2006 Race Schedule

[Sandy]

There has been a lot of disgusting conversation under general discussion about the SE race schedule in the future. For those who want to continue to engage, go for it. For those who want to offer suggestions, ask for information, and better understand the situation, lets do it here.
In our Region, Atlanta, we are finding it very difficult to staff races. One answer is to cut a race weekend.
I don't fully understand the issues surrounding non-racing regions wanting to become racing regions. Could one of you provide that for us?
Staffing, scheduleing, and other regions wanting to start racing programs all play into this discussion.
Keep it on the track, Sandy

[Chris Wire]

Originally posted by Sandy@Nov 24 2005, 10:27 AM
There has been a lot of disgusting conversation under general discussion about the SE race schedule in the future. For those who want to continue to engage, go for it. For those who want to offer suggestions, ask for information, and better understand the situation, lets do it here.
In our Region, Atlanta, we are finding it very difficult to staff races. One answer is to cut a race weekend.

Sandy,

Socialism doesn't work in society, and it won't work in SEDiv. Let the marketplace decide. Forcing regions to scale back their programs in the hopes that another region will succeed does a disservice to both regions.

That said, there might still be an answer found after some lengthy and reasonable discussion. I am a nobody here in CFR, so please accept this solely as my opinion, and not representative of anyone else in the region.

We in CFR enjoy 4 SARRC races during a normal year; two at Sebring and a double at Daytona. I think that if it takes a region surrendering a SARRC so that a smaller region could break into Club Racing, then CFR could offer up our late Feb. date on the short course at Sebring. Mind you, we would still be running a regional weekend, but that would give the new region some extra draw.

Aside from some VOLUNTARY cooperation on the part of the larger regions, I think that more energy needs to be directed at recruiting and keeping more marshals. I don't see a weakness in any area of staffing except for T&S and flagging. Taking care of these areas in the future may require a more aggressive effort, such as membership rebates, lodging, or even outright pay. Spread out over a typical 300+ car field, those costs would likely be negligible.

Everyone can agree, I think, that this is an issue that will have to be addressed in the near future. However, it should not be decided in a knee-jerk fashion without extensive input from officials, workers, and drivers.

FWIW, I have already notified my RE as to my opinions on the matter.

[Sandy]

I am very glad to hear that the FL regions have a great regional racing program. I always enjoy going to the FL Winter Nationals. I hope some of the people that think we should consider limiting races per track or region will share with us what they see broken. If a particular region doesn't have enough staff to have a race, it would seem to be their problem, not the a problem of the division. We need some facts to discuss. There must be more to this than dwindling race staff.

[wbp]

Sandy, I think in only one respect is this a Divisional problem, not a Region problem. If a region requests and gets confirmed a race date at the July SEDIV meeting and the January SEDIV meeting, and then is unable to do that race as scheduled, it is a Divisional problem. A very desirable race date may have been "wasted". Racers going for championships have been mislead as to what races are actually left on the schedule. Championships require planning, and plans are trashed when championship-points events don't happen as scheduled.

Chattanooga Region has been mentioned as one who might take a race date from some other region!! I hope this has mostly been just as a randonly selected example region. I have been a Board member in Chattanooga for so many years that I forget how long, and the RE for several years. We have never even had the subject of independently sanctioning a Club Race come up in a meeting. If a new track in this area becomes available for Club Racing, our attitude might be different. But to go to Roebling, for example; No Way.

But we do love to provide whatever assistance we can to other region's races.

I do hope and expect the SEDIV will try hard to assure that the schedule they approve is one that can be executed as planned - except maybe when Mother Nature has one of her fits, like a hurricane or tornado. And this must be done in consideration of staffing events with people with the qualifications spelled out in our rules - not just somewhat-warm bodies. When I came out of turn five at Road Atlanta in a car fully ablaze, it was a considerable comfort to see a young lady corner worker running to me, Fast, with a very big fire extinguisher, knowing that she had been trained in what to do with it when she got there.

[Sandy]

A very good point... last year Atlanta Region canceled our double SARRC on Labor Day weekend. That race met 2 of your examples, a double race at the end of the season on a prime weekend.

[seckerich]

With the cost of fuel and lodging it is no wonder workers are harder to find. I would have no problems with my entry fee being raised $10 or $15 towards a worker fund. Give them all some money for expenses and a travel fund based on distance traveled. I usually run regionals and work Tech at our nationals and schools. We could all work some of the races we don't run and help ease the strain on those that work them all. I also plan to bring a worker prize to every race this year and challenge other drivers to do the same. Some people have an "I paid so I don't work" attitude but remember that there are no paid positions at the track and the money is shared by all in your region, not the officials. Thanks to all that worked so I could have fun last year.

[Catch22]

I am a driver, and my opinion will be an unpopular one among drivers, but I think drivers need to start being required to work one weekend (or maybe just one day) a year in their home region. If you don't work, you don't get your license next year. Its as simple as each region keeping a list.

I know its hard and adds an extra expense and travel weekend to your budget if you don't live near your home track, but we expect our current workers to do it... don't we?

Gas is over $2 a gallon. Hotel rooms under $50 per night are becoming impossible to find, and people now work alot more weekends than we used to. Its no surprise that we're having worker issues.

So... Let the national drivers work the regional events visa versa. Do this and not only do we not have a worker issue, but we have workers EVERYWHERE and we're all safer out there.

[charrbq]

Scott,
You have a talent for stepping in it. But I'll agree with you. I used to hold a national license in race control with a specialty in grid. I say used to, because I had to let it lapse this year, because I couldn't work enough races and race, too, to keep it active. On double national weekends, I still work grid...out of my pocket. My reward comes in the form of a couple of semi decent meals and maybe some goodies. That is, of course, aside from the fact that I love working the race. If it's a R/N weekend, I still work grid on Sunday.
I have several friends that do the same, whether on corners, grid, tech, etc. Trouble is, I know of only one National driver that works regionals. One out of how many thousand. I'm sure there are others, but, as a rule they just don't.
I've got no suggestions for how to change that attitude of arrogance. I can only feel that it is propogated from the national office.
One of our worker problems comes from over subscribed workers. To my knowledge, the SCCA is the only organization that trains corner workers. (Outside of the Pro Organizations). When you take a specific number of tracks, mutiplied by a large number of race weekends, and set to the power of huge number of sanctioning organizations, then divide it by a limited number of race workers, something has to give.
If drivers helped by working at least one day out of a weekend, the load would be spread over a much larger base.

[p99ro]

HI South East.
I like the Idea we should find a race we miss and find 1 we can corner. T/S or Teach. Mandate is hard. It is a non paying thing. If monies were involved they would have less people but helping the cost always is good I give. It`s important I can spend $1000.00 some weekends when said and Done Missed work parts fees ex.
I help once a year and should do more I do feel a little safer when I see lots of workers. And workers rock.
But I`m wondering when is your 1st race I still need my fix. I just did`nt get a good year and need another Thank you sir May I have another. And Sebring or the Big Banking sounds fun but when?
Thanks.
Scott NER CRXsi #07 ITA

[p99ro]

Originally posted by p99ro@Nov 30 2005, 04:12 AM
HI South East.
I like the Idea we should find a race we miss and find 1 we can corner. T/S or Teach. Mandate is hard. It is a non paying thing. If monies were involved they would have less people but helping the cost always is good I give. It`s important I can spend $1000.00 some weekends when said and Done Missed work parts fees ex.
I help once a year and should do more I do feel a little safer when I see lots of workers. And workers rock.
But I`m wondering when is your 1st race I still need my fix. I just did`nt get a good year and need another Thank you sir May I have another. And Sebring or the Big Banking sounds fun but when?
Thanks.
Scott NER CRXsi #07 ITA

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Hi SE
When is your first race in 2006?
I would like to know when you go to FL.
Thanks Scott ITA Crx #07 NER

[pvyoung]

Scott,

January 7-8 at Sebring.

Perry

[p99ro]

Originally posted by pvyoung@Dec 24 2005, 12:50 PM
Scott,

January 7-8 at Sebring.

Perry

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Hi Perry
Thanks for the responce. Is that a race ITA is running?
And also what site would have good information. Like Daytona too.

Scott NER ITA Crx si #07

[pvyoung]

Central Florida Region has more info on races at Sebring and Daytona.

Here's the enrty forms for the January races at Sebring. There are two races for ITA.

Perry

[p99ro]

Originally posted by pvyoung@Dec 25 2005, 03:18 PM
Central Florida Region has more info on races at Sebring and Daytona.

Here's the enrty forms for the January races at Sebring. There are two races for ITA.

Perry

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Thank you very much.
what do you drive so when I do make it I can say HI.
I plan to be going to either the up coming in JAN or RA in Feb.
Scott ITA CRXsi 07 NER

[pvyoung]

I drive a red Miata in F Production with yellow numbers, usually "88. It has no windshield or top - just red roll cage tubes and a black windscreen.

I'm sorta "out of bounds" posting over here, but I thought you deserved a reply.

I'll be at the January race (at least I plan to), but I won't be at the RA race - it's too far.

Hope you make it to at least one of the SEDIV races,

Perry
Back to lurking ....

[Junktech]

[quote]I am a driver, and my opinion will be an unpopular one among drivers, but I think drivers need to start being required to work one weekend (or maybe just one day) a year in their home region. If you don't work, you don't get your license next year. Its as simple as each region keeping a list.


I must say I totally agree with Catch 22 on this one, it would be a good chance to aloow the drivers to see what its like fom the othe side of the wall. I try to work at least twice a year whether it a corner, tech or elsewhere, it also allows the drivers to meet the people who may save his butt sometime.

[JWiley]

Since the cancellation of the Atlanta Region Labor day races last September (which came as a huge surprise to me, never having experienced this since I started racing in the mid-eighties), I don't think I have seen a single full explanation of how this worker shortage occurred. Has there been a canvas of workers region- or division-wide for their feelings about this? I am aware of the possible "Katrina Effect" at that specific time, but this seems to be becoming more of a general concern, and I am hard-pressed to understand this seemingly sudden development. Any knowledgeable answers ot there?

Thanks,
James Wiley
Atlanta Region
ITD/became ITC/becoming HP Midget

[DavidM]

I'd be willing to pay more in entrance fees if I knew it was going to the workers in some form. Somebody would have to sit down and figure out how much more would actually make a difference, but even another $25 isn't going to break the bank for most drivers. Some people will probably scream, but I think the workers deserve more than a thanks and here's a T-shirt and poster (which is what some teams apparently consider gifts).

I like the idea of drivers working an event as a worker, but I'm not sure if that's realistic. I try to attend all the regionals at my "local" track (Road Atlanta) so I'd have to work a National weekend. I'm not sure how I'd feel about doing that if the National drivers weren't doing the same. There's also time considerations. If you race 7 weekends during the season then that only leaves two or three weekends in between events. There's always stuff to be done on the car and we all have things outside of racing as well. Working a weekend may be difficult. Having said that, I may try and look into working a weekend this year. I have zero training as a worker, which is another problem, but hopeufully that can be resolved.

I'm also wondering about the wisdom of scheduling the Atlanta Region Labor day AMS event again this year. I would guess that event is going up against the AMA Superbike races at Road Atlanta again, which is where a lot of the workers were last year I read. So what makes people think there will be enough workers this year? I also understand there was a low driver entry for last years event even before it was cancelled. I have not been to AMS (last year was my first year racing), but apparently a lot of drivers feel the track is not very good and some even expressed safety concerns. It would seem to me that this event is setup to fail again. Is it too late to try and change things? Or was there just nothing that could be done?

David

[JeffYoung]

Wasn't Roebling (an ECR/SARRC weekend) in November cancelled due to lack of workers as well?

I agree with both the $$ approach and Scott's approach. How about a combination of the two?

A driver who works say two weekends a year gets exempted from the say $40/event worker surcharge we add to entry fees to pay workers.

Thoughts?

[DavidM]

Originally posted by JeffYoung@Dec 27 2005, 03:43 PM
Wasn't Roebling (an ECR/SARRC weekend) in November cancelled due to lack of workers as well?

I agree with both the $$ approach and Scott's approach. How about a combination of the two?

A driver who works say two weekends a year gets exempted from the say $40/event worker surcharge we add to entry fees to pay workers.

Thoughts?

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Sounds good to me. How does something like this get implemented?

One other thing. How about having the worker appreciation stuff as early as possible during the social event? I went to the event for the ARRC and by the time they did worker appreciation everybody but the workers were gone. We stayed and met a couple from Alabama who were there working the event. The wife did timing and scoring and I now have a new appreciation for having visible numbers on the car .

David