Driving Weather?

[thunderbox]

Ian, let me take a guess about your Avatar...LA Times Grand Prix, about 1967,68,69?

All these guys that answered you on your question, know huge amounts about why we run these events like we do....but, it's always good to ask questions.

Program May 29-31 1970. Regional and National Championship races. California Sports Car Club region of SCCA


I do understand what they are saying. I just don't have to agree 100%. I'm not obtuse to what happens on the track or the safety involved. One point I tried to say before was that people are going to drive their limits, wet or not. If, because of points (or any reason at all), they drive past their limits... They don't belong on the track, wet or dry, period.

The fairness of the event. I understand, I know that it could be 2 hours between runs for cars from the same class. I guess that there are people who don't believe in the luck of the draw and how it is really fair if that is how it always is. I don't believe it will become an "Arms race" but I do understand the tire and setup situation, this I feel could be the heart of the issue.

I am not trying to upset people (you'll know if I am) I am just trying to figure out why some things are done the way they are. If I don't think it is right or that the it just seems stale, I will question it and give my input.

That is all.

[ttweed]

If, because of points (or any reason at all), they drive past their limits... They don't belong on the track, wet or dry, period.

You do understand that an autox is an entry level performance driving event, no? Besides the over-competitive cowboys who might push just a little bit too hard, there will also be beginners there who have not yet even fully grasped the limits of their cars in the dry, much less the wet.

Even in club racing, there are people who will not put their cars on the track when it is wet, due to the risks involved. For professional racers, I would agree with your statement.

TT

[thunderbox]

If, because of points (or any reason at all), they drive past their limits... They don't belong on the track, wet or dry, period.

You do understand that an autox is an entry level performance driving event, no? Besides the over-competitive cowboys who might push just a little bit too hard, there will also be beginners there who have not yet even fully grasped the limits of their cars in the dry, much less the wet.

Even in club racing, there are people who will not put their cars on the track when it is wet, due to the risks involved. For professional racers, I would agree with your statement.

TT

Fair enough.

[944 boy]

You guys are complaining about rain? I'm ready to go do some ice racing around these parts! We had another inch of snow, but it did break 30 degrees (warm). So now I should stop reading these posts and getting very jealous about the temp.

[DamonL]

...pitch and catch, pitch and catch...

[Gary Burch]

If one does run in the rain, should you use dielectric grease for plug wires and other exposed connections. I am asking, because last time we ran in the rain I had a miss for weeks.

I have ridden with Dave a few times. All I can say is do a pre-run inspection. Make sure ALL the caps are tight.

[jenniferreinhardt]

Even with the threat of rain, which I will have to see to believe our Weather People , I heard we have 96 people pre-registered. That is one of the highest amounts I remember in a while. You guys and gals really got your act together and registered by the deadline. The new team is nice, but really will enforce the deadline and the extra fee. Good job everyone!

Make sure ALL the caps are tight.

How about the loose screws? Or were you talking about Dave's car?

[ttweed]

The forecast for Sat. has improved, marginally. The low pressure trough behind the current one appears to be advancing more slowly than anticipated, and may not arrive as early as previously thought. Instead of a deluge, NWS has this forecast for Sat. now: "SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON." Still a 70% chance of rain, but if we get lucky and the front slows down some more, it may not really pour until evening.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

TT

[elcap00]

You do understand that an autox is an entry level performance driving event, no? Besides the over-competitive cowboys who might push just a little bit too hard, there will also be beginners there who have not yet even fully grasped the limits of their cars in the dry, much less the wet.

Is the no points for the protection of an entry level driver who might wreck his car? Or is it mainly to protect the venue? I am all for protecting the venue---that being said I (personally) am against altering the event in order to protect a person from himself.

During the fires the cops put up barricades and stopped people from getting to their homes to check on their pets or property---the line the cops were saying was similar---"It's for your own protection!". I think individuals are capable of making their own decisions and they can live with the consequences.

Why not employ a rainy day schedule that only allows individuals with comp. licenses to run? I am sure that my opinion's will bolster the idea in some peoples minds that I am not a team player. I am very much a team player but, sometimes I feel that some ideas in this club are too geriatric. Please dont jump on me all at once---I really am just trying to express my ideas--that should be part of what this club is about.

[Dan Chambers]

You guys are complaining about rain? I'm ready to go do some ice racing around these parts! We had another inch of snow, but it did break 30 degrees (warm). So now I should stop reading these posts and getting very jealous about the temp.

Hi Greg S.(?) Question for you: If a 944 understeers or "plows" in San Diego, is it called "snow-plowing" in NY? (Oh come on ... someone had to do it!)

The forecast for Sat. has improved, marginally. The low pressure trough behind the current one appears to be advancing more slowly than anticipated, and may not arrive as early as previously thought. Instead of a deluge, NWS has this forecast for Sat. now: "SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE MORNING...THEN SHOWERS LIKELY IN THE AFTERNOON." Still a 70% chance of rain, but if we get lucky and the front slows down some more, it may not really pour until evening.

Keeping my fingers crossed...

TT

It appears no one is more informed about weather than a surfer who's retired, eh Tom? IMHO: If you really want to know what the weather will do, ask a surfer, recreational sailor, or fisherman.

Galloshes and slickers are in the 'boot' ....

[Jad]

Sounds good until the bad driver slides into you or your car , or the fire department has to stop saving other houses to rescue the idiots stuck in their house after crossing the barriers which were setup. Unfortunately, each persons decisions affect other people or I would totally agree with let them do what they want.

[Dan Chambers]

Is the no points for the protection of an entry level driver who might wreck his car? Or is it mainly to protect the venue? I am all for protecting the venue---that being said I (personally) am against altering the event in order to protect a person from himself.

Toby, I think there's also another factor the club/Region has to consider: the "perceived risk" as viewed by the City of San Diego, the Insurance guru at the National level, and others. They may not understand our competence at driving. All they hear is "Porsches competing at speed in a parking lot in the rain." To someone in a glass tower downtown, or in Atlanta, this may sound too risky. And since we have to work with people in glass towers who may or may not drive competitively and understand the nuances of skill we have to view our events in their eyes to keep our driving priviledges in a City owned parking lot.

During the fires the cops put up barricades and stopped people from getting to their homes to check on their pets or property---the line the cops were saying was similar---"It's for your own protection!". I think individuals are capable of making their own decisions and they can live with the consequences.

I think you present a good philisophical point here. Unfortunately, City officials and Insurance companies don't work under these philosophical paradigms. In a effort to mitigate risks, they seem to think more pragmatically, and actuarily.

Why not employ a rainy day schedule that only allows individuals with comp. licenses to run?

Actually we do. It's called Time Trials. If you qualify for Time Trials, you'll run Rain or Shine (Check with Jack Miller and Robert Baizer about the consistancy of that). Ask about the Speed Festival that took place in the rain. I'm not sure about other TT venues, but we ran in the rain at Fontana one year (although I personally wasn't there).

I am sure that my opinion's will bolster the idea in some peoples minds that I am not a team player. I am very much a team player but, sometimes I feel that some ideas in this club are too geriatric. Please dont jump on me all at once---I really am just trying to express my ideas--that should be part of what this club is about.

I would hope that all opinions are welcome. Yes, you may ruffle feathers from time to time (ask me how I know ), but for the most part, this is a club of fairly free-thinking individuals .... most of the time.

Hope that helps.

[ronaldtrotter]

Yeah Tom,

I am watching both NOAA and Weather Underground. Both seem to have as good a track record as any weather service can in SoCal. At least that's been my experience. They both feel we will have rain (70%)starting about 10 AM, how heavy is anyones guess. So we'll just wait and make a decision on Sat. morning. Then no matter what we decide the weather will go from there. Those of us who make the decision will either have made the right decision or be called chumps. That's why this club pays every committee member the big bucks.

I have to say I agree with all of you who think we should run. But, in my short time in the club I have seen some interesting events on dry pavement.(How's that for a PC statement) I don't want to be part of the team that lost the venue or have a car damaged.
Ron

[elcap00]

Dan-

to keep our driving priviledges in a City owned parking lot.

This is to keep the venue--I whole heartedly agree that we should manage the gatekeepers perceptions in order to keep the key to the gate. This did not seem to be at the heart of the other posts that I read.

City officials and Insurance companies don't work under these philosophical paradigms. In a effort to mitigate risks, they seem to think more pragmatically, and actuarily

The point I was trying to make is that any club or official volunteer should take great care not to issue subjective edicts on another person's safety. It seems to me that some individual's can get carried away creating rules under the banner of risk mitigation. Talking about making rules is Dull--Simple is better--

If you qualify for Time Trials

Most of my recent events have been Time Trials and I may run with POC at the Streets this Sunday. So--yes I am qualified and have my comp. license. I may not be the quickest guy--but, I am working on it.

You may ruffle feathers from time to time (ask me how I know

Other than K. "The Conquerer" and "Shipwreck"? Gee--I better press my shirt, shine my shoes and make sure that I nod my cap to all attendees on Saturday. Look--I am not trying to make enemies. I am just expressing my views. I would like to be friends with everyone. I dont think I have been anything but, curteous and friendly to everyone I have ever met in this club. Who has gotten their feathers ruffled? Pm me if you dont want to post it. Cant we all just get along--LOL

[Dan Chambers]

Toby:

Not to worry. You've been PM'ed.