We all discuss what it takes to tune and build a better Solo2 car. How about what it takes to build a better Solo2 event?

I've all winter to think about suggestions to present our regional Solo board in 2005. As a novice, I managed to get to 4 different SCCA region's events and one BMW/Porsche Solo this past year. Everyone does it a little different. I'm always looking to improve and help our region run a better event.

What have you experienced in your travels? Think about scheduling hours, registration, tech, working, running, trophies, promotion, etc....

What makes a good event better?

Anything you have seen while visiting other regions that you would like to do in your region?

Any changes in your region's Solo plans for 2005?

I'm proud of the way our region runs an event and we receive compliments from visiting racers all the time. We also know there is always room for improvement and growth.

 

IF the region is looking to expand or have their events run smoother, the best thing they can do is talk to a larger region. The larger regions are no different than smaller, only that they have more people and have to accomodate them.

The Washington D.C. Region is one of the largest in the country. We have been running 260 cars at FOUR runs (1040+runs) for much of 2004.

Here are a couple of key points to consider when trying to improve an event...

Key point number one:
The number of runs is what is significant, that's what makes the event, NOT the number of cars.

Key point number two:
The length of the course is irrelevant to how quickly the event runs, the RELEASE interval is what's important.

Key point number three:
How much legwork is being done at the event is what wastes time that could otherwise be done outside the event. Keep paperwork and money issues out of the event.

Key point number four:
The number of re-runs can kill an event, trained and educated workers are VERY important to making an event run smoothly.


I am the Novice Coordinator for our region and my main job is to answer all of the questions, so nobody has a problem doing what they're supposed to. Most regions don't have a Novice person, and we've found that an important position.

Brian

 

MiniFinn --

Enjoyed meeting you at your region's Hot Times at LMC event this past summer. Glad to see that you're looking to get more involved in the Solo II community. Overall, I had a good time at LMC, but you're asking for suggestions for possible improvements so...

1) I thought the event could have gotten started much more quickly. Registration was scheduled to close at 9:30, yet runs weren't to begin until after 11:00. Why the big gap? Those that are serious about their course walks are always going to show up early; they don't need an additional 1-1/2 hours after registration closes. Those that show up late, typically novices, walk the course only once or twice and feel that they're ready to go. So, get things going more expeditiously and everyone gets additional seat time. Easily, we could have given the entire field an additional 2-3 runs and we would have still gotten out of there by 5:00 PM.

2) The sites that you use have very high quality pavement, but in my opinion SBR runs too many events at tiny little venues. There must be larger lots somewhere in the area that you guys can con the owners into letting you use . Airports, malls, college/university parking lots, etc. are the typical candidates -- but you know that already. I like larger lots because they provide more seat time per run, and, for me, seat time's what it's all about. Think about it, you're devoting an entire day to a solo event, and typically you get only 2 or 3 minutes behind the wheel. I want more!

R. Worden
BRG MINI Cooper S
GS #36

 

Rich,

Thanks for you input. Very good points. We are on the hunt for bigger venues. The only big location we have is Peru/Grissom and that is a busy place with 3 regions and Div/Nat tours also wanting to use it. I really like places like Toledo Airport. Talk about smooth concrete....

Are you staying in GS for 2005? I might make the leap to STX where I can add LSD. It's cheaper than a new car. But I do like running GS. I might stay and just get R comp tires and see what happens.

Mark M.

 

MiniFinn (Mark) --

If I weren't an autocrosser, I'd have done the pulley mod by now. Unfortunately, if you perform that particular mod, the SCCA forces you into the SM solo class where the MINI is completely non-competitive. Just ask Ryephyle about his chances against a decent driver running a hotted up Evo!

Therefore, I'm planning to stay in stock so long as the SEB chooses to class the Cooper S competitively. We're okay in GS for now. I'd argue that only the Celica GT is a superior car.

What has me intrigued as co-possibilities for next season are 1) the availability of the 2005 Cooper S with factory LSD, and 2) what I understand to be the very high trade-in value of the current models. I'm very tempted to go to the dealer and order a 2005 duplicate of my 2003 model, but with the LSD added.

Sounds like you're thinking about installing an aftermarket LSD. Approximately how much would that cost you in parts and labor?

R. Worden
BRG 2003 Cooper S
Detroit SCCA, GS #36

 

MINI_xs - I used to live in MI and I've done events at LMC with the SBR and with the Detroit SCCA, SVR, and WMR. The thing that SBR is fighting with is that there simply aren't that many places like, say, The Palace in that part of the state. LMC is actually a pretty decent lot compared to some of the sites the WMR runs.

When I lived in MI, my buddy's from Detroit hated the little WMR events because they were spoiled by the Detroit Regions seeming abundance of sprawling lots. Not every region is so lucky!

Here in MN, we normally get 6 runs, but the lots typically aren't any bigger than LMC.

 

I also was able to run with 4 different regions this past season, including SBR, Indiana Northwest Region (INR), Chicago, and Tristate Region.

Minifinn, I think SBR's events are run pretty well. Here are 2 things I've noticed that seem to slow things down:

1) getting the cars into the grid usually takes a long time. I haven't figured out why they want the cars in grid by class. I know it probably helps timing and scoring, but if the cars are clearly marked, IMO, this step would be unneccessary.

2) I would suggest doing the novice walk before the driver's mtg. Especially at the Tire Rack, where the novices out number the rest of us!

Just my thoughts, SBR is a well-oiled machine compared to the chaos of the INR events. A new regime took over for INR, so hopefully next year's events will be more enjoyable.

On a side note, it looks like I'll be keeping my '03 for another year. I read the LSD won't be available until march production cars, not enough time for break-in before racing. And our property taxes more than doubled .
I'll have to settle for new tires. (you've still got dibs on my helmet!)

Kelly V.

 

Getting cars in grid such that classes run together makes things tremendously easier for T&S, thus avoiding delays and mistakes in the trailer.

Having said that, it doesn't have to take a long time to get cars to grid. If the grid worker(s) have a cheat sheet that lists the classes in that heat and the number of cars in each, it is pretty easy to allocate space for each class. That way the grid worker can easily deal with the cars as they arrive in random order. Grid is not a good work assignment for a newer autocrosser unless there is also an experienced worker with them to keep things moving and train the new worker.

Scott
90SM/STX

 

Grid does seem to take a long time. Normally we have only one experienced person running grid set up. Maybe we should have some of the experienced tech guys help with grid set up only (they are done with their work assignment by then). The rest of grid is just traffic cop and everyone seems to catch on after a few runs.

Timing and Scoring has enough to deal with. Running by class is probably a good thing to keep doing. Anyway, I like making faces at Bill Loring in my mirror when we are lined up. I need every advantage I can get.

 

In the NWR, one competitor put together a computer program to capture the T&S info. The scorer confirms the car on the screen is the car on the starting line and they're off and running. It means no fancy ballet to get the cars lined up, all reports are automatically generated and the on course announcer can even give position within the class with the time. Trophies and positions are known as soon as the course goes cold. Online preregistration integrates with the program to save typing. Bottom-line, the right tools can make things go very easily.

One more thing about large venues. They allow more cars and more runs. In the Milwaukee region, they run at Miller Park and have enough space to host 200 car if needed. But on any given Sunday, they get 6 runs. In the NWR, the sites are small and can only accomidate a small number of cars. We run in shifts with rotating morning/afternoon. I'd prefer an all day, all cars event to having to know when I'm supposed to run.

 

Boilermini,
Were you or Chris involved in the coup? Did you get "Volunteered"?
Sometimes if you want it done right, ya gotta do it yourself. Your region seems like it has some good people in it when I ran there this past summer. Maybe they just need some leadership to show them how to get organized. How about "Boilermini for Solo Chair" signs on my MINI next time I visit!

Mark

 

Minifinn,

Chris and I did not get "volunteered" for the new board. A couple of others took over and we haved vowed to them we will help as much as humanly possible. This includes Chris overhauling the INR website.

We'll see how the '05 season goes, then maybe you can post your sign.:smile:

 

We hand out a grid-assignment at registration. It's a laminated card with a clip that has your heat number and grid-spot number. You keep the card in your car or in your pocket so you don't forget. When you do grid up, you clip the card to your visor/mirror/wiper arm/etc so that the grid worker can verify that you're in the right place. He/she collects the cards and they are reused at the next event. When space permits an A/B grid we can do a heat change in about 5 minutes. Without dual grids we can still do it in 10-12 minutes.

If you run all cars from the same class in succession in the same heat this would be difficult to do.