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WIREGRASS REGION |
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Archived News
13 November 2011
This month we get to hear from a first time autocrosser. It's written "After Action Review" style to keep
things simple:
I participated in the Wiregrass Chapter’s monthly auto-cross for the
first time in November. Thanks to everyone who contributes
to these cool events. It truly is a team effort. My overall
impression of the event was very positive. I had an absolute
ball! The event coordinators and the participants were all
super outgoing and helpful. I got the feeling that these folks
had been working together for a very long time. Almost like a
family. I’d like to mention some things I thought were good and a
few things that I think could be improved.
Positive:
- Organization- Everyone knew where they were supposed to be and what they were supposed to be doing.
- Track Surface, size, Location- The size of the concrete pad is fantastic. Hunt Stage Field is really convenient. The surface will eat up your tires though.
- Facilities- Not much in the way of amenities, but the real bathrooms make the experience much more pleasant for the ladies. And there is plenty of space to park.
- Helmets- Thankfully, there were plenty of spares as I don’t own a helmet yet.
- Painter’s tape- Was on hand to put the numbers on the cars
Improve:
- Volunteers- I noticed that after the last run, folks packed up and headed home. Unfortunately that left about 4 people to pick up all the cones and pack up all the equipment. If everyone had pitched in… the clean-up would have been substantially shorter.
- Finish line- IMHO, I felt that the admin area/scorers tables were too close to the finish line. I’m a safety officer by trade, so I lean to the side of caution.
- Core Staff- Make sure that all key personnel are cross-trained in the critical operations i.e. timing, computer set-up, etc… That way if someone is out, another staffer can pick up the slack. Note: No balls were dropped and the event happened without a hitch.
Things that helped me:
- Course Walk- Really helped me to memorize the configuration of the track. I walked with a very experienced driver and received helpful tips. Walk it at least 2 times. For new guys like me, 3 is better if you have the time.
Finally, I had a great time and can’t wait to do it all again in DEC.
Thanks,
Chris
9 October 2011
The
raw sounds of engines angrily skipping off their rev-limiters was
brought back to the Wiregrass Region this month with a wide open
course. Some competitors reported speeds in the low to mid 70 mph
range, testing brakes and tires, with a really fast slalom and one of
the longest straights of the year. The fastest time was in the 71
second range also making it the longest course for the year.
The day saw off and on drizzle that didn't seem to affect the still
grippy concrete and an unseasonable cool made course work as enjoyable
as shagging cones can get. Turnout was moderately high and for those
that held out because of the weather, you should be sorry you missed
this one!
Thanks for attending and looking forward to next month!
Jesse Waymire
SM 67
11 September 2011
After the solo event, I was supposed to visit
my step father for his 80th birthday. I was in grid in my car
after taking the third attempt in the first run group of the 29th Solo
Nationals at Forbes Field, Topeka KS. The weather was a beautiful
Kansas fall morning, Tuesday, 11 September 2001. At the north end
of the double course on the other side of the concrete barriers, tanker
aircraft sat in their own “grid” area. From this tanker area, a
man clad in Battle Dress Uniform walked south from the tanker area
towards timing and scoring. The colonel said, the twin towers in
New York City had been struck, all of us SCCA people needed to vacate
the area immediately, and move out through the fenced area back into
Topeka, pronto. While the crowd was packing up to leave, aircraft
of every type appeared. After the order was given to ground all
flights and clear the skies, one by one they landed including military
aircraft like F/A-18's, F-14's, T-38's and F-16 's. We watched
television the rest of the day and into the night as different videos
were released of the second aircraft impacting the other tower.
Two long objects popped out of the opposite side of each tower and
followed a ballistic path, impacting the street below to befuddle
ignorant people. People who had never seen a jet engine trunk
with all the blades shear off from operating at high rpm, on New York
City streets. When each tower imploded straight down into each
building’s basement, my thought was about well designed architectural
and civil engineering to keep the buildings from toppling over.
The same car and driver was at an autocross at Hunt Field today with 33
other competitors. The weather was just as beautiful as ten years ago.
One competitor honored the anniversary by raising a flag pole and
flying the red, white and blue colors proudly. Today’s well designed
course was curvaceous with two slaloms at the east end with speed
varying from 25 to 55 mph. I enjoyed the people, the weather and the
cars. I hope you did also, and more importantly see you next time.
Thanks for attending!
Paul Neal, EP 43
editor: Thank you for sharing your story.
The Web Master
10 Jul 2011
Welcome
to HELL! Well not really. It might have felt like it, but
it was just another normal summer day here in the deep south. One
good thing to think about is... at least it should be hotter next
month! Turn-out was a bit on the light side with 31 drivers
taking to the airfield. The top two drivers were driving a
different course than the rest of us, but only 1.5 seconds covered the
spread from third to tenth place!
A lot of the drivers in the second heat (modified) didn't know where
their cars were classed, and this slowed down the start of the second
heat a bit. So to all the new and old timers who aren't sure what
your class is please register on the forum and ask about your class here; What is my class?
A big thanks to everyone for getting class & numbers on their cars,
even if it was wrong. One thing we did learn during registration
this month is NO zeros or double zeros for a number choice. The
timing program really, really didn't like it. Oh, yea... A big
thanks to eveyone who showed up at or near 7 A.M. for a jump on the
morning setup. I think this month was the closest we've ever been
to hitting the published start time.
I'm off to stick my head in some ice water and attempt to save some
brain cells! I hope everyone had fun and I'll see you next month.
Thanks for participating,
The Web Master
2 Jun 2011
It was a hot day, it was a hot course, and 43 hardy drivers were up to attacking it. The
challenge today was to stay ahead of the car. If you were late,
any one of the many switch backs would bite and bite hard. Don't
feel bad if you got caught out and were facing the wrong way, you
weren't alone. The course wasn't the only challenge faced.
There were timing light issues, computer issues, lost driver issues,
and even some rain issues. But, if you remained patient you got
to put seven runs down.
There were two new names at the top of todays raw times, Bo Jinright & Ron Miller. CJ's times were right there. He was let down by at least one failing rod bearing, and decided to park the car before any pistions made a break for freedom.
A
little bird told me someone in a HS Focus put down a 63.755, a
Focus! But, the event Saftey Steward said it couldn't count
because it was his eighth run. Even though the hapless driver had
seen cones down on course at three different places during his previous
run. Such a shame, but that is how the rules go.
I know I enjoyed myself I hope you did to.
Thanks for participating,
The Web Master
10 May 2011
We
had a taste of the heat to come, and a taste of a very technical
course. I know the heat wore me down pretty good, but I didn’t
let the course get the best of me. CJ was flying out there with
the Top Time of the Day, but he was out PAX’d by Orange Focus on some
new tires.
Thank you to all the competitors who came to the event knowing their Car Class and Number. If you weren’t one of the cool crowd and didn’t know your Car Class and Number please use the link below to our forum and post in the Car Class and Number thread. Using the computerized timing allows the results to be published quickly and in order to use the computer the competitors HAVE to have a Car Class and Number.
I hope everybody (y’all) enjoyed themselves. And, remember the heat is here so prepare for it.
Thanks for participating,
The Web Master
