My beloved club, VMSC, decided a few years ago to use PAX to figure club points. Almost every OD since that time has designed a course to fit their car. If more of them drove F-bods, this may not be a problem. But with most of them in Minis, Miatas, and Subarus, it's becoming a PITA. The BEST venues we have are being OD'd by Miata drivers, and I'm stuck with, (if I decide to take it), a high school parking lot. After over 30 years in the club, and having busted my ass doing the "bull work" (you know, hauling the club trailer, helping folks with mechanical ills, hauling wounded cars home for people, etc.) that most of the other don't want to do this is the BS I'm handed. What really sucks is that I'm on the board, and STILL getting screwed over. Maybe it's time to look at some track time. Thanks for letting me bitch.

You're welcome!

Yeah, I don't think it is out of the ordinary for many people to setup courses to suit their car. I truly never did it when I designed courses but it is to be expected...

My attitude is that I have won enough autocross trophies and I'll run what I brung and enjoy the social aspects.

My stint on the board ended in March in our local club...

You should have come out to the NASA autocross Sunday at VMP. I designed the course. Finished 2nd in PAX behind last year's CSP national championship car and ahead of the '86 ASP national championship driver.

Although NASA's autox classing needs some work when an F Stock (by SCCA rules) Camaro is in the same class as a CSP car.

Pat

Yes the politic's has really burn my a$$ in the last year, and next weekend will be my first event that i won't make with SCCA in all most 3yrs.And the club seem's to go out of their way to run off work's and driver's at every event Hell i'm one of the guy's that drives everything to and from the track, and i almost get hit by a driver and killed evertime i pick a car up becuase they will not back off for the yellow Than the stewards don't do sh....


Don't get me wrong i LOVE emergency, and will keep doing it till im HIT by a racecar
This is just some of the reasons that im going to more NASA events And i get to drive something other than a tow truck on track

Hmmm, with minimum gate widths and slalom distances, I have found, at least in the Houston Region, when someone tries to design a course for their car, it usually backfires on them. We have even approved courses designed by Miata drivers, for example, that _looked_ like they were designed by Miata drivers, where the Miata drivers got KILLED at the event.

One of the cardinal rules in Roger Johnon's Solo course design manual (http://www.houscca.com/solo2/coursedesign.zip) is to assume the role of a commercial graphic artist. That is, to design a course you are planning on selling to someone, not one you are planning on jamming down someone's throat.

Perhaps it is time for you to either 1. design a course yourself, or 2. take a couple of events off, firstly for your mental benifit, and secondly, so others on your board realize just what you do at the events, and perhaps that you should be a little happier at the end of the day. :-)

Just some random ramblings.

Bill, I think now you understand at least a little why I quit as the autocross director of NASA. You just get burned out on the stupid crap that gets loaded on you.

Take a break from the club. They may or may not realize what they are missing. Come on out to a Blue Ridge or an Old Domion region event instead, and see what it's like to work just a single heat!!!

Karen

Great attitude to have. I don't make any money at this stuff, I have enough plastic trophies from my WERA days {actually threw them away} to let the small stuff bother me.

I will say that politics is one that that irks me about the SCCA; it's one of the things that really jumped out at me when I joined. When I was racing motorcycles or drag racing cars, this stuff really didn't come in to play near as much. WERA is alot more laid back than SCCA AutoX.

SCCA plays with the classes too much in order to keep the majority happy, if your not in the majority,,,, welp,,, too bad. Plain and simple, they should make a class and then let whatever manufacturer that wants too,,, dominate that class. That is alot better than trying to be everything to everyone. That is the SCCA side of things as I see it.

As far as the local events go, too much arrogance and "one of the boy's" attitude has put me off at my regions events. Don't know, maybe if I gave it more of a chance, I might prove my self wrong but as I said, I didn't see near the same amount of problems with WERA or NHRA.

Saying that, KiethO has the best view on things. If you like doing something as a hobby, you can't let the small stuff ruin your fun. I know it's hard but it a great way to keep having fun doing what you want to do. JMO.

Remember in "One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" when Jack Nicholson,(the only sane inmate in the asylum), tried to convince the guards he was sane? That's how I feel when I make suggestions to the club these days. These are good guys, and I like their company, but we just seem hellbent to change the way we do everything. I really do enjoy helping out....I've never accepted any sort of payment for towing cars, (if you needed a trailer you have problems enough). I've never asked the club for gas money for my generator, my leaf blower, or for moving the trailer. (Others have and do). The little bit of money I've spent means nothing to me. It's the lack of appreciation that finally got me. Anyway, I'm looking forward to next year, and concentrating on my driving. Thanks to all that responded.

Wow, I feel really fortunate to be in our region. Our board is pretty cohesive, and I didn't feel that ole boys club when I joined. I was on the board in my second year and our differences are limited to minor issues. Our small lots dictate our courses, but things seem to be fairly balanced no less.

This is why I love American Auto x series (AAS) we have in the bay area. The courses they design favor cars like F bods, Mustangs and Vettes. Very fast and wide open. If I want to run a tighter course I just hit the local SCCA auto x. I have 3 in my area.