Teamdi Pro It Update

[Robert Zecca]

Dear Drivers,

Thanks for all your continued support and patience. We are finalizing the new site and within the next 7 days we should be up and running live. I am sure we will have some mistakes and corrections will be needed but you can go over the site and email us any problems, comments or suggestions.

I wanted to touch base with everyone and get your feelings on the following subject. I am now making the phone calls with Lime Rock and Pro Racing to get us as a support race to World Challenge on Memorial Day or the NASCAR event in August. The bottom line is that we can not race for free and they will be coming back to me with a fee if they decide to accept us. I was told that this could be around $20,000 and I am making the case for $10,000. The problem is that if we get to run for a cost of around $10,000 track rental I will have to come back to you with an entry fee that works that will cover our costs which include the track rental, insurance and misc. The main problem I see is that for this event or any event where we run as a support event we will not be able to pay out cash for awards. IS THIS A PROBLEM? Please let me know.

You must understand that when we run under a regular event 50% of the monies go to the region and 50% to you. Now that we are not running with a region the rules will change. The reason why I think this is so important is that I would like to showcase our series for the sake of getting new drivers, members and growing the SCCA. Plus this will help in the quest for more sponsors. What do you say? This is our series and we all get a say. Let me know your thoughts.

A second thing is I am working on getting us stories in both SportsCar and Grassroots magazines. This should not be a problem but as you know business is business and it will help if we were able to place an ad thanking our supporters and partners. I know some of you guys have businesses, etc..... The total cost will be around $1,500 for the ads and layout costs. Can anyone help? Let us know...... I would love to get this done.

Driving Impressions is the title sponsor and fyi we have laid out over $4,000 to do the podium, the website, travel etc... and countless hours working behind the scenes because we obviously want to sell more products but because in my heart I believe in this and love what we all are accomplishing. We will continue to do what we can and we would take any help where we can from anyone. ( my dogs and I must now eat dog food together )

Lastly, Thanks to everyone for everything. Try to support all of our sponsors. You will be blown away by the website.... I guarantee it and you will be very proud to be part of this series. www.proitseries.com coming soon

Gift Certificates: If you know anyone wanting to get you a gift for the upcoming holidays please have them contact us at www.teamdi.com and buy you a gift certifcate. Hey we need the business but guess what, we will work even harder for you.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!

Sincerely,
Robert Zecca
1-800-275-4667

[Dave Zaslow]

Bob,

I love the idea. When the LRP Import Challenge ran it was always fun to see people in the 'stands' and that was not cheap to enter either. Do it with a $375-$400 entry fee and I would give it a whirl. Hell I would go for both events, but I think you need to take a look at the NARRC schedule after next weekend.

DZ

[lateapex911]

Running a support race would be a great idea, and I'd consider tossing in some "fan friendly" ideas for the announcer to chat up...a support race needs some extra "zing" to get the spectators attention.

I think a non cash payout would be OK. But of course, count points towards the season championship. Maybe count the points double??

As for fan friendly ideas, as a fan, I love it when it rains in a race..or it drys. It shakes things up. Obviously weather control is beyond our means, but, shaking things up isn't.

Some ideas, and I might propose these to LRP, as they might like the idea that it won't be a boring event, and that might help negotiations.

-The race formats can get long, and things string out. So,

1- have a possible portion of the field inverted. Use the Porsche Super Cup format. After qualifying, have a drivers meeting, and the top qualifier draws a number from a hat, say 1 through 6. What ever number he draws is the number of guys who then draw straws for their starting positions. The third qualifier could draw the long straw, or the short straw, or anything in between, and so on. Because there is randomness in the number of possible inversions , AND the actual starting order once the number of inversions is drawn, sandbagging during qualifying won't be a problem. Watching faster cars work through the ranks is more fun for the fans.

2- Mid race two by two restart. Weird, and odd, but again, more fun for the fans. Throw a Double Yellow out at some point, perhaps randomly chosen, (Before anyone gets lapped) toss the pace car out there, and line up. It might take two laps to get in order, but hey, it'd be worth it.

3- I know this will be met with tons of resistance, but standing starts. Again, the fans will love it.

Now, these are all new ideas and not the way we normally do things, so there will be natural resistance among the competitors..

I might, for the Pro Rounds only, add some extra rewards to the pie. Add points for qualifying position, and for mid race lead, or laps led.

Also, try to get a "Hard Charger" award from a sponsor.

Pro racing is, we all know, about entertainment. Giving the announcer something to talk about. Lime Rock would, I'd hope, be receptive if we are looking out for their fans.

[rthiele]

Some great food for thought!

First of all I think Bob made a fantastic suggestion and I am all for running with the pros at one or both races, tripling the other replies.

Most likely we will only have one race there, but I'd like pick up the race format topic for a general discussion: what about a WTCC like format where the top 6 or 8 start in reverse order in the second race (this of course only working for double weekends with two races)? Less boring than seeing always the same guys running up front (at least for a couple of laps ;-)) and more competitive.

[gran racing]

Pro racing is, we all know, about entertainment.

I absolutely agree!!!

Since you're looking for honest input on this (and I totally appreciate what you and others are doing here Bob), if it were a support race thrown in at the very end of the races and didn't use a unique idea like Jake suggested, I'd pass on doing the event. At that point it's just another race that I get to watch people rush to leave the track from inside the car. It would be ideal if this could be done before the last race of the day, but understand that's probably a tough sell. This again goes directly to what Jake said - come up with something that will tempt people to stick around. It will not only draw interest in the race, but the series as well.

And yes, if it's a unique type of race I'm in.

[Robert Zecca]

Guys,

We have time for the format, etc... my main concern was the money thing because I feel bad about this but you guys are willing to step up to the plate and that is good. I have never done this before but I am getting all the info I need regarding costs of sanction fees, insurance, etc... Lets see how much and what tracks get back to us with and we will move forward.

Once we get the final costs we will determine the entry fee and then we could attack the format. You guys know what will put on a great show and we will go after your ideas. This is your series..... so lets show everyone how it is done. I know the LRP customers love our type of racing and we put on a show better than most. It is going to be interesting ??? keep the ideas coming.

Thanks
Bob

[Zephyr]

I for one would rather see a ProIT race as "half time" entertainment at a pro event in place of something like the Ferrari Challenge snore fest that they had at NJMP during the GrandAm races. I think it would be much more entertaining for spectators to see real drivers who they could identify with then the FC drivers. As a driver I would be more then thrilled to have an opportunity like this. If there are more then 100 spectators at an event I'm thrilled and it is worth it to me to be out on track.

Oh yes, and I'm all for doing standing starts or two laps of double yellow in the middle to keep things interesting for those watching.

[lateapex911]

Bob, I'll bet my entry fee that if you can create an interesting race at either the WC weekend or the NASCAR weekend, you'll have 42 cars on grid. Yes, you'll need to get SCCA to let you run 4 more than the normal 38. And that's a good thing.

And I'll bet my entry fee you can get 42 guys to enter for $425, with no prize money. That's just under $18K in entries.

I think the format might be very important....a good format will entice more entrants, and a good format might make negotiations easier.

Now, those 42 guys might need some "incentives", and that's where the unusual format comes in. Also, you'll need to "repay" the drivers with increased points payout for the series. And I know you're a good marketer, so I'm sure you'll use the announcer to sell some name brands, and talk up special awards, like the "Sparco racing shoes Hard Charger award", etc.

One other thing I'd consider: Limiting the classes. Having only 42 spots is a limitation, and for a spectator, following 3 or more classes in a race is tough. Consider limiting it to, (Don't hate me guys, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few) ITA and ITS.

Seriously, this will prove very popular if it's done right. It has great potential.

[Robert Zecca]

Dave you are correct. No matter where we are on the schedule even last we will give people to stick around. We will have to pull all plugs, standing starts, women on the grid waiving sponsor flags, whatever but I ASSURE YOU PEOPLE WILL BE THERE TO WATCH US and walk away with a smile on their face!

[Magical Trevor]

Memorial Day at Lime Rock has a gaping hole again.
http://world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=1181

[raffaelli]

Geez. Guess Skip doesn't want racing at his race track?


A slot opening for Pro IT?

[Andy Bettencourt]

TOO MANY EVENTS!!!

Run these races in conjunction with NARRC, not against NARRC.

[dtanthon]

2009 Team DI Pro IT Series schedule is complete.

Round 1 - 5/2-3 - NER National - NHMS
Round 2 - 5/9 (Sat) - NNJR Regional with double NJRRS/double NARRC- Pocono (double points)
Round 3 - 6/6-7 - SJR National - NJMP - Thunderbolt
Round 4 - 7/25-26 - Glen Sprints Regional with double NARRC - Watkins Glen
Round 5 - 8/1 (Sat only again?) - Mohud National - LRP
Round 6 - 9/11-13 (Fri-Sun) - ProIT (support for pro event (ARCA, VW TDI)) - NJMP - Thunderbolt (single points but should have 2 races)
Round 7 - 10/17 (Sat) - Jersey Road Racing Classic (JRRC) NNJR Regional with NJRRS - NJMP on Lightning
Round 8 - 10/18 (Sun) - JRRC - NNJR Regional with NJRRS - NJMP on Lightning (awards)