After going to a few events by myself last year, I decided it sucks not having anybody there that I know. So this year I decide to invite some friends and introduce them to the sport. I tell these people 2 months early. I set up a plan and everything is set. I had 7 people say they are going.

Fast forward to this week, the week before the event. I go to school and my friend tells me he doesn't think he can get enough money to go. Another friend says his dad is being a jerk and won't let him go. No big deal, 5 left. I get down to 4 when this kid tells me his car is broken and he doesn't think he can get it back running in time. #3 just IM's me and says she has to work. So now I'm down to 2. And those are the people I haven't talked to yet. So now I'm gonna be there alone, again. I guess thats good in a way because it'll force me to make friends.


What about you all? Do you take friends along or go alone?

 

flying solo, no pressure to "impress" anyone with trying to overdrive your vehicle

 

Took me awhile but I finally got some friends to go with me this year.

After the large group at the first one, only a few are coming to every event like I try to. It does suck being there alone though, always nice to talk about the course and other cars, etc...

Autoxing just isn't for everyone, most people don't wanna give up most of a weekend day to race around cones...

... And for me, having friends there makes me driver better and faster. Friendly competition is good fun. Helps we're all in the same class.


[Modified by SkyeC, 6:39 PM 3/31/2003]

 

Best event I ever drove was an event at which I knew relatively no one.
I was able to focus on driving the car, not the social part of the event...

It was a bit boring when not running, but I was able to watch other cars, concentrate on lines and braking points, listen for throttle pickup in corners and
then prepare myself without rushing, to drive..

Sometimes YOU need a break..plus without them, now you get to meet some NEW friends..

Enjoy,

Jeff
(still having problems with that spelling thing)


[Modified by jasyatz, 10:30 PM 3/31/2003]

 

I enjoy going "solo"... I met a bunch of great people since I didn't just hang around the people I knew. Now I know lots of people in my club, but I still go solo to events with other clubs.

 

Tried to get my friends to come out all last year; none of them did So i just brought my gf

 

I invited 2 of my friends like 2 weeks in advance and reminded them whenever I talked to them. Neither of them called me to come out. I guess that would require waking up early.

Oh well, I brought my gf this time. She likes cars so it was cool. I don't mind going by myself though, but either way between runs it's nice to know people.


[Modified by Yellow Dragon, 11:32 PM 3/31/2003]

 

So make more friends at the event.
-Adam

 

i think most people who have never tried autox are at first very reluctant to go, for their own reasons whatever they may be. i think whoever you're trying to make go just has to want to go on their own. luckily for me, i got some good friends who introduced me to autox, so it makes the downtime at the autox's fun and lively. great company always makes anything better.

 

I'll be going with you soon.

 

I agree 100%...

Problem is... if you do enough events and you get to know all the regulars you never get that freedom again. Might as well enjoy it while you can, its the best time to learn. Plus its better when your friends do start showing up and even co-drive your car and you can REALLY put the smack down on them.

 

guess i am not your friend, because i have never felt this "smack down" you call it....


[Modified by rodney, 12:59 PM 4/1/2003]

 

Well, you've never driven my car either...

 

I always have my GF who is actually willing to go. My friends always come up with some excuse to not go, but no biggie. I have realized I drive better when I don't have distractions around me (i.e. annoying people who never shut up, talk lots of crap, and drive 5-10 seconds slower than everyone else).

 

Me and my friend started Team Chick Magnet Racing (joke that got out of hand based off a free magnet out of a Pop Tarts box w/ Johnny Bravo that says "Chick Magnet"), so now we all have to go.

 

Congrats right there... My ex used to like to go. She even flew (on 9/11 none the less) down to Topeka to meet me when I went to Nationals last september.

It was a very fine line of incredible support & Jealousy. Tho she was mostly jealous of the time I spent preparing/racing/with the car instead of her...


My loss I guess... but I'm not sure I could make any different choices even if I did have the chance to do over.

 

Many of them are car dorks.

 

I have to disagree,
Once I started to know people at the races, especially the people in my class, there was more of a friendly rivalry during the race. At the last event the lead swapped hands 6 times between 3 people. We were all pushing each other just a little more each lap.

 

I have to agree, ive become friends with many STS racers in my league and most if not all of them are there just having fun, not all turning FTD's but hey is it fun , yes, who doesnt like to talk crap, just back that shi...t up....

i love watching riced out civic's race too

 

Maybe its just me then... I don't need friendly rivaly to push me to go faster. I NEED to be the faster then everyone in my class. I need to be faster still. I'm my own benchmark I guess... but that's just me.


[Modified by MWatkins, 4:28 PM 4/1/2003]

 

to tell ya the truth, I don't like bringing people along.

I like to do my own thing and I don't want to babysit anybody.

aj

 

Solo too... get it? a har har har.

Ben

 

hardy har har.

 

very true. i don't even like bringing the gf. and as far as everyone at an autocross being car dorks...what's wrong with that?? better then talking about the latest un-Reality tv show.

nate

 

I always hated that too. I once had like 10 people going to an autocross:

"Yeah I'l be there sounds great"
"WOOT! I'm going to show you guys how to corner!"
"I'll be there rain or shine"
"I'm going to test out my new 17s yO!"

I wait and wait and wait and they all don't show.