THSCC Forums

Like the title says, what can we do to improve the club and make running events more efficient? I’d like to get feedback on whatever improvements you think we need to address. We’ll take the top 5 or so observations and act on them as soon as we can.

Some of my thoughts are….

> have more drivers at events, the club needs the revenue and I’d like to get the membership base up.
> no more 2 group autocrosses unless we simply don’t have the people to support it. We kept workers out on track too long at the Jimmy V. 3 group minimum events.
> have all related SCCA classes and current info on the laptop. Had too many classing questions this weekend.

Thougths? Comments?

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Rodney

'08 Bullitt mustang, CAM 7
Autox VP '09-'10, President '11-'12, interim President 2nd half of ‘14
proud recipient of the Bowie Grey service award '12
Now just a guy driving a mustang....

in re: 2 run groups. The best way to do that is the way NCR lays it out. Group 1 drives 2-3 runs, Group 2 works. 15 minute break, then switch. 45 minute break for lunch. Then afternoon heats work similarly. It splits up your "sun exposure" time and limits hydration-related concerns.

Given our 5 run average, mornings would be 3 runs, afternoons 2 runs. Ideally, though, we shouldn't have to contend with turnout that low.

I still maintain that turnout is more strongly tied to economic concerns, and when/if things get going again our attendance will improve. We have made big advancements in procuring two new sites under 90 minutes from the Triangle, in opposite locations, so geography is a non-issue. There is some demography involved as younger kids are not quite as car-crazy as they used to be, but that is a factor out of our control.

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

Honestly I don't really care much about the run group convos very much: split or AAO is fine with me. But not have worked the course in 1.5 years might have changed my thoughts on it . I also think split run groups adds to the workload of the worker coordinators who are already overworked.

-I think we need a more defined team of pseudo-novice coordinators to work with Rob so he isn't jumping in and out of cars the whole entire heat. I'm willing to ride with novices when I'm not running, but it might be nice to have a defined 'team' of folks for Rob to delegate to.

-Drivers meetings are long....I think we can probably get the same content out in 40-50% less time so we start on time (or hell, even early ).

-I think the morning responsibilities are not as well defined as they could be. Seems that we always have people willing to help, but it sometimes is scramble mode in terms of setting up the timing gear, computer, displays, aligning the timing heads, grid stuff. So maybe an updated documentation website is in order (Zach, do you want to suggest a different medium other than tikiwiki ).

-Grid worker: maybe this is due to lower attendance, but as a person who codrives a car, I ALWAYS feel rushed and I hate it. I could just exercise a little VP privilege and just go when I want, but I have to think that other codrive folks feel the same way.

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2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

Steve, you just knocked it out of the park. I agree 100% with everything you just said, although I know split run groups have been a point of contention. If we do 3 runs in the am and 2 in the afternoon I think it's worth it, the only caveat is that we have to have enough workers to cover the course but you know that better than I do. I agree though, on low turnover days, 3 run groups is probably ideal and a 20 minute (really it's 30 but you have to say 20) after group 2 is needed so they can get cars into grid to run and grab a quick bite. Plus, we've been able to do 5 runs at pretty much every event due to attendance.

We're stepping up our social marketing with Facebook event invitations every event, posting on other forums, and I even saw that Brice posted a notice on Triad's FB page to let them know we'll be in their backyard in less than two weeks at Piedmont so I think we have that covered.

I can't really think of any one thing that's going to get people back out other than more business cards but we need to incentivize the distribution of them or they end up in the bottom of gloveboxes and never get passed out. I'm willing to make more if this gains any steam.

Here's an idea: Who ever wants THSCC Auto-x business cards gets them at the meeting, writes their name on the back. When a novice redeems the $5 discount card at the event, the person who's name is on the back gets a free entry (or maybe discounted if it's not a nightmare for T&S)? Just a thought... Maybe we need to trade the revenue generated by a veteran non-officer for that of the income generated by a first-timer in hopes they'll return, as that's the only way it helps the club's bottom line.

I got a really nice laminated card from the S2KCA.com (yeah, I'm a little biased ) on my wiper after getting off the bike up at Fall Lake and was the heck back in the woods of all places and would have never know the club/forum existed.

Edit: one last thing, I have buddy and his wife that I pursuaded to came back out in a new NC Miata at last year's Jimmy V and won't be back out. I asked him why and they told me they were miserable after being stuck working group four in the heat, which turned out to be a long one. They're both pretty healthy cyclists too that are actually used to the heat. Maybe, long work groups are part of the reason? Who knows? Just a thought...

Keep doing what we're doing, they will come. Next Fayetteville event will likely be huge b/c of the buzz around there from it. The weather forecast Saturday really hurt us (called for 80% chance of rain). Realistically though, we had 31 novices at our events. Thats pretty solid. It will take time to build the base of new people up, and that is exactly the way to do it. I think we have laid the groundwork well to rebuild things, now we need to keep the work up and watch the results start to roll in.

Definitely split the run groups if its only 2 run groups. I would also suggest we split the run groups in the event of threatening weather. It SUCKED for the run group 2 people on Saturday.

The one thing I would suggest, and actually volunteer to work on with my wife is a quick printed out vinyl banner that covers most of the talking points of the drivers meeting. That way, its posted, and we can buzz through it a little quicker. It would be a lot better than trying to read the tikiwiki off of a smartphone.

I like the idea of more people to help Rob, problem is, we can't afford to give out more worker assignments with our attendance. Perhaps a slight discount to those people or something.

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2012 MX-5 Sport SUV

I'll have to think about this some and come up with a good answers. I don't see a lot of major problems but then I know and except the downsides of autocross since I know the deal (like getting a long heat 4 worker shift in July).

On the subject of helpers for the novice coordinators during the event I'd be willing to help and I'm sure a lot of other folks would be as well. Not sure how we could link up novices and helpers during the event? Maybe a windshield sticker or something? I don't think it would have to be a worker assignment just riding and giving rides during your run group.

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OK so I'm back in. Now which tire should I buy??

I wasn't thinking this would be official work positions or an officer position, but just willing and able volunteers to do a few ride alongs during a heat that they aren't driving or working. But a small discount would probably help too.

_________________
2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

I was cautious about doing this, since back when I was an impressionable newb I heard someone complain that a driver was getting "extra looks" at the course by helping out a novice via ridealongs. I have to wonder how much advantage one gets when riding with a novice---I suspect not much, since most of the time the rider/instructor is too busy keeping them on course and giving advice.

I like the idea of a small set of club members wearing identifiable TShirts that say "Novice Instructor" or something like that...maybe 4-5 per event on a rotation basis. That way, the Novice knows who is approaching them while they sit in grid and also knows who to get advice from if they need help. It could be as simple as some of our current TShirts in bright orange or yellow. Just a thought.

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Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

I didn't realize there was a need - I'd be happy to help out as a novice instructor. I would not expect this to be a work assignment.

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09 Bullitt - DD
11 Fusion - Wife's DD
03 Mazda6 - Track car
00 PSD Excursion - Tow rig
67 Firebird - Don't you still own your 1st car?
61 F100 - Dad's truck
90 Moto Guzzi Calif III - Tourer
00 Cagiva - Adventure bike
00 DRZ400 - Woods bike

I did feel badly (just a little ) about whistling and yelling at the two-driver folks to get in line, but with smallish run groups, your turn comes up quickly. Anybody that asked to be skipped or given more time was accomidated. I know as a cone shagger, there is nothing worse than standing in the sun and seeing no car at the start.

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09 Bullitt - DD
11 Fusion - Wife's DD
03 Mazda6 - Track car
00 PSD Excursion - Tow rig
67 Firebird - Don't you still own your 1st car?
61 F100 - Dad's truck
90 Moto Guzzi Calif III - Tourer
00 Cagiva - Adventure bike
00 DRZ400 - Woods bike

Steve, that's a valid point, but I'd say for most true novices, that a ride along is pretty close to an extra course walk . Though if you'd be interested, please come up with a way to distribute this so that no one gets to do ride alongs in this manner until after they ran except for maybe Rob.

_________________
2011/2012 Autox VP
2013/2014.5 President
2013 Top Gun

2015 Fit

22R-EC => 4G63 => D16Y7 + D16Y8 => EJ255 + K24Z2 => K20Z3 + K24Z2 => K24Z2 + M54 => L15B

When I work grid or start, I always try to talk to the novices and ask them how they're doing, comment on their previous run, give them advice, etc. I ask them if they need somebody to ride along, or want to ride along with someone, then point out people who they should ask. And sometimes I go ask people for them.

These are the positions that see everyone in the run group, and these should be the people who are getting the novices pumped up and getting them help, if they want it.

edit: many co-driven cars will take both drivers out on their first or second runs, for additional looks at the course at full speed. I have no problem with this, and it seems no one else does, so maybe the idea of gaining some advantage during a novice ridealong is unsubstantiated.

My personal opinion is that because this just a fun pastime (not SRS BSNS) we should allow "extra looks" in order to make novices feel more comfortable/welcomed etc. Also, for me a few extra coursewalks via riding with novices is of no help....until I drive it in my own car I can't really put it all together.

Of course, I can see how this could be abused which is why I offered the sanctioning of novice ridealong instructors via colored TShirts as a kind of officer-approved way of spreading Rob around to other people....Because, you know you can't get enough Rob.

_________________
Steve Carter
1972 Datsun 240Z-- resto pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/srcartermd
2007 GPW Honda S2000-- STR 86

I plan to organize the novices a bit different next year and get some ideas from worker coordinators, novices, and former novices on what is needed. Also figure out a way to have "Novice Mentors" or something like that on tap so they have folks lined up to help. Luckily, I had you, Brice, MJ, and others who stepped up and jumped in to help with the great novice turnout

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1990 Faded Reddish CSP Lite Miata
2002 Electron Blue Corvette Z06
2005 Mazda 6 Wagon
2003 Nissan Pathfinder DTV (Dog Transport Vehicle)

I'd probably prefer a specific color hat over a t-shirt. Easier to keep clean for a 2 day event over a t-shirt as well as letting me wear better materials to deal with the heat than a heavy cotton t-shirt.

I think Remchak hit it out of the park in the other thread. We have all the novice's e-mail addresses. Send them some kind of short form asking about their experience. If they can tell us why they aren't coming back it's a lot better than trying to guess at the reason. I'd keep it short, no more than 3-4 minutes to complete and to only ever send an e-mail address the form once, ever as to not spam people.

23/104
22/56
23/84
18/88
31/115 (2 day)

That's our novice vs field numbers for the events this year. We seem to be doing a fairly decent job at bringing talent in. If we have the registration information in some kind of digital form for the last few years I would be willing to do some data mining on it and see if I can figure out any correlations on retention. Having the same info for our track program would be useful as well in case I could draw correlations between track attendance and autocross attendance. I think there is a lot of information to be learned from our current data.

Regarding driver's meetings. I don't think it ends up being a retention issue since you only start noticing it after a season or two but *A LOT* of the content covered in the drivers meeting should be moved to a novice meeting. Make the novice meeting mandatory for novices. Give them a sticker or something to put on the left side of their car so start/grid can enforce it (Not that start has any lack of things to check before the car leaves the line)