The Autocross and Track Racing Forum

[Jack Olsen]

On Pelican, track driving gets a lot of discussion on the 911 Tech Forum, but the Autocross and Track Forum itself gets very little traffic. Unfortunately, this becomes a self-perpetuating cycle, as guys who want to talk about track and autocross issues will get no responses on the dedicated forum, and as a result they learn to post track questions on the 911 Tech board.

This isn't a huge problem, but I think there are a lot of PCA, POC, SCCA (and other) track guys out there, as well as regular autocrossers and assorted track junkies, who could benefit from a more-focused discussion of issues ranging from setting up a car for a guy's first visit to a local track all the way up to discussions of national-level autocross events and high-level PCA and SCCA stuff.

Pelicanite Chris Streit and I have been talking about this recently, and -- with Wayne's help -- we're going to try to start generating some better content for the Autocross and Track Forum to lure some of you all into (also) visiting the Autocross and Track Forum on a more regular basis. We're also going to start moving threads that are more about track issues than tech issues over to the Autocross and Track Forum to help get things rolling.

If your thread gets moved, try not to take it the wrong way. If both the 911 Tech and the Autocross and Track areas are more clearly defined, everyone benefits, and there will be more useable discussion on both forums.

We're also looking for input on ways to improve the Autocross and Tech Forum. I'm going to try to get Tyson Schmidt to pitch in with some of his Autocross experience, so that we can dedicate a few threads to providing a lot of information very concisely for guys who are looking to get their feet wet in anything from a full-season race series, to a Driver's Education Event, to autocrossing.

Any other ideas you might have, please post them in a response to this message, or start a new topic in the Autocross and Track Forum.

As a first step, I've put a story about my visit to Willow Springs yesterday, where I drove with Tyson Schmidt and Hans Stoehr, both of whom are regular posters on this board.

There are pictures, video clips, and even a dusty off-track excursion in the new posting.

Here's a link to the new thread.

And here's a link to the Autocross and Track Forum.

[JSDSKI]

What about listing AutoX forum in place of the 964 forum? Then the three forums would be listed atop page one: parts, engine rebuild, and AutoX. If it's handier, it's more likely to get checked out, IMHO.

[dd74]

Jack - you read my mind. I've been wanting to try AutoX for a while, and actually almost posted a request (on the tech board) asking where I can find them in the So. Cal area.

Anyone have any ideas?

[rs911t]

Great idea. Thanks.

[Pat S]

I agree with listing the AutoX forum on top of the 911 forum. My daily routine is to chck the tech forum, then the classified and rebuild forum. If I don't see it listed here I generally forget it exists.

Pat

[MarkP]

Good idea Jack. I'd also suggest that the the list of forums be rearranged to help drive more traffic to them - top of the fold always gets more eyeballs and serves as a reminder for us to visit those forums.

I can repost my "learning to race" threads from earlier this year if you want and I'm happy to help with the Autox and Track forum if you need it.

[porcupine911]

Originally posted by dd74
...I've been wanting to try AutoX for a while, and actually almost posted a request (on the tech board) asking where I can find them in the So. Cal area.
Anyone have any ideas?

Los Angeles area SCCA-sponsored autocross events can be found at www.solo2.com. As a newbie it might be a bit daunting, so if you would like some help, look or ask for me (chris grivas). I autox a white miata with silver stripes along with fellow 911 owner David Palmquist.

[dd74]

Originally posted by porcupine911
Los Angeles area SCCA-sponsored autocross events can be found at www.solo2.com. As a newbie it might be a bit daunting, so if you would like some help, look or ask for me (chris grivas). I autox a white miata with silver stripes along with fellow 911 owner David Palmquist.

Cool! Thanks, Chris.

[rattlsnak]

I dont like it. To be honest I like all the info in one area. Its much easier to sort through the ones you want to read and skip over the rest, than to swap back and foth between forums. I realize there is a regional forum, an off topic, and a 964/993 board, but I have never viewed any of them. This forum is linked to my favorites, not the Pelican home page.
I do agree with the rebuild forum as that is a specialty, but general AutoX and racing is good info for anybody that wants a better handling car.
Just my .02 cents worth.

[J P Stein]

Bout time.
Guys MUST be tired of reading my drivel over there.....but beware, I have about 200 AX pics that I haven't shown as of yet.

[pu911]

Jack,
Great idea! I have often wondered why there isn't more active discussion on the racin boards.
Phil

[cstreit]

Phil,

There are a number of us that regularly post video, stories, recounts, etc.. on the Tech board, of which I admit to be a regular offender. So I am going to only post track related stuff over there. I think if the rest of us regulars do that as well, we can really get it rolling.

I am also going to PM some of the regular track contributors to help out and give us some new content. I'd like to see a good active track forum for the older 911 drivers (cars, not drivers). Rennlist had a nice forum, but its very focused on Club Racing and later model cars.

This is our HOUSE!

[Joe911]

I spend most of my time sifting through the tech board looking for set-up related information. I probably read and ask a lot more than I contribute, I will check out the autoX racing forum daily. Also second placing the link at the top of the tech page.

[MarkP]

Hey (idea), if this works maybe we can get the folks at the 356 Registery to move their prehistoric email list to the Pelican boards! I could only hope....

[pu911]

Chris,
I have a new project car that I need to chat with you about. I figured my rsr was too nice to turn into a race car so I bought a race tub, but now I need to figure out what to do with it.
Phil

[DByers]

Im not sure if it can be done, or maybe it is already possible and I am not sure how to do it, but shouldnt there be a way to subscribe to a forum the same way you can subscribe to a thread? That way any time there was a new thread with in that forum you would get an email with a link just like we do for threads. Would work for the other forums that dont see alot of traffic also.
I recall awhile back that Wayne was waiting for updates to allow each user to change his forums page in is user area to show the 3 forums that user would want at the top. Do we know if we are any closer to that?

Oh yeah, I like the idea of the track related stuff in one area, but thats my .02

[North Coast Cab]

And here I though my Autocross post from yesterday was moved because Ve Snyder referred to a 914-6 as a monstrocity.

JG

[bell]

Originally posted by North Coast Cab
And here I though my Autocross post from yesterday was moved because Ve Snyder referred to a 914-6 as a monstrocity.

JG

i wondered where that thread went
great idea......a link above would work

[cstreit]

Phil,

PM Me when you get a chance.. I'll send you my phone numbers, etc.. if I can be of any assistance, I'd be happy to help!

[RazorRacer]

I don't know if I will use it or not. I like to come to the 911 forum because it helps with the car which is much more complicated (to me anyway) than a race track.

Also, the quality of discussion is very good. I learn things on this board from other 911 guys that I can use in my life. I've tried posting at other areas on the board and it's like a ghost town.

However, I would like to have a track expert to talk to. Can you assign track experts that get notified when a message about their track has been posted? I imagine all the major tracks listed and a check box next to each. When you post, you have the option of selecting a track. Then at least you know that expert should reply.