What drives you to run Nationals
I still see little to no action taken on the issue that the BoD was supposed to be addressing: getting people again excited about running Nationals. Somehow having fewer classes is supposed to make folks want to run for the Runoffs yelling and screaming with longer tows and more expensive entry fees?:confused:
I think you have a number of factors that are dragging National numbers down. Many of them have been discussed in great detail on a number of threads.
From the Rumor Mill:
"If it doesn’t have fenders, has wings and runs the same lap times and often mixes overall grids across the country, why are there different classes in National competition?"
If this logic applies, then there is no reason to have FE, FM and FC running separately. Also, since Justin is within 2 seconds of Hans Peter, then let's consolidate FB and FA. Then let's combine FF and F500. How does this get people to run more Nationals? I am obviously confused, because I just don't see how combining classes leads to more participation.
"To summarize, consolidation is viewed as a part of the equation to help elevate National Racing and National Championship racing to where many members believe it should be. These consolidations could, or could not, be implemented Regionally. In the end, the Task Force focused on the National program with regard to consolidation recommendations—which eventually ended with 18 Nationally-recognized classes with every current car having a home within the 18."
Where's the rest of the equation? It must be a secret to be dropped like a smart bomb from a B-2 at a a later date.
I left SCCA because of the bone-headed crap happening on a regular basis. FB got me excited about racing again. Unfortunantly, the bone-headed crap is still happening.
I'm with Sean O. on the Run-Offs. Have it at Indy, and I'll bust my butt to get there. Anywhere else, and I'd rather stay close to home, maybe race a couple more regional weekends instead, and probably have more fun.:beer:
With the current economy, I just don't see big wads of disposable income flowing from every orifice to be spent on motorsports or other "luxury" items. Have you noticed how many motorhomes are for sale at excellent prices lately?
Share the vision at one time, or better yet, let the evolution, birth, and death of classes run their course. Letting the market and the customers decide (instead of telling them) what they want seems to be rather successful in most situations.
How many people with "cars in their garage" on the TF are impacted by consolidation? I'm guessing the number is close to zero.
If you can't tell I am fairly pissed off
Russ,
You should have seen the original version of the post :)
Sorry to say it in public, but this year has been a very big disappointment so far for F1000. We are not getting the cars out when we all knew long before the latest BOD craziness that this was a make or break year for us.
Where is everyone? What happened to the 10/10ths Stohrs. Where are the ARRC participants? Where are the Citations? etc...
From your response I guess I hit a nerve... GOOD! Use that energy in a positive way. Go run the Savannah July Fry and the CMP Nats and show me how wrong I am. I double dog dare you!
The three of you that ran CMP could have run the RA Nat instead. It would have been much better for the class. We are close to making the top 24 and every entry is precious. Instead those entries are wasted. (Sorry but it is the truth).
Sean
PS. Don't bite your tongue. I am a big boy.
I'm in a similar boat with Rob and Company
This whole process of converting the Tatuus has taken 3 times longer to get going than I expected. Funds ran out long ago, but I am still working on the project, and hope to be running late this year or early next.
There is no f*cking around when I come to the track. You put your life on the line every time to step into a racecar, and it doesn't matter if it's a regional or a national or a test day. I plan on running hard, safe and fast -- no f*cking around.
I will run events at tracks I want to run when I can afford it. If someone wants to subsidize me to run national events, then send the checks to Ian MacLeod and I'll make a point to put your name on the car.;) If you want to come help finish the car, I know we could use the assistance.
I think Lee's point about making Nationals a Pro system has some merit to maybe be discussed in further detail on another thread.
I don't owe anybody anything, but my wife thinks I owe her a huge ass dimond ring and a new car for the time and money spent building this car. We had this idea 20 years ago, and it's nice to see it finally become a reality.
Again, I don't see the big picture that the BoD does, because I can't see how tinkering with consolidating classes versus loss through market acceptance (attrition) is going to boost National participation.
The inconvenient truth...
If you haven't caught the point of Phil's comments, or the other posts by Mike Sauce, Stan Clayton, or Dave Gomberg on this forum, we need to get the numbers out. The BOD sees our initial momentum fading, and that has made us a target for consolidation.
It has been VERY clear since day one that participation means racing in Natinoals.
"What have you done for the class", I have entered 4 Nationals so far this year. At GREAT personal expense (2 engines and one VERY expensive crash). Like you guys I am a father and husband with very limited $$$. I understood the situation and made getting to Nationals a priority this year.
(As an aside, I am mystified by the comments about the expense of running Natinoals, Other than a slightly higher entry fee how again are they so much more $$$)?
What will I do going forward. I am taking a cue from Sidney's post. I will pay $100 to each driver who attends a NEDIV or SEDIV National race in a FB car for the remainder of the season. (and no, Sidney I don't want my name on the car).
How is that for putting my money where my mouth is??? So stop bitching and get those cars out to the track. It is our best response...
Sean