A survey was recently sent to drivers in the F1000 series.
Before anyone answers the survey, it would be good to discuss some aspects of it.
I will voice my thoughts here and hope you will share yours....so we may all benefit from hearing other opinions.
MY ONLY CONCERN IS THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CLASS.....BOTH IN SCCA AND THE THE F1000 SERIES. At this stage of the class developement, every decision will have an impact on the growth (and even the survival) of the class as a whole. That should guide us in how we respond to the survey.
WITH THAT IN MIND:
1. Add more tracks to the list given.....not sure why some obvious ones were left out.
I suggest adding Atlanta and Virginia. West coast series needs a seperate list.
2. Run most races with SCCA to keep the participation numbers up. moving away from SCCA will kill the class there.....and we don't have the numbers at this time to survive on our own. Running on Majors weekends allows competiors to run for that championship and the F1000 championship at the same time....encouraging more entries.
3. Running with pro series such as Grand-Am will raise entry fees a bunch.... relagate us to the least desirable paddock spaces....and require a dedicated tech guy among other things.....adding to the cost which will reduce entries.
4. Unless it comes from sponsor money, any additional cost we incur will raise entry fees and discouraage entries. Where else will the money come from?
5. Things that will increase cost (and should be avoided) are:
Dedicated tech person.....no due to travel cost and probably a salary.
Running on Majors weekends gives us a built in tech staff
at no additional cost. We should use the two major engine builders as
consultants when needed for any engine questions. The rest is easy....even fuel
testing by the SCCA tech guys. Who could be at every race anyway?
Tow money,start money, and individual race prize money. I say combine all
to an end of year payout and spread it out over the top 10. That will give an
incentive to run more races. Remember....if it doesn't come from sponsor money,
it will have to come from increased entry fees.
6. Keep running at least 5 double race weekends.....6 would be better. reduce to
2 or 3 and you don't have a series that can attract sponsorship.....which we need more of.
7. Standing starts would make it difficult to run on Majors weekends.....where we need to be running. They also add the risk of rear end collisions at the start.....and are very hard on our engine/drive train.
8. A social event / meeting at each event is essential to build comraderie....and to keep everyone informed. Besides it's makes the weekend more enjoyable for families, etc.
9. One relative small cost we should consider would be hiring someone to put together a video highlight of each race and post it on Youtube. It would enhance our series visibility... and attract more sponsors and entries. I think it is to much to expect a volunteer to do this.
10. A podium ceremony is important for the drivers, sponsors, and adds to the video highlights.
11. The survey seems to focus on the East Championship (no west coast tracks). Our entrants will not likely travel to both coast, so a truely nationwide series will not likely attract enough entries to survive. Keeping two series encourages participation by keeping travel distance down. The same survey with different tracks needs to be sent to west coast guys.
12. Every one who owns an F1000 car should be included in the survey......that is about 100 or so cars. Including them will encourage their participation in the series. If we want the series to grow, we need them.
13. Season finale should not be with the Runoffs....mainly because the runoffs is bouncing between the coast.....and that travel seems to be reducing entries. I doubt we see many west coast guys at Daytona. We should look for a more central venue.
14. Tire awards should be for on track results....not random drawings. Why not give the random drawing tires to 3rd and 4th place finishers.....and maybe one for the hard charger award. If we do that, I don't think we need one for pole position either.
15. No to a spec track fuel. A truck load would have to be brought in special....the fuel in the tracks tanks is never to be trusted (dirt and water are common). Who will make the arrangements and at what cost? Besides, not all our engine builders dyno on the same fuel.....so it's best to use the fuel our engine is dynoed on. The SCCA fuel test are adequate to prevent cheating....and if we are at Majors, it comes at no additional cost.
Thanks,
Jerry Hodges
Before anyone answers the survey, it would be good to discuss some aspects of it.
I will voice my thoughts here and hope you will share yours....so we may all benefit from hearing other opinions.
MY ONLY CONCERN IS THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE CLASS.....BOTH IN SCCA AND THE THE F1000 SERIES. At this stage of the class developement, every decision will have an impact on the growth (and even the survival) of the class as a whole. That should guide us in how we respond to the survey.
WITH THAT IN MIND:
1. Add more tracks to the list given.....not sure why some obvious ones were left out.
I suggest adding Atlanta and Virginia. West coast series needs a seperate list.
2. Run most races with SCCA to keep the participation numbers up. moving away from SCCA will kill the class there.....and we don't have the numbers at this time to survive on our own. Running on Majors weekends allows competiors to run for that championship and the F1000 championship at the same time....encouraging more entries.
3. Running with pro series such as Grand-Am will raise entry fees a bunch.... relagate us to the least desirable paddock spaces....and require a dedicated tech guy among other things.....adding to the cost which will reduce entries.
4. Unless it comes from sponsor money, any additional cost we incur will raise entry fees and discouraage entries. Where else will the money come from?
5. Things that will increase cost (and should be avoided) are:
Dedicated tech person.....no due to travel cost and probably a salary.
Running on Majors weekends gives us a built in tech staff
at no additional cost. We should use the two major engine builders as
consultants when needed for any engine questions. The rest is easy....even fuel
testing by the SCCA tech guys. Who could be at every race anyway?
Tow money,start money, and individual race prize money. I say combine all
to an end of year payout and spread it out over the top 10. That will give an
incentive to run more races. Remember....if it doesn't come from sponsor money,
it will have to come from increased entry fees.
6. Keep running at least 5 double race weekends.....6 would be better. reduce to
2 or 3 and you don't have a series that can attract sponsorship.....which we need more of.
7. Standing starts would make it difficult to run on Majors weekends.....where we need to be running. They also add the risk of rear end collisions at the start.....and are very hard on our engine/drive train.
8. A social event / meeting at each event is essential to build comraderie....and to keep everyone informed. Besides it's makes the weekend more enjoyable for families, etc.
9. One relative small cost we should consider would be hiring someone to put together a video highlight of each race and post it on Youtube. It would enhance our series visibility... and attract more sponsors and entries. I think it is to much to expect a volunteer to do this.
10. A podium ceremony is important for the drivers, sponsors, and adds to the video highlights.
11. The survey seems to focus on the East Championship (no west coast tracks). Our entrants will not likely travel to both coast, so a truely nationwide series will not likely attract enough entries to survive. Keeping two series encourages participation by keeping travel distance down. The same survey with different tracks needs to be sent to west coast guys.
12. Every one who owns an F1000 car should be included in the survey......that is about 100 or so cars. Including them will encourage their participation in the series. If we want the series to grow, we need them.
13. Season finale should not be with the Runoffs....mainly because the runoffs is bouncing between the coast.....and that travel seems to be reducing entries. I doubt we see many west coast guys at Daytona. We should look for a more central venue.
14. Tire awards should be for on track results....not random drawings. Why not give the random drawing tires to 3rd and 4th place finishers.....and maybe one for the hard charger award. If we do that, I don't think we need one for pole position either.
15. No to a spec track fuel. A truck load would have to be brought in special....the fuel in the tracks tanks is never to be trusted (dirt and water are common). Who will make the arrangements and at what cost? Besides, not all our engine builders dyno on the same fuel.....so it's best to use the fuel our engine is dynoed on. The SCCA fuel test are adequate to prevent cheating....and if we are at Majors, it comes at no additional cost.
Thanks,
Jerry Hodges
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