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First Time at a ProSolo/National Tour?

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Old 04-22-2007, 07:56 PM
  #26  
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devens = ft devens?
Old 04-22-2007, 09:56 PM
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This is '06 ES Natl Champ, Bryan H, piloting a STU M3 in a borrowed ride. You can expect that level of competition in STU at Devens.

http://www.justracing.com/galleries/...lbum=209&pos=1

Yes, Devens is Fort Devens. Currently being used by MA State Trooper for training. You can also see deserted tanks I remember.
Old 04-23-2007, 12:02 AM
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Hummmmm he's pretty good.
Old 04-23-2007, 12:16 PM
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... I'll add to this thread because other newbies may be reading for understanding too ...

More on Tour/Pro formalities -
Bring your car to grid on time (listen for the announcer to call your run group to grid); and report for your work assignment on time; or be DSQ'd.

Clyde, yes, at SD Tour they made BSL jack up the car and take a rear wheel off. That's the first time my class has had to do it. I didn't see who got the lucky straw in my run group at Atwater, but it would've sucked because it was pouring cats and dogs then.

p.s. referencing what Stuart says earlier or later in this thread - people who have done these events not only can focus on driving, but can focus on strategy. Find a seasoned veteran, humbly ask for mentoring.

Last edited by dknv; 04-25-2007 at 05:25 PM. Reason: editing is fun part 2
Old 04-23-2007, 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by mwood
Don't let these guys scare you...people have been known to win at their first Tour event
I think in many post Polak comes off with way to big of a head for his major lack of experience.... He will learn just like Mr.wood what the beat down feels like. Just make sure if you are going to cry you stay in the car or keep your helmet on if it is full face.
Old 04-23-2007, 02:48 PM
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Originally Posted by ULLLOSE
I think in many post Polak comes off with way to big of a head for his major lack of experience.... He will learn just like Mr.wood what the beat down feels like. Just make sure if you are going to cry you stay in the car or keep your helmet on if it is full face.
Yeah, I picked up on Polak's seeming attitude...

BTW, ULLLLLLLLLOSE, you're getting way too excited about putting the "beat down" on a mid packer...unless you have much more respect for my driving than you let on...

Besides, I've won some other stuff in the last year...just couldn't quite put it together both days at Atwater to force you to put a cork in it
Old 04-23-2007, 02:59 PM
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Meh ULLOSE, I mean I could bend over and take the veteran bashing from yourself, Sipe and the rest of the bunch.

But that’s hardly fair; further, I feel like that’s an affront to my character and contrary to who I am. Respect is a nontangible good that can be dished out in a variety of ways, my method of dispersal just happens to be less archetypal in this social/cultural setting.

Light Tree?
Old 04-23-2007, 07:24 PM
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Back on topic:

In a Pro, your reaction time DOES figure into your total time...that's the beauty of the tree...you get to drag race and autocross

It's a blast. I don't see how it will be as fun in the one course format, but anticipating the light and getting a good launch will still add to the whole deal.
Old 04-23-2007, 07:31 PM
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Drag racing good, something i can do :-p, when i ran that 14.5 stock, that was stickyed in this forum for a bit, i launched at 7.5-8k, I'm much more conservative at local events for the sake of the clutch, but i suppose that high what all you guys are launching at pro/NT events?
Old 04-24-2007, 12:12 AM
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Back on track but in tune with the recent conversation.....Make sure your car is well put together and passes tech. I remember how frustrating it was when I was first getting started in this sport to go through the tech inspection. My "mods" were not always appreciated by those who had to tech the car. The tech inspections are more thorough at National events and they're more likely to fail you for something you might think is fine or even better then stock....

Seriously, forget about all the BS that's flying around on this board and just prove everyone wrong......Then we'll start having some fun.
Old 04-24-2007, 02:30 AM
  #36  
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"'Close your eyes. What do you hear?' -Po
'I hear the water. I hear the birds.' -young Caine
'Do you hear your own heartbeat?'
'No.'
'Do you hear the grasshopper which at your feet?'
Caine opens his eyes and looks down at his feet to see a grasshopper there. 'Old Man, how is it that you hear these things?'
'Young Man, how is it that you do not?'"



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Old 04-24-2007, 12:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PoLaK
...but i suppose that high what all you guys are launching at pro/NT events?
Not necessarily. Launch RPM's depends on alot of things.

After you compete You tell us what You launched at, what your RT's and ET's were, what tires/sizes you used, what the pavement was like, what the weather was like, and where you hit the limiter - and then we'll have more fodder to debate to death.

Special tip: don't stay at 5-6K+ too long, or suffer the death idle (good thing I got that out of me at the ET practice!). Can't remember if that's just the 04's though....
Old 04-24-2007, 12:51 PM
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What about around the course, do they have "official workers" stationed at locations separate from the drivers at the worker stations?

Reason I ask is while these are Nat. level competitors, you do sometimes run into the problem at local events of not every cone being called in for a certain car or simple miscommunications, an "official" member of the staff strategically placed would probably curve those errors alot.
Old 04-24-2007, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by PoLaK
What about around the course, do they have "official workers" stationed at locations separate from the drivers at the worker stations?
No, it's all drivers working the course. It is unlikely a cone will be unnoticed by the 3 or 4 workers at station. One guy calls it on the radio, while another writes down each car that passes and whether they are clean, coned, or DNF'd. Also, the exact cone (they are numbered) that was hit or bypassed is written down on the audit sheet. The sheets are collected multiple times during the run group.

I think you are thinking too much about this. These details should be the last of your worries.
Old 04-24-2007, 01:00 PM
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Thank almighty for getting back on track. Let's just save the Q&A and cut off the pissing match/squabble/ridicule/instigation.

The station worker arrangement is similar to local event (i.e. flagger/radio/cone *******), as filled by drivers, not Natl staff. The only difference is that you have all cones marked, and numbered, which are both communicated to the central on the radio and written down on cone sheet as each car goes thru each station (clean, DNF, #/id of cones hit).
Old 04-24-2007, 02:16 PM
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got it thanks, Steven you've been to devens what can you tell me about the surface?
Old 04-24-2007, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by PoLaK
got it thanks, Steven you've been to devens what can you tell me about the surface?
http://local.live.com/default.aspx?v...2&scene=167005

i was there sunday with bmwcca, what do you want to know?
Old 04-24-2007, 03:02 PM
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sandy/gravel/clean?
asphault/concrete/mix?
bumpy/rough sections?
changes in elevation or anything else that could unsettle the rear end (i.e "hurricane waves")?

Last edited by PoLaK; 04-24-2007 at 03:04 PM.
Old 04-24-2007, 03:11 PM
  #44  
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theres only a tiny bit of sand on the area by the control tower ,and that's just from wind. 99% of it will be kicked away by people during walkthrough

it's an abandoned airforce bace, so whatever they use. i believe straight asphault

the only bumpy sections are the parts where cracks have been filled in, but nothing enough to notice.

there's one change in elevation to the right of the tower (according to the image i posted) it's only a change of about 10 inches over 25 or so feet.
Old 04-24-2007, 03:47 PM
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You can see Devens at speed, thanks to TeamWTF at
http://teamwtf.org/content/view/195/63/

Working off my shot memory, it was granular old asphalt, medium grip at best I think.

Since we have different suspension-tuning preference, my OTS-Koni setting is of little use to you. In all honesty, I typical just do three half-turn up front and concentrate on driving for most courses. You should put more time/effort/concentration on the driving aspect, and do a general baseline on your suspension-parts.

Last edited by CRX Millennium; 04-24-2007 at 04:22 PM.
Old 04-24-2007, 04:13 PM
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I'm not going to go crazy with concentrating on tuning; in addition to the alignment and corner balancing I’ve collected about 50 cones from the DOT so I plan on going over to raceway park and tweaking things to my liking and learning to drive the best I can with that set up, got one of those books on course design so hopefully I can extrapolate.

It'll be a learning experience with the KWs since no one has them, but Razz and he's not exactly setting up for auto-x nor anything really beside occasional track days.

I was talking to Doug today; he got me thinking about running a little bit of negative rake anybody doing this?

BTW DKNV I think the rpm kill switch was an addition to all models after a former reflash from Mazda.

Last edited by PoLaK; 04-24-2007 at 04:41 PM.
Old 04-24-2007, 05:03 PM
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Originally Posted by CRX Millennium
Thank almighty for getting back on track. Let's just save the Q&A and cut off the pissing match/squabble/ridicule/instigation.

The station worker arrangement is similar to local event (i.e. flagger/radio/cone *******), as filled by drivers, not Natl staff. The only difference is that you have all cones marked, and numbered, which are both communicated to the central on the radio and written down on cone sheet as each car goes thru each station (clean, DNF, #/id of cones hit).
Another difference with course working compared to most local events is that the workers spread out to cover their assigned area instead of clumping together in the center. The area that each station is responsible for is also clearly defined, unlike most local events. The people that compete in the national events tend to take their participation more seriously as a group, and that includes their work responsibilities.

FWIW, the cones are numbered at Tours and there are audit sheets from each corner. Cones are not numbered and there are no corner audit sheets at Pros.

I like that you're asking these questions about national event operations. I agree that you're probably making more out of it than you need to, but I had a lot of the same questions before my first time and it would have been nice to see a thread like this (minus the personal crap).

Oh, and if STU registration stays the same for Devens, you will either win or be last. :p
Old 04-24-2007, 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by clyde
Oh, and if STU registration stays the same for Devens, you will either win or be last. :p
Lol, i was insulted till i just checked out the entry list thus far
Old 04-24-2007, 05:41 PM
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Originally Posted by PoLaK
Lol, i was insulted till i just checked out the entry list thus far
Got a mutual friend who's interested in the co-drive for Devens, if you are up for it. Maybe good to have tire warmer and avoid the 1st or last predicament.
Old 04-24-2007, 06:22 PM
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How do contingencies work on co-driven cars? Do they double?
If they do double what is racers code on contingencies won on a co-driven car?
Also do contingencies apply when there are only 2 people in the class?

Edit: just read the fine print of MazdaspeedMotorsports payouts being 75% of the awarded amount if there are less than 5 finishers. Pace America doesn't have such a stipulation although I don't really get what an "award certificate" is? Yokohoma doesn’t have any such stipulation either so I’m at least guaranteed $125.00 from them.

If he practices "if I break it I'll buy it" and is willing to abide by whatever is the racers code on contingency winnings in a co-driven car than I have no issue with it.


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