Here in Nebraska we are starting to have the problem (?) of starting to have
too many entrants to handle effectively so I am interested in what you find.
We have heard the idea of running by class in heats but as of yet it has not
won favor of our region. I will address the pros and cons to your points.
I am assuming that you are basically running all classes intermixed and will
basically be doing 2 events (one in the morning and one in the afternoon)
You wrote.....
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1999 11:43:42 -0500
From: bthatch@juno.com
Subject: Autocross Run Group Question
Atlanta Region SCCA's Team Solo is considering the possibility of
changing to 4 run groups with two running/working in the morning and two
running/working in the afternoon. The reasons for considering this change
are:
1- Cut in half the amount of time a competitor needs to be at the event.
Hopefully, this would encourage more entrants if less time is spent in
the hot sun or in inclement weather. This would also cut in half the
amount of time working the course.
Reply>> Agreed to the time at the site. Our days can get a little long. On
site at 9 or before... and usually done by 5 then tear down and off the site
by 6. Most of the time we get four timed runs with about a half hour of fun
runs if we get done earlier. However, your time working on the course is
about the same... by working a heat you get it done all at once but you are
out there for a long time. Our 20/20 worker rule breaks it up which is
important on those nasty 100+ degree days in August or those cold days in
November.
2- Allow morning participants to enter twice (running in the afternoon as
"Time Only" so competitors can get more seat time and still meet their
obligation to work both sessions.
Reply>> Nifty idea.
3-To shorten the time in registration/tech for the morning session since
only half the competitors would be registering.
Reply>> Since i don't know your current schedule of reg/tech I can't comment.
You will have to have people to register the late comers... will your reg/tech
have to stay open longer?
4- Out of town competitors could get "on the road" sooner to get back
home without shirking their work assignments.
Reply>> I must admit I do like being on site for a short time if I have a 3
hour drive home. But I also know that I am leaving the event without knowing
where I finished. Since I am not running for points that that region it
doesn't matter as much to me. If I was in a points chase in the region I
could be bummed.
5- Novices would be allowed to enter either morning or afternoon sessions
depending on when they arrive at the site. Thus, provisions for "late
arrivers" can be accomodated.
Reply>> Again... a nifty idea so Novices can get more seat time. Would they
have to pay twice?
I've been asked by Team Solo to find out if this is being done in other
regions and to find out how it is working. Please share with me your
experiences, positive or negative. Also, if you have some other method of
organizing your events that seems to work real well, please share that
with me.
Reply>> I don't know how many drivers you are pulling in now.... we usually
have 75 to 100 and run about a dozen or so events between April and November.
Five of our events are trophied "points" events and the others are just for
fun with no trophies or points. We also count the MiDiv Divisional and
Nationals to find our Solo drivers of the year. We run like most (not all)
MiDiv clubs do with everyone assigned a car number and run car #1 thru car
#last once before anyone makes a second run. Registration is open from 9
until 10:30 and runs start at 11 (hopefully). We do our course working by the
honor system using a 20/20 rule. If you are car # 15 you take 20 cars off
after your run (cars 16 to 35) then go work for 20 cars (36 to 55). If
someone has a legitimate reason to leave early we usually do not have a
problem letting them make their last run early.
The biggest problem with running two different times at one event is weather.
What about that storm that blows in at 1 o'clock? Or the cool dew that is
hanging around until the sun burns it off. The problem is that you can lose
to some one that you never saw. You run in the am in the dew and then leave
at 11. He shows up at Noon and kicks your time in the dry and you don't know
about it until the results are in your mailbox. I have had that happen to me
in Kansas City (they run by heats with out regard to class).
The nice thing about the way we do things is that our club is very social. We
have a lot of time to talk to friends and competitors that we only see at
events. This has been noted by vistors to our region. (George Bowland, Rocky
Entriken) We also get to see everyone's run and get to rib them when they
become cone killers. There is also time to make adjustments to the car
between run if needed. This probably hurts us when we go to Divisional or
National events as sometimes I feel rushed, of course my tires are warmer and
I do have a fresh look at the track. I do lose the ability to go out on
course and watch cars go thru a section that may be difficult for me with
heats.
Our Novice class is one class balanced by the PAX (as well as our Ladies and
Street Tire class) Novices are given a Novice handbook, given a walk thru by
an expirenced driver (thanks Bill Pemberton) and then allowed to ride with
expirienced drivers and have them as passengers when they run.
Thanks for your help.
Ben Thatcher
Atlanta Region SCCA Solo II co-chairman
------------------------------
There are different ways to run events. Being a member driven club it is up
to the Regions leadership to find what will work the best for the membership.
I hope you find the best thing for your region.
Whoomah!!
Jan Gerber
Omaha, NE
Nebraska Region SCCA Board Member
Rally Chairman
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