Zone 7 Vs. Zone 8 test

[rshon]

Some brief statistics about the Ladies Classes:

So far this year, 7 females have participated in Autocrosses in "L" classes. Of that 7, 5 were the only persons to run in that class so far this year. Also, 3 of them ran only one event (so far) this year. Of the rest, 1 ran in all 5 events, 1 ran in 4 events, 1 ran in 3 events, and 1 ran in 2 events. The average number of "L" participants per event this year has been 3.4 (the maximum was 4, the minimum was 2).

In 2009, 9 females participated in Autocrosses in "L" classes. Of that 9, 4 were the only persons to run in that class all year. Also, 4 of them ran only one event in 2009 (one of them went on to particpate in the regular class with the men). Of the rest, 2 ran in 7 events,1 ran in 5 events, and 2 ran in 2 events. The average number of "L" participants per event in 2009 was 1.8 (the maximum was 4, the minimum was 1).

Conclusion:
While having "L" classes doesn't reduce the number of classes we have, we're only talking about 2-4 gals running in an "L" class at any given autocross, so eliminating the "L" classes doesn't really help with class consolidation that much.

However, I DO think if you've been autocrossing for, say, 4 years, and have approximately (oh I don't know) 30+ AX's, you should run with the boys and teach some of them a lesson .

p.s. Jennifer/Martin, where did your Boxster go?

[mrondeau]

...If it helps get some new volunteers to tackle the problem, maybe it will even do the job in the end.

To blindly adopt another region's rules in total is just as much of a folly as continuing with what we have now, IMHO. The fact that the Zone 7 rules discourage installation of safety equipment is the kind of change in philosophy that we really should consider before adopting. The fact that people will be encouraged to run tires on smaller than optimal rims is another "implicit" philosophical change created by their rules. "Obsoleting" investments people have made in developing their cars is a negative, in my view. The fact that early modified cars are discouraged in favor of later stock models is opposed to my personal preferences and previous enjoyment of the P-car world, but that is idiosyncratic and less relevant (although there are others like me who may find it discouraging also, I'm sure). I could go on, but you get the drift. I don't want to sound like a broken record, or get the "whine and cheese" treatment from Mark.

TT

Tom, I think the most obvious point to come out of this, and the other rules thread, is that there seems to be a need to address the current rules situation. Whether we revamp our rules, adopt Zone 7's rules, come up with a new system, or some combination of all of these, we do need to address it. I would gladly volunteer to be part of that committee.

Now, if someone would pass me the bottle of Zinfandel and that cheese board, I can go back to making my Jackie C voodoo doll. I'm using the patented Jad Duncan voodoo doll as a template.

[Don Middleton]

Some brief statistics about the Ladies Classes:

So far this year, 7 females have participated in Autocrosses in "L" classes. Of that 7, 5 were the only persons to run in that class so far this year. Also, 3 of them ran only one event (so far) this year. Of the rest, 1 ran in all 5 events, 1 ran in 4 events, 1 ran in 3 events, and 1 ran in 2 events. The average number of "L" participants per event this year has been 3.4 (the maximum was 4, the minimum was 2).

In 2009, 9 females participated in Autocrosses in "L" classes. Of that 9, 4 were the only persons to run in that class all year. Also, 4 of them ran only one event in 2009 (one of them went on to particpate in the regular class with the men). Of the rest, 2 ran in 7 events,1 ran in 5 events, and 2 ran in 2 events. The average number of "L" participants per event in 2009 was 1.8 (the maximum was 4, the minimum was 1).

Russell, my conclusion is that you have too much time on your hands. I think Tom Brown is looking for guys like you.

[martinreinhardt]

p.s. Jennifer/Martin, where did your Boxster go?

Russell, you will see the Boxster on Sunday as I sold it to local PCA members.

[rshon]

Russell, my conclusion is that you have too much time on your hands. I think Tom Brown is looking for guys like you.

O.K. ... but he can't tell anyone ... because I don't want everyone to hate me the way they will hate Mark...

[Aavitt]

Hi Russell,
I think I only counted 6 ladies so far this year participating in the "L" class for AX . And I did not know about the rules, that if there is only 1 person in the class no Trophy. So I looked at the Zone 8 rules and it does say that, however, the AX Chair can ultimately decide to give an award to a 1-person class. JERRY Bumpus you are the BEST AX CHAIR we have ever had! YOU TOO DON AND ANDY I looked back to 07 and 08 and I participated in IP for AX. Acutally earned 1st place Trophy's both years by winning the points race. Last year, 09 was the first year I drove in JPL and there were two of us in the class. Karin Schuessler and I. So now I am hoping that Michelle Hill will switchover to RSL (currently in RSSL) because she keeps telling me she is going to go with a sticky tire soon. HOWEVER, YOU ARE RIGHT AFTER 4 YEARS AND 30+ AX'S it is time to run with the big boys now. Maybe I do need to step down off the L class bandwagon.

[Aavitt]

No your are right Russell it is 7.

[mrondeau]

Russell, my conclusion is that you have too much time on your hands. I think Tom Brown is looking for guys like you.

O.K. ... but he can't tell anyone ... because I don't want everyone to hate me the way they will hate Mark...

It's ok Russell, I can handle it. I work with contractors all day.

[Don Middleton]

...JERRY Bumpus you are the BEST AX CHAIR we have ever had! YOU TOO DON AND ANDY...

Angela, what's this about?

Jerry, in a continuing effort of passing along the knowledged gained, we (Bill, John and I) learned to be very leary of "L" class drivers

[hmeeder]

OK, we'll throw our car into the mix in order to get some more empirical data.

In the 10JREEN's current configuration (we are currently running a bone stock 2.0 liter powerplant. Losing a third of your power completely changes how you drive!)

Go ahead and use Sean and my time's to build your data. Currently we would be running AI in Zone 8 (though we will continue in AM for points accumulation reasons and there's nobody running AI anymore.)

Car Model: 914/2.0 1973-1974
Base Points: (TT)150.00, (AX)200.00
Modification Points: (TT)450.00, (AX)540.00
Total Points: (TT)600.00, (AX)740.00
Car Class: TT9, AX6

Our former configuration would have put us in AX3 in Z7

[JERRY B]

YES, Don I think they want something

[Speedy]

Not ALL ladies walk away with a deserved trophy. Simply because there was never ANY competition and that they didn't really participate in a majority of the events... There are a quite a few that do though...
Angela~ nice touch with the AX team, you might want to buy them some shirts, this could help you get that trophy!
Just kidding...
Seriously- Angela you are a deserving lady, you run in all of the events. However, I hope to see you step away after this year and run with those guys.
As for Marie, I say you help us find a sponsor- because that is a great idea! And when you do, convince that company to make you PINK cones- Ahhhhhhh, now there's a thought!

[Aavitt]

Angela, what's this about?

I am just expressing my graditude for a job well done this year to Jerry, Don and Andy. Of course Bill, Don and John also did a fantasic job last year. I truly appreciate all your early am hours setting up those challenging tracks. (especially last month"s, did I mention I really liked that one?)

what about the award for having the most pink in ladies class, I'm working on that! LOL

I wish I could put some pink decals on my GT3, guess I could get some pink numbers made. Mike couldnt object to that. Marie you need to carry the torch for Ladies class, I may have to drop my L next year. I am conflicted.

[Speedy]

Katina, I think the guys would be upset with pink trophies, LOL! Maybe if we keep ladies class we could have just ladies class pink? ha ha I had every intention of attending every AX this year, and then I met Ryan! But I have just as much fun attending track stuff with him than I do driving. I've only missed June's, and will probably miss August too, but plan on attending the others, we'll see.

What are we talking ball park for trophy costs annually?

Angela, I will carry the torch for the big L!

Hummmm..., the cost for trophies and little cones- you'd have to ask the AX Team. I believe Ron Trotter found the cones and Bill Behun found us the trophies for AX. (Both of these guys are former AX Chairs so they should know, oh and Bill is now our treasurer!

Anyhow, there are quite few trophies that need to be given. So you really need to beg for sponsorship.

P.s. Tell the guys you want a trophy, missing 2 isn't that big of a deal is it? Maybe Ryan can write you an excuse note that provides documentation that you were in fact at another track!

: ) Katina "Speedy" Rondeau

[MTrotter]

What the heck?