Official Novice School thread - Jan 12, 2008 - SPC

Postby **Native** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:07 am

We'll be getting info out to the instructors and crew soon. 8)

Alizarin · Postby **Alizarin** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 9:34 pm

Do I need to bring any of the timing gear with me?

Postby **Native** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 11:35 pm

^^Saturday, no. Sunday, yes.

Solar · Postby **Solar** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:44 am

The timing equip was used at the last Novice school so you could see your overall improvement. They posted pre times and post times for the last one; unless you plan on doing it differently.

http://wedrivefast.com/srfiles/11Mar07_" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... esults.pdf

aparke · Postby **aparke** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:52 am

I'd have to agree that posted times would be extremely helpful to any novice. It's the best way to prove that overdriving isn't the fastest way -- and what may feel slower (and smoother) will often be faster.

It seems that certain stations will work on certain areas/techniques, so maybe the format isn't conducive for segmented times or lap times.

Postby **Native** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:43 pm

Dave and I gave a lot of consideration to timing - segments, full timed runs. We decided not to (obviously). We wanted to devote more time to actual instruction; that using time Saturday for pre-tests and post-tests, in light of a full event Sunday, would not be good use of time and would reduce school seat time. It was also our thinking that with Sunday's event, and wanting to use actual school course elements, and since Sunday's event is a points event, that giving some folks practice and not others would be unfair. We also debated with each other about that issue too - whether Sunday should be the same course as Saturday, and ultimately concluded Saturday was for teaching, Sunday for racing, but that it should also come across as a cohesive two-day event.

Dave, did I forget anything?

Dave-ROR · Postby **Dave-ROR** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:35 am

Nope, that sums it up. The pre and post runs can be time consuming so we decided to devote that time to instruction/teaching instead.

Miata GT · Postby **Miata GT** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:57 am

Pam and I are dropping from the class tomorrow. Sorry for the late notice. Cody (Fritch) in our group was killed in a accident Wednesday after the meet on his way home. Pam and I will be attending the services being held on Saturday.

Dave-ROR · Postby **Dave-ROR** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:23 am

Miata GT wrote:Pam and I are dropping from the class tomorrow. Sorry for the late notice. Cody (Fritch) in our group was killed in a accident Wednesday after the meet on his way home. Pam and I will be attending the services being held on Saturday.

my condolences. Very sorry to hear about that

kickslop · Postby **kickslop** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:37 am

We should stop calling these "Novice School" events if we're allowing multiple classes.

I paid zero attention to this event and then I see via the 'worker info" sheet I was mailed that there's all manner of classes and all manner of instructors. Hell, I could have used seat time in Adanced with some instruction!

Postby **Loren** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:32 am

Sorry about that, Jeff. If you hadn't ignored the event info and discussion, you'd have caught on that it IS an opportunity for seat time even for those who don't consider themselves novices. Be that as it may, the PURPOSE of the school is primarily for novices. If/when we have an event which has a primary PURPOSE of being a Test & Tune or similar, we won't call it a novice school. (even though some novices may show up...)

Looking at the list, I only see 4-5 entrants who have more than 4 autocrosses under their belt. Out of 32 total... I'd say that's pretty heavily novice biased.

Of course, you do need to consider that this isn't just free time on an autocross course. It's boring exercises most of the day. They're interesting (maybe even exciting) for those who are at that stage in the learning process and constantly showing great improvement as we teach them proper technique. But for someone who's been autocrossing for a while... I think it would get old fast. I mean, how many times can you run down and back a slalom and still find it interesting?

If you feel the need for a test & tune type of event (aren't all of our events Test & Tune?

They are for me!), maybe discuss with Steve and see if we can get one on the schedule. At that kind of event, we'd have a skidpad available with air on site, pressure gauges and a pyrometer for dialing in tires... people handy with log sheets in hand to help you log things. A full course for at least half the day with a limited number of entries (just like the school) so that you can get lots of back-to-back timed runs for testing different configurations. Some "experts" available to discuss things like tire pressure and alignment with. It would be quite different from a "Novice School".

Solar · Postby **Solar** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:55 am

Loren wrote: I mean, how many times can you run down and back a slalom and still find it interesting?

I'd be glad to find out for you.

WAFlowers · Postby **WAFlowers** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:09 pm

What time do you want the trailer there on Saturday?

WAFlowers · Postby **WAFlowers** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:10 pm

Loren wrote:If you feel the need for a test & tune type of event (aren't all of our events Test & Tune? They are for me!), maybe discuss with Steve and see if we can get one on the schedule. At that kind of event, we'd have a skidpad available with air on site, pressure gauges and a pyrometer for dialing in tires... people handy with log sheets in hand to help you log things. A full course for at least half the day with a limited number of entries (just like the school) so that you can get lots of back-to-back timed runs for testing different configurations. Some "experts" available to discuss things like tire pressure and alignment with. It would be quite different from a "Novice School".

Need? No.

Want and desire a Test&Tune Day? Heck, yeah!

Postby **Native** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:32 pm

What time do you want the trailer there on Saturday?

Gate won't be open until 7:30. How about around then?

I was planning to email you - didn't mean to short you on the notice...

Mark- condolences to you, Pam, and all the Eastsiders. Very sorry.

Alizarin · Postby **Alizarin** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:09 pm

Miata GT wrote:Pam and I are dropping from the class tomorrow.

kickslop wrote:Hell, I could have used seat time in Advanced with some instruction!

There may still an opportunity to get into the school?

kickslop · Postby **kickslop** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:12 pm

I'm committed to working the event.

It's okay.

WAFlowers · Postby **WAFlowers** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:37 pm

Native wrote:
What time do you want the trailer there on Saturday?
Gate won't be open until 7:30. How about around then?

I was planning to email you - didn't mean to short you on the notice...

No problem. Look for me around gate time.

Official Novice School thread - Jan 12, 2008 - SPC

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