General Runoffs Impressions...

[Matt Brannon]

Thought I'd start a thread about everyone's impressions this year.

In the comp board meeting, the subject of changed schedule came up.
Show of hands on who liked the changed format. About 6 people.
Who didn't like the changed format: About 36 people.
How many participated in the survey: About 30 people.

There were teams pulling out on Thursday before we even had a
qualifying session, which seemed really wierd.

The total lack of spectators continues to suck. I'm sorry, but I'd really
like for the club to get some airplay. Seems like we continue to fade into
obscurity when it comes to spectators.

The weather was poor for the umpteenth event in a row it seemed.
It wasn't as bad as it could have been, but there were moments it wasn't
remotely pleasant either.

Prod party was well subscribed, thanks to Dayle for organizing and everyone else
who attended, although it was cut short because of the rain.

Lastly, anyone have issues with the rotten golf cart paddock driving of the >Safety Stewards<??

They were cruising around on golf carts and completely disobeying the flow of traffic
at disfunction junction, impatiently swinging around cars waiting to be directed through, etc.
We had two near misses during the week, but on Sunday after the race, Marnie was moving out
of the head-in parking spots by the bathroom when a steward came zipping
down from the upper paddock, decided not to follow the normal flow but instead chop the
left turn short, on the left side of the road directly behind the parked cars, and
crashed into the LF door jamb of our Fiat 500 as she was backing out. He jumped out and
said "You just backed into me!". Uh, no dude, you just drove into us. :roll:

 

[Protech Racing]

From an outside POV. I cant understand why it takes 4-5 days to race 13 laps.
The rest of the racing world just laughs at us. Between the time on site for the amount of laps, and the qualifying schedule , never mind the prerace requirements. It is not a logical racing schedule in any form. Racing is cost reactive. Reducing the total cost, results in more racers. Simple. SCCA National has a very poor business plan , in today's market.
The entire year is spent so that 3- 4 guys can have a drafting battle for 40min. Sure, it is a good race , but at what expense? 1000$ per min? Maybe more .

No one care about the modern SCCA runoffs. Get on with it. You are racing for your own enjoyment . Times have changed .
If you want spectators, buy a dirt mod. IMHO. MM

 

[Curtis]

"

.................... No one care about the modern SCCA runoffs. Get on with it. You are racing for your own enjoyment . Times have changed .
If you want spectators, buy a dirt mod. IMHO. MM

Speaking as someone who has attended 21 of the last 23 Runoffs, although only twice as an entrant, I disagree Mike. The runoffs are a fantastic spectator event kept secret. We had tons of spectators at Road Atlanta and lots at MidOhio. Elkart Lake is as hard to get around in as rush hour LA due to all the spectators who show for the BRIC. My guess is that it has all fallin apart due to some or maybe all of the following:

-3 years at the worst spectator track on planet earth HPT
-the current cold, late season date at a track just south of the northern border
-Lack of promotion
-Not staying in one location long enough for word to get out
-multiple class races are hard to watch
-the new schedule that eliminates the unique 8 races a day for three solid days spectating opportunity.

 

[kruck]

The schedule did seem very odd, watching races on Thursday and seeing rigs pull out before FP even got on track. But, having limited vacation time this year, it was nice only having to take three days off. It obviously shortened it up though, which did feel weird all weekend.


I liked this about this weekend:
The top 7 finishers in EP were all different classifications, and before Halkias' TR6 and Downey's RX3 dropped out, the top nine were (5 post-1990, 4 pre-1990).

The top 5 finishers in FP were all different classifications (2 post-1990, 3 pre-1990). I will be the first to admit though, that with several front running Miata's falling out, that looks skewed. But still the point remains, there's a varity of cars out there that are being competitive.

The top 5 finishers in HP were different classification, and 9 of the top 10 were (5 post-1985'ish, 4 pre-1985'ish).

All three classes produced competitive, exciting, close, clean racing amongst a variety of cars. They also had some of the biggest crowds huddled around the fences and stands that I saw all weekend. Is it perfect? Nope, no such thing. However, I can at least say that I feel pretty damn good about it.

 

[CBB]

I posted my opinion earlier in another thread, but I'll post here as well.

I hated the new schedule, both from a worker standpoint (grid) as well as from a crew standpoint. The inter-mix of qualifiying and racing just sucked. RA has always been a pretty good venue for drawing spectators on the weekends for the racing. I'm sure not many of them read into the schedule that what they were paying for at the gate was a confusing mix of a couple qualifiers, then a couple races, then a couple more qualifiers - at least for the bigger spectator days of Friday and Saturday. If I bought a ticket at the gate, I'd probably be expecting to see RACING. Not qualifying. Sunday was, finally, all racing. But that was the only day of all-racing. By Sunday much of the paddock was a wasteland, with teams having cleared out as of Thursday.

I understand it may have made it easier on some drivers & teams to have to devote fewer days to the event overall, but the schedule broke up what little "atmosphere" still existed with the event. The paddock was half-empty, no one was around, there weren't interesting cars or racing for spectators to see, many teams and groups didn't have their traditional annual parties because the schedule ended up not allowing for it. It just really screwed up the event.

Edited to add, I second pretty much everything Curtis said. I like RA as a venue: it's got good infrastructure, good spectator locations and opportunities and it's a challenging course although it does have limitations for some cars. You're never going to get a grade A on all aspects of a track for all cars, so overall it's pretty good. I think the lack of promotion and losing any sort of real broadcast of the event has REALLY affected interest in it.

 

[blamkin86]

This was my first runoffs, and first trip to RA. I did like having two qualifiers the same day, as I needed track familiarity - but - there wouldn't have been time to fix my car between those two sessions. Other than that, it did seem odd to have racing and qualifying the same day. It also seemed odd that some people's weekends were already over with and they were gone, before others had even started qualifying.

I'm going back next year, this schedule or the other one.

 

[Dayle Frame]

For those who didn't like the schedule, the SCCA sent out surveys last fall asking us about this very question. According to HQ, we voted for a shorter or staggered schedule.

I'm a race chair too. I can't operate in a vacuum. I want input to know what to do. The SCCA asked us and we voted. They did what we asked them to do. Plain and simple. I know they are frustrated by the way this played out. I would be too.

I live close enough that I was going to be there all week one way or the other. I arrived saturday (9/15) and left yesterday (9/24). I can see where the staggered schedule makes sense for somebody coming from a long way away. I hope it encourages folks from long distances to come out and play.

Yes, the schedule seemed a bit odd. But if it makes the event more palatable for more folks, then us locals can take one for the team.

Dayle

 

[CBB]

This was my first runoffs, and first trip to RA. I did like having two qualifiers the same day, as I needed track familiarity - but - there wouldn't have been time to fix my car between those two sessions. Other than that, it did seem odd to have racing and qualifying the same day. It also seemed odd that some people's weekends were already over with and they were gone, before others had even started qualifying.

I'm going back next year, this schedule or the other one.

That was the other thing I observed: the way the schedule was set up, as opposed to in the past, if you screwed up the car, you may not have had the chance to get it fixed in time for your next on-track session. In years' past, you had one a day and usually a decent amt of time to get things fixed. This year, some folks had two Qs in one day and then perhaps an early Q the next day, with little chance to fix problems in between. I know in HP we had something like a 5 pm on Friday and then an 8:30 am on Saturday. If things had gone awry, not really a whole lot of time (in light of "quiet hours") to get things fixed.

 

[RonInSD]

I enjoy going to the Runoffs as a spectator/crew. Road America will always be special to me since it was the first track I ever drove on during a BMWCCA drivers school 20 years ago before I started club racing. I had been to Road America as spectators for a number of Pro races over the years and they tend to have a number of spectators for these events but even their spectator attendance has dropped. There were a number of diehard spectators at the Runoffs and talked with a couple of them. They come to about every major event at Road America and stay in the same spot every time. They had their campers, tents, awnings, fire pits, and well stocked bars all set up and were there for the extended weekend. Some spectators did feel it was better when it was on just 3 days with racing only. Some did not even know it was now 4 days since they only came for 2 or 3 days. Some did not even know which day it was (see statement about the well stocked bars)

I did not really hear anyone that really liked the new schedule. To me, the new schedule made it feel like the racing really had not started. Since I was helping different people, in different classes who where on different schedules, I did not watch much of the other races except for GT, AS and Prod. With the old schedule you could go watch the other races on your off days. At times it was hard for the people to tell the morning/afternoon qualifying from the races. Even the announcers and film crews had some trouble. I know SCCA asked for racers opinions and 60% wanted a reduced schedule. How may of those 60% showed up? If you disliked/liked the schedule now is the time to be sending your message to your BoD member.

Weather was good the week before and is suppose to be nice this week. It just so happens that the week of the runoffs is cold and windy. It is going to be a crap shoot. If it is moved south, we could be dealing with 100+ degree temps or hurricane rains. Weather is weather and everyone has to deal with it. We are road racers not NASCAR, we race in the weather. If they moved the runoffs up much more some parts of the country would have trouble getting in the needed races before hand. We can all bitch about it be that will just create a bunch of hot air which may help warm it up but good luck with that.

The one thing that bothered me the most was seeing SafeRacer packing up their vendor booth and leaving Friday afternoon with more then 2 days of racing yet to go. We all have to run their stickers to support them at least they could stick around and support SCCA. Are vendors going to sell many big ticket items at the Runoffs? I don't think so. Most racers already had what they needed from the vendors even before the race was scheduled. We need that stuff all year. For most racers, I think, they were looking for deals for next year or to try on things now and see how the race turns out. Some shoppers could be looking for close out deals or just wanting to save on shipping for the bulky items like fuel jugs. Most racers budgets where spent by the time they came to the runoffs. I know some vendors just used a golf cart or car as their booth because of the high cost of a booth spot. They came to the racers instead.

One marketing idea I got was to work with the go karters that showed up Saturday night. Maybe give the older class winners free membership to the SCCA for a year and to do a drawing for pace car rides for all the kids the entered the go kart race. That way it is just not the winners that "win" the prizes. Also give free tickets to all the go karters so they can come watch the other races during the extended weekend. I know I saw some of them in the turn 8 stands before/during their races. It was always the kids leading the way up into the stands to watch our races/qualifying sessions. My idea would be to try and get them hooked early.

Over all, I really enjoyed the races I saw. Great battles for most of the classes I watched. Yes one of the better places to "watch" the Runoffs is from your computer but the best place to experience the Runoffs is at the track. I know, I am now working to be racing at the next Runoffs. I want to experience it from behind the wheel.

 

[Sydney Yagel]

I took the survey, and I will honestly say I don't remember what I voted for... probably that I'd go regardless. I had every intention on going, until my dad got sick. That being said, I still went, just not as a driver. I cover a few races for SportsCar and took some photos. And got my hands dirty one day helping a Spec Miata buddy change his transmission. (I had to get dirty otherwise it wouldn't have been a race week/weekend )

All that aside, I think the schedule was both a success and a defeat, depending on what your goal was.
> Did it shorten the event for those drivers who couldn't participate all week? Yes. Mission accomplished.
> Did it change the atmosphere of the Runoffs? Yes. Mission failed.

I think when the National office put the schedule out, they were trying to listen to a majority of the races, unaware of the consequences to the event's atmosphere.

At the CRB meeting it was mentioned that they will be sending out a survey to all National drivers. Once again, I encourage everyone to take it and give some quality feedback, much like those have given above.

 

[bfloyd]

Perhaps the number of spectators is a direct result of being able to watch them from my living room petting my dog etc. If it comes to a ten hour tow through Chicago and a 3-4 day vaca burn with hotel then the web coverage does weigh into the decision.

Just my two cents worth

Bryan Floyd

 

[kruck]

For those who didn't like the schedule, the SCCA sent out surveys last fall asking us about this very question. According to HQ, we voted for a shorter or staggered schedule.

At the CRB meeting it was mentioned that they will be sending out a survey to all National drivers. Once again, I encourage everyone to take it and give some quality feedback, much like those have given above.

I was standing next to Jeff Dahnert during the Prod/CRB Town Hall on Thursday, when talk of the new schedule came up. I could tell that when the crowd started into into "Why did you change it?!", he wanted so badly to just yell "Because we asked you, and this is what you said you wanted!". I've always thought that by sending that survey/questionaire to all national license holders, they got some pretty skewed results. I'd be willing to bet that of those who responded back with "shorten it up", maybe 30%stood a chance of really coming at all.

 

[Mazda Jon]

I guess it depends on what you think "promotion" is.

The local radio station I was listening to all week had an ad on every 10-15 minutes with ticket giveaways every hour. All week from when I arrived Saturday, through the race weekend.

As said the schedule worked for some people and was the only reason they could make it. A friend flew in Friday before, tested Saturday and half day Sunday and flew home so he could work Mon, Tues and Wed and flew back Thursday. Made all 3 quals and race, flew home Sunday. 2 days off.

It was weird watching people leave Thursday as others pulled in. It looks like it worked for all those people also, able to leave Thursday and able to show up Thursday. Less days off. Not everyone is retired or has an unlimited amount of vacation time.

I like showing up Saturday or Sunday and leaving Sunday afternoon and making a marathon trip home. Thats me, others want to show up, race and leave.

As far as having 2 sessions a day, not a big deal. At a regular National you have practice, qual and a race in the same day. If it breaks and you can't get it fixed you miss a session, bad luck. Get it fixed for #3 or the race.

SCCA is damned if it does or damned if it doesn't. If it moves to Austin and it's 100 degrees then people will complain it's moved to far south and to hot. I thought the weather was good all week, other than the rain in Canada corner only during my race. I would rather see people put a sweatshirt on, rather than put shorts on. :-[...

 

[Sydney Yagel]

I would rather see people put a sweatshirt on, rather than put shorts on.

Oh come on... you know you wanna bust out your daisy dukes and tube top

 

[David Dewhurst]

I would rather see people put a sweatshirt on, rather than put shorts on.

Oh come on... you know you wanna bust out your daisy dukes and tube top

With all respect to a previous national champion, naw, you don't want Kevin in any of that ^.

 

[Don Walsh]

On Wednesday I had qualifying at 12-12:30 followed by 45 minutes in Tech and on track again at 3:30. Not much time to do anything to the car and still wolf down a sandwich. I agree with the comments about the loss of atmosphere with the new schedule. Also, I was held up going to grid 2 times by people leaving or arriving with their tow rigs. It was frustrating to say the least. Having been attending the Runoffs as a driver since 1988, I prefer the previous schedules and all the races on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I kow I voted for the "normal" schedule, but indicated I would come either way. Maybe that was seen as a positive vote for the new schedule?

 

[kruck]

I would rather see people put a sweatshirt on, rather than put shorts on.

Oh come on... you know you wanna bust out your daisy dukes and tube top

With all respect to a previous national champion, naw, you don't want Kevin in any of that ^.

Jon said that, not me. Quit putting words in my mouth! :lol:

 

[Mazda Jon]

But Kevin, I was thinking about you.

I arrived late Friday night and got in Saturday morning. While setting up I had my dog off leash, I know against the rules. I sometimes think she's smarter than most people I know, stays within 5-10 feet of me and listens to me when I tell her to do something (only female in the world that does). She had been in the truck for 2 days and I was giving her a little freedom while I setup. I was setting up my flag pole when one of the M/C security guys pulled up about 25 feet away and just stood there. After 10 minutes of he staring at me I called Abby over and put her on her tie out. I walked back over to my project and said, she's on her lead. He tells me that race control called him and told him she was off leash. I said ok. He said there are lots of deer she might chase. I told him we live in Colorado and she see's deer and elk in the yard everyday. He leaves. Then I think, what is race control doing spying on the paddock when there are cars on track. Aren't all the camera's fixed? I call BS, don't lie to me, just say dude, your dog needs to be on a leash.

I wore my thong the rest of the day so race control would stop looking at me. It worked. Then someone told me I had it on backwards.

The Runoffs are what you make of it. I had a great time and I'm planning for next year already.

Jon

 

[CBB]

.

I wore my thong the rest of the day so race control would stop looking at me. It worked. Then someone told me I had it on backwards.

I actually just snorted coffee out my nose when I got to that line. The person in the office next to me had to holler over to ask if I was all right. :applause:

 

[Dayle Frame]

Isn't it amazing what the GTL guys will do for the 'love of the sport'? I believe I saw Kent in a teddy and Roy sporting a pair of garters (he was told to breathe through his eyes by a Toyota engineer). I wish I had that level of commitment. Sadly, I don't and its probably why I'm a mid-packer all these years. However, after crashing Teri (my car's name) ion Sunday, I'm willing to try almost anything. I'll ask Melinda (my wife) if she has any 'Dayle sized' garments to ward off the evil spirits.

What'd that paragraph do for you Carolyn?

Dayle