To our Novices....

[Civic Si GS 72]

Well, we’re three events into the 2010 season and I wanted to open a discussion for the novices to voice thier opinions, questions, and concerns.

Is there anything Diane and I can do better to make it easier to get settled in your new sport?  Any comments on the things we’re doing that you love?  Novices are the life blood of autocross and we want to make sure we treat you as such so speak up!


Some concerns I have:

1) Are we taking enough time to ride along with you?
2) Are we giving enough instruction on the novice walk through?
3) Are we giving too much info?
4) Are the veterans in the sport accessible to you if you have classing / car setup questions?

Looking forward to hearing back from you all,

Kevin Childers & Diane Stevens
2010 SASCA Novice Chiefs

[kujitsu]

I still don't have 10 events yet lol, but I have noticed one point

The asking or giving of rides is not emphasized enough.
It helps with learning the course when you ride and many novices  need that.(my corner at the last event proved it, at the intersection before finish where more than 5 different people felt the need to lock out abs and leave streaks)

 

[Civic Si GS 72]

That's a good point and I'll be making an announcement at the next drivers meeting.

[mazdaspeedgirl]

Gotcha. 

[DeRFmAN]

I thought the walk-though was perfect, not too much info not too little.  As far as runs go I got plenty since I have 2 friends that run as well.

[BBkidLy]

Everyone has been great... Except John Hale.  He's pompous.  Sorry; I couldn't resist.

You guys are great though!

[paulpluguez]

I ran this last event, May, and it was my first event run, second event showing, and the info. and Q&A times helped a lot. Good walk-through and very informative for us novices.

I do recommend for other novices to try a ride along before their run, whether it is your heat or not  **(if your heat, make sure you have time for ride along and time to stage your row, I got lucky and had plenty of time between my ride along and my run, (note: for novices best stage vehicle in middle to second to last or last running row))** . This first ride along before initial run helps you get an in-car walk-through of course, I think this was what helped me from the get-go. Also I strongly suggest have a KNOWLEDGEABLE PERSON THAT REALLY KNOWS WHAT TO DO AND HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES (whether friend, novice leader, or someone just met but knowledgeable) to ride along your first run. They will guide you through and give you hints and suggestions along course and after run, really a great helper. Butterflies in stomach are normal but you get use-to it and running the course each time is a personal challenge. Take my word, each run I improved either by a tenth of a second to two seconds. My first run 67.some change, my last run 61.0some change, and that is every run in between from 67s working my way to 61.0. One more thing, set your goals, tell yourself how to best each run (what I could do different in that turn, in that weave, when to feather car/gas it/or brake…) I set my goal to improve each run and NOT fall backwards in my times. And when it was my second to last run, I set my goal to get 61s and I achieved it.

I know 60’s time looks or sounds slow but hey it is pretty good for me given I had to log around a 4,400 or so pound vehicle.

[wei]

...if it's your heat, make sure you have time for ride along and time to stage your row, I got lucky and had plenty of time between my ride along and my run, (note: for novices best stage vehicle in middle to second to last or last running row...[/i]

It really doesn't matter where you are in the grid, to be honest.  If you need to ride along with somebody during your heat, go ahead.  Just remember to leave your key in the car, or hand it to the grid worker and let them know.  That way if you don't come back in time, they can still move your car, and you'll still have plenty of time to get ready for your run when you come back.  This is the "standard" procedure, except it isn't always mentioned.

Glad you had fun, btw.

[fury211]

Everything is great so far.

I'd like to say, your responsibility as a novice is to ask lots of questions and apply the knowledge. if you don't do that, you won't be able to move ahead.

[minhcatx]

My first race was last month, Todd Roberts did an excellent work walking us novices through the course, and then he rode in my car and provided additional pointers.  Was a great experience, and I really appreciated your retaining his services as your normal Novices Captain was not available.

Minh

[Pants!]

Xin loi, anh.

If you need a coach just ask for some help during the novice walk through.

We generally keep a fast pace at Retama, so I don't see a lot of instruction offered.

The best way to learn fast, is not to have someone ride with you, but rather ride along with others.

Just about everybody allows ride alongs, just don't ask on final runs.

[RavynX]

Just about everybody allows ride alongs, just don't ask on final runs.

Same here.  I'm fine having ride alongs until my last 2 runs of the day.