Just a few points, Sorry if these are long winded. Not sure if that's what we want on this forum or not..
I used Motorsport Reg in the states, and its nice, but whatever is easier and cheaper for folks.
Nat's suggestion on 2 day weekends works for me. Would give more time and therefor more interest in running both series as a single driver. Duel drivers have no choice on a Sunday, but these 2 day weekends give people time to look over cars, and repair if needed in between sprints. However, from an already tight operating cost overhead, this may not even be possible.
i agree with Brent on the fact that whatever races are scheduled, are a go, outside of weather/safety. But admin and numbers should not reflect that decision until end of year finances are looked at. Sponsors are paying for a certain amount of exposure during the year, if our races are canceled because of low numbers, that can be a loss of 20% the yearly exposure.. that's a lot.. It also takes away the uncertainty in whether a race will happen or not.. I myself start loading up on the Monday or weekend before as thats usually when I have time. but I guess, If we are running that tight of margines, and its obvious we are going to loose our ass, then.. Gotta do, what ya gotta do. Register early folks! So we know. Dont pull your car out of the trailer the Thursday before and realize its still broke...
The JCM. Lets just qualify. Yes its for fun, but every race throughout the year is for fun.. If anything, the JCM is more professional in the sense there are gift awards at the end. The JCM is a big race, and involves a ton of prep, and more $$ than a sprint race weekend. I'm not throwing my car around AMP with junk tires or brakes for 3 hrs. It usually sees stickers, and a more intense look over knowing its not going under the knife after 25mins, but 3 hrs.. A minor failure can mean major damage.. So yeah. JCM is a serious race. Its the only Enduro my car has seen in 2 years as it just seems to carry some weight. It also brought out tons of new/old drivers this year. Lets keep that going. People want that podium in the JCM. I know I do, but.. I'm slow..ish This race would be a prime candidate for the grid/driver introductions "talked in detail below".. Def a missed opportunity there.
How do we grow the sport?: Raise minimum wage? Elect Donald Trump as PM and bring those jobs back!!... No, that's not gonna work, but we can start by letting the Atlantic Provinces know there is a road racing course here.. "Oh the track up by the airport"... No.. So, I will be trying to get my car out to local car shows and such, and do my best at bringing awareness to the track, and our series. A good start would be more social media pushes, maybe a paid post/facebook ad a few times a year with all of our dates, and such. Make a one-sheet ad type of thing that's easy to share. We could take that same one-sheet and make some prints, and hang them in all the local Napas, shops, ect., maybe have our sponsors put them up in their lobbies. I know we would hang something here at Mackay Real Estate. Having a one-sheet with all the dates, and a nice design, and website/facebook link to give away to folks interested would be a great way to bring awareness.
A. With that push to bring awareness and advertisement, we need to have the Time Attack/lapping crowd part of it. The Grid Life idea has been working down south, so having those 2 day weekends seems like the best way to do it. Push the ads: "Atlantic Motorsports Park Road Racing and Time attack!" "Do you have what it takes?" or something like that Military recruitment slogan... I don't know. But push for lappers, and time attackers to come out.. they are the next racers.. We need to make them feel welcome, and show them the fun we have going wheel to wheel! Only way to convice someone to spend that kind of money on a racecar is to show them how much fun it is. Thats the answer to low numbers. And, maybe a band or BBQ on the Sat in between. Its all about the community, and I myself absolutely love this community.
B. Thanks to Mitch we got some points tallies in between the sprint race weekends. THAT IS SO IMPORTANT! Its racing.. we are being competitive for points, for championship wins. Knowing where we sit in between races is absolutely important, and being able to share the tightness of competition with the fans is also very important. I mean... Its all for fun, and like the late night show "Who's line is it anyways" "Its the race where everything is made up, and the points don't matter". Thanks for that Mitch.
Proposal: From a spectator point of view, and going to events at valley raceway, and Scotia this year, I think we can try something I believe was presented a few years ago, but never made the cut. Whether we do a 2 day weekend, or just the Sunday, we should have a park ferme/ grid walk, and driver introductions over the PA. Makes the event, more of an event, and gives some credit to the drivers, and teams. It also allows for good photo opportunities, and therefor more social media content/ content in general. The idea: Have all cars park in grid before a 1 hr, or first race, maybe even Quali if its not too early. "I'm sure someone may have a better idea of when and where" Over the PA, go down the list of cars introducing drivers, sponsors and such. I know none of us are probably getting an IMSA seat out of this.. but, it shows the appreciation for the drivers and teams. We all know that showing up in anything at this track to race involves big $$$, Big time, and sacrifices. Be cool to try this idea, and see if it works. If the PA is not working.. Well, Ill bring one. Thanks all I got for now.
|