Lakeland - Joker Marchant

[Spin Out]

I really liked the FAST event in Lakeland on Sunday.
Subtract the rain and loose gravel, and it would have a been dynamite. (Say it like Jimmy J.J. Walker only if you must)

That course design was really fun. I'd like to see it again in better conditions.

For the first event at a sight, it was an excellent effort by the FAST group.
I did see a guy complaining on their board, and I pretty much agreed with him, though he could have been nicer with his comments. A lot of guys jumped on him for stating his opinion, and I didn't like that at all.

Criticism is good. Learn from it. If no one complains, nothing gets fixed.

[w0rd]

Fuck that guy. Complaining that the pizza arrived 15 minutes too early? Come on. Who goes to an autocross to eat? You could feed me dogfood at the events and I would be happy.

[Charles]

Criticism is good. Learn from it. If no one complains, nothing gets fixed.

I am going to file a complaint that you are complaining too much about the complainer being complained about. :D

In all seriousness I think this will be a good site if we can keep the surface clean. It was a little bumpy in a few places but nothing like SPJC. Radios were acting up out there too for some unknown reason. Interference maybe? definitely wasn't a distance issue.....

[MattCIVIC19]

I thought the event went really well considering the conditions. I had fun in the rain, granted I could've pulled a better time if it was dry, but it was still fun none the less.

[Spin Out]

Fuck that guy. Complaining that the pizza arrived 15 minutes too early? Come on. Who goes to an autocross to eat? You could feed me dogfood at the events and I would be happy.

You are right, I did not agree with him about the Pizza.
You sound grumpy "Word", Was I faster than you ... again?
(Kidding, Kidding, a thousand times Kidding. I'm not worthy to wipe the pebbles off of your tires.)

[beebo10]

Fuck that guy. Complaining that the pizza arrived 15 minutes too early? Come on. Who goes to an autocross to eat? You could feed me dogfood at the events and I would be happy.

+1. how big was the circuit?

[w0rd]

400 x 600. Here is a video... Video of LAKELAND04-06-08-BestRun - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting (http://s64.photobucket.com/albums/h162/y4ngel/?action=view&current=autox04-06-08-BestRun.flv)

[Muddy]

I really did like that site. My only complaint is the finish. There are better ways to end a course than a big, nasty kink. I couldn't convince Steve of that, though.

[snookwheel]

It was a great time! Not one of my proudest days of driving, but a lot of fun. I was one of the lucky ones in the dry morning runs. Even with the last minute changes with the grid, I thought it all ran very smooth. Great work folks!

Video of a run: YouTube - Lakeland F.A.S.T. autocross 4-6-08 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smNu9CMZwsE)

[TAJRacing45]

Yeah, that was my first AutoX of any kind and totally loved it! Since I was a newby, some people were complaining about things I really never noticed. I felt it ran smooth and well. I did think the grid could have used some work but since there was a game going on that day, no one know they'd be changing anything. All in all a wonderful event.

[beebo10]

i like i like

[badhombre]

ahh damn wish I would have known about this. I would have loved to spectate. the stadium is like 10 minutes from my house. any plans for another event anytime soon?

[Native]

Thanks, Spin Out. For a first event at a totally new site, and with their schedule screw up, I think the event went extremely well. From what I've heard, a lot of folks agree that it did.

The guy who "complained" on the FAST forum is an event regular, and not usually one to criticize. He did have some valid points. I'm not sure how much time you've spent on the FAST forum, but it's typically a pretty friendly place and exchanges like that are unusual.

I did think the grid could have used some work but since there was a game going on that day, no one know they'd be changing anything. Yep, the grid stunk, but at least it wasn't a "rolling" grid. Grid was originally supposed to be in the parking lot to the NOrth, but as part of our last-minute compromise with the Tigers, we agreed to stay out of that lot. We'll know better next time.

There are better ways to end a course than a big, nasty kink. I couldn't convince Steve of that, though. Criticism is good. Learn from it. If no one complains, nothing gets fixed. C'mon, it wasn't that big, or nasty. In my experience, the finish is one part of the course that no one ever agrees on. Regardless, the feedback is never taken lightly. FWIW, after we discussed it, and before first car out, the finish was opened up a little. I know you still didn't like it, and I'm glad you volunteered to chair the next event there!

any plans for another event anytime soon? Yeah. The powers-that-be at the site have been very clear about not wanting an event there every month, so we're gonna wait a bit before we hit 'em up for another. Hit up a Brooksville event in the meantime - can't be too bad of a drive for you...

[Muddy]

C'mon, it wasn't that big, or nasty. In my experience, the finish is one part of the course that no one ever agrees on. Regardless, the feedback is never taken lightly. FWIW, after we discussed it, and before first car out, the finish was opened up a little. I know you still didn't like it, and I'm glad you volunteered to chair the next event there!
I never complain that much about a course element, but I really didn't like it. It would be nice to see more thought put into the course elements entering the finish before the event, rather than hastily making changes on the day of the event. However, now that we are more familiar with the site, I imagine it won't quite be such a problem at subsequent events. ;)

[Native]

now that we are more familiar with the site, I imagine it won't quite be such a problem at subsequent events. :wink: +1 :)

[Jordan Y.]

I had fun in spite of all of the troubles that came with a first-time site. I would gladly go back. Maybe I haven't been doing this long enough to become picky about the details, or maybe since I'm just out there to have a good time I don't let the details bother me.

[treekiller]

I think people have just become too picky.. When I first started autocrossing it would take ALL day to get 4 runs and there was no scoring at the event you had to wait for someone to print them in the monthly newsletter. 40 cars and we would be there ALL DAY!!!

[Goumba]

I think people have just become too picky.. When I first started autocrossing it would take ALL day to get 4 runs and there was no scoring at the event you had to wait for someone to print them in the monthly newsletter. 40 cars and we would be there ALL DAY!!!

Yeah. Back when I started autocrossing we had to do our runs uphill. In the snow. In reverse. IN A GREMLIN!!!

[snookwheel]

Yeah. Back when I started autocrossing we had to do our runs uphill. In the snow. In reverse. IN A GREMLIN!!!

You raced backwards in a Gremlin? HAH..child's play.. We only had Pintos. And those of you who recognize the inherent danger of racing a Pinto in reverse probably drove your Mustang II, Dodge Demon etc.. etc.. to a Led Zeppelin concert at some point in your distant past!:lol:

[Native]

My first set of wheels was a '71 Gremlin. Yellow with a black stripe. I tried like heck to kill that car, and couldn't. Finally my folks sold it and two weeks later I heard the guy (kid) who bought it overheated transmission and eventually crashed it into a ditch...hah! Why didn't I think of that?? :lol:

[pullg]

My first set of wheels was a '71 Gremlin.
That explains your skill driving backwards.... :)

[Native]

It explains a lot more than that, if you ask me...;)