Well I think the time has come.

As my son gets older things will get more and more expensive. I need to plan for my families future and that's not being done sufficently now.

Another reason is that I've lost alot of the fun factor. I really want to do this to WIN. Which is bad as it has made most events a business only type attitude, thing.

I have fished since I was 10. And basically stopped completely years ago. It's a bug I can't shake. No matter how hard I try. This will be my new hobby.

FWIW if you act NOW the car will be for sale CHEAP.

Or maybe it would be better to part the car out?

They always seem to be worth more in parts..... Just based on my experience.

Good luck Lonnie, I fully understand (I'm taking next year off and I did recently list my car for sale), maybe better than most.

Keep us posted.

I came to a point in my life when I saw my "hobbies" taking an increasing more important role in my life than my family did. Sounds like you might've reached that threshold.

I sold a bass boat to pay for some kitchen remodeling.

I sold a Goldwing to help fund enclosing a carport for living space.

I sold an F150 P/U truck that i had installed a nice cammed up 428 SCJ in and bought a Vandura.

It's a common phenomenon called priorities and those change as age and responsibility for others set in.

I never once regretted making those changes and I doubt you will either.

I certainly hope that you can find the time between the baiting of hooks to let us know how you and family are doing.

Sorry to hear that Lonnie. Don't worry too much. If you do sell your car you can always co-drive my car at the national events.

BTW if you haven't been to Topeka you don't know what fun is =)

When you have to buy new tires every 2/3 events to be competitive it is hard on the budget.

Oh, I thought you said every 2 or 3 years......now you tell me.

Geez, the Nittos get no respect......

I will miss the wisdom you bring to the board Lonnie! I hope you drop in when you can, and post some pic's of the catch's I miss fishing myself!

I have nothing but respect for the zombie Nittos. When they were young and fresh, they had the "face" that launched a thousand (actually far too may thousand) drivetrain repair dollars

I still say that allowing race tires in Stock and Street Prepared was a huge mistake. It greatly increases the amount of work and money required on the car both at home and at (before and after) the event (and ya gotta count everything - tools, trailer, tow vehicle, etc). Yes, Nationals would still require buying fresh, shaved street tires, but for the rest of us buying new street tires every year would still be a LOT cheaper in the long run.

If I was starting fresh today I'd build the car for STU. Yeah, some of the on-course race tire thrill would be gone, but simple "arrive and drive" would be much more "family friendly" and therefore more fun for us family guys.

No, this isn't as off-topic as it might seem, it's just a sales pitch Lonnie, have you thought about trading the ESP car for something more fun (overall, though maybe not on-course) and family-friendly, such as an STU car?

(I drove an STU car last year a couple of events)

Personally I find that the easiest class to live with in autocross is stock, especially when it involves a hatchback or similar small car with small tires. Everything fits in it easily and you can quickly swap when you get there. Or run on victoracers and just drive to the event on them. Come Monday morning you have something quiet and comfortable to drive to and from work, that probably gets stellar mileage too.

My personal choice for a car like that right now would be a new Sentra SE-R spec V. They just got re-classed to GS where I think they'll be even more competitive. Carmax around here is selling them for ~ $16K spankin' new.

Something tells me Lonnie just wants to fish , but is gonna keep his car.

Doh! Quoted before I tweaked it a bit

Anyway, there's madness to my method. For me, it's all about shaving down the off-course time requirement. Without tires to change, I could read a few more books to my daughter in the morning before leaving, and maybe get home early enough to read a few more. Simply loading and unloading the trailer is another significant chunk of time that can be better spent, though Shannon loves to "help Daddy with the wheels"

In fact, driving a Stock-legal car in a street tire class could be an interesting option. The race tire option in Stock would always be there if you want it, but running in a street tire class would fill the need for speed with minimum hassle.

However, the ULTIMATE autocross "car" is a Ford Lightning. We used to have a group of well-tuned Lightnings in ESP here, and they were impressively fast (not f-body fast, but ...) . More importantly, they could throw the race tires in the back and still have room for a tent, a grill, multiple coolers ....

Really, the bottom line for me is accepting that I already have enough trophies. I still need to get out every once in a while for something less mind-numbing (fun, cool, and treasured, but still mind-numbing after a while) than reading "Ten Apples Up on Top" or "Five Little Monkeys Wash the Car" for the hundredth time, but there is a big difference between getting out every once in a while for some fun, and going for the win.

However, ya gotta do whatcha gotta do

Lobby your local region to start up a street tire PAX class. It's a great way to level the playing field for those who are "less serious" or are just starting out. It's not a class that would work well at a Nat'l level, but makes tons of sense locally.

For now I'm enjoying running my ESP car and towing it, but I'm sure at some point I'm gonna wanna simplify.

I wanted that a while back-street tire handicap. However it would never happen in either KY region. People are just too in love with the PAX here.

BTW Lonnie, good luck in whatever you do. I personally hope your car doesn't sell because we'd miss having you around. I used to fish all the time but haven't done very much the past couple of years. I know how you feel-I'm the same way at times.

You mean like this tool?

http://www.tubas.net/video/wdcr-scca/light...n_autocross.mpg (right click, save as)

Pat

Tell you guys what. Not to take away from the thread, but I sure wish I could be near that same situation. I consider those on the board here who are taking care of their basic but true priorities an honourable duty, even if it's a hard one, yet not as hard as when material items take away from true heart, something that can't be replaced.

I on the other hand was born in a 3rd world country, and even though I was adopted, I had nearly died from things other than motorsports growing up. Even though others think my life's difficult after I describe it, I don't consider it rough, just not fair. I will say that through all of the changes and troubles, the one thing consistent with my life is corner carving and it will always have a place every week in one form or the other.

In any case Lonnie, I might consider buying some of your parts if you desire to go that route, but nevertheless I hope you get the chance to get back in your own vehicle when it is practical. My vote? In the meantime, try to operate other's vehicles if you can.

I wouldn't call the "spend time with your kids" choice a hard one at all, and certainly not a sacrifice.

I'm simply throwing out the suggestion that it doesn't (always) need to be an all-or-nothing choice.

Agree 100%. I never thought I would want an enclosed trailer, but being able to keep all my junk in an enclosed trailer sure would make life easier so I don't have to load/unload all the time. Buying a house comes before enclosed trailer though.

Well I always enjoyed running with you Lonnie. I hope things work out for the best.

have fun w/ quality time w/ your little one.
You're more than welcome to say hi and let us know you are alive and kicking.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Good luck !

Lonnie, someone local is asking about pictures. Have any? I can host them for you if you want.

Lonnie...

All the best and good luck!

I don't have pictures. There were a couple up here on Frrax but I'll have to dig them up later today when I get home.

I'll probably be around a 'little' bit.

I think I'll take this year off, and maybe try driving with someone next year.

The biggest reason I'm taking a semi permanent break, is that I wanted to do this 110%. If I can't do that I don't want in on the action. For me the cost per weekend was the real killer.

I get just as much or more enjoyment out of fishing but I can fish an entire weekend for gas money. And I live an average of two minutes or less from two lakes I can get that done really cheaply.

Some autox weekends are close to $400. More if a LONG ways from home less if by my self which is almost never the case. A simple drive 2.5 hours away for a one day event is usually well over $100.

Found a pic on a google search:



Pat

Lonnie you can use these links to sell it:

http://www.robmeadway.com/lonnie1.jpg

http://www.robmeadway.com/lonnie2.jpg

The last one accurately portrays how Lonnie uses the car.

Pat

Lonnie-

Started to bring my family to autox and track event when the boys were 8 and 10. They loved the excitement, the cars, and the speed. Sometimes they'd help gather cones at the end of an event. They started helping me change tires and were swapping out brake pads by the time they were 10 and 12. Kids love to be included- especially in things that "big people" do for fun. My oldest, now 20 is an Acura Tech and working his way toward open track. My younger son is now 18 and does track prep (brakes, shocks,tires) and takes lap times when he can make it to a track event.

Little kids (4+) really dig minibikes, which is a fun family activity. Enjoy being a Dad, they grow up quickly and any one of their smiles is worth more than any trophy you can get autoxing. You could, of course, buy a kart and work as driving coach and crew chief, but then they'll learn quicker than you did and be young enough to have better vision and reflexes. The options are endless.

Stay in touch.

Whatever direction you go, best of luck man. I know you'll be missed here so make sure you stop by every now and then.

Al said it well. Hope you find what is right for you.

I've been there. About the same time my boys got into sports, (the mid-eighties), I decided auto-x had become less of a hobby, and more of a job. I all but turned my back on autocrossing for at least 5 years, running an event here and there if it sounded like fun. I never regretted it. I was coerced into being a baseball coach, a football coach, and even a score keeper for basketball. At the same time there was scouting, (and pinewood derby cars!), band, school work, Church, family etc. I would give anything to do it all again. Then there was high school wrestling, cross country, track, football, and band. When my sons, (now 24, and 22), were in their early teens, I bought all of us dirt bikes. We had a place to ride about an hour from here. The riding meant less to me than the talks as we rode along in my old Chevy. There was the tearful goodbye as we left out oldest at college. Enjoy your children, raising mine was the most magical experience of my life. I wish you well.