First off I would like to say the Jennings GP is an awesome track, now that is out of the way...
On monday before the race weekend I called the track to ask about camping there on friday night. Seeing that friday was a JGP event and not a CCS FL event they stated that we would be able to camp. For those of you who do now know anything about FL region, they have a policy the keeps you from camping @ the track during CCS FL events, even though the track allows it. They also stated that the gates would be open until 10pm. Me and my bud get off work early on FRI to get down to FL around 6pm, when we arrive there were a couple of RV parked outside, even though the gates were wide open and no one @ the gates. After a little conversation we found out that there would be no camping and the gates "closed" @ 6pm. As we were talking a couple of trucks w/trailers just drove right in. So me and my bud resolved to find a good spot walked in and scoped out the area. He went back to get the truck and while I was waiting some guy came up and started harrasing me about being inside the gate, and told me I couldnt be in there. All the time more trucks w/ trailers are coming in. Problem #1 we are not allowed to camp, and the gates are supposed to be "closed & locked" to prevent theft. The gates are about 15' long and you can walk around them.
Day 2 practice session day. The USGPRU was there 125 and 250's witch was awesome. Well they were all in our practice group. I ride an SV. So there would be like 60 guys out on the track for a practice session, witch was not safe at all. so after 2 sessions they decided to split us up, but they werent just going to make 4 groups. How it was before the split was Expert Yellow, Combined (EX/AM) Pink, thats us, and Am Purple. The new plan was to go EX Yellow, EX Pink, AM purple, EX Yellow, AM Pink, AM Purple, EX yello, EX Pink. So the combined riders were looseing track time, IT WAS CUT IN HALF! But they werent going to compensate us for anything. AFter ALOT of bitching they decided to to goto a 4 group session EX Yello, EX Pink, AM Pink, AM purple. Then they combined a lot of races like thunderbike, and Litweight S/S but didnt tell anyone this.
Race day was good no major problems, but everthing leading up to the race day was just a mess. The only reason I race @ Jennings GP, is b/c I am in the SE circuit and they are on the circuit as a combined SE/FL/Southern race. I am thinking about not going back to JGP for the may race, simply b/c of the CCS FL people. >:(
Why because of us are we to fast for you? As for the camping it may be allowed at the next round the other tracks we race at dont allow it. Yes Fl always has thunderbike and SS as a combined race its the way its always been done because we dont race on saturdays. Some people like the way Fl is run some people dont but there are some changes that might be made in the camping dept from what i hear Henry might chime in if its true.
NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN, !
It is all about security and insurance, There is a camp ground at the highway exit you can camp there in tents for free campers are $10.00 for the eletric.
This has be gone over for many years.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE SECURITY AND INS. WHEN WERA HAS EVENTS AT THAT TRACK AND THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH ANY THEFT OR INS. AND THEY ALLOW CAMPING
According to someone from jenningsGP that i talk to i hear different because jennings allows it and Moroso or homestead doesnt. Either way it doesnt bother me one bit. Supposely henry is looking into it so who knows.
We have been racing at Jennings for 2 years now. CCS/Florida has never allowed camping in the paddock. This is nothing new! I told USGPRU and everyone else who would listen long before this race, about our policies and that we don't allow camping (in the paddock). Still too many complained, "why can't we camp"? We have been following this policy because of the possibility of theft. And the other Florida tracks will not allow camping period. However, regardless of what some may think, I do listen to the riders. "For God's sake" I was one for 23 years! Some things I agree with and can change while others I disagree with and will not. The regular Fl. riders are familiar with our policies, such as camping. I also realize that the SE riders and others are not so familiar. This can and does cause problems and I understand why. So I am in the process of changing our no camping policy at Jennings. Stay tuned and you can count on it being organized for everyones benefit.
With regards to the practice sessions on Saturday being over crowded in the lightweight group: I agreed it was and we originally made a bad decision that would have penalized that group unfairly. We corrected it before it was initiated. And I might also say there was no "mob" action that made us change it. Only 2 riders spoke to me (Steve Wenner and Brian Gordon) and I agreed with them. We were caught out on that one and we fixed it. We are not perfect and never claimed to be. Every group got 6 practice sessions. The claim that we combined classes and never told anyone is a "bold faced lie"! If you would just read your schedule of events, you can see that is how the races were always scheduled. This is the same exact scheule we started with at Homestead, Moroso earlier this year and continued at Jennings.
And as far as xunil 11 thinking about "never coming back to JGP because of the CCS/Fl. people". That is up to him. Threats lies and insults don't get it! Reason does! We will be back, count on it!
HD
QuoteWhy because of us are we to fast for you? As for the camping it may be allowed at the next round the other tracks we race at dont allow it. Yes Fl always has thunderbike and SS as a combined race its the way its always been done because we dont race on saturdays. Some people like the way Fl is run some people dont but there are some changes that might be made in the camping dept from what i hear Henry might chime in if its true.
When I stated CCS FL people I meant those that organize it SCUBASteve, not the riders. The riders are always great no matter where you go. Henry tried to explain to me the reason for not camping. He stated that @ either Moroso, or Homestead I cant remember the guy @ the gate was supposed to close the gate @ 5pm, but he let it stay open until 6pm. Then a couple of stearing dampers were ganked off of some bikes. All in that hour, did it ever occur to anyone that the reason things are stolen is b/c there is no one there to watch it. That is my point about camping. Then the lack of any posting of a schedule prior to the race weekend. So those of us who pre-register and are not used to the FL region racing how are we suppoed to know that races are combined. Then not to mention if you look on CCS website and goto tracks, the Jennings GP link states that it has camping. So someone not in the FL region or even a newbie racer would never know until they got there.
Take it as you want, I have been racing for several years now and out of all the circuits that I have been racing CCS FL was the most dis-organized.
xunil 11, you are a frustrated "chronic"! ::)
HD
The weekend @ Jennings was my first weekend of racing ever. I have been to several other events as a spectator/pit crew with my team mate. I was very dissappointed about not being able to camp, but we knew about that before hand, @ least for saturday night. And then we were both starting to get aggravated when the announcement went out about splitting/jumping the Pink group for practice. But that was made good by CCS FL. I also made a mistake on the registration for LTWT S/S and THUNDERBIKE, but I went and the lady @ the counter let me change my entry for thunderbike. I was upset with myself for not catching it, not @ the CCS FL guys. Anyway, I was upset about the no camping, but not to the point where I wouldnt go back to Jennings. Especially b/c Jennings is such a great track, and the people there are great.
If you ask me, which you didn't but I am going to tell you what I think anyway, CCS FL does a great job at putting on race weekends. As with any event (especially ones with hundreds of crazy people ;D), things do occasionally happen.
It all got worked out. Atleast next time you will know what to expect. Besides, didn't you get to go racing? ;)
I was one of those smokers out of that 60 :)
Just about everyone on/in the USGPRU knew about the camping issues, gate openings, closings, etc., as I/we asked Henry and the track about it before hand, and we posted it on the USGPRU boards.
The only thing that was a little frustrating is that I called the track and they said the gates were closing @10 on Fri nite, but @5:40 some of the 125ers called us on our way down to tell us that they announced that the gates were closing @ 6 and not to come to the track. What was worse is that we were only 30 mins away... arggghh. But it all worked out fine.
Just as the practice splitting went... everything was 'adjusted' and it all worked out fine.
The track was great and everyone had fun. It just took some getting use to. The only thing I would suggest is opening the gate earlier. Having the gate open @8 and practice start @9, I thought was a little rushed having to get setup, register, tech, and get ready in 1+ hour.
As per request from the "locals," no motorcycles are to start until 9:00am! They seem to have a complaint about the noise!? Wouldn't know why!
How much earlier do you suggest they open the gates?
Yea, I know, that's what we heard, and that's fine but why not open the gates at 7a? Just to give everyone more time to get setup and ready.
Don't they give an hour for all of the other tracks (Moroso and Homestead)? Practice starts at 8:00 though?
Don't know, I'm in SE region, have never done a FL race till last weekend. All the tracks I've been to in SE you can get in at least at 7a.
QuoteWhen I stated CCS FL people I meant those that organize it SCUBASteve, not the riders. The riders are always great no matter where you go. Henry tried to explain to me the reason for not camping. He stated that @ either Moroso, or Homestead I cant remember the guy @ the gate was supposed to close the gate @ 5pm, but he let it stay open until 6pm. Then a couple of stearing dampers were ganked off of some bikes. All in that hour, did it ever occur to anyone that the reason things are stolen is b/c there is no one there to watch it. That is my point about camping. Then the lack of any posting of a schedule prior to the race weekend. So those of us who pre-register and are not used to the FL region racing how are we suppoed to know that races are combined. Then not to mention if you look on CCS website and goto tracks, the Jennings GP link states that it has camping. So someone not in the FL region or even a newbie racer would never know until they got there.
Take it as you want, I have been racing for several years now and out of all the circuits that I have been racing CCS FL was the most dis-organized.
Most dis-organized I dont know where u been going but i ve done a few other Organizations And Fl makes them look like preschoolers. Maybe they can communicate with you better because of this. Have you ever thought of calling the promoter before you got there. The Jennings website is Track days not actuall race weekends. All you had to do was call henry. I like the fact it took you a week almost to vent. ;D
Please be advised, we opened the gates at 7:30am on both days. We start at 9:00am both days with practice. As far as what time you were told the track would be closing on Friday. You need to talk to the track. We didn't take control until the next morning. You can be sure we are looking at the camping (in the paddock) situation. As far as camping (in the paddock) at any of the other Florida tracks (Moroso, Homestead and Daytona), I have no input at those venues. They are decisions made by each track. Also the quote about the stolen parts at the last Homestead race was totally misunderstood by my "chronic" complainer. I won't waste any more time in explaining other than to say it is safer for everyone when the paddock is locked down and guarded as it should be.
HD
Do you think that Henry does things just to make racers upset or angery? If you do, YOURE AN IDIOT. Why would the org. do something that way. They don't want to run business off. Everything has a reason, even if you dont understand why. If you think its easy, try running your own race org. and you'll see. Nothing is perfect.
Thank you Throttle.
HD
Quote The new plan was to go EX Yellow, EX Pink, AM purple, EX Yellow, AM Pink, AM Purple, EX yello, EX Pink.
I am going to be racing in the FL region in a couple of months. I am not sure I understand all the colors going on here can someone explain please.
The stickers are simply the color of the sticker that they give you at tech.
So that when you go out for practice, they can quickly, and easily see if you're supposed to be in that session or not.
OK...WOW don't I feel dumb. Well look forward to meeting some of you soon. I will be living in Orlando.
Marc
YOU'LL ENJOY RACING IN FLA. IT WILL DEFINITLY MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER.PLUS IF YOU WIN YOU GET A 3' TROPHY INSTED OF A $10 PLAQUE...EVEN AMATURES
Looking forward to it!! Not to sure about the winning part but I am looking forward to the new tracks and new friends.
Marc
QuoteYOU'LL ENJOY RACING IN FLA. IT WILL DEFINITLY MAKE YOU A BETTER RIDER.PLUS IF YOU WIN YOU GET A 3' TROPHY INSTED OF A $10 PLAQUE...EVEN AMATURES
Woohoo! A 'nice' thophy...better than a plague...Yeah BUT no purse money.... ::) (for AMs) Try to find that on the CCS website! Along with all the other differences only FL region follows.
No purse money at all? Well I think that may be a good thing. I would think that it would help prevent sandbagging.
Not for AMs....Nothing. And no racing on Saturday. Normally I can run 3 classes with my bike, only 2 at the SE/FL combined race. It's a long trip for me just to race 2 sprint races. I may skip the next SE/FL event. Still debating..points would be my only reason to go....
Sandbaggers...find another way to deal with them. (IMO)
So you usually run 3 races in other regions but because the Florida Region runs all their races on Sunday "you can run only 2"! You should talk to Marco Martinez who ran 9 races! :o But oh ya, he's an Expert and you're an Amateur. "Sandbagger" may be too good a term for you, "Milk Toast" fits you better!
HD
Why only 2 Sprint races? What bike are you running?
Henry, if we pay them money, doesn't that nullify their amateur status? ;D
(Hey, if you want to really torque them off, limit them to a max of 750CC for multis like we do!)
:oHey Hooter 31 why is it that the Florida region has such a problem with theft? I have talked with you about this before. I can't understand I've been racing now for ten years and have always watched my neighbors stuff whether I liked him or not. But being that its unusual for a region to have steering dampners stole in an hour. I like Jennings but if I have to worry about the tires being on my trailer when I get there the next morning I just don't know. Even at road atlanta GNF's as crowded as it is, you just don't hear about it that much. I think it's crazy that you come to a track to spend a $1000 on a weekend of relaxing racing ,but it ends up costing you $1500 because someone stole your stuff, what about security???? >:( >:( I don't know sorry about the outburst , fell out of bed this morning, no the truth is she pushed me out, and landed on my head. ;D
;D ;DBy the way ecumike , great run at Vir, I guess You know Jownne crashed at the top of the hogs pen the first morning , sorta took the wind outa her sail, but I think the sorness is gone now since she kicked me out on my head this morning.
Thanks.
I think I may have a pic of her.. actually it's of Reet, but i think her bike is in the background. I'll check.
Is that her bike in the background?
Photo courtesy of Shoot to Thrill Photo (http://www.shoottothrillphoto.com).
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsantelia.org%2Fimg%2Fposts%2Freet.jpg&hash=795ad31232b4e7c9194e12d16b5910f20a91befb)
Porky, where have you been? Don't tell me you haven't heard the "horror" stories of theft at Daytona? And yes that is in Florida! However, it can happen anywhere. We just want to try and keep it from happening at our events.
HD
For the record I know of no thefts whatsoever at the Jennings GP track.
HD
I THINK MY POST WAS THAT WERA HAS NO PROBLEM WITH THEFT AT JENNINGS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH SECURITY SO WHY CAN'T WE CAMP...I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY THEFT.I DON'T LIKE THE ALL RACES ON SUNDAY BUT THATS THE WAY IT IS,AS FAR AS PERSONAL FEELINGS ,I HAVE ALOT OF RESPECT FOR HENRY AND HE HAS NEVER DONE ME WRONG.HE PROMOTES HIS REGION AND THE CCS CORP. CAN TAKE LESSONS FROM HIM...I GET FLYERS MAILED TO ME BEFORE EVERY FLA. EVENT,HE TAKES LOCAL RIDERS TO COMPETE IN CHINA...HE WORKS VERY HARD FOR HIS RIDERS,I JUST DON'T LIKE THE ONE DAY FORMAT...ANYTHING ELSE SAID IS B.S.
BY THE WAY WHO ARE YOU???SEND ME AN EMAIL IF YOU WANT...IT'S NOT HIDDEN LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD THAT START CRAP
;DHey ecumike yep thats mommas garelli laying down on its side just like her on a sunday afternoon, sorry I had to step away for awhile. As far as Henry goes and the Florida region I just wish the rest of the regions were as good as his, Hooty youre right, we get the mailers constantly and not real happy with the format but love all the saturday practice. And Hooty I can't beleive you don't know me, #89 FAT boy on gsxr 1000 and ducati 998, but will mostly be on the 998 this year if I get i straightened out. My wife is the one that rides the 125 1/2 our bikes are red white and blue, we usually see you and your wife and roebling and jennings. And to Henry you run a super region, I thinks its just the climate or something. By the way ecumike You going to Jennings for the next southeast race? Anyway Ya'll calm down I'm too old and lazy to start anything with you young guys, well except for hooter 31 ;D ;D ;D
Naw, I'll be up in CT for my Brother in Law's new baby christening. (sp?) that weekend.
You guys going to SP Mem. weekend? That's my next race.
I don't think so, but i'll ask my bosslady and sponsor, I usually leave it up to her. I just come along to ride. But I'll let ya know, I know we're gooing to jennings, but who knows what else.
HEY MAN WHATS HAPPENNING...i haven't seen you since VIR last year.i missed the last 2 races but should be at the next jennings.henry if you're out there email me your address so i can preenter...