Just a quick "noob" shout...

[1993si]

Just wanted to give a quick shout to everyone. Wife and I are planning on making the 7/9 NTI event. This will be her 2nd event and my 4th. She REALLY did well in her first event at HSCC...now she's hooked!

(Makes it easier to RACE!!!)

We're in the process of joining HSCC (REALLY nice folks!) and are planning on joining an SCCA Region. Due to our location, we're kinda looking around for which Region we'll call "home."

ATL is a little closer than CCR. My first event(s) were there. They are just so BIG (222 drivers w/times!)

SCR is about the same distance as CCR. We hope to make some events soon. We do plan to make the BMW event...fer shur.

The SCCA info packet pointed us to the CCR. We had already planned to make at least one event this year. We actually planned to run this weekend at CSCC. However, the event is two days away and there is still nothing definitive on when, where, or even IF they will still host the event.

Having 5 children between us, we require just a tad more notice to make arrangements to run.

Anyway, we're looking forward to meeting some of you this Sunday. We're also looking forward to running the little Si for the first time.

See y'all Sunday!

todd & amy

OH!

Quick ?

Do you guys PAX Novice Class or just use raw times for finals?

Thanks!

t

[3sgte]

Novice is paxed. Thank goodness. I'm in a pretty unprepared car for open class, but I'm getting there. Can't wait for this weekend!

Edit: How did you get your wife to do it? My wife will barely come watch!

[C4Shane]

I let my wife try it out during a Mother's day fun run session and she had a great time. Still trying to get all the pieces of that cone picked out of my coilovers.

[1993si]

3sgte said:

How did you get your wife to do it? My wife will barely come watch!

She was lukewarm, at best, to start. I registered both of us for the ATL Novice School in June. She kinda got a kick out of seeing her name on the online registration. Bad news is, our sitter cancelled and she couldn't do the school.

However, I did manage to get her to come with me to the points event the following Sunday. She rode with me 3 of my 4 runs. My second run, a seasoned driver...MUCH younger than I...volunteered to ride with me...and really did help. A LOT.

Anyway, she really picked up on things quickly. She even helped me avoid a mistake I had made each of my previous runs through the chicane. That led to my fastest time!

The seed was then planted. However, she still wasn't totally sold. Luckily, HSCC had an event June 18...the following wkend. We entered her daily, 01 4cyl. Accord w/auto. She was really getting "into" the thoughts of driving in competition.

We made the event and she drove first with me riding. She was REALLY REALLY nervous at the start, but she handled the car really well. One of her runs was actually faster than mine! Overall, she was only about 2.5 seconds behind me. PLUS, even before PAX, she was ahead of 3 other drivers ALL in much faster classes...two were SM2! She ended up 7/11 PAX and 8/11 raw.

After the event, on our way home, she admitted she was hooked. She even said it was time to start looking for a car. The Accord was just too heavy and softly sprung, at least in my opinion. Having said that, I'll get waxed by an Accord on Sunday. Anyway, we researched and ended up with the 93 Si...and absolutely LOVE it. I did have to part with my 85 300ZX w/auto as part of the deal.

Anyway, the short answer I think would be plenty of encouragement...actually TONS might be better...and also getting her involved (stuff to pack, picking colors for the magnetic homemade numbers, etc.).

Perhaps the biggest thing was my not trying to be a "know it all" about driving. This was hard for me...until my first event. It was humbling watching a new beetle better my times by MUCH more than I'd care to admit.

That really proved to be quite an asset. She really amazed me at how quickly she picked up on chosing lines and setting yourself up for the next turn.

I guess what I'm trying to say is I really tried to make it a partnership. And, both of us have really benefited from that. She critiques me and vice versa. We build each others' confidence...and I think THAT is prolly the key to being fast.

Of course, having said that, we'll both do 360's Sunday and take out a million cones.

By the way, her final 3 runs at HSCC she did by herself!

Another BIG thing it gives us is a hobby we both enjoy and an escape from life (5 kids, jobs, etc.).

Ask her opinion on things, make her breakfast, and try to get her to at least RIDE with you.

Hope this helps...my 2 cents...and can't WAIT until Sunday!!!

t

[1993si]

good thing I drive a little faster than I reply...

[bogner47]

Well I'll be on the lookout for you Sunday. I've *finally* convinced my wife to come out just to see what an event actually entails, since she won't even come watch one except that this 7/9 event is across the street from our house, so I told her to just bring the dog over for an hour and watch. Then, if I can get her 'comfortable' there, I'm going to see if I can't get her to ride along with someone who can actually drive (read: not me) to see how exciting it is! I'm the goofy looking tall guy crammed into a green CSP miata, if that helps.

[Tink]

Maybe she'd like riding along with a "girl?" That might help too...

You can find me in the dark silver Mazdaspeed Protege #146. (Or #46, Hubby is co-driving until he gets new tires.)

[toddwrx]

Hello! Welcome aboard....I'm pretty new here myself, this is my first real season running, and I've had a lot of fun...everyone has been very helpful, but I'm *really* looking forward to the novice class next year. I ran D-stock all year...hmmm, with a little thought probably should've picked novice class - but I've been learning a lot. Hopefully next year I'll even pose a challenge to mattwrx and tink

[toddwrx]

oh yeah....I'd be that #46 that tink mentioned....but you'd be better off riding with her, unless you need a quick lesson in what line not to follow in the sweepers....

[1993si]

bog...we'll look for you guys...we'll be in a red civic h/b #36/136...I'll be the kinda short guy beside the chick with big...well...

HA!

anyway...prolly have a 1st CHOICE Realty hood mag. Maybe Amy, tink, and some of the other femme drivers can talk to her and get her into either your car or someone experienced. If she agrees to ride a second time, consider letting her run the line. If she agrees to a third run, REEL HER IN.

todd...I'm from Greenwood...I saw a guy from there, but I don't think I know him...give us a shout tomorrow...

As for Novice, gees...field looks pretty tough...LOTS of faster cars than us. Then again, there should be...we're in HS! Considered changing to HS tonight, but I see Brian Guinn is running for the CCR title...think we'll stay where we are for now. We did change to HS for Tuesday night's HSCC event...and he is registered there, too.

Good luck and Godspeed to er'yone!

t & a