Here's what I wrote:
kevinelliott@clearchannel.com
Kevin,
I'm writing to urge your consideration in changing future Gingerman Raceway events from 1 day to 2 days. Currently the Saturday is run as an LP-USA day and all races are run on Sunday.
As you may know, Sunday has a 2 hour mandatory "quiet time", which cuts into the day significantly. Add to that, crashes encountered in combined EX/AM in almost every class, and it results in either races being cut short or the day extending quite long.
I understand that in the past, the turn-out has not warranted a 2 day event, but would request that the 2004-2005 data be reviewed in consideration for 2006. With the introduction of Manufacturer Contingency (or other incentives such as double points) in 2004, the turn-out has increased dramatically.
Per the results, this last weekend showed 430 entries (up from 334 in July 2004 at Gingerman). Reviewing the last Blackhawk 2-day event, results show 454 entries. This seems to be quite a growth trend which I believe could possibly support a 2 day event.
Additionally, a 2 day event will allow individuals who only race on Saturdays to come out and run.
Looking at the trend over the last 4 years, I believe it is time to review the scheduling of Gingerman and consider a 2-day event. It will ultimately make for a safer event and a far better experience for the racers and staff alike.
Thank you for your time.
-Jeff Kufalk
MW EX 42
Hear! Hear!
Well at least when it's a money weekend.
Yamaha and suzuki money brings out a crowd.
It sucks to have such a speed difference on the track with experts doings 23s-24s and slower ams doing 40s...it starts to become a safety issue!
That's a great email. I simply wouldn't come out to race if the races were all on one day. The odds of having a smooth day as planned are quite slim I'd say.
Here's the reply... And it makes sense...
On Wed, August 3, 2005 10:16 am, ELLIOTT, KEVIN M said:
> Hello Jeff,
>
> Last weekends event was the first time we didn't lose money at
> Gingerman. (Previous 4 rounds lost an average of $9,000 each).
>
> IF the October round shows the same support, we will change the schedule
> for 2006.If it loses like the previous events, chances are it will be
> removed from the schedule.
>
> Thanks for writing in.
>
> Kevin
>
Soooooo... If you love Gingerman, COME OUT! And bring a friend!!!
I think that the initial email from Jeff and the response from Kevin were both great. It is nice to see a dialogue between the riding community and CCS management. Good job!
For what it's worth, every time I've written Kevin a personal email regarding an issue, with proposed solutions, he has responded with information such as he did here.
Some things get changed and some don't, but at least I give it a shot and gain a bit more understanding along the way. I would encourage everyone out there to do the same.
Don't just show up here and complain, give your feedback with a realistic solution back to CCS!
Exactly Jeff, much like muttering under your breath, complaints without solutions have no effect. Good on ya, mate, for communicating with Kevin. I know that whenever I've emailed KE a potential solution, he's always responded with a return email.
Honestly...
If CCS looks at WHY this weekend was packed and learns what it takes to make it happens...
We had 2 regions and yamaha-suzuki money.
All in all, aside from the how late the event ran, I really don't think the sunday only event was all that bad.
Practice (LP USA) was awful!
Yeah I am AM, and next year I won't be there...
Of all the Advan./AM sessions I ran, I was never able to run one clean lap.
While having races Sat and Sun, would clean up the track some, I doubt it would improve the turn out.
XIII
Xian, don't get discouraged.
This event didn't just pop into being a full grid. It was 2+ years in the making. Last year the events were multi-region, double points and Yam/Suz contingency, and they STILL lost money. However, as people try the track, they LIKE it, and come back.
Your experience was a growing pain. You had a bad day because there were too many people in the sessions. Even in the EX group, it got packed to the point where I stopped running.
Assuming the same rough amount of entries show up in Oct (which they will), next year we will have a 2 day event.
Gingerman is a fantastic track and a beautiful facility for racers, spectators and campers alike. It would be a great loss to have it removed from the schedule for yet another BHF day.
Not that BHF is bad, but we have enough days there already...
Jeff,
Don't get me wrong, I would gladly pass up a BHFs for a Gman.
I love the track, as well as the North ACC track.
I would just hate to lose it by trying to do a 2 day event.
And as far as the Ex practice vs. the AM practice...
I really doubt you ran into a pack of 6 riders that hit the breaks going into 5.
Only other time I have seen that closing speed was when the kink was still at RA and 1/2 of the AMs thought brakes were a good Idea!
XIII
Jeff,
Thanks for writing that. You did us all favor! All I had was good intentions that went away the minute I got back to work.
Kevin,
If you're reading this, thanks for the response. I really think at least a couple of those four events were impacted by very poor weather. Some fair weather racers just won't bother showing up for a one day event that's predicted at 100% rain. Hopefully, last weekend proves Gingerman can be as worthy a location as BHF or ACC, which benefit from denser population.
Thanks for the discussion.
Xian, I agree with you. I wasn't even in your practice session and went to Bill to express my concerns at the closing speeds. The group should have been broken up.
QuoteXian, I agree with you. I wasn't even in your practice session and went to Bill to express my concerns at the closing speeds. The group should have been broken up.
Though it didn't happen until the last session on Saturday, they did move a number of riders from the Amateur/Advanced session to the Sport irder session.
QuoteOn Wed, August 3, 2005 10:16 am, ELLIOTT, KEVIN M said: ... IF the October round shows the same support, we will change the schedule for 2006. If it loses like the previous events, chances are it will be removed from the schedule.
[emphasis added]Okay all you WERA guys and other MI racers. You gotta attend the October 2 race!
Jig? Eddie? Section 8 crew? I saw the Carney bus there this w/e, so I hope they'll be back in October. Early October can be hit or miss as far as the temperature goes. But, it really isn't that cold. Milder than March or April riding anyway.
H-man