Thank You RMSOLO

[dipolley]

All,

I just wanted to express my gratitude for all of the wonderful help you gave the new guy at the Winter Series 3. I ran the Blue Saturn Ion Redline (45DS)and it was my first time competeing at at SCCA event. I just moved here from Detroit as well. I really appreciates how friendly everyone was and you all gave great tips and hints. Sometimes I felt like I was asking the dumb questions but then again, there are no dumb questions.

I think the number one thing I learned is you CANNOT stress enough how important walking the course is. As many times as you can. It is worth getting there early. (no matter how cold it is). Ask questions, walk the course, talk with other drivers, get a ride along in someone else's vehicle as well as your own, and see what other people are doing, why, and what it does to help. And again, ask questions.

Thanks again to everyone I talked to and for the great day. I haven't had that much fun in a while. I hope I put on a good showing and to perform even better throughout the summer series. See you in the spring.

Dave P

PS To the announcers, thanks for pronouncing my name correctly.

[Eric Pollock]

PS. Your welcome! I was the third heat announcer.

This is exactly what the other members of the club expect to hear from someone and their first outing. I hope to see you at the next event.

[Jarod]

From what I saw, you did good for your first time. I dont ever remember calling any cones on you on corner one. I called in multiple DNF's on my corner, you weren't one of them. THat car sounded good. Is it supercharged or turbocharged?

It was a fun event. I like winter events.

[dipolley]

I didn't hit a single cone!!! I was impressed. But after looking at the rankings this morning I was upset to see I DNFed 3 times. I can't for the life of me figure out where. I know I dnfed on corner 2 my first run. but the other 2 .....????? The last run was perfect. 57 seconds. At the very least my best run was the one I actually finished. Then again, maybe a corner captain just felt sorry for me and let me slide on the last run.

The Ion is supercharged. Eaton, M-62 roots type. The engne is a 2.0L Ecotec. Engine actually is rated at 120 hp on it's own and the with the super at 210 hp.

I had a great time. I won't make winter #4 dues to work. I will be in Florida, But I will be back for the summer series. Hopefully I put on a better showing.


Here's a link to my cardomain site. Pics of the engine and such.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/758983

[Jamie]

But after looking at the rankings this morning I was upset to see I DNFed 3 times. I can't for the life of me figure out where. I know I dnfed on corner 2 my first run. but the other 2 .....?????

David - the radio sheets, on which we in the timing truck record penalties called in from the corner captains, show you DNF'd as follows:

Run 1: DNF'd at corners 2 and 3
Run 2: DNF'd at corner 3
Run 3: DNF'd at corner 3

We don't have further information; i.e. where exactly in corners 2 and 3.

Riders are really good at spotting where you DNF. During the summer series, a person can only ride after they've driven. During the winter, you can ride before and after you drive.

Cheers,

[S Abshire]

David - the radio sheets, on which we in the timing truck record penalties called in from the corner captains, show you DNF'd as follows:

Run 1: DNF'd at corners 2 and 3
Run 2: DNF'd at corner 3
Run 3: DNF'd at corner 3

We don't have further information; i.e. where exactly in corners 2 and 3.

Riders are really good at spotting where you DNF. During the summer series, a person can only ride after they've driven. During the winter, you can ride before and after you drive.

Cheers,

Most DNFs I heard for corner three were for folks entering the slalom on the wrong side, or not runing the slalom. The laydown cone next to an upright cone tells which side you need to be on. So with poor ASCII graphics, if you see this ]>/\ you need to be on the right, if you see this /\<[ you need to be on the left. The last offset and the slalom entry cone were were both marked for the car to be on the left. Some folks I believe moved to the right of the slalom entry cone, as they were still caught up in the oscillations of the offsets. Hope that helps.

-Scott

[dipolley]

Most DNFs I heard for corner three were for folks entering the slalom on the wrong side, or not runing the slalom. The laydown cone next to an upright cone tells which side you need to be on. So with poor ASCII graphics, if you see this ]>/\ you need to be on the right, if you see this /\<[ you need to be on the left. The last offset and the slalom entry cone were were both marked for the car to be on the left. Some folks I believe moved to the right of the slalom entry cone, as they were still caught up in the oscillations of the offsets. Hope that helps.

-Scott

Jamie and Scott,

I know exactly where I DNFed on corner 2. Since I worked that corner in heat one I saw a couple people make the same mistake I did. After the first right hand 180 and into the right 90 and a 180 to the left. I didn't take the first right hand turn long enough. You really need to slow down for that one. Hard to see but it is a fun turn.

As for corner 3. I know I went to the left on the start of the slalom. Another bonus to working the first heat is that I saw several people make that mistake and made special note not to do it myself. I did not change my slalom durring the 4th run, so that can't be it. Then again I may be wrong. I think maybe I missed the last cone on the slalom or the gate before it. If the course stays the same at DIA next time I will probably figure it out. But no big deal. That is what it is what being a novice is all about. Learning how to navigate that sea of cones is a whole lot more difficult than it looks. But VERY satisfying when you get it right.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I'll be back for the summer series.

dp

[arniecoleman]

David (and all other novices!),

New courses are created for each event. Designs may be similar, but no two are the same. That's part of the difficulty, . . . er, "charm" of the sport.

'Attending the Novice Course Walk at each event will ensure you understand how to navigate each course. Get to the site early so you can get registered and have your car prepped by 8:00 AM. The walk usually starts around 8:15.
________
vaporizer affiliates (http://vaporizeraffiliateprogram.com)

[JonathonBarton]

I saw you as you came up to the Start Line each time... I wish I'd known you were DNFing... I was hanging out right near the S/F line, helmet in hand, specifically looking to ride with people wanting a "course guide" after a DNF...

Kinda hard to advertise that, though...maybe I'll start bringing a little whiteboard with me... :)

Once my runs are done, I'm planning on making that a habit, though...(and perhaps others might consider it, as well?)

I know my first event, after my first DNF, Jean Riley's husband rode with me, and it was *tremendously* helpful.

JB
68AT

[Jake Latham]

Riders are really good at spotting where you DNF. During the summer series, a person can only ride after they've driven.

Since you're a novice, you can ride any time you want, summer series or not.

-Jake