THSCC Forums

Yes conditions are the same for the entire class (except when the sky suddenly opens up while you're one of the last ten in line to make your third and final run... BTDT Topeka 2003 ) but it is a lot more interesting and fun to compete under the better conditions of a hot sticky course with rubber covered turns than practicing ice racing.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

To add to that, I don't mind *occasionally* having to run first, but at tours all year long we were first. They should definitely mix it up some.


--Donnie

I agree a clean warm course is more fun. Just wanted to be sure that for this disussion on AAO vs. SF, the issue of one group having an actual advantage or disadvantage was clarified.

To address the fun quotient: If we went with AAO, we could alternate which set of classes go first, so one group isn't pioneering the course for every event.

Phil

Most clubs run a variation of the AAO. I have only run the SF with THSCC and Triad. Not that it is bad. Plus, variation is the spice of life.

Every run group has advantages and disadvantages. I think Charles' whining is a little over the top. Having had the pleasure of running both early and late this year, I would choose early. Waiting until 3 in the afternoon to run makes for a very long day. There are only so many cars to watch.

And this ride-along theory being tossed about I think is a bad idea. I think it is great to take along an inexperienced driver. As long as the instructor is talking and teaching. I challenge anyone to show me how adding 180-220 pounds of ballast to car is going to keep it competitive. So by doing this you reduce your competition runs by 1/2. By all means keep doing

That is what course walking is for. I will be teaching course walking tomorrow. You will see you don't need to be a passenger to learn to drive fast

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

...the last time I autocrossed was in Sanford for the NCAC where we did the AAO format. I was signed up in pro class and as a result didn't run until the end of the day. Worked timing for session one.

I like socializing as much as anyone else, but five-plus hours of doing nothing got a little old. Maybe thats just me.

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Karl S.
2014 Baby, 2014 House, 2013 Ford Focus ST, 2013 BMW 328i, 1994 Mercedes E320
(Insert passive aggressive signature line here)

I propose we use the SF for non-NCAC events and the AAO for NCAC events.

Kurt Bishop

EP2 Opel Manta "The most abused THSCC autocross car"

Split format. I believe one of the fundamental objectives of the club is to promote a social atmosphere. The split format usually means you have at least one session in which you are not driving or working. In addition, you are in grid twice. Both of these factors promote interaction between drivers. If the total focus was on the autocross and driving then the all-at-once format is probably more efficient. Personally, one of the reasons I enjoy the club so much is having the opportunity to socialize during the event. My view might be different if I were more competition minded. But for me that would take a lot of the fun out of it. At my age, foreplay is as important as the act itself!

Run the first half - wait - then run the second half. It gives slow learners like me a chance to see where I screwed up the first set of runs and how to improve.