In-Event Autocross Schools

Recently, my local autocross club, San Antonio Sports Car Association (SASCA), held a school during their October 15th points event. The idea is simple, cheap, and very good for both the novice and the veteran. A very big tip of the hat to Jeff Chestnut, who set this whole thing up and kept it running smoothly throughout the day.

The basic idea is to have a set number of students pay an additional entry fee for the school. They work twice during the event and they are each assigned an instructor. Usually, the instructors get two students each to keep it simple on them and give more instruction time with each student. All students and instructors run in the first run group, regardless of class, and each of the next two run groups is dedicated to one student. During instruction, each student gets unlimited runs, within reason, with the instructor riding shotgun giving pointers and critiquing the student's driving skills.

I had two students, Raul and Kevin, that ranged in experience from one to three years. Both of them had the basics down and  didn't have trouble getting around the course so we were able to concentrate on improving their racecraft. It was great to see both of them take my help and improve their driving, especially when it came to being smooth on throttle inputs. Both started off rough enough to get me a bit queezy but by the end of the event they were both very smooth and were in much better control of their cars. Hopefully they hold onto what they learned and improve over the next few events.

If any of the other students or instructors are reading this, I'd love for you to share your thoughts on the school in the comment section.

Tape Numbers, Painters Tape And You

Ah, the rite of passage of the new racer, taping numbers on you car. Nothing says "I race" more than painters tape on the side of your car  :-)

Ok, joking aside, this is a rather important, overlooked subject that needs to be discussed more. There are right ways and wrong ways to make legible numbers and class on your car.

First off you need to make sure the color of the tape contrasts heavily with the color of your car. Secondly, they need to be big enough to be read at a distance as you fly by, killing cones. SCCA rules state the numbers are a minimum of eight inches tall and the class be at least four inches tall. Both must be made with tape at least one inch wide.

This driver's got it:

Umm, no....

See the difference here? The Corvette's numbers are very easily read but the BMW put dark blue tape on his dark tinted windows.

This'll work:

 This won't:

Again we can see how different color and size can be. The RSX, though a bit artistic, has numbers very easily read at speed but the Miata's numbers are difficult to read.

Please, for the sake of your fellow racers, pay careful attention to how you make your numbers and class on your car! Ideally, if you find you want to continue racing (and I know you want to) you should get yourself some real magnetic numbers. They are cheap, and make you at least look like you know what your doing. Most folks in my area use the services of Vitek Boruvka, owner of Axware Systems to make our graphics. Check out his store for prices:

Axware Systems

Oh, one last thing. Please remember the club is paying for the tape so don't waste it. Make your numbers and class and then return the roll of tape to the club.

Don't be this guy, just don't.....