THSCC and RallyX: A Discussion

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 1:12 pm

wow. where did this thread come from?

as a rallyX VP, i dont have any clue about whispers. haha.

IMO, and as of what ive seen in the past events, our turnout has been decent. its no autoX with 120 participants, but we get ~30 an event.

if there is something in the works of it being shut down, then i dont have a clue. i dont know why it would and hopefully i would be warned about it.

as far as being scared or worrying about their cars, folks should understand its their own decision to come out to the races. they know exactly where we race, and 95% of them have races there before to know what their getting into. we have a handful of members who do not race with us mainly because of the course locations.

the issue of MAKING money, yeah, that would be nice to be able to make some money to put it towards club things. but right now we need to focus on at least trying to break even, and attempting to cut costs in places we can. like the plaques for example. the last thing we wanted to do is raise the price of admission to a price where it wont even make me want to race. so we just want to make everyone happy

and the cones?!?!?! i thought we took care of that. hopefully the next few events that will be a solid issue that we wont have to worry about anymore.

slowly but surely we're working on the program. Charlie and I picked up a lot of information from Chris and Ash and are attempting to be as smooth as they were. Yeah our last 2 races have been a bit delayed, but hopefully we can work out the kinks and everything will go smooth.

Brian Herring · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 2:30 pm

K:

I started this thread, as I had "heard things." While these may be unsubstantiated, I am just a single member. I was hoping the greater THSCC contingency could help "straighten me out". Also, being apart of meetings and at a "board" or "management" level doesn't mean all the "worker bees" have the same message/meaning.

I think you at both doing a great job, and thanks for the input, everyone!

- brian

ChrisSuich · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:34 pm

This is a neutral zone right???

I won't beat a dead horse on some of these issues.

Volunteers:
As former VP, I can tell you one of the biggest frustrations is getting people to volunteer. I don't know what it takes to get people to commit to chair an event. Entry fee apparently isn't enough. We had to threaten to cancel events because we had no Event Chairs within a couple of weeks of an event. It's not fair to the VP's to expect them to cover for lack of EC's. Everyone who participates regularly should give back to the club and chair and event. This is a self run organization and the members have to give back every now and then.

Participation:
Won't beat the site issue.
Another observation is in vein of Stephen's comments. There are many activities to choose and the average participant can't participate in all events. A couple of years ago we had a strong contingent of excellent SU2 drivers that participated regularly. They have since found other activities that keep them from RallyX. Rightfully so, it's their life to do what they please. The biggest draw away (IMHO) is Lemons races. No disrespect to Lemons; It sounds like fun and I would like to participate in that someday. Again, it's just an observation, please don't read anything negative into it.

Money:
It doesn't get any cheaper than RallyX to participate in a auto sport, so it can't be the money. You can spend as little or much as you'd like. Keith and I bought a $300 car together and since put $600-800 over several years and got 40 or so RallyX days. That sounds like $30/day for the both of us. That's good, cheap AND fast fun. Who ever heard of that?

We are all preaching to the choir. I suppose we need to hear from those stopped or are participating less to know what could be improved.

It could just be an "economic downturn".

I say Mr President, give us a RallyX stimulus package.
Free RallyX for everyone at OCS!
Oh, I'm sorry, the Tea Party is down the street.

If that don't bring them in...

Support your local RallyX!

RobLupella · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:57 pm

KouroshNeshat wrote:

wow. where did this thread come from?

as a rallyX VP, i dont have any clue about whispers. haha.

attempting to cut costs in places we can. like the plaques for example. .

WHAT NO PLAQUES No wonder I don't RallyX. What's the use of winning if I don't get a plaque. :lol:

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Rob Lupella wrote:

Quote:

What's the use of winning if I don't get a plaque.

Rob if you win one I'll give you a plaque. Now shut up and drive. Plenty of slots open this weekend!
Charlie G

Michael Czeiszperger · **Joined:** Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:35 am **Posts:** 861

The Triad club has their beer glasses; why don't we offer shot glasses for 1st :-)

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:08 pm

KouroshNeshat wrote:

if there is something in the works of it being shut down, then i dont have a clue. i dont know why it would and hopefully i would be warned about it.

To dispel any myths before they get out of control, there are NO plans to shut down the Rallycross program. We do, however, need to make sure that we continue to grow the program in the right direction in order for it to remain a financially viable, long term, activity for the club -- those are two VERY different agendas!

Despite the fact that I'm one of those people who admittedly participate less now than I did a couple years ago, I still completely support this program (I just wish I had more time!). In fact, I want to see this program survive (and thrive) - the only way we get security with this is to ensure that Rallycross isn't a liability (financially or otherwise) to the club as a whole.

Your Rallycross VP's are hard at work trying to do what they can to ensure this happens, but in the end it comes down to maintaining, and increasing, event participation, and that takes everybody's help.

Brian, again - thanks for your enthusiasm here!

Dustin Fredrickson · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:14 pm

RobLupella wrote:

The biggest thing is that if there was any idea of RX being shut down, then it should (and would expect that it would be) brought up by the board and discussed with the RXVP as part of that - then the decision/status could be communicated to the community. I don't think that it would be conducted as part of a "whisper" campaign. - If so maybe the whisperers should be called out.

I completely agree. Decisions on the scale of shutting down core programs of the club should not be, and are not currently, part of any "whisper campaign". These are absolutely decisions that should be addressed to the membership, with advance warning, as part of our monthly meetings.

Brian Herring · **Posted:** Thu Apr 15, 2010 10:36 pm

Dustin:

Sorry you are having to make global statements in my thread. I just wanted to know "from the source" the state of things.

Thanks for taking the time to make things clear! I really appreciate it, and sorry for the trouble!

- brian

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 12:05 am

being someone who autocrossed for years. The cone damage that occurs from a cone being dragged around, under a car during a lap around the course.. is far more brutal than a little dirt! I have seen cones shatter during a particulary cold autocross, i know cause i busted it. Asphalt is easier on the car, true. However, the cones take a beating.

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 8:35 am

I'm Down for shot glasses for 1st place. And if you're under 21 then you get sippy cups! Lol

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:09 am

cones suck. too many cones at a RallyX makes for a sucky RallyX.

RallyX is not AutoX on dirt IMHO. if you must do car tricks with cones, stick to designing AutoX courses on paved surfaces.

the last RallyX i ran i actually DNF'd as i could not follow (or find for that matter) the course. standing all day in July on a 100 degree field with dust blowing in two directions is way less fun when the driving is severely restricted by mass cone applique'.

that's my excuse for not attending lately and i'm stickin' to it.

FWIW i will be mulching flower beds this weekend instead. :roll:

KouroshNeshat · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:34 am

Quote:

Volunteers:
As former VP, I can tell you one of the biggest frustrations is getting people to volunteer. I don't know what it takes to get people to commit to chair an event. Entry fee apparently isn't enough. We had to threaten to cancel events because we had no Event Chairs within a couple of weeks of an event. It's not fair to the VP's to expect them to cover for lack of EC's. Everyone who participates regularly should give back to the club and chair and event. This is a self run organization and the members have to give back every now and then.

i agree. this is one of the important points.
not sure why people dont chair. i know it takes up both days of the weekend. but once a few months, or even one time that year is really all we need.

oh well. folks cant be upset by course layout if no one steps up to chair, or to at least give us some ideas.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:47 am

ChrisSuich wrote:

A couple of years ago we had a strong contingent of excellent SU2 drivers that participated regularly. They have since found other activities that keep them from RallyX. Rightfully so, it's their life to do what they please. The biggest draw away (IMHO) is Lemons races. No disrespect to Lemons; It sounds like fun and I would like to participate in that someday. Again, it's just an observation, please don't read anything negative into it.

I'm pretty sure Chris is talking about the crowd that runs the General Lei so I'll comment. It is true that we have been bitten by the Lemons bug. There just isn't enough time to do every event and as Stephen said something has to give. Heck I've given up track, rallycross, and autocross it seems. Just a few years ago I did 12 HPDEs, 8 AXs, and 6 RXs all in one year! The wife put the brakes on all that (too much time from home) so I've had to pick and choose. I still love rallycross and get to an event when I can though.

And don't worry Chris, we have plenty of others with the negativity towards Lemons so we're quite used to it.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Fri Apr 16, 2010 9:49 am

KouroshNeshat wrote:

Quote:

Volunteers:
As former VP, I can tell you one of the biggest frustrations is getting people to volunteer. I don't know what it takes to get people to commit to chair an event. Entry fee apparently isn't enough. We had to threaten to cancel events because we had no Event Chairs within a couple of weeks of an event. It's not fair to the VP's to expect them to cover for lack of EC's. Everyone who participates regularly should give back to the club and chair and event. This is a self run organization and the members have to give back every now and then.

i agree. this is one of the important points.
not sure why people dont chair. i know it takes up both days of the weekend. but once a few months, or even one time that year is really all we need.

oh well. folks cant be upset by course layout if no one steps up to chair, or to at least give us some ideas.

as veiled as that remark was, i'm going to address it. i'm calling BullShit on the whole "design a course if you don't like it" thing.

two seperate issues here.

1) some people just aren't the volunteering type.. me included

2) play to your core customers. i believe the concencus is that too many cones will F-up a RallyX quicker than anything else anyone could possibly do otherwise as a Chair

i agree the volunteer issue can be frustrating but let's not blame that as the reason for a downturn in attendance.

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