Autocross Classes Go on a Diet by Lisa Steele The full set of rules is available on our website: http://mav.pca.org (under “Events” --> “AX/TT”) Anew year means new changes. Whether we want to change our eating habits, work out more to help shed those extra holiday pounds, or to budget our money just a little better for the upcoming year, we always tell ourselves we need to do things differently to improve our lives for the New Year. Well, I am very anxious for our Autocross and Time Trial season to begin because there have been some exciting new changes made to the rules and classifications to improve the overall competition factor and to make things “just FUN!” The Rules Committee sat down several months ago and decided to make some necessary changes in the way we have been classifying or grouping cars at our events. After all, there were some of us in a class by ourselves or our only competition was our spouse (this can cause trouble at home at times). Don’t get me wrong, I love the beautiful trophies at the end of the season, but I like to feel like I have truly earned that trophy the fun, competitive way. I happen to be the Lady Representative of the group, AKA “the cheerleader” for the new changes. My job was very clear from the beginning…understand everything that was being said and be able to explain it clearly in a very simplistic, second grade teacher way. Wow, was I ever in for a shock! After Charlie Davis and James Shoffit did all their technical stuff (and I mean overthe-top, no-clue-what-they’re-doing technical stuff), I looked to Bryan Bell and Brian Petri for clarification. After I narrowed down their interpretation of the information, I simply screamed! But after all is said and done and all the enormous amounts of data were entered and the formulas were tweaked, the information that we will input about our cars is relatively very simple (really, no more screaming from me…just cheering). We will be using a new online car class calculator that does the work for you once you have entered some information about your car. This worksheet will be a web- based application that will be posted on the Maverick website. All of the changes that have been made to the Rules will be clearly explained at the Autocross schools in <strong>February</strong> and March, but the main purpose of this article is to give you some insight as to what to expect. First, the classes have been shrunk from 51 classes to 10 classes, which means that most people can expect to move down a couple of classes from where they were last year. For example, our 944S2 racecar was in class 6 last year, but once I inputted my modifications on the car class calculator, I will be in class 4 this year and if I’m not mistaken, the Shoffits will also be in class 4…see what I mean about having some competition? Second, The Ladies can choose to compete in one indexed class with all other participating ladies OR they can compete against the men within their class. Cool, huh! You’re probably wondering how the classes were condensed so significantly. The old rules had 3 sets of classes that included Showroom Stock (classes 1 thru 17), Ladies (classes 1 thru 17), and Everything Else (classes 1 thru 17). The new 10 classes will be a smooth progression of performance in a way that matches equivalent cars. Therefore, we now have stock and modified cars of all levels competing together. As with any changes, the Rules Committee does anticipate a few problems and will monitor the results and revise as necessary. My favorite change is how the Top Driver Male and Top Driver Female will be determined. We are going to have a down and dirty, good ol’ fashioned Runoff. Yes, a Runoff…I can’t wait! Basically, the lowest scoring 10 men and 10 ladies will qualify for the Top Driver Runoff. The club will obtain a Porsche that is not owned by any of the qualifying entrants. Then those 10 men and 10 ladies will have three timed runs on a newly designed Autocross course and the fastest man and the fastest lady of the day will be designated Top Driver. I am so EXCITED! Okay, now back to that New Year’s resolution of budgeting money better…Hoosier’s or Toyo’s ? The <strong>2006</strong> Rules Committee are: Brian Petri, Autocross Chair Bryan Bell, Time Trial Chair Charlie Davis, Retired Truck Driver James Shoffit, Timing Guru Lisa Steele, Scribe Photo Name Badges Bryan Bell A great idea for all Maverick Region events! These are the same size and shape as the 2004 Parade badges and feature the same magnetic attachments. Now you can wear a name badge with your favorite Porsche shirt without having to poke holes it! Our photography or yours ...just $7.50 each. Driver’s Education Car Numbers as low as $8 each! These are heavy duty individual 10” tall magnetic numbers and are available in white, black, red, yellow, orange, blue or green. Custom work is also available in any color . . . including metallics! Coming soon! www.graycatgraphics.com Hats • Shirts • Banners • Posters Calendars • Track Photography Car Numbers • Digital Photo Editing Kevin Hardison Irving, Texas • (972) 849-8512 18
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