Jan 13 at SPC

[Loren]

What a great event!

I just want to say that I'm proud to be associated with you guys. I "took the reigns" of this organization about 4 years ago, and I've been hesitant to let go because I never felt that the right people were available to pick up the pieces and keep things together. You've proven that you ARE the right people and you can make it happen.

Steve, you da man!

[Loren]

I'd also like to give a hand to the folks who worked in the last heat. Good radio communication from the course. Outstanding grid (thanks, Bill!) kept the cars flowing and kept them in exactly the same order throughout the heat. Excellent starter, too. (thanks, Rob!) He kept his eye on the course, and maintained the "heartbeat" of the event by launching the cars consistently at just the right time.

I only bring this up because... IT'S IMPORTANT! With all of this good support, I was able to work timing and scoring without issue by myself! I had help for the first run while we got the sheets in order, then it was just me. Any weakness in any of those three areas (course communication, grid order, or starter lagging) would have made for chaos in the trailer, or a lot of wasted time... or both.

Oh... and I guess Kenny did okay chairing the event, too. Better than okay, actually. You can also thank him for doing the maintenance and repairs on our timing equipment that worked flawlessly all day.

Really... great autocross events don't happen by the efforts of one person, it takes a lot of people working together. If today was any indication, FAST is in for a fantastic 2007 season.

[Alizarin]

Thanks to everyone for coming out. Based on the full pre-reg, I had expected a good number of people coming out, but we had something like 63 drivers and a whole bunch of spectators!

My only complaint was that the pizza got there earlier than I had requested. And when you think about how my last chaired event at Brooksville went, that's a nit-pick.

We had a smooth run all day, and Jamie and Brian did a great job of reviewing the course after we had it all set up. I didn't get all that much random feedback so I was afraid that I was being shunned but everybody I asked said that they were having a good time and enjoyed the course. I think we only had 3(!!!) DNF runs all day! That's amazing for the 20-something novices we had in attendance. I hope that most of them will come out for the Feb event at Brooksville!

[d_rasp]

Loren hit the nail on the head. Totally awesome event - perfect way to start the '07 season & all of the changes in the club. Steve, Kenny, Jamie & everyone else who had a hand in it, give yourselves a big pat on the back!

[Native]

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about !!

I'm giddy (or maybe it's the ale... )

More from me later.

[Charles]

Steve, Kenny, Jamie & everyone else who had a hand in it, give yourselves a big pat on the back!

+1, the course was a little tight for my liking but sometimes you don't have much of a choice @ SPJC. I still had a great time and I think everyone else did too. I was even fairly happy with my driving today

I wrote everyone's numbers down on the timing board ahead of time seperated by class. This way most everyone should pretty much know where they finished before they leave. This also makes the time writer's job easier because they aren't hunting over the entire board looking for one number.

Hopefully this helped and maybe something we should get in the habit of doing.

[rippin mazda]

I second, Third, whatever it would be up to now. Good course. I really liked the right handed sweeper coming out the second cross over. I never thought my tires could grip like that! :shock: Also, the pizza and water was great, never run with a group that did that . Finally, the Timing white board was an excellent feature, it made seeing where you stood in your class a piece of cake.

My only suggestion would be to maybe require car numbers to big bigger and on both sides of the car? Ill donate a few rolls of blue tape if need be. I just think that may make it easier for course workers.

Im looking foward to Brooks next month.

[BlackEyeII]

Great Event guys, kudos to the crew.

I had a great time. It was great to have a few more Subaru's out today as well. Always nice to see how others do it.

Thanks

Russ
Black Subaru STI

[Native]

All the positive feedback is greatly appreciated (and any critical feedback is welcome, too).

To Everyone who contributed, no matter how, THANKS!

We filled the grid and then some, everyone who walked in was able to run, each heat ran without any hitches, Kenny put together a really fun course, with some subtle tricks that made it a challenge . I had a blast trying to figure it out - which I finally put together in my 5th run (with thanks to Muddy and Bob) and couldn't repeat in my 6th.

Everyone I chatted with seemed to be having Fun, which is what we're all about.

We have a few ideas for next time, in terms of timing and courseworking, mostly, that if we followup with and make a few adjustments will lead us to earlier starts and hopefully more timed runs. We'll need volunteers to help pull it off, and I'll be starting some new threads to follow that up.

What a way to start off a new season and a new club!

[rossag76]

I can honestly say that was the most fun I've ever had w/ a car, Thanks for the great experience! I really appreciate everybody's eagerness to help, give advice, and make the experience fun! I will definately be back, try to put the tips to good use, and represent for the Suby's out there. You guys have some badass rides and obviously very knowledgeable about driving, so it definatley made the day that much better! Thanks Kenny for the tips, they're gretaly appreciated. After today, I realized the importance of a soft compound tire on these tracks! I have a set of 18" Motegi MR7 racing rims that are extremely light. I'm alittle confused on the offset needed. Is it 48mm, who knows? Do you guys know if STi owners have alot of rubbing w/ an 18" rims. I have Eibach springs as well, so I was alittle worried about clearance. Anyways, it's nice to find a club that shares my passion for driving a car like you stole it! Thanks for the good time1 You guys take it easy and drive safe. Ross

[Dave-ROR]

Great event. I got out of autocrossing for a number of reasons years ago, but I think I'll be getting back into it again.

Course was great too, a little tight in some areas but not bad at all. I didn't see all that many cones go down either.

I think grid ran smooth in the last group because the drivers actually stayed at or near their cars and paid attention, something that wasn't happening with a number of drivers in the second group

Hopefully those "ganstas" in the Legend and Eclipse won't revisit next time.. after their stellar burnout and full throttle departure from the course area I think we could do without them.

Looking forward to more events :thumbup:

Thanks again for a great event!

[Jamie]

I'm giddy (or maybe it's the ale... )

No...we all decided it's your normal state.

Cranking out close to 400 runs in 4 1/2 hours is nothing to sneeze at -- if we were a little rusty at running this many cars, it didn't show. And a big thanks to Bill Flowers, who once again towed the trailer in and out even though he wasn't running.

I think the local bb blitz we did helped -- keep getting the word out!

For the next one, a few thoughts:

We need to rewrite the safety guide to reflect greater standoff distances and any other changes required by the new insurance policy. The event chair and the safety steward reviewing the course design probably need a copy of the policy in advance, too.

We need to encourage pre-registration! Pulling no-shows out of the run groups is much easier than integrating walk-on entries. For SPC events, I'll find a way to make a stand-by list if entries exceed the cap, to help pre-event planning.

I will find a way to make the classing rules -- or the link to the rules on the website -- more obvious, so everyone can easily class themselves for the next event.

I think the confusion with car numbers was due to pulling the wrong column off the registration spreadsheet for the registration forms -- I'll clean up the sheet next time before sending it so that doesn't happen again. We also need to relieve tech from the responsibility of handing out numbers and simply make everyone responsible for marking their own car. We can always keep roll or two of painter's tape on hand for newbies who need assistance. (FWIW, I keep a roll in my box, if anyone needs help.)

We'd discussed allowing people to reserve a number for the season as a means of fundraising...need a decision and a plan to move out on this. I believe there is a way in the registration system to block off numbers...if not, easily done manually before the event.

Part of the delay in starting today was simply too few people available early to set up the course. Recruiting (or impressing) volunteers is too unreliable. While loading up the trailer, Steve, Kenny and I discussed making a few worker positions for set up and tear down, similar to the way we do tech and registration -- a few people agreeing to be there when the gate opened or stay after would fufill their work assignment for the day. Obviously, that would be a limited number, otherwise we'd run out of courseworkers during the event....

Really appreciated the courseworkers hustling to cones today. Now we just need to convince them to remain on their feet while the course is active. Itching powder...cattle prods...or maybe I can borrow something with a scope and a bipod from work.... Sitting on the guardrail is just an opportunity to be squashed should things go radically wrong.

Spectator control was better today...still need to make sure photographers have (non-courseworker) spotters if they're not behind the rails in the picnic area. This includes on the concrete pad, since it's way too easy to have them creep forward of the trailer. It might even be worth designating a small "photographers area" on the pad to encourage them to stay in one particular area -- one volunteer spotter might be able to cover several photographers that way.

[Jamie]

I really liked the right handed sweeper coming out the second cross over.

Pretty obvious your car liked it too...looking forward to see what you can do on the runway next month.

[85ST20MR2]

Hello everyone,

I got a chance to meet quite a few people today, wow, what a great group! Aside from the few that were mentioned above I was impressed with the group as a whole.
I really would like to get involved in anyway I can. I wanted to speak up and help, but a phone call regarding childcare issues came up and I had to take off rather suddenly. That issues brings me back to the search for a helmet that would fit my 16 month old son so he can ride along with me! LOL . His car seat is a 5 pt restraint!

On a personal note, I work nights. Mornings are for going to bed. Are there any jobs that need help getting done / started that can be handled at night and or non track days?

Again, thanks for a great first time out! I look forward to seeing everyone again and meeting more of you in Brooksville next month.

Rick

[AScoda]

Hopefully those "ganstas" in the Legend and Eclipse won't revisit next time.. after their stellar burnout and full throttle departure from the course area I think we could do without them.

Was this from people who drove by spectating or participants?

I think everyone can appreciate the positive new direction that the club is heading. With all the efforts of the organizers and voluteers it will continue to get better. Kenny is contining to work on timing and we will have an automated system in place in due time. Perhaps even get our display operational?
Lots of new faces this event, and some interesting new machinery to watch on course. Hope everyone had a great time and will continue to come to future events.
Kenny, not sure why you would think people wouldn't like your course design. I think it was a particularly good layout for all the newcomers. Easy enough to follow and a good flow to it. Nice mini-road course feel.
Jamie, for classing help, a printout of the classes and list of modifications with the registration box should be all that is needed. Classing the car is easy, I think the only problem was that we couldn't remember which class letters were for what class.

[Dave-ROR]

Was this from people who drove by spectating or participants?

Spectators that arrived in the 2nd or 3rd run of group 2. They didn't stay long though.

I do have on comment on the classes but I'll go post it in the classing thread.

Edit, it's locked..

Anyways, I saw that it was discussed a little, but in Modified Race Tire, should it be seperated out to <3L and >3L like the other classes? For example, at this event the 83 RX7 could not have competed against a r compound tired modified STI, etc with equal drivers. If it becomes a single car group, just do what SCCA does and bump them together for that event. Maybe after a few events the entry list will show whether or not it makes any sense to seperate them.

[Native]

We need to rewrite the safety guide to reflect greater standoff distances and any other changes required by the new insurance policy. The event chair and the safety steward reviewing the course design probably need a copy of the policy in advance, too.

yep. I'll be writing and posting a summary of the "rules" for the website, ASAP. The standards need to be publicized better

We also need to relieve tech from the responsibility of handing out numbers and simply make everyone responsible for marking their own car. We can always keep roll or two of painter's tape on hand for newbies who need assistance. (FWIW, I keep a roll in my box, if anyone needs help.)

yep. we've talked repeatedly about doing this, also because those little numbers are hard for workers to see. It's time. No more tiny magnet numbers - they are retired. Drivers will be responsible for marking their cars. For those who don't have tape, I'll share the roll I keep with me, too. This will be in my rule write up...the part about drivers marking their cars, not me giving them tape

We'd discussed allowing people to reserve a number for the season as a means of fundraising...need a decision and a plan to move out on this.

working on this. I already have 2 reservations. will be starting a new thread on it.

worker positions for set up and tear down, similar to the way we do tech and registration -- a few people agreeing to be there when the gate opened or stay after would fufill their work assignment for the day.

a good idea. I'll be starting another thread to get into a little more detail on this. will also discuss corralling photogs and the notion of a position for "courseworker coach"

[kickslop]

A contrasting side, because everything is always in the details in life...

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As someone who bitched 10 in the NASA-X forums months ago or so about people sitting (FULLY) down while working, I was one of the people sitting/leaning on the guardrail Saturday.

I pointedly (and objectively) considered whether it was safe or not, as I always do -- Totally different than sitting down on the ground and totally diferent than sitting down in a chair with arms to it.

I don't have any problem abiding by the rules if we decide that at SPC everyone must be completely standing 100% upright, but... I was completely able to move immediately for any reason.

If anyone was concerned, there should have been a radio broadcast regarding safety. Takes 3 seconds and a friendly message.

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I don't understand how the delay at start was from course layout. I walked the entire course at 8:45AM. It was fully chalked, with chalked cones, by 9:30AM. From 9:50AM until the driver's meeting (10:20?), there were ~50 people milling around talking and waiting.

I'm not complaining. I simply don't understand what you're talking about.

=======

I had a great time.

THANKS KENNY. Especially for your work on the timing equipment which had NO ISSUES.

[Loren]

A contrasting side, because everything is always in the details in life...

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As someone who bitched 10 in the NASA-X forums months ago or so about people sitting (FULLY) down while working, I was one of the people sitting/leaning on the guardrail Saturday.

I pointedly (and objectively) considered whether it was safe or not, as I always do -- Totally different than sitting down on the ground and totally diferent than sitting down in a chair with arms to it.

I don't have any problem abiding by the rules if we decide that at SPC everyone must be completely standing 100% upright, but... I was completely able to move immediately for any reason.

If anyone was concerned, there should have been a radio broadcast regarding safety. Takes 3 seconds and a friendly message.

=======

I don't understand how the delay at start was from course layout. I walked the entire course at 8:45AM. It was fully chalked, with chalked cones, by 9:30AM. From 9:50AM until the driver's meeting (10:20?), there were ~50 people milling around talking and waiting.

I'm not complaining. I simply don't understand what you're talking about.

=======

I agree on both of these points.

If leaning against the guardrail is bad, then standing in front of it is also bad. The fix would be to require workers to stand BEHIND the guardrail. (I think that's overkill in most cases)

And the start was not delayed by the course setup, but by classing and sorting of registration forms. Not a big deal, it all worked out. As people get more familiar with the new classing system, that won't take as much time.

Here's a though to speed that process up, though. WHILE Jamie (or whomever) is reviewing the reg sheets for class, sorting and setting up the run/work order... DO the driver's meeting. That would have saved 30 minutes right there. We could have squeezed in another run!

[Charles]

THANKS KENNY. Especially for your work on the timing equipment which had NO ISSUES.

+1 on that... now that I think about it I think this might be the first event we've had without at least a slight glitch in the timing equipment!