on 9/23/01 11:07 AM, Pat Kelly at lollipop487@home.com wrote:
> I'm not going to take the time to double-check (lazy me!) but 3 events in
> one year, out of 18, does not move you to the regular classes. However, if
> you are good enough to win your novice class in the Slush Series, is it fair
> to the new novices in 2002 that you remain in the novice class?
> On the trophying part, I'm not sure, but if you trophy but not win in the
> Slush Series, that does not mean you MUST run the regular class in the
> following year. I'm sure someone will correct me on this point.
> If you don't want to purchase the R tires for the next year, how about
> running in the Street Tire class? That won't be easy, but anything worth
> winning shouldn't be easy, seems to me. Although many will assert that
> wearing out street tires at autocrossing is more expensive than running on R
> tires, competing in Street Tire does save a lot of effort changing tires. :)
>
> The need to win can be destructive. Why not kick back and enjoy the driving
> and friendships made? This sport is not as easy as it looks, and winning may
> be a goal, but relax, please! :)
> --Pat Kelly
> ----------
>> From: "Jake Hodges" <jake_hodges@hotmail.com>
>> To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
>> Subject: Re: Question regarding ambiguity in Novice rules
>> Date: Sun, Sep 23, 2001, 10:56 AM
>>
>
>> For me, Pat, there is an unfortunate side to being kicked out of Novice.
>> The three events I attended last season stirred a bloody lust for victory
>> within me that no second place can fulfill. As a result, if I'm thrust out
>> of the racing-tire-safe confines of Novice, I'll be forced to spend my
>> student loans on a new set of feet and ankles for my car. That will result
>> in humiliation and disgrace as I'm crushed, pulverized, and otherwise mushed
>> into goo by experienced autocrossers without the comfort of the "bad tires"
>> excuse. (I cite Mr. Creasy's response.) And that's to say nothing of being
>> dropped from my classes, homelessness, and starvation.
>>
>> I'm so much the rookie that I didn't even realize the Slush Series was a
>> totally unique series from the Championship Series. (Jackass.)
>>
>> So now that I have a better understanding of the issues at hand, I pose
>> John's poignant question:
>>
>> Now that we're running Novice classes in the Slush events, does a Slush
>> Novice trophy disqualify you for Novice in the following season?
>>
>>
>> _________________________________________________________________
Jake, I'm going to take a chance here and meld a couple of threads while
adding a piece of my own.
First, Pat is absolutely right in a whole bunch of ways. Winning ain't easy;
kick back and enjoy ( that's why you came out in the first place isn't it);
relax, that leads to looking ahead and that leads to doing a better job of
driving which leads to.....
Second, it IS the people that we all participate for, we need each other for
social aspect to even want to compete, otherwise you would just go out in a
deserted parking lot or down a lonely road to sharpen your skills.
That brings me to E.J., she tucked me in as a rookie (hey at least you guys
get called Novice) and mentored me in a manner that allowed me to put what I
knew to work and score a second in slush'00 and second this year in the open
class. While I might have thought that would be enough, E.J. suggested I
give a little and become a Safety Steward. I never got to thank her enough.
Finally, Pat's comment about the destructiveness of having to win. I used to
be involved in Formula 1, in the air. The absolute need cost me a pilot, a
mechanic , and arising star friend before I said enough. Nice thing about
autox, worst case is usually a little paint on the cone(s) and a dent in the
wallet.
Come on out and race open class. I'll share what I know then try to keep up,
that's how it works.
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