jhd11
Junior Member
Posts: 81
|
Post by jhd11 on Mar 9, 2006 11:09:56 GMT -5
I read a post in the School thread where there was a comment about going to school and then instead of racing Sunday they could go Autocrossing. We all know that we are not competing in a wheel to wheel competition but Aren't we Racing? We are competing in a contest of speed which is the definition of a Race. If someone asks if I am racing on Sunday I just say yes instead of saying no, I am autocrossing! Then I describe the competition. If someone wants to call what we do racing (which by definition it is) what is the problem with that. Sounds kind of exciting!! Just my .02 worth.
Joe Downer
|
|
|
|
Post by prancingdawg on Mar 9, 2006 11:34:39 GMT -5
I read a post in the School thread where there was a comment about going to school and then instead of racing Sunday they could go Autocrossing. We all know that we are not competing in a wheel to wheel competition but Aren't we Racing? We are competing in a contest of speed which is the definition of a Race. If someone asks if I am racing on Sunday I just say yes instead of saying no, I am autocrossing! Then I describe the competition. If someone wants to call what we do racing (which by definition it is) what is the problem with that. Sounds kind of exciting!! Just my .02 worth. Joe Downer Well that's one way to do it, fer shure. No need to be embarrassed about approaching freeway speeds in parking lots while negotiating turns more rapidly than a hot lap by a F1 driver at Road Atlanta. IMHO. |
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 9, 2006 12:10:16 GMT -5
I think the only concern regarding the use of the term "racing" is from an insurance perspective. For example, if you are applying for a life policy, or getting coverage on your car, you don't want to say that you go "racing". For those purposes, you can say that you are involved in Driving Events, or High Performance Driving Events.
|
|
jhd11
Junior Member
Posts: 81
|
Post by jhd11 on Mar 9, 2006 12:47:17 GMT -5
I certainly agree about "racing" and insurance applications. I don't feel that DE events and Autocross would cause any increase in personal rates as wheel to wheel would. I was thinking more about the novices coming to the school and beginning autocrossing. Let them call it racing if it gets their blood flowing and gets them and their friends interested in the sport!
Joe Downer
|
|
|
|
Post by volksman on Mar 9, 2006 19:26:56 GMT -5
I agree. It's really semantics anyway. When I talk to people I tell them I'm racing. When I say autocross they look at me funny. I tell work I'm out of state that day and can't work. I tell the insurance guys I enjoy timed auto events at less than highway speeds. I would agree that anyone in contact with the insurance guys for the club use the proper terminology to keep the bean counters happy. Anyway, it's the best 20 dollars I've ever spent, in any country.
|
|
|
|
Post by jbyrd on Mar 9, 2006 20:34:19 GMT -5
Then why don't you carry this discussion over to the racing forum rather than have it here in the autocross forum. That forum needs some posts.  |
|
|
|
Post by prancingdawg on Mar 9, 2006 20:55:18 GMT -5
Muahahahahha!
|
|
|
|
Post by Imprezivblue on Mar 9, 2006 22:02:20 GMT -5
How does that saying go?
Autox is for fast drivers, and racing is for fast cars. . .
or something.
|
|
m3
Full Member
Posts: 192
|
Post by m3 on Mar 9, 2006 22:20:06 GMT -5
How does that saying go? Autox is for fast drivers, and drag racing is for fast cars. . . or something. Fixed it for ya  |
|
|
|
Post by ROADBOY on Mar 10, 2006 0:07:11 GMT -5
Yea man, you got it  |
|
|
|
Post by pistonwheels on Mar 15, 2006 10:22:22 GMT -5
I refer to Autocrossing as a Precision Driving Event. I may throw in the word Competitive at the front.
Our sport is very affected by the way its viewed. It's not just the Insurance Industry we have to worry about. Tell your Subie WRX dealer you were racing your car when the ashtray lid fell off and your warranty is gone. You may have more leeway with autocrossing.
Tell the owner of a possible site that you want to hold a small racing event and you will not get any-E-where!. Tell them that you want to hold a precision driving event designed to improve participants car control skills and you have a slim chance.
Tell a news reporter that you were out racing on a parking lot at Knights Stadium and you can kiss that site goodbye. Tell them you were providing a venue for people to learm more about driving and car control in an event that, while competitive, was controlled and emphasizes safety and you may have a 5-minute TV spot that promotes the sport!
Martin B.
Constructive Start Positions for Suzuki Swift's, Specialist.
|
|
|
|
Post by DrBiggly on Mar 15, 2006 11:25:28 GMT -5
Martin has hit the nail on the head; one must be cautious about how autocross is presented to folks who know nothing about it. An immediate impression is made and mind made up given a poor choice of wording when first mentioning what it is we actually do. -Biggly |
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 15, 2006 11:43:06 GMT -5
Good point Martin...Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by racerjon1 on Mar 15, 2006 18:24:08 GMT -5
Martin gave the great insurance/scca take on it.. but here is the deal. When you race, you race someone. In autocrossing/solo you do not run at the same time, therefore its not racing. It is precision driving where times are compared. (Don't take this as me saying it's easy, it's not.) When they let us line up side-by-side to autocross, and everyone is assured the same course and conditions, it will be racing. Jon K www.seat-time.com |
|
m3
Full Member
Posts: 192
|
Post by m3 on Mar 15, 2006 18:54:53 GMT -5
...In autocrossing/solo you do not run at the same time, therefore its not racing... So that makes WRC what then, driver's education???That's just ridiculous. If it's a competition of speed involving motor vehicles, then it is MOST DEFINITELY racing. The points made about how others view autox, however, still stand. |
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 15, 2006 20:04:50 GMT -5
In the words of Ernest Hemmingway:
There are only 3 real sports ~ boxing, horses, and automobile racing. The rest are just kids games played by adults.
|
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 19, 2006 7:33:59 GMT -5
To put this to closure, and recognizing the insurance implications of using the terms race or racing in promotion of autocross:
From the General Competition Rulebook, 2006 ~
2.13 Competition
A contest in which a car takes part and which is of a competitive nature or is given a competitive nature by publication of results. Practice and qualifying for starting positions are included in the term “competition”. A competition may also be referred to as a “race”.
|
|
|
|
Post by prancingdawg on Mar 19, 2006 10:24:41 GMT -5
I f I had more hairs, I'd split a few widya |
|
|
|
Post by markt on Mar 19, 2006 11:37:56 GMT -5
One more split hair:
“Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” - E. Hemingway
And there is some doubt as to whether he elevated motor sports to the level of his "tragic" bullfighting...but, even if he didn't say it, he should have.
Mark
|
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 19, 2006 21:24:26 GMT -5
The quote I saw attributed to him was related to autoracing, boxing and bullfighting, but close enough....He stated that all other sports were just children's games played by adults.
Sorry Pdawg...I could loan ya a couple to split. I just thought it was funny to see what SCCA defined as a "race" or "competition". We'll never close this discussion out. LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by damnyankee on Mar 19, 2006 21:29:45 GMT -5
I can't afford to lend any hairs. Mine are on the endangered list now!!!
|
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Mar 19, 2006 21:44:18 GMT -5
Ah heck, all they are good for is "helmet head" after the events....
|
|
|
|
Post by Imprezivblue on Mar 20, 2006 13:11:28 GMT -5
How does that saying go? Autox is for fast drivers, and drag racing is for fast cars. . . or something. Fixed it for ya LOL you're right. I was confusing something else.  |
|
|
|
Post by orange40 on Mar 21, 2006 20:05:01 GMT -5
It's a competitive motorsport,therefore it is "racing"and that's what makes it good.In applications where the term"racing"might be a bad thing we can call it precision driving,which it also is..What's wrong with that??
|
|
|
|
Post by roundman on Mar 21, 2006 22:09:35 GMT -5
What ever you want to call it its the most fun you will have and still have your cloths on
|
|
|
|
Post by damnyankee on Mar 21, 2006 23:13:50 GMT -5
What ever you want to call it its the most fun you will have and still have your cloths on Amen!!!!! |
|
|
|
Post by jbrotbeck on Apr 3, 2006 10:05:26 GMT -5
To my insurance agent I say (as if): Autocross is a high-speed driver's school that teaches accident avoidance.
To everyone else I say: Autocross is a one-car-at-a-time "against the clock" race involving handling and skill. 90% driver, 10% car.
|
|
|
|
Post by R Stevens on Apr 3, 2006 10:47:23 GMT -5
You wear clothes while autox-ing? Isn't that rather restricting? Ray Stevens Fleshtone Racing  |
|
|
|
Post by jbrotbeck on Apr 3, 2006 10:59:42 GMT -5
Then why don't you carry this discussion over to the racing forum rather than have it here in the autocross forum. That forum needs some posts. OH ... SNAP!  |
|
