P.S. I wish I would have known E.J....she sounds like a neat lady...I'm
sorry to hear of her passing...;-(
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lolita and Mike" <lomike@earthlink.net>
To: "Jake Hodges" <jake_hodges@hotmail.com>; <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding ambiguity in Novice rules
> on 9/23/01 11:07 AM, Pat Kelly at lollipop487@home.com wrote:
>
> > I'm not going to take the time to double-check (lazy me!) but 3 events
in
> > one year, out of 18, does not move you to the regular classes. However,
if
> > you are good enough to win your novice class in the Slush Series, is it
fair
> > to the new novices in 2002 that you remain in the novice class?
> > On the trophying part, I'm not sure, but if you trophy but not win in
the
> > Slush Series, that does not mean you MUST run the regular class in the
> > following year. I'm sure someone will correct me on this point.
> > If you don't want to purchase the R tires for the next year, how about
> > running in the Street Tire class? That won't be easy, but anything worth
> > winning shouldn't be easy, seems to me. Although many will assert that
> > wearing out street tires at autocrossing is more expensive than running
on R
> > tires, competing in Street Tire does save a lot of effort changing
tires. :)
> >
> > The need to win can be destructive. Why not kick back and enjoy the
driving
> > and friendships made? This sport is not as easy as it looks, and winning
may
> > be a goal, but relax, please! :)
> > --Pat Kelly
> > ----------
> >> From: "Jake Hodges" <jake_hodges@hotmail.com>
> >> To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
> >> Subject: Re: Question regarding ambiguity in Novice rules
> >> Date: Sun, Sep 23, 2001, 10:56 AM
> >>
> >
> >> For me, Pat, there is an unfortunate side to being kicked out of
Novice.
> >> The three events I attended last season stirred a bloody lust for
victory
> >> within me that no second place can fulfill. As a result, if I'm thrust
out
> >> of the racing-tire-safe confines of Novice, I'll be forced to spend my
> >> student loans on a new set of feet and ankles for my car. That will
result
> >> in humiliation and disgrace as I'm crushed, pulverized, and otherwise
mushed
> >> into goo by experienced autocrossers without the comfort of the "bad
tires"
> >> excuse. (I cite Mr. Creasy's response.) And that's to say nothing of
being
> >> dropped from my classes, homelessness, and starvation.
> >>
> >> I'm so much the rookie that I didn't even realize the Slush Series was
a
> >> totally unique series from the Championship Series. (Jackass.)
> >>
> >> So now that I have a better understanding of the issues at hand, I pose
> >> John's poignant question:
> >>
> >> Now that we're running Novice classes in the Slush events, does a Slush
> >> Novice trophy disqualify you for Novice in the following season?
> >>
> >>
> >> _________________________________________________________________
> Jake, I'm going to take a chance here and meld a couple of threads while
> adding a piece of my own.
> First, Pat is absolutely right in a whole bunch of ways. Winning ain't
easy;
> kick back and enjoy ( that's why you came out in the first place isn't
it);
> relax, that leads to looking ahead and that leads to doing a better job of
> driving which leads to.....
> Second, it IS the people that we all participate for, we need each other
for
> social aspect to even want to compete, otherwise you would just go out in
a
> deserted parking lot or down a lonely road to sharpen your skills.
> That brings me to E.J., she tucked me in as a rookie (hey at least you
guys
> get called Novice) and mentored me in a manner that allowed me to put what
I
> knew to work and score a second in slush'00 and second this year in the
open
> class. While I might have thought that would be enough, E.J. suggested I
> give a little and become a Safety Steward. I never got to thank her
enough.
> Finally, Pat's comment about the destructiveness of having to win. I used
to
> be involved in Formula 1, in the air. The absolute need cost me a pilot, a
> mechanic , and arising star friend before I said enough. Nice thing about
> autox, worst case is usually a little paint on the cone(s) and a dent in
the
> wallet.
> Come on out and race open class. I'll share what I know then try to keep
up,
> that's how it works.
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