THSCC Forums

I think you took the "Rallycross" part a little bit too seriously.......I was working the other side of the course and I was wondering what that big dark cloud was.

Oh, yes for sure. I think Novices need to really understand that. Memorizing the "course map" and the "physical course" are two different things!! I looked at my map twice. Once just to get a feel before I walked the course for the first time. The second to find where my work station was.

If you want to map, I would take the course map, turn it over and draw out your own. Make notes for stuff that is important to you.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I saw a ton of DNFs at the gate immediately in front of WS2 when I was working Heat 2. People went through the dual gates and straightlined it to the section with two sets of triple cones. We had many more DNFs than dropped cones at WS2.

My first impression of the course walking it was that I disliked it. It seemed too fast (for my liking), with a lot of use of almost-slaloms and sections that seemed determined to prevent you getting into any sort of a rhythm. Driving it dispelled most of that. In particular, I had been afraid of having difficulty following the course, and when I actually drove it that was completely wrong -- it was easy for me to stay on the course. I didn't get my DNF by missing the course.

On that subject: I'd like to apologize to Vincent for following the example of the tractor in the cotton fields. The whole run must have been an unpleasant experience (I just could not focus, or translate focus into driving) and to end it with a "You know, I really think I can take this last corner flat" moment was really kind of stupid. All it was missing was a beer and "Hey, y'all, watch this!"

Anyway, while I couldn't get a handle on the course (or any other aspect) yesterday, that was not the course's fault. I had expected a lack of rhythm, but once I backed off on the overdriving (some) and focussed better (3rd run) I found a good rhythm in several of the sections, particularly the P and the approach to it. I'd have to say it was a really good course, which totally went against my first impression.

Another aside: thanks, Vincent, for giving me the one piece of advice after that run that I most needed: "You're looking six feet in front of you."

The event organization was fantastic. So many cars, such a smooth event. Great event! Thanks everyone!

edit: Thanks for the course map. I referred to it a lot while doing mental run-throughs. Just having all the gates there was enough to trigger the visual picture, and that really helped me.

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Martyn Wheeler
AXing Kit's '05 Mazda 3, #29 HStock
(when The Gonzo Symphonic allows)

That course map shows the whole lane change wrong. It was left-right-left, then right gate.

Hence the disclaimer!!!

FWIW, when I walked the course, I memorized it as "4 section lane change enter left". I "called" that fourth gate part of the lane change for memorization purposes.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

No problem, it was fun! However I was wondering (at the time) if you thought your Hoosiers had that "infinite grip" you were talking about last week. I knew we wouldn't make it way before you did.



Not looking far enough ahead is probably the most common problem most drivers have in AX. Don't think I'm immune either. I'm way better at it than I used to be, but I'm not "the man" in THSCC. Catch a ride with Eric Peterson sometime, or let him drive your car. While you're hanging on for dear life, watch *him* to see where he is looking. You'll be amazed at just how far you *could* look ahead.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

I'll give VK another pat on the back. He went with me on my first run. When I finished, I loudly exclaimed "That sucked."

He didn't argue with me.

We talked and I managed to get it in my head (at least to some degree) that I can't use that right pedal as an on/off switch.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

WOW, what a weekend! Im glad everyone had a good time. It was nice to get a "good" event out of the box for 2006. It should only get better!

Many thanks to the Allen's and Cosby Wood for all their hard work. From what I understand, the novice school was EXCELLENT!

If the course on Sunday was anything, it was pretty fair to all cars entered. Tight stuff for us little guys and open stuff for the power crowd. I know we all had things we would like to change, but that's always the case. It was very unique in its design that kept you on your toes at all times. Some portions of the L'burg site tend to be the same you dont even think about them while walking, not this course.

Thanks to Spratte for catching my agricultural excursion on film. I think most could tell I was trying REALLY hard out there. The new car and new tires are simply AMAZING! Now I just need to tie it all together to beat the old man.

Here is a pic of the interior of the car (Tom Freeman may not wanna look)



Its worse in person, there is dirt in the arm rests, dash, CD Player, EVERYWHERE!

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9

Ha. I would have to say that is MUCH better than SAND in your car... and just not in the interior......

- dow

While we are on the subject.....I would like to apologize to those course workers at station #5 on that very last run of the event, ............. nothing personal.

You should have seen Kevin worrying over the map the night before. "Don't touch it, your going to smudge the pencil"

Great course Kevin. Enjoyed the whole weekend.

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Silver Honda
Green Ford
Blue/White Suzuki
Red Triumph
Grey BMW

"Never let life be shaped by fear of its end"

No, you're a towel!

Not unless you're an AWD Hack driving a Subaru anyway.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Amen.

All that 'thinking' and 'hand eye coordination' is all overrated. I consider the AWD-hackedness to be my personal 'V710s' that I don't have to change when I get there and leave

- dow

Yeah really. The V710s are way over rated. After all I had two people faster than me yesterday...out of 147.

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Vincent Keene
'06 Ford Mustang GT (track rat)
'15 Dodge Charger R/T (yeah, it's got a HEMI!)
'07 Ford Fusion SE (205,000 miles and counting)
'98 Chevy Z-24 (retired)
'93 Acura Integra (Team SWB 24HOL Car)

Wow. You REALLY need to step it up. Pitiful.

You got any results to back that up, buddy?

- dow

If you would have been there you would have seen it first hand!

What happened on Sunday, you cant "hack" it 2 days in a row?

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02 Focus SVT
STF 9