Driver Satisfaction Quotient

Those in the know say that the Massachusetts BMW Dealers Group Boston Chapter Autocross Series, or for short the MBMWDGBCAS, is so great that many wouldn't miss one even if it meant driving all the way from Florida to attend.

Fred and John (photo by Aimee Reveno)

How do we know? Just ask BMW owners Greg Scott and Francis O'Connor who did in fact drive practically non-stop from the Orlando Oktoberfest '98 to make it to the August 23 Autocross 5 on time. And what did they find? An autocross with the highest Driver Satisfaction Quotient to date.

What is the Driver Satisfaction Quotient (DSQ)? The optimum level of satisfaction each club member deserves when attending an autocross. How do we calculate the DSQ?

1. Number of runs (R): Maximizing the number of runs increases the DSQ. In the beginning of the season we set a goal of five runs per driver per event on our awesome new 60-second course. While this has been a challenge with 60+ cars attending each event, as of autocross 5 we are meeting this goal.
   
2. Time spent waiting (T): Minimizing the time spent waiting for your run increases the DSQ. How can we accomplish this? With our awesome new double car running and timing system! Just as complicated as it sounds, it's another example of our relentless pursuit of a higher and higher DSQ. With the double car system we have two cars running on the course simultaneously. This is done in a safe manner such that the two cars will never meet while on the course. This huge technological advancement means that overall average time has been decreased to 68.139 seconds per run. This is impressive when you consider that the median run time in Autocross 5 was 63.066 seconds. That's 317 runs by 64 cars in exactly 6 hours including re-runs, crushed cones, and worker changes! This gives us a Run Efficiency rating (RER) of 92.5%.
   
3. Cost of running (C): Biggest bang for the buck maximizes DSQ. This is why we still charge only $15 per driver per event.

In summary, DSQ, in runs/per dollar second, can be expressed as follows:

DSQ = R/(T*C)

Fred and John are continuously working to further increase your Driver Satisfaction Quotient, as well as your Overall Fun Time (OFT), which can be expressed as:

OFT = DSQ + FGB

where FGB is fringe benefits such as improved driving skills, cool trophies, the BMW Mountain Bike, party conversation topics, peer recognition, and the highly sought after ability to become a True Believer.

BMW Participation

While this season's BMW participation is slightly over 50%, we would like to see it skyrocket for the final two events. An estimated 70 person hours per month are required to run the autocross. That's a lot of volunteer work! Why do we do it? Because we really enjoy BMWs and we want to give something back to the Club. We hope that our work improves the Boston Chapter for everyone.

We would be abundantly overjoyed if more members would come out and drive their BMWs to the limit in the autocross. So come on out and join the fun! As an extra bonus, free instruction is still available for first timers!

The Numbers

With 5 of the 8 autocrosses run at the time of this writing, we have 79 BMWs and 80 non-BMWs registered, for a total of 159 participants. Of these, 24 drivers have qualified for season trophies by placing in four or more events (13 BMW, 11 non-BMW). We also have 19 entrants so far in the E36 M3 / Z3 Challenge.

Competition is tight in Class C, where Chapter President Michael Webb has a good chance of overtaking Bill Cotton for 1st place. Competition in Class E is also tight, where Joe Marko still has a chance of edging out Autocross Chair Fred Beck for 1st place. Pavel Murnikov leads Class G, but will be challenged by Alan Hart if he returns with his Neon. Competition in Class I is especially tight, with Curt Zingg leading Leon Reitman by only one and a half points! Last but not least, Fedja Jeleskovic continues to up the ante, setting a new course record of 55.848 seconds in his 1995 Eagle Talon. Francis O'Connor is hot on Fedja's tail, turning in a BMW FTD of 56.546 seconds in his 1995 M3 Lightweight. Can the fearless Jacksons beat these times in their Formula Lotus? Be there when they try!

Final Opportunity

The season is almost over, don't let it pass you by without crushing a few cones! Take advantage of your membership now and come on out to the autocross.

There are only two remaining autocrosses, both in October. They are October 4th and October 18th. In addition to the driving fun, we will have the traditional cake-eating festival on the 18th. For more information on the autocross series contact Fred Beck at fbeck@boston-bmwcca.org. See you Sunday!

Fred and John

Don't miss this issue's Autocross 5 Photo Gallery by Tom Goltz.

October 1998 BIMMER

Behind the Wheel: A Spartanburg Weekend by Mike Webb

Under the Hood: The 5000 Mile Month by Greg Scott

Crushing The Cones: Driver Satisfaction Quotient by Fred Beck and John Mansfield

October 1998 New Members by Barry Tarr

New England Grand Prix Challenge by Fred Beck

New England Grand Prix Challenge Photo Gallery by Tom Goltz

1998 Autocross 5 Photo Gallery by Tom Goltz

Third Quarter General Meeting by Ron Sisco

Third Quarter General Meeting Photo Gallery by Ron Sisco

Election Time! by Mike Webb

Boston Chapter Board Meeting Minutes: August 1998 by Espen Frank

More Boston Bimmer articles by Fred Beck

President's Page: Mr. Beck Goes To Washington November/December 2000 Bimmer

President's Page: Calling All Members October 2000 Bimmer

President's Page: Bonjour, Chapitre de Boston! September 2000 Bimmer

President's Page July/August 2000 Bimmer

President's Page June 2000 Bimmer

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More Boston Bimmer articles by John Mansfield

Crushing The Cones: Well Beyond All Expectations June 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: One Down, Seven to Go! April 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: A Spectacular Autocross Season January 1999 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: Season Awards This Month! November/December 1998 BIMMER

Crushing The Cones: Sun and Fast Times! September 1998 BIMMER

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