BRCA Mid South Regionals - 2012

[kaszal]

Hi, can my car model be changed on a booking for a regional? I've emailed admin but no reply. Cheers.

[Darren Boyle]

Originally Posted by kaszal

Hi, can my car model be changed on a booking for a regional? I've emailed admin but no reply. Cheers.

Emails to "admin" are only for issues with or regarding to the website itself, these go straight to the person who set up and maintains the site (in his spare time).

For changes to an entry please contact the club(s) in question and they can arrnage to change this for you.

[JCJC]

Contact details for clubs can be found on the paper entry form on the new Stotfold website : http://www.stotfoldmcc.com/files/Reg..._form_2012.pdf

if you don't have them already.

[kaszal]

Thanks

[mikeyscott]

Just to confirm TORCH will be CLOSED on the 15th, which is 7 days before the regional event.

http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97735

TORCH will also be closed 7 days before for the 4WD event too.

[stumpiey]

are the regionals control or open tyre ? as i can't seem to find any info on tyres.
cheers

[learnerdriver]

here is a link to a similar thread from last year if that helps

http://www.oople.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65679

[Skye]

Originally Posted by RudeTony

I also believe if my memory is right from years gone by, that clubs in the Mid-South would not run club meets on dates that other clubs were holding a regional as encourangement for people to go to the regionals.

Originally Posted by RudeTony

If then drivers, youngsters and anyone new to Nationals choose to do them, they don't get the shock of their lives.
ie
can't talk on the rostrum
be on your marshalling point on time or loose your fastest time and the list goes on and on!!

I'm not looking to start a fight here, and I'm certainly not attacking Tony as it is just coincidence that he wrote the two posts I am quoting, but....

1, I cannot for the life of me see why clubs can't run a meeting on the day of a regional. If a driver is good enough and has the desire then they will need little encouragement to do the regional event over a club meeting. IF however they don't feel up to it, are just starting out, or simply don't want to then that is their choice. What is wrong with a dozen like minded people racing and enjoying their toy cars at whatever level they choose. The 60-80 other drivers who do want to race in the regionals can and will still do so and the minority who are happy to race at club level only don't get penalised. To stop them racing is pointless as most of them will end up sitting at home instead, it won't make them attend the regional. I know this because I have been that person and had this very conversation with those 'like minded' people I mention above when we have had a small number of people get together on a regional day.

2, I agree wholeheartedly with being prompt to marshall or get penalised, but not being able to talk on the rostrum!? WTF!! As said above, this is toy cars. Also, instead of those youngsters getting the shock of their lives at a National, they will get the shock of their lives at a regional instead. It makes no difference... At least at a National you can justify it as it is the elite, but a regional is taking things too far IN MY OPINION.

[Adam F]

I doubt it would be beneficial for anyone to run a meeting on the same day as a regional in the same region, certainly not the clubs, (The organisers sometimes race too you know!) it makes it fair for everyone

With regard to not talking, is it really a big ask not to talk for five minutes? I for one find it hard to concentrate when you have loudmouths on the rostrum.

I dont spoil other peoples races by putting them off, so why should they spoil mine?

[kaszal]

Originally Posted by Skye

I cannot for the life of me see why clubs can't run a meeting on the day of a regional. If a driver is good enough and has the desire then they will need little encouragement to do the regional event over a club meeting. IF however they don't feel up to it, are just starting out, or simply don't want to then that is their choice. What is wrong with a dozen like minded people racing and enjoying their toy cars at whatever level they choose. The 60-80 other drivers who do want to race in the regionals can and will still do so and the minority who are happy to race at club level only don't get penalised. To stop them racing is pointless as most of them will end up sitting at home instead, it won't make them attend the regional. I know this because I have been that person and had this very conversation with those 'like minded' people I mention above when we have had a small number of people get together on a regional day.

I agree. Some clubs in this region are about 3 hours drive apart. If you're not able to travel why should you not be allowed to race at your local track? If there are enough drivers interested (and someone available to organise) then I don't see why it would hurt to have a meeting?

[Skye]

Originally Posted by x313

I doubt it would be beneficial for anyone to run a meeting on the same day as a regional in the same region, certainly not the clubs, (The organisers sometimes race too you know!) it makes it fair for everyone

With regard to not talking, is it really a big ask not to talk for five minutes? I for one find it hard to concentrate when you have loudmouths on the rostrum.

I dont spoil other peoples races by putting them off, so why should they spoil mine?

That's not true I'm afraid. I have spoken to a lot of people about this over the last 12 months and many agree with me. Most choose to stay quiet for an easy life and that's their right, but I felt it needed saying. I know of several clubs (more than 3) where they have a nucleus of approximately 10 regulars who only want to race at club level and the clubs want to accommodate them. Why shouldn't they be allowed?

Regarding the rostrum issue, have guidelines. No shouting, no obscenities, no goading etc etc, but silence isn't necessary.

[Darren Boyle]

The idea is that all the clubs who "support" the region give the other clubs the "very best" chance to get the best entry possible for their meeting (rather than compete with them for entries - which would be the case if they ran on the same day). There are people in the categories mentioned above by Skye (those who WILL do regionals regardless and those who WONT regardless), but what about those sat on the fence who might/might not?, well they get encouraged to come along to the regional this way and somtimes that is just the little nudge they need to participate.

It has been a gentlemans agreement for YEARS between the clubs involved and always will be I am sure but at the end of the day no-one is making the local clubs HAVE to run regionals, they are simply because they want too, to attract the bulk of the regions drivers (good, bad or indifferent - all kinds) to sample their track and facilities etc. There is nothing stopping loclas who dont wish to race at regionals from going to the ri local track for an open practise day, juts that it shuld not be timed or run as an actual race meeting.

There are only a few clubs (regional/national level to clarify) that run EVERY week (on a sunday), most are monthly, some fortnightly, so they simply arrange their dates around the regional calendar to suit. For the very few clubs who run regionals AND race every week, well they still get to enjoy up to 45 weeks of racing a year on their own track AND get two fantastic regionals at their venue to boot as well, so lets be honest, it is not as if the locals are being starved of racing here.

On the dates of Nationals, clubs are told by the BRCA they CANNOT run regionals, at that level it is enforced, at regional level it is at the discretion and agreement of the clubs concerned....

As for the shouting/talking on the rostrum, it is a BRCA rule, there to be obeyed, voted in and decided on by you all (the BRCA membership), it is not just a suggestion.

Hope that helps...

[Skye]

There are more club only racers out there than you might think and of the Mid South clubs holding regionals this year I believe that every single one races weekly on various days now that Herts are doing Tuesday nights. Ok so I know a Tuesday night isn't going to clash with a regional but Stotfold, Torch and SHRCC all race weekly I believe. All of those clubs have racers who only want to do club meetings, whether that be down to travelling, experience, ability or whatever....

If that is their choice, having spent their hard earned on a hobby they enjoy, and the club want to put a meeting on for them then I am a firm believer that they should be free to do so.

I understand the reasoning behind enforcing a regional not to be run on the same day as a national as they are catering for drivers of the same mindset. But a club running a small club day on the day of a regional is very different in my opinion.

On the rostrum issue, a rule is a rule I guess... I don't tend to talk on the rostrum anyway during racing so it doesn't affect me. But I have no issues with those that do and wouldn't want to see them punished for doing so.

[RudeTony]

Like Darren said – it has been like that for years and years and originally or certainly when I was the regional rep one of the reasons was for the dads and families being encouraged to travel to the regional events and it was to find those special youngsters like Lee Martin, Darren Bloomfield, Tony Truman and the list of superb drivers goes on and on. By the way in case people didn’t know, they are all from the Mid-South. I can name more super drivers of course and more from our region.

I believe that this rule has actually something to do with these drivers learning early skills at various venues and racing with different drivers.
Obviously there are other benefits but I recall this.

I also believe that clubs holding regional actually make sure their members support their BRCA regionals.
In fact totally the opposite to just going to one club.
It is the organisers that really should be educating the racers and the newcomers.
Club, regional, national, euros and worlds --- in that order

It can of course be argued that pure club racers may not want to travel or have an interest for BRCA regional events but I remind you all that these are BRCA sanctioned events and we all should support the governing body of our sport along with the people that make these decisions in the first place. Without them it would simply be a shambles so for this reason alone they should be supported.

On the note of speaking on the rostrum – I personally hate when people are chatting how good their cars are jumping, or how nice their mother-in-law is etc etc. It is an area where people like myself concentrate for the FULL duration of the race.

Lastly and it has to be understood I have nothing to do with any organisations, if a club didn’t agree with all this, they would not of got a regional, so really all a bit of pointless arguments.

[Dr_UpGrade]

Tony, if its such a "pointless argument" as in this " if a club didn’t agree with all this, they would not of got a regional, so really all a bit of pointless arguments.."

Why did you bring it up in the first place?

Just seems a bit weird to me...

[Skye]

Just because it's been like that for years doesn't make it right!

What right does anyone have to take away the customers freedom of choice?

I particularly don't agree with you saying its a pointless argument, and actually take offence at you even saying so. I have had PM's tonight from many people, some just racers but some the people responsible for running some of our clubs. Every single message without exception was one of agreement and support so I would say it is anything but pointless.

[RudeTony]

Originally Posted by Dr_UpGrade

Tony, if its such a "pointless argument" as in this " if a club didn’t agree with all this, they would not of got a regional, so really all a bit of pointless arguments.."

Why did you bring it up in the first place?

Just seems a bit weird to me...

Not sure why you would ask that question if you read the post prior to mine by Mike.
I was just pointing out rules.
I have no arguement here but as one of the BRCA regional reps for many years, I remember a lot of these discusions.
Like I said, we should ALL be supporting the organisers (that agreed this) and certainly the BRCA that we all race under their rules.....

[RudeTony]

Originally Posted by Skye

Just because it's been like that for years doesn't make it right!

What right does anyone have to take away the customers freedom of choice?

I particularly don't agree with you saying its a pointless argument, and actually take offence at you even saying so. I have had PM's tonight from many people, some just racers but some the people responsible for running some of our clubs. Every single message without exception was one of agreement and support so I would say it is anything but pointless.

In the most polite way may I suggest you take it up with the BRCA rep then as we as racers do not have the power to make those decisions.
I apologise if I have offended you or your arguments

[Darren Boyle]

Originally Posted by Skye

Just because it's been like that for years doesn't make it right!

What right does anyone have to take away the customers freedom of choice?

I particularly don't agree with you saying its a pointless argument, and actually take offence at you even saying so. I have had PM's tonight from many people, some just racers but some the people responsible for running some of our clubs. Every single message without exception was one of agreement and support so I would say it is anything but pointless.

No-one has taken away any right of freedom.

Stotfold, DMS and Ware have all been on the calendar for many years now, they know these rules/agreements and have stood by them for ever (well since I have been racing (early 90's).

So I assume you race at one of our new clubs for this year - TORCH or SHRCCC? When both these clubs joined the regional circus (if that is the right thing to call it) they knew what they wanted and would achieve by running regionals etc, if they had preffered to stay as they were, running club type meetings only and thought it was in the best interests of their members then they would have done so, but they have not. ALL clubs were represented at this years regional meeting and ALL clubs have been privvy to the scores of emails that have been flying around between us all who run them. This topic has been raised (and addressed) more than once that I know of and ALL clubs have been told by our regional rep what is and will be expected of them. Now if they feel that it is the "wrong" choice for them to run regionals for the benefit of their members then they had every chance to withdraw from holding them and since no-one has, as a fellow club organsier I can only assume this is the route they still wish to go.

Remember what I wrote in my post above, NOTHING is stopping you going to your local club on the day of a regionals for some track time, there may well be an open practise day on those dates, but the clubs concerned have all been told (by the regional rep) there wont be "race meetings" on these 8 weekends and ALL clubs know this, so if you are not happy with the decision you need to either speak to your local club about it or the regional rep as Tony has said also.......

If you (or anyone else) are desperate to "race" every week then book in for the regionals and support your club on every other week when there are none. If you just crave maximum track time and running, then race at your club every week a meeting is on and go there to practice when there is no meeting (on the date of a regional).........

You also have to bare in mind the "reasons" why some clubs want to run every week regardless, is it for the good of their local racers or purely for financial gain, sadly for some I are convinced it is the latter only

[kaszal]

Originally Posted by Darren Boyle

So I assume you race at one of our new clubs for this year - TORCH or SHRCCC? When both these clubs joined the regional circus (if that is the right thing to call it) they knew what they wanted and would achieve by running regionals etc, if they had preffered to stay as they were, running club type meetings only and thought it was in the best interests of their members then they would have done so, but they have not. ALL clubs were represented at this years regional meeting and ALL clubs have been privvy to the scores of emails that have been flying around between us all who run them. This topic has been raised (and addressed) more than once that I know of and ALL clubs have been told by our regional rep what is and will be expected of them. Now if they feel that it is the "wrong" choice for them to run regionals for the benefit of their members then they had every chance to withdraw from holding them and since no-one has, as a fellow club organsier I can only assume this is the route they still wish to go.

Remember what I wrote in my post above, NOTHING is stopping you going to your local club on the day of a regionals for some track time, there may well be an open practise day on those dates, but the clubs concerned have all been told (by the regional rep) there wont be "race meetings" on these 8 weekends and ALL clubs know this, so if you are not happy with the decision you need to either speak to your local club about it or the regional rep as Tony has said also.......

If you (or anyone else) are desperate to "race" every week then book in for the regionals and support your club on every other week when there are none. If you just crave maximum track time and running, then race at your club every week a meeting is on and go there to practice when there is no meeting (on the date of a regional).........

You also have to bare in mind the "reasons" why some clubs want to run every week regardless, is it for the good of their local racers or purely for financial gain, sadly for some I are convinced it is the latter only

Hmmm, funny wording in that last post. It sounds like you're saying the clubs have to follow this "gentlemans agreement" or lose their chance to host regionals? I'm not aware of any open practice at my club when regionals are on elsewhere. So yeah it does stop me. And your last comment about some clubs racing more for financial gain