Breaking News from LRP

[dominojd]

We need to do what is best for NeDiv and the NARRC at the same time, remembering or course that Tri-Region is NOT part of the NARRC series.

Then why are they hosting a NARRC race? I'm with Jeff and others on this one for sure. LRP has screwed us so f-ing bad over the past few years, if it was up to me I would tell to stick all thier dates in their ass. Just me though.

Let's see run double at Pocono and single at LRP same price. No brainer.

[gran racing]

Well, I don't know about that Joe. I'd take a single at LRP over anything at Pocono.

[Greg Amy]

Well, I don't know about that Joe. I'd take a single at LRP over anything at Pocono.

Well, I don't know about that Dave; I'd take a single at Pocono over anything at LRP...

If I'm racing that weekend, I'm going to Pocono. If NER chooses to schedule an event that weekend, well, it would be disappointing. Like Dave said, "don't f-over Tri-Regions". - GA

[Andy Bettencourt]

The NARRC is a series. It is made up of 4 regions (of which TR is not). We as drivers WANTED a second date at Pocono so we could make the bonus point structure more user-friendly as well as keep more dates 'south'. TR accomodated this desire. Heck, it was a win for both - IMHO this event was going to be a nice little success as it was paying NARRC points.

In talking with some people today, it does seem that NER will be taking that date. It doesn't have to be a NARRC race either. Could very well be a NERRC only race.

My thought on that is a lose-lose. I believe 1/2the people will follow the NARRC points and avoid the LRP $425ish entry fee (for a TRUE double) at LRP while the other half will want to run on the new surface, set some track records and run the double. *I* think more people will follow the NARRC and pay lower fees but reasonable people disagree.

I would rather run at LRP (isn't it intersting that people like the tracks they can do better at? Duh.)

There are two decisons here in my mind - working against each other.

1. NER will probably grab this date.
2. The NARRC committee needs to decide what event that day will maximize the series.

Tough call either way.

<<<<Falls to knees and prays for Palmer>>>>

[Greg Amy]

...it does seem that NER will be taking that date.

I'm just sitting here shaking my head. Have we not learned ANYTHING from the Mo-Hud debacle last year? How many times did we (the competitors) tell the organizers last year that we had very little interest in back-to-back-to-back-to-back weekends, especially one at a track that is so expensive to run? And now we're getting two events back-to-back ON THE SAME WEEKEND??? And, having to take ANOTHER day off of work to do it?

Who in the hell are these events being run for? The organizers or the racers?

Whatever. I wish NER luck, but I suggest they ask Mo-Hud to save them a seat at the credit agency...and one at the negotiating table next time they have to ask Tri-Regions for a favor.

Utterly amazing.

[Andy Bettencourt]

I'm just sitting here shaking my head. Have we not learned ANYTHING from the Mo-Hud debacle last year? How many times did we (the competitors) tell the organizers last year that we had very little interest in back-to-back-to-back-to-back weekends, especially one at a track that is so expensive to run? And now we're getting two events back-to-back ON THE SAME WEEKEND??? And, having to take ANOTHER day off of work to do it?

Who in the hell are these events being run for? The organizers or the racers?

Whatever. I wish NER luck, but I suggest they ask Mo-Hud to save them a seat at the credit agency...and one at the negotiating table next time they have to ask Tri-Regions for a favor.

Utterly amazing.

There are already NARRC races on the 1st, 3rd nd 4th weeknds of July. This HAS TO BE an either/or in terms of NARRC points. NO WAY they can both be NARRC doubles so this effectivly changes nothing IMHO in terms of the AMOUNT of races.

I am betting LRP will be a double NERRC and Pocono will be the double NARRC. That is unless the NARRC committee decides to swap the 'sanction' to LRP because they think it's better for the series.

[Greg Amy]

Andy, you really are hung up on "that NARRC thing". Personally, I don't give a flying flub what series it is, no more than I care what region hosts the event. I look at the calendar, I check my availability and pocketbook, and choose whether or not I want to race that weekend. Whether it's NARRC, or NERRC, or NYSRRC, or ACBDEFG, or eeny-meeny-miney-moe has absolutely zero effect on whether I race. And, yes, that also applied back in 2006. If my schedule and preference is coincidental, I'll go. If not, I won't.

I race for fun, because I enjoy it. Not because I feel a driving compulsion to collect the whole set.

If this July 3/4/5 LRP event happens, that means there will be 5 local races scheduled in July. I will probably only attend two of them. At this point - early in the game, I admit - that will likely be Pocono and New Jersey, maybe the Glen if I'm feeling flush that month. That means I am planning to intentionally skip both NER (my home region) events; are both of them NARRC/NERRC/WHATEVER events? This is purely coincidental, as I *don't look at that kind of stuff* when I'm deciding on which events to attend. You look at my calendar and it says "SCCA - NHIS" or "SCCA Double - Pocono", not "SCCA, New England Region, NARRC Points, NHIS."

BTW, had LRP pre-scheduled that weekend, and Tri-Regions found they lost a prior Pocono date then decided to hold a replacement event on a Thursday and Friday prior to the LRP weekend, I'd be skipping the Pocono date. Yes, EVEN if it was a NARRC event (horrors!)

I don't know who thinks this is all a good idea. In my not-so-humble opinion, it's a terrible idea.

I suspect I'm not alone.

[gran racing]

:eek:

I sit here at the reply to thread screen in shock. I only hope there's much more to this and it won't hurt other regions. Right now I'm puzzled how it won't, but maybe I'm wrong.

[Andy Bettencourt]

I see no way how two races so close in Division doesn't hurt both in terms of attendance.

NARRC guys would go to Pocono and NERRC guys would to LRP.

Except guess what? Most NERRC guys don't run LRP, they hang at NHIS...........and at $425 for the weekend, you take out another whole group of racers, no matter the 'value'.

[JLawton]

Well, I don't know about that Joe. I'd take a single at LRP over anything at Pocono.

Dave,

You need to stop being a wuss about going to other tracks!! You need to be able to drive more track than just LRP and Mid O!!

[gran racing]

Summit Point Labor Day - unless you're afraid.
Watkins Glen, probably the NARRC and/or Fun One.
Mid Ohio as you said.
NJ Track is a possiblity.
Road Atlanta ARRC?

Notice how there are not rovals. I'm just not a fan. Did the Pocono thing once. Jeff, I just set-up a Pay Pal donation so you can help me goto more real race tracks.

[RSTPerformance]

I have been away for a while, but still trying to check in once a week or so... Hope everyone is doing well!!!

This is certainly an interesting thread...

I can say that our entire family certainly has choosen races depending on the series, especially when we are actually running a series. To me it is far more important to race a "series event" than just any old race. Example: I probably would never run an event at NHIS (NHMS) unless it was a NARRC event or an enduro. However I do have to admit that this year we would like to do a Glenn race and a NJMP race and neither would have anything to do with a series, but the actual event itself.

As for NER scheduling a race in conflict with Pocono is not impressive at all (Unless it is a National!)and I certainly hope it does not effect the Pocono event, but I don't see how it wouldn't unless it is a National, maybe it is?

If NARRC changes the schedule "for the good of the series" then that group isn't any better than the NER group and it would really make me think twice about that series. I was very disapointed in NARRC last year and I was impressed with the changes. I hope that the changes they made keep it going in the correct direction and the series stays with the Pocono event.

For what it is worth, I wont be at Pocono or LRP in July but if it was in the budget I would be a Pocono.

Raymond "30+ now, and still can't spell" Blethen

[Magical Trevor]

Looking at Lime Rock's published schedules (basically Pro and The Club), May 16-17 is open. NESCCA only has a National going on at Summit Saturday the 17th, and LRP probably only has car clubs those days; maybe dates could be swapped? This wouldn't have the potential for a double as July would, but a NARRC race would still be possible.
No idea about the school; maybe July 4 for the drivers that don't go to Pocono (if LRP would let us keep that after a move to May-what else are they gonna do with the unmuffled holiday?... unless they move their July 17 Test/Tune date there)...

[TimM ITB]

Gone for a day and an WHOLE BUNCH of new input on this subject. But the facts still remain the same:

- LRP threw a monster monkey wrench into the 2008 season's scheduling - the NARRC series most prominently affected-and yet we are trying to appease LRP by "choosing" a date that is in conflict within our own series (NARRC)
- NER is the host region affected and NER needs to find a way to cope with the situation, taking the hit one way or the other, not Tri-Region

If it means that only one event can have the NARRC sanction, then give it to Tri-Region!! I know that this messes up the bonus points situation, but it will only be for THIS year. Potentially ruining your "brother" region's chances of success for a Regional weekend, and the hard feelings that will bring about..........THAT will last a long time.

I am confused as to the obsession with getting another date at LRP? Why do we have to do this? Is there a gun pointed at our heads for 2009 or beyond if we don't take a date in July for 2008? If this is accurate, couldn't we have a driver's school over 2 days and get people signed off quickly?? Hasn't this been done before? Would that not be a better use of the date in July that we "must" take? Maybe even draw a bunch more people to a school that, assuming they pass both days, means that they can go racing after just one weekend of school? I gotta believe that would be attractive to many people considering a school. And I absolutely believe that we need to find some creative alternative to this problem, rather than having 2 regional races in the same part of the world on the same weekend.

Tim M

[JaxonMotorsports44]

Does anyone have any insight on whether or not LRP would allow the SCCA to take the date in May? That sounds like a solution that keeps everyone happy, atleast TRI, NER, NARRC and prevents the conflict. No new pavement, but if the issue is "feelings" and what is best, this would be a good solution.

[ner88]

Does anyone have any insight on whether or not LRP would allow the SCCA to take the date in May? That sounds like a solution that keeps everyone happy, atleast TRI, NER, NARRC and prevents the conflict. No new pavement, but if the issue is "feelings" and what is best, this would be a good solution.

NER already has two races schedules for May.

[JaxonMotorsports44]

The May event could be a joint MoHud/ NER event, since MoHud is also being impacted.

[Andy Bettencourt]

Does anyone have any insight on whether or not LRP would allow the SCCA to take the date in May? That sounds like a solution that keeps everyone happy, atleast TRI, NER, NARRC and prevents the conflict. No new pavement, but if the issue is "feelings" and what is best, this would be a good solution.

I think we are making a huge assumption that just because the SCCA and 'The Club' don't have the date booked, means it's open. I doubt it.

[JaxonMotorsports44]

I think we are making a huge assumption that just because the SCCA and 'The Club' don't have the date booked, means it's open. I doubt it.

I wasnt assuming the date was OPEN, in terms of a vacant date, but rather, could there be flexibility among other organizations, LRP, "The Club" or whatever to make it work.

[jjjanos]

Seems to me that there is a great deal of coulds and mights in this topic.

I would have thought that, before getting people worked into a frenzy, the region responsible for the crisis already would have had an answer regarding whether not using the date would be a permanent loss.

And while I agree with the cats that all of the fun is in the box, it seems to me that perhaps the solution might lie outside the box.

If keeping the date is a requirement to keep the date in the future, perhaps someting involving the Hill Climb community or the placement of cones to make LRP suitable for a Solo. I.e. some combination of Solo-1, Solo-2, PDX, road racing (obviously not all of them over the same weekend, but some out-of-the box combo.)

Hell, have the TSD guys finish a rally at LRP and sell freaking tickets for a giant NER Barbie Cue.

And I would disagree that a Region cannot take a $50K hit. A Region the size of NER should have an emergency fund on which to call in the event of.... an emergency. What a Region cannot do is take a hit like that year after year.