[Wichita-SCCA] Competition w/ other regions

[Matt Miller]

Thomas,

I have participated in numerous SCCA Rallycrosses with the Saint Louis
Region (http://www.stlrallyx.org/), and the last two National Rallycross
Challenges in Hastings, NE (http://www.nrscca.org/rallycross.php). One of
the main reasons we had a successful program in StL was that we had very
understanding landowners who would let us go out and tear up their fields
when they weren't using them.   I think this is the biggest hurdle to
overcome here in Wichita.  All the rest of the event is easily converted
from Autocross.

I agree that creating a rallycross program in this region would increase
participation in this region, and bring many people from the surrounding
regions to Wichita.  If there is any interest in forming a Rallycross
Committee locally, I would gladly serve on it.  I would also volunteer to
become a Rallycross Safety Steward.  The first task would be searching for
useful sites, and I'm afraid that I don't have enough local contacts to be
of much help in that regard.

Aside from the Logistics, I have to say Rallycrosses are the most fun events
I have attended in my 5 years of racing.  Its a mix of the intense direction
changes of autocross with a constantly changing surface, and clean&tidy is
sometimes slower than throwing it all out there.  In terms of damage to my
car, A quick jaunt down any of potholed streets downtown will put far more
wear and tear on your suspension than field of soft dirt : )  If a program
can be started, I would gladly offer as many co-drives as possible in my own
car...  to help people down the road towards addiction ;-)  I also plan on
attending some Nebraska Region Rallycross events later this year, I'll keep
everyone posted on those details when it gets closer.



As far as Drifting is concerned, I had the opportunity to run my car at two
Drift Days put on by ClubFR out of Chicago (http://www.clubfr.net/).  These
were sanctioned by the Drift Day association out of California, and were
slightly more laid back than your traditional SCCA event. These events were
held on Karting tracks because of their tight sweeping corners. I can
understand the SCCA's cautious approach to this new sport, because at each
DriftDay I attended, there were many people new to the sport and learning
the car's limits sideways, and quite a few (including myself) found
themselves off course.  A parking lot cone dodge would be a good starter
event, but with the quickly deteriorating condition of many of our lots, I
think this would just accelerate it.  I would love to attend more drifting
events, but if it came down to building a rallycross car, or a drifting car,
I'd go rallycross in a heartbeat.

Disclaimer:  The above opinions are mine alone, and do not represent any
SCCA region whatsoever and are likely not based on facts :-P

Matt Miller
Black&Mud 1989 240SX #23 DSP/RPR
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