Mark111R
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Posts posted by Mark111R
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As a former course chief at two different regions, my opinion on "optional" slaloms is that experienced drivers will know there's only one correct way to drive it - but novices will be confused... and confusing novices serves no one.
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18 hours ago, fahrvergnugen said:
I think people are over thinking what I meant about large numbers..... or assuming what car numbers mean in other venues/events.
Each car does not need a SPECIFIC number assigned, that was tried in the past and has lots of issues. But...I'm talking about having a set of car numbers made up on magnetic material that are reused in each group. Numbers 1-40. They go on your car matching your grid number. They come off at the end of your run group and go to the next run group. No record keeping required.
They do not need to be seen across the whole parking lot by the observers, it is for the course workers to call out the numbers instead of something like, "the blue car hit a cone" which is another issue..... not everybody knows all the possible makes/models
I'm thinking we try the concept in a simple manner.... make up some printed numbers on card stock and use blue painters tape to affix them for one run group (maybe the one with the most Miatas....😀) and see how it works. I'll get the numbers made at my expense to try it out.Please no.
Flashbacks to this PCA event at Pennsylvania
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9 minutes ago, CMarkmann said:
Addition to my prior post; currently run group assignments are assigned through the grid number stuck to the entrants car. Now... we are expecting people to know which group they're in, as well as for grid to know they belong there or not without just looking at their windshield.
Possible solution is to have grid carry a copy of run group listing with entrant numbers to audit who is there before sending them to starter. This would be the primary checkpoint to keep a "bad" number from getting to timing in the incorrect run group.
We can still give grid spots in check-in as always. It can be set up so nothing is changed other than an additional column in MSR/timing with driver class and number. Numbers on the car just helps with penalty calls. If assigned grid spots are helpful, there's nothing requiring that to change.
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Happy to help.
Numbers aren't the answer to everything, but I feel like it does help with interpretation and clarity for cone calls.Proper understanding of how to work course well is also important - as is radio etiquette.
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3 minutes ago, smeyers said:
Sid, what color should those numbers be 🤔? And two sets, right, one magnetic and one “Corvette”?😉 How would those be stored?
Asking for a friend….😎
The SCCA rule book specifies contrasting colors and minimum sizes for numbers and class letters. You can throw magnet numbers on the floor or trunk. You can store static cling numbers in a plastic notepad holder.
1 minute ago, smeyers said:Chris M……regarding buying our own numbers……right now we are using grid numbers as car numbers, so please extrapolate that into how individual numbers would be used for scoring and grid?
BTW, I still have my magnetics from when our Region 25 years ago tried assigning individual numbers to drivers. I know what numbers I want…😉
Timing & Scoring enters the car class and number based on what's on the car. You can see the cars in line at grid. At typical events at other regions, your computer worker can see the cars going to the line and queue the cars visually without relying on the starter to clog the radio calling out cars by grid spot based on a small piece of paper on the windshield. Numbers on the car is easier.
Regarding grid numbers, it no longer matters where cars grid. They can grid wherever they want in their group (unless two-driver car) because T&S will use the number on their car.
3 minutes ago, smeyers said:Want shade? Bring an umbrella. We do.
Well that's unreasonable. How can you ask people to bring umbrellas if we can't ask people to bring numbers?
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I mean, your breakfast might cost you 0.001 of a second, but driving a single corner slightly better might get you 0.500!
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@David 2 Please don't do this. All you'll get is reduced tire life. It won't make you faster. Also, TireRack doesn't shave tires, they only offer heat cycling. Not necessary. Just drive it.
Signed - Miata driver.
Edit: Just to add - no one at Nationals who is competitive shaves their street tires. At most, new sticker set, heat cycle on the test course, and drive.-
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2 hours ago, Nokones said:
In my opinion, standing and raising the cone over your head exposes the cone chaser to danger longer as the next car is approaching.
Standing and raising the cone to get someone's attention will get you killed in a heartbeat. This practice needs to stop.
This is standard practice at almost every SCCA event including local and national events. It will only get you killed if you're slowly walking to cones and not paying attention to incoming cars. Course workers should be running for cones and maintaining awareness of approaching cars. Obviously, if a car is getting close - you don't sit there and wave the cone around. There is plenty of time to raise the cone above your head for 1 second when running to a cone, retrieving it, and placing it back in the box. Most of the time, the cone is far enough from the box that it doesn't even take additional time to raise the cone while you run back to the box.
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13 hours ago, smeyers said:
If we ever host a National Event, the DRIVERS must register for and then provide their own numbers. Not the Region. Same system not feasible for local events with multiple classes in multiple run groups. If that's where you were going with this.😉
Almost every other region and club in the country requires numbers. Static cling, magnet, vinyl, painter's tape, paper. This isn't some unreasonable requirement.
Also to your other point about numbers being hard to read from the tent... that's not the point. The point is for corner radio workers to be able to see the number and call the cone by number rather than "gray miata - no the other gray miata".-
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Wasn't implying they'd be responsible for anything on course (other than safety). It's probably because I'm new to the region, but I can't tell who the safety is. Something like the HotDog truck driving through grid while cars were coming off course on the same lane is an example.
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Just a suggestion to keep the radio clear too. As a starter, I felt bad clogging up the Cone calls with having to call out every car number because there aren't any visible numbers on the car.
Maybe consider a separate channel between start and timing?
The main issue is lax course working. Need to emphasize watching cones, not cars. Even as a starter, I saw many cones get missed... then called in late on the wrong car. Experienced radio folks that aren't afraid to coach the other - possibly less experienced - course workers.
This is the first region I've run at with no numbers. No numbers makes it easy for local/casual/new competitors, but it makes it harder for everyone else. Harder to track penalties, harder to track start order. Takes 4 observer slots that could've been 4 additional course workers and/or a dedicated heat safety steward.
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Thanks! I was intrigued by the Future tilt single axle trailer because it's 660 pounds and $8k for a tilt deck trailer... but I think I'll go opt for a dual axle instead. We'll be towing multiple 10+ hour tows a year so I'd rather not risk a blowout on a single axle.
Primo might be the best bang for the buck in aluminum for us in AZ.
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Yea, I live very close where Primos are made and they look very similar to the trailer I had on the east coast. I had an 18' R&R Aluminum and loved it... but don't wanna have to go back to Michigan to pick up another one!
https://www.rnrtrailers.com/read-about-our-product--aluminum-car-hauler-cha-series-open
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As we put together our new autocross car, we're going to eventually be picking up a new trailer to tow to travel events - the first one probably being Nationals unless we're silly enough to go to Packwood. Are there any good trailer dealers/manufacturers near-ish to Phoenix? Reasonable rentals could be a consideration too, but at the cost of rentals, it's probably better to just buy.
Ideally looking for a smaller aluminum trailer as we'll be towing mostly with a '23 Honda Ridgeline and towing a STR ND Miata or the Lotus. A small steel is probably fine too - and better on the wallet.
Anyone planning to offload a trailer any time soon? Anyone own a Primo?
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Sending a PM 🙂
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Oops - new to the region obviously 🙂
I'll try to prep the car for the next one then!
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Hello! Recently moved to the Phoenix area, sold the last autocross car, just bought a new (17-year old) car and haven't had time to prep it yet (stock tires, etc.) Was considering signing up for this weekend's event anyway and just sending it, but figured I'd check if anyone had a seat open first!
Anyone open to having a codriver? I've been autocrossing for 12+ years in a wide range of cars and have instructed schools at the Hawaii and Washington DC regions. Most recent experience in STR Miatas, but I've driven almost everything over the years.
Thanks!
Solo course for Oct 15, 2023
in SCCA Solo Discussion
Posted · Edited by Mark111R
Ok, guess I'm in the minority here.
I've always subscribed to the philosophy that in autocross, everyone should drive the same course. Adding an optional element is an unnecessary gimmick that will more often catch the novices rather than the experienced - and making it harder for novices is not something I like to do. There is plenty to learn in driving an element properly, there is nothing additional learned in having to choose which side to enter a slalom.
There are plenty of ways to encourage decision making and choices into a course without making elements optional. The last event's course was a good example of this.