In VRS/CCS news...

[G_2_G]

WERA....WERA....WERA.....

Don't bother e-mail Kevin from CCS it is useless to get anything done with them (CCS).  CCS seems like they have one thing on there mind which is how much money they can make and how fast they can make it.  That was a very good example on the practice sessions Dave.  I cannot see how they  think 9 minute practice sessions help anyone.  I have only raced a handful of years but I can see what is happening here with CCS.  Grabbing there money and forgeting about who really makes up CCS racing.......the racers.  Why do you think they grid by who gets there money in first, two reasons money talks and they are to lazy to do grids by points, hell they can even get there own website up to date in a timely fashion.  Sorry for my rant but everyday the WERA schedule looks better and better for the NC.

[KBOlsen]

In my e-mail to Kevin Elliott, I suggested that CCS consider having their Sport Rider Day on Wednesday.  This would enable CCS to attract new people to come out and have their track day, go home and tell their friends how much fun they had and how totally awesome CCS racers are, then come back Saturday for the licensing school.  (or even better - come back the following day for more "intensive" instruction with SD?)

If properly promoted, it could be a win-win for everyone.   That said, my question to the racers here is:

How many of you would be able to start the "race weekend" on Wednesday morning?

[G_2_G]

Oh and by the way good luck Dave you are a stand up guy and hopefully everything works out for you.

[Super Dave]

Gateway would be nice.  But again, the distance to provide a large staff like I do at Gateway is very hard.  I've literally raised my instructors.  They understand the program and what we're trying to do.  Our envoirnment can be almost crazy with what we're trying to get done.

Neville and I have talked, and I am interested in doing something there, but it would not be like the program that I offer at Blackhawk.

WERA would be fine too.  I really just working with riders.  With my age and all, I am not looking for a factory ride, etc.  Although, when the opportunities show up for me to ride for someone, I don't turn them down.

What I did learn early on was that no one prepared me for what I needed to do or what I REALLY NEEDED TO DO or HOW THINGS SHOULD BE.  When I worked with Dale Quarterley (he was a "good" AMA racer for those of you who don't know who he is...), he would just tell me, " Don't do that, because..."  My learning process was formed from that.  And for a guy that has no depth perception,  I did, and do, pretty well, in my estimation.

Often times, that's what it is all about,;  just telling someone what they need to do, and what they're wasting time on.

Additionally, for some reason, I can look at something someone is doing and make interpretations about the riding, and the bike.  Often times, the bike is giving the rider feed back that is slowing them down.  Changing the bike can help DRAMATICALLY in this area.

What's next?

[sportbikepete]

Hey Dave this in no way is against you, it is unfortunate that this happened to you. However I get sick of people stating that CCS only cares about money, did I miss something in their book that said they were non profit. Clear channel is not in business for racers, they are in business for themselves as is EVERY OTHER for profit business, so give this thing a break. Every business is involved in ways to increase profits while reducing cost, if CCS was just here to do what the racers wanted guess what, they'd be done in less than a year. Do all you guys with sponsors think they do it because you are a nice guy? Now they do it in hopes of getting recognition so they get a return on their investment in you, and guess what if they do not got the return they say goodbye, take Red Bull for example. Does anyone here go to work because they want to make the world a better place? Of course not you go to make money. Does CCS have issues of course, if they didn't well then all the other club racing orgs would be gone. You guys need to get your heads out of the clouds and understand how business works, when you make a complaint to CCS why not try putting in a recomendation regarding, like Dave seems to have done, how to fix the problem and show them how it will increase their profit. Let me tell you if I were to get an e-mail from someone that starts out and finsishes "You guys suck for dropping track X off the schedule you should really put it back on" it would go in the trash. Now if you state why it should be on the schedule and how it benefits said org then you might get somewhere. Again Dave it is unfortunate that this happened to you and hopefully you will find a way to continue to provide what seems to be from the responses a beneficial service. Also aren't those track days done by Lockhart Phillips? I did one on a Friday and was very happy with it, at Summit.
Let the flamming of me begin.... :P

[SliderPhoto]

Nice Pete, could you stick your nose up there any further?

Dave, I hope you get this worked out. I can't overemphasize how much you helped me last year and it would be a tragedy to lose you and your school!

[G_2_G]

Hey Pete obviously you don't race the Midwest region.  CCS is starting to get as bad as the AMA roadracing series.  Hey I don't mind getting f*cked in the as@ but give me a kiss when your done at least.  Wake up and smell the coffee Pete.

[sportbikepete]

Hey Slider that was not stated for nose in there reasons. It is just in general that I get sick of hearing about a business actually being able to make money for themselves. When dealing with a company as large as Clear Channel I do not think my little post helps me out one little bit. What I was trying to get across was the fact that if you take a sensible path you at least will get heard. We all bitch but do nothing about resolving it. Hey if you guys are really interested in getting your point across why don;t you get together and get a rep for your region to act as the person that tries to resovle issues. Or does that make to much sense? AMA riders do it and if there was just 1 rep from your region they would probably get a lot farther than everyone complaining individually.

[sportbikepete]

FYI just trying to help and your respones do prove the point, deal with the issues in a business way. You are dealing with a business, not an individual. And no I donot race the midwest though I wish I could get out to some of those tracks.  

[Thingy]

Pete-

I think you have some excellent points when you talk about using constructive criticism, not badmouthing, etc.  I also like the Regional Rep idea, sort of...

However, please let me try to convey my opinion, which is what I think most people are thinking.  Most of us understand that CCS is in business to make money.  We are OK with that.  I think what we are trying to say is that:
1)  CCS is not always well managed company.  Unfortunately, we can all cite examples of this.  They need to improve.
2)  We are not treated like their customers, which we are.  Various examples of lack of attention and service could be cited here.  While beig in business and making money, they should try to attract new customer (track days) while also pleasing existing cutomers. (not happening by ditching VRS)  As you said, we need to point out their lack of focus on us when focusing on new guys.
3)  We, the customer, are sort of stuck.  We should be able to vote with our pocketbooks and go somewhere else.  Unfortunately, we are stuck with a 'regional monopoly' because other organizations are too far away.  So, CCS must get Really, Really bad before we leave, and right now it is just Really bad.

I could go on, but I will just stop for right now.

[sportbikepete]

I never said there were not issues, as a matter of fact I agreed. Hell I've got issues with my own little business, I just know I take care of the guy that is sensible not the screaming lunatic.  ;D

[Thingy]

I agree with that 100%