Just announced! CCR/SCR Battle at the "Black Sea."

Registration at Myautoevents.com (http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=8365)

From CCR Post by Dave McKinsey:


Dave Mc wrote:

Great News Everybody, Nick and I have just finished the details for a CCR-SCR Autocross Battle. It will be on Sat-Sun Sept 27-28th. This will be at the Michelin Proving Grounds in Laurens SC. This is a great autocross site that has not been used in several years. Just imagine a nice huge smooth lot with no poles or dividers to run over. This is a great chance to run on a national type lot and also to show SCR what they are getting into by messing with the CCR drivers. Our points event was scheduled that Sunday at Charlotte Knights Stadium and will move to this site instead. Lets start planning on having a great and fun weekend. More details will be coming soon. Thanks Dave




Guys....this is one of the best autocross sites in the country. It has been closed to us for several years, but recently the opportunity has re-surfaced for the last weekend in September!


The Black Sea 1400x400 feet
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p103/1993CivicSi/michelin-proving-grounds.jpg

Consider me there already :) The real question is who's side will you be on Jbyrd?????? Since Dustin still hasn't caught my last post he's probably not inspecting posts and doing his moderator duties very well :p but I'll suggest again that he get his butt out to an event and co drive with somebody and this looks like a perfect opportunity. SCR needs all hands on deck to deal with you CCR boyz.

How many BMW's can we arrange to have there guys? Even if you've never done it before give it a try and have some fun. PJ and I are always willing to give rides, ride along and give advice. It sounds like there won't be a better event all year than this one and here's plenty of advance notice.

Mike, my SCCA membership card states Region #79 - South Carolina Region - as my region of record.

I am an associate member of CCR.

Sweet, for some reason I always thought it was the other way around.

Im down for a co-drive duty on this one.

Im down for a co-drive duty on this one.


It's ALIVE!!!!!!

http://www.affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/young_frankenstein_doc_small.jpg

We'll Find You a Co-Drive sumplaze!!!! If SK don't show....you got one here! Otherwiz.....we find 1 4 u.

My cars are always open to ya. I've seen ppl 3 drive a car so I know it can be done. It's alot easier across different run groups but it can be done. I may even bring both cars to this one and we'll have even distribution. With all the people on this board that show up you know all you have to do is ask.

I've always wanted to do this. What is the cost and what would I need to do?
Or would you recommend that I come and observe/ride along the first few times?
That does look like a fun "lot", any way I could get in there some other time?

This unfortunately will be the most expensive event of the season, but you know how they say "You get what you pay for." If you're interested in trying it out cheaper first we will have a few events in between mainly July 13th at the North Charleston Collesium.

As for how to start, jump in with both feet. Don't be afraid cause you'll kick yourself once you finally get out there on how many times you missed out. Just clean your car out of all your spare change and paper and bring it down for tech. You'll get a bar code sticker for your windshield and some masking tape to make numbers and find all the other BMW guys to learn how to walk a course and what to look for. You're welcome to ride along with others before you run but don't pass up the opportunity to do it yourself.

As far as getting in there another time, it's a tire manufacturers test facility. Much like a military base I wouldn't look forward to getting in without an authorized event such as this.

On a side note...... you own an E30. IT IS YOUR DUTY to involve yourself in motorsports of some type.

Unfortunatly, Charleston is a bit of a drive, but I will try to check out some of the events.
You said this one was one of the most expensive, how much are the cheapest ones and the most expensive ones.

Unfortunatly, Charleston is a bit of a drive, but I will try to check out some of the events.
You said this one was one of the most expensive, how much are the cheapest ones and the most expensive ones.


Here's a link to more details on costs. (http://www.scsportscar.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=1896&start=0) Remember this is a 2 day event so entry fees are pretty much double. Normally an SCR event is $20 for members, and you must be an SCCA member to compete in an SCCA event now.

Don't fret though...weekend SCCA memberships are available. This is for event insurance purposes.

It's ALIVE!!!!!!

http://www.affordablehousinginstitute.org/blogs/us/young_frankenstein_doc_small.jpg

We'll Find You a Co-Drive sumplaze!!!! If SK don't show....you got one here! Otherwiz.....we find 1 4 u.

:rofl

Sounds good. Ive been slacking as Ive been house searching for the past 3 months and am now closing on one next month. :redspot

Registration for "Black Lake Shootout at MyAutoevents.com (http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=8365)

Wow opening registration already?? I anticipate this being 200+ turnout.

I'll be there, but in Protege...:shifty....of DOOM!

Mike . . .Did you register? I'm not going . . .I'll be preparing for my Petite LeMans trip :) . . .hehe

Yeah...looks like JK intimidated PJ into missing this one!

Nah . . . not really.

I just can't stand his know it all, never challenge me attitude . . .

In the one SCR meeting I went to . . .he kept interrupting the speaker . . . talk about rude!!

I never said he was wrong in what he said . . . just challenged his solo mind thinking and he kept dancing around what I said. There may be some people that don't agree with what I said but they can say I spoke the truth.

Yeah....it's like nobody listened to what you said....then took you to task on it. :)


All you said is seat time is good.....and it is. I will put your mad driving skills up there with anyone.

Haven't registered yet but still plan on going. I've got to work out member ship prior to paying. And we're still going to Petit what kind of planning does that need??? They're 2 different weekends.

I saw the conversation on the other board and just stopped reading. I see where they are attempting to make valid points for new drivers. At the end of the day tho I don't need an instructor to tell me what my car is doing, that's what the seat time that you are describing is for, knowing how it feels in various situations. Once you've learned that then you need instruction on what to do when you feel it. Showing up to an driving school and spending a few hours lapping in a fleet maintained car won't teach you much. It takes a certain amount of time to get comfortable in your car by pushing it's limits. Where you do that is up to you, but your example was a safe, LEGAL, contained environment. They just tend to be overly cautious when posting opinions on that board probably due to the liability factor.

Back on topic, bring your a$$ to Michelin it doesn't affect Petit Leman.

Back on topic, bring your a$$ to Michelin it doesn't affect Petit Leman.


Yeah....you need the seat time.






(ducks)






:)

PJ :rock: Mike
JB :bash PJ

PJ :rock: Mike
JB :bash PJ

I'm not sure how to interpret this. Does it mean you are coming to Michelin.....or you're going to chicken out?






(hides under sofa)

well hello kiddies, miss me?

i've been out of the loop for a while now but i think it's time to jump back into things. i'll see if i can make it out to this event but i might have to work.

it's been ages since i've seen PJ and dustin, i think we're due for a cookout

well hello kiddies, miss me?

i've been out of the loop for a while now but i think it's time to jump back into things. i'll see if i can make it out to this event but i might have to work.

it's been ages since i've seen PJ and dustin, i think we're due for a cookout

Welcome back, P-Jake!!!:buttrock

Wuz wonderin where you wuz.

Everybody misses PJ and Dustin. Unfortunately, they have aged out and moved to grown up land. (anybody got a better explanation?)

I think they're even wearing big-boy shoes now.

Roger Johnson to Design Black Lake Michelin course.

Nick Hallman of SCR/SCCA wrote:

Roger Johnson is regarded by many as the best autocross course designer in the world. He has written the book (literally - see below) on course design, and has designed Solo National Championship courses many, many times, in addition to National Tour courses and courses for his home region, Houston.

Needless to say, when we promised a "Nationals-quality" course for this event, this is what we had in mind. I just didn't think he'd actually do it, but hey... never hurts to ask, huh?


Some of Roger's designs, just to whet your appetite. Believe me though, you won't be able to appreciate a good course design until you've walked/driven it...


2007 Solo Nationals Course
http://nebraska-subaru.com/interactive/albums/albun20/2007soloNatCourses.jpg

National Tour Course
http://www.houscca.com/solo/courses/apr04.1.gif

A Recent Houston Regional Course
http://www.houscca.com/solo/courses/jun08.gif


"The Book" - required reading for any would-be SCR course designer
http://www.houscca.com/solo/courses/coursedesign.zip


Johnson will be designing one of the courses for the SCCA National Championships in Topeka this year.

It's getting close!

Pre-registered..

If I go, can I ride with someone during the event?

Just registered online, set to go.

I didn't realize it's been so long since my last auto-x...3 years.:eek:

Daniel

I'll be there, but I won't be driving. My car is in need of a new head, so its down for the moment. I will up there with my roommates and a few friends. Look for the 3 e30s rolling in together. :buttrock

Here's a look at the course maps for the weekend. These are what national level courses look like:

http://www.scsportscar.com/blacklake/michelin-saturday-thumb.png


http://www.scsportscar.com/blacklake/michelin-sunday-thumb.png

I finally bit the bullet and signed on last night for Sunday only. See you guys there...

I finally bit the bullet and signed on last night for Sunday only. See you guys there...

What time are you heading out on Sunday?

Gonna be early. What are you thinkin'? 6:30 or 7:00 to be actually enroute.

Gonna be early. What are you thinkin'? 6:30 or 7:00 to be actually enroute.

Yea work killed my weekend plans so have fun.

Yea work killed my weekend plans so have fun.

:nono

Here's my review....

Course was fairly good on Sunday. A couple of minor course 'adjustments' would have prevented a lot of DNF's that I saw (including my own). Specifically, would have been nice if there were a few more cones in one of the chicanes. At the velocity that some of us got to the gate it was difficult to discern that there was a directional change following that gate. Even a chalk line would have helped. Either of these adjustments would have made the course better and safer.

Would have also been nice to have had a little higher speed straights rather than the incessant slalom sections on the straights. Don't get me wrong, I liked a slalom but think that two were a bit redundant.

Organizationally, things went pretty well but could be tweaked as well. Firstly, parking for the participants was bad. Really bad. Really really really bad. Given that Michelin sent down word from on high that there was to be no two way traffic, there was no reason for the use of parallel parking. This put people way out on the other side of the course due to the massive number of cars. It would have worked much better to have used angle parking for the participants and save a lot of room.

Even better would have been to stage cars on the exit side of the track. By doing that people could have come and gone during the event. It would have also allowed those folks who bailed out early to leave without making the later run groups wait while they lumbered along on the gravel/grass/mud. That delay was pretty offensive to the folks in run group 4 who had to sit and wait for them to depart. Lots of folks grumbling about that while I was standing around waiting for my turn to drive.

Overall, a thumbs up for the event and a thanks to those people who made it happen. I understand that they don't get paid and they deserve gratitude for the work they put in making things happen. I met a lot of really nice folks and got to catch up with some that I don't see often. More importantly, I got to stretch the 55's legs a bit in a controlled environment.

And what an environment it was. Best piece of asphalt out there as far as I'm concerned. No other a/x course / venue that I have been to has ever been as nice. I'm sure next year will be improved, assuming Michelin remains benevolent.

My take:

The course:
The Gray Lake (it was black in '04..not anymore) has deteriorated a bit since that last even we held there. It was still better than anything we've AX'd on in years, though. The course layout was perfect..at least I thought it was. It's gonna suck having to go back to the tight, "Miata" AX courses we are accustomed to in SCR. Hopefully Nick sticks to his word that he will "loosen-up" the future SCR course. I guess there's only so much you can do with the small sites we get, though.

The parking/paddock:
Sucked. I understand that the perimeter road was all we could use to maximize the course space. First come-first serve was fine by me (the way it should be). The problem I had was that they used chalk to "reserve" the space for the person the next day. So...even if I got up there early the next day, I had to stay at my spot a half-mile back. I don't see why I couldn't just go to an open spot upfront. First come-first serve, right? I understand if there were people's belongings there...but a totally empty spot should be fair game. God, I hated walking back and forth to my car.

The Grid:
Excellent. The numbered grid parking was a god. No more having some jackazz park in your spot, requiring you to move your equipment after each run. Not having to back up in a spot was good, too. It was very, very organized. They also had the scanner and starter separated into two positions instead of one. That alone saved tons of time instead of stopping ever other car for a bad scan. I hope the future SCR events use these features. Combined, they probably saved a hour on the day.

The organization:
Very good for the amount of people we had (200+). The course worker's needed a better briefing, though. They were redflagging every little thing..slowing it down. The flow of traffic out of the event wasn't helping things along, either. It was the same way in '04. That "one way" road is the size of a two way road in downtown Charleston. They should have gave the waiver and crowd control guys a radio and let them coordinate the one-way traffic out of the even on the perimeter rd. The course could stay hot and the visitors could come and go as they pleased.*

***But..I understood later that Michelin was being D-bags through and through. My buddies were there for the innitial set-up on Friday and had to have a meeting with Michelin and it was rediculous what Michelin wanted. They wanted no pictures at the event (come on..there is nothing thre but a parking lot and trees), no metal on the ground..which was understood on the nice asphalt ....but even on the crappy perimeter road? Visitors parking off the gravel? There was no gravel there anymore...just grass. The site was no wher as nice as it was in '04...it was actually run down a bit. There were a few other petty demands that I can't quite remember hearing. Finally a middle-ground was reached and we could at least take picture. What ticked me off was that the Yellow C6 Z06 was speeding everywhere on the perimeter road (we were told over and over..don't speed!), driving opposite on the one-way road, just acting like a jackass and we couldn't tell him to "knock it off" because he was a Michelin employee. I understand the job has it's perks, but if you are hosting the site and stress that we follow the rules to a "T"..you might want to set the example. *** Oh well...Bridgestones are better tires anyways :stickoutt

Other than that, it was well organized. We got 4 runs each and were usually done by 5pm. That's not too bad considering the stoppage for traffic.

The local area wasn't great. The hotel was a crack house and the FATZ restaurant was a bomb in the service department. The town was out of premium gas. My buddy finally found some 93oct by our hotel. The shady looking gas station (the ones you usually don't stop at) was ran by an Indian dude. I had no choice, I had to put 3-4 gallons in it. The next day (Sun) the car was detonating (first time in 3 years) and pulling timing/adding fuel=no power. So I had to dial the boost back about 3-4 psi. So either I was giving 91oct or the gas had water in it.

Anyway, I still had a blast. A little sore and sunburned, but I'd do it again in a year (no earlier than a year, though). The major killer was that there was no shade or curbs to sit on anywhere. I can usually survive any site in SCR without a chair or umbrella, but this one was unbearable.
Things to bring to the next Gray lake event:
- Chair
- Tent or umbrella
- Extra water ('cause they ran out)


-Kiley