34 replies to this topic

[Tom Sager]

I responded to the survey that a qualifying race should be included to make the format more like the NASA format which is terrific. Not only is it a fun format but it also rewards consistency throughout the event.

[Ron Alan]

Though we are still new to this hobby, one thing is a fact, Road America is a long way from CA. Will be starting a new season shortly(3rd) and have never considered running a National event because the only point for us is if we were going to go to the runoffs...which is just not in the cards. Utah is another story!! So because we don't do National events, we are not on the survey list... whats wrong with this picture???

It would be interesting to know the average distance traveled for the competitors at the last couple Runoffs who finished south of 20th place? Just curious to see if this group is made up of mostly locals...maybe less than a 8hr tow?

The West Coast seems to be the ugly stepchild

[LarryKing]

Austin is lovely in Sept......

"Dear Mr. Ecclestone, We would like to hold our amateur club racing championship at that little track in Texas. What kind of deal can you give us?"

The West Coast seems to be the ugly stepchild

No, regional racers are the ugly stepchildren of the SCCA.

They can hold the Runoffs on Mars for all I care.

[Mike Collins]

Did anyone notice the condenced schedulke had 110 minutes of downtime each day. Talk about total ineffeciency. And how about that the average run group at a 4 mile track was around 14 or 15 cars with the exception of a few groups. some were less than that.

[davew]

Only 110 minutes of down time per day !!! That is efficient for SCCA

[D Tesch]

Home court advantage Tom?

[dstevens]

"Dear Mr. Ecclestone, We would like to hold our amateur club racing championship at that little track in Texas. What kind of deal can you give us?"

CotA reps have communicated to me via email that they are indeed planning to run amateur bike and car events. The old man isn't going to have much if any say in other events there. Red is not all "golly, gee, shucks, guys" as he may let on. He is every bit as ruthless as Ecclestone and by some accounts a whole lot more vengeful. Bobby Epstein isn't as warm and fuzzy as one might believe in the press conferences. If there is money to be made in track rentals, they'll rent it out and an octogenarian troll in London isn't going to have any input. Rumor in those circles is that there is foreign money, but not from Europe but from Mexico.

[LarryKing]

It was a joke dsteve (apparently not a very good one)

[dstevens]

Looks like it's time to put the code scanner on my humor sensors.....

[Andrew Charbonneau]

do what is good for the people as a whole

[Bruce Wilson]

See even Andrew agrees with me

[Rob Burgoon]

Question 1: What should the runoffs be?

Biggest possible race? Stiffest competition? Equally difficult for everyone to attend? Does it need to be big?

The answer to that question will best determine where and how it should be held.

If you want the biggest possible race, host it within a day's drive of the greatest number of racers at a track that can handle it (splitting the event if necessary to make room for everyone)

If you want the toughest competition, host it where the fastest racers are, (tough to tell) and host it at a skill track.

If you want a smaller event with less carnage, limit invitations and include a tow fund for anyone that wins their region/division in a popular class.

If you think everyone will come, go ahead and put it at the center of population mass in the country. That assumes people will do the tow.


Personally, I would pick a corner of the country that is densely populated with racers and talent and host it there for a year, then move it to another hot region. People that are truely hungry will find a way to get there. Choose tracks that make for great racing and reward talent, not horsepower. If the paddock is too small, split it like the survey suggested.

[Jim Drago]

Question 1: What should the runoffs be?

Biggest possible race? Stiffest competition? Equally difficult for everyone to attend? Does it need to be big?

The answer to that question will best determine where and how it should be held.

That is a question that I have asked for a long time... As a club, there is NO collective answer to that question. My answer was make it a big party and let ALL attend, see 2010. Lots of carnage in SM, but not sure that had anything to do with the bottom half of those that came, more the front half.

Many of the in the old guard felt "you should have to be beat someone" to qualify for the Runoffs, maybe so. The only problem is, MANY DON'T BEAT 1/25 th of the cars a top 15 SM driver beats.

I don't care what the Runoffs "should be" but lets clearly define it and plan accordingly as a club.

If we want the best of the best... I hate to break it to the "you should have to be beat someone crowd", but if you want the best of the best, here it is:

SM/SRF Top 3 in each division
EVERY other class best 1-2 in division.

[Rob Burgoon]

That is a question that I have asked for a long time... As a club, there is NO collective answer to that question. My answer was make it a big party and let ALL attend, see 2010. Lots of carnage in SM, but not sure that had anything to do with the bottom half of those that came, more the front half.

Many of the in the old guard felt "you should have to be beat someone" to qualify for the Runoffs, maybe so. The only problem is, MANY DON'T BEAT 1/25 th of the cars a top 15 SM driver beats.

I don't care what the Runoffs "should be" but lets clearly define it and plan accordingly as a club.

If we want the best of the best... I hate to break it to the "you should have to be beat someone crowd", but if you want the best of the best, here it is:

SM/SRF Top 3 in each division
EVERY other class best 1-2 in division.

Speaking for myself, with it further away from San Diego than Miller, I'm probably not going to even consider going unless I start stomping the locals here.

[Bruce Wilson]

Personally, I would pick a corner of the country that is densely populated with racers and talent and host it there for a year, then move it to another hot region. People that are truely hungry will find a way to get there. Choose tracks that make for great racing and reward talent, not horsepower. If the paddock is too small, split it like the survey suggested.

That would work better than what we have now. Even if it had to be two years at each area(track). Rotate through Midwest (current), Northeast, Southeast, Texas and California (North). I like the idea of the home track advantage, AND "bringing it" to other peoples houses!