Why'd the non point auto-x get axed?

Patrick Wellenius · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2003 7:16 pm

Just wondering why the last Sanford event got cancelled. I was looking forward to another weekend event before the end of the season. :?:

Scott Johnson · **Posted:** Wed Oct 22, 2003 8:37 pm

All the usual suspects that actually do the behind the scenes work are rather burned out.

Scott

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Unfortunately what Scott said is true. It takes a lot of effort for an event to be a "go", and with the small turnout at the last non-points event (50 cars at rham?), it would be difficult to even insure that costs would be covered.

Not that our minds couldn't be changed with the right creative suggestions

Man, with 20 autocrosses already this year, I thought you people would have had enough! I guess I was wrong, and that makes me proud!!

Phil Wehman · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 7:43 am

A couple of observations (and please take them for discussion starters - not criticisms

):

I can't blame any of the "usual suspects" for calling it off - they put in a heck of a lot of time to make all this happen. Having said that...is the club overreaching? If the nite events (which are not open to all members) contribute to an open event being cancelled, should we re-look at the event mix?

Quote:

..with the small turnout at the last non-points event (50 cars at rham?)...

My guess is that R'ham had low attendance because of the distance, coupled with it being the first test of the site.

My other observation, which is admittedly selfish because of my particular choice of car, is that our venues are becoming a bit of a hike (from the Raleigh/Cary area)! With the addition of Rockingham, overnite stays are almost mandatory for 2 to 4 events in 2004. I'd personally rather do more "local" events (RBC/Sanford) than make the long drives. I'm curious what other members' thoughts are. Maybe I'm just getting old...

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 8:23 am

Phil Wehman wrote:

My other observation, which is admittedly selfish because of my particular choice of car, is that our venues are becoming a bit of a hike (from the Raleigh/Cary area)!

Oh man what do you call a hike? :boohoo:

Be glad you don't live on the other side of Wilson like me, or futher like Ryan and Kevin Butler in Greenville. Vern Geddings drives all the way from Havelock! Sorry Phil but you won't get any sympothy about the distance to our events from us east of Raleigh.

However I do realize that the club has to cater to the masses, so I'm fine with the driving I have to do. Besides where can we find a better club that's closer?

Find us a site and we will come! :cheer:

Phil Wehman · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 9:02 am

Quote:

Sorry Phil but you won't get any sympothy about the distance to our events from us east of Raleigh.

Not looking for sympathy - I'll still make the events. Just curious what other people think!

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 9:59 am

I also was looking forward to the November event and am sorry to see that it is not going to happen.

Ok, first I am not whining. I just about didn't want to reply to this post since it seems any comments that are not positive do not go over well, especially with regards to events. I just have some comments that I hope are constructive…. :wave:

* If it was canceled due to burn out or lack of people to organize, I totally understand. I don't think we can thank those that organize events enough. :cheer:

* If it was canceled due to attendance issues, maybe if we backed it down from a two day to a single day event it would work better (I am still all for a two day event). Or maybe if we let people know it is in jeopardy due to low registration numbers people could register so you could get an idea on who was actually planning on attending. I personally was planning on attending, but just hadn’t registered yet.

* I agree with Phil with about his concern about the event mix (exclusive night events vs. open weekend events). I have no problems at all with the night events, but I think more people can attend the weekend events for many various reasons, so I would hate to see the night series cause problems (?organizer burn out?) with weekends events (points or otherwise)

* I apologize if I have my facts wrong, but if my memory serves me correctly wasn't the Rockingham event organized differently than other events? It was limited to those that qualify for the night series, was not published on the regular ??schedule?? and was announced via the listserv which not everyone subscribes to, etc. The 50 driver attendance figure is about the same as a typical night series event. So maybe it should be viewed as a success given the situation.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:19 am

I agree with Richard on most of his points. I can't say the Rockingham event was a success for me because it cost me $1300.00. The site wasn't my favorite, but since new venues are hard to find I'll go whereever we run.

I too was looking forward to the two-day non-points event in Sanford. I completely understand that the folks that do all the work are tuckered out from all they've done this year. HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU! I'm sure if more folks were involved and the load was spread out a little more, the burden would be less. I'd love to do more personally, but the distance along with no senority at my new job is a big hurdle for me.

Is there any chance the event can be brought back? I'll step up to the plate and take a couple of day off work if I can to help with course setup, drive the bus or whatever. I'm sure we can get enough of us folks (who really want the event back) together to get the work done. You up for it Phil? Anyone else?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 10:21 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

You up for it Phil?

Whoa...that sounded like I was picking on Phil...not at all man. I was just saying that those of us who want to see this event happen should pull together and see what we can do to accomplish it.

Joel Heywood · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 5:51 pm **Posts:** 108

Vincent Keene wrote:

Is there any chance the event can be brought back? I'll step up to the plate and take a couple of day off work if I can to help with course setup, drive the bus or whatever. I'm sure we can get enough of us folks (who really want the event back) together to get the work done. You up for it Phil? Anyone else?

I have no idea what I am getting myself into but if I can help I will.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:27 am

Im willing to step up the plate also. I will be finished here in Richmond Oct 30 or 31st so I will thankfully be back to NC.

So specifically, what needs to be done?

Ryan
Counting the days.....

Matthew_Thomson · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 11:32 am

I'm up for helping as well. Was definately looking forward to the 2 day event. Getting used set of tires that are much better than whats on my car from vince on sunday. Was hoping to give them a whirl.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 12:38 pm

Since I originally volunteered to be an event coordinator for that event, I would be glad to help if we wanted to bring it back. Maybe we could do a quick survey of participants to make sure that we have enough to cover costs.

We might want to devote specific time in an upcoming meeting to recruiting more members to not only show up for events, but to coordinate and run them. If we had members other than the officers who could be trained nee groomed to take over some of those duties so that the "usual suspects" do not have to always be on call to work, coordinate, setup events. This way they could occasionally have a "fun" event where all they are asked to do is show up and run. I think we are starting to do some of this as we have had some new event chairs.

Maybe we could run a class on "Course Design/Event Running" for novices.

Just my $.02 :soap:

Phil Wehman · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2003 1:30 pm

I'll take a day off and help with course design and setup Friday if we do a 2-day, or Sat if we do a single day.

Since we'll all be together this Sun anyway, interested parties could meet at the bus for a few minutes (say immediately after drivers meeting?) along with a VP to see if this can be done.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

If it's okay with the officers that we get this event back on the schedule, I'll take over somebody's job. Just let me know what needs to be done...

Kevin

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Why'd the non point auto-x get axed?

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