Ousci

[Che70velle]

I have yet to run my first autocross in my Chevelle, as it's almost built, and winter is coming fast. You guys here make a guy like me second guess the entire autocross weekend with all the boohooing going on here. I learned a long time ago that Motorsports at any level is costly, if you wish to compete. I spent enough money racing asphalt late models to pay my house off...twice. Greg's comment on the $4-500 is spot on.
Hopefully this thread doesn't de-rail someone's plans of hitting a local track weekend, and actually enjoying it. I know I'm sure looking forward to mine!

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by ironworks

This whole thread comes up every year, It just gets long each year.

Sure does. And there are new things to talk about each year too.

Originally Posted by Che70velle

Hopefully this thread doesn't de-rail someone's plans of hitting a local track weekend, and actually enjoying it.

I think (and hope) just the opposite! People should explore all their local offerings and see what they like and where the "value" is for them, and not just financial value. The examples of Chad (Socal) and Steve and Bryan (Texas) illustrate that pretty well above.

It might be just what they thought, or it might surprise them.

Then there's still that pro touring thing where people just drive around on roads and stuff....

[Depthrecordings]

I for one can not wait to experience as much seat time at as many events as possible. I have been building my car specifically for autocross after seeing the event at a goodguys show a few years back.

I know there will be ups and downs to each groups events, but I take that as par for the course. Maybe I'm too "green" to understand all negativity. I just want to drive my car fast

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Depthrecordings

I for one can not wait to experience as much seat time at as many events as possible. I have been building my car specifically for autocross after seeing the event at a goodguys show a few years back.

I know there will be ups and downs to each groups events, but I take that as par for the course. Maybe I'm too "green" to understand all negativity. I just want to drive my car fast

I don't know why you'd find a great discussion to be "negative" -- this is how forums work - people come on and discuss stuff. I haven't read anything negative except for people explaining why they like one format over another. Usually people learn from these explanations and discussions. Even the promoters can come on and see what people have to say about their events and sometimes it leads to changes and improvements. That's not negative.

[Panteracer]

I have come from running karts, to dirt bikes to autocrossing and then
Open Tracking..... I do like the open tracking but because
of my Optima invite a few years back I got hooked on autocrossing
again...
I have said it once before you can run an autocross many times and
it is almost impossible to have a perfect run.. it reminds me of dirt
biking... make quick decisions and trying to get it right quickly

On a track you can go there time and time again and finally
figure things out... in autocross the course is gone after the
day you run it. I really like that challenge

I am also learning how to adjust the car somewhat
although mine still has a ways to go

If you want to run your car and have some fun then
autocrossing is a good start.. hell running the car anywhere
hard in a controlled environment is great
But really for beginners it is a great place to try your car out

Best event I have ever done is the Virgina City Hill Climb
5.1 miles 27 turns on a closed road running 125mph plus
with no guard rails or rules.. just hang on!!!

Bob

[SSLance]

This leads back to the bigger things get, the harder they are to make everyone happy.

We had 174 timed entries in our last KC Region SCCA event last month whereas we typically have 100-110. I was pretty certain it was going to be a disaster because we have to be cleaned up and off of our site at 5 pm sharp, no exclusions. The chair, co-chair and a few of the "leaders" of the Region did a fantastic job though and the whole event ran pretty smooth and we still got 4 runs each but we missed out on our typical parade lap.

Just growing a 1 day event from 100 to 175 entries was a huge undertaking that took planning and a lot of extra work, but the coffers at the end of the day were almost double full from where they typically are. This is how it works...

As an entrant, I prefer the light entry days were we get 5 or 6 runs a day but as a club, I see the benefits of higher numbers. It sounds like the SCCA Regions all have much different Solo events based on how the Regions are run and the number of entrants...it's interesting to me to here reports back from how other regions do things and what the results are.

[DBasher]

I used to get asked why I was building a car and sinking X amount of dollars into it, just to load it on a trailer, drive 13hrs and make 10 runs in a weeks time.....I still don't have a good answer......it's Bonneville man!
Some people feel the need to drive across the country to go to Hot August Nights or Sturgis or....whatever.
My friends and I have done four of these events, Pahrump, Laguna, Portland (lame) and Thunderhill. We share the fuel cost, kinda, lodging and the driver pays the entry. Every one of them has been a complete blast, not just the track time but the other folks involved and the time spent with friends.

We'll continue doing the events closeish to home and see what happens next year, I can guarantee we'll be having a blast no matter what cars/classes are running.