Has anyone watched the new Optima TV series?

[eric1967]

Originally Posted by Rod P

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

Those are guys from the local SCCA. They are very helpful & I did work with them. I get great advice from them all the time at local events.

[Lous69]

Originally Posted by 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...

I was at the Gateway event and only entered the design competiton and rally so that is definitely already an option. I was not interested in competing on the track for several reasons including the fact that my engine isn't yet fully broken in or final tuned.

I learned a ton those two days because everyone was very friendly and always proactively asking people like me if they could help us learn. That included the Tuckers and several cool local people I met.

The only down side was that I didn't even get to find out how my car scored against the rest from a design and engineering perspective. For some strange reason I do not understand, my score was not posted anywhere. I can only guess it was because I was not also a track competitor. That kind of made the whole process of judging my car feel like a total waste.

I'm not sure I would have entered into anything if I knew I would not get any indication of results from the judging. As it turns out I'm still glad I did because it was enjoyable and so educational but that may be something to consider for others like me in the future.

[SSLance]

I checked your car out there, VERY nice! I even have a little bit of video of you passing us on the road rally.

In the results there is one car listed under "exhibition" Dan Kuhn #53. I didn't see a number on your car in the video, did they issue you a number at registration? I wonder if that's why your D&E results don't show up?

I'm glad you had fun anyway...if it's held there again next year, will you compete the car with us?

[mike343sharpstk]

Originally Posted by syborg tt

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.

Bret, I love the Ala-carte idea!
It would sure be a good idea to hit the auto-X and speed-stop challenge to make sure all is well, for Driver AND Car, before hitting the road course.

I signed up as the ‘silver’ participant for the Road America event and was the only person to do so. I don’t even think my car was judged, and I was interested to get expert information on areas to focus on to get ready to compete. That said, great event.

I too had safety concerns for the Road Course and Road America (even the short version they were using) is no place to skimp on safety. Then getting a look at the car that hit a wall assured me I probably made the correct decision. Looking at what the competitors had done gave me a specific punch list for next year. That was very valuable.

Perhaps in the future the ‘Silver’ entry could be more of a ‘Auto-X/speed-stop’ type of participation for newly finished cars and/or drivers that are a bit apprehensive?

[bret]

Anyone watch the Daytona show that aired this past weekend? Give me some opinions...better...worse...same?

[SSLance]

Much MUCH better Bret! The wife even closed her laptop and tuned into the show which says something. It flowed better, plenty of on track action, great recap of the competitiveness, just enough of the sponsor segments (and they were done better too IMHO) and the special stories that were told weren't too long or drawn out.

Even my Dad said "that show was much easier to watch".

Please pass along a "Good job, keep it up" from this watcher.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by bret

Anyone watch the Daytona show that aired this past weekend? Give me some opinions...better...worse...same?

Better!!

[Rod P]

Originally Posted by camcojb

Better!!

Jody being all nice

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted by bret

Anyone watch the Daytona show that aired this past weekend? Give me some opinions...better...worse...same?

Way better!

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by Rod P

Jody being all nice

I think each week is getting better and last week's was the best so far. Is that better?