Cal Club Autocross Forums

This is a request to all current and potential course designers to take in to account a few things besides the actual course itself.

Location of the CTV (Custom Timing Vehicle). It works best if it's some what near the center of the grid/pits area, not to one end. This is so the PA can reach the most people and we don't have to run cables over the course. The CTV should be between the start and finish. Note that due to the new layout inside, it no longer matters which side of the CTV the start is on for Championship days so courses can run either direction.

Location of Staging Line. The staging line for the start should be at least 3 vehicle lengths past the CTV. This allows the timing crew to be able to write down and enter into the computer several cars without having to be constantly looking over their shoulders. This greatly reduces the chances of missed cars in the logs and/or computer (not to mention saving money on a masseuse to fix the necks of the crew).

Junior Kart Grid. Try to provide a small grid area between the start and finish for the Junior Karts which isolates them from the main grid and allows them to go directly from finish to grid to start. This eliminates the need for the main grid to be locked down while the Jr's run.


Thank you for your consideration.

Rick Brown
Timing & Scoring Chief

Can we run CW on championship days sometimes, please? The last 4 events had been CCW. For those of us with camber-challenged cars AND staggered tires AND asymmetrical tires, we use up the passenger side front tire so much quicker.

We should since Nationals always run clockwise, correct ?

Vincent ... don't you rotate/flip wheels side to side? The Tire Rack and Kumho (710) both say it really doesn't matter which side of the tire that one uses for AX. Not sure what Hoosier says. Although I'm learning that what The Tire Rack says isn't always gospel, ie. 710 camber advice.

Mako Koiwai wrote:We should since Nationals always run clockwise, correct ?

Vincent ... don't you rotate/flip wheels side to side? The Tire Rack and Kumho (710) both say it really doesn't matter which side of the tire that one uses for AX. Not sure what Hoosier says. Although I'm learning that what The Tire Rack says isn't always gospel, ie. 710 camber advice.

They have had one of each both times i've been there.

I agree with Aaron, typically a pretty good mix. With the old timing setup we almost always had a CCW course, but with the new set-up, everything is fair game.

old course maps from nationals:
http://www.realitycam.net/Solo/oldres.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nice ... thanks Christine for that link to the past course designs.

I tried to do something different but last weekend's designs was just more of the same.

So the start line being even with the timing motorhome used to work because the timing crew could look out though the window over the master radio table and out the side door. With the new set up that doesn't work anymore. It's just a matter of getting that message out to the people who haven't designed course since we re-arranged the motorhome.

I would suggest that course designers set up their course and then before taking their second walk though, go into the CTV and take a peak at what the start line looks like from inside. If you can't see more then one or two cars worth of the stage line, then please consider moving the timing vehicle or you start line set-up.

Vincent Wong wrote:Can we run CW on championship days sometimes, please? The last 4 events had been CCW. For those of us with camber-challenged cars AND staggered tires AND asymmetrical tires, we use up the passenger side front tire so much quicker.

I thought it was obvious that saying you can start on either side of the CTV indicated courses could run either direction. Guess not. Fixed it.

Rick Brown wrote:

Vincent Wong wrote:Can we run CW on championship days sometimes, please? The last 4 events had been CCW. For those of us with camber-challenged cars AND staggered tires AND asymmetrical tires, we use up the passenger side front tire so much quicker.

I thought it was obvious that saying you can start on either side of the CTV indicated courses could run either direction. Guess not. Fixed it.

I know, I just wanted to emphasize that.

Vincent Wong wrote:Can we run CW on championship days sometimes, please? The last 4 events had been CCW. For those of us with camber-challenged cars AND staggered tires AND asymmetrical tires, we use up the passenger side front tire so much quicker.

Easy solution: run both the practice *and* the championship, and you even out the wear.

Especially if you go for X-runs at the Championship...

Mike

Mike Simanyi wrote:

Vincent Wong wrote:Can we run CW on championship days sometimes, please? The last 4 events had been CCW. For those of us with camber-challenged cars AND staggered tires AND asymmetrical tires, we use up the passenger side front tire so much quicker.

Easy solution: run both the practice *and* the championship, and you even out the wear.

Especially if you go for X-runs at the Championship...

Mike

True If you do both days it shouldn't matter.