Wow!! The SFR attitude seems to be exceptional! I am looking forward to
"competing" (and I use that term loosely ;-) in my first slush series this
year...
I never ran Novice...I still qualify, but I won't run Novice. I also have
yet to run in a Ladies class. I will only do so only if I am competing with
a BF or co-driver with a big ego. ;-)) No fun trophying with one or two in
your class :).
I concur with regards to kicking back, enjoying driving and the people you
meet...As bummed as I sometimes get if I do stupid $hit and drive poorly, I
still have a BLAST!!! driving. It's the people and the love of the driving
experience that makes autoxing so much fun!! When the competition becomes
all consuming, it's time to go away and do something different (IMHO).
I've worked time slips and have had an opportunity to see some VERY
"successful" (and I use that term loosely) autocrossers who seem to just not
be having any fun...too hung up in the competition...It makes me sad to
see...Axing has given me so much joy over the last 3 months or so, at a time
in my life when some joy was what I needed so badly. Do it for the
joy...And if you whomp some heineys in the process...smile some more...
Just my 2 sense, from one with none ;)
Debbie
'95 Beagle Talon
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lolita and Mike" <lomike@earthlink.net>
To: "Jake Hodges" <jake_hodges@hotmail.com>; <ba-autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 23, 2001 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: Question regarding ambiguity in Novice rules
> 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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