Quote:
Originally Posted by Dudders
Hi All,
I've kept quiet on this thread watching the different views back and forth and I think its great for debate in the 1/10th area and also great we have a glut of decent clubs in the South now.
Now, firstly I’d like to make it crystal clear that S & H are thrilled and delighted to have been given the prestigious honour of running two regional meetings in this our second year on the racing scene in 2012. To hold not one, but two this time last year would have been beyond our wildest dreams. We’ll endeavour to move heaven and earth to create a good meeting vibe on the day. Racing’s is what its all about.
However, being the ‘newbie’ to this, what comes with this is old baggage from previous years gone by. ‘Rules’ and ‘Gentleman’s Agreements’ that were not privy to or didn’t know. The 'rules' we have looked at and we are fine and dandy after consultation with the regional BRCA rep.
Since accepting the regional meetings it has come to light that there has been an understanding between the host clubs that they will not run any meeting whilst another regional is being hosted in the area. There are many differing views on this from many different people.
Racers from all clubs go to all regional’s to support the series. Historically (I believe) when grids have been low that agreement was a great effort by all clubs to get as many numbers as possible to each race.
However, and I hope I can speak publically for Torch on this as well. S & H and Torch were unaware of the this agreement before or during the meeting to decide venues. It was only after enquiries I made it came to light. I informed Torch of this rule in mid March. I’m not stirring the pot here, more to put on record that 'we' didn’t know anything about this agreement prior or during the meeting so the general racers can see where some of this thread has come from.
We also have the side issue of drivers not wanting to travel and not wanting to compete in the regional series. TORCH and SHRCCC (to pick the two I know) both have drivers who will not even travel the 50 minute distance to race at each others tracks, which is absolutely fine, we're both here to support them.
Clubs therefore have to support the competitive fast racers as well as cater for those who wish to bumble around the track on their weekends of work.
I think Tony’s idea of clubs able to run a 4wd only meeting on the same day as a 2wd regional meeting (and visa versa) is a well thought out and sensible idea and one that does indeed need to be discussed.
The whole emphasis is getting the people to regional’s is excellent, but we need to remember not everyone wants to do them. What’s better, people wanting to race locally sat at home not racing, not breaks parts and not using tyres or running a non competitive low key meeting?.
At the end of the day whatever the BRCA decide, S & H will run with it, but to pose the question of the BRCA. Should the BRCA support the clubs, the regional series and the grass routes level?. Is this counter productive?. I'm just asking the question, not stating, it's a good topic of conversation.
Also to confine the myth of the 7 day rule. This does not apply to regional races, only National Series. Think in the past many tracks have used the Sunday before as time to prep and modify the track for the following week. On a personal note, S & H are running the week before our regional on the Sunday and the Tuesday, with track maintained and changes on the Thursday night and Saturday (no practice allowed bar me to test the track as I am not racing at our round). These meetings have been sanctioned by the regional BRCA.
The above is all in aid of developing a good local scene for club and top racers throughout. As suggested we do have a high rent to pay (whether we race or not) which is not cheap by any stretch of imagination. It takes a lot of time and money to create and setup a race track and a lot of time and money to keep it running. To suggest S & H run the race dates they have purely for financial gain/profit is out of order and way off the mark.
SHRCCC Team.
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Nice post there Neil, but please bare in mind I dont delete my emails, I still have them all here, happy to share if you wish......
This issue has not just "popped up" it has been circulated by email for some time now. Keith Wardle (regional rep) has confirmed to us all (all club representatives that is) that there is to be NO "race meeting" on the day of a regional at another club. He has said this now on a number of occassions and still it is being harped on about. He has given issue that an open practice day or free track time is no issue at all for those who wish to get their R/C car fix on that day at their local venue, his instructions have been 100% clear thus far to us ALL.
If any club (new or old) does not like the idea then they can raise a vote to change it at next years meeting, but for now I suggest we all follow what Keith has instructed and deal with it as is for this year.
As for financial, it should not even enter into clubs minds to be honest, let alone correspondance. Each meeting we hold at Watford this year will cost us £600 per day for hall hire alone, trophies, tape and other consumbales for the day on top of that. 2012 is the first season in memory that I think we will not run at a loss at our venue with the higher numbers pre-entered thus far, but we put the events on each year for the good of the racers, even if it does get subsidised from my own pocket.....
As numerous people have posted here already, why the clubs do not strive to support the other clubs in the area is beyond me also. You all want "their" racers to come to your meetings, so why should it not be vice versa? Neil has posted above that his club is excited to hold the two prestigous regionals, but what makes them "prestigous" is the fact that the best drivers and large follwoing from "every other club" will be there in attendance, is it not right for the othrs cluybs to then expect your members (or as many as possible) to attend their "prestigous" meeting. I see a HUGE contingent from TORCH already booked in for venues all overt the region and a HUGE well done to them (and they will have more travelling to do than any other club being the southern most).
Another point, we can all sit behind our computer screens and state we "did not know about somthing", but to be honest, there have been LOTS of things the two new clubs have not known with regards to the regionals (which is quite understandable), regards how they are run etc , practise, booking in, the list of topics is endless. "EVERY" other topic has simply been addressed by "asking a question by email", so in this case if anyone was unsure, then why not just ask, like everything else. I have answered scores of emails from both SHRCCC and TORCH on a multitude of topics and I ahve been more than happy to help out, especially since Keith is not as accesable as I am during the day, so I am more then happy to help assist him in any way I can. When you did ask, you were told and since you dont agree. Ther eis a little point in my opinion asking how somthing is done, having it explained to you and told what to expect, then disagreeing with the help and advice you have been given, that is why it is now an issue..........
I have said via email and PM replies (more than once), if you are not happy with anything now, please address it with Keith who will once more set the record striaght on what is epxected or not expected if you or anyne is unsure.