2 day Gingerman - Email to Kevin

[Jeff]

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

[H-man]

Hear!  Hear!

[DanO966]

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!

[ekraft84]

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.

[Jeff]

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!!!

[LMsports]

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!

[Jeff]

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!

[spyderchick]

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.  

[Xian_13]

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

[Jeff]

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...

[Xian_13]

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

[dylanfan53]

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.