Winter F2000 Series Meeting at PRI Show

[Monty M]

Formula Race Promotions has confirmed its annual winter meeting at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) trade show on Friday, Dec 13th at 10am in room 208.

All are welcome to attend

[Lenny T.]

Any News to share from the meeting ?

[John LaRue]

I was surprised there hasn't been a formal announcement, but here is what I picked up.

Schedule looks to be solid, there is much excitement about Thompson. There is supposed to be a test day before Atlanta and Thompson, possibly a couple of others TBD.

Rand is working as a consultant to the series in '14 and new Race Director Linda Randall was introduced; she comes with LRP, Skip Barber and Miller Mustang experience. Eakin is supposedly headed into the swamp and a replacement was announced, but he did not attend the meeting. I don't recall his name but he too has a nice resume' and formula car expereince. There are some big shoes to fill.

Mandatory crew uniforms (at least shirts) and organized parking are also on the slate for '14. FA rules are being sorted as well.

[Lenny T.]

Thanks John.
Rand out? I don't see that as a good thing. What's going on there?

[andyllc]

I worry about that too.....if Rand is not running the day to day anymore, mandatory crew uniforms, more events (f1600)....I worry that this will take it too far from its roots and what made it popular.

[KevinFirlein]

too be fair, crew shirts have been mandatory since 2007. It has just never been inforced. A mistake IMO. A simple matching set of Polo style shirts isn't expensive and does wonders for the professional look of a series over guys showing up in pitlane all in different t-shirts.

As for why the rats all leaving the ship after they expand the series by adding FA , I am a bit curious about that.

[John LaRue]

Kevin, You are correct and my post was a bit misleading. Bob indicated that the crew shirts had been required since the inception and apparently was enforced the first year. I think they have a rule about stickers as well...

[Dennis Valet]

From what I've heard, I am excited for the future of the series. The core group of leadership will still be there, and Rand and Eakin have left their mark which will be impossible to erase.

F1600 continues to grow as a legitimate step in the ladder, with more and more professional teams joining each year. I know that this pushes away some club racers and makes it different from core principal of what made F2000 successful, but I think they can be successful in their own rights in different ways.

The series leadership has done a fantastic job getting the series to this point, and I think that individuals with experience directing professional race series which are less "clubby" will help the series make a jump to the next level.

I understand that many people might be worried that the club racers will be left behind. To some extent that is one of the perceived problems with the F1600 series. I understand their position, but I think judgment should be withheld until things shake out

[DaveW]

... As for why the rats all leaving the ship after they expand the series by adding FA , I am a bit curious about that.

Did you mean Rand and Eakin? I can understand their desire to do other things less demanding, more profitable, and maybe family-related, with their time.

This "privateer rat" still plans to be there...

[KevinFirlein]

yes Dave, I was talking staff, none of 'us' are ever smart enough to stay home when there is a race on the schedule.

[racinray]

http://f2000series.com/index.php?opt...d=23&Itemid=27

Ray

[Beartrax]

"Race director Michael Rand is moving to an advisory position"

Sounds like he will wandering around, trailer to trailer, accepting free beverages and assisting the new director when needed. A.K.A. "semi-retired".

Actually Mike, you should bring your FF with you and race when you are not "advising".

The weekends will not be the same without Purple Frog around. I'm sure he'll drop in to spectate at his favorite tracks. Or maybe he'll crew for Dave W. The lovely Mrs. Janice Purple Frog will be greatly missed. She's the reason we let Mike hang around.