I.T.SPEC*tacular 2008

[gran racing]

Hmmmm. An early number reservation where people pay $5 or $10 and the monies generated go to that event's worker fund or a local charity. I'd do it.

[RacerBill]

I'd go for that. Todd, You there???????

[TAC]

Here is an update on Friday August 8th. The PDX will be held from 8 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. There will be an instructor group that will run under PDX rules, i.e. limited passing zones. I have a conference call set for Monday morning to discuss a Mid Ohio test session from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m. Friday evening for competition drivers. This would be an official test session. The question is this:

Would you prefer a more expensive price of say $350 w/professional instruction from Brian Till, Calvin Fish, etc. ?

Or would you prefer a lower price without the professional instruction. I'm trying to keep the price below $300 and will keep you updated on how many cars per session will be allowed and stuff like that.

We can talk about why the group isn't included in the PDX this year if anyone needs to know why. I will say it has more to do with allowing the drivers the ability to have an open track then anything else.

Todd

[dickita15]

Todd,
I am sorry to hear that we won’t be able have a run group in the PDX event. Although were some first year teething problem from an organizational point of view I thought it was very successful and we certainly pumped up the income for the PDX. We actually bought two entries as my crew guy who races a similar car ran in the instructor group and I ran in the test group. I assume that those in the region who are more focused on the PDX part of the weekend feel they can run a better PDX event without us in the way.
To your question I personally would go without instruction and I must say for $300 I will want to see a run schedule beforehand to see what kind of track time we will get. That would be the most expensive test day I have run.

[TAC]

Dick,
Race cars can still run in the instructors group under the PDX rules so your crew member is still welcome to run. The issue was the allowance of passing in the corners to the test group. That was a bend in the PDX rules which required some safety officials to look the other way. The folks responsible for the PDX did not want that to happen again but did not want to upset the drivers by enforcing the PDX limited passing rules on the group this year. So, the event they brought to the table was without the test group this year.

I will be working to secure a price close to the PDX which is $200 this year. My expectation is for two groups. Three thirty minute sessions each. Starting at 5 p.m. and going to 8 p.m.

I will let you know how things go.

[dominojd]

Dick,
Race cars can still run in the instructors group under the PDX rules so your crew member is still welcome to run. The issue was the allowance of passing in the corners to the test group. That was a bend in the PDX rules which required some safety officials to look the other way. The folks responsible for the PDX did not want that to happen again but did not want to upset the drivers by enforcing the PDX limited passing rules on the group this year. So, the event they brought to the table was without the test group this year.

I will be working to secure a price close to the PDX which is $200 this year. My expectation is for two groups. Three thirty minute sessions each. Starting at 5 p.m. and going to 8 p.m.

I will let you know how things go.

Todd could we buy say one session for $100 bucks just to get re-famialiar with the track. I can see spending 300 bucks on 3 30 min sessions when the rest of the weekend isn't much more. Plus just paying $150 bucks for the whole day at NHMS for something ridiculous like 7 or 8 20 min sessions.

[JLawton]

So we could pay and run in the PDX intructor group and pay and enter the test session?

I would pass onthe instructors. Not that I don't need it but without a passenger seat, not sure how much of a benefit it would be......

[TAC]

Todd could we buy say one session for $100 bucks just to get re-famialiar with the track. I can see spending 300 bucks on 3 30 min sessions when the rest of the weekend isn't much more. Plus just paying $150 bucks for the whole day at NHMS for something ridiculous like 7 or 8 20 min sessions.

Joe,

I'm assuming you meant Can't not (can) in your statement above? And a very good point. I'm just exploring options since the PDX test group isn't one of them this year. Next year the Friday before the event will be open since the PDX will most likely move to a new track being built near Cincinnati.

[dickita15]

Todd,
Again personally I had no problem complying with the no passing in the corner rule, the only “rule” we cheated a little was the verbal instruction that all passes shall be on the left. Coming out of the keyhole on to the back straight that made for an unnatural situation where the slower car had to move off line before the pass could be made, just the opposite of racing etiquette. Once we started ignoring that detail it all worked fine from where I was sitting.
I am with Joe on this one. If one session is available that is what I would likely do.

[dominojd]

Joe,

I'm assuming you meant Can't not (can) in your statement above?

Yes you are correst in your assumtion.

[gran racing]

So we can't enter the PDX utilizing the no passing in corners rule?

I really don't feel like doing testing from 5 - 8 pm, HOPE nothing breaks on the car during that time, then getting up early in the morning to start racing.

Really the only issue I had with the PDX last year was the tech inspection process.

[TAC]

So we can't enter the PDX utilizing the no passing in corners rule?

I really don't feel like doing testing from 5 - 8 pm, HOPE nothing breaks on the car during that time, then getting up early in the morning to start racing.

Really the only issue I had with the PDX last year was the tech inspection process.

Yes you can enter the PDX but only in the instructor group. And that does not mean you have to be an instructor. We had room last year I'm sure we will have room this year.

[RSTPerformance]

If the PDX is moving to another track (mentioned above) maybe make this a 1 day school. Good valuable time where "visitors" (out of region entrants) could actually get good feedback from locals, but also could have "testing" sessions with free passing and even some race starts.

It would also give us more schools for people to atually get a license to race with us.

Maybe another option would be a combination of all events... IT SPECtacular school and race weekend. Friday have 1 session for students (IT and SPEC cars only), 1 session PDX (Street cars, limited passing), and 1 session for instructors/testers (Weekend entrants and instructors only with free passing)? If you have a lot of (to many) paying entrants in any of the above catagories then add 1 more group. but limit the entries overall so that each group gets a good value.

Its just an idea because I think that you have an unique event that is drawing a potential large amount of multiple level competitors. Why not capture them all and maximize revenue for the region and maximize value for a limited number of entrants.

Raymond "Just an idea" Blethen

[shwah]

$300 is expensive for an evening test session. I guess that's driven by the track then...

No passenger seat here, so no real good way to take advantage of instruction.

[TAC]

I had a nice conference call with Truesports today. We are looking at a fee of $195 max for three 20 minute sessions per group. If the light holds out (not sure of sunset time in August) this could actually be stretched to a fourth 20 minute session per group for no additional cost according to Steve with Truesports. . Also the fee per car will drop if they have enough entries. ( though Steve did not let me know how many that was).

So,

Negatives-
Evening practice/ test session with Saturday 8 a.m. qualifying for first race group.

( I'm sure there may be more negatives)

Positives -

Same price as PDX without the passing restrictions ( real practice time)

2 pro instructors for those having problems negotiating the track

You can get to the track Friday during the day and get your camp set up instead of having to arrive Thursday night. (and remove your left front wheel to check your brake pads> for PDX tech. )

Same amount of time as the PDX last year if we can get that fourth session in.

Hmmm... have a grill going and drinks for hungry/thirsty drivers between sessions?

Let me know what you think.

Todd

[dominojd]

Hmmm... have a grill going and drinks for hungry/thirsty drivers between sessions?



Todd

I don't know if this is a good idea. :eek: You did mention drinks didn't you?

[TAC]

To be more specific. Non-Alcoholic drinks. Until after your last session of the evening is over. Then we can sample those out of state beers.

[Greg Amy]

If the light holds out (not sure of sunset time in August) this could actually be stretched to a fourth 20 minute session per group...

Official sunset for Lexington, OH on August 8th, 2008 is 1937 Eastern Standard Time. Add one hour for DST. - GA

[TAC]

Thanks Greg.

Looks like there won't be much stretch past 8:40 p.m. Turn 7 , 9 and Thunder valley will be getting pretty dim by then.

[gran racing]

How does this impact the tire companies? Last year I know many of us did the PDX on older tires, then after the event had Phil mount up the new tires.

When can we sign-up to instruct at the PDX and be included in the instructor group?