TFBM 3rd AutoX Event - August 10th

[Maddog]

This Sunday, August 10th, TFBM is having their 3rd & last autox event of the season. We had a nice 40 car turnout at the last event, and the average course speed for the Fbods was 63 KPH.

->Be there no later than 9 AM
->Powerade Centre - Brampton (http://tinyurl.com/5rgdmj) (Click for map)
->Entry Fee: $25 members, $35 non-members

Schedule
8:30-9:30am Registration
9:30-10:30 Drivers meeting and walk through
10:30 First car
12:00-1:00 Lunch
4:30 Approximate finish of the last car.

Here's a layout of the 2-lap, 1.2km/0.75 mile course:
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http://usera.imagecave.com/Rampant/TFBM/TFBMEvent3layout.jpg
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Don't be shy people!

[Rampant WS6]

Results are up from the Event #2.

http://forums.tfbm.org/index.php?t=msg&goto=46194&#msg_46194

[MazdaMatt]

You guys don't mind being beat by Hondas, right? If I get my cooling system upgraded saturday I'll come down.

[Rampant WS6]

You guys don't mind being beat by Hondas, right? If I get my cooling system upgraded saturday I'll come down.

Our FTD last event was a very well prepped Subbie, but he just barely beat a FS stock 98 Camaro SS. :eek:

Some of us can still make the heavy metal twist.:D

Hope to see the Honda.:)

[MazdaMatt]

Thanks for the warm invite :)

I just like stirring the pot... its a highly modified (note, i didn't say well prepared!) honda, so there's no way I'd be classified... instant-MOD as soon as you look at it.

I am very much hoping to get it out to make sure the cooling issue is dealt with.

[AtomicPunk]

...there's no way I'd be classified... instant-MOD as soon as you look at it.

I don't believe classing is an issue. It seems that anything that is not an F-body goes straight into A-Mod (or something similar).

[MazdaMatt]

So... ftd or bust. Probably not going to happen with 120hp in an american iron designed course. My car has springs, shocks, engine transplant, tubed front end under a fiberglass shell, sheet metal shell of a back end, stripped interior, racing buckets, roll bar, adjustable control arms and a few other things... not exactly designed for autox classification!

[Rampant WS6]

I don't believe classing is an issue. It seems that anything that is not an F-body goes straight into A-Mod (or something similar).

We have not taken paxxing into account since there is no cash prizes. It is an F Body club that welcomes all cars to race, but we only pax the F Bodies so that we can keep track of points for our club championship.:cool:


We are also a small club that sometimes breaks even, not counting the significant cost of the timing equipment we bought last year. We do love the sport so want to encourage all to enjoy it.

A majority of the non club cars that attend have been newbies and I really do not have time to go through and figure out the cars class/mods to get to a pax number, so we do give AMod to all the others.


Our prizes are typically 4 liter bottles of Mobil 1 to the top 3 Club members. This year I have added 1 bottle to the FTD regardless of car or membership.

We are sponsored by Mobil 1, so we did not pay for the oil, we just try to share it.

I wish there was money, I would have won some last year. If this changes I will add addition prizes next year.:D

Hope that helps explain things.

Any questions, please feel free to pm me.

[Rampant WS6]

So... ftd or bust. Probably not going to happen with 120hp in an american iron designed course. My car has springs, shocks, engine transplant, tubed front end under a fiberglass shell, sheet metal shell of a back end, stripped interior, racing buckets, roll bar, adjustable control arms and a few other things... not exactly designed for autox classification!

I was co driving a 380rwhp ESP car at the last event and it had a similar layout and I was peaking at 46mph. It was not as fast as you might think, but it will not be all hairpins, these big tanks won't turn like that.:D

Come out and beat up on my Dodge Magnum, maybe we can put your Miata in the back:p

[Jon04CTSV]

I'll be there! Just not sure which car; depends on the weather.

How's the marshalling system work?

[Rampant WS6]

I'll be there! Just not sure which car; depends on the weather.

How's the marshalling system work?

It was nice meeting you today. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

We sure got lucky with the weather. I set the course in the rain and by the time the people started arriving it had stopped and started drying up.

It was light turn out, but that was not surprising with the weather and near by propane explosions. So we had 7 runs in by 2:30, which was nice and got to clean up in the dry.

I was surprised how well my Magnum could be pushed. I really need to find out the proper classification for it. I could not find the Magnum RT in the rules book, just the SRT version which is a lot more car than mine.

Hope to see you out next year.

I'll post the results shortly and some pics and video as they get posted up on our forum.

[Cap'n Pete]

You guys don't mind being beat by Hondas, right? If I get my cooling system upgraded saturday I'll come down.
Our FTD last event was a very well prepped Subbie, but he just barely beat a FS stock 98 Camaro SS. :eek:
Hey Matt, that "very well prepped Subbie" wasn't just some 'shmo off the street :rolleyes: ...

... it was Mike Aversa!! :eek: He tore up the auto-x for sure!! :D

The top 5 times for that day were:

1 - Subaru Imprezza (Mike) - 61.047
2 - '98 Camaro SS (Ben) - 61.352
3 - '02 Camaro Z28 (me!) - 61.998
4 - '98 Camaro SS (Allen) - 62.042
5 - '08 Subaru STi (Rajesh) - 62.160

It was a pretty tight race for top times! :cool: I would have been out for today's event, had I not been working.

[Rampant WS6]

Hey Matt, that "very well prepped Subbie" wasn't just some 'shmo off the street :rolleyes: ...

... it was Mike Aversa!! :eek: He tore up the auto-x for sure!! :D

The top 5 times for that day were:

1 - Subaru Imprezza (Mike) - 61.047
2 - '98 Camaro SS (Ben) - 61.352
3 - '02 Camaro Z28 (me!) - 61.998
4 - '98 Camaro SS (Allen) - 62.042
5 - '08 Subaru STi (Rajesh) - 62.160

It was a pretty tight race for top times! :cool: I would have been out for today's event, had I not been working.

I was slightly off on the 98 Camaro, it is ESS. There were a few low 63's too for the F Bodies.

It was fun today. We had a quick Miata out today, but I was sad to see it had to leave on the hook. :( The Same 98 was keeping the Miata at bay for FTD but it was close till something broke.

[MazdaMatt]

I was really hoping to make it, but my car work took till noon on sunday to complete. Maybe next time :)

[tanney]

Nice to see after years of pleading with clubs not to host a club event on the same day as a Provincial that they all listened......:mad:

Maybe next year ALL club events will require permits and will not be allowed to run on the same day as a Provincial.

Thanks for supporting the Provincial series!

[Maddog]

Nice to see after years of pleading with clubs not to host a club event on the same day as a Provincial that they all listened......:mad:

Maybe next year ALL club events will require permits and will not be allowed to run on the same day as a Provincial.

Thanks for supporting the Provincial series!Wes, in reference to the above BOLD comment, are you related to Julian Fantino? :rolleyes:

If it makes you feel any better, if this club event wouldn't have been on the 10th, I still wouldn't have went all the way to Barrie for the Provincial. My car is not properly prepped to run ESP, and is too far in to drop to ESS. I don't have the $5000 budget to make it competitive in ESP, therefore, I'd rather run a more relaxed club event. I'm sure I'm not the only one that feels the same way.

Finally, given the difficulty in finding suitable venues these days, sometimes the dates available are limited and must be taken when available.

[tanney]

Whether or not you or anyone else from F-Body would have gone to Barrie is irrelevant, the fact that a CASC-OR club hosted an Autoslalom event on the same day AND within an hour of a Provincial event is an issue, in my opinion.

I have voiced these concerns over and over and over to deaf ears, so what do I care.....

Carry on!

No I am no relation to the head of the OPP, for the record

[StewPiddass]

Nice to see after years of pleading with clubs not to host a club event on the same day as a Provincial that they all listened......:mad:

Maybe next year ALL club events will require permits and will not be allowed to run on the same day as a Provincial.

Thanks for supporting the Provincial series!

That's all fine and dandy Wes... but some clubs (ours included) need to set up their dates months before the region sets their "provincial event" schedule. We can't be made to wait until it's set to do ours when we set it in the late fall!

[Maddog]

Whether or not you or anyone else from F-Body would have gone to Barrie is irrelevant, the fact that a CASC-OR club hosted an Autoslalom event on the same day AND within an hour of a Provincial event is an issue, in my opinion.

I have voiced these concerns over and over and over to deaf ears, so what do I care.....

Carry on!

No I am no relation to the head of the OPP, for the recordI don't really see it as an issue because the true die-hard Provincial series competitors will do the Provincial event before a club event IMO. But what do I know, I'm just a newb using logic as my form of thinking. :D

[Rampant WS6]

Whether or not you or anyone else from F-Body would have gone to Barrie is irrelevant, the fact that a CASC-OR club hosted an Autoslalom event on the same day AND within an hour of a Provincial event is an issue, in my opinion.

I have voiced these concerns over and over and over to deaf ears, so what do I care.....

Carry on!


To be honest with you we originally had a different date, but our members asked us to change it since it fell on the weekend of the Woodward Dream Cruise and they also asked that it not be on a long weekend. Sorry if I listened to our membership. They will always come first since they are the reason we have the events in the first place. 80% of those that attend our events are rookies and may one day move up to the Regional level, so in my opinion it is not a bad thing for you.

I doubt this will make you feel any better, but it is the truth.

[brujack]

Banning clubs from running the same day as the Regional series will not improve attendance at the Regional series. If you want to increase the series draw then you will need to create value for it. Just running the series is not good enough to draw people out anymore. Competitors need to see the value in running the series or individual event. If people are not showing up then you need to figure out why. From what I have see, most of the club series are doing well attendance wise. They must be doing something right to attract new people.

Bruce

[finboy]

-on july 22n'd 2007 the corvette guys ran a club event same day wosca regional
-on sept 16 2007 corvette guys again ran a club event same day as st.lac double header weekend
Why no flames then??

-if it wasn't for the club events... the regional series wouldn't be around
-there are fewer GTA club events/venues this year than previous years
-club events will always be around .. the regional series.. who knows
-some participate for FUN, some participate for the competition

different strokes for different folks




Nice to see after years of pleading with clubs not to host a club event on the same day as a Provincial that they all listened......:mad:

Maybe next year ALL club events will require permits and will not be allowed to run on the same day as a Provincial.

Thanks for supporting the Provincial series!

[mikewolf]

I can understand that in general it's not good, to host an event so close to the provincial on the same day.

In the case of the TLMC event, they advertised that the event was only open to TLMC members and series registered provincial competitors. I know a few people who didn't go to the TLMC event for that reason (not wanting to pay to series register for only one event).

[finboy]

Whether or not you or anyone else from F-Body would have gone to Barrie is irrelevant, the fact that a CASC-OR club hosted an Autoslalom event on the same day AND within an hour of a Provincial event is an issue, in my opinion.

I have voiced these concerns over and over and over to deaf ears, so what do I care.....

Carry on!

No I am no relation to the head of the OPP, for the record


MCO had an event on Saturday tooo..

don't just give the love to the Fbody guys, throw some love at ottawa as well

[tanney]

MCO had an event on Saturday tooo..

don't just give the love to the Fbody guys, throw some love at ottawa as well

There's no point since we all know that MCO tell their membership specifically not to bother coming to their regional and then complain about the low turnout.

Bruce made that VERY clear at the workshop in 2006, in front of the everyone including the CASC-OR President!

[finboy]

There's no point since we all know that MCO tell their membership specifically not to bother coming to their regional and then complain about the low turnout.

Bruce made that VERY clear at the workshop in 2006, in front of the everyone including the CASC-OR President!

missed that comment...i do recall him hammering about a few other points
but saying "don't go do a regional" wasn't one of them..

not sure man...

[brujack]

Yes Wes, it is my fault that no one comes out to the regional series. I must have some serious pull with all of the competitors, maybe I should run for Prime Minister as I am able to influence so many people.

The fact that the regional series has been declining in attendance probably has nothing to do with the fact that it is continually plagued by constant bickering over the rules, venues and direction. The fact that there are people on the current or former regional committee who continually put negative pressure on the local clubs probably has no impact either. Banning club events on Regional days will only hurt the Regional series.

Bruce

[craig]

There's no point since we all know that MCO tell their membership specifically not to bother coming to their regional and then complain about the low turnout.

Bruce made that VERY clear at the workshop in 2006, in front of the everyone including the CASC-OR President!

Hi Wes:

MCO members may express their opinions to other MCO members, or other clubs, etc. - like anyone can - but the club itself does not "tell their membership specifically not to bother coming out to their regional ..." I just don't want people to think that MCO has a policy of being against the regionals, although I can understand why people would form that viewpoint.

In any case, regardless of who says what and/or how they say it, the basic issue is that geography matters.

My understanding is that MCO does schedule around the regional series, and that there were no MCO events on the same day as any (originally announced) regional series event.

See you at the end of the month?

[luker0]

The MCO Autocross organizers SPECIFICALLY avoided all Regional Autoslalom dates when we created our calendar in the spring. If there are any conflicts then it's the regional series that made changes to its calendar. We have had only one change to ours imposed by the owners of our venues.

MCO autocross organizers have encouraged, and will continue to do so, participants to do regional series dates. If those people aren't going (myself included) it is because of their own personal reasons.

[Rampant WS6]

Well after looking at all the bickering in our humble little clubs post. I thought I'd go look and see when we finalized our dates and it was Dec 7th 2007. Looking above it looks as though the Regional’s were not announced till March 08. My future reading skills are much lacking, judging by my investment portfolio anyway.:D

We will be booking our dates in Dec or Jan again, since as you may have noticed lots are very hard to come by lately.

Will the Regional’s be announced before then? If not please do not copy our dates again:p

[13inches]

Well after looking at all the bickering in our humble little clubs post. I thought I'd go look and see when we finalized our dates and it was Dec 7th 2007. Looking above it looks as though the Regional’s were not announced till March 08. My future reading skills are much lacking, judging by my investment portfolio anyway.:D

We will be booking our dates in Dec or Jan again, since as you may have noticed lots are very hard to come by lately.

Will the Regional’s be announced before then? If not please do not copy our dates again:p
Did anyone from TFBM attend the conference calls that Gary held over the winter?

[Rampant WS6]

Did anyone from TFBM attend the conference calls that Gary held over the winter?

Nope, I do not even know who Gary is. I took the position as director in December 07 and was never extended an invite. :confused:

We are not big enough to host the regional events either, so I am unsure how we would have known. Not sure if we ever have been invited in the past either.

I might have been one of those who would have considered a regional event or two as well with my DMod car. Considering the tone in here I might just stick with the friendly little club events.

Also by being proactive we were able to secure a lot for our club members.

[Marsh]

The MCO Autocross organizers SPECIFICALLY avoided all Regional Autoslalom dates when we created our calendar in the spring. If there are any conflicts then it's the regional series that made changes to its calendar. We have had only one change to ours imposed by the owners of our venues..

As I stated in a private message to the provincial committee; to my knowledge WOSCA is one of the only clubs to never have changed the date of their regional after the initial proposal (at least as long as I've been director). I have no doubt at all that you speak the truth.

The problem with regionals is the lack of seriousness that people treat it with. Over the last few years many of the more serious competitors have complained about the quality of the events. As a result rules for the organizing club were tightened and the clubs were given less freedom in how the events were run. Previously many clubs treated events like a joke or a game. Some regional competitors (my self included) found this personally offensive, which lead to many of the personal conflicts. I the last three years provincial championship events have turned into well oiled machines compared to 5 years ago. It's a great relief for those of us that love the series. The downside is that toes have been stepped on and personal conflicts have formed.

As for individual event turnouts, it is clear that local club entrants have not been attending their own clubs regionals. I know in my own club this was a feeling that regionals were ONLY for the serious and fast competitors, which is not the case. I can't comment on why this happens with other clubs, but I've been told by at least one person that this was the case at their event as well

We've also suffered from an entire year of bad weather forcasts. Rain has been forcast for every provincial event this year, and none have had a dry lot from beginning to end.

But there is also an element of competitiveness between clubs that is not productive in my opinion. It is the fact that some club members have been telling their competitors not to attend other clubs events. In 2006 WOSCA held their regional at London Airport and I met, for the first time, a competitor who lived in London, had been competing for 3 years, and never been to a WOSCA event before. The reason (his own words) is that another club (marque club for the marque of the car he owned) had told him that WOSCA were a bunch of jerks and their events weren't fun. It is also a known fact that said club was telling it's competitors not to attend provincials. Besides this there is a competition for members which I cannot understand. When I started out most of the clubs were geographically based. (BAC, TAC, MCO, TLMC, OMSC, PMSC, WOSCA etc) Now there is a big shift to marque clubs (SPDA, HADA, MSOC, TFBM etc). The problem with these one marque clubs is that they don't do anything outside Toronto. Instead of provincials being a tour that visited each clubs home territory it became of a series of different groups all holding events in the same area (and often using the same venue). Action by the current organization has changed that so that provincials are much more spread out now. But it's still shifting for the negative with some clubs seeming to have the goal of making every person in the province a member of their club. I can only assume so that they can just get rid of CASC and do things their own way, but I don't sit in on those clubs meetings.

Oh and Rampant WS6: as to not being invited to take part in regionals. Part of the shift to improve the series was a reduction in the number events and preference going to clubs that have put on good events in the past, and/or had something special to offer, like a unique location (WOSCA, only club that holds event west of the Bronte river) or a great venue (StLAC, HUGE air field and easter Ontario location). TFBM has not held a provincial/regional in the 11 years I've been around so I wouldn't see them being invited unless they actually asked to take part, and then presented a proposed event that was attractive to those in charge of the series. That said if you want to participate, and show everyone else what you can do, then ask. My clubs been part of the series every year that it's existed (in multiple forms) and even formed it's own series when CASC didn't have one (with 4 other clubs in western Ontario which no longer exist), and I still often have to send off emails asking to be kept in the loop. The fact that you don't know who Gary is, means you haven't tried. The official series website has contact information for all of the executives and Gary is the current Autoslalom Director. His contact info is on the site.

[Rampant WS6]

Oh and Rampant WS6: as to not being invited to take part in regionals.

I was not suggesting I was not personally invited to race in the regionals. I was referring to the conference call. If you are referring to the TFBM hosting? Hell no! Not if I am the director. I have a full time job that demands 70 hrs or more a week, that actually pays me so I can buy car parts. 20-40 cars with minimal paxxing is more than I need to do for free.

TFBM has not held a provincial/regional in the 11 years I've been around so I wouldn't see them being invited unless they actually asked to take part, and then presented a proposed event that was attractive to those in charge of the series. That said if you want to participate, and show everyone else what you can do, then ask.

As mentioned above.:D


My clubs been part of the series every year that it's existed (in multiple forms) and even formed it's own series when CASC didn't have one (with 4 other clubs in western Ontario which no longer exist), and I still often have to send off emails asking to be kept in the loop.

I hope they appreciate your efforts, the 3 little events I did with some help from key individuals was a PITA. I only took the job since no one else did and I enjoyed this form of motorsport with the F Bodies. So I wanted to give a little back to the club that gave to me.

The fact that you don't know who Gary is, means you haven't tried.
The official series website has contact information for all of the executives and Gary is the current Autoslalom Director. His contact info is on the site.

I am sure Gary is a nice guy and could not imagine having to manage that many various personalities complaining about various paxxing and course issues.

Again unless I wanted to compete in the series, I would have little reason to read up on it and this year I have not even had a running car, but that is another long story. My Magnum does not count.:D

I do not take it that seriously, if I did I would not have spent so much on my car for so many incorrect mods for Autocross, ie 700hp, 1800w stereo, AC, full interior and 3600lbs in a DMod classed car. I just like to play and have fun driving a challenging car.

Who knows, maybe one day. I have had a few try to talk me into coming out to an event.

[Cap'n Pete]

Geez, I don't see/hear nearly as much bickering in/around SoloSprint ;).

I understand the notion that it is a bad idea to hold 2 auto-x events within such close (sort of) proximity to each other on the same day.

However, I also understand that being a Club event, that attracts mostly local Club members, and knowing that many of them only attend because it is their own club hosting the event, then I don't see the harm in it.

And you have to give credit where credit is due: if TFBM had their date(s) finalized prior to March '08, and the Regional Series set their dates AFTER that (and, um, hasn't at least 1 major event been recently cancelled completely?? :rolleyes: ) then you can't say that "they" double-booked :rolleyes:.

[firechkn]

Wow, if Allen and I, which happen to be the only series registered attendees at the Fbody event knew how much trouble we had caused by skipping Sundays event in favor of our club event then we are truly sorry ;)

But seriously, as active members in our club we volunteer our time, but regardless, the choice of an individual is their choice at whatever venue they choose to race at. Having a few options isn't a bad thing IMO.

We are series registered and obviously would of like to compete at Barrie, but the club required our assistance so we helped as many other members at any club can relate to. That's what makes a club strong so can't we all just get along? :D

[craig]

Geez, I don't see/hear nearly as much bickering in/around SoloSprint ;)

There are no club-level SoloSprint events :p

[Cap'n Pete]

There are no club-level SoloSprint events :p
I got the impression the Regional Series had enough of its own issues/griping, that the Club event "stepping on the Regional's toes" was just another "drop in the bucket"? ;)

[finboy]

-back in the day.. The web was just starting… and so were marquee type of web clubs
-TAC - combo of no venue, and also gave up running any type of club or regional series because of the lack of volunteers
-OMSC - no venue, no club series, "family" run regional events.. Where's all the other members?
-BAC - haven't hosted an event in a long time, maybe the last one was co hosted with the comp vette guys

-not sure why.. But there's more willingness for internal help at the marquee club events

As far as clubs saying don't do regional's… I haven't heard anyone say don't do the regional's…. I have heard, "I did it before and the politics is brutal"
"the atmosphere is not as fun/friendly as any club events" "some of the organizers are dinks, and need medication" "show up and you'll win your class by attendance"
"CASC vs. SCCA classes.. My car is prep'd for one series.. I can't be competitive both ways" "the pax sucks" "it’s a stupid whine tour" "I can't commit to x/xx events.. So why bother then" and a few others…

Price of gas, the distances between different venues, the many events scheduled, the politics, are all factors that are making the regional series
Less popular to attend

If there was ONE weekend like the Nationals, where everyone would circle on their calendar, perhaps more would attend.. Of course that could be argued
Since the attendance was poo at the national hosted in Toronto a few years back

Who knows.. Maybe there's a ton more people doing this thing Fun first.. Competition second

[Doug P]

That's all fine and dandy Wes... but some clubs (ours included) need to set up their dates months before the region sets their "provincial event" schedule. We can't be made to wait until it's set to do ours when we set it in the late fall!

Agreed. I have found that typically the Regional schedule is fianlized later that preferred. I am pretty sure TFBM set their schedule long before the Regional schedule was released.

[AndrewR]

Agreed. I have found that typically the Regional schedule is fianlized later that preferred. I am pretty sure TFBM set their schedule long before the Regional schedule was released.


As I am sure most of you are aware, the Provincial series is generally a collection of "club" events that the club have offered up to be their "provincial" event

And, as I am sure you can imagine, the clubs need to book those lots BEFORE they can help to create the provincial series.

As someone new to the sport, all the politiking that went on before is unknown to me, and in my opinion, the provincial series is a lot of fun, with a bunch of core supporters/enthusiasts.

I enjoy club events and provincial events all the same, just wish I had more time for more club events :)

[JoeT]

As mentioned before in this thread:

Regionals are not what they used to be, it's full of friendly competitors (like club events), competing on different "club" venues, providing the competitors with various types of course designs and flavours.

Understood, it will never be for everyone. People that have old recollections should actually come out and see the changes that have been done. There are quite a few people from various organizations that have volunteered their time to help preserve some of the things that we all enjoy, and provided input to creating a series that is all about what we all want out of a "hobby".

Contrary to popular belief, Regionals are:
Fun - Friendly competition amongst "people" regardless of rules or rule sets

Friendly - People openly sharing setups (yes at a regional level) to help everyone get better / faster. Heck, I even invited the person that's currently beating me on a run in my car on Sunday, just for kicks. This happens often amongst all competitors.

Not overly serious - Even though there are some folks out there that think it's the end of the world if they don't win, it's been a rarity this year, and the previous year.

Course layouts - Vary depending on venue and location, variety is fun!! All venues have been fun this year, regardless of size. One of the functions of the current committee is to ensure that it's a drivers race, not "car size" or steering rack ratio, meaning that most courses are designed with the "select a line" mindset, along with the local club nuance.

As for the "Whine" tour, I think the person that made that comment (Dave Taira) should come out and see if it really is. As a matter of fact, there was only 1 Whine Tour and it was spelled like "Wine", at the black prince winery.

In all seriousness / lightheartedness, there's room for all activities, besides, it's a Hobby.

Also, those that haven't met Gary Wood, should go meet the man. He's one of the calmest, yet passionate person I've met in this sport. I guess his many years as a Kodak executive have rewarded him with excellent temperment, the perfect candidate to manage the series as "Director".

[Marsh]

I have a full time job that demands 70 hrs or more a week, that actually pays me so I can buy car parts. 20-40 cars with minimal paxxing is more than I need to do for free.

3 events?!?!?! In a typical year I'm responsible for 15-25 WOSCA events and the venue is 2 hours from my home! I look forward to WOSCA's provincial because it's the least amount of work I do. The region provides timing, registration and the officials to deal with protests and penalties. I setup the course, hold a driver's meeting and then I'm done for the day. At my own events I'm lucky if I have 30 seconds to chat with a newbie or jump in a rookies car to give some pointers. That said this year is getting easier. The other early riser know enough about what their doing that if I fail to show up I can count on the event still occurring, more or less, on time.

[craig]

As someone new to the sport, all the politiking that went on before is unknown to me, and in my opinion, the provincial series is a lot of fun, with a bunch of core supporters/enthusiasts.

I enjoy club events and provincial events all the same, just wish I had more time for more club events :)

You, sir, have said it best of anyone on this topic. I am honestly humbled.

[Rampant WS6]

3 events?!?!?! In a typical year I'm responsible for 15-25 WOSCA events and the venue is 2 hours from my home! I look forward to WOSCA's provincial because it's the least amount of work I do. The region provides timing, registration and the officials to deal with protests and penalties. I setup the course, hold a driver's meeting and then I'm done for the day. At my own events I'm lucky if I have 30 seconds to chat with a newbie or jump in a rookies car to give some pointers. That said this year is getting easier. The other early riser know enough about what their doing that if I fail to show up I can count on the event still occurring, more or less, on time.

I respect the efforts others must make, trust me.:D

All I am good at, is doing course layouts in CAD. Even that took 2 1/2 hour in the parking lot taking measurements to all the various boundaries and hazards so I could scale it against the Satellite images. Now I plan on adding bad pavement to it as well so I can be even more accurate.

Even with your assurance, I have no desire try a regional event as a director.

Maybe once I retire.;)

[finboy]

As mentioned before in this thread:

Regionals are not what they used to be, it's full of friendly competitors (like club events), competing on different "club" venues, providing the competitors with various types of course designs and flavours.

Understood, it will never be for everyone. People that have old recollections should actually come out and see the changes that have been done. There are quite a few people from various organizations that have volunteered their time to help preserve some of the things that we all enjoy, and provided input to creating a series that is all about what we all want out of a "hobby".

Contrary to popular belief, Regionals are:
Fun - Friendly competition amongst "people" regardless of rules or rule sets

Friendly - People openly sharing setups (yes at a regional level) to help everyone get better / faster. Heck, I even invited the person that's currently beating me on a run in my car on Sunday, just for kicks. This happens often amongst all competitors.

Not overly serious - Even though there are some folks out there that think it's the end of the world if they don't win, it's been a rarity this year, and the previous year.

Course layouts - Vary depending on venue and location, variety is fun!! All venues have been fun this year, regardless of size. One of the functions of the current committee is to ensure that it's a drivers race, not "car size" or steering rack ratio, meaning that most courses are designed with the "select a line" mindset, along with the local club nuance.

As for the "Whine" tour, I think the person that made that comment (Dave Taira) should come out and see if it really is. As a matter of fact, there was only 1 Whine Tour and it was spelled like "Wine", at the black prince winery.

In all seriousness / lightheartedness, there's room for all activities, besides, it's a Hobby.

Also, those that haven't met Gary Wood, should go meet the man. He's one of the calmest, yet passionate person I've met in this sport. I guess his many years as a Kodak executive have rewarded him with excellent temperment, the perfect candidate to manage the series as "Director".



Joe Trinidad.. question.. are the regional numbers up or down?

with the fewer club events happening in the GTA.. i'm guessing the regional numbers would be up...

yes no?

for me.. i'm quite content with the club events, and so are a ton of others for that matter

if the Ontario Championship changes from a 7 event series to something less
like a two weekend thing

eg. Western Ontario crown and a Eastern Ontario Crown.. then that'd be something I'd participate in.. and i'm sure others would as well


Does anyone get hyped about a regional event anymore? i hope so...
there's a ton of club events that people enjoy and don't bother to do the regionals



i think the regional event should bring something better or different..
otherwise.. it's a wine tour

i don't see it..

that's just me



"I have voiced these concerns over and over and over to deaf ears, so what do I care.....

Carry on!" (not how I would say it.. but kinda the same thing)


Dave

ps . Joe Trinidad...what happened to the SPDA win for cash series?

[JoeT]

Joe Trinidad.. question.. are the regional numbers up or down?

with the fewer club events happening in the GTA.. i'm guessing the regional numbers would be up...

yes no?


Dave

ps . Joe Trinidad...what happened to the SPDA win for cash series?

Hey Dave,

Answers to your questions.

Regionals up or down?

"Stable with slight increase" inspite if the rain at every event.
Average last year was 40 - 42, average this year is 44 - 46 ish.

Average number of runs: 7 (except for Sunday, TLMC wanted 8.. Excellent event, with 53 ish competitors, similar to HADA in the torrential downpour)

ps . Joe Trinidad...what happened to the SPDA win for cash series?

As for your last question, it's here in plain sight: http://spda-online.ca/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4054&forum=19

Believe it or not, even you are eligable. LOL :p But it's not a cash for series, it's a "reward for participation".

At the mid season meet we gave away:
1 Set of tires Courtesy of Toyo Tires Canada
20 X $50.00 gift certs (Tires) Thanks to Talon
1 X $100.00 Gift cert (Tires) Ditto
2 X Clutch Kits ($400.00 Each) Big thanks to Bully

Current winners list here: http://spda-online.ca/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4200&forum=17

Hope this helps answer your curiosity. :)

[Jon04CTSV]

Man... I just wanna have fun.

Also to note. I'm not a TLMC member or series registered. I wouldn't have been welcome at Barrie this weekend. I was glad I got to go to the TFBM event and meet some new people.

[Rampant WS6]

Man... I just wanna have fun.

Also to note. I'm not a TLMC member or series registered. I wouldn't have been welcome at Barrie this weekend. I was glad I got to go to the TFBM event and meet some new people.


Glad you had fun.

Did you have a tire on your car, someone said they saw you change the tires?

[Rampant WS6]

Here are a couple pics of me trying to roll the boat over.



http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/sleeper28/FBodyAutoXMagnumAug10-08_0502.jpg

http://i215.photobucket.com/albums/cc67/sleeper28/FBodyAutoXAug10-08Magnum.jpg

I think there are few more pics coming and a couple videos.

[Jon04CTSV]

Glad you had fun.

Did you have a tire on your car, someone said they saw you change the tires?

We have some 16" Hankook K106 (crappy street tires) that we run on the CTS. Just so we don't beat up the street ones. We only race that car in rain now (seems like every event it rains!!). The C6 and V come out on dry days.

[JoeT]

Man... I just wanna have fun.

Also to note. I'm not a TLMC member or series registered. I wouldn't have been welcome at Barrie this weekend. I was glad I got to go to the TFBM event and meet some new people.

Like Saturday when we spoke, you don't need to be series registered to come out and have fun. HADA Saturday event was a regional, no requirement to be registered, and everyone is always welcome.

BTW, TLMC hosted a fantastic event, all sunshine, and very very fast speeds.

[Rampant WS6]

We have some 16" Hankook K106 (crappy street tires) that we run on the CTS. Just so we don't beat up the street ones. We only race that car in rain now (seems like every event it rains!!). The C6 and V come out on dry days.

Cool, I was close to your time and just wondered if you a little edge.:D I doubt they are any better than my all seasons.

[h-bomb]

BTW, TLMC hosted a fantastic event, all sunshine, and very very fast speeds.

fyi, GPS DAC showed top speeds on Saturday that were 10 kph higher than Sunday :)

[Jon04CTSV]

Like Saturday when we spoke, you don't need to be series registered to come out and have fun. HADA Saturday event was a regional, no requirement to be registered, and everyone is always welcome.

BTW, TLMC hosted a fantastic event, all sunshine, and very very fast speeds.


TLMC's website states "Open to Regional Competitors and TLMC Members only"

http://www.s94743584.onlinehome.us/html/2008_solo_ii_schedule.html

[JoeT]

TLMC's website states "Open to Regional Competitors and TLMC Members only"

http://www.s94743584.onlinehome.us/html/2008_solo_ii_schedule.html

Thanks for pointing that out. As a rule, regionals are always open to everyone. That was a mistake for sure.

[Rampant WS6]

Results are posted.

http://forums.tfbm.org/index.php?t=msg&goto=46413&#msg_46413

BTW Jon, I did not know your Pax so we put unknowns into the AMod.;)

Not sure if the CTS is DS, but if it is, it would of likely gotten you 3rd.

[Maddog]

Results are posted.

http://forums.tfbm.org/index.php?t=msg&goto=46413&#msg_46413

BTW JoeT, I did not know your Pax so we put unknowns into the AMod.;)

Not sure if the CTS is DS, but if is, it would of likely gotten you 3rd.The CTS-V is F-Stock and would have given him 3rd also.

[Rampant WS6]

The CTS-V is F-Stock and would have given him 3rd also.


I do not think it was a V was it? It did not sound like a V.

[Maddog]

I do not think was a V was it? It did not sound like a V.
That's what it says in his forum sig. ;)

[Rampant WS6]

That's what it says in his forum sig. ;)

Not the same car, the one in the Sig is Black and the one at the event was Silver.

Plus he mentioned 16" rims, No CTS would fit a 16" rim over a 14" rotor.

[StewPiddass]

Thanks for pointing that out. As a rule, regionals are always open to everyone. That was a mistake for sure.

Really? oops, this keeps changing all the time... seeing as we usually have upwards of 70 competitors at our events (without the regionals being there) we thought we'd need some crowd control...

[JoeT]

Really? oops, this keeps changing all the time... seeing as we usually have upwards of 70 competitors at our events (without the regionals being there) we thought we'd need some crowd control...

Hi Todd,

Honest mistake, since the rulebooks are thick. But yes, the section that limited the participants was removed and is no longer present in Section 4 (page 13) of the rulebook. Anyone can attend.

Hope this helps.

[finboy]

what about capping registered drivers at regional events too?

[Jon04CTSV]

Results are posted.

http://forums.tfbm.org/index.php?t=msg&goto=46413&#msg_46413

BTW Jon, I did not know your Pax so we put unknowns into the AMod.;)

Not sure if the CTS is DS, but if it is, it would of likely gotten you 3rd.


No problem. Was only there for fun anyways.

And I was driving a CTS that day. My V does not leave the garage on days that call for rain. (Yes, point and laugh all you want, but black is a pain to keep clean!)

[Gwoody27]

Hi all, about time I added something to the mix.

Based on a number of comments I have received prior to 2008, the Provincial schedule was designed to be a series that took place across the province. The priority was to have fun first of all and to also be competitive and give everyone a fair chance at winning their class. The goal was to have good locations and organization and as much as possible were to run as both Local Club and Provincial events at the same time. This last part didn't work out well this year for a variety of reason but still makes sense to me.

You see, I believe that the sport can only be strong if the local clubs are strong. To me the Provincial series should be one for individuals who can afford to, and want to test themselves against the best club folks and on a variety of venues. I honestly don't see it as a stand alone event, even if it is run on unique courses like Picton. That was still a StLac event. Also clubs need to at least break even on Provincial events and hopefully make $$. This depends on participation and we need to keep the events open to all.

The single biggest thing that stands in the way of having this vision happen is the variety of classing rules used around the clubs. The CASC-OR Autoslalom committee has agreed to look at ways to simplify the classing rules for 2009 and I will look to the clubs to provide input.

A second problem for 2008 was caused by me. I was not working early enough on the schedule and as a result it was published late. The fact that there are so few conflict dates has been good, but the stated goal was to have no conflicts. It was entirely my fault that there have been. Again we will give it a better shot in 2009.

Finally, it is not possible to please eveyone, just can't do it. My goal is to work with the clubs to do the best possible job. There will be some who will be happy and some not, but that's no reason to stop. For 2009 look for about the same number of Provincial events, planned to represent all clubs who are willing to designate one of their club events to be a Provincial one also and open to anyone who wants to run, without restriction.

A last word, if people don't know me it is as much my fault as their's. I did try to communicate with all clubs early on but I know there have been personnel changes so it didn't always work out. I will certainly try again, because, as stated, the clubs are the core of the sport and must be supported. That's why my company has initiated the inter club challenge for 2008 and 2009. Now it's up to you as clubs to participate. You will hear a lot more from me as we begin to finalize a 2009 Provincial Series.

Gary Wood
CASC-OR Autoslalom Director