2007, recap your experiences

[13inches]

Here's your chance to speak up and tell the world about your 2007 experiences.

Whether it was a club event, provincial event, demonstration event, school, US event....whatever.....its time to share. Doesn't matter if you're in Ottawa, Sarnia, or anywhere in between.

1) what did you like about the events you competed in?
2) what didn't you like about the events you competed in?
3) which were your favourites?
4) what opportunities do you see for improvement of the events?

Let's hear it.

[mikewolf]

I attended 17 events this year including pitl, comp, hada, wosca, the school, prosolos, and some provincial events.

1. The people. It was really my first year of autox and I learned so much from so many people. Getting to ride along with the fast guys, being able to buy a used set of rims and R's, lots of driving and setup tips and encouragement. Many of the people I met and talked with were so helpful and really helped to get me hooked on this sport.
I also really liked events where you get lots of seat time.
Setting FTD at my last event of the season (also my bday) was pretty cool too.

2. The Sun! Even wearing a hat a sunglasses whenever possible, driving home after every event with a horrible headache and feeling sick. Luckily I bought a canopy for next season.

3. I really liked the prosolos. Not just because of the events, but the fun atmosphere, having Joe announce, and prizes. I did like pretty much every event I attended.

4. I think ensuring that the results are announced at the end of every event makes a difference. It makes you want to stick around for the end and lets you see who you have to try to keep up with at the next event.

I think having similar classings for different club events would make it easier to set up a car that could be competitive in more than one club. (maybe I should just get more cars)

Maybe a frequent autoxer card where every 10th event is free (ontario wide)

Having a designated bar/restaurant to go to after saturday events to meet up at. (maybe a potential sponsor)

[jduffett]

This year I ran most/all of PITL and the Regional/Provincial series, plus a handful of others, including HADA and COMP. I will break up some of my responses accordingly.

1)

-PITL: Location! 15 minutes from my door is great, and despite parked car issues and a lack of bathrooms, Bronte is a great lot. Allows for long, fast, flowy courses. The people are great, the competition is good, and lots of cool hardware shows up.

-Regionals: I like the double-header weekend format. This was my first season in this series, and for all the things I've heard about regionals and political BS, I found it to be fun, laid back, and newb friendly. Not going to comment on rule sets / classing, but I was happy to find some good competition in my class. Looong, FAST courses kick ass.

-Others: I always enjoy COMP for the Bronte effect, lots of seat time, and of course the 'vettes. The bus is cool too. HADA generally puts on a good show, just a shame I didn't fit more events in. Classing seems to work fairly well I think. I only managed to do one WOSCA event this year, and that was a winter event (which was kickass). I have always enjoyed their events in the past.

2)

-PITL: You know what, 100+ people might be too many people. While it means lots of competition, a great variety of cars, etc, it also sometimes means long waits between runs, short courses, and no fun runs. That's not always the case, but it is sometimes hard for this series to live up to it's 'just for fun' reputation when dealing with so many people. While course design was general good and flowy, and I never had any safety concerns for me driving my own car, there have been times where I know exactly where I'm NOT parking my car, if you know what I mean...

-Regionals: Relatively low turnout, underfilled classes... Definitely some fast guys missing. That said, low turnouts contribute to more runs, more laid back atmosphere.

-Others: WOSCA, Sarnia is too far! :( HADA, while you do a good job with what you've got, the lot ain't the greatest.

3) The two Picton regionals, no question. 3rd gear slaloms, that just says it all right there.

4)

-PITL: If there are going to be that many drivers, you need to think about what you can do to keep things running smoothly--run on time and not sacrifice seat time.

-Regionals: I said I wouldn't say anything about rulesets... but obviously there are people who are unhappy. Something is keeping good drivers away, perhaps that is it? Whether you are happy with the current rules or not, all the controversy has to make people uneasy, and unwilling to commit to prepping a car fully.

-General: More Pros! I missed both this year! I also like Mike's idea about post-event socializing.

[Marsh]

WOSCA, Sarnia is too far! :(

For you maybe, but we're now matching the turn outs we were getting at Woodstock in it's final full year. Please try and remember that there are well over 800,000 people living west of the Grand River, and over a Million living within an hours drive of London (that's just in the cities of 20,000 or more). And we are the ONLY club holding events west of Oakville.

[jduffett]

And that's good... Fair point. I just miss the Woodstock events.

[Kreutz73]

Having a designated bar/restaurant to go to after saturday events to meet up at. (maybe a potential sponsor)

Drinking and Driving is bad.... really bad. But Driving THEN Drinking is just fine by me! :D

[Jon04CTSV]

Don't really have too much to say, but it was my first year doing autoX. I loved every minute of it. It's great to finally be able to drive like a mad man, since I've never really had that opportunity before.

The people there are great and very friendly. Learned lots of new things too.

Hopefully I'll be able to make more events next year, but that seems unlikely since I have taken a summer job as the branch owner of a house painting company (anyone want their house painted? :D)

Very tempted to track my V but love it to death and I'd hafta wrap pillows around the bumpers, LOL. Don't have an extra set of rims and tires either. I dumped a lot of money into the car this year too and can't afford some rims and rubber, so I'll be back next year with the CTS. Although my dad has plans for something yellow with 2 doors sometime next year. :o Heheheh.

Has been a great experience and very educational. Really learned to drive the car right at it's limit and how to catch it once it goes beyond. Was actually very surprised by how well the CTS handled.

[-=DRIFT=-]

I had a great first season, and loved the compitition.


1-Great times. Cheap, cheap, cheap! I can't go the the mandarin for 2 hours and spend less than I do at an event, and it lasts 4 times longer. Food is great, and I know I don't have to worry about getting food because it is delivered right to me. The people are always friendly, I hopped in a couple cars this year that were really fun, but missed out on that S5 rx-7. Prizes were great, props to the guy who won he rims.

2- Its really far. really really far. I hope it moves closer to hamilton when it moves though, so this could be a good thing. One thing that kinda ticks me off is everyone says that the other people aren't trying. I don't really know whats up with that, but it makes it feel like a hollow victory. Soooo, maybe combine cstock &cplus? j/k, the wrxs have a huge power difference.

3-I liked the whole enchalata!


4-I love having a huge 100+ turnout, but it would be nice to have a bigger lot, so that 3 cars could be on the track.

[Travis]

1) what did you like about the events you competed in?
Just about everything, honestly.
2) what didn't you like about the events you competed in?
There wasn't much seat time at the PITL events because of all the competitors, although that's a nice problem for a sport to have.
3) which were your favourites?
The Picton regional events because of the higher speeds & incredibly long runs.
4) what opportunities do you see for improvement of the events?
I think fewer, longer runs would optimize seat time.
I'd like to see higher speeds at the Bronte lot.
PITL could use some French fries with those awesome burgers.
I'd like to see fewer parked cars in the Bronte lot. Moving the cars using a tow truck at the regionals was a great idea, although I understand the political problems. Maybe good notification improve that. How about a sign that says something like:
"This lot is used for private events on weekends.

If you are parking your vehicle over the weekend please use the east lot, or park on the outside border of the main lot, or near a light pole.

Your vehicle may be moved if deemed an obstruction to safety."