Revised Runoff Qualification?

[problemchild]

Anybody heard anything?
Still hoping there is racing by June.
Not many opportunities to qualify, if you did not race in January or February.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

TBD

https://www.scca.com/articles/201358...merica-runoffs

They don't know because they don't know when racing will resume.

[reidhazelton]

Likely write a check and show up. If we are racing in September, most region's seasons will have been long over by the time races are held again. Having any qualification other than that will be unworkable for many drivers. In reality, during recent decades this has essentially been the requirement anyway.

[problemchild]

TBD

https://www.scca.com/articles/201358...merica-runoffs

They don't know because they don't know when racing will resume.

Thanks for the link.

[Purple Frog]

I'm thinking if you are still breathing and your check doesn't bounce you are in.

[problemchild]

I'm thinking if you are still breathing and your check doesn't bounce you are in.

Anxiously awaiting the 6-page document explaining just that.

[dalz]

Darn link won't open for me.

I think the odds of a June Sprints are getting longer, at least on the scheduled weekend. If racing is back by, say, August there will be chances for most of us to get on track at least once before the Runoffs. Then they should be eligible to any licensed national racer.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Darn link won't open for me.

Odd, I just clicked it and it worked fine. Do you have some sort of security software that prevents you from clicking suspect links?
vbulletin displays something different than the actual hyperlink - which some security software thinks is bad.

I think the odds of a June Sprints are getting longer, at least on the scheduled weekend. If racing is back by, say, August there will be chances for most of us to get on track at least once before the Runoffs. Then they should be eligible to any licensed national racer.

I think if we aren't racing in June most people will write the season off. The financial impact is yet to be determined.
People that aren't working now may be too busy to race later.

SCCA will be lucky to get locals to participate.

[Jtovo]

I'm thinking if you are still breathing and your check doesn't bounce you are in.

Does this mean I have a shot!?

[mmi16]

At the rate that major (not SCCA Majors) are being cancelled, I am beginning to think the balance of 2020 has been cancelled.

[Lotus7]

At the rate that major (not SCCA Majors) are being cancelled, I am beginning to think the balance of 2020 has been cancelled.

No way to know for certain, but Indy, TransAm, and SVRA all issued (optimistic?) revised schedules in the last few hours.
Those of us who race for a living hope for the best....

[dalz]

Indy, TransAm, and SVRA all issued (optimistic?) revised schedules in the last few hours.

IndyCar added a bonus Indy road course race on Oct. 3-4. I think it's really the last-resort Indy 500 weekend, and possibly the lone IndyCar race this year.

[Purple Frog]

Joe Tovo,
They should let you in "just because".
Then again, anyone who would give Purple Frog free mirrors for his tow vehicle 17 years ago just my be suspect... just saying.

If i were "King" I would just set up the 2020 Runoffs as a Jubilee for all members to attend. You have a membership card and a car, you're in. Period. End of sentence.

[problemchild]

At the rate that major (not SCCA Majors) are being cancelled, I am beginning to think the balance of 2020 has been cancelled.

That may well be true for the casual racer, but there is an entire motorsports industry that needs to be back on track ASAP, and the calendar year is not particularly relevant. 2020 seasons may start in October and finish in March, but there will be racing. For domestic series, there is no need to be cancelling anything more than 10-12 weeks out. The situation is changing by the hour, so 4-5-6 months projections is being unnecessarily negative.

Considering the quantity of spectators at SCCA events, once the situation has stabilized to the point that Pro racing has continued, the SCCA community needs to get back to the track, restore social balance, and support the tracks and other businesses that are on the brink.

I am hoping to start my season at the June Sprints. That may be optimistic, but I hope they give it a few weeks before pulling the plug. Regardless, RiceRace will support any FRP, SCCA, or CASC event that gets run, and which customers want to go. Bring it on!

[dalz]

Road America just postponed/canceled their first spectator event of the year, the May 15-17 Spring Vintage Festival. If that is the lead time window they are using, we have a month to restart the country before the June Sprints is a write-off.

[mmi16]

Road America just postponed/canceled their first spectator event of the year, the May 15-17 Spring Vintage Festival. If that is the lead time window they are using, we have a month to restart the country before the June Sprints is a write-off.

Don't see the country being restarted any time soon. I suspect 2021 will be the real 2020.

[problemchild]

Definitely a glass half empty/half full thread going here, heavily influenced, I am sure, by personal circumstance.
As a non iRacer, and certainly non iRacing spectator, I cannot wait to get back to racetracks!

[clint]

Road America just postponed/canceled their first spectator event of the year, the May 15-17 Spring Vintage Festival. If that is the lead time window they are using, we have a month to restart the country before the June Sprints is a write-off.

I don't think we will see the june sprints this year. I think we will see this stuff start clearing up right after the sprints.

[DaveW]

Definitely a glass half empty/half full thread going here, heavily influenced, I am sure, by personal circumstance.
As a non iRacer, and certainly non iRacing spectator, I cannot wait to get back to racetracks!

My thoughts exactly !

[Speed Sport Engineering]

I'm surprised there isn't an odds table in Vegas on when racing will start again.


I'm picking May. We all need to be prepared to go as soon as the green light is given to support our regions and classes. Assuming we won't start until after June isn't going to help anyone.

[GrahamLoughead35]

IndyCar added a bonus Indy road course race on Oct. 3-4. I think it's really the last-resort Indy 500 weekend, and possibly the lone IndyCar race this year.

I work for an Indycar team. That race is anything but that. The Indy 500 needs more than 2 days to run.

[mmi16]

I'm surprised there isn't an odds table in Vegas on when racing will start again.


I'm picking May. We all need to be prepared to go as soon as the green light is given to support our regions and classes. Assuming we won't start until after June isn't going to help anyone.

Are the Las Vegas odds makers considered Essential Employees?

[dalz]

I work for an Indycar team. That race is anything but that. The Indy 500 needs more than 2 days to run.

Of course. If it comes to that, possibly a couple weeks of the usual practice and qualifying prior to that date. But I'm hopeful of an earlier start to the pro racing season and they can keep their plan of an Aug. 23rd 500.

[Hardingfv32]

Just read a poll that said 72% of sports fans will NOT return to professional sports events until there is a COVID 19 vaccine. Then you layer the financial stress that many are going through on top of that and it does not look good for any professional motorsport events.

The same could apply to SCCA or at least as it applies to volunteers. What is their motivation if we still are practicing social distancing which should continue until a vaccine is available. Do not expect a vaccine for many months. It takes about 6 months to produce the normal quantity of flu vaccine once you settle on a formula. In this case we are talking about something for everyone not just children and seniors.

Brian

[cff96]

https://www.scca.com/downloads/50081...riteria-web-v2

https://www.scca.com/runoffs

[problemchild]

Do one majors race, then pay some cash to buy a spot.

Expected solution. Net result: entry fee increased by $1200.

[Daryl DeArman]

Do one majors race, then pay some cash to buy a spot.

Expected solution. Net result: entry fee increased by $1200.

I expected them to just raise the entry fee by a $1000 and open it up to all interested licensed participants. However, I'm now thinking doing it this way may allow those folks who would have hosted the Majors to get those substitute entry fees. Especially in instances where they may have been on the hook for track rental fees.

[Lotus7]

Do one majors race, then pay some cash to buy a spot.

Expected solution. Net result: entry fee increased by $1200.

I'm not sure how many runoffs participants run out of a prep shop, but this "buy your way in" option potentially screws guys like Greg and other shops out of the income of taking customers to the track if their drivers decide they don't want the seat time and merely buy the runoffs entry.

[Lyngengr]

Do one majors race, then pay some cash to buy a spot.

Expected solution. Net result: entry fee increased by $1200.

You can also do the 1 majors and 2 regionals route.

[Peter Olivola]

I'm not sure how many runoffs participants run out of a prep shop, but this "buy your way in" option potentially screws guys like Greg and other shops out of the income of taking customers to the track if their drivers decide they don't want the seat time and merely buy the runoffs entry.

How would you suggest resolving this?

[problemchild]

I'm not sure how many runoffs participants run out of a prep shop, but this "buy your way in" option potentially screws guys like Greg and other shops out of the income of taking customers to the track if their drivers decide they don't want the seat time and merely buy the runoffs entry.

I am sure that some prep shops are not happy with it, but I am OK with it. SCCA is vital to me, but it supplements my core. Atleast now I can offer a few SCCA events. I was lobbying for one race to qualify because that is the only avenue that will allow my customers to be able to go to the Runoffs. Not thrilled with the ransom payment, but our sport is driven by the end-user absorbing the extra expenses. I run my business that way so can have minimal criticism of others doing the same. Managing all that is part of being successful and having longevity.

See you at the track soon!

[Daryl DeArman]

Not thrilled with the ransom payment, but our sport is driven by the end-user absorbing the extra expenses. I run my business that way so can have minimal criticism of others doing the same.

Refreshing to read that attitude. Wish I saw more of it.

[cory mcleod]

Yes - prep shops are being hurt in many ways by the clampdown, but I think many drivers are in my position. With the cancelled races, it will be extremely difficult for me to make 3 weekends. That has nothing to do with being able to pay a fee instead of running the 3rd weekend, so there is no impact to the prep shop that takes care of my car. Now, I may not be paying the prep shop for a 3rd weekend regardless, but I will be able to pay them a lot more to support me at the Runoffs because of the revised qualification rules.

I think the SCCA came up with a good compromise.

Cory

[Lotus7]

How would you suggest resolving this?

Perhaps restrict the "buy in" option as a true last-ditch hardship route. There are and surely will be Majors/Regionals taking place that people can get to, just maybe not right next door. Maybe prove that legitimate efforts to compete were made?
Lots of people rely on race events taking place for their income, and not just prep shops (all the crews, support staff, concession staff, vendors, car parts suppliers, hotels, restaurants, etc). Bypassing these people hurts the industry in the long run.

[Peter Olivola]

Perhaps restrict the "buy in" option as a true last-ditch hardship route. There are and surely will be Majors/Regionals taking place that people can get to, just maybe not right next door. Maybe prove that legitimate efforts to compete were made?
Lots of people rely on race events taking place for their income, and not just prep shops (all the crews, support staff, concession staff, vendors, car parts suppliers, hotels, restaurants, etc). Bypassing these people hurts the industry in the long run.

Care to be specific about what would constitute "a true last-ditch hardship?"

[John Nesbitt]

The Club has a long and consistent history of not giving waivers for the Runoffs, notwithstanding some very compelling cases.

Like it or not, I would not expect an exception this time.

As Greg points out, this is a glass-half-empty/glass-half-full discussion. The glass is a little emptier for folks in SEDiv than it is for folks further north and west.

[Daryl DeArman]

The glass is a little emptier for folks in SEDiv than it is for folks further north and west.

I'm not so sure about that.

If someone in CA/AZ/OR was to choose the closest 2 remaining Majors to them and the RunOffs, that mileage and time commitment isn't any better than the guy in Tennessee, Carolinas, GA or FL.

Paying 2 "substitute entries" and completing 2 local productive test days will be more beneficial for many than competing in 2 Majors with regards to RunOffs preparation.

[Lotus7]

Care to be specific about what would constitute "a true last-ditch hardship?"

Available races realistically too far away? (pick a distance); I'm not trying to argue, just trying to envision our business not going over the brink.

[Peter Olivola]

Available races realistically too far away? (pick a distance); I'm not trying to argue, just trying to envision our business not going over the brink.

I think the details are important. What's too far away? Isn't that really in the eyes of the beholder and in this case, that's the customer of the prep shop. If it's too far away for the customer you risk them not participating the Runoffs. I don't think there is a perfect solution.