A solution to the large Tour entries, if the site is large enough: run two
courses like is done at Topeka, both running simultaneously. Double crews,
double timing gear, double cones...increased entry fee, I'm sure.
--Pat Kelly
jon e prevo wrote:
> First of all, I don't see what is so bad about being on the site for 12
> hours to get 3 runs. For those of us who have no realistic chance of
> being a contender (which I will hazard to guess is more than half), we
> have a chance to see the "real" atmosphere of competition rarely offered
> in our more relaxed regional events. Even though I know I can't win, or
> even trophy, I still want to experience the heightenned level of
> competition because I believe that is a part of preparing myself as a
> competitor for the time when I will be a contender.
>
> I think entry limitations should be set only in the interest of available
> time. Crunch everyone possible into those 12 hours and let us all
> experience the thrill of competition. Stresses are a part of these
> events and the people who want these national level events to be some
> type of elitist gathering of the creme' de la creme' should consider
> moving up to (Solo 1 ?). Besides, who will be the first to cry,"I didn't
> win because there were too many people?"
>
> If the club were to raise the cost of entry, especially since the recent
> Tirerack.com debate, especially if it was widely known that the only
> reason was to exclude those of us not capable of coming up with more than
> we are spending already, we would see a full-scale mutiny, with me in the
> lead. That would be the most absurd thing to do. Autocross is enjoying
> a rennaissance right now, with more and more people joining as _serious_,
> long-term competitors, partly because it is affordable, and that is a
> _good_ thing for all of us. Trying to exclude some of us by making it
> more expensive would be foolish.
>
> In short, National level events are growing because the national base of
> serious competitors is growing. That is a good thing. I can think of 10
> guys in our region with less than 2 years' experience who expect to be at
> a nationally competitive level within 5-10 years, not including myself.
> I know of the same number who have less than 10 events under their belts
> who expect to be serious about it within a year. Our regional events are
> seeing growth almost on a monthly basis. Some of us are becoming active
> in administration, course design, promotion, etc.
>
> Please don't try to turn the Club's back on us. We deserve to be here
> too.
>
> Jon FP 73
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