Fun and dry event at Laurinburg

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:39 pm

Great event guys!!!! I can't believe that it ran that smooth! I was expecting LOTS of rain, timer issuescomputer issues, not enough workers, and my own personal driving issues. Gladly, NONE of those happened!!!!!!!

Thanks to Donna and Adam for your instruction on Saturday. It really came in handy on Sunday. I was finally able to get my head out of my butt for more than half a run!! Thanks

As for when the results will be posted, I sent them to Carl and Mary today. I tried to send them last night, but I couldn't get the laptop to find my wireless network.

Emmett, the DM PAX sucks. You probably won't like your PAX finish because of it. Sorry.

Chris Landi · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2004 6:31 pm **Posts:** 579

I didn't hit third in my STi, but I hit the limiter in second at least once. I think Brian was using third gear in at least one run.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:10 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

Regarding not using all the real estate at L'burg. It was the original intent to use the "P" but someone chimed in with "You guys know there are only 90 odd people registered for this event right". We shortened the course to not strech the workers too thin. If we would have had 120 entrants, the course would have been longer.

Did I forget to say thank you for this? We just barely had enough workers, but everything seemed to be ok. I didn't hear any complaining. My only complaint was....there was a good number of folks that didn't check in to work, but just walked out to thier station (both experienced and novices). While we are glad that the folks were indeed working and not slacking off, keep in mind we do this for two reasons. 1. To make sure that everyone that runs, does thier share of work, and 2. To monitor who is out there and make sure everyone gets relieved.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:14 pm

Stephen, was there anybody who did not work? If so I can send that list to Carl and Mary so they can show them as DNW in the results.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:15 pm

Todd Breakey wrote:

Stephen, was there anybody who did not work? If so I can send that list to Carl and Mary so they can show them as DNW in the results.

Everyone worked. In the 4th run group, only 8 out of 12 reported and I got concerned. I later found out they were all out there though.

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:25 pm

Good. You only had 12 people on course during each heat!!!!! And it ran that smoothly?!?!?!?!? That is amazing.

On a related topic, we need to stress how to call cones penalties during the driver's meeting. We had several times (especially during heat 2) where the call was "one cone on the car that just passed" As you all know, we can't see the whole course and we certainly can tell which car just passed. The corner workers HAVE to get the class and number on gthe car with the penalty. I have some ideas on how we can make sure that this happens. Maybe we need to implement one of those.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:35 pm

Todd Breakey wrote:

Good. You only had 12 people on course during each heat!!!!! And it ran that smoothly?!?!?!?!? That is amazing.

Not exactly. We had 14 in each of the two morning groups (2 per station) and 13 and 12 in groups 3 and 4 respectively.

Diane Hall · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:58 pm

Todd Breakey wrote:

On a related topic, we need to stress how to call cones penalties during the driver's meeting. We had several times (especially during heat 2) where the call was "one cone on the car that just passed"

Hehehe... I tend to educate people "on the fly" during a heat. Another thing I've done is, during the radio check, give instructions on how I want to hear calls. We also be sure to give radios to experienced people.

My favorites on the radio are the ones that run national events (past or currently). They give all the right info, nothing more and nothing less.

Good luck!

ps - My very favorite call was once at Laurinburg, someone called in 1 cone on the red miata. I looked up and we had 3 red miatas on course. :banghead:

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:03 pm

Todd Breakey wrote:

Good. You only had 12 people on course during each heat!!!!! And it ran that smoothly?!?!?!?!? That is amazing.

On a related topic, we need to stress how to call cones penalties during the driver's meeting. We had several times (especially during heat 2) where the call was "one cone on the car that just passed" As you all know, we can't see the whole course and we certainly can tell which car just passed. The corner workers HAVE to get the class and number on gthe car with the penalty. I have some ideas on how we can make sure that this happens. Maybe we need to implement one of those.

We did point that out in the Novice Meeting, to call Car #, class, and # of Cones at your station and emphasized not to call X cone on Red Miata, or Subaru :shock:

Emmett Willis · **Joined:** Thu Jun 10, 2004 10:30 am **Posts:** 69

Todd Breakey wrote:

Emmett, the DM PAX sucks. You probably won't like your PAX finish because of it. Sorry.

There's no need to feel sorry for my sorry pax. Ridiculous little cars with all the guts torn out (thus terrible pax) are much more fun than cars that adhere to the rules.

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:17 pm

RobLupella wrote:

Todd Breakey wrote:

Good. You only had 12 people on course during each heat!!!!! And it ran that smoothly?!?!?!?!? That is amazing.

On a related topic, we need to stress how to call cones penalties during the driver's meeting. We had several times (especially during heat 2) where the call was "one cone on the car that just passed" As you all know, we can't see the whole course and we certainly can tell which car just passed. The corner workers HAVE to get the class and number on gthe car with the penalty. I have some ideas on how we can make sure that this happens. Maybe we need to implement one of those.

We did point that out in the Novice Meeting, to call Car #, class, and # of Cones at your station and emphasized not to call X cone on Red Miata, or Subaru :shock:

Go easy on the course workers. Give it try sometime

At Sanford and Laurinburg you may only have 2-3 seconds to pick up the car number. Plus, you can not see the number of the car starting. The car is usually coming straight at the worker and the only time the numberis visible is when it flashes by. Add to the fact, there are usually only one worker per station...we had to spread out ...it is pretty tough sometimes.

A special thanks to Sally with the 4th run group. We had 12 people covering the course and she was very polite and understanding when the number was missed. Usually on the second or third run you can remember the numbers associated with some of the cars.

With all the T&S folks and fancy computers and software and grid lines, y'all have a lot better idea of who is on course than the poor person standing out there and getting to see the number flash by while trying to watch the cones in a 20 - 25 yard area.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:52 pm

jimpastorius wrote:

RobLupella wrote:

Todd Breakey wrote:

Good. You only had 12 people on course during each heat!!!!! And it ran that smoothly?!?!?!?!? That is amazing.

On a related topic, we need to stress how to call cones penalties during the driver's meeting. We had several times (especially during heat 2) where the call was "one cone on the car that just passed" As you all know, we can't see the whole course and we certainly can tell which car just passed. The corner workers HAVE to get the class and number on gthe car with the penalty. I have some ideas on how we can make sure that this happens. Maybe we need to implement one of those.

We did point that out in the Novice Meeting, to call Car #, class, and # of Cones at your station and emphasized not to call X cone on Red Miata, or Subaru :shock:

Go easy on the course workers. Give it try sometime

At Sanford and Laurinburg you may only have 2-3 seconds to pick up the car number. Plus, you can not see the number of the car starting. The car is usually coming straight at the worker and the only time the numberis visible is when it flashes by. Add to the fact, there are usually only one worker per station...we had to spread out ...it is pretty tough sometimes.

A special thanks to Sally with the 4th run group. We had 12 people covering the course and she was very polite and understanding when the number was missed. Usually on the second or third run you can remember the numbers associated with some of the cars.

With all the T&S folks and fancy computers and software and grid lines, y'all have a lot better idea of who is on course than the poor person standing out there and getting to see the number flash by while trying to watch the cones in a 20 - 25 yard area.

I have worked the course and I agree that it can be difficult, especially with some cars whose numbers are about as legible as those on an F1 car :roll:

I think that there are various ways to improve this some being

1. Enforce numbering with contrasts (We are doing way better than in the past)
2. Keep reminding to call number of car and class
3. Make sure there are adequate courseworkers to cover the course
4. Have each car that hits a cone slow down as he goes by the worker station so that the worker can get a good look at his number. :wink:

WalterHouston · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:20 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

Question:

What is the "appeal" of two first gear corners at a site which does not need them for space reasons? They seem to be a "popular" course element at THSCC events and I'm trying to figure out why this is apparently the case. To me they are just a way to abuse the transmission, limited slip (if any) and the tires (except for sites which really don't give the option).

I agree that this was a very well run event from driver's meeting to awards and all who made it happen deserve a huge "Thanks". Overall, the course was fun and well designed. I do not want to sound unappreciative of the hard work.
However, several of us were asking the same question quoted above. My conclusion, probably unpopular, is that autocrossing favors smaller, lower horsepower imports. It takes superior driving (Adam), a well prepared car and a lot of seat time to get a longer, rear wheel drive car around most autocross courses. The THSCC course designs favor smaller cars, FWD and AWD, and SCCA classifcation rules do too. ie: It made no sense to me why the WRX sti was put in ESP.
I've accepted this and won't complain (too much) about losing the best sweeper we have, or tight manuevers before the finish with over 100 yards of great concrete left. This is how it is going to be and we have to live with it, if we autocross. I drive the car I want to drive on the street, didn't buy it to autocross and it doesn't come to events on a trailer. It drag races pretty well too. :moon:

I like THSCC, think it is very well run and enjoy the vast majority of the people. Our sites are great and our equipment 1st class. Life frequently is not fair and actually this is one of the least of the injustices I have experienced in life!!
Dick, I've got a great course design in mind for Sanford. I'll volunteer with you to be event coordinator next year. Then, we can listen to all the BMW'ing about it.

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:30 pm

WalterHouston wrote:

My conclusion, probably unpopular, is that autocrossing favors smaller, lower horsepower imports. It takes superior driving (Dan), a well prepared car and a lot of seat time to get a longer, rear wheel drive car around most autocross courses. The THSCC course designs favor smaller cars, FWD and AWD, and SCCA classifcation rules do too.

You won't believe the car that the one of the helpers drives! He is the a**hole that put that little old "S" in there. Oh yea, the taxiway too.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:11 pm

jimpastorius wrote:

WalterHouston wrote:

My conclusion, probably unpopular, is that autocrossing favors smaller, lower horsepower imports. It takes superior driving (Dan), a well prepared car and a lot of seat time to get a longer, rear wheel drive car around most autocross courses. The THSCC course designs favor smaller cars, FWD and AWD, and SCCA classifcation rules do too.

You won't believe the car that the one of the helpers drives! He is the a**hole that put that little old "S" in there. Oh yea, the taxiway too.

Yeah, you also wouldnt belive that the helper that made the sweeper onto the skinny taxiway OPEN had the little import car. :oops:

Talk about role reversal :shock:

.

To make a course "open" and F-body friendly like Walter is talking about would probably put us WELLLLLLLL beyond what our insurance requires for safety with regard to speed. We HAVE to have slow elements to keep events safe and keep this club in business.

I hope we get some new blood to be event chairs for 06, variety is the spice of life.

For the speed and openness your looking for, you really need to sign up for a HPDE

You would still have to point the little white Miata by though :twisted:

THSCC Forums

Fun and dry event at Laurinburg

Who is online