Chasing championships vs just doing events you enjoy?

[TX3 Rally]

This year has been a bit of a revelation in a way - after missing the first two rounds of the VRC and so being out of contention for anything before we even started I'm now finding that I'm enjoying my rallies a lot more as there isn't the added stress of worrying whether I'm on the pace in my class because I'm not overly worried about the result anymore, and I'm free to pick and choose events that I want to do because they sound interesting or have a reputation for being no BS and enjoyable. Certainly at the start of the year I wouldn't have seen myself coming to Canberra at all - and now I'm planning on doing two rallies there.

Just wondering how many others choose their events the same way - choose to do rallies that appeal to them rather than just because they "have to" because they are part of a championship? Certainly next year I'm going to take the same approach, with planning already underway to do Canberra (assuming it happens), some VRC's, a trip to Tassie to do the Hellyer Rally, and probably some more trips to Canberra as well. Edit to add - and not forgetting the mighty Alpine as well! Oh and I might even be tempted to jump back in the nav's seat just to see if I can remember how - scary!

The poll is mostly aimed at drivers as they usually have the major say in what events are chosen, but everyone is free to post comments in this thread.

[Stewy]

The first 8 years of my rallying were spent just picking the ones I could afford and the ones I enjoyed. It was a few years ago when I started to get some good results and nothing for it that I decided to join a series.
I really enjoyed picking and chosing but at the same time im enjoying doing a series.

[crowleyaj]

I just pick and choose events, sometimes on low BS reputation, sometimes on entry fee. I'd love to do more rallies but can't really afford it, even if I were to stop doing all the other smaller club events (motorkhana, khanacross, supersprint, hillclimb, etc) that I do each year. Not many people in my club have rally licences or dedicated competition cars so I'd feel out of touch with them if I just concentrated on rallies. Being on the club exec I feel obliged to get 'out and about' to make sure people are happy and check that my calendar is working ok for members.

I've got a lot of time for both the AMSAG Southern Cross Rally Series and the TTS ACT Rally Series, but no way I could afford to do a whole season of either, well at least until the mortgage is a bit smaller............

I tried chasing our Speed championship (supersprints/hillcimbs) in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and I was a miserable ba5tard watching the pointscore the whole time. Much better just enjoying each event on its own merit.

[Matt Sosi]

Personally, I try and concentrate on one championship and work towards it. Last year, had a great battle with Thomas Barrett for the ACT Gold Cup which was not decided until the final round.

This year I am aiming for the NSW Clubman Championship outright with Paul. ACT Gold Cup was also high on the agenda on '06, however, with two DNF's and myself unable to make it for the Friday night of the next round, I can preety much throw any hope of achieving a top 3. In saying this, I will still sit next to Jon for the remaining three rounds (Bay, Ulladulla & Nat Cap) to get him a good result.

Matt

[tamsey]

This year it comes down to budget for Navving and my three events for driving to get some sort of experience behind the wheel for next years ACT series.