34 replies to this topic

[Bruce Wilson]

West Coasters. We should always revisit the topic of holding the runoffs on the West coast. I've heard the reasons for holding it on the East Coast indefinitely and I frankly don't agree with them. SCCA should listen and include \all of its members. The current runoffs survey is a great way to register your displeasure with this decision and ask SCCA to reconsider. In the survey I state that I won't attend the runoffs and suggest that it be held on the West coast every other year. It's a illogical argument that the current contract formats don't permit this -- just change the way we contract with tracks and make it every other year for x number of years.

-bw

[dstevens]

Where is this survey? Couldn't find it on the general site or the member log in site.

[davew]

Survey was emailed to SCCA National liscense holders.

FYI, the runoffs have not been held on the east coast for about 20 years. Not since Road Atlanta. Mid Ohio, Topeka and Road America are a long ways from the east coast. I would call them centrally located to the population density of the country. Face the facts, my guess is that 80% of the country is within a 2 day drive of these tracks. While only 20% would be within 2 days of any west coast track.

As for the contract; I know the price tag to hold the Runoffs is very high. No track would do it without a multy year contract.

Just my opinion
Dave

[Bruce Wilson]

Dave, that is the odd perspective that keeps the West coast from participating... Take a look at the map. It is not centrally in any way. I don't agree with the facts you stated, as I've run the numbers of SCCA competitors in different regions and while there are more on the East coast, it is not as substantial as you make it out to be. I understand as a local vendor that you would be against my proposal.

There is no reason that SCCA could not negotiate contracts similar to NASA or switch back and forth between years and I'm sure a lot of folks on this forum agree that a little thinking outside the box (if folks really want to) could solve this.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

I do not know this, as I am rather new to SCCA racing and NASA for that matter but didn't SCCA try to fix this problem by holding the runnoffs in the very middle of the country at Topeka KS? I may not have all my facts straight, but it seems to me a good friend who was racing back in those days, said that was a miserable flop as there was not enough sustained interest in racing at Topeka and the numbers of entrants plumeted.

You certainly have the right to your opinion, and it did not seem to me that Dave, called you out in any way shape of form, he just simply stated a contrary opinion. I can truthfully say when NASA moves back to Miller, I will not go to the National championships those years, and I can certainly understand why someone on the west coast might not want to attend Road America, or Mid Ohio.

How do you fix this problem, who knows...

I got my survey and responded to it. It is only available to those with a National Lic.

Bruce, thats great that you voiced your opinion, keep on doing so thats what makes any organization great when people care enough to let their opinions be known.

I for one would like the 25 hour race to be moved to the east coast every two years but I seriously doubt that is gonna happen.

[Bruce Wilson]

All meant as a healthy discussion and not meant to call anyone out or worried that anyone called me out.

All good

[Bruce Wilson]

Topeka bad, Utah better...

40% unite

[Caveman-kwebb99]

LOL good luck selling it with that diagram make Utah look as far as China to me

[Tyler Dahl]

I talked to the Prez at the runoffs this year about coming out west and he said there aren't any cars out here. This was at a bar so I don't know how much he had to drink.

[davew]

Please read exactly what I wrote. The last 3 venues have been "centrally located to the population density". There are not a lot of people between the eastern California border and the Mississippi river. Lots of land, but not that many people.

[Bruce Wilson]

Tyler, what he meant was there is no car counts because everyone on the West coast gave up on National racing because we've been shut out of the runoffs for 20+ years, except for the year at Topeka. Participation numbers Dave, not National because we all gave up on those -- total car cont by region.

We can all spin statistics for a good long time I'm sure, but this is a national club with lots of participants in all parts of the contry who shoul have a chance at the runoffs, or make a East and West and leave it at that!

-bw

[trimless]

Wise man once said you can please some of the people all the time, all people some of the time (rarely). But it is impossible to please all the people all the time.

[James York]

The population center (mean) of the USA is Missouri including Hawaii and Alaska. And believe it or not, the 50/50 line runs almost exactly on Chicago.

[Jim Drago]

except for the year at Topeka.

Bruce you guys were willing to come to TOPEKA of all places, but not Road America?

[Jim Boemler]

Wise man once said you can please some of the people all the time, all people some of the time (rarely). But it is impossible to please all the people all the time.

Does that mean that the best solution is to displease the same people ALL the time?

[john mueller]

There is no reason that SCCA could not negotiate contracts similar to NASA or switch back and forth between years and I'm sure a lot of folks on this forum agree that a little thinking outside the box (if folks really want to) could solve this.

Miller is scheduled to host the 2013 & 2014 NASA Nationals... I'd love to see 80% of the 20% there for the event !!

Someone said it, it's a cost thing (for both the track and organizers)... Multi-year contracts are a must, even if for only two yrs.

I for one would like the 25 hour race to be moved to the east coast every two years but I seriously doubt that is gonna happen.

It may rain like a SOB at Thunderhill but there is little chance of snow...

[NV Racer]

It may rain like a SOB at Thunderhill but there is little chance of snow...

That is another plus for Utah or most any track in California little chance of rain.

[Jim Boemler]

It may rain like a SOB at Thunderhill but there is little chance of snow...

The only time I've driven TH was at the 25, and it did snow (lightly). Racing in the snow at night was a hoot, I loved it.

[dstevens]

Austin is lovely in Sept......

I wasn't going to vote I was just curious as to what the questions were. When we ran shifters we'd pull from Seattle to Mid Ohio or Elkhart Lake no prob. Sometimes even Daytona or Atlanta and hit Nor and So Cal and Vegas regularly. Would be nice to see the West Coast thrown a bone every few years.

[Tom Sager]

The population center (mean) of the USA is Missouri including Hawaii and Alaska. And believe it or not, the 50/50 line runs almost exactly on Chicago.

Which means we should have the Runoffs at Autobahn in the interest of fairness.