?
28 Joseph Benoit blue Miata - A?
25 David Dunstan blue Miata - A?
60 Rosario Gualtieri STI - C can't be right, what class?
32 Joseph Gualtieri STI - C can't be right, what class?
47 Cassie Autry - STI - C can't be right, what class?
46 AJ Boon Legacy GT - C can't be right, what class?
48 Daniel Boon Legacy GT - C can't be right, what class?
57 Aaron Parke Mazdaspeed 3 - C can't be right, what class?

It would seem that the gaggle of 2.3/2.5 turbos above forgot about the x1.5 rule, which puts their displacement over 3L - but I don't know about mods/tires. Also just want to confirm that the Miatas and Rx7 were on race tires and modded - I believe they were, but someone please confirm...

As soon as I can get these 10 right, I'll get the results up pronto!

[Charles]

#12 Ryan Broderick yellow Miata - Class A?
#59 Nate Shirmer Rx7 - Class A?
28 Joseph Benoit blue Miata - A?
25 David Dunstan blue Miata - A?
60 Rosario Gualtieri STI - C can't be right, what class?
32 Joseph Gualtieri STI - C can't be right, what class?
47 Cassie Autry - STI - C can't be right, what class?
46 AJ Boon Legacy GT - C can't be right, what class?
48 Daniel Boon Legacy GT - C can't be right, what class?
57 Aaron Parke Mazdaspeed 3 - C can't be right, what class?

#12 - Race tires and appeared to be lowered
#60 - D
#32 - D
#47 - D I think because it's chipped? If not she goes in F
#46 - D
#48 - D
#57 - F

The other miatas I'm not sure.

I'd just dump those guys in a "other" group and be done with it. Classing with be hashed out accurately at the next event and going forward

[Native]

Spoken like a man who wants to know how he did

Ok, all the Subys in D, the 3 in F, the rest in A and we'll call it a day. I'm saying now, I am not going to make corrections to the results, but I will be working on points over the week, so if any of these aren't right, someone please let me know so that at least the points tally will be correct.

I'll try to get the results up, well, like I said, pronto.

[Charles]

Spoken like a man who wants to know how he did

I already know since I divided the whiteboard up by class but I figured this would let you be done with it for the month and hopefully forever

[Loren]

At SPC you seem to have to sort of line things up, make sure you leave enough room, etc.

I found that assigning pairs of people to quadrants of the map works well for SPC. You can also put a person or two on setting up the start area, the finish area, and the grid. If people are there to help... put 'em to work!

One thing I forgot to stress to you about designing a course (especially at SPC) is to design in some good reference points. Anything you can find that you'll be able to readily locate on the site. You've got drain grates, light poles, edges of pavement, corners, etc. For example, you can make the apex of a particular turn 75 feet (my pace is 3 feet, so that's 25 paces) off of the corner of the concrete skidpad. When you set up a slalom, make it line up with good landmarks. For instance, the last course I designed, I had a slalom that was on the diagonal line from corner-to-corner of the site, one end was inline with a drain grate, and the rest was just setting a 60-foot spacing. If you learn to use tricks like this, getting the course to match your map is pretty easy.

Don't worry about your helpers getting things "just right". If they get the cones close to the right place, all you have to do is "tweak" them.

[Native]

I figured this would let you be done with it for the month and hopefully forever

thank you and ohpleaseohpleaseohplease

[BadAssCorrado]

Great times this event. It felt alot more warm and fuzzy than prior events. Everything seemed to flow well. Thanks for the grid compliments. I think to help in the future the gate to direct cars back into the grid needs to be further back to allow easier flow into the chutes. Also we may want to take an extra 3 minutes and explain grid procedures in the driver's meeting. See you all in brooksville.

[Loren]

Would it be too far-fetched to change the names of our classes from A-G that nobody can remember... to some acronyms that actually make sense?

I'm thinking:
A = MR - Modified race tire (all)
B = PR3 - Production race tire 3 liters and greater
C = PR - Production race tire less than 3 liters
D = MS3 - Modified street tire 3 liters and greater
E = MS - Modified street tire less than 3 liters
F = PS3 - Production street tire 3 liters and greater
G = PS Production street tire less than 3 liters
R - Open or closed wheel race cars (all)

Sure would make things easier in MY head.

[rippin mazda]

#12 Ryan Broderick yellow Miata - Class A?

correct

[Charles]

Would it be too far-fetched to change the names of our classes from A-G that nobody can remember... to some acronyms that actually make sense?

I'd buy that for a dollar

[Native]

RESULTS

Congrats to Ryan Broderick on FTD !!

I will be working on points over the next week or so. Remember, any corrections that change finishing order/points need to be submitted, here, pm, or email, to me, before the next event!

[Loren]

Congrats to Drew! First time out on race tires...

Speaking of race tires, Jeff and I were on them. I guess our sheets never got updated. We should in class A (MR!). Modified with Race tires.

[Native]

First correction, coming up...you did that on purpose to test me, right?

[Loren]

No, I didn't really. For some reason, I thought things had been corrected, or that you knew we were on race tires and would fix it yourself.

Okay... actually, I didn't really think about it much at all. Perhaps that was the problem?

[Native]

either way, it's fixed...

the funny thing is, Jamie emailed me to make sure I knew you were in E !

[blacksheep-1]

Thanks for the Kudos, I don't think I ever drove such a well balanced car in all of my life, 50% of the time it was loose, 50% of the time it pushed, it was perfect. Between that and throwing the serpentine belt it was one of the longest days I can remember, I liked the course though, I saw most of it out of the side windows.
We need to decide what we want to charge for reserved numbers, also I need to check with the vet guys and see what it will take to start cranking out panels again. The main issue is the magnets, that's the expensive part.
Also would you guys handle the $ on reservations and then just get me to make them?
And.. do we have a shirt printer out there someplace?

[Native]

A = MR - Modified race tire (all)
B = PR3 - Production race tire 3 liters and greater
C = PR - Production race tire less than 3 liters
D = MS3 - Modified street tire 3 liters and greater
E = MS - Modified street tire less than 3 liters
F = PS3 - Production street tire 3 liters and greater
G = PS Production street tire less than 3 liters
R - Open or closed wheel race cars (all)

Jamie, can we get an official call on this from you, please?