Thank YOU

[Tony Kloosterma]

First regional event and it ran on time.
Thanks to all the competitors who took my post seriously and showed up on time to register. Your promptness allowed the event organizers to hold a drivers meeting on time, do a course walk and manage 5 runs on a 53-60 second course in the pouring rain and be done by 500pm.

I congratulate you all.

Apologize for some of the confusion with seperate lines and hada vs regional solo series lines....we will be better organized next time......

All in all I was pleased by how it went today( other then the weather)

Comments and constructive criticism is welcome... help us make your series better.

thanks

Tony

[soloZ]

Yes very well run today, I am glad I found out what number I rally am aswell. Now back at the open house they had door prises? I am number 37 and my number was drawn :) what did I win? hehehe

[Greg F]

Very good work guys!

[AlienDNA]

Many thanks to the folks from HADA for a well run event.

I have to echo Tony's comments about how impressive it was to be able to get 5 runs in under those weather conditions on a two lap course. And I thought the pre-registration system was slick. Bang! Two signatures and hand over some cash and you're out of there.

Great course for that lot, too. Keith tells me that was their wet weather course - a dry, sunny day would have had a faster, more open course. Yowsa! :cool:

[tanney]

I think the big thanks needs to go to Tony! Tony showed up before most of the organizers and put his own needs on the back burner to make sure that registration ran as smooth as possible.

Other big thanks goes to, specifically, Tom Lichti, who frooze his ass off doing timing most of the day. The poor guy was so stiff from the cold that he could barely get out of the chair to go hop in his car to run.

Good job Tony and to all of the HADA people who ran the event, definitely the poor suckers who marshaled all day in the rain and cold so competitors didn't have to.

Competing when cold and extremely wet, sucks!

[Logan]

I was quite impressed with everything except the weather too!

Congrats to all!

And I must appologize for any heart palpitations I may have caused during my antics (x2) coming into the stop box. The last one in particular was unnecessary...

[tanney]

No damage done!

The cone that was wedged under your car had grabbed the cable from the timing head and you were about to drag the timing head and timing computer across the parking lot. That's why we were screaming so loud. Sorry!

[gatherer]

for the record Tony was the first at the lot...

it was lots of fun. competition is great with the new class structure.

[miataboi]

Originally posted by gatherer

it was lots of fun. competition is great with the new class structure.

IF you have a fwd or AWD car.

Again... RWD cars that are in "mixed clases" get hosed if it's wet and / or cold...

:(

Rain events for my local events... mean that in order to do well I have to go to Ottawa, etc and hope that it's dry in order to compete :(

Frustrating.
The mixed classing is a problem... but I can't wait 'til it's dry out to LAY THE SMACK DOWN!

At least PITTL still keeps like drivetrain layouts together...
:rolleyes:


Had a decent time given the conditions...
GREAT layout... flowy....

[JAYh]

What's the matter? Your little Miata just can't hang with the big boys? Maybe you nead a REAL MAN's car to compete - like a '67 Impala! :p

(Now that I think about it - maybe a BOAT would have been the vehicle of choice in yesterday's weather!)

- J

[AlienDNA]

Originally posted by JAYh
(Now that I think about it - maybe a BOAT would have been the vehicle of choice in yesterday's weather!)

- J

LOL!

I would've liked to see that Hippo Tours bus take a run. In the words of Homer (Simpson) "Look at that blubber fly!":D

[miataboi]

Originally posted by JAYh
What's the matter? Your little Miata just can't hang with the big boys? Maybe you nead a REAL MAN's car to compete - like a '67 Impala! :p

(Now that I think about it - maybe a BOAT would have been the vehicle of choice in yesterday's weather!)

- J

Yes... yes that's exactly it.
:rolleyes:

No it's not, actually...

I think it's an unfair classing system where TOTALLY polar-opposite cars (weights, power and drivetrain layouts) are in the same class! SURE... under CERTAIN circumstances... (weather, course layouts, etc.) these cars will perform similarly... but more often than not... course design, weather, etc will DICTATE the class outcome! It's a crappy feeling knowing that no matter HOW well you drive and prep a car... a fellow classmate can have a 1.5 sec adv. just because they are in a well prepped RSX-S vs. your miata... for example... because of conditons.

It's apples to oranges... and basically... not an equitable comparison. I could CONCEIVABLY drive very well all season... and due to course layout and weather... get TOTALLY screwed.

It's just that I believe that a good auto-x car that is well prepped should be COMPETITIVE at least within class... no?

HADA has me competing against WRX's... and Regionals against modified type S's and modified SRT-4's. Now I'm not at all worried on a dry, warm day... BRING IT ON! :D (like I JUST KNOW we're due for one onf the next few events...) But put a pin-turn in there... and the SRT will walk away with 2x the torque and power... or in the wet... the WRX has a SLIGHT advantage...

It's just totally frustrating for the Miata's that are against AWD and FWD cars.
Now most cars are FWD and there are TONS of subies nowadays... so I don't expect a lot of support... but can ANYONE empathise? I'm not is MOD or even SP trim... it's Super Stock.

Class SHOULD be about driver and prep... now it's about weather, course layout, driver and prep.... all due to how the classing is set out.

How can a 240+ hp FWD car compare WITHIN CLASS to a 125 Hp rwd car?

I don't want this to go on and on as a rant... it's just that I don't think RWD cars were properly taken into acount for classing in the regionals or HADA. Underfilled class pax'ing across prep-levels is also unfair for the same reason. (rainy day, class is underfilled... RWD cars get pax'd against awd and fwd cars...)
I can't complain about the HADA series, really.. it's a club series... BY FWD'ers FOR fwd'ers.. and I choose to enter it for fun, mostly... but from regionals... I expected more.

I can only hope for good weather in the future...
I am not discouraged... just annoy'd... but it'll spur me on... just more of a challenge now! If they call for more rain... Anwar Knight and Harold Hussain will heve ME to answer to!!!!

[gatherer]

I see your point.... (at least it makes sense from my perspective.)

however compared to last years classing (again only from my perspective as a driver of a FWD car) this year is much better classed...

(for the record I'm in Hstock this year and was in B1 last year)

[tanney]

but from regionals... I expected more. So you are critizing SCCA as well? Their Stock and SP classes are have identical cars!

[Doug Phillips]

Try pushing around a 3600 lb hunk of steel (and plastic). Have a good good and find yourself in second place over 3 seconds behind the #2 FTD.:o Go Daniel! (up to ESP!)

Better than last week, I was 4 seconds behind his FTD.

I had an absolute blast yessterday despite all the cold and rain. Good job HADA.:D

This year will be all for fun, no glory.

[tony mcgrath]

Originally posted by miataboi

It's apples to oranges... and basically... not an equitable comparison. I could CONCEIVABLY drive very well all season... and due to course layout and weather... get TOTALLY screwed.

It's just that I believe that a good auto-x car that is well prepped should be COMPETITIVE at least within class... no?

It's just totally frustrating for the Miata's that are against AWD and FWD cars.
Now most cars are FWD and there are TONS of subies nowadays... so I don't expect a lot of support... but can ANYONE empathise? I'm not is MOD or even SP trim... it's Super Stock.

Class SHOULD be about driver and prep... now it's about weather, course layout, driver and prep.... all due to how the classing is set out.

How can a 240+ hp FWD car compare WITHIN CLASS to a 125 Hp rwd car?


Jeff : You have hit on a valid point- in any classing system there will be discrepancies. Just so happens that in foul weather you are at a distinct disadvantage. The U.S, style classes are set up to have all the cars competitive on warm, dry, Kansas courses. So you might have to move.... ;)

As the driver of a 4wd car in D/SS I was happy to see the rain, because in the dry I think the Preludes, Neons and Integras will be faster than the GTX.

So what do you say to driving my car when its crappy and cold, and we drive your car when its nice?? :D

Tony

[miataboi]

I understand some of the realities of the situation... just hate to become one of those wussies who only show up if they KNOW they have a shot to win... or become a fair-weather auto-x'er... the clubs need MORE people to show when the weather's poor... not fewer!

And I can see where Doug is coming fram... as I was 4 sec off class leader and FTD... and I had a prepped suspension and he didn't! :eek:

Whatcha gunna do? Next year I'm forced to bolt on stoopid Hp and go for SP or MOD... either that or a custom bolt-on AWD system that I can install for crappy weather... can we make THAT SS-legal at least? ;)

I'd take Tony up on his offer if I was an equal or better driver than he... sadly I am not... (yet! ;) Just you wait... he's past his prime... and I'm JUST about to reach mine!!! :D )

Just on a bit of an embellished rant... as it's Monday... and I wanted to get people thinking and talking....

...at least THAT worked!
:D

[Marsh]

Miatabi, I'd love to sympathise with you, but the truth is that everyone except you has been going through this for the last decade in this region. You drive one of the cars that enjoyed complete and utter dominance under the old rules and now that dominance is gone. I'd like to say it's unfair, but if I can beat turob subarus, V8 iron, Talons etc, etc, on a COMP course in the least powerful car in the class then so can you. There isn't a car in you class I'd rather be driving than yours anyway.

[Doug Phillips]

Originally posted by miataboi

And I can see where Doug is coming fram... as I was 4 sec off class leader and FTD... and I had a prepped suspension and he didn't! :eek:

:D

Nope, I dropped a few bucks on preparation since last year and moved to ESS. Shocks, springs, swaybar, new diff, bigger rubber. :D

The differential was amazing in the rain. I could really feel it hooking up, very pleased.

[ADAM]

why doesn't solo 2 , use the same rules as solo 1 , in classing what cars race each other?

[tanney]

why doesn't solo 2 , use the same rules as solo 1 , in classing what cars race each other?

Cars handle totally different at 120kph then they do at 60kph, so some cars that are uncompetitive in Solo 2 become dominant in Solo 1 and vice versa (i.e. the f-bodys)

[miataboi]

Originally posted by Doug Phillips
Nope, I dropped a few bucks on preparation since last year and moved to ESS. Shocks, springs, swaybar, new diff, bigger rubber. :D

The differential was amazing in the rain. I could really feel it hooking up, very pleased. NICE!!!

What rates?
Filling rattling? ;)

LSD in rain is the sheite!!! :D

[miataboi]

Originally posted by Marsh
Miatabi, I'd love to sympathise with you, but the truth is that everyone except you has been going through this for the last decade in this region. You drive one of the cars that enjoyed complete and utter dominance under the old rules and now that dominance is gone. I'd like to say it's unfair, but if I can beat turob subarus, V8 iron, Talons etc, etc, on a COMP course in the least powerful car in the class then so can you. There isn't a car in you class I'd rather be driving than yours anyway.

I NEVER expected sympathy from you! ;)

My belief is that a GOOD auto-x car should do well... specifically in it's class... and they WILL INEVITABLY find themselves up to / near FTD when the right drivers get into them...

The miata is no worse of an auto-x car than the past 5 or 10 years.... The dominance is gone simply due to other cars with entirely diff. characteristics being put into it's class. (in the rain)

Comp courses are deceiving... most think if it's a BIG course.. hp wins... B.S.

How did Steve get FTD in a STOCK miata over the Z06's and the other 'vettes 2 or 3 years ago??? Once a little car gets up to speed... as long as it doesn't have to slam on the binders... it's as fast or faster then the heavy AWD and V8's... no doubt!

We'll see who's all talk and who's cockier once it dries and heats up... I can't wait to see!
:p

[Doug Phillips]

Originally posted by tanney
some cars that are uncompetitive in Solo 2 become dominant in Solo 1 and vice versa (i.e. the f-bodys)

You bad man.:(

[J.C.]

Originally posted by miataboi
I NEVER expected sympathy from you! ;)

My belief is that a GOOD auto-x car should do well... specifically in it's class... and they WILL INEVITABLY find themselves up to / near FTD when the right drivers get into them...

The miata is no worse of an auto-x car than the past 5 or 10 years.... The dominance is gone simply due to other cars with entirely diff. characteristics being put into it's class. (in the rain)

Comp courses are deceiving... most think if it's a BIG course.. hp wins... B.S.

How did Steve get FTD in a STOCK miata over the Z06's and the other 'vettes 2 or 3 years ago??? Once a little car gets up to speed... as long as it doesn't have to slam on the binders... it's as fast or faster then the heavy AWD and V8's... no doubt!

We'll see who's all talk and who's cockier once it dries and heats up... I can't wait to see!
:p

No offence but how can you really expect sympathy if in one post you basically brag how a light, nimble, RWD car is better in the dry and your going to kickass in its class, and in the other post complain about it not being the most uber in the rain? You want the best of both worlds? It's easy really buy one of each and run the one you feel is better for that day.

P.S. We could always do like in SCCA roadracing and and a weight penalty to the winners.

[miataboi]

Originally posted by J.C.
No offence but how can you really expect sympathy if in one post you basically brag how a light, nimble, RWD car is better in the dry and your going to kickass in its class, and in the other post complain about it not being the most uber in the rain? You want the best of both worlds? It's easy really buy one of each and run the one you feel is better for that day.

P.S. We could always do like in SCCA roadracing and and a weight penalty to the winners.

I'm not going to directly respond to this...


...but why don't we put the Super sevens and SAE cars in the same class as the WRX's? SURE the Super 7's and SAE cars are going to win the dry events... But they're on their own in the rain!

Just apples to oranges. Seems irrelevant right???

EXACTLY!
:rolleyes:

[J.C.]

Originally posted by miataboi
I'm not going to directly respond to this...


...but why don't we put the Super sevens and SAE cars in the same class as the WRX's? SURE the Super 7's and SAE cars are going to win the dry events... But they're on their own in the rain!

Just apples to oranges. Seems irrelevant right???

EXACTLY!
:rolleyes:

Valid question but why aren't you also mentioning about cars that are obviously outclassed in a certain class even when its dry?

[Marsh]

Originally posted by miataboi
...but why don't we put the Super sevens and SAE cars in the same class as the WRX's? SURE the Super 7's and SAE cars are going to win the dry events... But they're on their own in the rain!

Having driven and SAE car in the wet, I'll take that challenge in any car you choose. When your car weighs less than 500 lbs it's fast in ANYTHING.

[miataboi]

Originally posted by Marsh
Having driven and SAE car in the wet, I'll take that challenge in any car you choose. When your car weighs less than 500 lbs it's fast in ANYTHING.

DOH!
Went back and added SAE cars for dramatic effect.... looks like that backfired!

Point still stands... Super 7's vs. WRX's

:D

[Doug Phillips]

Am I missing something?

Looking at the results, Miata's are listed in only CS (all Miata's) and CSS (with Type R).

Where were you running with modified type S's and modified SRT-4's? :confused: