Sorry. Twice the race sessions more than covers the higher per race entry fee for a single national. That and 4 mile track leaves plenty of room to accomodate everyone with large groups, split starts and/or whatever else is deemed appropriate.
Right now the CenDiv regional sechedule has a few events, a big time gap and then 4 events all 2 weeks apart, with IT Fest on one of the off weeks, followed by 6 weeks of nothing an a double at BHF.
With one of those events listed as 'tentative' because the track has not been certified for SCCA (just like it had not when it was tossed onto the 07 schedule), and one that had the last event at that track cancelled less than 24 hours before the first scheduled session.
The bottom line is that the regional program in CenDiv is behind that of our neighbors. How is it that MidDiv finds a way to accomodate all racers at every race weekend, yet we can't?
Looking at this, I honestly may not run any 'home events'. Possibly the last one if any testing needs to be done before ARRC. I guess the next step is to stand up and get involved to help solve the problem...
Yes, you do need to step up and get involved. It's not that hard but does take some time. Trust me the regions need the help. Many of us wear several hats on a race weekend in addition to driving. Not that we like to do all those extras but it, helps make the weekend go smoother for everyone. Don't know who to ask about getting involved? call or e-mail me me and I'll point you to the right person........
Anyways,
From the Apex Speed Site:
Some perspective from Chicago Region:
Unfortunately, we simply haven't had enough drivers attend our Autobahn events for us to consider returning there in 2009. We don't exist to make money, but we also can't afford to keep losing large sums there.
I had high hopes for the 2008 event, after a decent turnout for our first national there in 2007. But, for what I assume were various reasons (economy, general downturn in national racing entries, the fact that some don't like the Autobahn track, etc.), folks just didn't come out. We tried hard, it hasn't worked, and we can't keep banging our heads against that wall.
It's too bad, because it's a nice facility with good folks working there, a good location, and an interesting track. Drivers that like the track seem to like it a LOT. And Autobahn did a lot of work improving the facility each year, and smoothing out the surface prior to the 2008 season. I do hope we can return there again someday.
That brings us to the Kettle event. The loss of the Autobahn national would have brought the number of nationals in CenDiv down to four--a situation that certainly wouldn't serve our national drivers well. With the big FF anniversary at the Cat National in '09, there was no way for Milwaukee to make that a double national. For various reasons, Milwauke and BVR opted not to go that route at their Blackhawk events either.
So, the Kettle stands as the fifth national in the division. It was not an easy choice by any means, as we know that it excludes some regional drivers who love that track. We spent a lot of time discussing our responsibilities to both the regional drivers and the national drivers.
I can guarantee you it wasn't a financial decision. Most folks felt that the Kettle would draw a huge turnout of national drivers regardless of whether it was a national or double regional event, so income was not an issue.
As someone else noted, that big national driver turnout might not have made it the best environment for newcomer regional drivers anyway. That was a factor as well.
So, in the end, with input from the other regions in the Division, we decided to make it a national for '09.
I know some are disappointed by this change, and I certainly understand. I hope that you can at least understand the reasoning behind the decision, even if you don't agree with it.
As partial compensation, we did expand the Fall Sprints at BHF to a double regional, and I am optimistic that the Brainerd and Mile events will also be good events for regional drivers.
Thanks,
Tom Maycock
(just-retired RE of Chicago Region)
Bob Clark
Cen-Div Driver Licensing
[email protected]
