March 10 - SPC - Split Event Format

[impalanut]

Me too!

[Loren]

You don't want to do a simple lunch between 12-1?
Obviously not everyone will be able to attend, but at least the morning people will be completely done.

Getting the afternoon folks registered, teched, course-walked and driver's meeting done will be PLENTY of stuff going on without having to mess with lunch.

But, any of the morning folks who want to could run down to Beef's or McDonald's or wherever for a bite and be back before the afternoon session begins.

We do plan on having some snackage around, however. It won't qualify as "lunch". Probably some donuts in the morning, and chips, cookies or whatever in the afternoon.

[Loren]

I will be more than happy to sign up for a second stint in the late session if anyone wants a co-driver/instructor/car flogger.

Opportunity knocks...

Me too!

Twice!

Talk about a great learning opportunity.

[jbrannon7]

If you don't get more than 70 to register, are you going to do a last minute merge?

[Native]

Nope. We want to try out this format. We'll keep it separate and see how it goes.

[Loren]

I can already see what's going to happen. The morning event is going to fill up first with 50 drivers, and probably around 20 or so in the afternoon event.

Normally, at that point, our event would be FULL. But, now people will have the option of still registering for the afternoon. And they will. We might not fill up the afternoon event, but I'm expecting the morning event to be full and the afternoon event to be around 40.

But, we're not going to merge. If the afternoon is light, the afternoon is light.

[Solar]

If the afternoon event doesn't sell out, would we consider letting anyone from the morning event that might like to run again in the afternoon if they pay another entry fee ? Not saying we would allow walk ups.....

[Loren]

Doubtful.

If anyone wants to run the afternoon, sign up for it!

The event is 5 weeks away yet. Just because it didn't fill up overnight like the last one did doesn't mean that it won't fill up.

[RacingHart71]

Wait...The event is open for sign up right now?? I thought event sign up didnt start until the current event had run. If so I need to get in on it quick!!

-Royce

[Solar]

Doubtful.

If anyone wants to run the afternoon, sign up for it!

The event is 5 weeks away yet. Just because it didn't fill up overnight like the last one did doesn't mean that it won't fill up.

Understand, just wondering if it was, or could be a option, end of discussion.

[Jamie]

Wait...The event is open for sign up right now??

One month prior to the event. Makes it easy to remember.

[RacingHart71]

Thanks Jamie!!

[Abarth]

Hello I am new to this board. I raced I think twice with your group back when this was the miata club. I think a change like this was needed. Why have a club if you keep turning people away. By the time I know that I can be there its full. I was told once that it won't be a problem and just come to the event. I turned up with my wife and father only to be turned away at the registration table. So what happens is that it pisses people like me off and we would rather race with a group that invites people to come.

I have autocrossed on and off for over 30 years so I am not some kid thats whinning because he was told to go home and that he couldn't play. Well actually I am. So I am glad you are trying to open things up and letting more people in the sand box.

The only suggestion I have is group the classes. In SCCA Seattle we would run certain classes in the morning and the other classes in the afternoon. Every event it switched back and forth as to whether you had morning or afternoon. It worked great and we had fun runs still at the end of the day. The pit area was big enough that we could leave our car if we wanted fun runs in the afternoon.

So, I just want to say thanks for trying to include people.

[Loren]

Welcome to the forum, Derek!

Really sorry you got turned away at an event. Of course, we can't take responsibility for someone else misinforming you. Our info is pretty readily available.

If the split event format proves to be viable, I'm probably going to try to keep us away from the "run by class" thing. It's actually a fairly recent thing for us, we haven't always done it that way. And I've run with other clubs (even an SCCA region) that didn't do it that way. It's really not that big of a deal for casual competition.

The thing is, running a split format gives people who have tight schedules (work, family, other responsibilities) the ability to CHOOSE to run morning or afternoon, whichever suits their schedule. If we dictate which classes have to run when, it takes away that freedom. (not to mention that it just invites people to misclass themselves or request exceptions to run out of class or whatever) FAST is for Fun. Sure, competition is fun, but we're more about "casual" competition. If anyone is super-serious about competition, they should be running with SCCA and moving up the competitive ladder. That's my take, anyway. Trying to keep things simple.

FYI, we're still not looking to allow walk-up registration. Pre-registration is just a wonderful convenience of the digital age. And, since we have one site that requires it, anyway, it's just easier to be consistent. One of the reasons our events are typically very well-organized and run so smoothly is that we require pre-registration. We know who's coming and what we're going to do with them.

Our primary goal with the current experiment is twofold, really. To allow more people to run and not have to turn so many people away, sure... but equally, to ensure that our REGULAR participants don't get turned away because they didn't get registered quickly enough. When I started seeing that happen, it really bothered me.

Hope to see you at an event. Perhaps this one!

[RacingHart71]

How many spots still open Loren?? I want to get in but i have to wait a few days yet. At least I could watch this one if I don't get in. Id help out even if I don't get to run.

[Loren]

How many spots still open Loren??

Morning is full, here's the afternoon:
http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frm ... t_id=13626

(not hard to find, just follow one of the event registration links on the website, that will take you to our event list on the registration site)

[twistedwankel]

Loren FYI.

I normally don't miss events and were I not having to test out my new Firestone All Season tires on Moby Dick the Vic in northern OH next month I definately would have signed up for the afternoon event. ALWAYS. I hate getting up early. Too bad about lunch tho', I'll miss that, but I fully understand the purpose and there's a ton of nice restaurants nearby that site

Just in case you're quantifying results from this experiment

[Loren]

Thanks, Doug. I'm certain that there are plenty of people who feel similarly. Given the choice, I'd normally choose the afternoon event, myself. Mornings... bah!

And I also expect that the majority of the Morning people will evaporate as soon as they're done running at 11:30. (and that's fine)

[RacingHart71]

Will it be ok for those that sign up for the late secession to come early to volunteer to work at the event in the morning secession? I live too close not to want to spend as much time there as I can. I'll help even if I get wait listed and dont get in.

-Royce

[Loren]

Sure, no problem. Extra help is always welcome.

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