Street Car Event attendance

[rogue]

Originally Posted by WILWAXU

Hmm.. I don't remember seeing a gold '69 at RTTC?

If you were at the event, you would have seen a lot of show quality cars getting beat on, met a lot of good people and possibly had a little fun. You may have also noticed that there wasn't a static car show during the event

Strong words from a guy that didn't show up for an event that happened in his own back yard.

I registered but had surgery May 24th. Spinal pain pump implant. Nevertheless I wasn't back on my feet the day of, and was suffering spinal headaches. I would never wish them upon anyone.

So my heart was there, my body was not

[rogue]

Originally Posted by mpozziCPL

Second that and he had entered but last minute surgery cancelled those plans.

Mary Pozzi

I've been looking forward to shaking you and David's hands and meeting Steve for too long. David's site has been a go-to for me since buying my camaro.

Though Steve has a lot to dish out at me I'm sure.

[rogue]

Originally Posted by compos mentis

Jimi, I think more and more owners are entertaining participating in these events. I think vids and pics from those events posted here creates that desire. IMO more and more folks are joining the g-machine ranks. I also believe many who once just thought of it as a cool build style realize now it could be a lot of fun tracking their ride at some level.

Agreed. I think more HD theater coverage of events or Speed (although they're the NASCAR only network) would help quite a bit. Nothing beats the sound of muscle being flogged. Everyone loves to watch it.

[WILWAXU]

Originally Posted by camcojb

well, there's obviously a ton of these cars attending the events, evidenced by all the pics of them on this site and others like Pro Touring. I think this should be encouraged, but I also feel that the decision to beat on the car is up to the owners. They're the ones who've made the investment in these cars. I don't think they should be bashed if they choose not to participate.

There are also things like making a living and life in general that keep people away from these events. It takes a lot of planning to attend some of these larger events.

Jody

Exactly.

Originally Posted by rogue

I registered but had surgery May 24th. Spinal pain pump implant. Nevertheless I wasn't back on my feet the day of, and was suffering spinal headaches. I would never wish them upon anyone.

So my heart was there, my body was not

Then why take pot shots at the event and the cars that did attend?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by James OLC

My two bits...

In an ideal world, these would be two day events. RTTC was a blast but (and it's not really a relevant but) it was like running a marathon. Any track day event is - and there is nothing wrong with that, it's the nature of the beast - but RTTH and some of the other similar events are as much social gatherings as they are competitions. I know it adds expenses and requires increased sponsor support but it's a viscious circle - more "free time" would give participants more time to interact with sponsors (and visa versa) which would make it more appealing to sponsors, albiet costlier. If events could be spread over a couple of days I think that you would see more people attend - albeit not necessarily compete. Which leads me to...

In an ideal world, there would be two categories for these events (in addition to a sponsor/vendor category) - competition and fun runs. I think that there would be a greater appeal to many "casual" guys and girls if there was a way that they could participate - try their hand on the track or autocross - without having the "competition" element staring them in the face. I think that this is one of reasons that the autocross events at car shows have become increasingly popular - while there is an element who attend the shows to race, there is another element that is at the show, sees that they can try the autocross and give it a shot - without every worrying about points, times, or prizes. I know that this doesn't work on a one day event (as mentioned above, it's a struggle to squeeze everything in one day) but I think that if casual drivers could participate casually and watch the actual competition that more people would be inclined to try it - even on a spur of the moment. Which leads to my final point...

There are a finite number of people who will attend these events with the hope of being competitive and as more of these events come in to being, that finitie community will be forced to prioritize which events they attend. When there was only one event people would travel to go. When that grew to two events it was still an "easy" decision for many. If there are five or seven or ten "stand alone" events most of us will have to decide where and when we can travel. And that means that there will probably be less "hard core" participants at each event. Which means that we (ok - you) need to increase the appeal to the casual participant. Which is why sponsors step up for these events anyways. How can you make these more... interesting... intriging... entertaining... for the guys who aren't ready (mentally, mechanically, or financially) to compete?

That being said, hat's off to anyone who does participate in these events. It takes stones to race your car in any environment - autocross, road course, drag strip, or speed stop challenge. The fact that there were 50+ such people at RTTC was really impressive. But I think that you have to respect the people who might want to try it but not go 9/10 or 10/10. They might try it and decide they want more (that's how these things grow) or they might decided that they would prefer to cruise and try the open track on their own terms.

Very well said and thought out... and I agree... many many people are just not knowledgeable in the ways of suspension etc - to really be "competitive" - and just going out and having some fun would be "enough" for them - and some (I'm betting) would get hooked and want more of it (TODD? ). But they've got to start somewhere.

[Reckley]

Originally Posted by Jimi-FM3

Hey team, there's several events going on this year designed specifically for street cars, namely Run to the Coast, Faceoff at Road America, Midwest Musclecar Challenge, and a few others. Although there has been many a few requests for more events throughout the country, none of us are seeing an overwhelming response on entries.

In order to make sure we're delivering what everyone in asking for, I'd like to get your opinions on what, if anything, you'd like to see that would make you run out and sign up. Let's be reasonable on the thoughts - please don't offer up things like make them free, or pay out thousands of dollars in prize money - we all know there's an expense to make these things happen (we do already have a cash paying contingency program).

We're interested in hearing your thoughts. Please no PM's, we want to keep this an open forum for all to discuss so we can continue to produce these events and provide a fun, safe environment for you to come out and play. Thanks for your time!

I think it's just going to take time for more people to prepare to track their cars. The build of my car has changed direction because of my growing interest in road racing. As you can imagine, the change in direction has delayed the build greatly.

It also takes time for people to learn to drive. I feel that having driving instructors attend the events would get more people to attend. Driving schools are usually very expensive. it's also difficult to find the time to attend a driving school as well as a street car event.

I attended a SVTOA mustang event at Gingerman Raceway few years back. They invited several SCCA driving instructors to attend the event. I was told the driving instructors were given free open track sessions during the event in exchange for instructing the event participants. The format worked out nice because the instructors would give rides in their cars during the their sessions. This gave us an opportunity to understand how we were supposed to drive the track. Also, during our sessions the instructors would stand along pit lane and get in our cars as we entered the track. It was great having someone who knows what they're doing giving you pointers rather than just guessing how to drive the track.. Getting instruction gives the event much more value for those of us with limited experience.

Mike

[jeff s]

I'm gonna attend all these events in the midwest and a few more.
I was at Road America this weekend. There were over 40 instructors at this event and I made arrangements to have a separate musclecar track group.
Posted it on this and PT sites. 3 members showed up. Not enough for a separate group, but we had fun anyway. Once people get over being skeered and try it, the events will grow. Ask Jim Nilsen and Crafty, both 1st timers this weekend, and now hooked on it.

[Vegas69]

I'm hooked on the road racing for sure. I enjoy autocross but it doesn't quench my thirst. I was born a speed demon and road racing satisfies it and then some. That being said, it's not near as safe. The consequences are compounded. I'd recommend instruction to anyone that is planning to run. The RTTC instruction was basic but important. It gave us novices a chance to learn the line and get comfortable. It was only my second time on a road course with the first being a basic failure with a puked power steering pump. I have to say I liked that dirty old El Toro track more than Spring Mountain. It was more interesting and the track wasn't perfect. You had to adapt your driving style to match the imperfections instead of playing by the book. Maybe I'll change my mind when I get a chance to run full bore on Spring Mountain.

[Bow Tie 67]

Oh you will trust me

Originally Posted by Vegas69

I'm hooked on the road racing for sure. I enjoy autocross but it doesn't quench my thirst. I was born a speed demon and road racing satisfies it and then some. That being said, it's not near as safe. The consequences are compounded. I'd recommend instruction to anyone that is planning to run. The RTTC instruction was basic but important. It gave us novices a chance to learn the line and get comfortable. It was only my second time on a road course with the first being a basic failure with a puked power steering pump. I have to say I liked that dirty old El Toro track more than Spring Mountain. It was more interesting and the track wasn't perfect. You had to adapt your driving style to match the imperfections instead of playing by the book. Maybe I'll change my mind when I get a chance to run full bore on Spring Mountain.

[mike343sharpstk]

Originally Posted by jeff s

I'm gonna attend all these events in the midwest and a few more.
I was at Road America this weekend. There were over 40 instructors at this event and I made arrangements to have a separate musclecar track group.
Posted it on this and PT sites. 3 members showed up. Not enough for a separate group, but we had fun anyway. Once people get over being skeered and try it, the events will grow. Ask Jim Nilsen and Crafty, both 1st timers this weekend, and now hooked on it.

Jeff, I drove through the Elkhart lake area yesterday and saw a few cars that were clearly dong a track day..... how do I get started? I am planning to be track ready later this summer but who do I contact, what do I do? Is there a club that I need to join?
I will be spectating at the Ultimate street car shootout at RA, A budy and I would like to chat and learn what needs to happen.