Run Off's or ARRC

bg43wex

bg43wex

New member
I spent last week attending the Run Off's at Mid Ohio. I worked for my region, helped crew for a friend and was a spectator.

This was the first time I had been to this event and thought it was cool. from an SCCA members point of view this is the Super Bowl, they really put on a great show from every aspect.

Long test and qualifying sessions, open meetings with the National CRB, parties every night a manufacturers midway and more stewards and volunteers than you can shake a stick at. let's not forget cheap $300.00 entry.

Even the small classes had close to 30 cars. One thing I did notice is the age of many production cars, some were competing in their 30th championship. While I was attending a CRB meeting I listened while many drivers who have these older cars complained about their inability to locate parts. I was told they build them so tight they don’t last, which caused me think why do we allow rules creep or make new rules just so the same cars can have all the fun?

How can the SCCA call this event their "National championship" when they exclude roughly 50% ( probably more) of the regular competitors in their club?

The Regional events that you compete in deliver the lions share of all revenue to your club, while most Nationals hover around even or some loose money.

Next year SM will be included in Topeka for the 06 Run Off’s. As we all know this class has exploded on to the scene in the last few years and helped increase entry levels at regional races. Participation levels in IT have also grown continually for the last few years, not at the level of SM but still a respectable level.

My question to all of you, if you could have the opportunity to head west and compete against the very best in the country would you?

I know the ARRC is supposed to be the equal but I have been there and it is not. Nothing against that event, I just think the distance from the west coast make it an easy decision for them to skip the event, so is it really the American Road Racing Championship?

Without getting into how we could make it happen let's hear what you think?

Brian Mushnick
[email protected]
#3 ITA golf
 
Your topic asked a question, but your discussion seemed to follow a different direction.
If given the opportunity to run either championship in my current car (not going to happen), I'd race at the Runoffs, regardless of where they were held. Reason being the exposure to the media, the public, and notariaty (sp) that goes with the event.
That not being the case, the ARRC is the best thing possibly going for IT championships. Even though several divisions have event similar to the ARRC, it is the standard compared to. I'll hear a lot of grief over that comment, but it's true.
 
I agree with chris...


If media coverage (TV) was at the ARRC I would say that it was the best racing all year, but the race deffinatly does lack the media coverage required to make it even close to a compairison of the National Runoffs.

As far as adding IT to the National Runoffs, today, I think that would hurt the event and the class more than it would help it. That is Today though and tomorrow I could change my mind... I am really on the fence when it comes to that :) I could argue either way. From a "stewards view" IT would be to much, but from a front runner compeditors view I would love to have IT added to the Nationa Championships.

Raymond
 
if this could be pulled off the event would need to be expanded to 2 weeks. 1500 competitors would most likely overwhelm any track.

while I'm throwing ideas out, shouldn't this event be at a track that no one calls home?

I can think of just one that would fit the bill, and it is almost in the center of the country.

brian ( I want it all ) mushnick
 
Originally posted by bg43wex@Sep 28 2005, 07:54 PM
if this could be pulled off the event would need to be expanded to 2 weeks. 1500 competitors would most likely overwhelm any track.

while I'm throwing ideas out, shouldn't this event be at a track that no one calls home?

I can think of just one that would fit the bill, and it is almost in the center of the country.

brian ( I want it all ) mushnick
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Yeah, but do you think Tony George wants us littering up his track?? :P

MC
 
Originally posted by bg43wex@Sep 28 2005, 07:54 PM
if this could be pulled off the event would need to be expanded to 2 weeks. 1500 competitors would most likely overwhelm any track.

while I'm throwing ideas out, shouldn't this event be at a track that no one calls home?

I can think of just one that would fit the bill, and it is almost in the center of the country.

brian ( I want it all ) mushnick
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brian, you need to get the scca to to recognize club racing as a spectator sport. Don't forget, every track is someone's home track. If you have enought practice, home track advantages are usually negated. how do you control factory funded drivers & cars like in AS & T1 (most noteable)? media coverage would help with sponsers, can you get it? I wouldn't be able to get more than a week off.
hell, i'll go to any track where i think i can get a good race. if it smells ok, i might eat it.
dj
 
Brian--It is THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. As regional car owners/ racers we know we cannot race there without changing classes.

I do not hink there is a problem and I do not think regional-only racers are slighted with national even though the ranks of regional (IT) are huge.

Regards.
 
Joe,

"National Championship" is only words. The GCR states you must run a national classed car to paticipate, true. don't change classes change the rules.

the GCR can be changed if it is in the best interest of the club or the will of the members. don't get hung up on a them or us thought process, we are all racers and if we want to be part of the big show why not?

no entrant should be expected to take two weeks although many teams test the week before the run offs, the schedule of events would have to be split evenly, there is talk already that the format of 23 races is to much another weekend would help spread the classes.

Tony George ... that would be work, he is a past SRF driver and he does seem motivated by money.

here's the pitch. The largest and most famous sports car club brings it's national championship to the most famous track in the world.

No home track help unless Jaques villneuve comes out of F1 to run F500?

I think fans would be interested, there has to be some hot shot out there who could sell this?

JMO

brian ( I would love to race at Indy) mushnick
 
I haven't seen this years participation numbers, but as it its the last at Mid Ohio, they are sure to be up.

That said, some National classes have historically and consistantly put on terrible races. 17 car fields, 10 second grid spreads, and not even to the really slow guy. It is hard for me to respect a "National Chamionship" when all you have to do is run a few half distance races and show up. Some guys go home bragging about a "Top Ten" Runoffs finish. Out of 17 cars and half didn't finish! LOL..

If you ask me, it does seem like the Regional Racers spend the most and get the least.

And if I were King, I would shorten the event. It's too long and Speed can only tolerate so much, LOL...

I would make all the "National" regional classes eligible, and the top subscribed 21 go to the show. Details could be worked out, a cut off date created. IT would need to have certain cars with documentation issues excluded, but over all it would be a huge boost to the overall program.

I think the racing would be dramatically improved, (full fields of guys that actually WORKED to get there, LOL) which means TV would be SO much better, and therefor marketing and recruiting would improve.

I have always wondered why the SCCA doesn't market IT, as it such a great category for the wanna be racer to get introduced to and hooked on.

They've missed the boat on this for years. What 20 something gives a rats ass about a Sprite? (OK, name 2 then...;) )
 
I think they should add 50 bucks to the entry fee and take that money and split it in a tow fund for people far far away. Its about 10 hours for me and I'm in the southeast region. It should be split among non southeast competitors guaged by mileage on mapquest. Should not be that hard and if it adds top cars from other areas, why not???...
 
Brian, Jake has pretty well covered the Runoffs. Without being said by a CRB member It'll be a COLD day in hell when the IT class is allowed to race at the Runoffs. Unless of course a class was develpoed as was Spec Miata & the manufacturing company pushed the SCCA real hard. As in money talks, $hit walks. A good example beyond the Miata is the Subaru which finished 1st & 2nd in SSC (?) & The BMW's that finished 1st & 3rd in their class in what is I beleive is their first year in the class with the specific car. Just like TI is a spec Corvett class. Shall I go on ? Same was basicaly said in the Runoffs Production meeting this year. I could go on further about the Runoffs tent Production car meeting except that it makes me sick to even think about the typical Production car traditionalist choking his/her 50 year old chicken. If you think the Runoffs is the best of the best Jake pretty well coverd that except. The top 10 finishers of each class of each division are invited to the Runoffs. Most every race is a joke if your trying to tell a friend/sponser that they are the best of the best in the country. IIRC previous to the Runoffs being at Mid Ohio the top 4 of each class from each division were invited which was the best mostly. There are drivers now who cherry pick their division so that they can finish in the top ten. Nuff said........ ;) Been there since 1996 when I joined the SCCA. With 4 cars per class invited you mostly had the best of the best.

Agreeing with Jake (sorry about that Jake) that who gives a crap about a Sprite (sorry Ron). The best thing the CRB did was to implement Limited Prep/Restricted Suspension cars to production. With the L/P R/S cars the British stuff is fading into the past just like the Hudsons, Nashes & Olds did in Nascar. There will be zero Full Prep cars classed in the future, MAYBE.

Back to the original subject, I'd go to the Runoffs if I was good enough to be one of the top 3 of my division & if I thought I could compete with the other best of the their division.
 
***I think they should add 50 bucks to the entry fee and take that money and split it in a tow fund for people far far away. Its about 10 hours for me and I'm in the southeast region. It should be split among non southeast competitors guaged by mileage on mapquest. Should not be that hard and if it adds top cars from other areas, why not???...***

Evan, they have had a tow fund for years. :bash_1_:
 
Speaking for myself, and maybe a few others, I'd just as soon not see IT become a national class. But I would like to see it get a little better respect from the national office. The Runoffs is the next best thing to going Pro, in many people's opinion. In some classes, it's more expensive than going pro. I fear that having IT become national classes would change the nature of the sport severely. I've been doing this for 30 years, and I've witnessed how such fun, regional classes such as showroom stock have evolved to the T1's, 2's, etc. I can remember when the Jensen Healey was banned because it was too expensive! ($10,000) Times change economically, but there's a whole lot of factory money behind national racing. Not what the average racer gets in contingency, but what the club gets in some manner or fashion. The push behind T1 from Chevrolet, SSB and SSC from Chrysler, SM, FM, and others from Mazda...we'll never see that in IT.
We're too old...both cars and most of the drivers (lol).
It would be nice, though, to see our beloved club office help, with whatever host region and track, define and present a true national championship for IT. Arguements can always be made about location, time, weather, attendance, etc. But if a nationally recognized format was presented with the condolences and backing of our national office as National Championship for Improved Touring, then it would be just that.

;)
 
Chris-

I agree with all that you said...

I have no problem with IT being a "regional class", but I do think that it would help SCCA to have a recognized seperate "National Championship" for the regional classes... IE: Recognize the ARRC or simmilar as a National Championship where the head office staff/personell came to visit and support us "liitle people."

Although I am sure that SCCA powers to be might be worried that us little people will compete for sponsors and/or attention and we might become the more desireable championship to win.

Raymond "go little people" Blethen
 
Originally posted by charrbq@Sep 29 2005, 10:53 AM
Arguements can always be made about location, time, weather, attendance, etc.  But if a nationally recognized format was presented with the condolences and backing of our national office as National Championship for Improved Touring, then it would be just that.

;)
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I hear Mid Ohio has two week available for rent.
 
Chris-

Recognize the ARRC or simmilar as a National Championship where the head office staff/personell came to visit and support us "liitle people."

Although I am sure that SCCA powers to be might be worried that us little people will compete for sponsors and/or attention and we might become the more desireable championship to win.
Raymond

Ray,
Read my lips, according to SCCA, regional racing is a "NON SPECTATOR SPORT". This has to change even if we don't get national recognizition!
dj
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"according to SCCA, regional racing is a "NON SPECTATOR SPORT".

I don't understand the above statement based on my belief that all Road Atlanta events allow and charge spectators. Other tracks may or may not opt to do this based on their insurance policy and the cost thereof.

However, I am not the definitive source on the subject.
 
Originally posted by tom_sprecher@Sep 29 2005, 11:51 PM
"according to SCCA, regional racing is a "NON SPECTATOR SPORT".

I don't understand the above statement based on my belief that all Road Atlanta events allow and charge spectators.  Other tracks may or may not opt to do this based on their insurance policy and the cost thereof.

However, I am not the definitive source on the subject.
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They all charge any spectator, but none as far as I know, advertises any regional events due to scca insurance. This is what I was told by a race track faculity.
dj
 
Originally posted by racer14itc@Sep 28 2005, 03:57 PM
Yeah, but do you think Tony George wants us littering up his track??  :P

MC
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1) Tony is (as far as I know) a member of SCCA - Indy Region

2) He has all winter to clean the place up

3) We don't have the money to burn couches and junk cars in the infield

Tony opened the Speedway museum for an after-hours reception for Indy Region's 50th annaversary banquet.
 
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