Ousci

[Panteracer]

Wish we could get 8 runs in a day.. 3 for SCCA and
5 for American Autocross...

Race gas.. we only have a few guys left around here that
I know of that sell it because of all the forms they need to
fill out for leaded gas.. most gave up.. guess that is why
the pricing is so high

Bob

[gerno]

Originally Posted by Chad-1stGen

I get what Tim and Gerno are saying when you compare pure cost to seat time, none of these events ever paper out. It has been that way since I attended the first inaugural Run To The Coast in SoCal.

Open track days are always far cheaper and offer more seat time. So there has to be something more a non podium finisher gets out of it. For me, its the chance to run with a much larger vintage turnout than open track days give. Run in the best organized series and yes be able to compare my own driving skills and car's capability to the best in our area of the hobby. I know I'm not going to win and thats ok. I just want to see how close I can get! For me that is fun, but I also don't attend events USCA across the country. I attend the ones in my back yard.

I too would like to run Lemons or Chump or some other race series. It would be much more competitive, safer and *cheaper* than what I do with my 68 Camaro. But it would have to be in addition to, not instead of, my camaro because I love running vintage iron on a race track.

I disagree with Gerno's comments about SCCA autocross though. Gerno, how in the world you think goodguys is easier or more fun than SCCA blows my mind. Goodguys, you are there for 9 hours and if you aren't a pro get either 4 or 5 runs in a single day. I attended an SCCA autocross yesterday. I was there for less than 5 hours (including time to set up, walk the course, work etc.), got 8 runs on a HUGE and challenging autocross course all for $55. I'll take that any day over the goodguys events.

I think it may have to do with the local group and perhaps the weather. Typically we only get 5 runs locally and lately the courses haven't been the best in my opinion. Last event 2 of the corners had light poles placed exactly where the car could spin in a corner so I wasn't willing to go all out there. Not that I had a choice because my fuel rail broke but still. It also gets hot as hell in Austin during the summer. Working the track shagging cones blows. I also have red hair and get fried by the sun. Not saying I don't enjoy running the car, I guess I'm just lazy and really hate picking up cones. Yes, guess I am a pansy...

[carbuff]

Originally Posted by Chad-1stGen

I disagree with Gerno's comments about SCCA autocross though. Gerno, how in the world you think goodguys is easier or more fun than SCCA blows my mind. Goodguys, you are there for 9 hours and if you aren't a pro get either 4 or 5 runs in a single day. I attended an SCCA autocross yesterday. I was there for less than 5 hours (including time to set up, walk the course, work etc.), got 8 runs on a HUGE and challenging autocross course all for $55. I'll take that any day over the goodguys events.

Since Steve and I run in the same local events, I can back up what he is saying. We don't get local SCCA events, but our local group is very active at the regionals and nationals. Typically, we arrive by 8:00, are there until 4:00, and get 4-5 runs (I've never had more than 5). There are 3 run groups, with about 40-50 cars in each. We work one shift, have one off, and run the 3rd. I think every one I have attended had me running the first group (which sucks, as the track is generally dirty), and working the third, meaning I'm there all day. And it costs $35 - 45 depending on the track.

By comparison, I had 15 or 16 runs at the last GG event (Friday/Saturday, I didn't drive on Sunday when I could have gotten even more), and I missed one session while I was repairing the car. I don't have to work the course, I get to socialize with more like-minded people (ie: vintage cars), and I have the whole GG show to wander around if I want (time permitting). Oh, and I pay $45 for the 3 days.

It sounds like our local events are somewhat opposite experiences...

I don't enjoy going to our local auto-x events, but I need seat time if I want to improve. I really enjoy the GG events, but I've only ever attended the ones in Fort Worth. I wish we had more that we could get to easily, but no other one is less than a full day's drive that I am aware of.

Back to the subject of OUSCI. I've spent the last week putting serious thought into whether I could attend multiple events next year. COTA would be local, but I have a conflict that weekend that I may have to miss COTA for. I can't believe I could even think that, but it's true. NOLA is close enough that I would probably find a way to get there. The next 3 I have looked at are 18+ hour drives for me. That's 2 days of driving each way, 2 days there, meals, hotels, gas, entry fees. Oh, and I need a vehicle to tow with and a trailer. It would take a big commitment in time and cash to make those...

I'm not knocking the events at all, I'm just not fortunate enough to live in a place where I can get to many. I don't think the $500 is unreasonable for the event, given the multiple aspects which take place (road course, speed stop, auto-x). I believe we had 5 20-25m sessions on the road course which is more than I generally get at local events. I had 12 or 13 auto-x laps, which again is more than I typically get (and I didn't have to work the course!), and I had 10 or 11 speed stop laps. I think that's pretty decent.

[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.