Lessons from other regions/sponsors?

[Phokaioglaukos]

Here is an attempt at a summary of this thread, so far:

1. Issue windshield stickers at drivers meeting to confirm at pit out that the driver attended. Potomac does this and we tried it at SP last weekend. Mike saild compliance was good, but there was not much control at pit out for that event so are we sure? Maybe I just like lots of stickers, but I think I like this. [/*]
   
2. Sending next group out as soon as track is clear, even though some of the cars pitting in need to wait on the grid. We tried this at SP last weekend, it seemed to me, and I think it gave us a bit more track time. At WGI I think the next group can go out as soon as the last driver of the current group enters the boot, but others should confirm of correct that. More time on track is good. [/*]
   
3. Run first lap of the first session each day under yellow. Lots of good reasons in the thread not to bother with this, but it's only one lap of only one session. I do not feel strongly. [/*]
   
4. No cones. I think the consensus of the group at SP last weekend was to have cones on the first day of an event and take them up for later days. [/*]
   
5. Grid tech the night before. Nobody likes this idea--just more work. We did have more tech lines at SP and there seemed to be very little waiting. [/*]
   
6. Providing numbers in registration packet. No support for this idea. [/*]
   
7. Big track maps to assist classroom talks. Tony suggested and several others thought it a great idea. Steve, are there funds for this? [/*]
   
8. Solo driver events and student-only events. Both ideas have support. For me, the Pocono events are excellent candidates for this. There is already an instructor training/solo only day for the spring Pocono event. I'd go further and make one of the other days student only. I would like to drive Pocono with lots of track time and advanced groups only, but I'm not much inclined to attend regular DEs at Pocono again. [/*]
   
9. Parade laps for new drivers at the beginning of an event. Nice for new folks to see the track, but it would take time from the Green group. I would not think it necessary, particularly as the the very new drivers have an instructor to drive their cars the first couple of laps. [/*]
   
10. No brakes drill. I've done this at motorcycle school, and it's very useful. Maybe we could try it at a spring event. It seemed to have some support among the posters to this thread. [/*]
    
11. Track videos as part of classroom training. This seems to be a great idea. One of us could certainly provide a video projector and at least SP and WGI have rooms in which video can be projected. Let's try for this next year! [/*]
    
12. On-line registration. It's coming, I hope. Many clubs use some free software to do this and also take credit cards.[/*]

What did I miss, and what do you think?

 

[Tony356993]

Chris,

That summary sounds accurate. I agree on all parts.

I do think a 5 minute parade lap or two with newbies could be run before 9am and would not cut into any open track time.

I feel your pain w/ Pocono. What do you think about running the north course counter clockwise on the advanced days? We did it a few years ago and it is a pretty fun track.

[bobt993]

Tony,  North Course backwards was fun, but not for everyone.  If you remember we had a number of cars tag the Jersey barrier at the turn-in off Nascar turn.  If it rains, it will only multiply.   Hey, how was the Mini in the rain?  My car kept me busy on heat cycled Hoosiers in the rain. 

 

[Brian Minkin]

I am in agreement with Tony that the North course backwards is a lot of fun.  We have also run Jefferson in both directions and if my memory serves me right the south course at Pocono as well.  I do not believe there is a safety issue with running these courses in the oposite direction. I would expect advanced drivers to step it down a notch on a course they are not familiar with and not drive over their heads. This is DE not a race and there is no prize for wadding up your car. 

As a side note I spun at summit in the rain and called it quits.  Kept the car on the pavement but thought it was best to end the season at that point and take the car home in one piece. 

[Tony356993]

Hey, how was the Mini in the rain? 

Bob,

The Mini did quite well actually. The front wheel drive, street tires, stock soft suspension & stock brakes were a huge change from the beast. I thought that the Mini actually helped me try and carry more momentum through the turns and not rely on my right foot to fix all woes.   

It was a shame the motor finally said enough because Sharon was driving her best event ever and I was really carrying some speed with the red group. That Honda was a little more challenging to pass than I thought. Boy, Todd can really drive.

 If you remember we had a number of cars tag the Jersey barrier at the turn-in off Nascar turn

I remember one incident (and Brian really does) but I think as stated, with a little cognitive ability, incidents there can be avoided.

The beast went to Dougherty's today. Pray for me that it is not that bad after they open her up. March Potomac Summit is not too far away....

[Brian Minkin]

Tony356993 wrote:

I remember one incident (and Brian really does) but I think as stated, with a little cognitive ability, incidents there can be avoided.

Visions of an obstical course of tires right after turn in from the bowl. One of many suprises you can meet on a race track. Me thinks they where a little bigger then a ground hog! Fortunatly the car involved sustained only minor damage.

[bobt993]

Actually, I know of 3 cars saying hello to the paint on the white barrier that event, because I helped pull the fender out on two of them so the tire would not rub.  And I think there was a couple more.   I like the course backwards, but expecting dry weather at Pocono is a pipe dream at best. 

Tony, hope the car work is minimal.  Todd is an animal in that Honda, imagine if he actually had some decent tires to run.  Don't wait for the Summit event, try VIR Zone2 again or Road Atlanta even sooner.  Car is going to get a deserved suspension this winter after leaning too much into the turns this year.  The rear sway bar link braking was the last straw.

[Tony356993]

Don't wait for the Summit event, try VIR Zone2 again or Road Atlanta even sooner

Bob,

March Potomac Summit is close just in case something breaks. Zone 2 VIR is a must. Road Atlanta is on the short list of new tracks this year.....or maybe a DE @ Sebring.

I just want the 1st event to be close to home

[smankow]

Tony, when is the Potomac @ SP event?

[TwentySix]

Phokaioglaukos wrote:

What did I miss, and what do you think?

One thing happened this weekend that I thought could be handled better... as the black group lined up on the grid for Saturday's last session, there was an incident on track in the red run group which required a lengthy clean up. No one told us what was happening as we sat there idling, with no clue of what was going on for 20 minutes :? I was ready to pack it in, and we were finally released. It would have been nice if someone had come down the grid and let us know what had happened, so we could have relaxed a bit. I wasn't sure we'd even have a session. Could we put this on the list?