Questions About Starting Solo I...

[JT_TT_DS]

Hello Solo I'ers,

So we've started talks of maybe doing some sort of Solo I or Solo Trials at the road course in winnipeg. since nobody here has done any Trials before we're wondering what kind of things we should start off with to make a smooth and safe transition into holding some sort of event that is alot of fun for all members involved.

our road course is smaller, 1.3 miles so not that much speed, because we won't have onboard computers we were kinda thinking a solo II type start and stop leaving about 20 seconds between competator to give enough room that the case of a spin, or other incident, the other car can be flagged in the corner before hand safely, and also eliminates passing zones. Then we can use our solo timing equipment.

what kinda of novice training do you require before you let people do events? we have a hpde at the beginning of the year, but we have open lapping sessions at every road race so most people have done the lapping and not the school.

feel free to ask me any questions about stuff i've missed, and also give me hints on what direction we should head in planning.

[thgear]

heh... we dont have any onboard computers either.... :)

[CobraStang]

Time Trials are entry level, so no schooling is required. But it is highly recommended. I've seen plenty of jackassery from drivers who skipped the school, thinking they knew how to drive.

[JT_TT_DS]

Time Trials are entry level, so no schooling is required. But it is highly recommended. I've seen plenty of jackassery from drivers who skipped the school, thinking they knew how to drive.

we were thinking of having a certian number of lapping sessions required, and if you haven't done that, then an instructor goes on some practice laps to judge if your up to it. i would think that this person would be dubbed novice, and maybe we would require them to take a more experianced driver to go along for pointers, or the possible...ok times up bud taker in slowly if they are being a bit over their abilitys....

[Slowpoke]

Hmmm. Quick thoughts:

20 seconds between competitors at the start can turn into 10 mid-course if someone makes a mistake and then you have the second person flying into a stopbox 10 seconds behind at track speeds vs. AutoX speeds? If first guy stalls, that's not good.

Also, one benefit of rolling starts for Solosprint is less wear and tear on the cars with no launches versus AutoX. Also... no time to get your tires up to temperature with the launches, so handling is less predictable.

It sounds like what you're suggesting is Solo 2 on a track which is what Ontario Region is trying to get away from. I'll continue that in a PM.

I would see if your timing software can be tweaked to track multiple cars doing multiple laps like the Ontario software.

[Guillermo]

i would think that this person would be dubbed novice, and maybe we would require them to take a more experianced driver to go along for pointers, or the possible...ok times up bud taker in slowly if they are being a bit over their abilitys....
That's what we do.
A complete novice is allowed to show up at a solosprint and compete but we put a triangle on their car put an experienced track instructor in the car with them. The instructor in the passenger seat reviews/teaches the student all the important safety information and gives them basic coaching on proper driving technique, basic racing line theory and most of all focus on lapping safety. We keep putting instructors with the novice during the time trials until an instructor feels the novice is competent and safe enough to go on their own.
It works, and allows people to try before you buy because it does cost less then track school. But taking a track school before doing a solosprint is still highly recommended because the student will learn a lot more and be much faster and safer after 1 full day of track school compared to learning during 1 day of solosprint.

[thgear]

Time Trials are entry level, so no schooling is required. But it is highly recommended. I've seen plenty of jackassery from drivers who skipped the school, thinking they knew how to drive.

just because one went to a school does not mean they are not jackassess and think they know how to drive

i'm talking about myself here :cool:

[JT_TT_DS]

Hmmm. Quick thoughts: ..........

very very good points. as the track is only about 1:05-1:20 seconds long i'm pretty sure going up to 30 seconds or more would be a good safe idea.

obviously it's good to hear the good stories with the horror stories..the good ones. for the most part the road course is pretty wide (used to be on the formula atlantic series back in the day)

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y267/BasicWedge/_8275816copySC.jpg

what kind of timing do you use? we have axware i think just the basic package. we have wireless communications so we be a nice safe distance away at least.

[JT_TT_DS]

new question...

what type of seat belts do you require from the lower classed cars for solo I? ie ones without race tires, or in modified class

[thgear]

new question...

what type of seat belts do you require from the lower classed cars for solo I? ie ones without race tires, or in modified class

i believe a stock restraint system maybe used on any car as long as it does not move up more than 4 levels in preperation above its statring class

choice of tire does not reflect a need for seatbelt upgrade

[JT_TT_DS]

we would probably be running under the WCMA rules (Western Canada Motorsport Association) and there they require 4pt harness's on every car, 3pt factory not good enough for them. i thought this encouraged submarineing..but i don't know. i'll be running a harness in my car but that's just so i don't slide on the leather at autocross....

[J.C.]

i'll be running a harness in my car but that's just so i don't slide on the leather at autocross....

You sure that's necessary Carl told me you drive to slow to be sliding around :D







P.S. Can anyone tell I am bored at work :)

[JT_TT_DS]

You sure that's necessary Carl told me you drive to slow to be sliding around :D


maybe that's why i'm trying to find a different sport...:rolleyes:

[Guillermo]

we would probably be running under the WCMA rules (Western Canada Motorsport Association) and there they require 4pt harness's on every car, 3pt factory not good enough for them. i thought this encouraged submarineing..but i don't know. i'll be running a harness in my car but that's just so i don't slide on the leather at autocross....

We don't allow 4 or 5 point harness unless the car has a roll bar.
Many cars just use the standard seat belts and some use the CG-lock as well.

A car without a roll bar may have it's roof partially cave in during a roll, the regular 3 point seat belt allows the body to be able to move to the side and reduces the chances of breaking your neck :eek:

[Guillermo]

we would probably be running under the WCMA rules (Western Canada Motorsport Association)
Why don't you consider running the Canadian National Solosprint Rule set?
That way you guys can have your cars already set up for the national rules and it will be much more fair when we compete against each other.
It's based on our fantastic Ontario Regional Solosprint ruleset.

[shawn cormier]

We now Solo Sprint not Solo 1 anymore.:p

[JT_TT_DS]

Why don't you consider running the Canadian National Autoslalom Rule set?
That way you guys can have your cars already set up for the national rules and it will be much more fair when we compete against each other.
It's based on our fantastic Ontario Regional Solosprint ruleset.

i've done the google thing, but where can i find the ruleset you used for the nationals? to compare and contrast :p edit: i looked back thru the posts and found the solosprint.ca website and found them there

we have a general meeting next thursday so i'll be doing a proposal then to see if i can get approval to start planning. so homework needs to be finished by then.

[ScotcH]

Why don't you consider running the Canadian National Autoslalom Rule set?

You mean the SoloSprint rule set?

[Guillermo]

You mean the SoloSprint rule set?

Opps, i'll fix that!

[JT_TT_DS]

Ok next question for you.

we're wondering what timing software/system you guys are using and what the approximate buying cost might be. does everybody buy their own transponder? or does the club have a bunch and just hand them out at the event. i'm really not sure how that part of the stuff works out.

the calgary club says they use Kronos software with dBcom transponders. the transponders are about $175 a piece and then the software is $5000. we're only doing a couple events and not expecting a huge series to start up so cheaper would be nicer or it will never be approved and instead we'll get some nice $50 stopwatches.

[tanney]

Currently we are using a beam that is broken each time a car passes through it and timing enter the car number manually.

The software was written by Victor Del Col who was a very active member of the community who has since moved up the ladder to road racing. It works great, but timing need to be on the ball.

[bbqman]

HI JT,

Good to see that the Winnipeg people are looking to revive Gimli for Solosprint.

As posted above, your best bet is not to reinvent the wheel- take the ASN national ruleset for Solosprint ( in 2007 the 2 major regions are using it intact).
Using these rules, you will find complete and acurate car classifications and up to date safety rules.

As for timing, our club (TLC) hosted their first Solosprint event in 2006 and we opted for transponders. Obviously they add to the cost of the event and the track needs to be equipped or have the service rented out.
However, track time is maximized and there are no mistakes.

CASC has their timing system working real well, but requires up to 6 people to operate during race time. CADL has a system Axeware I believe, but it is totally unreliable and requires too much supervision.

Good luck on the project....or just drive down to Quebec or Ontario for some fun!!

[soloZ]

we would probably be running under the WCMA rules (Western Canada Motorsport Association) and there they require 4pt harness's on every car, 3pt factory not good enough for them. i thought this encouraged submarineing..but i don't know. i'll be running a harness in my car but that's just so i don't slide on the leather at autocross....

Are roll cages manditory aswell? Harness are good for keeping you in your seat and from falling over, if the roof comes down the only thing that will resist it will be your neck.

[JT_TT_DS]

Are roll cages manditory aswell? Harness are good for keeping you in your seat and from falling over, if the roof comes down the only thing that will resist it will be your neck.

they have revised the WCMA ruleset for 2007 allowing OEM seatbelts. we were going to change our subregs to change that rule anyways because EVERY other governing body says that 4pt is not allowed.

[ScotcH]

they have revised the WCMA ruleset for 2007 allowing OEM seatbelts. we were going to change our subregs to change that rule anyways because EVERY other governing body says that 4pt is not allowed.

Good call ... I would still use the National rule set though :-)

[JT_TT_DS]

Good call ... I would still use the National rule set though :-)

sadly i cannot. our insurance is thru the WCMA so we follow their rules. but i've read thru both sets and they are almost identical. so i think i'm pretty safe for that stuff.

now i just gotta talk to our timing guy and see if we can figure out a system that works.