Has anyone watched the new Optima TV series?

[syborg tt]

Originally Posted by ironworks

Do you realize I have been at work for an hour already?

Well that sucks. About two years ago I decided I wasn't going in till 7:30 and it was the best thing I ever did. I get to see both my girls in the morning and even take my oldest to school in the morning. I actually look forward to mornings now.

ps I do understand what it takes to do what you do and commend you and everyone that does it day and and day out. I've been there and done that and it took a 2nd cancer for me to realize that there is way more important things in life then work.

Originally Posted by GregWeld

When did cruising the internet become "work"??

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Seriously the internet is full of great idea's and I say it's work.

Wait I should be working .... nah this is just more fun.

[bret]

Originally Posted by syborg tt

thus increasing the actual cost of participating in the event which will exclude many drives.

Just like racing this event is more for the big players then most of the bench racers on these boards. It's one thing to have a really nice pro-touring car but it's another thing to have a full on race car to compete at these Optima events.

It's odd from memory I thought the Optima challenged started was started to get Street cars on the track and like everything it has evolved into full on race cars.

In the end I think the Good-Guys Autocross is best suited for most of us on the boards and Optima has become something for the Elite. Which isn't a bad thing but it is a much smaller group of guys and in most case it's for the big players ( re: Vendors ) not the normal average guy / gal.

It is true that many trailer their cars to the Optima events, just like they would to any track event [drag racing, autocross, track days] but don't think for a minute that these cars cannot hit the street and go cross country. Brian Finch is a good example of a competitive car at any level...he drove his car to the Las Vegas event last year. I will be driving the 48 Hour Camaro to the Ft. Worth Goodguys event...Greg Schneider drove our 66 Chevelle to the Texas Optima event...2000 miles round trip. Trailering is a matter of convenience for tools, family, luggage, etc.

There are ALL kinds of cars at the Optima events. The ones you hear about are the top performers in the competitive segments, but that does not diminish the amount of fun had by ALL the participants. I cannot imagine anyone who has attended one of these events would have a different opinion.

BUT...I do understand perception and reality are close cousins. I'm just trying to explain reality in the hope of influencing perception.

What would be the opinion of setting up the classes according to driver skill instead of car type? This seems to be the way most track days are organized.

I will not pretend that the road course segment is not harder on the car and owner than the autocross or speed stop segment. It is another level of car and driver preparation, and it may not be for everyone. But...doesn't everyone want to have a goal to shoot for?
What would be the opinion of offering the segments "ala Carte", so one could choose to only do autocross and speed stop...or only road course, or just the road rally and design challenge? Obviously you could not fare well in the overall point standings, but it might be a place to start. [BTW...do NOT get the idea that I have any significant influence on how these events are, or will be, run...I'm just exposing ideas.]


Great comments...that's how improvements are made!

[syborg tt]

Originally Posted by bret

What would be the opinion of setting up the classes according to driver skill instead of car type? This seems to be the way most track days are organized.

What would be the opinion of offering the segments "ala Carte", so one could choose to only do autocross and speed stop...or only road course, or just the road rally and design challenge? Obviously you could not fare well in the overall point standings, but it might be a place to start. [BTW...do NOT get the idea that I have any significant influence on how these events are, or will be, run...I'm just exposing ideas.]


Great comments...that's how improvements are made!

I think these are great idea's as my goal would be to start with Autocross with the 70 and Road Course for the 2010. As for points that wouldn't bother me a bit as my goal initially is just learn how to drive better.

[LS7 Z/28]

Originally Posted by bret

What would be the opinion of setting up the classes according to driver skill instead of car type? This seems to be the way most track days are organized.

I think they have done a great job setting up the series and creating divisions. GT3K, GT2K, AWD. I don't see a reason to change that. I would think that people would want to have a chance to run against the best of the best and be able to measure themselves against the top guys and see how they stack up. The run groups have already divided people into skill level which allows everyone to run at their skill level.

As far as trailering goes, it's a necessity for many reasons that have already been stated. If you are going to run on a track and abuse your car like a racecar then you you need to be prepared for catastrophic failures that can happen. Just because it's a street car doesn't mean it has to drive everywhere.

I personally think it's really cool walking through the pits at a USCA event and seeing all of the trucks and trailers. It's an awesome atmosphere and It feels no different to me than being in the pits at your local short track on a Saturday night and it gives everyone a feeling of being a racecar driver even if you aren't running door to door on track. What's wrong with that.

[SSLance]

I'm torn on that Bret, at Gateway had the elements been available ala Carte, I would have most likely have chosen everything but the Road Course (mainly because I was concerned about the lack of safety items in my car). In fact I had only planned on running 1 or 2 sessions on the road course anyway.

But once I got out on the track, had some shakedown sessions in the car and had an instructor show me the proper and fast way to get around the track...I was hooked and ended up running in all of the sessions only stopping just a few laps before the final session ended. If I hadn't done the road course for whatever reason, I wouldn't have known what I missed (which was the best part of the weekend for me personally).

I know there were a few others that had similar thoughts and experiences about the road course sessions there as well. Offering an ala Carte menu as a way to try to get more entrants may be a valid idea though. It's kind of done anyway right now isn't it? D&E and Road rally only... Adding Speed Stop and Autocross to that menu for halfway between that price and the full package price might be attractive to some due to the added work, prep and expense of the road course portion.

I still think the full entry package was one helluva deal. Like I've said before, between the professional level instruction I received on both days and all of the track time, I more than got my money's worth. It was a much better deal that the school only events that I've paid similar money to go to. The fun level of the event was just gravy...

[SSLance]

Originally Posted by bret

What would be the opinion of setting up the classes according to driver skill instead of car type? This seems to be the way most track days are organized.

I think that part of how the events are setup is fine like it is. The run groups are separated on the road course for everyone's benefit...to stay out of each other's way while on the track.

The 3 separate car classes to score everyone in are fine with me. It's great to see how you stack up with the best of the best plus you also get to see how you stack up with those in your level of car (and driver) at the same time. Do not SCCA up the deal...

[eric1967]

I participated at the event at Gateway. I was a little disappointed on Saturday with the speed stop & autocross, mainly because of the run groups. I was split up from some of my friends & unable to watch them run. We normally work together to improve each others times. It would also be nice to be able to ride with other competitors on the autocross. This is a grate help when you are learning to drive. Sunday on the road course was some of the most fun I have had with my car in the 21 years I have owned it. The instructors were great. People that have cars & don't bring them out are missing a great opportunity. It is amazing how much you can learn from the first session to the last.
As far as the TV show. Who does not want their car on TV? Nearly everyone will have friends & family that will watch the show because they were a participant. That can only be good for the sponsors. I hope the series & the show are a success. If it is a big commercial I don't think they will be watch long.

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by eric1967

I participated at the event at Gateway. I was a little disappointed on Saturday with the speed stop & autocross, mainly because of the run groups. I was split up from some of my friends & unable to watch them run. We normally work together to improve each others times. It would also be nice to be able to ride with other competitors on the autocross. This is a grate help when you are learning to drive. Sunday on the road course was some of the most fun I have had with my car in the 21 years I have owned it. The instructors were great. People that have cars & don't bring them out are missing a great opportunity. It is amazing how much you can learn from the first session to the last.
As far as the TV show. Who does not want their car on TV? Nearly everyone will have friends & family that will watch the show because they were a participant. That can only be good for the sponsors. I hope the series & the show are a success. If it is a big commercial I don't think they will be watch long.

there were professional instructors available for the autocross also...free of charge and they could have helped you

[MarkM66]

I thought the Texas episode was better, up until the end when I realized there was basically no road course coverage. Unless I missed it,

[BonzoHansen]

I have fios and only have mav on demand. I have not seen this available to watch.