autox
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: Rain at Nats, solutions? :-)

To: Scott Meyers <solo2@uswest.net>, "Hollis, Andy" <ahollis@origin.ea.com>
Subject: Re: Rain at Nats, solutions? :-)
From: Brian M Kennedy <kennedy@i2.com>
Date: Sun, 26 Sep 1999 13:44:43 -0500
At 12:14 AM 9/26/99 , Scott Meyers wrote:
>"Hollis, Andy" wrote:
>> 
>> 2) According to my memory, Kansas in early September seems to have rain much
>> more than 10-20% of the time (anyone got any stats on rain at Nats?).
>> 
>> So, in effect, by having Nats in Kansas, it is really not representative of
>> the "normal" case.  I bring this up because rain is almost never consistent
>> during the heat, so the competition during its presence is typically unfair.
>> It adds an almost random element, elements which are specifically disallowed
>> in the rules.  Sure, it is what it is, and there's not much we can do about
>> it... or can we?
>>
>> 2) Hold Nats somewhere else (yes, I know there's all kinds of other issues
>> with this) where it is drier in September (Texas?)

The cold fronts rarely make it through Oklahoma in _early_ September, so its
usually pretty dry in Texas during Nationals.  And although I'd love to see
Nationals come here to North Texas (e.g., Texas Motor Speedway), and I think
people could have a lot of fun here with minimal additional drive time,
I would still point out one flaw of both Topeka and Texas in early Sept --
its hot!

>Add you own mid-country weather averages (What - Phoenix isn't mid country?)

Okay...  Phoenix is not only non-central, its _really_ hot.
I realize its not quite as central as Topeka or Dallas, but how about a 
location that is cooler, less humidity, rains less often (and then almost
exclusively in the late afternoon, minimizing its effects on the racing)...
and even better, its an absolutely gorgeous place to visit with lots of
reasons to take a vacation besides a great racing venue...

                The Pikes Peak International Raceway
                        in Colorado Springs

For an extra 400 miles west (mostly I-70), you get to spend a week next
to Pikes Peak and all the associated mountain beauty and attractions,
and autocrossing in pleasantly dry mountain air.  In fact, with the dry
mountain climate, you could even consider moving Nationals into August
to precede school, or into October when it rains even less.  Note that
with low humidity, hot feels less hot and cold feels less cold.

Just a thought.

September      Average      Record     Avg   Days of
in...        High   Low   High   Low   Rain  Rain
===========  ====  ====   ====  ====   ====  ====
Co. Springs  74°F  47°F   94°F  22°F  1.33"    7
Denver       77°F  48°F   97°F  17°F  1.24"    6
Topeka       80°F  56°F  109°F  29°F  3.81"    8 
Dallas       88°F  67°F  106°F  43°F  3.39"    7 
Houston      88°F  68°F  102°F  48°F  4.89"    9 
Tucson       93°F  68°F  107°F  44°F  1.67"    5 
Phoenix      98°F  73°F  118°F  47°F  0.86"    3

Colorado Springs in....
August       81°F  55°F   99°F  39°F  3.02"   12 <-- afternoon showers
September    74°F  47°F   94°F  22°F  1.33"    7
October      64°F  36°F   86°F   5°F  0.84"    5


Brian


<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>