Take back the 2019 National FF Championship

[reidhazelton]

We are just asking then run that national championship race at another venue at a different date. .

Sounds like giving it up to me. If it's not during the Runoffs event, they have given it up.

Your part of how they will make more money is key. This is a large departure from the normal Runoffs format, and a sound, realistic, and well funded proposal is key as I see it. If it's still their event, it's more expense for SCCA as they will need a carbon copy of Runoffs stewards, tech, etc. More $$$.

Just my 2 cents and I wish you luck. Sounds like an interesting concept to me.

[Purple Frog]

The ARRC already has stewards, already has tech, already is fully staffed to hold an event.
We'll fund it so Topeka can fly in all the dignitaries to hand out trophies, give speeches, glad hand folks, etc.

[Purple Frog]

This could be SCCA's new national championship format...
Looking a few years forward:

Mazda throws the national championship for GT-SM, SM1, SM2, SM3, and the other prod classes; at Mazda Raceway of course.

Enterprises throws the national championships for SRF, FE, F3, F4, in Topeka.

Tesla sponsors the national championships for GT-E, ER1, ER2, ER3 in the tunnel system under San Jose.

The Social Security Administration sponsors the FV national championship in St. Petersburg in even years, and Sun City in odd years.

[Jnovak]

As you know, the F500 crowd did a similar deal this year. While it sounds like it was a great success for those that went. Those that did not go, and who are doing the Runoffs, are really messing up the Runoffs for our class. Just as with SCCA staff, I am not blaming anyone in F500, but it is the way it worked out.

With enough lead time, and by having our alternate Championship event in the same geographic region as the Runoffs, hopefully we can get SCCA leadership support and just have one SCCA Championship race, just not at the Runoffs. If organized properly, and with cooperation from SCCA leadership, it could make 50th celebrations that much better, and be a boost for our class, whether Pro, Club, or Vintage.

not at all the same. No one ever stated that the mid ohio race race was a national Championship race. Whatthey did say is rhat there was a purse. What did happen is that Jeremy Swank, a long time F500 competitor put up a $10,000 purse for the race. I think there were 13 to 15 entrants. Not exactly sure.

[Jnovak]

Reid wisely wrote: "you'll need a lot of it to get SCCA to give up one of the more well subscribed classes."

But we won't be asking them to 'give up the class'. We are just asking then run that national championship race at another venue at a different date. It will still be their race, their rules, and potentially larger income stream.

Let's face it, they did blow it completely when it came to throwing a spectacular FV50th.
We're trying to help them do better with the FF 50th.

i still like this idea, i just think it will be tough to pull it off without some sponsor money. For this to happen the SCCA would have to fly in a bunch of people and pay expenses just so the FF guys can have their own 50th championship race.

Get a sponsor, pay the bills and you have a chance i say go for it, however it will not be cheap. Work on The sponsor deal. Talk to Members of the BOD & get someone on your side.

Make a plan that has a chance of working! Just saying "how about this idea" is not a plan.

[GT1Vette]

Having had time to think about things since the Frog (accompanied by the Captain) called me last night, here are my thoughts on this subject based on years of working within the labyrinth of personalities and often-conflicting agendas that make up SCCA:

Regardless of how much money having a separate FF National Championship event generates for the club or how much sense it makes to provide a better event for a significant portion of the membership, the BoD will NEVER allow such a thing to happen (and certainly not in time for the FF 50th)! I believe they will see allowing the FF community to do this is the "camel's nose under the tent" that will lead to the eventual dissolution of what many see as Club Racing's signature event, the Runoffs. It's as simple as that.

As I tried to explain to the Captain last night, I believe the best thing you can hope for is "official recognition" of a single FF 50th celebration (which would currently be the 2019 ARRC since the Road America event is not inviting all FF's to their party), but I think getting even that concession would be a stretch. Despite the festival concept being a part of the original scope of the Majors program (and something I would definitely have pursued had I not decided to "explore other options" rather than work with a "leader" that made it apparent my efforts were not appreciated), Since my departure Topeka and the BoD have very much abandoned the idea of recognizing significant anniversaries of the various well-subscribed classes/categories (FF, FV, SM, Enterprises, IT, etc.).

As always, others may disagree...

[EPrill]

Hi everyone-

I have a general policy of not posting on forums/social media groups. That said, I feel like I should break that policy for this topic.

From the standpoint of the SCCA staff, we want to support/honor/recognize the tremendous milestone of the FF 50^th in whatever way we can. I have some thoughts on how we might do that, but the reality is the ideas of what people want conceptually should come from within the community. FF is more than a class—it’s a community, lifestyle and motorsports institution.

In the past 24 hours, I have seen three separate concepts of how to celebrate FF@50. That tells me two things: 1 - its worthy of a big anniversary celebration; and 2 - there is not a unified direction. I am not in a position to commit the Club (HQ) to throw the party, and frankly the community probably wouldn’t want that. The best parties I’ve been to should be thrown by those that have the closest connection to the subject. While I and the rest of the staff recognize the history and the significant place that FF has within SCCA, I won’t pretend to be ingrained within the FF community, which I think is important to lead the charge.

We (HQ) are structured to promote/operate one recurring event each year and support those managed and operated by our Regions. I would definitely like for HQ to work with the promoters and our SCCA regions to find ways to support this—possibly through the entire 2019 anniversary year. If we need to help connect people that are passionate and ready to activate for FF@50, I am more than happy to commit that help.

As for the National Championship, I don’t suspect there will be much support for separating it from the Runoffs. Like FF, the Runoffs is an institution, and the two are forever linked in their respective histories. The event is obviously a challenge to manage because of its size. I understand the angst over 2017 and now 2018. This is stuff that keeps us all up at night. We’re working with the CRB to see how we can answer some of the most challenging scenarios while maintaining what makes the event special.

Bottom line – speaking for SCCA HQ, we want FF@50 to be a joyous celebration and want to support it in whatever way is appropriate.

Eric Prill
SCCA VP/COO

[Steve Bamford]

Nice of you to post Eric. I can underatand why you’re maybe hesitant to post but good to hear your thoughts good or bad.

[Rick Kirchner]

so besides the one discussed here, what are the other two concepts and who put them forward?

[Jnovak]

Yes, THANKS A TON for the reaity check Eric!

[EPrill]

so besides the one discussed here, what are the other two concepts and who put them forward?

Rick- One was a left coast concept and another proposal to do something in the southeast. I understand via Butch that there are also plans for Road America with VSCDA in September.

I will work on connecting the other SCCA parties with Mike Rand re. the ARRC event to make sure they're all communicating if not already.

Thanks,
Eric

[Jnovak]

Rick- One was a left coast concept and another proposal to do something in the southeast. I understand via Butch that there are also plans for Road America with VSCDA in September.

I will work on connecting the other SCCA parties with Mike Rand re. the ARRC event to make sure they're all communicating if not already.

Thanks,
Eric

here is a wild ass guess at something that might have some merit with time juggling as needed. Extend the 50th runoffs to include a 50th FF celebration the previous weekend from the Friday-Sunday Runoffs races have a bunch of practice qualifying and races for all the various tpyes off FF cars, perhaps 4 - 5 seperate FF groups. On the celebration weekend there would be NOTHING BUT FF EVENTS! Practice, qualifying and races. Move open testing for the actual runoffs back a couple of days. Yes this can be an inconvience for some very serious runoffs testers/competitors, but what an honor for 50 years of FF Racing..

THE SCCA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BIG LIKE THIS TO HONOR FF! LETS CO-OPORATE TOGETHER!!!!
THIS COULD BE HUGE!

[swiftdrivr]

here is a wild ass guess at something that might have some merit with time juggling as needed. Extend the 50th runoffs to include a 50th FF celebration the previous weekend from the Friday-Sunday Runoffs races have a bunch of practice qualifying and races for all the various tpyes off FF cars, perhaps 4 - 5 seperate FF groups. On the celebration weekend there would be NOTHING BUT FF EVENTS! Practice, qualifying and races. Move open testing for the actual runoffs back a couple of days. Yes this can be an inconvience for some very serious runoffs testers/competitors, but what an honor for 50 years of FF Racing..

THE SCCA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING BIG LIKE THIS TO HONOR FF! LETS CO-OPORATE TOGETHER!!!!
THIS COULD BE HUGE!

The runoffs is too expensive a deal for me. I currently plan to be at the 50th at the ARRC, assuming my car, tow rig, family and dog are not actively dying, or an Earthquake separates the coastal plains from the great state of Georgia. However, I'd take out a loan and do both if this happened!

[jharvey]

Why does it have to be a feature at the runoffs? Pick an under attended regional and feature it there. They would probably be more receiving of suggestions anyways.

[problemchild]

Hoping the positivity here has transfered to the people with influence, and who are doing the right things behind the scenes, to make sure the 50th Anniversary 2019 National Championship event can stand above the 20-minute per day mixed class palliative marathon that we call the SCCA Runoffs.

[Michael Rand]

We are Greg, rest assured.
I know Joe Marcinski and I and Atlanta Region are pecking away at details for Rd Atlanta in November of 2019.
And as you have no doubt seen Steve Beeler is making progress with his at Elkhart with VDCA in Sept of 2019.
A bit early or firm facts at this point but you can be sure the planning in and as been underway.

[Jnovak]

I still say that this is a great idea. Selling it to SCCA management is the root issue imo. Has anyone actually put an actual plan/proposal together? And scheduled a meeting with the BOD?

I think that they might listen if you can bring a sponsor.

IF YOUR NOT SETTING UP A MEETING WITH THE BOD THIS DISCUSSION IS A WASTE OF TIME!

PS: nothing wrong with a 50th FF Bday party.

[GT1Vette]

As for the National Championship, I don’t suspect there will be much support for separating it from the Runoffs. Like FF, the Runoffs is an institution, and the two are forever linked in their respective histories. The event is obviously a challenge to manage because of its size. I understand the angst over 2017 and now 2018. This is stuff that keeps us all up at night. We’re working with the CRB to see how we can answer some of the most challenging scenarios while maintaining what makes the event special.

Excerpt from post #47 (6/19/18):

Obviously you can submit a proposal to the BoD about separating the FF Championship race from the Runoffs in 2019, but even if you bring major sponsorship money I agree with Eric that the BoD will never agree to splitting classes off from the club's showcase event. From an SCCA perspective, the best you can hope for is Topeka will officially recognize a single event as the FF50th Anniversary.

[Jnovak]

Excerpt from post #47 (6/19/18):

Obviously you can submit a proposal to the BoD about separating the FF Championship race from the Runoffs in 2019, but even if you bring major sponsorship money I agree with Eric that the BoD will never agree to splitting classes off from the club's showcase event. From an SCCA perspective, the best you can hope for is Topeka will officially recognize a single event as the FF50th Anniversary.

listen to this man he knows!