AROSC at Willow Springs

[Norman Silverma]

The Alfa Romeo Owners Club of So. Ca is returning to Willow Springs Raceway for the first Time Trial / Race Weekend of the year on January 8th & 9th.
This will be the "First Annual Charlie Thieriot Memorial Competition" and we have already been contacted by a number of senior Time Trialers and Competition Racers that will dust off their Nomex and put some wheels on the track in Charlie's Memory .
For those of you who don't know, Charlie was one of the founders and at times provided the blood to develop what has become known as one of the finest club competition and driving school programs in the country.
There will be 3 Time Trial run groups, a mixed class Race Group and the first race of the annual Alfa Cup Championship series for 2005. The 'Novice' Time Trial group (drivers without a AROSC approved competition license) must attend classroom sessions before each run session. Check it all out at www.arosc.org. (General competition info is posted, but event specific will not be up for a few days.)

If you've never had a car on the track, AROSC offers an Intro Course for $20 per day that will provide you with class room instruction and nearly an hour of lead and follow around the track during lunchtime. Instructors will take relatively small groups of cars around the track increasing the lap time by 1/2 to 1 second per lap. After each lap the Instructor will wave off the car immediately behind so that every one will get a chance to drive the correct line as nearly as possible. Most any daily driver will qualify . Check out www.arosc.org for specifics.

[smestas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Silverma If you've never had a car on the track, AROSC offers an Intro Course for $20 per day that will provide you with class room instruction and nearly an hour of lead and follow around the track during lunchtime.

[Norman Silverma]

Sorry you didn't get the full 45 - 50 minutes on the track, but sometimes safety maintenance gets in the way. If you come out again I'll give you some Depends and strap you into my passenger seat.
You don't have to go to Intro to do Novice Time Trial. It's just a good way to get primed and get some real fundementals out of the way.
All you'll have to do for Novice Time Trial is get a 5 point harness (as per our Competition Code Specs), proper Helmet (Snell 95 or better), Eye cover, Cotton Clothes or Nomex coverage Wrist to Ankle and Leather Gloves with no holes.
You must attend classes (sign in and be present) prior to your run times (3 x 35 min. on Sat. and 2 x 25 min on Sun.) and complete at least 1 of your 5 Timed Runs. Usually a School and a couple of Novice TT's will get you your license.
I would suggest that you do Intro again in Jan. (2 days - Sun is run a little faster) and School in Feb.
Did you post any pictures from the last event?

[Bruce Colby]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman Silverma All you'll have to do for Novice Time Trial is ... a proper Helmet (Snell 95 or better) ...

[Norman Silverma]

Registration form is in the mail. Got mine Friday.
Usually a little cool in the mornings up in the high desert this time of year so I decided to insulate my left hand driving glove. Why the left hand you say? So I don't get frost bite from my perpetual point by driving position.

[Norman Silverma]

Registration form and instructions can now be downloaded (PDF) from our web site www.arosc.org.

[Griffo]

re: helmets -- if you are new at this, do not get cheap and opt for an M rated helmet (M as in motorcycle) which many/most clubs here in the NE, at least and maybe nationwide, will not/no longer let you use and are inisting on SA rated helmets (I'm told the impact standards and, I believe, the liner materials are different) besides its your noggin that the helmet is protecting so being cheap does not really pay.

[Grant]

Thanks griffo..I was really contemplating getting a Snell 2000 helmet from ebay meant for a motorcycle. Any tips on buying a helmet?

[Griffo]

Hi happy new year. look for the Snell Foundation rating in addition I think to a DOT rating. SA rated are more expensive (due I guess to the Nomex liner and different impact standards than M rated helmets). I do suggest that you actually go to a store/shop and actually try the helmet on, ask the dealer for recommendations , assistance as to fit (it should be snug and not move more than just a little) (whether you actually buy from the shop rather than off the internet after you've identified the brand, model and size that works for you is your choice. My most recent helmet is a G-Force (it comes in graduated sizes like hats, rather than S, M L etc.) so I think the fit is probably better.

Alos think of your neck. a HANS device is probably the best but is not cheap (and I think overkill for time trials, but probaly not for wheel to wheel racing). Conversely, a proper and properly fitted racing collar (Nomex covered) is probably the best $30 - $40 of insurance you'll ever buy.

If you need/want perscription eye glasses, get thee to your favorite optitian and get a pair of pilot glasses (the ear pieces are shapped like oars/paddles and fit straight back into the helmet after it is on -- this is I think whyt they were developed ihn the firtst place). While you're at it I very much like the yellow tinted (shooter's) lens -- excellent contrast and color enhancement. I've taklen to wearing them all the time for driving even at night).

let me know how you make out and what you end up with. via con alfa.

[Chatis]

Is there any form of track driving you can do without installing a roll bar? Can you rent helmets and suits?

Would love to test my skills,

[Griffo]

the short answer may be autocrossing (at least at the very local club level but probably not much more than that, if anything). the larger answer is why would you want to? While less haxardous than street driving, track days are inherently dangerous and while a flip/roll is, in my experience and observation, an unusual occurence, it does happen. I do have a snapshot of a '6 that rolled at least 2X at Lime Rock some years ago, no cage, the driver was brused from his harness but otherwise undamaged, unlike the car. but a spider, no, don't even think about it, even if you can find some club that might let you (and if you do remember the Groucho Marx line about not joining any club that would have him as a member).

and yes, a harness is also a very, very good thing to have.

and yes, most clubs (at least around here) have some loaner helmets for novices, if you plan on doing it a second time, get your own helmet. As for a suit, I do not know of anybody that has loaner suits, but most clubs (again, around here -- the Northeast) permit long sleeves and pants 100% cotton (no sythetic fibers which melt). This over Nomex underwear and with Nomex racing boots/shoes and glooves seems to work fine.

Its your noggin, derierrie, or whatever; what comfort level do you want for yourself?

[Griffo]

dear all, if you get to the northeast, I show you Lime Rock, the Glen, Pocono (which I don't love) and Summit Point. will you show me the tracks out there if I get out there?

and while I'm thinking about it. maybe the easiest way to get started is to hook up with the local AROC chapter (they'd love you to be a member but I suspect they are more interested in filling their days with Alfas) and also go to your local track's website, they probably have a club schedule with contact names. Each club will have its own rules but most are relatively similar.

via con alfa

[alfabc]

Due to the weather and road closures, the track event this weekend at Willow Springs has been cancelled. Your entry fee's will be returned.

Bill Carson
V.P. AROSC