GLDiv CR schedule

D

Dayle Frame

Well-known member
A TENTATIVE GLDiv club racing schedule has been posted at the link below. As we are part of the Northern Conference for the Majors program, it includes some events from CenDiv. Those dates are also TENTATIVE. All that being said, this is pretty close to what you'll see next summer.

http://www.greatlakes-scca.org/node/92

Dayle
 
Dang, working three of the four weekends for Nationals. And the 1 weekend I'm open is the tentative MIS weekend. Hope it stays that weekend.
 
ennored said:
Dang, working three of the four weekends for Nationals. And the 1 weekend I'm open is the tentative MIS weekend. Hope it stays that weekend.
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I can speak to this particular event as its my region running it.

We approached MIS last summer about running an SCCA event in 2013. SCCA HQ needed to review the track (as opposed to a full inspection) since we (SCCA) had raced there way back when (since 1994). They had repaved the infield course but not put in any K-rail, tire barriers, guardrail, etc. The review was done in late October and the report was ready a few days later. A conference call was held between MIS and the SCCA reviewer a few days after that. We (WMR) was not allowed to sit in on that conversation. During that call, MIS was been told what safety features need to do to make their road course kosher for SCCA use. They've been pretty slow about letting us know if they'll make those upgrades. If they don't make a decision about these changes pretty soon, we'll need to go to our fallback option. That option is an event at Grattan in August.

Obviously, we'll keep everyone in the loop on this.

Dayle
 
WE had thw same issue after Memphis closed before we coudl race there again last year. We were involved in the discussions however. Can't imagine why they would not want the region involved. We were prepared to help with upgrades if and as we could so we felt we were a stake holder.
 
Frogeye said:
Can't imagine why they would not want the region involved.
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The conversation we excluded from was between the track review team and MIS. They didn't want any hint of collusion, etc. that may taint their dialogue. And rightly so. I wouldn't want the track or the inspectors thinking that we (WMR) was trying to guide the conversation one way or the other. Once the review was completed and the track knew what had to be done, I'm sure we'll step in and offer what support we can (if they'll accept it).

Bear in mind that NONE of the folks who work at MIS now were working there when they last held road races there (1994). So this road racing thing and the SCCA are completely foreign to all of them. They've asked us several times about what we plan to do with all the spectators. They envision 20k to 50k fans coming to our event. While tyhat would be nice....I don't see us having to sweat that detail.

Dayle
 
They had a ChumpCar even there last fall, I would sure think they would understand what an SCCA event would look like. I sure hope it can get worked out. Hate to have this be another example of head butting with the safety folks preventing SCCA from using a track.
 
ennored said:
They had a ChumpCar even there last fall, I would sure think they would understand what an SCCA event would look like. I sure hope it can get worked out. Hate to have this be another example of head butting with the safety folks preventing SCCA from using a track.
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I was at MIS for the CC event in August. The safety concerns are many and varied.

1. There is nothing but chain link fence protecting the paddock area from the infield track.
2. There are three buildings in the infield that had NO protection at all. One of them is a concession building that had a 100 gallon propane tank completely exposed to oncoming traffic.
3. There is an angled concrete wall in T1 that has no protection.
4. Where the course goes back onto NASCAR T3, there is a narrow cut in the wall that will need protection as well.

There are other things that need addressing but, in general, it's all small stuff. We (WMR) just need the MIS management folks to get on the stick. We (SCCA) are not alone. If they want PCA, BMW, VSCDA, etc. to run there, they'll need to get this done. They've made a big investment in repaving the facility so we know they want road racing business. Now they need to finish the job.

Personally, I can't wait to drive the high banks there. I did it in my street car and it was really fun.

Dayle
 
Look guys I've told you and told you. The tracks don't care what the SCCA wants. You don't represent any real income to us and you want us to spend money for something that does not relate directly to increased income. If you (SCCA) want improvements that YOU need, bring your checkbook and we'll talk. Otherwise go elsewhere. This is a business for us, not a hobby. My track is FIA approved and yet the SCCA keeps asking me to make changes. What the hell are you thinking? Figure out how much you pay a track annually and then try guessing what they need to pay their bills. You don't even hit our interest level.

James -R
HP, GT1, FA, FP, and FA
Plus Vintage racing.
 
James, not for nothing, but is that how you talk to customers in Texas. It doesn't really matter if you are, or are not, going to do as they ask. Telling customers, or potential customers, that your not interested in their concerns, is well, bad business strategy. If you own the track, it will be interesting to see how long your venture survives. If your the manager, your boss should put you on the unemployment line. Dude, go take some classes in customer service.
Chris
 
MIS approached us for guidance on what was needed to bring their facility up to spec. As I said, they know nothing of what road racing is about. They realize that to make their road course successful, they need to rent it every weekend to a wide variety of clubs. Most of those clubs want or need the safety features that SCCA is requesting.

MIS has a long term plan that includes a wide variety of upgrades over the next few years. This infield course is just a small, opening part of that plan.

Dayle
 
I'm an owner and since I have been our business has tripled.

There are people that claim to be customers that aren't really anyone you want in your establishment. That's why you see those signs about having the right to restrict service.

Denying service to people that adversely impact your business is good practice, not bad. My customer base, for the most part, doesn't see the SCCA as someone that needs to be at our facility. So you see, I do listen to my members and customers that pay the bills. The SCCA doesn't provide even 2% of our annual income.

James -R
 
Well James, you clearly do not like the SCCA. Its plain that this is an SCCA driven website. What the hell do you post on here for. Just to show us what a arrogant dick you are?
Chris
 
Give James some slack. He's just stating facts and infact has been very suportive of SCCA racers, at least me and others I know of. i've heard similar from other track reps. We as a club are not the factor in racing we once were and the Board must think we are.
 
Thanks Rob.

Chris, you have it backwards. I'm more than just a little supportive of the SCCA. I'm the Houston Region RE. I've been associated with the SCCA as a member or competitor since 1964. I'm a multi discipline license holder at the National level. I go to every convention and participate in member committees. My goal is to grow the club into a viable role in the modern marketplace. The number one problem with the SCCA is the BoD is made up of well meaning individuals that haven't any understanding of that dynamic. Here at the PRI I asked them what was their plan to fund the major operations. The Board of Directors there had no idea. That plan in not a plan, it's a wish and a hope to solve a problem that hasn't been given root cause analysis.

I'm here at PRI for the Track Owners and Managers Association meeting. During our meeting one of the presenters asked the general question, "Who here makes money on sanctioned racing." NOT A PERSON RAISED THEIR HAND. The SCCA (and all the others) need to come to the understanding that those groups have almost zero financial impact on track operations. Especially the new club tracks. Most of us have either debt to service or investors that expect a return on their investment. The SCCA, NASA, IMSA, you name it just aren't in that revenue stream. Sure they can give you a bump one or two times a year, but we have to make the payments every week all year long.

What I'd like to see everyone do is stop voting for the people that give you the same negative results. Go to the convention and make your case for a more viable club in the future. We, the SCCA, are not only not the only game in town. We're down about number 20 or lower.

James -R
 
James Rogerson said:
What I'd like to see everyone do is stop voting for the people that give you the same negative results. Go to the convention and make your case for a more viable club in the future. We, the SCCA, are not only not the only game in town. We're down about number 20 or lower.
James -R
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James, HOW DO WE DO THAT??

I've gone to several conventions over the last 2 decades to talk to BOD. I've stated several club related issues to the Board. They have zero interest. One arrogant dick told me "Thank you very much" after my first sentence to the BOD in San Antonio. SCCA Board of Directors have no idea, never have, and unfortunately, may never??

[There are a few good, smart BOD members, interested in the club membership, but they get lost in the shuffle.]


HOW do we get them to listen?
Peter
 
Peter,
When we stop entering the races they will get the message..........maybe.

Chris,
Where do you get off attacking James just for stating the facts?
 
I know you guys are mostly national guys. But what I see is my personal battle will end with a double regional weekend at Mid Ohio and the quad regional at Nelson. 6 races in the month after a very long wait!!! I love it!
 
racingspridget said:
Chris,
Where do you get off attacking James just for stating the facts?
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Here is your answer.

James Rogerson said:
The tracks don't care what the SCCA wants. ..... You don't even hit our interest level.
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In what universe is it good business (regardless of owner, manager, etc) to tell your customer (regardless of percentage) that you dont care what they want?

If your plumber (to whom you are way less than 2% of their income) told you "I dont care what you want", would you be very happy? Even if it's true, its bad business and more importantly, its just rude and pointless.

Honestly James, I'm sure you're good at something. But promoting your business online and helping to solve club related business in public forums isn't one of them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not without sin in this regard (and neither is Chris). If any of us learns something from this, we're ahead of the game.

-Kyle
 
disquek said:
racingspridget said:
Chris,
Where do you get off attacking James just for stating the facts?
Click to expand...

Here is your answer.

James Rogerson said:
The tracks don't care what the SCCA wants. ..... You don't even hit our interest level.
Click to expand...

In what universe is it good business (regardless of owner, manager, etc) to tell your customer (regardless of percentage) that you dont care what they want?

If your plumber (to whom you are way less than 2% of their income) told you "I dont care what you want", would you be very happy? Even if it's true, its bad business and more importantly, its just rude and pointless.



-Kyle
Click to expand...

So let me try and understand this. SCCA can tell all the owners of little british cars that they need to build new cars and not to expect their current cars to be competitive. GTL couldn't get 10 cars to come to the Runoffs last year. Not a single Mini. Seems to me James is treating SCCA the same way SCCA treats some of their "customers".
 
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