sytyguy
Moderated User
Re: Autocrossing at Nats 11
Okay, to give a brief overview of the event, I'll summarize a typical AutoX for those who maybe haven't attended one.
- Registration - This will likely be merged in with event registration.
- Tech Inspection -Our tech will be very laid back (most likely conducted by me, Dobrick, Jeff, whomever), but we want to make sure that your truck is safe (for you and for us) before hitting the course. We'll conduct a visual inspection of safety concerns, looking for obvious things (oil leaks, dry rotted tires, loose suspension items, battery not bolted down, etc....) and also confirm that your truck meets the class you're registered for. Class adjustments for over/underclassed trucks will be made at this time.
- Drivers Meeting - We'll discuss cone penalties, safety concerns, classes, etc.... Any questions you have can be asked at this time. You'll also get your heat/work assignments (more on that below).
- Course Walk - We'll set aside a period of time for you to walk (yes, physically) the course and get a feel for it. This time can be more valuable than seat time in some instances, so use it wisely. Observe braking zones, corner exit widths, etc.... I saw a guy once roll around in an office chair to simulate driving height.....do what works for you.
- Grid/Run (Heat 1) - The first heat will be called to grid (incl all classes in that heat). Your truck will remain in grid throughout the first heat, but you can come and go as you please. Listen out for class announcements, as you'll need to be ready when called. As your class is called, go ahead and make sure you have everything in order (helmet, truck cranks, etc...). The Grid man will motion for you to pull forward and the Cue man will call you to the starting line (this is a lot like street drag racing staging). Once the truck ahead of you is a safe distance into the course (usually half way depending on layout and class), the Cue man will flag you, but the clock won't start until you launch.....if too much time is taken, you be asked to pull to the back of the current class heat. Once your run is complete, pull back into your assigned parking spot in grid and go collect your timeslip. All remains the same for all of your runs.
- Work (Heat 1) - If you're slotted to run in the second heat of the day, then you'll be required to work for Heat 1. Working assignments will be given out at the driver's meeting. While the first Heat is running, you'll be assigned an area of the course to monitor and collect. If a driver strikes a cone you'll grab the cone and wave it above your head (we don't have enough 2-way radios for everybody) towards the judge. A cone is demed a penalty if it is knocked over or is knocked outside of it's chalk boundary but is still standing. If any part of the cone is inside the boundary and it's still standing then it is NOT a penalty....simply reposition it. Also, directional cones are never penalized. It's normal practice for a worker to not sit while working (so you can be ready to move quickly), but we'll discuss this at the drivers meeting.
- Break - Lunch, restroom break, stretch, bare knuckle brawl, Civil War reenactment.....whatever you need to do before you run/work....do it then.
- Grid/Run (Heat 2) - Same as before.
- Work (Heat 2) - Same as before.
- Cleanup - We put the cones down....we gotta pick 'em up.
- Awards/Results - Will most likely be grouped with the overall awards.
If you have any questions, please ask 'em here. You wanna get everything in order to run before driving 1500 miles to the event. Don't leave questions for the drivers meeting.....find out the answers now. Also, if you've never AutoX'd before or haven't done it in ages, browse the following guides to help you get everything in order:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm
http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html
http://everything2.com/e2node/Surviving%2520Your%2520First%2520Autocross
I'll post more once we've hashed out some details.
Okay, to give a brief overview of the event, I'll summarize a typical AutoX for those who maybe haven't attended one.
- Registration - This will likely be merged in with event registration.
- Tech Inspection -Our tech will be very laid back (most likely conducted by me, Dobrick, Jeff, whomever), but we want to make sure that your truck is safe (for you and for us) before hitting the course. We'll conduct a visual inspection of safety concerns, looking for obvious things (oil leaks, dry rotted tires, loose suspension items, battery not bolted down, etc....) and also confirm that your truck meets the class you're registered for. Class adjustments for over/underclassed trucks will be made at this time.
- Drivers Meeting - We'll discuss cone penalties, safety concerns, classes, etc.... Any questions you have can be asked at this time. You'll also get your heat/work assignments (more on that below).
- Course Walk - We'll set aside a period of time for you to walk (yes, physically) the course and get a feel for it. This time can be more valuable than seat time in some instances, so use it wisely. Observe braking zones, corner exit widths, etc.... I saw a guy once roll around in an office chair to simulate driving height.....do what works for you.
- Grid/Run (Heat 1) - The first heat will be called to grid (incl all classes in that heat). Your truck will remain in grid throughout the first heat, but you can come and go as you please. Listen out for class announcements, as you'll need to be ready when called. As your class is called, go ahead and make sure you have everything in order (helmet, truck cranks, etc...). The Grid man will motion for you to pull forward and the Cue man will call you to the starting line (this is a lot like street drag racing staging). Once the truck ahead of you is a safe distance into the course (usually half way depending on layout and class), the Cue man will flag you, but the clock won't start until you launch.....if too much time is taken, you be asked to pull to the back of the current class heat. Once your run is complete, pull back into your assigned parking spot in grid and go collect your timeslip. All remains the same for all of your runs.
- Work (Heat 1) - If you're slotted to run in the second heat of the day, then you'll be required to work for Heat 1. Working assignments will be given out at the driver's meeting. While the first Heat is running, you'll be assigned an area of the course to monitor and collect. If a driver strikes a cone you'll grab the cone and wave it above your head (we don't have enough 2-way radios for everybody) towards the judge. A cone is demed a penalty if it is knocked over or is knocked outside of it's chalk boundary but is still standing. If any part of the cone is inside the boundary and it's still standing then it is NOT a penalty....simply reposition it. Also, directional cones are never penalized. It's normal practice for a worker to not sit while working (so you can be ready to move quickly), but we'll discuss this at the drivers meeting.
- Break - Lunch, restroom break, stretch, bare knuckle brawl, Civil War reenactment.....whatever you need to do before you run/work....do it then.
- Grid/Run (Heat 2) - Same as before.
- Work (Heat 2) - Same as before.
- Cleanup - We put the cones down....we gotta pick 'em up.
- Awards/Results - Will most likely be grouped with the overall awards.
If you have any questions, please ask 'em here. You wanna get everything in order to run before driving 1500 miles to the event. Don't leave questions for the drivers meeting.....find out the answers now. Also, if you've never AutoX'd before or haven't done it in ages, browse the following guides to help you get everything in order:
http://www.tirerack.com/features/solo2/handbook.htm
http://www.soloracer.com/autoxguide.html
http://everything2.com/e2node/Surviving%2520Your%2520First%2520Autocross
I'll post more once we've hashed out some details.
Tough to do this if there are a lot of trucks, though.
