October 4, 2008 - Post Event

[LadyMaynie]

Thanks for a great event everyone! We had a blast (as usual). It was a fun course and given the fact that there were so many people and four run groups, I think things went fast and smooth. I really liked the fact that the next run group was called to get ready when the current run group started their fifth run. It made things run very smooth. I think that's a tradition we should adopt for the future. The pizza was great and we had PLENTY for everyone which was nice!

We can't wait to see everyone in November!

[Anonymous]

Awesome event. Kim did a great job.

[snookwheel]

All of the above. Great job coordinating the event Kim! Really enjoyed the choice of course and smooth flow of the event. 8)

(who was that guy in the black civic who kept blocking the grid and stalling out in run group three? )

Scott

[Anonymous]

I did have a couple problems though.

***Timing and scoring needs an external mouse and a printer.****

We had a problem with 2 drivers not having the correct numbers in the database.

We should print out a list of all entrants and hang it somewhere. At the morning meeting announce that everyone should check this list to make sure you have the correct car number and class, so that changes can be made before the event starts. Instead of trying to fix numbers, find out who was running, assigning runs to the wrong driver, and then renumbering people while the event is going on.

We could also use the same printer to print out a results list between heats. That way people can see an "official" view of the results before they go home and then find out later that they had a cone call that was missed by the white board writer or something.

[aparke]

Great event Kim! ...and everyone else making it happen. I agree with LadyMaynie -- priming the next run/work groups before the previous heat ended definitely kept things running smoothly. Nice

[Native]

Kim and Tim sure did do a great job. Kim set out to "redeem" herself, and really did. First car out at about 10:40, and a relatively seamless day with one of the largest grids we've had in a good while. She had a lot of good help, too!

We had a problem with 2 drivers not having the correct numbers in the database.

Probably me and/or Brian - there were several number changes during registration, and I'd bet we missed communicating that back to timing...sorry.

We could also use the same printer to print out a results list between heats. That way people can see an "official" view of the results before they go home and then find out later that they had a cone call that was missed by the white board writer or something.

Kenny Gardner and I are working on that actually, to accomplish the above as well as make the white board and the time-writer's job obsolete. He's in the process of working out the hardware/software part of it. As for the external mouse - let's get one. USB, I assume? With or without cord? Whose got one laying around, or will go buy us one (I'll reimburse)?

On a personal note, thanks to Loren and Tod for the feedback and advice, much appreciated - I love learning about this stuff. And Aaron - next time...

[Loren]

I'm tired. That is all.

Oh, alright, a little more. First, it was a great event. Kim was on top of things, she's good at this event chairperson thing!

Some safety-related things to mention:
1. Those of you who are trained safety reps and responsible for the safety of a course... don't forget to pace off the distance between the edge of the course and hard obstacles. It's not hard to do. Just do it. 75 feet from anything on the outside of a turn (especially at the end of a long straight), 50 feet from anything that the course is parallel to. Just do it.
2. We need to watch for unauthorized riders (typically young kids snagging a ride with someone either because someone doesn't know the rules, or is just trying to be sneaky). For those who don't know, our insurance requires you to be at least 16 years old AND have a valid driver's license (not a learner's permit) to ride. If you happen to have the stature of a 12-year-old when sitting in the passenger seat, it's quite possible that you might be questioned. Apparently, I offended someone by doing just that today. Sorry, but just like the distance thing mentioned above... if something bad should happen during a run, our club could lose its insurance for not following the rules. We have to follow the rules, even if it's sometimes an annoyance or inconvenience.
3. What was the third thing? I thought there was a third thing. Maybe there wasn't.

Anyway, great event! I've been with this "club" in it's various iterations for about 6 years now, and the people have always come together to make awesome, fun and safe events happen. Give yourself a pat on the back for being a part of it.

Oh, and did I mention how awesome the course was? 8)

[Native]

I've posted the Season Points on the website:
http://wedrivefast.com/Results/Champion" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... fault.aspx

It has September's points so far. I'll update it when I get the new file from Derek.

Results from today will be posted as soon as they are available!

[Loren]

Nothing like a hot shower to loosen up the brain...

The third safety thing:
3. Keep all yer body parts inside the car while on course. There were a few people who made a habit of hanging their elbow out of the window, or holding onto the side of the door, or the windshield frame, or whatever. In the event of a rollover, this will not do. Yes, Virginia, cars can and DO roll over at autocrosses. Is it a major risk? No. But neither is the risk of crashing... yet we are all required to wear helmets and seatbelts. Trust me, the stains in your undies will wash out and you'll be a lot happier not having road rash on your elbow, or 2 tons of car resting on your fingertips! So, find a "Jesus bar", a door handle, the driver's knee... anything INSIDE the car to hold onto and keep your appendages inside the car. Thanks!

[d_rasp]

Seriously missing that flashlight. . .

[Jamie]

We had a problem with 2 drivers not having the correct numbers in the database.

We should print out a list of all entrants and hang it somewhere. At the morning meeting announce that everyone should check this list to make sure you have the correct car number and class, so that changes can be made before the event starts. Instead of trying to fix numbers, find out who was running, assigning runs to the wrong driver, and then renumbering people while the event is going on.

This isn't a common problem, and besides, there's no reason people shouldn't have this information before they get to the site. The entry list on the MAE website has everyone's assigned class and number. Entrants can edit their entries make corrections until online registration closes -- that's a week out for Brooksville events, and two days out for all others. After that, or if there's a problem they find they can't fix, they can still get help by shooting an e-mail to info@wedrivefast.com.

The on-site registration crew has the same information...if it was really too hard or too late to fix it before arriving, they can help.

Last, the tech crew has a list of cars by number and class...if a car has a different number than what's on the list, they shouldn't be able to find it to inspect it! Just to be sure, though, I'll add something about verifying number and class to the checklist, just to flag any future problems.

For both registration and tech: if you find problems, be sure the person doing timer setup finds out (part of the problem today...).

Break...I'd like to remind everyone that just like it says in the event announcement, all drivers must work...that's just part of the sport. What should be obvious is that all drivers must promptly go to their work assignment when it's time. There's no mystery about when people run and work, and which run group is getting ready to run. Can't run an event without workers, and anyone missing means someone has to work an extra rotation or we hold up the event.

I liked the four run groups as well, but it's difficult to do with less than 70 people -- it takes a minimum of 12 people to run a group (assuming only four corner stations -- today we needed five), and with a few people in each group assigned to jobs before and after the event, each run group needs to be around 15-18 people. If the opportunity presents itself, I'll draft up the option for the event chair, though.

Lots of fun today, though...always beats doing chores at home. 8) The biggest grid I've seen us run since I moved down here -- really popped along! And the ride in the Mini was fun...first time I've ridden in a stock Mini, and was impressed how well-balanced it was right out of the box.

[Anonymous]

Last, the tech crew has a list of cars by number and class...if a car has a different number than what's on the list, they shouldn't be able to find it to inspect it! Just to be sure, though, I'll add something about verifying number and class to the checklist, just to flag any future problems.

How about also adding that numbers should be visible from 75 ft or something. Couple people had painters tape on their windows today (Because their car was the same color blue). We couldn't read the number from the trailer. I guess that was only slightly annoying, but still. It saves radio talk for only important communication.

People with blue cars are kinda screwed when all we have is blue painter's tape.

[Loren]

People with blue cars are kinda screwed when all we have is blue painter's tape.

People should come prepared with their own pre-printed numbers (see the website) or their own contrasting-colored tape! I forgot my magnetic numbers today and did the old shoe-polish on the window trick.

I think most people generally do okay. You have to admit that today's start was MUCH further from the trailer than is normal.

[meicalnissyen]

What a great event!!!

I more tired than Loren though, cz I'm way older

[treekiller]

first class event. My first time auto crossing in about a year, had a great time, good people, good food, I drove like monkey butt but I'm blaming the stock worn out suspension on that. (If I just knew someone who rebuilt suspensions I'd be set!) good people... although the message never got to the worker chief that I NEVER work corners. my first time shagging cones in almost 5 years. (and it showed, by my ignorance of the groups etc.) I prefer to be announcer, but forgot that we cannot announce times at SPC, I'm sorry. Except the sunburn, I'm ecstatic. I look forward to the next FAST event.. James and myself had a blast! Thanks everyone that made that possible.

[AScoda]

I'm pretty sure I've heard Kenny say that he has a mouse for the laptop, but keeps forgetting it.

[Bone]

Man that course was fun! Great weather, great execution, and great people. Who can ask for more?

(well, Dan could ask for his flashlight back...)

It was good to get the car running and on course again. That design was so much fun, I'd vote for seeing it again, or it's reverse, soon. Good onya course designers!

RC

[Solar]

Great event, Kim and Derek did as great job, some future Chairs should take note of how Kim handled things to Saturday. She was everywhere making sure things were progressing, and I really liked the way she "cracked the whip" when changing run groups, great job!!

Had a ton of fun, the new classing makes for more fun compitition, Mike and I in "J" were battling it out right ot the last run, I thought I had 1st locked up but Mike grabbed it at the end. That had to have been the most fun I've had at a autocross

I suggest we ban a particular open wheeled car, just the one with the driver who has a inflated ego. He needs to be knocked down a notch or two, maybe he would be humbled if he started driving a Solstice again.

[Native]

I forgot to ask - for those who helped reset the police course - how helpful, if at all, was the laminated map and "helpful hints" I put together? Did it make a difference? It seemed like the course went together fairly quickly, but that might've been 'cause there were 4-5 folks doing it...I glanced at it before I left and it looked about right.

Anyone?

[Dave-ROR]

***Timing and scoring needs an external mouse and a printer.****

I have a few usb optical mice laying around, I can donate one if needed. I might have a few laserjets at work to "dispose" of also, will have to check, we just had older equipment picked up for disposal recently so not sure if we still have any or not.

We should print out a list of all entrants and hang it somewhere. At the morning meeting announce that everyone should check this list to make sure you have the correct car number and class, so that changes can be made before the event starts. Instead of trying to fix numbers, find out who was running, assigning runs to the wrong driver, and then renumbering people while the event is going on.

Isn't that checked at Tech??