Autocross numbers

[Bob Gagnon]

While watching the Parade Autocross, I noticed how efficient it is having all the cars with the same small simple numbers in exactly the same place on the car.

The numbers were smaller than required by our autocross rules but, since they were in a high contrast white and in exactly the same place on every car, it seemed easy to identify the cars.

I wonder if this would be something the rules committee should consider, particularly if the numbers were readily available at Kinko's or the like.

Personally, to eliminate the hassle of schlepping and attaching numbers the morning of an autocross, I would leave such discrete numbers in place and drive on the street with them. Actually, I noticed a Golf driving the other day with similar numbers on the quarter windows, so I wonder if other clubs are doing this already.

[Mike]

Hi Bob,
Sounds like a good idea for all the reasons you mentioned.
They looked sharp, couple issues to consider.

At parade during AX timing the smaller numbers presented two small (pun intended) issues.

Just before start we had a grid worker radio all car numbers to timing. The trailer was too far away to see the smaller numbers.
The trailer could be moved closer, but then the noise of all the cars in line and at the start would increase the ambient noise in the trailer.

Also the smaller numbers were difficult for corner workers to see. A corner would call in "Turn 5 Red Boxster one cone". If we were lucky Turn 6 would tell us the red boxster's number.

I say do it, if the timing trailer and corner workers can see them.

[bibbetson]

Please see this post in the Parade area.
http://forum.pcasdr.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2111

I agree that the numbers were nice and gave a classy look, but they were just way to small to be practical. They would need to be about double the size to really be usable.

The position on the cars worked great for coupes, but proved to be inconsistent on convertibles and 914's (windows up, down, etc). The drivers window just doesn't provide a consistent enough background to make them readable from a distance and/or angle. If they were large enough the issues I just mentioned wouldn't be a problem, except for our rule that the drivers window must be down.

[jenniferreinhardt]

I had 3 clean runs with no cones - I know I should have pushed harder but am not quite ready since switching cars. However, 2 of my runs later showed that I had hit cones. On those 2 runs, I had a white 911 right behind me. I know it was a corner worker error not seeing my number.

I have to edit this post now because I see they did add a cone to my fastest lap on the results page. Definitely in favor of keeping our regular numbers.

I also believe Christy Copeman had some cones mistakenly put on 2 of her fastest times. Without the cones, she would have been 1st in our class and I believe the fastest Lady of San Diego - along w/ Margie Smith Haas.

[Jackie C]

If I'm working corners, I wouldn't be able to see those numbers. Club racing requires numbers in the rear as well. That might be a viable solution to retaining the smaller size.
We have some of the best drivers in the country in our own club! I'm in awe of all our local friends who rocked in the AX. (Kim Crosser RULES) The volunteer effort from SDR just blew my mind. It would be interesting to somehow tally total club volunteer hours. We put on a pretty cool party. It was amazing having all those beautiful cars come to our backyard to play.

[harnishclan]

the parade AX was way cool, and I didn't even drive in it! From a corner worker perspective though the numbers were brutal for all of the above reasons. Our corner resorted to one person watching the cones and the other watching for a car number. And location was only partly consistent...

[mrondeau]

The numbers were way too difficult to see on the convertibles/boxsters/914's, etc. As the only one working corner 6 in the afternoon, it was difficult to watch everything and get the numbers as the cars went by.

[LUCKY DAVE]

I put HUGE numbers on my car with genuine Homeless Depo blue painter's tape. The corner workers never miss my (many) cones.
And it looks classy.

[Gary Burch]

I worked corners for the entire afternoon and if it weren't for the guy helping me, I wouldn't have had a clue which car was which. The numbers were WAY too small.