The true source of the problem and possible solution
Looking at the number of entries, it’s obvious that the issue is not about over-subscribing, or number of entires.
It is also clear that SM and SSM have separate groups, and though while technically possible, very, very, very few drivers “double-dip”. In fact, I can't see why they have any interest in the issue at all.
I believe the problem has nothing to do with track time, but stems from the fact that the big bore and small bore groups are unhappy, in that they have 35-40 car groups and large speed differentials between the fast cars in the fast classes and the slow cars in the slower classes, making for a crowded track and unpleasant qualifying sessions and races.
The problem is NOT car counts in other groups. Bringing up the issue of car counts is simply an attempt at justifying the desire for an extra group so that they can reduce crowding in their own groups. Clearly, if there were only 12 cars in IT/GT/Prod groups, no one would care how many cars are in other groups would they? The crowded IT/GT/Prod point fingers and lash out at the most visible target (the open wheel groups) insisting that they have greater numbers so their interests should have precedence, when it is their very numbers that are the true source of the problem.
In other words, the problem is that there are too many cars in the sedan classes, which detracts from the quality of racing. The track is too crowded, the faster cars are tripping over the slower cars. I don’t have a whole lot of sympathy, but I think we must recognize it as a problem that must be dealt with.
Although I consider this as a problem originating from within the IT/GT/Prod groups, I also see it as one that ALL racers are contributing to in their own, small ways. For instance, if the slow sedan cars weren’t tripping of the fast GT cars, this wouldn’t be much of an issue. Or suppose that there was no Spec Miata group or Vees or winged cars, that would free up space for the sedan cars. We all contribute, simply by being there.
In working towards a solution I believe that it is important that we do so in a manner that doesn’t result in further divisiveness or alienation. I see a problem here greater than crowded run groups, or groups with low car counts, I hope I can make the case that this is a CLUB problem, and should be solved AS A CLUB. In other words, EVERYONE bears some responsibility, EVERYONE must sacrifice for the betterment of the Club, and EVERYONE should benefit from the solution.
As a possible means of solving this problem as a club, I would like to suggest the following: Adding a group for the troubled sedan cars, and rotating the resulting 10 groups over 5 weekends at SP.
I understand that this comes up all the time and gets discounted immediately, but in light of current events I think it merits some serious re-consideration.
To sum it up I count 5 race weekends at SP plus the Labor Day double. If a group is added for the sedan guys, that would make 10 groups to be spread over 5 race weekends, such that 8 groups race and 2 different groups would sit out each weekend. In other words, Groups 1 and 5 sit out the first event, 2 and 6 sit out the 2nd event etc. Everyone gets invited to Labor Day, that weekend is a crazy zoo anyway. The end result is that as a driver you would race 5 instead of 6 weekends at SP. That doesn’t seem like a huge sacrifice to me.
There are many benefits with this approach. EVERY racer gives up a little for the good of the Club, and EVERYONE contributes to the solution. NO ONE gets singled out or excluded, there are no additional weekends for which workers would be required. It’s not a HUGE disturbance to the current structure. The paddock situation would be improved. There would be 1 less group making for a shorter day for the workers. The aggrieved sedan cars would have their extra group, improving their racing experience. Everyone gets the opportunity to race, several times throughout the season. The groups can be structured so that any safety issues can be properly addressed. This frees up a lot of room during a race weekend. Everyone would have room in their groups to expand a little. Most importantly if the situation warrants it sometime in the future, it can be modified or reversed later.
I know a lot of people who, due to financial constraints or work schedules, don’t run all the races anyway. In this case, as one of those people think of it as taking one of your un-used race weekends and donating to the other race groups so they can have better races. A worthy cause, to my mind.
I feel that it’s important that we would be treating this as a CLUB problem and solving it AS A CLUB and not by excluding a few for the benefit of a few others, and dividing everyone into tin-tops and open wheelers and Miatas or what have you, not by pointing fingers, or declaring “This is what I want, and this is why I deserve it”, not by taking something away from one group and awarding it to another. This way, everyone contributes, everyone benefits, no one would feel like they were getting thrown under the bus or getting relegated to second-class.
This is the most equitable and least radical or disruptive solution I can come up with. I’m sure everyone will have a problem with it, as everyone wants what they want, but no one is willing to give up anything in order compromise. But we all must ask ourselves: What is it that we want, and what are we willing to give up in order to get it? That is the nature of compromise. As ugly as things are getting now, I hope it’s given some re-consideration.
Respectfully,
Art Chu
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Originally Posted by HazelNut
) is the allocation of race groups. At present the production-based classes have 6 and the non-production classes 3.
