Nov 4 FAST Classic @ Tampa Greyhound

[Loren]

When was the last time we had an event at the Dog Track? I'll tell you when: July! It was July! We're due. And, word is that the site won't be available to us again until April at the earliest... so, don't miss this one!

If you're not up on a what a FAST Classic is, it's an autocross with half as many entries as a FAST Open, and no formal Novice instruction. We do require all entrants to have competed in at least 5 prior autocross events so that they sort of know what they're doing (or enlist an experienced sponsor). Put that all together, and you get a small, casual autocross with LOTS of runs, and we still get done by around 2:30pm.

We'll be providing lunch for all registered drivers and guests at this event, too!

Because the Dog Track parking lot that we run in is VERY close to a residential area, we will be strictly enforcing our sound limit. Don't kid yourself. If you think your car is loud, it probably is!

We're still doing the Buddy System for less experienced competitors at Classic events. We will allow less experienced autocrossers, even first-timers, if they have a qualified FAST regular sponsor them. As the experienced buddy, you can only sponsor ONE driver, and you are responsible for them throughout the day. You will be paired with them in the same run group (they don't have to drive your car, but they can) so that you can ride with them and they can ride with you. And you may be paired with them on a work assignment. We have no formal novice training at a Classic event, so the responsibility falls to you to do a good course walk with them and show them the ropes. We hope people will continue to have fun with that!

Registration is open until Oct 30. Go get signed up!

Oh, and guests aren't required to register just to watch. In fact, younger folks can come watch, as long as they stay OUTSIDE the perimeter of the event. To get into the "hot area" of the event guests and drivers must meet the same requirements that they do at Brooksville. Over 16, fully licenensed driver, and a parent present if they are under 18.

DRIVERS must pre-register. And Guests that want to be included in the FAST Lunch need to pre-register.

[Lcolon19]

Hey my girlfriend is looking for a Sponsor for this event. She's only been to one FAST autocross before and I had already told another friend I'd sponsor him for this event.

Is anyone available that would be willing to help sponsor a new autocrosser (she's in a BRZ if that helps)?

[twistedwankel]

You are soooooooo in trouble. Is he a really good friend? He'll understand.

[Gerry]

I haven’t done an event at Tampa Greyhound before. This will be cool. Someone will be codriving my car; a first timer noob who I am sponsoring, buddy system, or whatever they call it nowadays. Hehe

[xxAGAVExx]

Been a while, gonna try and make it out to this one


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BrantR]

Steve is awesome and has my back for this event, but my buddy David in his S5 Scion iM is interested in making this his second event. Anybody willing to sponsor him (perhaps in exchange for a future drive in his project MR2)?

[Loren]

Soooo...

Here's a question.

The "Classic" format was conceived be me and Steve as something different to do between open events. We expected less people, as we thought making it just basic pure fun without having to worry about novice walks and corner captains and all that would make it more appealing as a more relaxed autocross.

But, we've got lot of novices that want to attend. And probably a lot of drivers who, like me, think it's fun teaching novices.

The question is... Should we just go ahead and allow novices and do novice instruction as needed? We did exactly that at the last Dunnellon event.

[BrantR]

Soooo...

Here's a question.

The "Classic" format was conceived be me and Steve as something different to do between open events. We expected less people, as we thought making it just basic pure fun without having to worry about novice walks and corner captains and all that would make it more appealing as a more relaxed autocross.

But, we've got lot of novices that want to attend. And probably a lot of drivers who, like me, think it's fun teaching novices.

The question is... Should we just go ahead and allow novices and do novice instruction as needed? We did exactly that at the last Dunnellon event.

I think that's a phenomenal idea. Dunellon was the most fun I've had. The casual and laid back nature of the classic events is noob-friendly compared to the competition and less runs of an Open event.

[Jamie]

...without having to worry about novice walks and corner captains and all that would make it more appealing as a more relaxed autocross.

But, we've got lot of novices that want to attend. And probably a lot of drivers who, like me, think it's fun teaching novices.

The question is... Should we just go ahead and allow novices and do novice instruction as needed? We did exactly that at the last Dunnellon event.

So keep in mind common features at Classics:

- Fewer people without worrying about whether the list would fill up within a week.
- Corner stations with one or two (at best) people working them, and no particular effort to pair people up to insure an experienced person at each station, because they're all experienced. In fact, no particular effort to cherry-pick people for positions, because they're all experienced...and even that doesn't always make a difference!
- Sites not always novice-friendly due to pavement or hazards (dog track).
- Courses not always novice-friendly (one of your early reasons for wanting to do these).

The whole reason the open events work for novices is because we organize things to insure they're taken care of. Requiring novices to have an experienced sponsors to enter a Classic does the same thing, and keeps the proportion of novices from overwhelming the rest of the event. Make Classic entries unrestricted, and you'll have to organize it like a regular event with fewer people...certainly possible, but more work for you.

The casual and laid back nature of the classic events is noob-friendly compared to the competition and less runs of an Open event.

It is because you have a sponsor looking after you. Eliminate that and don't provide other means of help, and it can be very intimidating. The reason there are more runs at a Classic is because there are fewer people, and (in general) because those people generally don't have to be told what to do. That lets us do things like run without a grid worker, or with only one person in timing, or one person on a corner station without compromising safety and keeping the event rolling.

Don't think there's competitive vibe at Classics? Stick around in S4...we're never cutthroat, but we're always competitive!

We could just reduce the number of events required to attend a Classic...it's at three right now? We could probably reduce it to two without too much risk. Or (and I like this better) keep requiring sponsors for the newbies, which gives them a shot at additional events, insures they're looked after, introduces them to experienced people in the club, and keeps the experienced proportion high enough to avoid changing the way Classics are run.

[jev61]

[ Or (and I like this better) keep requiring sponsors for the newbies, which gives them a shot at additional events, insures they're looked after, introduces them to experienced people in the club, and keeps the experienced proportion high enough to avoid changing the way Classics are run.

I like this idea, it is the method I've followed knowing new folks would get more runs and Sara and I could send more time with them helping them learn. I've offered to sponsor new folks from the Open events at the following Classics who have expressed an interest when I've been a session instructor.

[jev61]

I need to cancel our registrations for this event, Sara and I will be visiting her mom and dad in Tennessee that weekend. I tried to figure out how to cancel our registration in the www.motorsportreg.com site, but it is beyond me how to do it. I left messages there that we needed to cancel also. Thanks, Joe

[BrantR]

...without having to worry about novice walks and corner captains and all that would make it more appealing as a more relaxed autocross.

But, we've got lot of novices that want to attend. And probably a lot of drivers who, like me, think it's fun teaching novices.

The question is... Should we just go ahead and allow novices and do novice instruction as needed? We did exactly that at the last Dunnellon event.

So keep in mind common features at Classics:

- Fewer people without worrying about whether the list would fill up within a week.
- Corner stations with one or two (at best) people working them, and no particular effort to pair people up to insure an experienced person at each station, because they're all experienced. In fact, no particular effort to cherry-pick people for positions, because they're all experienced...and even that doesn't always make a difference!
- Sites not always novice-friendly due to pavement or hazards (dog track).
- Courses not always novice-friendly (one of your early reasons for wanting to do these).

The whole reason the open events work for novices is because we organize things to insure they're taken care of. Requiring novices to have an experienced sponsors to enter a Classic does the same thing, and keeps the proportion of novices from overwhelming the rest of the event. Make Classic entries unrestricted, and you'll have to organize it like a regular event with fewer people...certainly possible, but more work for you.

The casual and laid back nature of the classic events is noob-friendly compared to the competition and less runs of an Open event.

It is because you have a sponsor looking after you. Eliminate that and don't provide other means of help, and it can be very intimidating. The reason there are more runs at a Classic is because there are fewer people, and (in general) because those people generally don't have to be told what to do. That lets us do things like run without a grid worker, or with only one person in timing, or one person on a corner station without compromising safety and keeping the event rolling.

Don't think there's competitive vibe at Classics? Stick around in S4...we're never cutthroat, but we're always competitive!

We could just reduce the number of events required to attend a Classic...it's at three right now? We could probably reduce it to two without too much risk. Or (and I like this better) keep requiring sponsors for the newbies, which gives them a shot at additional events, insures they're looked after, introduces them to experienced people in the club, and keeps the experienced proportion high enough to avoid changing the way Classics are run.

You make excellent points. I also didn't realize that the requirement was down to three. Three events or sponsorship required sounds perfect.

I really do like the sponsor system for all of the reasons you described.

[twistedwankel]

Don't think there's competitive vibe at Classics? Stick around in S4...we're never cutthroat, but we're always competitive!

I always get a chance to drive up to 3 other people's class cars at these events-often on AS street tires. Being a sponsor would put a major crimp in that ability to share. But I would do it on occasion. Just not this time as have company along.

[Loren]

I'm working from my phone in a hotel while on vacation, so forgive me if I'm missing any nuances or details here...

I know that all of the reasons why we set up Classics the way we did are still valid. Thanks for revisiting them, Jamie. I know a lot of people didn't know.

Requiring 3 events vs. 5: Originally, the requirement was 3. That did not work! As Jamie mentioned, sometimes you have to work course solo at a classic... And 3 events experience just wasn't cutting it. We've been inching it up toward 6... Which jives with our "novice driver" cutoff. I think it's most recently been published as 5 events.

Sounds like we should stick with the Sponsor/Buddy System. It works. Just need folks to jump in and volunteer to sponsor as they are able.

[Lcolon19]

You are soooooooo in trouble. Is he a really good friend? He'll understand.

Lol yea I already went through the argument with her and this is my last ditch effort finding her a sponsor before I might have to cancel on the friend.

[Rpwolf]

I need Moar autox. if the map looks interesting I might bring out my crappy tires (dz102 in oem ap1 size)

[Loren]

if the map looks interesting

If? Wait, what?

Dang it, I posted the map Sunday! Musta forgot to hit submit.

[Loren]

Course Map (hi-res PDF)

[twistedwankel]

Oregon State = high rainfall, tall trees, they pump high priced gas for you like NJ, high water tsunami's, recreational pot, high cost of living, high unemployment. At least 6 highs there And it's only Tuesday.

Looks like a flowing course once again. Will leave the race tires on for this one.

[Jamie]

Course Map (hi-res PDF)

Oh, I like this one already....