What should I know, what should I expect (no smart *** comment Sipe), what do I need to bring?

Basically explain to me every potential differnece between a local/regional events and what I'll be seeing at a ProSolo/National Tour event.

 

Bring your best game Expect drivers that can drive, and well set up cars....that's about it...


Oh...and you might run into a few ego's along the way You know the usual suspects

 

I heard **** about needing to have a hard copy of the rule book? How about the run groups hows that done....

 

I'm sure the rule book will tell you......or talk to Mark or Jason.......

 

Yes, you need a rule book. But you can usually borrow one from somebody and they have them available for sale at registration.

Nothing special about run groups, other than you grid in a specific spot based on your number. There will be grid assignments posted.

Also, make sure you're signed up for Mazdaspeed and have the required decals for contingency. Other than that, just show up early afternoon on Friday so you have time to figure everything out and ask questions. Good luck!

 

For Devens, make sure you bring insect repellant spray. You can get eaten alive literally by mosquito if the weather is muggy and warm. You are in AM class currently; just remember to change it to BS/STU. Devens does not have practice on Friday afternoon, unlike other NT tours.

Getting there early enough to secure a paddock spot for your car/gears on Friday afternoon, or ask someone to do it for you.

There is impound after your three runs/day are done. So park the car, raise the hood, and chill. You will get hit with DSQ if you forget.

 

Yes you must have a hard copy of the 2007 Solo rules, no a printed copy from the web will not work. So buy one at/before the event or find someone to barrow a copy from.

Most of the time they do not have loaner helmets, so if you don't have one get one ahead of time.

Make sure you numbers and class letters meet the solo rules. There are giving out DSQ's as of the Atwater tour if your numbers/letters do not meet the rules. Also 2 driver cars and cars will multiple classes listed were getting DSQ's if they did not have the correct number/letters for each driver. Just an fyi even one car that manged to get past tech with crappy numbers was told to fix them before the first run by the event chief or it was going to get a DSQ, so do not rely on tech to tell you if they are ok read the rules and make sure they are correct. There are also event stickers you must have, tirerack banner on the top of the windshield, scca sticker on the front, solo tour and pace stickers on the side, you can get these at tech before you have your car checked.

You will be assigned a grid spot and that is also your impound spot. After your 3rd run each day you have to open your hood and trunk for impound. DO NOT leave your car or impound until the impound workers tell you that you have been released. Some guys at the Atwater tour got a DSQ for leaving impound early.

Also no smoking in grid/impound and if you are going to refuel your car have a fire extinguisher on hand.

 

be prepared to be humbled ...

 

Had to didn't you; however, I can only hope to do as well as you do Sipe; beside whats the worst that could happen? finishing last out of 17 guys...

17 88 Mark A Sipe 2004 Mazda RX8 Kumho Texas Regio 62.749(2) 60.219(1) 59.676(1) 119.870
Reno, NV Koni/Mazda/Kumho SW 60.194(1) 63.708(3) 60.989(2) (0.925)

 

Thx for that check, musta missed it during reg.

 

If you plan on doing other national events, and make things easier in the future, bring some magnetic sheeting, put the stickers on the magnets and cut to size. If you're going to stick them on the car, apply them to your pants or shirt first a couple times...it makes them less sticky and they'll come off the car easier on Sunday. Cut the Tire Rack banner in the middle and apply as two pieces; it's easier that way. The SCCA sticker for the front costs a couple dollars, the others are free.

Are they making everyone pull wheels or anything in impound at Tours or Pros this year? Whether they are or not, think of everything that could go wrong with the car or need adjusting between that you might have a snowball's chance of fixing/changing, and bring everything with you to grid that you need to do it (jack, impact, tools, air tank, etc).

Make sure you have your SCCA card and license (and that both are valid) with you, too. Seems like at every Tour or Pro we go to there's someone that's forgotten or let one expire...and they usually don't get to play.

Bring your basic stuff that you ought to be bringing to all your local events...rain gear (extra set of dry clothes), plenty of sun screen, bottled water, folding chair, etc.

 

No worse would be having the guy that was 17th beat you.

That was for both of ya.

 

I'd rather cone out respectable runs than run clean and dog *** slow

 

During pledge season we have a saying, it goes, "sir, no excuses sir"

Keep the advice coming I appreciate it in between my pissing war with Sipe, as for Contingencies I’ve got all the ones that I’m eligible for printed out and I believe I faxed off my w-9 a while ago.

 

Your first tour can be pretty intimidating if you're not used to the "scene". People that are used to running National events have an advantage because they know the routine and can focus on the driving the course.

Don't be afraid to ask questions...There will be a lot of people in your same situation and usually it's easy to find the answers you need.

In the end it's no different then any other autocross. Just go out and drive the best you can. The course might be different then you're local events. They tend to be faster and might have a couple features that seperate the men from the boys.

Oh yeah, don't forget to have fun.....

 

I forgot to mention....Don't worry to much about your performance. I'm sure there will be plenty of analysis after the event by everyone on this forum.

 

But no pressure.

 

The only site that's remotely close to the typical NT course out in NJ/NY/PA is Philly Warminster, in terms of distance/duration/speed/gut check (iffy). Fedex Field in DC would be a even greater practice, if you are willing to do the drive.

As for trash talk before the actual game day, good luck. You will have stiff competition in STU at Devens, less so in BS. Your call.

 

I've made the parts commitment to STU if you've seen my build thread.

I tend to do better on longer faster courses so we'll see.

 

Good luck Mark and have a blast!

 

Don't let these guys scare you...people have been known to win at their first Tour event

Just have fun. The Tour/Pro events are just "more" of everything than a regional...more cars, more top drivers, more transporters and trailers, more signage for the various sponsors...it's kind of a festive atmosphere and very cool. Makes autocross feel less like the red headed stepchild of Club Racing

 

Will there be a formal light tree at the start line and reaction times included in your course time?

 

Not sure why you call ******* me a pissing match between us? You've criticised my results, duplicated my Goodies thread, called yourself faster, copied my mods modus operandi, etc. I suppose I should be flattered that you've chosen me as the measure of yourself, but the truth is that you're all huff and puff for the moment

and short of there not being any competition, it will take a lot more than stellar driving skills to win STU in an RX-8

hopefully you drive and tune a hell of a lot better than you can weld ...


.

 

Burn.... i quite enjoy our pissing matches and would be personally chapfallen if they were to cease.

******* you?... hardly; you posted a smart-*** comment and i replied back, no reason to flex ur cucuteni muscle

As for my thread of simulacrum, I claified on the faster bit in the few very first words, I have no expectations of placing first, but placing anything but last will be more than worth it.

imitation is the greatest form of flatter.

 

Baggy, your gift for attracting web stalkers is beyond belief...