Other AX sites

[smankow]

now we need to get some insight from the "tall guy" who is looking to run AX next year.

You're here spinning your wheels unless he is involved.

 

BTW, you can't judge the interest of AX among the membership by the number of posts in this area unless you simply look at the number of members posting, not the total number of posts.

Steve

[TwentySix]

 

If you were running the program, what would you suggest?

The first thing is to try to secure a better lot, which seems to be the concensus.  I believe it all flows from there.   I think looking at a sea of cones can intimidate folks, and no one wants to look foolish (OK, maybe that doesn't apply to Nick B  ) 

You wouldn't believe how many drivers had never tried threshold braking in their cars...  so many students were freaked out by the feeling of the ABS coming on, they had never felt the pulse of it in the pedal--some of them jumped off the brakes.  Not good for an emergency situation in real life.  Many people are intimidated by their cars, and since most have significant investments there, they can be doubly afraid of handling their cars at the limit.  This is the perfect arena to safely push.  It's also going to enhance their skills on the big track if they are into DE...

Do you know of any appropriate locations that we might be able to afford that might bring out the membership?

Warminster and the lot at the mall are the 2 best places I know of.  Boeing?  Very bumpy and smaller than what we have at Valley Forge.  The SCCA still runs there in conjunction with the Boeing Car Club mainly because it was the only local venue for a while.

Allright!!
The facility is the Unysis complex adjacent to Township line Rd....Sorry, no contact name, but I'm sure that security will tell us who thet person is and when is the best time to reach him/her.

Unisys?  I trust that Nick has checked it out, though doesn't Mike Andrews (track chair) work there?  Maybe someone can hit him up for info?

BTW, you can't judge the interest of AX among the membership by the number of posts in this area unless you simply look at the number of members posting, not the total number of posts.

I agree, we are just a few people here, so it's not really a representation of interest, but I hope that all this good intention doesn't go to waste.  Is the tall guy listening?

[Wellardmac]

I agree with all of the above.

We need a new site - Warminster sounds ideal.

I also think that an AX school would be a wonderful way of introducing, training and retaaining newbies (like myself).

Steve is right, this forum is not representative of the whole, but it is representative of the active members (or soon will be at current enlistment rates). We need to find a way to get this discussion out to the membership, so an article in the next Der Gasser to inform the membership of the discussion might be the way to go.

I'm prepared to write the article, but I'd like to see how this discussion goes first in order that we can get consensus and take it to the membership.

Nothing will happen unless those of us with strong feelings are willing to put our words into action. It will soon be Graham's job to lead this effort, but it appers to me that there are some of here willing to help out.

[betegh9]

In early spring, I participated in the first PCA certified instructor training meeting at Dougherty Automotive, where I approached Mike Andrews in regards to the Unysis site. I have not heard anything back from him, but I can not blame him, he is the track MAN not AX, and besides having been ill (I wish you the best and speedy recovery) and hands full with the track program, I could not expect him to jump at the request I made.
So it will be the duty of an AX person to approach the management there.

[betegh9]

elizabeth26 wrote:

If you were running the program, what would you suggest?

The first thing is to try to secure a better lot, which seems to be the concensus. I believe it all flows from there. In 2003 we had a great lot and ran a school that seemed to go over pretty well. IIRC, there were 70+cars. We should consider doing one next year at the begining of the season, to attract the first timers and set the hook for the rest of the year. I think looking at a sea of cones can intimidate folks, and no one wants to look foolish (OK, maybe that doesn't apply to Nick B )

You wouldn't believe how many drivers had never tried threshold braking in their cars... I had so many students who were freaked out by the feeling of the ABS coming on, they had never felt the pulse of it in the pedal--some of them jumped off the brakes. Not good for an emergency situation in real life. Many people are intimidated by their cars, and since most have significant investments there, they can be doubly afraid of handling their cars at the limit. This is the perfect arena to safely push. It's also going to enhance their skills on the big track if they are into DE...

Do you know of any appropriate locations that we might be able to afford that might bring out the membership?

Warminster and the lot at the mall are the 2 best places I know of. Boeing? Very bumpy and smaller than what we have at Valley Forge. The SCCA still runs there in conjunction with the Boeing Car Club mainly because it was the only local venue for a while, and they hosted us when there was no where else to go.

Allright!!
The facility is the Unysis complex adjacent to Township line Rd....Sorry, no contact name, but I'm sure that security will tell us who thet person is and when is the best time to reach him/her.

Unisys? I trust that Nick has checked it out, though doesn't Mike Andrews (track chair) work there? Maybe someone can hit him up for info?

BTW, you can't judge the interest of AX among the membership by the number of posts in this area unless you simply look at the number of members posting, not the total number of posts.

I agree, we are just a few people here, so it's not really a representation of interest, but I hope that all this good intention doesn't go to waste. Is the tall guy listening?

Beth,
I had my share of looking foolish, like getting LOST on everyone of my runs. After learning the course, I managed to spin and flat spot my tires at least once every event. I wasn't TOO PROUD. I asked lots of questions, had instructors help me (some did, some didn't), read books , and learned to set up the car properly. The factory specs are just OK for general driving, but if you want to go to or near the tire's limit, you have to do a few things.

[TwentySix]

no one wants to look foolish (OK, maybe that doesn't apply to Nick B )

betegh9 wrote:

Beth,
I had my share of looking foolish, like getting LOST on everyone of my runs. After learning the course, I managed to spin and flat spot my tires at least once every event. I wasn't TOO PROUD. I asked lots of questions, had instructors help me (some did, some didn't), read books , and learned to set up the car properly. The factory specs are just OK for general driving, but if you want to go to or near the tire's limit, you have to do a few things.

Nick I didn't mean your driving!!!! I meant you're a funny guy

Sorry, I see how that could have been taken the wrong way....

[betegh9]

There are some PCA clubs that require members to do 2 years of AX in conjunction with DE but not a PRE-REQUISITE. Learning how a car will behave at the limit based on the imputs is what the name of the game is.

[betegh9]

What? beth!
I never thought of myself as funny! But I think that you are on the ball, and any guy would love to have you as their CO-CHAIR. So, what do u think? :dude:
I am usually a slow learner.....It took me 15 years of AX to clip seconds off the courses I run. The saying goes:
IF AX WERE ANY EASIER........IT WOULD BE CALLED ROAD RACING

SO, what about this logo for a RTR T shirt? We could get those track junkies a little hot under the collar, if no where else????

[TwentySix]

betegh9 wrote:

What? beth!
I never thought of myself as funny! But I think that you are on the ball, and any guy would love to have you as their CO-CHAIR. So, what do u think? :dude:
I am usually a slow learner.....It took me 15 years of AX to clip seconds off the courses I run.

Well, thanks for the kind words, but I have too many family obligations at this point to take on such a roll, sorry. You would be a great co-chair!

[Graham]

Fellow Club members,

In discussions with the current AutoX chair in preparation for next season, the need has been acknowledge for an organized group to make this AutoX program run smoothly and profitably.

So far as I can tell, we need several tasks accomplished before we can take this to the next level and generate the interest we are all hoping for:

1.  New site(s)  - Warminster Community park is a possibility.  If ANYONE knows who in charge of the Warminster Park commission, please forward any information you may have.  All additional site suggestions welcome.

2. Timing equipment - Recording and dissemination of the times/scores

3. AutoX committee -  I would like to put together an AutoX committee to get ideas formulated, plans put in place and this whole program 'Dialed in'!

Again, if anyone knows a contact in the Warminster Community park committee, let me know and I will approach them and see if we can't secure the site, even for one or two events.

Thanks,

- Graham (The tall guy - #574)

graham_knight@merck.com

 

FYI:

For those of you not involved in the SCCA, there is another SCCA Solo (AutoX) event being held at the Warminster Community park on Nov 5, 2006.  I plan on attending.  $25/SCCA members, $35 non-members per session.  They did 3 runs per session (x2/day) last time.