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Post by Der Administrator on Dec 29, 2004 14:44:32 GMT -8
Please post you comments on this topic when you vote.
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Post by tvracer on Dec 29, 2004 17:48:42 GMT -8
The answer is too obvious.
Tom
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Post by DerElf on Dec 30, 2004 12:33:40 GMT -8
Tom;
Unfortunately not to some.
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Post by JimEli on Jan 6, 2005 9:24:32 GMT -8
This question speaks to the survival of the SCCA not just FV. It is slowly becoming a Vintage Racing Club. We need to attract new blood. SM is a move in the right direction.
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Post by DerElf on Jan 6, 2005 14:00:33 GMT -8
Jim;
It is a move in the right direction for fendered cars, not for Formula Cars. We need to look for our own solutions.
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Post by flash on May 30, 2005 18:26:16 GMT -8
New blood is here and would like to see the class continue in 1200/1600 cc formula until I am too old to race. (When will that be Al?)
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Vracer
Regional Driver
Posts: 63
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Post by Vracer on May 31, 2005 21:52:58 GMT -8
Maybe the problem is not with the class, but with the cost of SCCA racing. How many true new drivers are there in the Spec Miata Class. Was there a fleet of Spec Miata at drivers school?
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spondon
Novice Driver
....know when to say win!
Posts: 49
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Post by spondon on Jun 1, 2005 6:59:29 GMT -8
I can tell you that it's directly related to the cost of racing at SCCA events. To race motorcycles (which I did for 12 seasons) on the same tracks, the same amount of events, is less than half the cost, that's just for entry fees. If the SCCA could find a way to make it more affordable, I think we could find a way to attract more new racers not to mention attracting existing drivers that can't afford to run more than a few races a year. I would be racing more events if I could afford the cost and I am sure that there are many that feel the same way. This alone would increase the grid sizes.
Can we recruit like the Air Force, Marines, Army & Navy? We may need public events to promote Formula Vee (SCCA), the track does not provide enough visibility for the new driver looking in from the outside, and once a year at the Moscone Center is not enough. If I had not been working with Ian Sweeney, I would not of know what the hell Formula Vee is. He brought the car to work one day and I fell in love with the car, then when I saw you guys race, I was hooked! The New driver of today needs to be enticed visually.
Keeping the class affordable, and finding a way to make SCCA events affordable is crucial to larger grid sizes and bringing in New Blood.
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sweenrace
National Driver
.....rub'ns racin......
Posts: 450
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Post by sweenrace on Jun 1, 2005 7:21:19 GMT -8
Russ makes a good point, its up to us to recruit and its not really that hard - unwittingly I got him addicted by showing him my car (sorry Russ!) at work one day.
Many of us work in reasonably large organizations and most people are interested once they hear you race. Invite these folks to the track, sit them in the car, explain how the cars work, show them the websites, tell them the tracks we race on, tell them you'll help them if they start, tell them you'll help them find the right car......
On another note, a contributing factor to the dwindling regional numbers is that the national scene is improving by stealing from the regionals.
Ian
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Vracer
Regional Driver
Posts: 63
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Post by Vracer on Jun 1, 2005 21:32:46 GMT -8
Spondon and Sweenrace you are spot on. This region needs examine the entry fees, I bet, if you did an economic study the entry fees have raised faster and higher than the cost of living index in the bay area. I have seen many racers have to make the choice between buying a house and "living the normal life" vs. even thinking about racing again. When the region figures its entry fees there should be some consideration of the economics of living in the bay area. If the entry fees were reduced by 50% I bet the number of entries would be raise and the region would get the same amount of revenue from each event, maybe more, the region should read a page from Southwest Airlines book (the only non-bankrupt airline flying today). We made a good first step with the spec tires, now the region needs to make the next. But as a group we also need to shameless self promotion. That’s my rant for the month.
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Post by qposner on Jun 2, 2005 13:43:48 GMT -8
While I do not know figures, I would be willing to bet the cost of insurance and track rental to regions has skyrocketed at a much faster rate than the cost of living. Keep that in mind.
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Post by DerElf on Jun 2, 2005 15:44:58 GMT -8
I have two facts "on good authority" (No, DEEP THROAT DIDN'T TELL ME!)
1) In the San Francisco Region in EVERY CLASS save SPEC MIATA entry is down a minimum of 15%. At the last race at THill in Formula Alphabet there were 15 cars running in 15 classes
2) The Much reviled SPEC MIATAs are footing the bill for the rest of us right now. If they went away THill entry fee would be $300 for a single regional.
Quinn;
You hit the nail right on the head brudda, the regions cost are going up FASTER than the attendance.
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Post by btatum on Jun 3, 2005 22:19:02 GMT -8
Considering the tracks we run on our entry fees have been kept in check over the past three years. If we did not have oil recycling money we would be paying a much higher entry fee.
Just so you are aware if entries fall off by twenty cars (which is not unheard of) we could lose money at some of our events. I would have to guess that the reason motorcycles are able to run cheaper is because of the ecomomy of numbers. They have a large number of participants and are able to spread the cost over a lot more competitors. If they had close to the same numbers we have then the motorcycle groups would have to charge at least the same if not more then we charge.
We do not have that many competitors.
If we lowered your fees to half we would have to double the amount of cars at the events. We do not have room for twice the number of cars and if we did we would have to run more run groups which would mean less track time which would translate to fewer people showing up.
We tried to lower entry fees by giving money back with the frequent racer program but only about half the people used the vouchers and it did nothing to increase the number of cars at our events.
When everything is considered the entry fee is not that thing that keeps people at home. The cost of keeping tires, fresh engines, brakes, general wear and tear, and lodging are a bigger factor in the overall cost of racing then the entry fee. I thought bringing down the cost of tires would bring back the grids but it only provided a small spike in the numbers. The bottom line is the more races people miss the easier it is not to go, the longer you wait between races the more it costs to get back to a competitive form, the more money it takes to get competitve the easier it is to do something else. Racing is expensive but so is spending a weekend out of the boat. If you want to race find a way to race, period.
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Post by Der Administrator on Jun 4, 2005 10:16:08 GMT -8
NOTE:
Anyone who has ANY interest in the future of the class should listen to what Blake is saying. You should also pay attention to how much work he and the other members of the b of D in SF region are doing to try and juggle all the factors that are in play and effecting our ability to race.
The major factor effecting ALL of us is the numbers of us who are NOT SHOWING UP. It is not parts availability or political wrangling, it is not malicious and it is no ones fault BUT OUR OWN.
I am as guilty as anyone this year as I haven't been putting my car on the track, something I will be fixinv come the Double at Thunderhill, so this is a case of the "pot calling the kettle black".
What I am saying is that I am going ACTIVELY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, not just talk about it.
Who else will step up and say that?
BTW, Many thanks to the brothers out there who have been carrying the torch for us this season!
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sean
Novice Driver
Posts: 35
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Post by sean on Jun 6, 2005 13:39:06 GMT -8
Gee Marty, could you make the poll question more leading? I last drove 1 year ago, and can't even bring myself to look at the results after each race. It just reminds me of what I'm missing. Unfortunately, buying a home in the bay area doesn't allow me to have any spending money. So there's my excuse. I'm hoping to get to 3 races this year, if only to fufill my licensing requirements. Blake makes a really good point in his last paragraph. The longer I'm out, the harder it will be to get back. I don't just want to run one race, as I'll be uncompetitive until I get up to speed. I'll have to run at least those 3, and probably more like 5 to be satisfied with my finish position. So instead of budgeting for one or two, I have to think of ways to get to 5. And then I start finding excuses to not bother, wait until next season when I have more time and money. How many other no-shows are absent for similar reasons? Racing requires serious commitment. And what if it gets to the point of being easier to just give it up and find a easier, more relaxing hobby? I had a great time snorkling in Hawaii a few years ago, and my overwhelming thought was, "Wow, I had fun, and at no point was there a chance that my equipment would be destroyed. What a concept! Maybe I'll take up scuba diving." Another reason is the schedule this year. It's just too hard to get to THill. I need an extra day off work, a hotel, and food $. If there were more races at Sears Point, I'd definitely be there. Even if the entry fee were increased to cover the extra cost of bribing them to host more SCCA races, it would be more affordable for me. Is there even a remote chance of this Blake? How about this: We have a Bring-a-friend-to-the-Races Day at Infineon on Labor Day weekend. Each one of us will bring at least one person who MIGHT be interested in learning more about going racing. We must have someone we know who would want to go, or we should start asking around to see if we can find someone. I'll start it by saying I will enter that race, and I will bring at least one person. We've each got all summer to find ONE car nut that wants to race. Anyone up to the challenge?
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