Why do we need novices to "stick"? Be careful what you ask
for....................
I have been autocrossing in San Diego since 1972 and have watched entry
levels grow from 90 to 100 drivers up to our last event of over 300,
actually 317.
That event had 68 novice drivers and 43 time only drivers, leaving
approximately 206 drivers running in class. Of the 206, 112 belong to one
of our member clubs and assumed to be running for championship points. The
remaining 94 drivers were non-club members running in class for trophies.
Most of the times were in the 75 to 95 second range.
I left early but I understand the event ran an hour longer than normally
allowed past our 6pm quitting time; just to complete the novice class. This
will be a real problem when we go off daylight savings time. We did not and
do not normally change course workers on the fly, we took a lunch break, and
had a 30 min. mechanical delay. All total we had a estimated 1 1/2 to 2
hours of down time that included the mechanical problem, worker changes,
noon course walk, and noon novice orientation and course walk.
There could be more efficient methods of running the event and I know there
are discussions underway to address those ideas. But, IMHO San Diego has
reached the saturation point and needs to start capping entry levels at a
manageable amount. Unfortunately, the most venerable group will be the
novice entries.
There is nothing wrong with a good novice program, but don't let growth
take the place of good quality fun events.
Jim Ourand
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Partial archives at http://www.team.net/archive
|