Last Chance Enduro?drivers School?regional

[Andy Bettencourt]

Of course the enduro series probably would not have come around if it weren't for the sprint races that we do all season, and I know there is a STRONG following for those. There were many opinions tossed about regarding the length of the Petit LeMans race at NHIS, what day to have it, what length it should be, how many would not come to NHIS if it were only a 1 day regional that weekend. All in all, the enduro happened (of course, shorter that I wanted) with a full field, regional races happened with capacity race groups (correct me if I'm wrong), and both sides of the fence went home happy.

The enduro was about 3/4 full (29 cars) and the regional was pretty well attended (because it was a NARRC single). Anything longer than 3-4 hours at NHIS is tough to take. WGI - different story.

[JimLill]

Make the enduro the last event of the weekend. I'd hate to break in a Saturday enduro and miss a Sunday sprint. Is it possible to make finishing the first 1/2 hour of an enduro count as finishing a sprint?

[RSTPerformance]

I am not an enduro guy (although I would be if I had the time and a better car for it) but this has always been a priority race for our family. We love the event and I would say it is probably the funnest event we go to all season. Sure the ARRC and the IT fest have some great races, but all in all the teamwork and stratagy involved in an enduro is far more appealing to me, and the WG is just a blast to race. Shorter sprint races are to often cut short thus are less appealing to me, however with the Enduro at WG I know I will get my fix.

Raymond "Voting to keep the Endro" Blethen

[DaveITB1]

The enduro was about 3/4 full (29 cars) and the regional was pretty well attended (because it was a NARRC single). Anything longer than 3-4 hours at NHIS is tough to take. WGI - different story.

is it safe to assume that 29 cars can also been views as @58-65 drivers? We can't just look at the car numbers alone when calculating enduro racers.

[Dave Zaslow]

I've looked at last years results for the Glen Region's events.

Last year 57 cars took the green flag for the enduro and 127 for the sprints.

For the July Sprints, 209 took the green.

How many more entry fees are needed to make the school/enduro/sprint weekend viable?

First I'll presume you want to keep the school.

This is a very fun weekend at the end of the season. Many might ask for a longer enduro, but it may mean that it becomes too much of a hassle for teams with drivers who haven't run more than 45 minutes at a time. I personally would like to see it run 4 hours and leave the 2 mandatory stops.

A double restricted regional might work if only some race groups were doubled. Say IT, SM, SRF and one other of the core groups entering the sprints. Put the IT and SM groups at opposite ends of the schedule to allow double dipping.

[dj10]

I'd like to run a 4 to 5 hr race.

[Commy]

Don't take the school away. If you do, then I will have no goal to get the car done, and I will have to wait till spring to take a school.

But I do understand that some have to be sacrifices for the greater good, so you guys do what you need to do.

That is all for me, because this is the only horse I have in this race.

[Andy Bettencourt]

is it safe to assume that 29 cars can also been views as @58-65 drivers? We can't just look at the car numbers alone when calculating enduro racers.

$450 per car assuming 2 drivers at NHIS. That's only $13K in revenue.

That's the crux of the question - revenue. Do you go longer and take up a whole day for so little revenue?

The enduro at WGI is certainly part of the draw...pump it to 4 hours and do something cool with the sprint race to make that more exciting...

[tdw6974]

Thanks for Input: let me give you some additional Info. The Drivers school is assured so help fill it Up! Keep in mind that licensed drivers can enter the school for additional track time. The Contracts with WGI have been signed and deposits made. Here are some additional facts. It is very difficult to change dates if not impossible. The track rental rates have increased. Then the unexpected happens Last Year WGI calls monday eve before the race and informs us No temporary Glen Club do you want to rent a tent ? Well its October(also remembering the sleet/snow of a past year) so Yes $3,000 added to cost and as it turned out would not have needed. Thanks Dave for checking the numbers for the enduro I think we can start close to 70 cars , The Sunday regional had approx 175 entrys (good Number) unfortunately we ended up refunding between 40-45 i'm told a higher than usually # Why? not sure some broke in the enduro, 2 or 3 had problems on the way but thats all part of the game/risk any region takes.
So I guess I would favor trying to get the Enduro to 4 hrs from reading various posting my take is at 4 hours we can pull some sprint types that might feel 4 hours with 2 other drivers would not break the bank . The 6 to 12 hour events are serious events more for well funded teams or operations with rentals. Not sure how to make the Regional more attractive dave has some suggestions that may help so cars can "crossover" thus boosting paid entrys. Will pass some other suggestions along 3 minute mandatory pit stops instead of 5 and allowing the use of fuel rigs. We are not certain how the construction of the new media center will effect operations. The old tower is gone and thus more space will be available for pits. because of the media center being built the replacement of the Glen will be delayed until 2009.
Please keep the input coming as all input is being gathered!
Here this should start some discussion How about gas cards instead of trophies

[Dave Zaslow]

Will pass some other suggestions along 3 minute mandatory pit stops instead of 5 and allowing the use of fuel rigs.

Keep the 5 minute stop time. Slow re-fueling is safer for the majority of what are usually 'pickup' teams. Please do not allow fuel rigs unless the stop time is long enough not to give them an advantage over cans. That equipment is really for folks running serious enduro events over the course of a season. Keep it relaxed and fun for the teams and they will come. Back in the day I headed up a team for 6 'Longest Days' and we could do 4 tires and fuel in under 3 minutes, but we practiced stops for quite a while to get those dance steps down.

DZ

[tdw6974]

Had Comp Board meeting this PM And the Following was decided. Driver School will continue. The Enduro will remain with Following Changes(times may need to be adjusted slightly) Enduro wil be 4 Hours Practice/Qualifying will be from 11:00am to Noon, Race will Start at 1:00 Pm end at 5 Pm. 2 mandatory pit stops: 2 Minutes Each Keeping in line with the Nescca Enduro rules. 2 Drivers required, and no fuel rigs. The Sunday event will remain a Single regional event for the opportunity to Run Watkins Glen. This should help the School Drivers that don't want to dive right into a Enduro and but still get one race under their belt. Registration will be open approx 16 hours at various times. At least this will allow you to get the event in your race calendars!!!

[DaveITB1]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.



Come on boys and girls. Let's all get out and promote this, and all enduros, to fill the grid. It is, and can be fun for the whole family.

Once again, thanks for reaching out to us for our input and insight. I noticed that the Spec Miata site also had many comments on the topic too. This was an excellent thread.

[StephenB]

The Sunday regional had approx 175 entrys (good Number) unfortunately we ended up refunding between 40-45 i'm told a higher than usually # Why? not sure some broke in the enduro, 2 or 3 had problems on the way but thats all part of the game/risk any region takes.

Last year unfourtunatly weather was the detrement of the event. Fog rolled in overnight not allowing the event to even start until close to noon time. We had the rigs loaded and we were starting the cars to load them in the trailer when we heard "cars for racegroup 1 please go to the grid" WE debated for 2 minutes on if we wanted to run the shortened race and practice. We decided to go for it changed and flew over to grid in time for the 1 minute warning.

Stephen

PS: Great event, lot's of fun. AS I get older and wiser (and watch the rolex series) I have become very interested in Enduros. By far cheaper than sprint races (With a reliable less maint. car... cheaper based on entries and lap per lap comparisons) I alos truely enjoy the strategy and I think it allows the crew to be more involved.

[StephenB]

Basically this would be to get people exposed and want to enter the enduros + draw more revenue to the region.

scenario based on a 2 day weekend:
Saturday
Normal regional classes and schedule with qualifying in the AM and a Race in the afternoon
Sunday
Run an AM race for all normal regional groups based on finishing position in Saturdays Races.
Run the enduro Sunday afternoon. using the Sunday AM race times as your qualifying time for Sunday afternoon. Any body that only wants to Run the Enduro can run in Sunday AM's race starting from last... first come first served!

Have an entry fee for the double (Saturday race and Sunday AM Race)
Have another entry fee )that Adds to the double entry fee) $150 for the first driver in an enduro and $100 per additional driver in the enduro

Then one last entry fee for the Enduro only fans that will run from last in the Sunday AM race and the enduro in the afternoon. $200 for the first driver and $100 for each additional driver.

Just an idea to generate some extra revenues and possilbe entice some sprint drivers to try it out.
Stephen

[raffaelli]

Glad to hear the school will remain. I am planning on this one as my second.