Okay, guys. Some
friendly responses.
MikeD wrote:
"Not to sound jaded, and I realize that I have not participated in a lot of AXes this year, but the last 3 events I've worked the morning crew I have ALSO had to cornerwork. So the rational mind says what is the point of getting up 2 hours earlier than everyone else? There doesn't seem to be one."
Mike, the on-board policy is, if you arrive in the morning and help, you're supposed to be absolved of cornerworking. If this doesn't happen, find an AX Chair and let him/her know you worked mornings.

There's a good possibility you should not have to work corners.

Now, having said that, if you're in a run group (ah, Red run group always comes to mind

) that is low in drivers, you might be "stuck" working both mornings and cornerworking

...... unless you have the foresight to realize that you're in a small run group.

If you check the board for run group numbers, or check with the cornerworker chair prior to your assigned cornerworking duties, you might consider driving in white or orange, which typically have hugh numbers, and some drivers are excused from working corners because there are more drivers than corners

(typically I run in white ..... and I will
ALWAYS run in white regardless of my times, because it has a very high number of drivers, and my chances of being excused from cornerworking, if I worked in the morning set-up, are very very good.

) Now, I know some of you might "hurumph!"

at the notion of not running in the coveted Red run group.

But, consider Orange or White run groups ..... with a high number of Instructors (sooths the ego a bit

) and high volume of drivers.

In fact, looking at Green, and Yellow run groups, there's plenty of room. Since you're running individual laps, and not 'wheel to wheel,' what difference will it make in your times if a 914, or 944 (

AAHHH!!!

) is in front of you? Just a thought.
Dan A wrote:
"Students aren't seeing the 'track', their watching a corner, maybe a single corner, this gives you little knowledge on what its like from inside the car. Also the new people won't really be able to know who is taking it right or not, and watching 10 cars go through you could see 10 different approaches. Also the student doesn't get to pick the corner they are having trouble with, So I don't really buy any part of that argument. "
Well Dan, a good Instructor will take their student out to a corner and say: "watch this car.... turns in early..... brakes late....... doesn't have any track-out....... on the throttle very late. Not good. Now, watch this next car........ approach is way outside........brakes in a straight line...... brakes clean, and early to settle the car..... off the brakes and turns in smooth while gently applying throttle.... and look at the clean track-out. Very nicely done." So, your right, Dan A. The student may not know what is right or wrong; that's where the Instructor comes in. It's your (and my) job to make sure the student sees the difference in driving. In terms of picking a corner, the student can ask the Instructor, who then may ask the Cornerworkers Chair to work a particular corner. Jad, Ralph, and Keith did this for me every time I went out with them to corner work. For two years. It can happen. It did happen. I did in fact pick my most troublesome corner. If your don't buy the argument, it may have more to do with not wanting to work the corners than understand the principle of cornerworking as an instruction tool.
Dan A also wrote:
"I also don't agree with your isolationism issue, during the event myself and others all make a trip around the pits to say hi and check out all the cars. Without having to cornerwork there would also be additional time for this."
As a veteran driver, you are more likely to travel through the pits and visit old friends and their cars. As a new driver (and remember, most participants are newer drivers .... some are first-timers), you might find yourself sitting in your pit area all day, not knowing enough people or being too intimidated to reach out. Cornerworking, especially for new or first-time participants, is a great ice-breaker. When you think of Autocrossing..... put yourself in the shoes of a brand-new driver, not a veteran of many, many years. Your second point about having more time to socialize in the pits if not cornerworking is valid. I agree 100%. However, a job is a job... and the job comes first. That's how 145 drivers can get through a day with 10 to 12 laps for each driver. Work, not whining.
Finally, Curt A. wrote:
"Then, we threw them in the river and if they drowned, they were innocent. If they didn't drown, it proved they were guilty and then we burned them at the stake. A "tradition" like this can't possibly be improved upon, can it?"
So, Curt, can you swim?

Your argument about tradition is baseless ..... which is why I like it

.
One last thought: Autocrosses are about more than just driving. They're about the whole process. By cornerworking, every person is an integral part of the whole process, not just a jockey out to show everyone how good they are at driving. Time Trials and Club Racing afford an opportunity to strut, brag, crow, and generally show how
infinitely awesome they are as a driver, and you
pay for it. Autocrosses are more akin to a good ol' fashion barn raising. Low cost, bring your own tools, and be a part of the whole process. One big happy community.
Okay, so there's enough to chew on for the Holidays.
Happy Holidays to Everyone, and Much Respect!