To Novice or Not to Novice?

[chris381]

So I've got no Solo experience past the open test-n-tune last month, and one track weekend a couple years ago, that's it.

I understand I 'can' run novice all year, but I don't quite get why I should? Novice seems mixed with all types of cars and classes, where as if I register for FS I'll just be going against similar cars.

What's the advantage of running novice?

Thanks,
Chris

[jbass1911]

Not so much an advantage, but it is a PAX class. You will be running with other new drivers and the PAX index will be used to "equalize" the classes. A stock class will have a better PAX multiplier than a class that allows more mods, a stock base model civic will have a better PAX than an M3. Typically there are also more drivers in novice than in any of the open classes.

[boony1968]

There's really no advantage or disadvantage to Novice. Novices generally get some extra attention, guidance and direction. Another plus is competing against other folks without much autox experience. Cars and classes really do not matter - the PAX index does a decent job balancing out the vehicles making it 99% about the driver.

In Novice with PAX adjustments (assuming you're in FS), if you run a 35.0 second raw time, you would beat a BS car a 34.32 raw, an STR car with 33.83 raw and an XP car with a 31.35 raw. An HS car would beat you with a 35.61.

As Josh said, there's much more competition in Novice. That can make it more fun and help show your progress as you get more experience.

[bimmertech]

They've about covered it. Basically, there are enough novice drivers that the novice class is one of the largest and most competitive classes every year. So if you're looking for competition that's where you'll find it. You may or may not have competitors in FS each event. I think every one who's been around would advise you to stick it out for the year (we all want to go back).

*Important note* Once you opt out of novice and start running open classes you can't go back.

[rodhx]

The biggest benefits are C's & Sara's instruction, especially on the novice course walk, the effort to make sure you get a ride along early in the day, and the competition against similarly experienced drivers regardless of car.

Ultimately it is your call to run novice or not. In novice you will ALWAYS have competition. In the open classes you may or may not depending on who shows up.

The novice points leader at the end of the year is our Rookie of the Year, earning a trophy at our year-end and, I think, your next year's SCCA membership. There will also be drawings this year among the registered novices for a free entry to a future autocross.

[chris381]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll start with novice tomorrow.

[chris381]

*Important note* Once you opt out of novice and start running open classes you can't go back.

Where is this rule written? And does it apply if you start in a regular class then move to novice? If so I'm not sure it's being applied correctly.

Chris

[claym]

Grab rides with some of the well seasoned drivers (and maybe let them drive your car with you as passenger) to pick up some pointers for driving, looking ahead, and even car setup suggestions (based on how your car actually handles). It will be a great investment in improving your times (numerically and fun-wise).

[JohnW8]

How many events have you driven?


From the website Autocross homepage.

N - Novice - Drivers new to the sport that have driven three events or less. ○○

All drivers with less than 3 completed events are considered novices will compete in the "N" class their first season.

[chris381]

I've driven 2 so far this year and total ever, but I'm not asking about myself. I'm questioning the winner of the class really, it looks like he started out in BS then moved to novice, along with running BS in some other events this year.

If that's legal OK, but the post I quoted above seemed to indicate once you run outside of novice you no longer qualify.

Doesn't really matter, but if I'm a true novice running against someone with 9 or 10 events experience (at least), I might as well move to FS.

Thanks

[rodhx]

All drivers with less than 3 completed events are considered novices will compete in the "N" class their first season.

Note that should really say "can compete" instead of "will compete". No one will be forced to drive in Novice.

[rodhx]

I've driven 2 so far this year and total ever, but I'm not asking about myself. I'm questioning the winner of the class really, it looks like he started out in BS then moved to novice, along with running BS in some other events this year.

You're obviously talking about Charles. I checked our results from earlier events. When he started the season with us at Points #1 he ran BS. That was his first event with us and I think his second total. At our second event he moved to Novice so I think at that point he still had no more than three events experience, counting events in his home region of TVR. Whether he ran novice or not for those first three events (one ALSCCA and two TVR) doesn't really come into play if the experience requirement is met. Don't have the latest results in front of me but I'm pretty sure he ran Novice this weekend for Points #3 & #4.

The Novice programs are region specific. For ALSCCA, if a driver qualifies he can run it for a full season (or remainder of the season for those starting mid-year). At the end of the season the Novice with the most points is our Rookie of the Year. TVR has a process where novices are bumped to their normal class once they win novice twice. At the end of the year they have a special runoff for all such drivers with the winner being their Rookie of the Year.

There is no real benefit for someone bouncing from novice to open and back. If you're interested in running for a season class championship such shenanigans just hurt your chances. In my opinion if a driver leaves novice for the open class and now has more than three events worth of experience they are no longer qualified to re-enter novice.

[SamC]

I've driven 2 so far this year and total ever, but I'm not asking about myself. I'm questioning the winner of the class really, it looks like he started out in BS then moved to novice, along with running BS in some other events this year.

If that's legal OK, but the post I quoted above seemed to indicate once you run outside of novice you no longer qualify.

Doesn't really matter, but if I'm a true novice running against someone with 9 or 10 events experience (at least), I might as well move to FS.

Thanks

I assume you are refering to Charles in the 370z. He is a novice, if it seems like he is more advanced that is because he has traveled to other regions to get seat time. He is improving leaps and bounds each race. At the end of this season he will no longer be eligible for our Novice program.

If you really want to get better the best way to do that is seat time, come to Huntsville with us July 11th and then race at the local event in Birmingham the next day. The more seat time you get the better you will be.

[MX5_Racer]

FWIW, Charles was also a Novice in Huntsville this year, but we have a rule that moves a 2 time Novice winner out of the Novice class, but then they compete at the end of the year against other 2 time Novice winners for the Novice of the Year title. In order for Charles to be eligible for Novice winner in B'Ham, he has to stay in Novice for the entire year regardless of how many events he has done elsewhere.

[JohnW8]

Note that should really say "can compete" instead of "will compete". No one will be forced to drive in Novice.

I copied that from the autox homepage.