Novice school cost and sign-up

[seannabend]

I want to get my lady friend signed up for the Novice school in April so I'm wondering if this will be something that will use MAE for sign up or something else and how much it will cost.

I just checked MAE and there are no events up there right now for MN so I thought I'd ask.

How many people will the novice school accommodate?

[tyrayb]

Historically, cost has been $40 and sign-up has been on MAE. I don't remember the registration limits (40-50 sounds familiar), but they do fill fast.

Reg typically opens 30 days prior.

Tyler

[JKarsten]

The school is $50 and will open 60 days before the date.

[seannabend]

so registration should open end of this month?

[JKarsten]

yes it should

[JCN]

Forgive my ignorance. What is MAE?

[Darryl]

www.myautoevents.com

This is where all MAC events are listed the way you'll sign up for events... Or by mail (I think we still offer entry via mail)...

[Subhero]

Sorry. Whats the school teach? How come its so cheap compared to other private racing schools?

[Ivan]

Sorry. Whats the school teach? How come its so cheap compared to other private racing schools?

Teaches autocross safety requirements, what to expect at autocross events, some vehicle dynamics, and go-fast fundamentals. And, you get to drive a lot on day 2 with "the best instructors money can't buy" </Dave P>
We're all volunteers, so it's cheap.

[gsk8r]

Best $50 you'll ever spend!:rockon

[EWAustin]

Wish I could go :(

But for some reason I'm not a newb anymore...

[JCN]

Excited for the upcoming registration....

[seannabend]

Wish I could go :(

But for some reason I'm not a newb anymore...

Do you have to be a "newb" to go to the novice school?

My girlfriend wanted me to go to it with her and I'm sure I would still learn a lot even though I'll be going on my 5th year now (I think I'm still a "newb")
plus I would get to test my new suspension prior to Mowog 1

I just checked my auto events and there are still no events posted. Is the novice school registration really going to open up 60 days prior? or 30 days like a regular event?

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

Yeah, what sean said.

I haven't gone cone dodging for ten years so I was planning to go.

Maybe I'm a "born again" newb?

JMF

[phile]

I haven't gone cone dodging for ten years

2006:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/47/185250767_46c52d5f87_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/185254994_b62dbcec58_b.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/185255185_4f65d21938_b.jpg

:conecar:

[washburn]

One of the reasons we have a Novice Only policy is because pretty much everyone would love the opportunity to get out there, shake out some cobwebs, maybe test the new setup,.... I would love for everyone to be able to do this, but we decided to try to keep the school focused on the Novices. Test and Tune's are what your looking for.

Having said that, and recognizing there are always exceptions to all rules, I will say that once that registration has closed, all the Novices we can find are signed up, if there are still spots open I would not be opposed to selling those spots to select individuals. This would be a judgment call, leaning toward someone newer, rather than letting an old Pro in to test stuff. You would have to go through the entire school again, and you may be expected to help out too.

While this is a possibility, note that we have sold out the school for many, many years in a row, and have added a second school due to demand. When the time come, and if there are spots open, contact me and we can talk. Thanks for understanding.

EDIT: Just saw Jeff's post. Someone who has been out of it for 10 years (despite Phil's "I'm telling on you" photo's) might benefit from the classroom portion the most. Getting caught up on operations and rules is a good thing for all of us, so we'll give it consideration. We usually handle these things case by case. Will let you know.

[phile]

(despite Phil's "I'm telling on you" photo's)

I hope everybody saw the smiley. ;)

[washburn]

Yeah, it doesn't hurt as much if you smile and your polite while your punching someone either.

Just jazzing you... ;)

[gsk8r]

Instructors, correct me if I'm wrong, but Sean can still go with her to the Sunday stuff and "pit crew" (no driving) for her, right? I was nervous about going to the Novice School by myself too, but Ivan was instructing so I felt better having the moral support. [Although he never got in the car with me....hmmmmmm...:rolleyes:]

Plus, just tell her there will be other "lady friends" there. I'm pretty sure Katie and I roped in a couple significant others at the banquet this year. Or we scared them away, depends on how you look at it I guess.

[seannabend]

Pat, that policy makes a lot of sense.

I'll follow it up with asking if I can help out at the school.

Will there be/is there a sign up for helping out?
I don't know what is needed but I'm sure that Lynn (my girlfriend) would like it if I were there and if I'm there I might as well be helping.

oh, and when will the registration open? I just want to make sure I'm on top of it so she can get in to the first school if possible.

thanks

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

1, I'm busted by Phil. (thanks for the PM/links to the hi-res photos)
2, If you look at the front tires smoking from the throttle induced understeer you'll see I need the help. Then again, I just looked again; I finished mid field that day... on six year old BFG Euro T/A's.
3, After nine years of Swingdancing, and even being paid to teach it myself, I still take beginner lessons once in a while just to keep an eye on fundamentals.
4, What about sitting in on the classroom? Oh yeah, just saw that Pat suggested that.

Photo captions?
1: 6-60 A/C don't work for beans when you ain't moving. (then a quick wave to Don behind me.)
2: 40mph in a parking lot feels a lot faster than it looks.
3: One could; A, lift a little to load the nose and let the front tires hook. (wasn't that smart) B, Gas it and steer with the other end. (wasn't that brave with the swamp and spectators) or C, smoke the beJesus out of the front tires and look like a goof.

It's a gentlman's 911. Go quick, have lunch in the park, go quick some more. Looking at the third photo: Hanging from the tan strap that is visible through the right quarter window is a wicker picknic basket.

Jeff

[ChillyW]

I'll follow it up with asking if I can help out at the school.


Let me add a "me too" to that.
I've been out of it for a long time - I believe '93 was the last time I autocrossed.

I don't necessarily need the driving for warmup, but I'd sure like to sit in on the classroom session. And in exchange for letting me sit in the back of the room there, you'd have another gopher for shagging cones or whatever other gopherly duties you might need...

- Erik

(Oh, and "hi". I remember some of you from many many years ago. I drove a black Tracer in HS, mostly at SCCA events. Moving up this year with a new GTi and looking forward to flogging it a little.)

[washburn]

Thanks guys, we will be putting out calls for help when the time is near. No one should feel unwelcome at these things. Anyone is welcome to show up and watch, help with whatever, talk to the new people, help with corner working instruction, ... plenty of things to do even if it's just hanging out on a (hopefully) nice day. Specific timing and scoring training also goes on, and I don't think anyone will turn down someone who wants to learn that.

I'll go ahead and say that members are always welcome in the classroom too. If you think you'll benefit from it, just show up as a club member. We'll fit ya in. It's the number of cars we need to control for Sunday, that's the main reason for limiting entries.

Chillywillie, I would consider you a noob if you haven't done this since '93. Go ahead and sign up.

[ChillyW]

Chillywillie, I would consider you a noob if you haven't done this since '93. Go ahead and sign up.

Cool - will do.
But I'll still plan on helping out as well.

- Erik

[MNbiker]

....oh, and when will the registration open? I just want to make sure I'm on top of it so she can get in to the first school if possible.
Registration will open Tuesday, Feb 26th. Some items need to be approved at the There will be prominent posts announcing the school.


-Steve

[94TOY]

i started in the middle of last season, and i have not had an opportunity to take any classes. is this something that i would be elligible for?

Thanks

[MNbiker]

i started in the middle of last season, and i have not had an opportunity to take any classes. is this something that i would be elligible for?

Thanks

Yes, you may register for the Novice School.

p.s. Registration is now open, for those who haven't noticed yet. ;)

[Tweetee]

Event details don't seem to say whether or not we need to have our cars present on the first (classroom) day of the school. Any reason that I would regret not having my car there for that first day?

[phile]

Event details don't seem to say whether or not we need to have our cars present on the first (classroom) day of the school. Any reason that I would regret not having my car there for that first day?
If you have your car there on Saturday, you can get it "Teched" (inspected by MAC Technical Inspectors). This means that you won't have to have it done on Sunday. We recommend that all entrants bring their autocross cars on Saturday, as we would like to spend as little time as possible teching cars on Sunday.

[Tweetee]

Thanks, Phil. Nice weekend days from April through November make for a difficult choice between the bicycle and the convertible.

That's a lovely photo. Is it from the Amery event in August and may I re-print?

[phile]

Thanks, Phil. Nice weekend days from April through November make for a difficult choice between the bicycle and the convertible.

That's a lovely photo. Is it from the Amery event in August and may I re-print?

Yes and yes.

There are half-dozen pictures of the wee yellow beastie at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/sets/72157601665183270/
<http://www.flickr.com/photos/pethier/sets/72157601665183270/>

Go to the picture you want.
Above the picture, click "ALL SIZES"
When the picture opens, click "Original"
When the biggest picture opens, click "Download the Original size" (or mac,
drag the big photo someplace, or windows, right-click on the big photo)

[Andrew]

I'm signed up :D

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

RE: Subhero post #8. and Ivan #9:

I was talking (emailing) with some road race folks and brought up the value of learning the rules and procedures of the club/event on a school day rather than an event day. I hate that "What time is it and where am I supposed to be?" feeling when the answer is "In your car on grid" or something.

"Dunwoody College of Technology (Skogmo Room)"

With a name like "Skogmo Room", it's gotta be a jumpin' joint. Sounds like a TIKI bar.

No offence intended to Mr./Ms. Skogmo.

What about us classroom only types? Barter classroom for course work the next day? Gonna have a coffee can for $20's?

[phile]

I'm signed up :D
Now all you need is a car number. :D

[phile]

"Dunwoody College of Technology (Skogmo Room)"

With a name like "Skogmo Room", it's gotta be a jumpin' joint. Sounds like a TIKI bar.

No offence intended to Mr./Ms. Skogmo.

Donny Skogmo was an LOL road racer who died at Elkhart Lake. Donnybrooke (BIR) was named after him and Brooke Kennard, another LOL road racer who died at Elkhart Lake.

The Skogmo family donated to Dunwoody.

[Andrew]

I bought one via paypal, number 612?...

I even have the email to prove it. :O It was on Feb 13, and I could've sworn seeing my name on the number list at one time...

If something is wrong give me a email/pm.

[Jeff (The Alignment Guy)]

Phil in #35:

Wow, I never knew any of that. I hope I didn't put my foot in it there. Hopefully, if the guy was a racer, he would have chuckled at what I said.

[phile]

I bought one via paypal, number 612?...

I even have the email to prove it. :O It was on Feb 13, and I could've sworn seeing my name on the number list at one time...

If something is wrong give me a email/pm.

You caught me. I made a cybernetic error on Feb 19 which dropped the two people I entered on Feb 13, you and John Tritsch. You have both been restored. I have run a Level Four Diagnostic and all is well. The new list is up now, and drivers will also notice a minor format change agreed to by Steve G and me. Your number for the Novice School will be approved within the hour.

[phile]

For those who have not figured this out yet, registration for the first novice school is at

http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Show?psevent_id=8607&psrnd=.18857425367152811183599403221298553998

<http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmEventDetail.Showpsevent_id=8607&psrnd=.18857425367152811183599403221298553998>

If that link does not work, go to
http://www.myautoevents.com
and do a "quick find" in the upper left corner for "Minnesota"

If you are not yet a member of My Auto Events, when you try to look at the entry list or to register, it will ask you to create an account. This is free and painless.

When you register for the event, enter your Met Council Permanent number if you have one. If you don't, leave the space blank.

After you register, your name will show up on the entry list with no car number. If you have entered a proper Met Council number, a human will soon approve it and it will appear on the list.

If you have no Met Council Number, a human will soon trigger an email to the account you wrote in your entry telling you what to do next.

[Ultimate Grocery Getter]

I attended the novice school two years ago and have participated in a few autocross events as well as two BMW CCA winter driving schools. Do you need any volunteers on Sunday to help out with marshalling the course?

I should read the complete thread. I saw Pat Washburn's quote a couple of pages back about volunteers. Also, I remember two years ago, a couple of members were taking the novice students out on the course in their cars. I'd be happy to do that as well (looking for seat time of course) ;-)

My Sunday should be open, I will plan to come on out.

Mark

[phile]

Also, I remember two years ago, a couple of members were taking the novice students out on the course in their cars. I'd be happy to do that as well (looking for seat time of course) ;-)

Only students and instructors will be driving cars at the event. 914 Dave picks the instructors. Don't call him. He'll call you.

[_celldweller]

Odd... the forum gremlins must be working late. I just posted a "quick reply" and now it's gone. Anyway, I hope I'm not bending the rules here because I signed up and paid for the Novice School. I missed 2 or 3 MAC events this last season so I would say I have "less than 1 season experience" and haven't had any previous autocross school. I'd still consider myself a novice considering how the "LOOK AHEAD" concept quite often escapes me. That and I still make poor line choices until pointed out to me by an instructional ride along. Even then, I'm still getting whooped by other Focus drivers that went to the classes.

[MNbiker]

Odd... the forum gremlins must be working late. I just posted a "quick reply" and now it's gone. Anyway, I hope I'm not bending the rules here because I signed up and paid for the Novice School. I missed 2 or 3 MAC events this last season so I would say I have "less than 1 season experience" and haven't had any previous autocross school. I'd still consider myself a novice considering how the "LOOK AHEAD" concept quite often escapes me. That and I still make poor line choices until pointed out to me by an instructional ride along. Even then, I'm still getting whooped by other Focus drivers that went to the classes.
No gremlins, you tried to post to the announcement. Annoucement threads are moderated, so your posts won't show up unless approved by a forum moderator and/or moved to a more approriate thread.

If you haven't attended a MAC Novice School before, you're OK to attend this year.

-Steve