Da Groj

I've been meaning to start preparing the event info, just haven't gotten around to it yet. But, it's time to start talking up this event!

Here's the deal in a nutshell:
One autocross course, a complete circuit. Two starting lines, a half-course apart. Two drivers, no clocks. First one back to their start wins!

We've done this before, we used to call it Battle-X (which was derived from the time when we were involved with NASA and our program was called NASA-X... itself a derivative of Auto-x). The last time we did it was in 2008 at SPC... and we're going to pretty much run exactly the same event again!

What's different this time? Well, in the past, we always seeded the tournament grids with drivers based on their prior performance. That works well, but I had another fun idea. Why do WE need to create the grid at all? Why not just produce a seeded list for each class and then give the bottom-seeded driver his choice of opponents? And thus the "FAST Duel" was born! (and after the first driver, the next driver up the list who hasn't run yet and so on)

As mentioned, I haven't produced the event info yet. But, here is the 2008 info. It will be VERY much the same.
http://drivefast.org/wp/Maps/Battle-X_2008_Info.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

EDIT - Here's the new info for 2012:
http://drivefast.org/wp/Maps/SPC_2012_F ... l_Info.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And if you want to read a little more, here are two pre-event threads from 2008 that will answer almost any question you might have:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=397" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=418&hilit=battle" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And the 2008 Post-Event thread:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=423&hilit=battle" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Please don't post in the old threads, they're ancient history)

So there ya go. Registration will open in a couple weeks, will start with the usual "members only" by invitation. Members are those who have done 4 events in the past 12 months. There probably won't be enough of them to fill the event, then we'll open it to those who have 3 events. We probably won't go lower than that unless we absolutely have to.

Specific 2012 details soon...

Wicked! Looking forward to this event already!!!

This one sounds pretty cool. Looking forward to it also!

Oh, by the way, Steve and Ed are co-chairing with me.

We'll start an actual event-planning thread when registration opens. This thread is just to raise awareness and let the trash-talking begin. I wonder who will be the first to utter the phrase "I challenge you, good sir, to a duel!"

Loren wrote:(Please don't post in the old threads, they're ancient history)

Lock 'em?


And just to be clear, the Duel is the Feb. event - no points involved.

This is gonna be fun!!

Yeah, locking them is a good idea, and I thought of it, but I was running late for work! I'll lock 'em now before somebody goes gravedigging...

I look forward to taking on my arch-nemesis, Chuck! Let's get it on! V8 vs Rotary! I love it!

My class will surely get bumped. Do I try to slay me some Goliath? Or do I beg a competitive ride in another class?

I can't wait, the last one was a ton of fun. I already blocked off my work schedule .

Loren wrote:My class will surely get bumped. Do I try to slay me some Goliath? Or do I beg a competitive ride in another class?

Your talking about after you win your class correct? If I recall the classes all had an individual winner and then the winners competed for an overall win.

nc4me wrote:

Loren wrote:My class will surely get bumped. Do I try to slay me some Goliath? Or do I beg a competitive ride in another class?

Your talking about after you win your class correct? If I recall the classes all had an individual winner and then the winners competed for an overall win.

You have much more confidence in me than I do! But, I think I'll do my best to kill the giants in the mighty Fred. It's just more fun that way.

But, I was thinking of what would happen if I got bumped up to S3, which is quite possible. Not a lot of regulars in S4 and S5. Of course, this event can easily be won or lost by cone count...

Loren wrote:Of course, this event can easily be won or lost by cone count...

Well, that's good to know.

shakedown067 wrote:

Loren wrote:Of course, this event can easily be won or lost by cone count...

Well, that's good to know.

It's true. You're allowed two cones with no penalty, and it's a tight course. That leads to several distinct possibilities:
- people get sloppy and don't worry about hitting a cone or two (and end up hitting 3 or 4)
- people just choke under the pressure and hit a bunch of cones or jump the start or otherwise DNF
- people try to get the competitive advantage from their two cones (and end up hitting 3 or 4)

I've found the best strategy is to stay clean on every run unless you're up against an opponent that you know you can't beat straight-up... then you might consider targeting a cone that might gain you some speed or distance. (but that weasel of a course designer thought of that and double-coned the most critical apexes... so you better be SURE you haven't hit another cone somewhere!)

And it gets even more intriguing. I guess I need to find time to read all the way through that PDF!

I remember trying to target a cone that was a particularly sharp apex at that last event. It was a right turn and I figured I would clip it with the left front fender to shorten the turn and take the cone. I ended up skimming the cone but not knocking it down, thereby ending up off course. Sometimes you should just drive your best and not think

impalanut wrote:I remember trying to target a cone that was a particularly sharp apex at that last event. It was a right turn and I figured I would clip it with the left front fender to shorten the turn and take the cone. I ended up skimming the cone but not knocking it down, thereby ending up off course. Sometimes you should just drive your best and not think

Noooo! Think! Think lots! Intimidate your competition into THINKING!

This sounds interesting. I totally missed registering for Brooksville this month after my holiday hiatus Darn. Will think about doing this event, not sure yet since I dont really have any "rivalls" lol

evil s2k wrote:This sounds interesting. I totally missed registering for Brooksville this month after my holiday hiatus Darn. Will think about doing this event, not sure yet since I dont really have any "rivalls" lol

Everybody in your class is a potential "rival"! Don't overthink it. If nothing else, you'll get a couple practice runs and a couple competition runs in a unique and really fun format.

"You have much more confidence in me than I do! But, I think I'll do my best to kill the giants in the mighty Fred. It's just more fun that way.

But, I was thinking of what would happen if I got bumped up to S3, which is quite possible. Not a lot of regulars in S4 and S5. Of course, this event can easily be won or lost by cone count..."


You have beaten everyone in S3 and S2 the past three events with Fred, I wouldn't sweat it . I understand if you're talking about beating the champs in S1, M, and R. It will be interesting. I can't wait to kick Drews ass , then maybe me and you will have to run in the champ group that would be fun!

nc4me wrote:You have beaten everyone in S3 and S2 the past three events with Fred, I wouldn't sweat it . I understand if you're talking about beating the champs in S1, M, and R. It will be interesting. I can't wait to kick Drews ass , then maybe me and you will have to run in the champ group that would be fun!

Shows how much attention I pay. I've been looking at M2 because that's where I'm likely to end up with Fred. I need to figure out how much modification I need to do to compete there! (and I really don't want to add a turbo if I can avoid it)

I'd have a shot against your car on this course because your car is wider and has those fat stick-out-of-the-fenders tires. You're more likely to hit cones than I am. And if it happens, it will be late in the day, so I'll be used to the course and can make my "surgical strike" on a particular apex. Yeah... I'm up for that. (See how I did that? Getting all up inside your head. Bwahahaha!)