steve remchak wrote:
it is possible to AutoX an automatic. i've done it.
So have I, for about 4 years. My red C4 was an auto. Leave the line in 1st, shift to 2nd at the first opportunity, leave it in 2nd. Other than some ridiculously tight and painful courses that were good for mostly 1st gear or some L'burg courses that allowed 3rd. 2nd worked just fine for me.
Not having a clutch doesn't mean you should lose attendance. The auto trans today on these cars are 5 and 6 speeds and have much better range than the 3 or 4 speeds on the older cars. It's nice having a clutch and being able to pick exactly when to shift, but isn't the end of the world for most.
The economy is big but this generation is not that interested in AX. Quite frankly AX needs a face lift. It's a great challenging type of event. For 5 minutes. The rest of the day is boring. Argue socializing all you want and it will get you nowhere. You need something more than what you offer.
Here is a good example of taking the same type of event and spinning it with lots to do. Laugh all you want but the NOPI people have a much better idea and their attendance numbers speak for itself. Drifting is something the kids like, they get to drive a few times for 5-10 minutes at a time. What do they do the rest of the day or weekend? They socialize too! They just don't sit around on trailers or folding chairs all day. Their events are big and drifting is 1 part. I'm not suggesting you turn autocross into a side show or circus. Just think for a minute what other groups do that are successful and see if you can change it up, freshen it up a bit. The old low key mentality of yesteryear was fine then, it isn't now.
Here's another crazy example and idea for you. Forget Club Racing. Let's make an event where amateurs get some old beaten up POS, throw a cage in it, dress it up to mock professional auto sports, and run a race like it was say, LeMans or something. Then let's add side show attractions and arbitrary rules to keep everyone entertained in the pit area. Then let's mix in a few more nutty things to do as we go. Then to further mock the most prestigious of races like LeMans we'll come up with some fruity name for it, like say Limes or Oranges, or something... Hell that will never sell, what a dumb idea...
I say this tongue in cheek as someone who frowned on NOPI since I first saw it, still don't get the attraction to Lemons. BUT... it sells!!! Hell, a lot of your AX attendance is lost to Lemons. The guys are having a blast and it is not likely to see them return to AX.
It's just an observation from someone who is not that interested in AX now for reasons stated before and above. Not a slam on the sport or Tarheels. The other AX clubs all have the same problems and they operate basically the same way.
Based on my observations I'm joining NOPI and building the Z as a drift car now.
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