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[SwiftMKIII]

Personally, I'd look at having a sponsor's car in with the rest of the class (covered in "VENDORNAME, see us at VENDORTENT" materials) as advertising something applicable to that specific class of car  (nothing builds a class like envy of what someone else did). 

If I had a "speed shop" and wanted to cater to say Mk1, Mk2, and Mk3 performance Autocross and racing builds... I'd have one of each car, paid for a "show car space" for each, and had 50 square feet of banners and signs with my "speed shop name" & fliers & information saying: "come see me in the Vendor garage"...  there... I'd have a "work in progress" car showing suspension fabrication, modications, bolt on parts, etc etc... instead of trying to jam 5 cars in the 10' in front of my vendor space.

just my .02 in Canadian money

This is exactly what we are trying to avoid.  This was a logical reasoning for not letting sponsors compete this with the rest of the field lthis year. 
So, this is just a thought. If your "speed shop" cars have a bunch of money put into them; then why would anyone else want to compete knowing you will most likey be the winner every year? Just some food for thought.

[Southcross]

Personally, I'd look at having a sponsor's car in with the rest of the class (covered in "VENDORNAME, see us at VENDORTENT" materials) as advertising something applicable to that specific class of car  (nothing builds a class like envy of what someone else did). 

If I had a "speed shop" and wanted to cater to say Mk1, Mk2, and Mk3 performance Autocross and racing builds... I'd have one of each car, paid for a "show car space" for each, and had 50 square feet of banners and signs with my "speed shop name" & fliers & information saying: "come see me in the Vendor garage"...  there... I'd have a "work in progress" car showing suspension fabrication, modications, bolt on parts, etc etc... instead of trying to jam 5 cars in the 10' in front of my vendor space.

just my .02 in Canadian money

So, this is just a thought. If your "speed shop" cars have a bunch of money put into them; then why would anyone else want to compete knowing you will most likey be the winner every year? Just some food for thought.

very true! I was just thinking from an "advertising" perspective...  from a "show" perspective, having them compete against each other for "Best Sponsor Fabrication" and "Best sponsor this" or "best sponsor that"... and have it be "people choice".  Each entrant gets a couple "class ticket(s)" then gets to put their ticket into their vote for a specific class (have DATR voter boxes at each vendor car).... hmmm

.02 monopoly money

[lpshade]

This is exactly what we are trying to avoid.  This was a logical reasoning for not letting sponsors compete this with the rest of the field lthis year. 

Yes

[scurvy_bandit]

Yep - good show, nice turnout and well run.  Was a little confusing on the entry, where to go to park, sign up, then drive back around, but not bad at all.  Nice job. 

what would you suggest?

A sign above the registration place, or maybe just make it really easy by having all the pr-reg people be able to drive in and sign the waiver at the tunnel (have a receipt) and the others come up to the top.

[audi_girl]

Well pics would be GREAT since I couldn't even get in!!! Yes I'm still FUCKING SALTY!!

[lnferno]

Well pics would be GREAT since I couldn't even get in!!! Yes I'm still FUCKING SALTY!!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4534041

[Scott]

Well pics would be GREAT since I couldn't even get in!!! Yes I'm still FUCKING SALTY!!

what is this all about???

[Barry]

She didnt have any cash on her, and there is no ATM at PPIR....

[Jesus]

Note for next year ... portable ATM 

[Tetzman]

Here's some AC pics...
http://www.ppvwc.net/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=132

Chuck Baker did a great job as an announcer, even if he was drowned out a little by the Ice Cream Trailer. Things went really well. I heard lots of good comments.

I'd like to, and plan to be more involved for 2010! Please keep me in the loop!

Great job!

[SwiftMKIII]

Note for next year ... portable ATM 

Looked into it. Needed a few months notice and $400-$600 for them to bring one out

[F n D Prez]

Wow in the website it says "Due to location of event make sure you have enough cash"


 

[corrado]

First some pictures...

Click on thumbnail for larger pictures. Full-size 10MP image available if you would like a copy.

[corrado]

[corrado]

Now my feedback as an outside the club person running the AutoX.

AutoX: I registered for the fun of it, not expecting to win, but for a chance to play at PPIR. That said, it seemed very separate and "oh you are here for that" from the rest. Why?

First no shirt included with the pre-registration (I would have just charged what extra it cost to also cover that).
Second, that email "with the details" never arrived - and others commented on the same thing.  One of the fellow Corrado drivers didn't get to run because he didn't get this info! We had to hunt for info on the website, and even when I asked questions - no one replied. Not good.
Third, hardly any 719-shirt people seemed to know anything about what we were doing. The drivers meeting time was wrong, they sent us to the wrong place (no the meeting was not at the tower).
Forth, at the end with the awards the result announcements were horrible. Only the first place cars were announced, and then only with the driver name and car number. No mention of the type of car, and no times. Even if there were only trophies for first, it would have been proper to at least announce the first three places, and post the results. Something that rubbed me really wrong was the sponsor wining the trophy for his class (of three total given out). Sure he had the best time - he had the best prepared car out there - not to mention lots of experience. Still...

The AutoX course itself was VERY tight, more than I care for to be honest. But the biggest issue was with a total lack of anywhere to run to cool off. It was quite hot, and after a few runs most of the cars needed to really cool down. A couple minutes running at some speed will easily do this, as apposed to having to let it idle with the hood up for 10 minutes or so. That would keep thing moving a little smoother and keep the cars cooler.

The good... 5 runs. And before that, there was a great novice walk of the track - one of the best I've ever had - very well done!

Drivers wanted... I wish we could get more VW people to drive their cars instead of just show them. Possibly if you could do both (judge first then run), there would have been more "drivers" instead of posers. That, and getting to run part of the track might do it.

Anyhow... I was pleased with my driving, getting faster every run, except the last which was just a hair slower due to getting a little overzealous on the slalom. Again, it was a VERY tight course, no speed except at the start, so I was never geared right. Here's the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcaXNPPr4M

[Southcross]

Yep - good show, nice turnout and well run.  Was a little confusing on the entry, where to go to park, sign up, then drive back around, but not bad at all.  Nice job. 

what would you suggest?

A sign above the registration place

the 5 foot banner(s) at the office(s) entrance(s) weren't enough?  I also had a map visible on multiple forums showing the site and where the entry offices were.

I had maps and the intention of coordinating the people directing traffic to direct and/or give out maps... but once the show setup started, I never got to leave the paddock area until nearly noon.

[Southcross]

Note for next year ... portable ATM 

Looked into it. Needed a few months notice and $400-$600 for them to bring one out

maybe if PPIR is growing as they project in the coming year(s)... they will invest in their own portable ATM.  Someone should suggest that to Paul

[sad_rocc]

Well pics would be GREAT since I couldn't even get in!!! Yes I'm still FUCKING SALTY!!

It was that hard to find a gas station somewhere?

[lpshade]

Now my feedback as an outside the club person running the AutoX.

AutoX: I registered for the fun of it, not expecting to win, but for a chance to play at PPIR. That said, it seemed very separate and "oh you are here for that" from the rest. Why?

First no shirt included with the pre-registration (I would have just charged what extra it cost to also cover that).

Second, that email "with the details" never arrived - and others commented on the same thing.  One of the fellow Corrado drivers didn't get to run because he didn't get this info! We had to hunt for info on the website, and even when I asked questions - no one replied. Not good.

Third, hardly any 719-shirt people seemed to know anything about what we were doing. The drivers meeting time was wrong, they sent us to the wrong place (no the meeting was not at the tower).

Forth, at the end with the awards the result announcements were horrible. Only the first place cars were announced, and then only with the driver name and car number. No mention of the type of car, and no times. Even if there were only trophies for first, it would have been proper to at least announce the first three places, and post the results. Something that rubbed me really wrong was the sponsor wining the trophy for his class (of three total given out). Sure he had the best time - he had the best prepared car out there - not to mention lots of experience. Still...

The AutoX course itself was VERY tight, more than I care for to be honest. But the biggest issue was with a total lack of anywhere to run to cool off. It was quite hot, and after a few runs most of the cars needed to really cool down. A couple minutes running at some speed will easily do this, as apposed to having to let it idle with the hood up for 10 minutes or so. That would keep thing moving a little smoother and keep the cars cooler.

The good... 5 runs. And before that, there was a great novice walk of the track - one of the best I've ever had - very well done!

Drivers wanted... I wish we could get more VW people to drive their cars instead of just show them. Possibly if you could do both (judge first then run), there would have been more "drivers" instead of posers. That, and getting to run part of the track might do it.

Anyhow... I was pleased with my driving, getting faster every run, except the last which was just a hair slower due to getting a little overzealous on the slalom. Again, it was a VERY tight course, no speed except at the start, so I was never geared right. Here's the video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOcaXNPPr4M

Thank you for the feedback.

1. Were going to look into the shirts next year for the AutoX personnel

2. Not sure what happened there, will look into the shortfall. Just as you mentioned we did have a backup plan for drivers to get the required information, which was posted on the website.   

3. The drivers meeting was changed because track security didn’t have the gate opened on time, so track personnel were behind from the get go. An announcement was over the PA system and over the walkie talkie to spread the word but obviously it didn’t spread fast enough.  At the volunteer meeting it was discussed to have it at the tower but the track folks wanted it down at the track by the cars.
Regardless – this is an area for improvement and additional coordination from the DATR staff as well as the PPSCC.   

4. We talked about this already and just as you suggested, this is something we are looking into. 
As for the sponsor winning his class, I understand your concern.
Thank you about the course comments, will pass them along.

[ianacole]

Something that rubbed me really wrong was the sponsor wining the trophy for his class (of three total given out). Sure he had the best time - he had the best prepared car out there - not to mention lots of experience. Still...

So, because I sponsored the event I shouldn't try as hard?  To correct a little bit of your statement, there were 4 trophies given out:

Fastest Raw Time:  1:00.355 - Mark Smith ('04 R32 - actually, the best autoX prepared car out there, not affiliated with Wasabi Race Team)
1st Heavily Modified: 1:05.369 - Ian Cole (me, in an '03 Passat not very well prepared at all, we'll get to that in a minute...)
1st Modified: 1:06.524 - Seth Minkoff (sorry, I don't remember the car)
1st Stock/Near Stock: 1:13.592 - Nick Wilson (Passat Wagon)

All times can be found here: http://www.ppscc.net/smf/index.php?board=4.0

I, as owner/driver of Wasabi Race Team, sponsor VW motorsport events to draw attention to what I do with my racing in hopes of attracting additional sponsors.  Guess what, that's the same reason I try to win.  You're "rubbed wrong" because someone heavily involved in motorsports came to a performance based VW event and did well?  Sorry Ken, but I don't understand the concern.

As for the car, you apparently would have been really upset if I had brought my own car (which is in accident recovery), as it's a magnitude of prepared over even Mark's car in terms of motorsports.  Instead, I was driving a 2003 Passat, K04 turbo, FMIC, GIAC software, some form of street springs, 3 good shocks and one bad, and old, tired Nitto NT-01s that were under-inflated (I rubbed the "Nitto" off the sidewall.

Autocross is about car prep and driver skill/experience, did you expect someone who's heavily involved in the performance arena to come out and not perform?

[scurvy_bandit]

I would prefer to hear all negative feedback from everyone. This way we can get an idea for next year! I understand the concerns with the auto-x. We can fix the communications errors, but some things that happened were unavoidable, (the change of time for drivers meeting)

I am sure next year we can get better communication and do the best we can to get the word out for what time we need the people to show up.

[Scott]

That damn driver's meeting is ALWAYS a problem. There needs to be more direct involvement between the show staff and the race staff, and I think a good first step to maknig that happen would be for EVERYONE involved with the show to attend an autocross and either co-drive a car with someone or just race their own car.  It will give you an idea of just what is involved, and you will have a much better feel for what needs to happen.  We also need to have one person who is a "full time" staff member directly involved with the auto-x registration process and the locations/ times needs to be very clearly published and very clearly announced. 

As for the racing/ showing thing it is VERY simple.  You tell the dual event people to arrive at least one hour before the race, setup their show display, and they will be judged right then.  After they get judged, they can go race the wheels off the car. 

The same full time staff person MUST contact every single pre-registered racer at least 3 days prior to the event (a week would be better) to make sure they know their class, they know the timeline and they know at least the basics of how the day will go.  They also need to be made aware that they will be working a corner or something too, it is not just a race and leave kind of gig.

[Southcross]

You tell the dual event people to arrive at least one hour before the race, setup their show display, and they will be judged right then.

6:30 am for "race car judging"?  most of the volunteer judges were also in the show and arrived with the majority of the show cars, 9am(ish, or later).  I can only suggest a mid-day "lunch break" to judge the race cars

[scooter]

Did any of you guys/girls catch yourself on the tube?  There was some TV coverage, not sure what channel, about 15sec mostly autocross. 

[SwiftMKIII]

You tell the dual event people to arrive at least one hour before the race, setup their show display, and they will be judged right then.

6:30 am for "race car judging"?  most of the volunteer judges were also in the show and arrived with the majority of the show cars, 9am(ish, or later).  I can only suggest a mid-day "lunch break" to judge the race cars

I like your idea Scott...

This year's drivers meeting was at 9:30.  I say we plan on a 9:30 drivers meeting next year and racers have to be set up by 8:30 to be judged. 

We could do a race class judging in the"pits"  for autocrossing.  Let them start the racing and we judge between heats.  Open to all makes as well, and Ian could win again as well