A lot of you have talked about going to this. Registration is open, and as of right now, 13/50 spots are already gone. Register here... http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=9734 Stuart.
60% full, and only five Subarus out there. C'mon guys, pull your fingers out or you're going to miss it for another year ! Stuart.
Bump...great starting point for anyone seeking to find out the limitations of ones own driving skills.
Sadly, I won't be able to make it this year. But I guarantee you'll have an absolute blast. Psst, this might be a good time to invest in a set of seriously discounted Bridgestone RE-01Rs from Tire Rack. Novice School puts lots of runs on your tyres. Stuart.
So is this as it sounds?? A fun, cheap way to tighten the nut behind the wheel? Cool people there? The winter car control clinic was great, and I'm looking for something similar and maybe a bit more performance oriented and learn a little about how these motorsport things work. Is this the right kind of thing for me?
Speaking from my last ride experience with you, it's definately for you! LOL And yes there are a lot of great people from MAC who are willing to help. I started with MAC many years ago. dee dee dee :biggrin:
I'll drop $50 on a car part without batting an eyelash. Suppose it would be silly to pass this up, then. Guess I'll go register now.
Bring two sets of tires, one used and the other new or more grip. You have the ablity to push your car to the limits they will be showing you. This will give you an advantage and an opportunity to advance your skills in a short day. I'd be interested in a full summary once its all said and done. I am going to invest in the latest GoPro Cam for this seasons events. Should consider getting one if anyone is serious or just want to see how the monkey does it behind the wheel. Like me, ah what does this lever do? :biggrin:
In the past, their focus has been on driving, rather than set-up... and rightfully so. Great school at a great price. Highly recommended!
And as it should be. The suggestion provided will do just that (this was specific to Quitin Taratino). Like most adrenalin junkies like myself, we have a tendacy to over drive at low speeds because of the high threshold on low speed events. Making it more diffifcult for the body to hear the instructions provided by a more experienced drivers. Therefore by driving on a even less grip tire should get your attention to want to be even smoother and pay more attention to what's being delievered. And afterwards switching to a more grip tire should allow some details to compare for greater learning. :laugh: Of course this idea will all depend on the discrition of MAC.
I'm saying they discouraged any set-up or changing of parts aside from checking tire pressures in the morning before you begin.
Interesting, I didn't know that. In that case I'd bring the sloppiest tires I can find with the least amount of grip. Thanks for clarifying! I knew you were just guiding me to the light!
So you're saying run my mostly destroyed winters? lol. I'll still probably rotate them so the better tread 2 are in front (actually, I should do that today anyway). I was WAY over speed on most of those tight corners, as evidenced by my front/rear tire wear. I've been working on dialing out steering here and there when it arises - trying to make it a natural reaction when I understeer, and not getting all crazy hand over hand with the wheel. In fact, I dialed out some today and probably even got spotted in the process, haha. Balding front tires FTL.
Well think about it for a second, you might be the slowest at a driving school, so what, but at least you'll have somethings figured out. And when the competition events come around hopefully that will put you in a much better position. :yumyum:
If your tyres don't pass tech, you don't get to play. Keep that in mind. Also, deliberately putting less grippy tyres on at Midway may be ill-advised. It is the one site where the course design gets very close to the safe limits imposed by the SCCA rules for distances from stationary objects. The middle of the course is clear, but is surrounded on all sides by some lower-control-arm-bending curbs. Also, if you're fighting the car all day long, this may distract you from taking on board what the instructors are telling you. If your car is deficient, you may not see the results you expect, even if you start doing it right. Don't set yourself up for failure before you even start. Remember, this is an AutoX Novice School. Stuart.
SI = Special Interest. It's the run-what-you-brung catch-all class for people who won't/can't work out what class their car is in. For the sign-up sheet on MAE, if SI really isn't there, you can choose any class you like, and Phil will adjust it when he approves your slot. However, if you select an outlandish class for your car, you may get laughed at on the MAC forum :biggrin: So, choose wisely. Stuart.
I think so, as long as there aren't any cords showing. You'd need to ask over on the MAC forum for an official ruling, though. Stuart.
Keep in mind that it may be snowing/raining at the event. Although heavy snow will stop the event, a light smattering certainly won't. And a bit of rain is nothing to this group. Yeah, they're not especially fond of lightning, but rain just adds to the challenge. At the 2007 Novice School, we had rain for half the day, and sunshine for the other half. It was great; you got on course experience in both conditions. Gravel tyres might just give him the advantage he needs to become the King of the Novice School. Stuart.
just wondering lol - I have a lot of tires but they are either snows or rally tires! (I do have some re070's that I'm saving for open lapping)
I am signed up yay! The new tires will probably be on just in time. Hmmm, I hope they last 2 summers still
Ugh, just found out that I'm gonna move soon, so unless I suddenly get a better paying job I'll be running a pretty much stock WRX....save the potenza re960 AS tires..lol
Signed up, Paid, class touring X? PM to some buddies if you like fast cars learn to drive em' MAC 2009 Novice Autocross School Hosting Organization(s) Minnesota Autosports Club Event Type Autocross, Driving Schools Event Date(s) 25-Apr-2009 to 26-Apr-2009 Event Description/ Schedule Time to think Autocrossing everyone! MAC will once again be hosting a 2 day school intended for NOVICE (less than 1 season experience, no previous autocross school) autocrossers who want to learn more about the sport, how to get started, what to bring, how to prepare, how an event is conducted, how to get the most from your driving experience, and more! Saturday April 25th - Classroom session Dunwoody College of Technology (Skogmo Room) 818 Dunwoody Boulevard Minneapolis, MN 55403-1192 9:00am - 1:00 PM Sunday April 26th - Driving Instruction Midway Stadium 1771 Energy Park Drive Saint Paul, MN 55108-2720 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Lunch provided Cost: $50 Exceptions to this policy may be granted at the sole discretion of a MAC Officer, in cases of significant hardship - such as a serious injury or illness, death in the immediate family, or auto accident. All refund requests must be submitted in writing (electronic or paper) to the MAC Treasurer not later than 10 days after the event for which a refund is being requested, and will be subject to a $5.00 service charge. Event Location Dunwoody College of Technology & Midway Stadium Street Address 818 Dunwoody Boulevard City Minneapolis State or Province MN Postal/Zip Code 55403-1192 Country USA Maximum Entries 50
Glad you guys signed up! Don't over think the tire stuff. Just bring a halfway decent set of tires. I would not recommend snows or gravel tires...you will just get frustrated. You can too far in either direction, don't bring your best set your saving either. While we won't stop you from changing tires during the group that you are not running we do not consider this a "test and tune' session. Once you start driving, we don't want to see people getting out and making adjustments. You probably wont have time anyway....lots of seat time!!!!! The most important thing to bring is an open mind and a willingness to listen to the instructors, the thing you want to leave at home is your ego! Also, you really want to take advantage of riding along with the instructors at lunch time...pretty eye opening! Looking forward to it!!
Hmm, I wouldn't be able to make it to the class that Saturday due to work, so I'm not going to bother trying to sign-up. But can people come and just watch on Sunday?
Absolutely. And if they leave the right gates open, there's a great vantage point on the walkway at the back of the stands that lets you look out over the whole course. It is still fun down at ground level, but the bird's eye view is good for watching the bigger picture. Oh, and it looks like the class is already full. If you haven't signed up yet, you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for the usual For Sale threads about a week before the event as people realise they can't make it for whatever reason. Stuart.
Is there anything that says what is required for the tech inspection? I have a set of tires that have about an eighth of an inch of tread. No metal exposed or anything. Is that ok?
I think as long as your tires have visible tread and no metal visible, you will pass tech. I did the mid summer version of this class last year. It was a lot of fun.
Close. You can't have any cords showing during the whole time of the school, so you need to plan a little. 1/8 to 1/4" tread should make it OK.
