PCA SDR

Here are today's Autocross results:

http://results.pcasdr.org/event_standings.php?time_format=0&database=&event_date=2014-03-29

and the BRI:http://results.pcasdr.org/event_bri_standings.php?time_format=0&database=&event_date=2014-03-29

I’m sure the next AX will be more enjoyable and will flow better!

Can, we please post the track maps before the event? Not as something to critique, but as a tool to help with things like tire placement.

As for a bit of constructive criticism which helps us improve…

1. I think it would be advisable to make sure the track is a better learning tool and not frustrating after a PDS with all the new students coming to their first AX.

2. In addition, this was a zone 8 event and we really ought to shine to represent our region. We had a lot of problems this AX.

3. Update and correct the BRI. The BRI is coveted by some people and we post results and pass the trophy off every event. At the last board meeting, it was mentioned that the BRI has not been adjusted or corrected since 2012 when we introduced the new CC and SS classes we are currently using. Even though it is only an estimate of driving performance anyway, I'm sure many people would appreciate it being updated since some gauge their driving results on this statistic. Perhaps we have an enthusiastic math gifted Member in the club willing to help get the BRI to at least a more accurate estimate?

jenniferreinhardt wrote:I’m sure the next AX will be more enjoyable and will flow better!

Can, we please post the track maps before the event? Not as something to critique, but as a tool to help with things like tire placement.

I didn't know that the track map had not been posted. I'll respond to any emails via ax@pcasdr.org pretty quickly (well except to all the spam).

jenniferreinhardt wrote:As for a bit of constructive criticism which helps us improve…

1. I think it would be advisable to make sure the track is a better learning tool and not frustrating after a PDS with all the new students coming to their first AX.

2. In addition, this was a zone 8 event and we really ought to shine to represent our region. We had a lot of problems this AX.

3. Update and correct the BRI. The BRI is coveted by some people and we post results and pass the trophy off every event. At the last board meeting, it was mentioned that the BRI has not been adjusted or corrected since 2012 when we introduced the new CC and SS classes we are currently using. Even though it is only an estimate of driving performance anyway, I'm sure many people would appreciate it being updated since some gauge their driving results on this statistic. Perhaps we have an enthusiastic math gifted Member in the club willing to help get the BRI to at least a more accurate estimate?

As far as #1 goes, the general feedback I experienced during the PDS was that there are a lot of fast new cars and that they are hard to unsettle. So I took that into account for this track, anticipating that we'd get a fair number of attendees from the PDS, and make the track similar to the PDS track in terms of tightness and speed. The last AX was made twisty to allow drivers to further calibrate their seat-of-pants sensor with their car. Hopefully the newer drivers did get a chance to pitch and catch (hairpin), maybe spin in semi-controlled fashion, study the line/track and choose which corners to give up for the benefit of another corner (sharp corner before the uphill straight), and the benefit of looking ahead. I'm open to suggestions for changes. The zigzag was removed based on feedback as it did detract from the course.

Having a track that is safe and fast is a fine line... and ramping up the speed is on the learning curve. Being a zone 8 event adds another constraint.

All that said, there's a few things I'd change if I did it again. Live and learn.

designing a track is tough, designing a good track even tougher. criticism is tougher still. but, the experience will lead to better things. flow is the most important element, tight is good when it fits and speed is always good, almost always. yesterdays track had some very good elements, I especially liked the corner before the sweeper into the slalom, just enough off camber to make it really hard.

I did not like the series of 180's, no flow, no rhythm, punitive.

also, a lot of unused space. an sdr zone 8 ax should kick ***, unfortunately this one did not...

jenniferreinhardt wrote:As for a bit of constructive criticism which helps us improve…
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3. Update and correct the BRI. The BRI is coveted by some people and we post results and pass the trophy off every event. At the last board meeting, it was mentioned that the BRI has not been adjusted or corrected since 2012 when we introduced the new CC and SS classes we are currently using. Even though it is only an estimate of driving performance anyway, I'm sure many people would appreciate it being updated since some gauge their driving results on this statistic. Perhaps we have an enthusiastic math gifted Member in the club willing to help get the BRI to at least a more accurate estimate?

The current BRI indices were last revised at the end of 2012 for the 2013 season, as the SS classes were rearranged/consolidated and the points ranges for the highest CC classes were broadened for 2013.

Adjustments to the BRI indices MUST be made prior to the beginning of the driving season (in January), as both the SDR and Zone 8 event organizers use these indices for most all events throughout the season. We did not receive any requests to revise them for 2014.

If you have any thoughts/proposals for 2015, please send them to rules@zone8.org.

Just a quick comment from a noobie graduate of the PDS in one of those (relatively) hot new cars... I had a blast!

I thought the course was tough, but figuring it out (and staying on it) was an enjoyable challenge... and after the (non-timed) experience of the PDS, watching cars with similar performance envelopes make it around 4-10 seconds (!) faster than me was humbling and inspiring... I cleared my calendar for the next event and am looking forward to learning a lot.

Cheers to everyone who had a hand in making the event happen!
Charles

I hang around with the PCA-OCR folks and this is my first time running with PCA-SDR.

Yes there are some problems with this track (too narrow/technical forcing everyone to drive the same line and why those series of 180's.) and issues with the timer. But the track had some good challenging elements causing me to spun at corner 3 and went off track after the slalom forcing me to adjust my driving. The timer worked out eventually.

At the end of the day it was awesome and I had so much fun. I really appreciate the great job you did running the event and the hospitality. I definitely will grab a few OCR members and head down to PCA-SDR again.

Here is the video of my final time run https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSBeD5NGLcA

Cheers,
Q

This layout might not have been everyone's favorite (it wasn't mine) but there is a truism in racing - "the track is the same for everybody" - meaning no one had an advantage over any one else.
Except of course, the advantage some drivers have over others due to more skill/seat time etc. A tight, difficult, track with a lumpy rythm suggesting it might have been laid out by a person with one leg longer than the other is hard to drive well, meaning it is excellent training, improving all who compete on it. Sorta like real roads.
Also to be fair to the track designer, it must be pointed out that the surface is falling apart so badly in so many places that it is impossible to lay out the track you want. When I need to move a track section for safety it can be a real head-scratcher to find some crappy pavement nearby that might hold up for the day. Nice pavement is a thing of the past.

I think there were not just problems with the track.

The 2nd 1/4 and the last 1/4 of the track were ok, but the rest was not fun or rewarding for the driver. The 180 turns were just frustrating. There was nothing to learn other than how to coast There is no coasting in racing

To be fair with the early timing problems, it was partially due to corner workers not paying attention, as there was a cone laying between the finish lights which I removed. This was triggering finishes and screwed up the timing. I observed too much chatter between corner workers and not picking up cones. At one point two cars went off track in front of us, but nobody was waving the yellow flag.
Also the hotlaps, (which need to be replaced), need to be pointing at the window height of the cars, not at the wheels. That is why the in-car timers didn't work. Also whoever set the timing up, needs to avoid pointing the hotlap IR beam into the wireless (white boxes) timing system, as it can interfere.

I am not sure what happened with the later timing issues.

One other thing, pit lane speed is not 5mph, it is more like a safe 10mph and keep up with the cars in front of you to prevent grid back up. Pull out of the grid if you need to make adjustments or talk with somebody or take a nap .

+1 for the frustrating 180's (I was 3 for 3 in cone killing!)
And now for a issue of earth shaking importance-can we get more trash cans next time ? One dumpster mid row for 120 drivers...

I thought I had a bad day

JO

LUCKY DAVE wrote:This layout might not have been everyone's favorite (it wasn't mine) but there is a truism in racing - "the track is the same for everybody" - meaning no one had an advantage over any one else.
Except of course, the advantage some drivers have over others due to more skill/seat time etc. A tight, difficult, track with a lumpy rythm suggesting it might have been laid out by a person with one leg longer than the other is hard to drive well, meaning it is excellent training, improving all who compete on it. Sorta like real roads.
Also to be fair to the track designer, it must be pointed out that the surface is falling apart so badly in so many places that it is impossible to lay out the track you want. When I need to move a track section for safety it can be a real head-scratcher to find some crappy pavement nearby that might hold up for the day. Nice pavement is a thing of the past.

Great points Dave. The Q's pavement is horrific in so many locations. If anyone thinks a map can be printed from a computer then just transposed down on that parking lot is clueless and needs to show up at 0500 and be enlightened with Jerry and Rodney's efforts.

IMHO I think it is an impossibility for a track to be perfect for every car type. Wide open layouts are great for high powered cars but can be boring for lower powered vehicles. Tight technical tracks can be frustrating for some but a challenge for others. This is an AX not Laguna Seca.


Jerry & Rodney's thinking of a technical tight slow track right after a HPDE was spot on for so many newbies joining us for the 1st time.

martinreinhardt wrote:I think there were not just problems with the track.

The 2nd 1/4 and the last 1/4 of the track were ok, but the rest was not fun or rewarding for the driver. The 180 turns were just frustrating. There was nothing to learn other than how to coast There is no coasting in racing

To be fair with the early timing problems, it was partially due to corner workers not paying attention, as there was a cone laying between the finish lights which I removed. This was triggering finishes and screwed up the timing. I observed too much chatter between corner workers and not picking up cones. At one point two cars went off track in front of us, but nobody was waving the yellow flag.
Also the hotlaps, (which need to be replaced), need to be pointing at the window height of the cars, not at the wheels. That is why the in-car timers didn't work. Also whoever set the timing up, needs to avoid pointing the hotlap IR beam into the wireless (white boxes) timing system, as it can interfere.

I am not sure what happened with the later timing issues.

One other thing, pit lane speed is not 5mph, it is more like a safe 10mph and keep up with the cars in front of you to prevent grid back up. Pull out of the grid if you need to make adjustments or talk with somebody or take a nap .

My wife was in the trailer and she told me the computers went down twice, software glitches. Another Timing issue for the trailer was viewing the car numbers. Some cars had numbers located on fenders that are only viewable from the sky others had blue tape on blue cars ect....

The hot laps issue was my fault and I apologize. I tried to find someone to assist in the set up since it was my 1st time but no one knew how. Maybe next time you can double check after your finished volunteering at tech? I too suffered with no hot lap data, I never knew any of my practice lap times until my 1st of 3 timed laps in the afternoon. Sorry again