PCASDR Autocross 4/17/10

[JERRY B]

Today is last day to pre register

[Mmagus]

Jerry,

I am pre-registered already but I wanted to say thanks for the heads up...I missed it last time.

[gocart]

I'll be there with my spare muffler.

[pacman]

I'm a complete Newbie to AutoCross and ran 5 practice laps on April 17th with my instructor Kim Crosser. He was, by the way, absolutely super and improved my knowledge of my 1994 C4 Turbolook by at least 400%. I have a question about my experience there. I was not able to run the timed laps as I had to leave on an emergency. So, I show DNR (Did Not Run?), on the stats for the day. Will my practice participation count toward my progression in getting in the required (6, I believe), sessions in order to be able to run solo and/or move into DE's and such? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks, Pacman

[ttweed]

I'm a complete Newbie to AutoCross and ran 5 practice laps on April 17th with my instructor Kim Crosser. He was, by the way, absolutely super and improved my knowledge of my 1994 C4 Turbolook by at least 400%. I have a question about my experience there. I was not able to run the timed laps as I had to leave on an emergency. So, I show DNR (Did Not Run?), on the stats for the day. Will my practice participation count toward my progression in getting in the required (6, I believe), sessions in order to be able to run solo and/or move into DE's and such? Any info will be appreciated. Thanks, Pacman

I don't see any '94 C4 as a DNR in the posted results. What class were you running in? If it was your first autox, you should have been in one of the Novice classes, and the only DNR there was in a Boxster S, according to the results. If you ran in K, which is where a '94 964 C4 would run, I don't see any DNRs in the results.

If you were recorded as an entry in the computer, and received 1 point for showing up and running, even if you didn't have any timed runs, I think it will count as a day of experience for your history log. Everyone knows 5 laps w/ Kim is as good as 15 laps with some other instructors.

As far as how your progression in driving events goes, I suggest you start with reading the Z8 rulebook for Autox/DE/TT. It says:
To participate as a Novice in a Time Trial or DE, the entrant shall demonstrate that he/she has competed in at least eight (8) days of PCA Autocross or Drivers School type events, or their equivalent. This experience shall be accumulated over a period of at least 9 months, but not more than 18 months.
Not sure where you are getting the "6 days" number, but you may be confusing the number of days you are eligible to run Novice class at an autox, which is indeed 6. As far as running an autox event solo, there is no set procedure detailed in the rulebook for autox as there is for DE/TT. We used to have an informal threshold of 4 events with an instructor before running solo. I'm not sure if this is still a policy, but there is no doubt you could still benefit from instruction even beyond "graduating" from the Novice class at 6 events. If you started running solo after 4 events and were showing any signs of being erratic, out of control, or "lost" on course, the Event Chairs or CDIs might still strongly "suggest" that you have an instructor in the car.

YMMV,
TT

[mrondeau]

Not sure where you are getting the "6 days" number, but you may be confusing the number of days you are eligible to run Novice class at an autox, which is indeed 6. As far as running an autox event solo, there is no set procedure detailed in the rulebook for autox as there is for DE/TT. We used to have an informal threshold of 4 events with an instructor before running solo. I'm not sure if this is still a policy, but there is no doubt you could still benefit from instruction even beyond "graduating" from the Novice class at 6 events. If you started running solo after 4 events and were showing any signs of being erratic, out of control, or "lost" on course, the Event Chairs or CDIs might still strongly "suggest" that you have an instructor in the car.

YMMV,
TT

We still require a minimum of 4 AX events and/or demonstration of car control and adherence to all of our safety rules to drive solo. Drivers from other clubs or with previous experience can usually demonstrate that with a check out ride with one of our CDI's or instructors. As Tom says, you can benefit from using an instructor for much more than the minimum needed to drive solo. Many of our more experienced drivers and instructors will ask others to ride with them so that they can get a different viewpoint on how to take a corner or section of the track.

If you ran practice runs, but received a DNR for timed runs, the event still counts as 1 AX day and we do track them. I am assuming that you are Wayne and that you were in the C4S. If so, you were classed in *** incorrectly. You should be in KSS in your car. BTW, it is strongly suggested that you put your name or some sort of indicator in your signature so that we know who we're chatting with.

Keep on driving. Nothing improves a driver like seat time. Remember to have fun and keep an open mind and you'll learn more than you thought possible.

[ttweed]

I am assuming that you are Wayne and that you were in the C4S. If so, you were classed in *** incorrectly.

Good catch, Mark! I never would have thought to look in AS/S for a '94 C4S, but now that I check carefully, there it is! Good thing Wayne didn't get any timed runs in or the other fellow in the 914 might have had to protest to keep his first in class! Or maybe not--it was Wayne's first event after all...he might not have been able to beat a 94.48 as a newbie.

This is a reminder for everyone to check their posted class at the trailer before timed runs at every event to make sure you're listed correctly in the computer--stuff happens! Gremlins can mess with the data. You know what they say--"To err is human, but it takes a computer to really f@#k things up!"

TT

[Dan Chambers]

This is a reminder for everyone to check their posted class at the trailer before timed runs at every event to make sure you're listed correctly in the computer--stuff happens! Gremlins can mess with the data. You know what they say--"To err is human, but it takes a computer to really f@#k things up!"

TT

+1. Even though I only changed class and not car type, the listing of my car in results for car type is "unknown" instead 1983 911SC. I know some people don't know how I could be such a slow driver ... but that is an "unknown" of a different sort. As for the car type, it hasn't changed ... well, not on the outside anyways.

I'll remind reg next time about the car type error. I should have checked it before the end of practice sessions and before timed runs as Tom recommends.

[Mmagus]

I got hit with the car type error when I first brought Tuffy out. What I realized is that I had not changed my class on the motorsport reg page. Once I corrected that there were no more issues at the track.

[pacman]

Thanks to each of you for your responses. My name is Wayne Beachley, i.e. "Pacman", which is actually my grandson's nickname and the license on my car, which I bought for him, therefore "4 pacman". He's only 13 years old, so I get to drive the car until we determine he is ready to do so. I hope, in some ways, that he's a slow learner...that way I'll get more time. I couldn't agree more about the need for continual instruction. The time I had with Kim was exceptionally instructional. After I got over the initial shock and adrenaline rush as Kim took me through the first few laps in his Boxster, (something akin to one's experience at diving out of an airplane at two-hundred miles an hour without a parachute, I would guess), I was eventually able to compose myself and face getting behind my own wheel. During my first lap with Kim, while he's negotiating the first few corners - his hands flying like one of those guys in a booth trying to snatch all the currency notes he can in 30 seconds - he gently reached over and removed my left hand from his console, where, while searching for a handhold, I was managing to roll up his windows!!

I couldn't believe what my car was capable of and just that little time will certainly be of use on the road should I ever need to take any quick "defensive action". Clearly, the car is better than I am. You are right about my misclassification, which I wrote down as Novice 1 with a (K) in parenthesis following it. I do show in class *** (in my case that may not be an acronym - just a comment on my driving) and I wouldn't have beat out the guy who came 1st as my best time during practice, after an emphasis by Kim on "smoothness", was 95+ seconds. Also, my car is listed in the results as a C4S, which it is not. It's a 1994 C4 Factory Turbolook. My first and only other Porsche was a 1964 356 SC, which, of course, was a very different driving experience, with the emphasis on tossing the tail out with a lot of "sawing" of the wheel and throttle-steering.

In any event, the experience was really great, and I'm exceptionally appreciative of Kim's instruction and he is a great guy to talk with as well. One problem I had, which has to do with my build -- I'm 6'-1/2" tall with short legs and a long torso -- is that, with my helmet on, I have absolutely no headroom, unless I drop the backrest way, way, back and then I'm in a poor position with the wheel and with my feet. So, I ran somewhat leaned forward, head tipped forward, and, needless to say, a little discomforted and looking like a little old lady with her nose pressed against the steering wheel. Anyone got any ideas about this problem other than a different seat? I'd like to keep my car bone stock, as it is now. Does anyone make a "low profile" helmet...you know, one that might be flat on the top and make you look like Herman Munster? Thanks again to all of guys for responding. I really appreciate that. Wayne "Pacman" Beachley