Motorcycle Racing Forum

Based on what we learned from our first event, we are considering modifying the weekend race schedule and we're looking for input from the racers.  The main concerns are the low entries for Team Challenge and the number of back-to-back races some people experienced.  Team Challenge had only 5 entries  for a combined MW and GP event, so we are considering eliminating or modifying the TC and possibly moving GT races to Saturday.  Here are the options:

1) Keep TC as is:  Should we keep TC as is and give interest in the series time to grow? 

2) Keep TC but combine the 4 TC classes into one GTO Class? If there are only 5 entries then at least you would all be racing against each other, rather than one team running a race for two hours with no other teams in their class.

3) Reduce TC from 2 hours to 1 hour?  Reduce the price to $100 for a shorter race.  Shorter race and cost should allow for more solo entries.  Teams are still welcome, but no more hassle for guys wanting to race but can't get the team and/or logistics worked out.

4) Eliminate TC and move GT Races to Saturday? Moving GT races to Saturday would ease the Sunday schedule and reduce the possibility for back-to-back races.

Give us your feedback.  We're designing this series FOR racers BY racers so we need to know what you think.

which weekend are you refering to?

Quote from: rrrrrrrick on June 03, 2006, 05:54:14 PM
which weekend are you refering to?

This would be for all TrackAddix GP weekends.  PLEASE NOTE this is NOT the ASRA Team Challenge, only refers to TrackAddix GP weekends.

Endurance racing is a blast. I'd hate to see it go away. Maybe reducing it to one hour would make it more appealing to those who haven't tried it.

I would hate to see it go.  I just didn't think I was in shape my first weekend back to run it.

The main goal from my perspective would be to get the GT races out of the way on Saturday.  I think you could do that by combining the TC into 1 class.

I would hate to see it go, and would also hate to see the awesome practice schedule you guys have be cut either.

Based on entries, it might make more sense to remove the TC and move the GT's out to Saturday.  That would keep the practice which I think you have a VERY good turn out for.

When are results going to be posted

We have sent the paperwork to CCS main office and they should have the results posted on the CCS site shortly.  In the mean time we have posted the results on MyLaps.com.  You can view them at the following link http://mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=137029

I dont get why more people dont support the TC...

figure a 3 way split on all costs and it breaks out to pretty cheap track time!  We rotate the tire bill, contingecy $$ is 3 way split, figure your getting 40mins of track time for $60 (plus gas and tires)... thats twice the time you get in a GT race for what $10 more?

I'd hate to see it go away... its GREAT practice time and just an overall helluva good time.  I see my longevity in the sport in endurance racing, hopefully CCS can work in that direction.  If not I guess I better go buy some more drill bits and safety wire and run WERA

Quote from: tstruyk on June 05, 2006, 12:56:59 PM
I dont get why more people dont support the TC...  figure a 3 way split on all costs and it breaks out to pretty cheap track time!

Personally I agree, lots of cheap track time in the TC.  From some of the people we've talked to, it seems like geting the logistics worked out is an inhibitor.  Who's bike do we use and set up, what happens if someone wrecks the bike, can we count on the entire team always showing up to race???  That's why we're thinking a 1 hour long race at $100 might be more appealing to solo riders.  Basically you could run the race with just one fuel pit stop.  Not to mention $45 for Saturday practice, $100 for 1 hour endurance race = $145 for the entire day.

The 1 hour has its merits too.  I'd be game for running that.

Thanx Dean... I have been waiting for my results.. I was quite shocked to get my first check ever for racing in the mail today... sorry I didn't pick it up at the track... didn't think I did well enough... thanx again for a great weekend.. looking forward to Topeka...

Quote from: TrackAddix on June 05, 2006, 09:50:41 AM
We have sent the paperwork to CCS main office and they should have the results posted on the CCS site shortly.  In the mean time we have posted the results on MyLaps.com.  You can view them at the following link http://mylaps.com/results/showevent.jsp?id=137029

if its helpful here's what we do.

rotate tire costs and entry fee's
you wreck it you fix it! (tuck a front or highside it to the moon...your on your own)
someone wrecks you... we all fix it (someone chops your front or t-bones you, we all chip in)
you'll find those that are on a bike thats not theirs, tend to leave more margin for error.

its definately one of the most fun races I have ever done!  Its been VERY frustrating not having run it yet (mechanical at road america, cancelled at MAM).  Looking fw to Topeka!!!

Tim,

I see your points, but I am sure there are quite a few other racers like me that will never let anyone else ride their bike, or want to ride anyone else's bike...

I think it would be awesome to remove TC and/or make it shorter/combine classes and move the GT Races to Sat...

yeah I guess its not for everyone... I personally dont have a problem with pretty much anyone riding my bike, sometimes I just assume everyone feels the way I do.  I guess its understandable that maybe some (or most) dont.

I'd like to see it stay. 

Maybe if more people (like mike) would post up why they DONT ride the team challenge TA could solve some issues, or resolve a schedule solution more accurately.

Is it a "rather not use my bike" reason?
Is it a "rather not race someone elses bike" issue?
Is it "I've never done it and really dont know what to expect"?
Maybe its the additional cost?
Or maybe its "I'm probably gonna be exhausted after practice all day"

The one hour sounds Ok, but the 2 hour gives 3 guys plenty of time on the track... like I said, I'd like to see it stay... but whatever is best for the series works for me.

tim

Tim,

Good idea...

But here is something else to consider...

If we removed the single pratice session after lunch, and moved TC to begin at 1:00 we could run a 2 Hour TC...That would end around 3:00...

From there, we could run the 3 GT Races Sat after Team Challenge, and have a cold track by 5:00...

Then on Sunday with the loss of the 3 GT Races, we could then add one additional pratice for Sunday morning, then enter normal Sprint Races...

This would still give us the same amount of pratice sessions, and we could still keep TC in place for those who want to run it...

Feeback?  :cheers:

How about this...

Slighly modified MAM Schedule...

Saturday

8:00 Group 1 Pratice
8:20 Group 2 Pratice
8:40 Group 3 Pratice
9:00 Group 1
9:20 Group 2
9:40 Group 3
10:00 Group 1
10:20 Group 2
10:40 Group 3
11:00 Group 1
11:20 Group 2
11:40 Group 3
12:00 - Lunch/ TC Setup
1:00 2 Hour Team Challenge
3:15 - Riders Meeting
3:30 - GTU
4:00 - GTL
4:30 - GTO

Sunday
8:00 Group 1 Pratice
8:20 Group 2 Pratice
8:40 Group 3 Pratice
9:00 Group 1
9:20 Group 2
9:40 Group 3
10:00 EX UNL GP Qualify
10:30 Riders Meeting
Sprint Races Start at 11:00
1. MW SS AM
2. MW SS EX
3. LW SS
4. HW SS
5. UNL SS
6. F40/LW F40
Lunch - 1 Hour
7. Thunderbike
8. UNL GP AM/EX
9. LW SB
10. MW SB
11. LW GP
12. HW SB
13. UNL CB
14. MWGP

that makes alot of sense.  I never did understand the extra practice after lunch... there is kind of a natural break to set up for the TC at lunch (move canopies, stands, swap tires etc...) and I definately prefer 2 sessions of practice in the AM before racing, takes a session just to get the suspension warmed up and the body loose (at least for me).  and for those that skip the sat practice and TC/GT's they still get a little dial in time on sunday.

I like it.

The only negative I see is that the TC MUST run on time, as must the GT's... but no more so than the GT's and sprints had to on Sunday at the first GP race... I dont see any problems with that schedule at all  :thumb:

I really like Mike's proposed schedule. Too bad it isn't a choice on the poll. It gets my vote.

Quote from: LMsports on June 06, 2006, 03:59:31 PM
I really like Mike's proposed schedule. Too bad it isn't a choice on the poll. It gets my vote.

+1

Some quick insight into that after lunch practice session.  Here are our thoughts as to why we scheduled it that way.  First, you have just eaten and have been sitting around for an hour or more depending on what practice group you run in.  Having a round of practice after lunch gives you a chance to loosen up and get back in the groove before going out to race.  Our second thought was that many people swap tires during the lunch break.  Having a practice session after lunch gives riders a chance to scrub in new tires before going racing.  Hope this sheds some light on why some things are the way they are.

Looking forward to seeing you all at MAM in July.  I am hoping to make it to Topeka as well, but it all depends on when the baby decides to join us.  Kim is about to pop!
-Dean

Quote from: TrackAddix on June 06, 2006, 11:25:24 PM
  I am hoping to make it to Topeka as well, but it all depends on when the baby decides to join us.  Kim is about to pop!
-Dean

Don't forget to check the air pressure closely.... 30 in the front and 22 in the rear is what you're looking for! :thumb:

hey Dean!

I understand where you are coming from, my first few TC events with ASRA(FUSA) where hectic.  I thought "how am I supposed to swap tires, set up pit, and eat during lunch... "  and I can tell you most times lunch was skipped as practice sessions ran over.  As for a scrub in...A. its a long race, and B. if you cant have em ready to rock and roll (or damn near) after the siting lap you got bigger problems IMO.

I think people will adapt, the tough part may be more about finding time between the TC and GT's to get tires changed... but if you are running a ton of races its a common problem, most people that are serious about multiple classes have an extra set of rims.


thanks for the hard work on this AND for taking time to recieve input and let this be a work in progress!

Tim

I also like Mikes idea, but since it wasn't a choice, I opted for decreasing the TC to 1 hour.  But, that is my 0.02

I like Mike's proposal as well.

Quote from: Thingy on June 07, 2006, 08:02:51 PM
I like Mike's proposal as well.

:cheers: