Trackside-Suzy
11-08-2018, 05:14 PM
Confessions of an SCCA Nationals Virgin
For the last year or so, I’ve been working with SCCA to try and attract attention to the Classic American Muscle (CAM) Class. Trying to extol the virtues of the oldest amateur racing club and their attempt to welcome muscle car ‘guys’ and the muscle car autocross culture. I admit, at first, I was excited about the opportunity to shift change through social communications and group interactions. I was looking forward to experiencing the ‘other autocross’ and learning about why there was separation between Goodguys racers and SCCA racers.
I’ll be the first to admit, I am pretty sure I have not been successful.
A little background to give some context: CAM is a master class with three sub-classes for Modern (new) Muscle, Sport (Corvette/Solstice) Muscle and Traditional (old) muscle. Herein lies the first flag of difference – classes. The rules (initially) were kept simple to mirror the other popular muscle car events. Street tires, common safety equipment and street car qualities. Second flag goes up – rules. CAM-only events are conducted three times per year in different regions of the country with tracks that are perfectly suited for high horsepower cars -- these events are called CAM Challenges and there are usually three of them. Regionally, at your local club, you won’t be shunned but you won’t get a track that makes a whole lot of sense and you won’t be welcomed into the Miata fold quickly. Maybe someone will chat you up about your ‘weird’ car, maybe they won’t.
158178
Now, to be fair, SCCA stands for the SPORTS Car Club of America. There are fifty years of sports car racing history that have come before you. Change takes time and a willingness to accept change on both sides. The muscle car guys have got to accept that SCCA is pretty serious; there are trophies and jackets and contingency monies at stake. SCCA guys have been doing this since childhood and they are in it to win it. Muscle car drivers are having fun, making friends and learning how to build cars that can do what they were never designed to do 50 years ago. Up until very recently, you were lucky if you got a plastic plaque for winning at a muscle car autocross.
The only analogy I’ve been able to come up with to describe these two groups, is it’s a bit like the frat boys being invited to the math club – jocks vs. nerds. Both groups bring so much to the table. Both groups enjoy camaraderie and friendship. Both groups attack the course with contemplation, introspection and glee. But, where’s that 80’s movie ending where the geeks wind up joining the jocks by some twist of fate?
It’s in Lincoln, Nebraska around Labor Day.
I need to make an admission, I had only considered going to Nationals since working with SCCA but the idea of actually doing it terrified me a bit. I’m not going to lie, once I finally did go (I had excuses for the last two years.) I was genuinely terrified. I was so nervous that I decided that I wouldn’t run my car, I would just focus on working.
158177
More context: The week of competition begins with the CAM Invitational where the best-of-the-best compete for two days in the same format as the CAM Challenge events held prior. The only groups racing during this weekend are CAM and the Pro-Solo (Drag start with lights that after a hundred yards or so, goes into a decent sized autocross course.) Everyone has Monday off as the rest of the competitors arrive onsite from all over the country. And arrive they do, by the hundreds. Groups reserve their spots early and rental tents are waiting for them to build party sites and makeshift garages. The theme this year was ‘Game of Cones’ so the medieval theme started popping up everywhere almost immediately. Nearly every day there is at least one meal that is sponsored and designed to bring people together in the “Big Fun Tent” that operates as SCCA Central for the week.
158176
Here’s what I learned about running CAM class at Nationals:
Nationals is huge, if you thought it was huge, it’s huge-er. There are three tracks running near constantly (two for competition and one for test and tune). The paddock of tents, motorhomes and parties seems to go for a mile. I got lost more than once.
People at Nationals leave it all on the table. The competitors at Nationals are serious …about having fun as much as they are serious about winning.
Nationals is not for the weak. Let me tell you, there were several times when I questioned my own fortitude. It was blazing hot when I got there and no sooner did racing start that it started to rain. It rained and rained and rained. There were inches of standing water everywhere. Then it got windy. Then it got cold. Rain or shine, these people were in Lincoln to race and compete and by golly they did so. There were times when the cars on track were literally being swallowed by water. And, yes, if your wave knocks over a cone, it counts. There were delays that had racers running in near complete darkness because the track times were so much slower they couldn’t get runs finished in time.
I did hear some complaints about the running in darkness and removal of a mid-day track walk to keep the racing going, but oddly enough, it wasn’t the actual people driving in the dark who were complaining. Everyone took the excessive rain and track difficulties in stride it seemed. The show went on.
158175
SCCA has their **** together. Apparently 50 years of running big events is a good thing. Most everyone had a job and that job was for a specific time period – things ran like a corporation with leaders, supervisors and workers and everyone showed up for work and everyone did their job. I witnessed a generator failure that let to a backup generator failure that in-turn required the retrieval of yet another generator from another trailer across the site. Racers saw a less-than 20-minute delay because of the quick thinking and action of the assigned workers. It was some of the most impressive teamwork I’ve seen in a long time.
Nationals is organized chaos. I had a reason to be nervous about attending. Unless you’ve attended Nationals before, it’s very hard to find your way around and know what is going on. There are schedules of racing and there are schedules of events, but they don’t seem to coordinate. It’s also hard to make new friends when you don’t really know where anything is – there is a definite lack of signage and maps.
You need transportation. You need a bicycle, scooter or golf cart or you’re going to be exhausted after the first day. It’s that big.
Now, the racing. The racing is NUTS. There are several muscle cars there that don’t even race in CAM. They prefer to race in the more race-car classes and let me tell you, they are fast and furious. CAM T was the least attended CAM Class and that makes me bummed. CAM was created to bring old muscle cars to SCCA but for whatever reason, it’s not happening at a National level; maybe not happening regionally either. The CAM Challenge events are very well-attended, and I can see why. Awesome and fast courses that are well-suited for larger and higher-horsepower vehicles. A good number a runs in a fast-moving format. Run times are usually close to sixty seconds and you get at least 8 runs a day. Yes, you have to work a shift, get over it; choose a job you like and do it well. You’ll appreciate when it’s done for you in-kind. There’s always trophies (maybe too many) and dinner is sponsored – and it’s good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3dxfPDUpW719Ed1ar4lA-B-11qQMnydF-Kqya2mCs9nxcEfuBttmt413k&v=rhKgs-egmDg&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
So, what’s holding you back?
Rules, classes and arguing about both? Yes, I get that but it takes two sides to argue.
Here’s my thinking: If it doesn’t conflict with LS Fest (in KY) I would like to pull together a Camp Autocross – like we did in California at Del Mar Goodguys and like we do East of the Mississippi, at LS Fest and Goodguys. Get a whole group of us traditional muscle car folks together and show those Miata guys how we do it. I’m sure this is my grand plan to unite all my autocross friends in one place, but seriously would it be so bad? I know… it’s four or five days on an airport tarmac and away from work, but it’s car stuff! It’s racing. It’s seeing what you’re made of. It’s parties. It’s bringing West Coast friends within a day’s drive of the original LS Fest. Anyone want in?
To summarize, I’m hooked. I want to be the people with the best food and parties. I want to see how I stack up against the Ladies Class and the Open Class. I want to show how we are serious about driving and serious about our Car Family. I want to unite the debate and stop talking about my car family as though it’s in different species from SCCA car family. I want the happy 80’s movie ending.
By the way, I also want an aluminum toolbox like Chad Ryker won.
158174
For the last year or so, I’ve been working with SCCA to try and attract attention to the Classic American Muscle (CAM) Class. Trying to extol the virtues of the oldest amateur racing club and their attempt to welcome muscle car ‘guys’ and the muscle car autocross culture. I admit, at first, I was excited about the opportunity to shift change through social communications and group interactions. I was looking forward to experiencing the ‘other autocross’ and learning about why there was separation between Goodguys racers and SCCA racers.
I’ll be the first to admit, I am pretty sure I have not been successful.
A little background to give some context: CAM is a master class with three sub-classes for Modern (new) Muscle, Sport (Corvette/Solstice) Muscle and Traditional (old) muscle. Herein lies the first flag of difference – classes. The rules (initially) were kept simple to mirror the other popular muscle car events. Street tires, common safety equipment and street car qualities. Second flag goes up – rules. CAM-only events are conducted three times per year in different regions of the country with tracks that are perfectly suited for high horsepower cars -- these events are called CAM Challenges and there are usually three of them. Regionally, at your local club, you won’t be shunned but you won’t get a track that makes a whole lot of sense and you won’t be welcomed into the Miata fold quickly. Maybe someone will chat you up about your ‘weird’ car, maybe they won’t.
158178
Now, to be fair, SCCA stands for the SPORTS Car Club of America. There are fifty years of sports car racing history that have come before you. Change takes time and a willingness to accept change on both sides. The muscle car guys have got to accept that SCCA is pretty serious; there are trophies and jackets and contingency monies at stake. SCCA guys have been doing this since childhood and they are in it to win it. Muscle car drivers are having fun, making friends and learning how to build cars that can do what they were never designed to do 50 years ago. Up until very recently, you were lucky if you got a plastic plaque for winning at a muscle car autocross.
The only analogy I’ve been able to come up with to describe these two groups, is it’s a bit like the frat boys being invited to the math club – jocks vs. nerds. Both groups bring so much to the table. Both groups enjoy camaraderie and friendship. Both groups attack the course with contemplation, introspection and glee. But, where’s that 80’s movie ending where the geeks wind up joining the jocks by some twist of fate?
It’s in Lincoln, Nebraska around Labor Day.
I need to make an admission, I had only considered going to Nationals since working with SCCA but the idea of actually doing it terrified me a bit. I’m not going to lie, once I finally did go (I had excuses for the last two years.) I was genuinely terrified. I was so nervous that I decided that I wouldn’t run my car, I would just focus on working.
158177
More context: The week of competition begins with the CAM Invitational where the best-of-the-best compete for two days in the same format as the CAM Challenge events held prior. The only groups racing during this weekend are CAM and the Pro-Solo (Drag start with lights that after a hundred yards or so, goes into a decent sized autocross course.) Everyone has Monday off as the rest of the competitors arrive onsite from all over the country. And arrive they do, by the hundreds. Groups reserve their spots early and rental tents are waiting for them to build party sites and makeshift garages. The theme this year was ‘Game of Cones’ so the medieval theme started popping up everywhere almost immediately. Nearly every day there is at least one meal that is sponsored and designed to bring people together in the “Big Fun Tent” that operates as SCCA Central for the week.
158176
Here’s what I learned about running CAM class at Nationals:
Nationals is huge, if you thought it was huge, it’s huge-er. There are three tracks running near constantly (two for competition and one for test and tune). The paddock of tents, motorhomes and parties seems to go for a mile. I got lost more than once.
People at Nationals leave it all on the table. The competitors at Nationals are serious …about having fun as much as they are serious about winning.
Nationals is not for the weak. Let me tell you, there were several times when I questioned my own fortitude. It was blazing hot when I got there and no sooner did racing start that it started to rain. It rained and rained and rained. There were inches of standing water everywhere. Then it got windy. Then it got cold. Rain or shine, these people were in Lincoln to race and compete and by golly they did so. There were times when the cars on track were literally being swallowed by water. And, yes, if your wave knocks over a cone, it counts. There were delays that had racers running in near complete darkness because the track times were so much slower they couldn’t get runs finished in time.
I did hear some complaints about the running in darkness and removal of a mid-day track walk to keep the racing going, but oddly enough, it wasn’t the actual people driving in the dark who were complaining. Everyone took the excessive rain and track difficulties in stride it seemed. The show went on.
158175
SCCA has their **** together. Apparently 50 years of running big events is a good thing. Most everyone had a job and that job was for a specific time period – things ran like a corporation with leaders, supervisors and workers and everyone showed up for work and everyone did their job. I witnessed a generator failure that let to a backup generator failure that in-turn required the retrieval of yet another generator from another trailer across the site. Racers saw a less-than 20-minute delay because of the quick thinking and action of the assigned workers. It was some of the most impressive teamwork I’ve seen in a long time.
Nationals is organized chaos. I had a reason to be nervous about attending. Unless you’ve attended Nationals before, it’s very hard to find your way around and know what is going on. There are schedules of racing and there are schedules of events, but they don’t seem to coordinate. It’s also hard to make new friends when you don’t really know where anything is – there is a definite lack of signage and maps.
You need transportation. You need a bicycle, scooter or golf cart or you’re going to be exhausted after the first day. It’s that big.
Now, the racing. The racing is NUTS. There are several muscle cars there that don’t even race in CAM. They prefer to race in the more race-car classes and let me tell you, they are fast and furious. CAM T was the least attended CAM Class and that makes me bummed. CAM was created to bring old muscle cars to SCCA but for whatever reason, it’s not happening at a National level; maybe not happening regionally either. The CAM Challenge events are very well-attended, and I can see why. Awesome and fast courses that are well-suited for larger and higher-horsepower vehicles. A good number a runs in a fast-moving format. Run times are usually close to sixty seconds and you get at least 8 runs a day. Yes, you have to work a shift, get over it; choose a job you like and do it well. You’ll appreciate when it’s done for you in-kind. There’s always trophies (maybe too many) and dinner is sponsored – and it’s good.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3dxfPDUpW719Ed1ar4lA-B-11qQMnydF-Kqya2mCs9nxcEfuBttmt413k&v=rhKgs-egmDg&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop
So, what’s holding you back?
Rules, classes and arguing about both? Yes, I get that but it takes two sides to argue.
Here’s my thinking: If it doesn’t conflict with LS Fest (in KY) I would like to pull together a Camp Autocross – like we did in California at Del Mar Goodguys and like we do East of the Mississippi, at LS Fest and Goodguys. Get a whole group of us traditional muscle car folks together and show those Miata guys how we do it. I’m sure this is my grand plan to unite all my autocross friends in one place, but seriously would it be so bad? I know… it’s four or five days on an airport tarmac and away from work, but it’s car stuff! It’s racing. It’s seeing what you’re made of. It’s parties. It’s bringing West Coast friends within a day’s drive of the original LS Fest. Anyone want in?
To summarize, I’m hooked. I want to be the people with the best food and parties. I want to see how I stack up against the Ladies Class and the Open Class. I want to show how we are serious about driving and serious about our Car Family. I want to unite the debate and stop talking about my car family as though it’s in different species from SCCA car family. I want the happy 80’s movie ending.
By the way, I also want an aluminum toolbox like Chad Ryker won.
158174