That was cool. The jump reminds me of the Bristol Motor Speedway lot. wbjones can probably tell you about that one. 
for some reason i didn't have any of the problems everyone else seemed to have out in the far corner ... won the class on my final run, by just keeping my foot to the floor ... and somehow found the one and only path that didn't seem to throw folk all over the place ... was smooth as new interstate .. 
we've worked out a deal, price wise, with them, so that if we loose our first choice lot, we can start having lots more events at Bristol ... and they've smoothed and paved that area ... makes for a GREAT site
good enough that we're holding a National Tour event there this yr
In reply to wbjones:
I felt like Colin McCrae the first time I ran there Glad to hear you got the lot back, and they repaved it. It was a fun place for sure. I got spoiled because Pellissippi was less than a mile from my house, now I'm at least an hour and a half from the nearest site.
Awesome. I need to make a road trip to a Bristol event. I've heard nothing but good things about that place.
Good footage and production quality but wtf at 0.47 and again at 2.33?
Is that some sort of New Yawk thing?
ETR puts on a good events at Bristol!
Autocross is not racing. 
Sorry, couldn't resist.
bludroptop wrote: Good footage and production quality but wtf at 0.47 and again at 2.33? Is that some sort of New Yawk thing?
AFAIK they were just playing around with editing two cars together in the video.
I think this year I go for a full season. Looks like a bike is off the table, and my wheel/tire situation is coming together nicely.
To make it more objective and realistic:
Autocrosses are typically all-day affairs, say 8 hours.
Typically, drivers get 3 laps.
Each lap is about 60 seconds.
The video is 5 minutes long.
To get a far more realistic perspective (and if I've done the math right) the 5-minute video should show a course worker standing around or chasing cones for 298.125 seconds, then show him driving for 1.875 seconds, which totals to 5 minutes.
Yes I know I'm raining on the parade, but the above paints a far more truthful picture of what events are actually like from a participant's perspective. Oh, and there needs to be a shot of a thermometer showing 90+ degrees - or that it's raining...
In reply to kb58:
I've never been to an event where I only got 3 runs. I've never been to an event where I got less than 4 - and that was because it was raining and we all decided to just run each heat once with 4 runs so we could get out of there. Most events I get between 6 and 8, sometimes 9 or 10.
In reply to kb58:
That's all true, sometimes. It works for some people, doesn't work for others. The worst possible consequence of that video is that someone is convinced to try it, and doesn't like it. So who cares?
In reply to kb58:
I love cars, I love watching cars being driven hard. It's a win/win for me. Getting to drive at the limit legally, and watching others do the same.
Oh I know that many people don't share my views and I'm fine with that. I just got tired of all the standing around compared to the amount of driving I got, but for people really into cars, it's great for them. It's pretty depressing though to see how few people show up for events who aren't actively involved. Admittedly, there's virtually no publicity for auto-x events so how would they even know? Still, even at very visible stadium parking lot events with busy streets near by (like QCOM in San Diego) it's pretty sad how few actually stop to watch. Auto-x could be so much more accepted and popular if it had more publicity; the support would go a long way to open up more lots with more understanding neighbors. Unfortunately, I'm afraid it's the other way around, that people do know about it and just don't care. It leaves only the hardcore participants to support the activity, which is a tiny fraction of the population.
I thought that was a well done, inspiring video. I too did a double take at two cars on the course at the same time!
Since it was already brought up, I read this article not too long ago: Just Accept It...
If it is or it isn't, it sure as hell looks like fun.
And I think I will finally be able to get out and do it this year. It's been a resolution of mine since I was 16.
iceracer wrote: Autocross is not racing.
In reply to kb58:
Look at Drift events for some inspiration. Good and bad.
Autocross clubs are losing event sites due to "drifters" and their particular brand of dumbassery.
Also adding the public increases scrutiny and costs to control those crowds and ensure their safety or at least indemnify them if the worst should ever happen. Most clubs and club members are unable to pay those extra costs (if they could they'd likely be road racing or hill climbing).
Again, look at Group B rallying for inspiration on how not to do crowd control.
The time thing is usually what eventually turns people away.
I used to be big into autocross. Now I haven't done it for 3+ years for exactly the reasons kb58 points out.
Our local club does a night series held on weeknights. Usually 80+ cars with 4+ runs in 3-4 hours.
Advantage: You don't burn a whole day for on event.
Disadvantage: Everything needs to happen quickly to move things along in a timely manner. Less time for socializing, except a late meal at the Awful Waffle after the event!
How many people would pay double to show up, run and leave?
How many would work two heats if they got to run for free?
You work for an hour on course, you spend an hour running in one heat getting 3-6 runs. You spend the day joking and laughing and having fun with like minded individuals.
Look, if you are ONLY there to make 3 runs and that is it your're missing 99% of the appeal of this sport. The people make it. I go to spend time with friends around cars. The bonus is I get to make a handful of runs flat out. HEll, I've gone to events to not even run but help out and spend time with those same friends.
bludroptop wrote: How many people would pay double to show up, run and leave?
<-- this guy, if I was still into it.
But now I can go hang out with friends and get 4+ hours of seat time on my mountain bike should I have a free day on the weekend.
I miss autocross a lot, but not enough to make the time investment to get back into it.
Having not done an auto cross, I would expect the experience to be like what bobzilla described here. And I'd be totally fine with it.
What is it that killed the experience of those here? Not enough runs? Not enough help?
Bobzilla wrote: You work for an hour on course, you spend an hour running in one heat getting 3-6 runs. You spend the day joking and laughing and having fun with like minded individuals. Look, if you are ONLY there to make 3 runs and that is it your're missing 99% of the appeal of this sport. The people make it. I go to spend time with friends around cars. The bonus is I get to make a handful of runs flat out. HEll, I've gone to events to not even run but help out and spend time with those same friends.
It very much is as Bobzilla described, for better or worse. How people enjoy spending free time changes over the years and some people just don't enjoy it as much any more, or they enjoy it more and get crazy into it.
I love autocross, it was my introduction to organized motorsports. However, I do find myself going to fewer and fewer events. For me it's the all-day-long time commitment. I work many weekends, so when I am free my time is precious. The prospect of waking up on a Sunday at 7am, driving an hour to an autocross site....and spending all day there for 5 minutes of track time, just isn't enough to inspire me to go. This is especially true as I'm a single guy, and usually like to go out on Saturday night. If I did make the commitment, it isn't just for all-day on Sunday.....it's Saturday night too. There goes the weekend.
I understand why it's great. The time behind the wheel is fun. I'm also lucky enough to have plenty of "non-autocross" friends, so the non-driving time isn't as appealing to me as it is to some.
I'd love to see a split-day event. Those who like to get up early can start at 8am and run until noon. Those who don't get there at noon and participate until 4pm or so. This way we could all have fun--- but not eat the entire weekend.
I also prefer the danger / thrill and greater speeds of track days / HPDE. I'd rather spend $350 for a full day of time on a real race track, with speeds as high as I can attain, than $50 to autocross for 5 minutes.
Don't get me wrong....I love it, I understand why people are drawn to it. I just find myself drifting away from it.
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