Questions about National Tour

[HY.]

Been reading about the Tour and don't think I'll be participating since it's rather expensive but I am curious how it'll be different from a local San Diego Championship Event. I've read around and hear a lot of what is going on...

As I understand, it's a LOT bigger which means waiting more between runs, with more competitiveness i.e. people are much more hardcore, fully-prepped in every way and take course-walking and stuff much more seriously, coming super early to walk it several times. Obviously from all over the nation.

What I wanted to know more about was, what's the Test and Tune look like?

How many course walks do you get and when?

Is tech and registration largely the same or is there a lot more bureaucracy insofar as inspecting cars to make sure they're meeting class? I never thought much of it, but how would you know if the engine's been worked on and do people measure rim width and all that to make sure you're in class? Local events seem much more about the honor system...

I heard you run Saturday and Sunday 3 runs each day for 6 total runs for $94 (if registered early).

[JeffBloch]

I will be running in the tour for the first time and have all the same questions. What do I need to do that's different? How does tech and impound work? And what's the deal with the stickers?

[nalbar]

I order to compete you have to have a certain amount of stickers in various places, the main one being the Tire Rack banner along the top of the windshield. All stickers are available at tech.

Tech is pretty much the same as any event, except they also police the stickers. Tech does not class cars. Like all events, it is up to the competitor to correctly class his car. A chance of protest is increased at any National event, so it beholder a person to be legal.

The main difference between a local and a National event is they are run like clockwork, with so many cars there is little sympathy for people not ready. Because of this grid is run like a machine. Everyone has their own spot, rather than a line. Each spot is numbered. Every person must run their first run before grid will move on to second runs. This keeps things fair as far as time between runs (and warm tires). About 4-5 people work grid to be sure all go in their order. One is the Chief, who watches all, another moves up the line warning when there are five cars to go before them, another comes after when one to go, then a final person sending you.


The T&T is a separate event, on a separate lot, put on the day before (Friday), that allows everyone to get used to the lot and in our case, our strict sound rules. It's a short course (rarely over 30 seconds). It's a logistic nightmare. Think one one group all day, with 150 entries, and people coming and going all day. Long waits between runs. I think this years cost is 10 for 3 runs.
Like a local event with one run group. If there are any complainers, wankers, malcontents, slackers who do not want to work, or general pain in the a$$'s, they will surely enter the T&T.

I hate the T&T. It's without a doubt the most thankless job at the Tour, in fact, probably in all of autocross.

nalbar

Warren

[HY.]

Thanks Warren for taking the time. So test in tune is not part of the $94 fee.

But Warren, don't be afraid to yell at those malcontents and wankers....o wait... :thwack:

[nalbar]

Thanks Warren for taking the time. So test in tune is not part of the $94 fee.


You cannot enter the T&T unless you have entered the Tour.




nalbar

[JeffBloch]

If you don't want to run the tour, for $75 you can still do the short Evo school and also get extra run time during the TnT. Doesn't seem to be filled yet.

http://www.evoschool.com/index.php?page=tire-rack-scca-san-diego-national-tour-evo-advantage

[nalbar]

Jeff would certainly know. Last year he got at least 30 runs, with the Evo and then the T&T. Probably more.


nalbar

[HY.]

You got PM Warren. And definitely looking into the school :)

Man this hobby is going to get expensive. I just want these tires to last the entire season. Already got 34 runs on 'em since January. None wet either and all 10/10ths.

[nalbar]

I just want these tires to last the entire season.



Not going to happen.



nalbar

[73STS]

Friday is the day you can run the test n tune. $3 ea or 4/$10
You can tech your car there if you are not ready for the event tech.

Tech for the event is all day Friday. You will need the stickers on the car (available at tech), proper numbers, helmet etc.

The course should be open mid-afternoon for walking. It needs to get the cones chalked and lined, as well as safety runs before it is approved and open for walking.

Registration is open from 4 - 7. There is a welcome party where food is provided and Jeff has live music lined up.

There is late registration Sat from 7-8 am.

Grid is very formal - you have your own spot and must return to it after each run. You also can't be late to grid or your work assignment. By the way, there are 2 grids. When you are finished your run group, you stay in your grid spot for impound. Here the other competitors are allowed the opportunity to check over your car. Also you can't leave impound until the final results are out for that run group. Results are posted after every run, so you know where you stand pretty much at all times.

The course changes direction for the next day and the lights are on till 8:30 pm. Sunday there is an awards ceremony at the end of the event.

There is usually a protest or two at these events.

Come on down and check it out. Just remember that grid is different than a local event and not the place to ask a lot of questions when people are running.

[HY.]

Hmm, I definitely will check it out. Thinking of helping out too on behalf of SCNAX but it means I'd have to lose a day of pay lol. O autocross, how many ways can you find to drain my wallet?

And yeah, I'm definitely going to be on my best noobish behavior and not ask if I can ride-along.

So are there ever any protests at local events? What it's look like? Is it like an episode of Jerry Springer or more classy like Maury?? Impound seems like a cool concept but if I were super-competitive, I don't think I'd like people looking at my car for fear of retaliation next event/year!

[nalbar]

So are there ever any protests at local events?



Somebody has not been paying attention;

http://www.sdsolo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2702

And another big one at the same event. And one at the Oct event.


nalbar

[HY.]

I actually read that (or at least most of it) holy crap!

At least it was resolved (IMO) properly. A little confused though, would the NOS kit I used Sunday not be legal? (jk I own no such ridiculous thing; people see my car and think ricer enough already)

[Strong Bad]

A few more questions if nobody minds. I will be bringing a Motorhome and planned on just staying there so what is the best time to arrive with it? Do I need to make arrangements with the organizers ahead of time? Does space become scarce for motorhome parking? Any help would be great, Thank you!

[73STS]

You can bring your motorhome and stay there. People will arrive Thursday and stay onsite.

There is now parking available at El Toro between the Tour and the Pro.

[HY.]

Can I get some advice?

With 34 runs already on my tires after 3 months (thank you practice days!) I'm guessing I'm a little less than halfway through these tires and indeed they won't last til the end of the season.

Now I'm going to be taking the Evo Advantage school on Friday April 1st and I'm wondering if I should

A. Run my standard Kumho XS since they're the tires I compete on and just enjoy what I got

B. Run my stock tires (Falken 912s 30mm narrower lol) to "save" my more expensive tires for actual competition (and save me the trouble of changing 'em out lol), but I would put some wear on them but hopefully minimal since it'd be a shorter track. Also they always say crappy tires teaches you discipline.

What do you guys think? Figured I'd ask here rather than make yet ANOTHER thread :)

[nalbar]

It doesn't matter. You are going to wear both sets out no matter what.

I would run the street tires and save the XS's for warmer weather. But like I said, it does not matter.

Welcome to autocross.

nalbar

[windsway]

May run the event just to make sure my tires are nice and smooth too.

[Integral]

It doesn't matter. You are going to wear both sets out no matter what.

I would run the street tires and save the XS's for warmer weather. But like I said, it does not matter.

Welcome to autocross.

nalbar

i say just run your autox tires during all events and just bite the bullet.

you'll have to spend the money either way either on the street tires or the autox tires...why not use the tires for their designated use?

and yes, i feel your pain...no more practices for me ;)

(also, re: other post, kumho XS, i see...get some star specs next and let me know what you think of their differences)

[HY.]

hmm, decisions decisions.

The 912s are less expensive and can handle more "heat cycles" right...but will saving my Kumhos really save me money in the long run? I think I may just let the predicted weather on Thursday decide what I run. If it's supposed to be overcast I may just stick with my stockies...

As for my next set of tires, Colin, I think I may actually be looking into Hankook RS-3s too. I suppose it'll depend on what more testing shows about the tires. Been reading up a lot in preparation...

Anyone else care to share their $.02?

[Integral]

hmm, decisions decisions.

The 912s are less expensive and can handle more "heat cycles" right...but will saving my Kumhos really save me money in the long run? I think I may just let the predicted weather on Thursday decide what I run. If it's supposed to be overcast I may just stick with my stockies...

As for my next set of tires, Colin, I think I may actually be looking into Hankook RS-3s too. I suppose it'll depend on what more testing shows about the tires. Been reading up a lot in preparation...

Anyone else care to share their $.02?

rs-3s need heat...from what i hear.

i'm betting they're a much better track day tire than autox tire. no experience here, though.

[HY.]

I've read that as true, but I've also read that they need LESS heat to warm up than Kumhos lol, which are notoriously harder to get sticky and your first lap is pretty throwaway (although I felt they sufficed last time out).

Anyway, when the time comes, hopefully there will be more data for me to look at.

BTW, Colin, have you ran both SS and XS? Or were you asking cause you haven't? Curious what your input is. Even though your car would probably benefit more from SS than mine.