OK here's the deal.

As many of you know I'm a newbie. I started the first of this year but have made a concerted effort to run as many events as possible since then. At this point about 10 so for this year.

I love the sport and am in it for the long haul. I'd love to take some driving classes and at some point try and be competetive at a National level. But of course thats just a goal....not necessarily a reality!

So here's the question. I'm debating about whether or not to participate in the SeDiv in Nashville on the 17th. I think I have a chance to do well in the Rookie class and would love to try for Rookie of the year in this region and herein lies my problem.

I have limited experience on race tires. One event with 3 runs in the rain and 2 in th dry. I'm missing my local event this weekend due to a family get together. So I'll only have 5 runs on race tires before I pull to the line for my first run in the Divisional.

I'm thinking maybe I should layout this year......because the way I understand it once you've competed in a Divisional once your no longer eligible for Rookie points in a following year. I feel like I could use the balance of the year to get accustomed to my race tires and get my car fully prepped and really go for it next year!!!

I'd probaly still attend but just as a spectator. Use it as a recon mission of sorts.

Am I over thinking this? Should I forget about winning and just go for the experience? I'm i crazy to think I even have a shot? I've never been to one so I don't really know what I'll be up against!

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

 

If you were thinking about going to watch, why not go to drive?

I started autocrossing in 1997. I took the local regions new driver school and did one event. The second event of the season was a CemDiv, it also counted as points for the local season. I tried not to think of it as a CenDiv only a local 2-day event with 250 people.

The point is if you are in this for the long haul there is no subsitute for seat time. Not even a really good school can replace experience. Take in as many different events as you can. For example here in Chicago there are two clubs that run a 8 event season each. In Wisonsin there are another two clubs and one in Indiana. I can attend a event every weekend no more than an hour from my house if I wanted to. Every club is different with different competitors to run against and that is what makes it fun.

I say go for it and good luck,

 

Nothing beats the experience. Even if yer dead last (DFL!) the chance to see how/where to improve may be all-important.

Get your doors blown off and then figure out how to improve for the future. Not pushing yourself is a sure recipe for mediocrity!

 

Yep, without a doubt...go for it!

No questions asked...

 

Not only will you get more seat time, but you also have a chance to see more accomplished drivers in action. In both cases, an opportunity to learn. I've been doing this for ~ four years and I'm still more concerned with getting better rather than scoring points.

 

If I understand you correctly you can layout of the Divisionals but still run most of the events and be eligible for the rookie award next year? Simple question.. are you close enough to go for it this year or not, you have to call it and that says which way you go.

Frankly, it sounds to me like you are good enough as a rookie to go for it this year.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone!

I'm still debating the issue.

Seat time won't be a problem for me if things continue as they have the past few months. I guess my real desire here is to win SeDiv Rookie of the year. If I run next week thats it for my chance at rookie honors. The rules state once you have competed in a Divisional your elegible for Rookie status that year and then thats it. If i wait tell next year I'll have 30 or so events behind me, my car will be fully preped and I'll have the confidence to go out and kick some serious but. I think this year I've got to many open ended issues like the tires, lack of experience etc. that I won't have to overcome next year.

Who knows waiting a year I might be able to bring home Rookie and AS overall. Crazier things have happened.

I'm in no hurry and believe me I'll get plenty of seat time this year Divisionals or not