Oh yeah...

[martinreinhardt]

Point taken. I was in the timing trailer during timing, so maybe I was chatting or something while it was announced.

[jenniferreinhardt]

I spoke w/ several people who felt even though they tried to cruise around the first of 2 practice laps, they felt their tires overheated and each subsequent run time was worse. We also had some people spinning who usually don't. Maybe that was just because of the track layout. An extra practice lap at timed runs ought to be more interesting on the West lot.

Anyway, if the AX chairs decide to add extra practice laps at the timed runs, we'll have to figure out a way to logistically place cars near the grid for the people to wait who don't want that extra lap. Something to think about if it happens again.

[LUCKY DAVE]

I spoke w/ several people who felt even though they tried to cruise around the first of 2 practice laps, they felt their tires overheated and each subsequent run time was worse.

That certainly happened to me.
I too tried to just cruise around, but showing even less self control than usual. I put too much heat into the tires, and was slow as a dog in timed runs.
Nobody's fault but mine, I know better.
However, Jennifer brings up a valid point. If we adjust pressure planning on one warm up lap, we may not have the temperature/pressure we ideally want for timed laps. The "just cruise around" alternative has the undesireable side effect of "practicing slow" and most experienced racers will tell you you're going to race the way you practice.
Why not just add laps in regular practice? We all want more seat time.
6/6/4? 10/10/4? 23/23/4? As much a daylight allows......

[Bill Behun]

Dang - I got faster each lap during timed runs. The 2 practice runs helped - but then again I'm on 200 rated street tires. Maybe I need to bring a hair dryer and heat my tires up before timed runs!

We AX chairs will be discussing this next week but it looks like our goal is to try to get something like 5-5-4, 5-6-4? But always 4 for the times runs due to the hot tire issues folks have mentioned and possibility of timing equipment issues, etc. Also, since timing sessions take longer, the 5-5-4 format means everyone is out there corner working about the same amount of time.

In the past there have been 15 to 20 seconds between car send offs (shich mean they are probably 15-30 seconds). The last 2 autocrosses the practice session send offs have been reduced some 10-12 = 12-15 seconds actual? The shorter send off being when a slower car is behind a faster car at the start line. As we've all now seen, this has enabled us to get in more practice laps. Last saturday's was a bit of a suprise to us at how many we were able to fit in. We couldn't beleive how fast it was going. We were so ahead of schedule we made the times session 5 laps too (there was even a suggestion to make it 6 and we could have made it I think but that's not the session for 6 laps as being discussed in this thread.

Yikes, back to work!
Bill

[Amail]

Bill

During practice runs I'd send people 12-15 seconds apart unless it was obvious that I would stack up a fast car behind a slow car. I tried to keep the pace quick - 80 cars x (10 practice runs + 2 pre-timed runs) = 960 runs. Lop off 8 seconds between runs, and you're talking about 128 minutes saved over the course of the day. Since the January event when we ran out of time, I feel compelled to make sure we maintain a quick pace.

[martinreinhardt]

I will definitely put the wing back on my car, so I look faster at the start

As for extra laps, another way is what SCCA Solo2 does (or at least did when I was running with them). Run the event normal 4/4/4 and then if time permits after the timed runs allow extra fun runs at $1/lap or something like that.

[Amail]

...and we're full circle

[jenniferreinhardt]

Bill, you are on it! Thanks for all the thought and effort you all put into the AXs - can't wait for the next themed map

Andy, Sometimes at the beginning/end of the year we run a little slow with everyone adjusting and learning our volunteer jobs. I think that was why the Jan AX was a little slower than usual.

[Amail]

Jennifer

I meant no disrespect to the folks running the A/X, and I hope my tone wasn't taken that way. It is a monumental task, and you're all doing a heck of a job! Like everything new, there's a learning curve and things take a little longer until you're in the groove. I'm happy to do whatever I can to help in that respect.

I meant to point out how a few seconds saved between each run adds up, and gives us a time buffer that might be useful if something goes wrong. If nothing goes wrong, so much the better!

[jenniferreinhardt]

No problem Andy, it is all a group effort and we can use ideas like yours to improve and make it all go smoother!

Oh yeah... See you all at the next AX !!!

[Kim Crosser]

As for extra laps, another way is what SCCA Solo2 does (or at least did when I was running with them). Run the event normal 4/4/4 and then if time permits after the timed runs allow extra fun runs at $1/lap or something like that.

Martin - We really appreciate your volunteering to Corner Work after the timed runs and help pack up after everyone else has gone home!

[martinreinhardt]

As for extra laps, another way is what SCCA Solo2 does (or at least did when I was running with them). Run the event normal 4/4/4 and then if time permits after the timed runs allow extra fun runs at $1/lap or something like that.

Martin - We really appreciate your volunteering to Corner Work after the timed runs and help pack up after everyone else has gone home!

Funny and good point, well I don't want the extra laps.