Landracing Forum
El Mirage => El Mirage General Chat => Topic started by: NathanStewart on October 19, 2012, 02:42:11 PM
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Rookie Orientation at El Mirage
The RO is a TWO part class and you must attend both parts before you can run. The first part of the class always starts the day BEFORE the race. The June, July, September & October meets are all regular one day events and we always race on Sunday. This means the class starts on SATURDAY.
The May & November meets are two day events and we race on Saturday and Sunday and there are two RO classes. This means the first class starts on FRIDAY and the second class starts on SATURDAY. You will not be able to run on Saturday unless you attend the RO class on Friday.
The RO starts at 4:00 pm for all events EXCEPT November; the November RO starts at 3:00 pm. Again, you must attend both parts of the class before you can run. Do not show up on Sunday and expect to run because you won't be able to. We always meet at the car tech/registration area and I'm usually there a few minutes early and I usually wait at least a few minutes for any late arrivals. Please bring a support vehicle (car or truck, not ATV/golf cart/side-by-side) with a working CB radio.
Please feel free to post questions in this thread or PM or you can call me (my number is in the rule book). Thanks!
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Hey Slim, howzabout a sticky? Please. :-D
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There -- all better now?
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Yup, thanks!
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:cheers:
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As a first time Rookie I will add to the consensus that Nathan's orientation was absolutely the best and I really appreciate the time and dedication he gives to the class.
Nathan, I do have one observation you may find amusing. You mentioned how you were amazed that some people get in the middle of the course and can't see the finish line, which was clearly visible from the starting line! Happened to me and I can explain what happened. Somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile out it was a little bumpy and I missed a shift into high. Then I looked down to see the speed and rpm and figure out if I was already in high (motorcycle, it can happen). When I looked up the finish line had disappeared. It is a phenomenon called 'accommodation'. When you look down at the instruments, your eye focuses on the instruments and when you look back up on a (relatively) featureless horizon, there is no point of focus so your eyes, (well, not yours, but my old eyes) don't accommodate fast enough and finish line is completely invisible.
Your excellent preparation was much appreciated.
My instinct, was, "shit, I missed the finish and I should be stopping" but I could recognize that the single cones meant I wasn't there yet. (As slow as I am I really had a lot of time to think about all this). Looking at the single cones and looking at them progressively farther down the course brought them, and the finish into focus. This all happens really fast, but if you just stared out into the distance, the finish line might be very elusive, especially if you were looked back down to the instruments.
Anyway, I had a great time (and a long time :oops:) and expect to do better next year!
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Is there a RO sign up list started for the May event?
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Nope, no list. Just show up. Times are in the first post.
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As a first time Rookie I will add to the consensus that Nathan's orientation was absolutely the best and I really appreciate the time and dedication he gives to the class.
Nathan, I do have one observation you may find amusing. You mentioned how you were amazed that some people get in the middle of the course and can't see the finish line, which was clearly visible from the starting line! Happened to me and I can explain what happened. Somewhere between 1/4 and 1/2 mile out it was a little bumpy and I missed a shift into high. Then I looked down to see the speed and rpm and figure out if I was already in high (motorcycle, it can happen). When I looked up the finish line had disappeared. It is a phenomenon called 'accommodation'. When you look down at the instruments, your eye focuses on the instruments and when you look back up on a (relatively) featureless horizon, there is no point of focus so your eyes, (well, not yours, but my old eyes) don't accommodate fast enough and finish line is completely invisible.
Your excellent preparation was much appreciated.
My instinct, was, "Subaru, I missed the finish and I should be stopping" but I could recognize that the single cones meant I wasn't there yet. (As slow as I am I really had a lot of time to think about all this). Looking at the single cones and looking at them progressively farther down the course brought them, and the finish into focus. This all happens really fast, but if you just stared out into the distance, the finish line might be very elusive, especially if you were looked back down to the instruments.
Anyway, I had a great time (and a long time :oops:) and expect to do better next year!
I don't know how but I managed to not see this until yesterday. Excellent descriptive and yes, I can certainly understand how that can happen. I think over time you build a familiarity to your vehicle and the course. You learn to "know" where you are and how long your runs are and when and where to do certain things like shift or take your hand off the shifter and put both hands on the wheel or whatever it is you might be doing. All of this of course takes time to develop and there certainly is a learning curve for beginners. I think my dismay of those who claim to not see the finish line is when it comes from experienced drivers/riders. There really isn't much of an acceptable reason (excuse?) for blowing through the finish line IMO.
Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to seeing you out there again.
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Even if you have taken the RO prior, it's always a great idea to do it again if you have new crew. Helps them understand the what nots. Thank you Nathan for providing this valuable service.
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On that note, what is considered minimum crew? If I run 1 bike can this be a single operation or do we need at least another body?
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You will be doing some long distance walking if you don't have a helper to drive your tow vehicle.... race vehicles are not driven anywhere but the race course.
With that said, lots of folks are willing to help you out...
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On that note, what is considered minimum crew? If I run 1 bike can this be a single operation or do we need at least another body?
You can crew with us if needed. But it's always best practice to have another person, a tow vehicle/trailer.
Send me a note on barf/facebook and come down to my shop so we can go over all the stuff. Happy to help you anyway I can.
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That's a good offer. Papi will be a real help to you or anyone needing it.
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After yesterday I think some of the "veterans" need to take rookie orientation to learn the rules.
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After yesterday I think some of the "veterans" need to take rookie orientation to learn the rules.
What happened?
Hey, by the way, enjoyed chatting with you. I think I was behind you after the meet on Palmdale and you made a left as we went straight to the freeway, Yes?
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On that note, what is considered minimum crew? If I run 1 bike can this be a single operation or do we need at least another body?
You can crew with us if needed. But it's always best practice to have another person, a tow vehicle/trailer.
Send me a note on barf/facebook and come down to my shop so we can go over all the stuff. Happy to help you anyway I can.
Thank you for a great offer, I know you have mentioned you would assist in the past.
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What happened?
Hey, by the way, enjoyed chatting with you. I think I was behind you after the meet on Palmdale and you made a left as we went straight to the freeway, Yes?
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Congrats on the record, I learned alot talking with you! See you in July, not going to be able to make June.
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"After yesterday I think some of the "veterans" need to take rookie orientation to learn the rules."
Driver/rider education is an ongoing process. SCTA made great headway in educating rookies when the new program was introduced and since then we have had very few problems with new drivers and riders.
At registration we give out a bright green reminder sheet containing a course map and 10 important points. That sheet is directed at the non-rookie. Let us know if you have any great ideas at reaching the masses.
Miriam
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"After yesterday I think some of the "veterans" need to take rookie orientation to learn the rules."
Driver/rider education is an ongoing process. SCTA made great headway in educating rookies when the new program was introduced and since then we have had very few problems with new drivers and riders.
At registration we give out a bright green reminder sheet containing a course map and 10 important points. That sheet is directed at the non-rookie. Let us know if you have any great ideas at reaching the masses.
Miriam
Oh I dont know..... maybe rookie orientation (class only) every 5 years? Theres not alot going on at 4pm the day before a race anyways. I know I've done it twice, once for me and once with my son. I learned alot, Nate does an awesome job!
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I like going to all meetings including rookie.
and it's nice to have everyone with me at those meetings.
different tracks, different procedures, different pull outs for okay and not OK.
Franey
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I worked with Nathan on rookie orientation on Friday to mainly assist with the motorcycle side however as good as he does it he and others can always use the help. What I found as a racer was that it kept me from doing course walk and seeing the course firsthand.
I also had to take time away from working on my bike since we brought nearly a new bike (front end, swing arm, body work, wiring, shield etc) so I am not sure I will be doing it again however I want to say thank you to Nathan, Mike and all of the volunteers for what they do!
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Oh I dont know..... maybe rookie orientation (class only) every 5 years? Theres not alot going on at 4pm the day before a race anyways. I know I've done it twice, once for me and once with my son. I learned alot, Nate does an awesome job!
We (as in me and whoever is in our little crew) do the RO every year regardless. If somebody new tags along, I make it mandatory they do the RO, whether they are schlepping sammiches or on the starting line with me. It really helps get the head inline with whats going on, seeing changes in realtime, and helping new crew feel comfortable with procedures.
Your basic idea of a refresher course is a good one. But also what Miriam said, education is continuos, for all of us, riders/drivers/crew alike. It's easy to get into a comfort zone and make mistakes. All in all, the SCTA does a great job keeping us all safe, including spectators/photogs/media what have you. We should continue with extreme respect for what our volunteers like Nate, Miriam, Bill, Jim and so many others do for us.
In that spirit, we are all stewards of one another. Fostering positive attitudes about safety first with each other should always be the prime goal, next to going fast of course.
:cheers:
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Well said, Papi. :cheers:
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I worked with Nathan on rookie orientation on Friday to mainly assist with the motorcycle side however as good as he does it he and others can always use the help. What I found as a racer was that it kept me from doing course walk and seeing the course firsthand.
I also had to take time away from working on my bike since we brought nearly a new bike (front end, swing arm, body work, wiring, shield etc) so I am not sure I will be doing it again however I want to say thank you to Nathan, Mike and all of the volunteers for what they do!
John, thank you for your help. I'd certainly like to have you join in again if you can find the time in the future.
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Dan Warner must be on vacation and there is nothing posted on the July meet. Got anything Nathan?
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Dan and his girlfriend were going to Italy (or was it France) for a 30th wedding anniversary trip.
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That's not right!
He shudda taken his wife.
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Got anything Nathan?
See the El Mirage 2013 thread.
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In order to ease Stan's concerns the lovely Joanie is indeed with me. Currently having lunch in France, on the Rhone River headed to Lyon with Viking River Cruises. Awesome deal! Oh, here comes the free wine with lunch guy - gotta go.
Aurevoir,
DW
BTW, just now we were invited to have dinner with the captain tomorrow night. I must have the biggest bar tab.
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Tres bien, Dan.
Bon Voyage, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Just wanted to say thanks to Nate and everyone else that helped us/everyone at the July meet. It was my first time running my own car and we had a great weekend. Quick question Nate.... do I need to attend rookie orientation at Bville as well? Or am I good to go?
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Yes on Bonneville, it's a different venue, crew also has to attend.
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Thanks for the reply, thought that was probably the case.
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Rookie orientation has been waived for Speed Week 2014
FREUD
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Freud, don't you mean " waved" ? :mrgreen:
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Freud, don't you mean " waved" ? :mrgreen:
hey, wrong thread... wrong day... Friday thread is in another forum :-D
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I sure miss the spell checker!
I don't really know what I meant.
FREUD