THSCC Forums

That's what I kind of figured about the allotted runway usage. Overall, even though the course was ~50 seconds or so, we have to remember how much more distance we're covering since it's a lot higher average speed than most sites too. Honestly, my favorite thing about Cherry Point is that the runoff room is the best I've ever seen if you don't count the runway lights, plus I think the blower that John picked up worked pretty well as the grip seemed even better than it did in the spring, especially on the turnaround sweeper.

One thing about the morning session I noticed was the higher speed course let to a few more spins/red flags than usual but when everyone knew the course in the PM runs, it flew along pretty quick but I do agree that having a huge turnout can make the wheels turn a little slower and I think every club encounters this from time to time, just like we saw at Z-Max last time.

Overall, awesome time and kudos to NCR for running out to nab more waters for the PM run group workers.

BTW, Steve, nice improvement and you actually did receive an award & memento during trophies.

I wasn't there yesterday but I am pretty sure that is INCORRECT. At the several events I have done with NCR were done just like we do (split groups up for even distribution).

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

They do it on the fly as well... Just not as accurately. When they mentioned 2 run groups the group of THSCC people looked around at the 100+ people at the drivers meeting then looked at each other knowing it was going to be a cluster.

The reason for the 2 run group format they gave for Sunday was that 'not everyone registered Sunday morning so we don't know who is here.' Although they should have figured out a way at least to let you only have to work AM or PM. I don't think we really needed 6-7 people per station to shag cones.. and 2 people to bring helmets from finish to start.. and one person to punch cards on the way to the start line. Although I really do like having the cardboard tag with all your times on it, I don't like it substituting for a time audit though

Charlie, you won a trophy. I picked up for you and will bring it to the next meeting.


e:
I like all the guys who got 6 runs as well. I can understand if it was I drove in the morning 6x then my co-driver drove 4x in the afternoon but there is at least one car that has 6x runs for both drivers.

The split run groups doesn't bother me, especially when impending weather has the potential to cause some heats to not get dry runs. We used to do this with THSCC when I first started, and while it does take a little extra time to do swap everyone extra times, it's not too bad and does have the aforementioned advantage.

However, TWO run groups with 99 drivers on Saturday and one-hundred thirty-five (135) drivers on Sunday is unacceptable. There were 7+ workers at each station, 3 people assigned to walk helmets from finish to start, 5 grid workers... It's ridiculous. I also noticed a phenomenon where each station is so over staffed that each individual doesn't feel like they are very important and can thus be more lazy. I noticed this with red flag situations and radioing penalties. When you are one of 2 people at a station, you are really paying attention because your job is important. There's just no reason to keep people out in the hot sun (or pouring rain) for 50-65 drivers to run in a single heat and have no downtime. Plus, with more run groups they would not have to stop and have a lunch break, thus wasting more time, and they could do on-the-fly worker changes since the workers wouldn't be coming directly from doing their runs.

All in all though, personally I will put up with this to run at Cherry Point. It is simply the best site in the state and possibly the east coast (at least that I have ever been to). I do think it's worthwhile to bring up in a diplomatic way to the NCR folks that they might want to consider a different format which would please the drivers and still offer the same (or more) seat time for everyone.

I'd also like to state that despite this being a "joint" event with THSCC, we did not have any say in course design or format of the event.

_________________
2015-2017 President
2014 Track VP
2013 Autox VP

2002 Subaru WRX [dd]
2002 Honda S2000 STR #3 (retired...for now)
1992 Acura Integra ChumpCar #118 (retired)
2004 Toyota 4Runner V8

http://beastmoderacing.com

There may be a learning curve here, as I'm not sure how many joint efforts NCR has done. Cohosting is not a common set-up, and I'm sure NCR wants to make sure nothing endangers access to the site and everything works to perpetuate the Single Marine Program (worthwhile goals), so I can understand if they want tight control on the logistics. There are other ways for the co-host to help out--we just have to be willing to say "We can do that" before they assume that we're just glomming onto their efforts. On Sunday they seemed a little surprised when i walked up and offered to lead the novice walk since I'm the NovCoord for THSCC--I suspect because it hadn't been something they considered in the past. All the Novice Instructors were THSCC guys in my work group, so that's good. We could have volunteered to get water--stuff like that. Certainly we can be more assertive and direct about wanting to pull our weight while still being deferential to the Home Club's priorities.

In the end, I think it went well for a first effort and I hope it's not the last time it happens. They are good people and enjoyable to work with.

_________________
Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Amen.

Bottom line: I'm unlikely to attend another NCR-run event unless (a) I can have some hope of a format that reflects the number of drivers or (b) the weather is pleasant enough that I don't mind excessive course work and grid time. I liked the site a lot, but not enough to discount everything else.

I don't mean this as any kind of bashing--I'm very grateful to NCR for letting us come and to the folks on our side who worked everything out to make it happen. By starting this thread I mainly just wanted to get some idea whether I could expect a similar experience at future NCR events.

_________________
Bart
STR 42

Typically they run a morning/afternoon set up with A/B groups, break for lunch and go back out, finish up about 4pm with 6 runs. I have been to 4-5 NCR events at MCAS and Little Washington, enjoyed the course/people and have not regretted the drive or time spent.

Not sure if or when LW airport will be on their schedule after the terminal was destroyed in a tropical storm, but it would be cool if it did. That was a nice concrete runway.

_________________
Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Saturday photos, courtesy of Kolu!!

https://plus.google.com/photos/10015166 ... 4993308401

Sunday album still to come...

_________________
2015-2017 President
2014 Track VP
2013 Autox VP

2002 Subaru WRX [dd]
2002 Honda S2000 STR #3 (retired...for now)
1992 Acura Integra ChumpCar #118 (retired)
2004 Toyota 4Runner V8

http://beastmoderacing.com

I talked to some of the officers and volunteered to help. Their typical response was that they had everything under control. When you watch them, they definitely have their way of doing things and they are very comfortable in the way that they run their event. For the most part they were well organized. I think that they appreciated the offers of help but felt that it was easier for them to do some things themselves than it was for them to explain to us how they do things. They did let Noah sweep though. The course and everything was great. They just misjudged the run groups. All of the other times I’ve gone to Cherry Point this was not an issue. Not a big deal.
I actually enjoyed running in the rain. Unlike NCCAR, there’s a lot of room to get to a safe stop if things get out of control. It also had more grip in the rain than NCCAR. Sunday was a little tougher. The course and the weather induced the urge for massive yeehaa. As you all might have guessed, impulse control is not my strong suit. Anders did control his and ran a tight line. Yes, he did beat me two days in a row. I’m getting used to it.
Kolu, the pictures were great, you’ve got the shutter speed and the panning down pat. The car was sharp and the wheels and cones were a blur. It looked like we were really moving.

_________________
Mike Miller
AutoX VP 2016/2017
Just a C Stock Miata DD
Mazda Speed 3 Family Car
Corvette Z06 Toy

I'm glad to say that I trophied on Sunday, they announced I earned 2nd place in the Nov division. I just looked at the results, and I actually earned 3rd, which I'm still proud of. Jerry Maloney earned 1st on Sunday, but for some reason was snubbed.

Congrats Jerry! You finally put together a good run on your fifth and final run. I may still edge you in PAX, though *fingers crossed*.

Any word on when our official results will be posted? NCR doesn't use PAX on their NOV class, and quite frankly my miata is down about 300hp to Jerry's Z06.

From what I remember being told, don't hold your breath to go back to LW any time soon :sadbanana: it was only 15 minutes from my house too

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

As far as I know LW is getting a complete rebuild after the storm so it might be 2015......

Cherry point does have a limit of the space that can be used. They use the same run down for the "military" motorcycle license and the have permanent marking on the tarmac and don't want us "tire spinners" to damage that.

As for this weekends event, it was a learning experience for NCR. After the downpour on Sunday they were not sure exactly how many folks were gonna come back for Sunday even though they had already paid for it. Bad call maybe, but understanding where they were coming from I understand! Not every event will be perfect!!!!

All in all any weekend AUTOXing is better than mowing the grass!!!!

_________________
[color=#FFFFFF][/color]http://www.usedmiatapartsonline.com for all your used miata parts needs
http://www.wagnersauto.com for your salvage needs
2000 miata se Estreet,going to rally
2004 mazdaspeed miata bsp #77
shifter kart also(someone buy this $1500)

Thanks Turner, congratulations to you as well. I think they just called the wrong name on Sunday, but seeing that they got my times right on the final results is all that matters. You were really close on RAW time so you may have me under PAX.

I've just posted THSCC-ified results on our autocross results page.

There were only a few changes made to bring the results into our format.

NCR's Novice classes had no base class information, so all drivers, regardless of car, were simply classed "Novice" (no SS, FS, etc), so I went through each car and assigned an appropriate base class. There were only two THSCC drivers registered in Novice class, and some trophy positions changed due to PAX.

NCR uses the SCCA-style separate Road Tire classes broken out by drive wheels (front, rear, all). I reclassed all of those drivers into our RT class.

_________________
2017 THSCC Autocross Chief of Timing and Scoring

03 Nissan Altima
02 Honda S2000

Thanks Carlton!

So, 2 concerns. First, I thought we were going to "filter out" the NCR folks that didn't sign up directly for the THSCC event? Second, I know Stephen Westerfield needs to be classed in RT running the ESP pax. SCCA rules didn't allow him to run RT at that event. I had that issue last year at the NCAC.

_________________
Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....