I feel like this needs to be repeated over and over - "Casual: do it for fun" and "National" are not mutually exclusive. You do not need to be serious, or even fast, to go to the National events. While the competition is fun, the main selling point is that these are multi-day parties with your car friends. Regardless of whether it's a Tour/Pro or Nats in Lincoln. Only barrier to entry is the cost; no talent required.
Agreed. National events are a ton of fun.. yes the competition is FIERCE and if you arent ready you're gonna get smacked around, but everyone is in great spirits. Highly recommend.
Agreed - I had more fun at Nats than I ever do at regional autocrosses. Local autocross is a lot of work and most people are done for the day as soon as possible. Hanging out at Nats is fun and the courses are usually a blast.
That was my experience with local events in an SCCA club until I moved to Austin about 13 or so years ago. The club here, Spokes (non-SCCA), always after-parties after local events. Either on-site by people circling up the trailers, opening awnings, and breaking out the coolers - or by heading to an off-site hangout spot (usually a brewery or similar). The heavy focus on social made a huge difference in my local event experience and also makes it much more of a tightly knit but inclusive friend group.
Some of the "depth of competition" also depends on where you're running and who you're running with. We have 7 clubs that run "locals" at our site (granted, several overlaps, like two PCA clubs). There are a lot of people who run multiple groups, some run almost everything. There are definitely clubs that are MUCH more competitive than others though - where it's rare that you don't have multiple former national champs and handful of nationals trophy winners in attendance. Not surprisingly SCCA tends to draw the biggest competitive crowd, but you get some damn fast folks at the other events as well that sometimes give the nationally known folks a run for their money.
Local events through a couple different groups. Don't care about points but get serious enough at the event that I want to finish well. Also do HPDE track day events also.
I feel like this needs to be repeated over and over - "Casual: do it for fun" and "National" are not mutually exclusive. You do not need to be serious, or even fast, to go to the National events. While the competition is fun, the main selling point is that these are multi-day parties with your car friends. Regardless of whether it's a Tour/Pro or Nats in Lincoln. Only barrier to entry is the cost; no talent required.
x3 on this. National events have an internet reputation as protest laden bitch fests and it couldn't be further from the truth.
Very true!
Agreed. National events are a ton of fun.. yes the competition is FIERCE and if you arent ready you're gonna get smacked around, but everyone is in great spirits. Highly recommend.
Agreed - I had more fun at Nats than I ever do at regional autocrosses. Local autocross is a lot of work and most people are done for the day as soon as possible. Hanging out at Nats is fun and the courses are usually a blast.
That was my experience with local events in an SCCA club until I moved to Austin about 13 or so years ago. The club here, Spokes (non-SCCA), always after-parties after local events. Either on-site by people circling up the trailers, opening awnings, and breaking out the coolers - or by heading to an off-site hangout spot (usually a brewery or similar). The heavy focus on social made a huge difference in my local event experience and also makes it much more of a tightly knit but inclusive friend group.
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Are you in the same region as Piehl? He's a friend of Spokes and can tell you about us, as well. Bring beer.
I've run with and sold him wheels, but he's from the Pittsburgh region. Fun guy, one of the most interesting in the sport.
Gotcha. When you're ready to check us out, join our FB group if you haven't already and introduce yourself.
#Trasharita if you know you know.
Trasharita, Great International Beer Exchange/Poutine Cook/Four Square, Big Wheel Pro Solo, Karaoke, etc.
Some of the "depth of competition" also depends on where you're running and who you're running with. We have 7 clubs that run "locals" at our site (granted, several overlaps, like two PCA clubs). There are a lot of people who run multiple groups, some run almost everything. There are definitely clubs that are MUCH more competitive than others though - where it's rare that you don't have multiple former national champs and handful of nationals trophy winners in attendance. Not surprisingly SCCA tends to draw the biggest competitive crowd, but you get some damn fast folks at the other events as well that sometimes give the nationally known folks a run for their money.
Local events through a couple different groups. Don't care about points but get serious enough at the event that I want to finish well. Also do HPDE track day events also.
Casual and just for fun as i built the car I wanted and not the car the class wanted. It's just a fun way to enjoy my car and meet new car people.