TIRE CONTRACT for 2021

Last year I was asked for a tire contract for the LO206 classes as an option to lease tires for the Points Races. This idea was more well received than I anticipated. Several have asked if it will be available in 2021. We will be offering the same program as before and just, as a refresher, the guidelines are as follows:

1. Cost is $160 for the base plus $60 for each set desired.  This is a season contract so the number of sets will need to be determined when purchasing. This allows me to guarantee tires are in stock when needed.
2. Changes are scheduled by the racer and price includes mounting
3. Contract is per racer NOT a multiple racer group
4. Tires returned MUST be the same ones issued
5. Damaged tires beyond “normal” wear will be chargeable
6. MGRL2 tires —  Any size — 4.60 or 6.00 are available
7. Serviceable used set must be turned in at the start or end of the year

As always, if this option does not appeal to you, purchase to own is still available as well as rental for just one race which allows racers to legally compete w/o having to buy a set.

WRISTBANDS — WRISTBANDS

This post is intended to explain/understand/discuss our wristband issues after some responses to a previous post.

HISTORY

• Most tracks do not offer a premises only choice
• CHMS has, however, negotiated each year with Insurance providers to offer premises
• Anyone with a premises band has no insurance in the hot grid — AND neither does the track
• The track has believed in the “family” concept since opening in 1988
• COVID came along in 2020 and limited group size along w/no spectators in many events
• CHMS created a FREE spectator area “outside the orange gate”

OUTLOOK — We have spent much time pondering/considering since last post reaction input

• CHMS believes, under current COVID rules, we can comply w/group size & separation guidelines
• Crossover, into the hot grid, even one step, creates a Liability issue for both the person AND the track
• Liability issues can have FAR greater financial consequences than wristband pricing
• Wristband discipline must be a joint venture with competitors and staff
• Our current policy to DQ EVERYONE IN THE GROUP for even ONE non-compliance is in effect for 2021
• CHMS may have to change policies during the season, like 2020, to comply with circumstances

Because of the competitor request, we WILL be offering a premises only wristband choice in 2021. These bands will cost $5 at Pre-registration and $7 at the gate. We can not hire a “policing force”, at that cost, so we are expecting competitors to help us with the enforcement discipline. We will continue to offer FREE space “outside the orange gate” for those not wanting to purchase a wristband. We are hoping to hear from you that this compromise will satisfy those wanting an option.

2021 Race Day Pre-Registration Program

Due to Covid-19, last season we introduced our race day Pre-registration program. The goal was to reduce physical contact and to minimize the overall time required to complete the registration process. Ultimately, the program proved to do what we intended and was very well received. So after some racer input and a bit of “off season” relaxation, contemplation, and discussion, we have decided to bring back the program for 2021.

We have tried to streamline last season’s system to make things even easier for all parties involved. Better yet, we have now made it financially beneficial for our racers and their crew to pre-register before race day. Here is how we would like to proceed.

The first time that you call to register we will collect the following information.

1. Driver’s name

2. Driver’s class

3. Driver’s kart #

4. Driver’s transponder #

5.Names of crew and anyone else entering the property where wristbands are required (Details below)

6. Credit card information or confirmation of cash payment upon arrival.

7. Reminder to bring your completed 2021 minors release for anyone in your party that is under the age of 18

We will keep the above information on file for the 2021 season and will simply confirm its accuracy each time that you call to register before a race. If you would like to register for multiple events, just let us know which dates (Race #’s) and we will have you already to go on race day. For those of you that prefer to purchase season passes, this will continue to be an option as well just check our website or call us for pricing. This includes those of you with any discounts coming your way from last season.

Our 2021 race day pricing will be as follows:

Register BEFORE 12:00 NOON on the Friday before each race

LO206 race entry including fuel: $65

NON lo206 entry: $60

Hot grid: $15

Transponder rental: $10

Register AFTER 12:00 NOON on the Friday before each race including race day itself

LO206 race entry including fuel: $75

NON lo206 race entry: $70

Hot Grid: $18

Transponder rental: $10

In case of a rain out or any cancelled event, fees that have been processed will be credited at the next 2021 race attended by the driver. We will not be selling race day spectator passes this season. However, we will continue to offer plenty of FREE PARKING and FREE VIEWING AREA’S for folks to enjoy the racing. This includes use of our covered pavilion area in case of rain or other unfriendly weather as well as any area outside of the orange gate. 

JR & SR League Proposal for 2021

Because we did not have a racer meeting in Feb, due to COVID, this post is intended to submit our ideas for 2021. We encourage your feedback and ideas before we adopt the final plan. We are suggesting we run BOTH Jr & Sr on thurs eve. We do not think it will lengthen our night much as they use different karts and we can alternate track usage with another class rather than a rest period. Also possibly a family may have a student in both and would reduce trips and schedule commitments. Unless COVID restricts us, we are planning to have the “open gate” property outlook which means ONLY those entering hot grid need wristbands and others would NOT require wristbands to be on property. COVID rules still currently enforce masks inside buildings and social distancing at all times.

JR League proposed guidelines

• Maximum age is 8th grade 2021 graduate — minimum age 12
• Run in our original karts
• Drivers must weigh, or ballast, to 120–(New idea)
• Drivers meeting 6PM
• Cost = $45 which includes drivers pass with optional kart insurance for additional $10 (Same as 2020)
• Format = 5 min warm-up, 2-6 lap heat races, 10 lap feature (Same as 2020)
• Points for feature only

Sr League proposed guidelines

• Maximum age is High School 2021 graduate — minimum age 12
• Run in our premium karts
• Drivers must weigh, or ballast, to 180
• Drivers meeting 6PM
• Cost = $50 which includes drivers pass with optional kart insurance for additional $10 (Same as 2020)
• Format = 5 min warm-up, 2-6 lap heat races, 10 lap feature (Same as 2020)
• Points for feature only

SCHEDULE and RAINOUT ideas

• 16 dates, counting 14 for season awards, honoring class at banquet like FNL & POINTS classes currently
• DATES – May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24, July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, 19, 26

RAINOUT thoughts or possible choices

1. Makeup on the following event as a double
2. Schedule July 1 & Sep 2 as rain makeups (used ONLY if previous rainout)
3. Eliminate any rainouts from points consideration

We would like your thoughts on our ideas. Look for future posts on FNL, pre-registration, tire contracts to name a few.

PRACTICE/RENTAL PRICING 2021

COVID has changed our country and because of that , in 2020, we were shut down for months and then allowed to open with changing limitations. Because we were limited, some of our guidelines changed such as half-day practice sessions and multiple rental rides and NO spectators. COVID is still a force in our lives but, at the moment, less restrictive than a year ago. Masks ARE required when entering buildings.

NEW PRACTICE OPPORTUNITIES

We are starting a new price savings for weekdays (Mon-Thurs). Weekend (Fri-Sun) pricing will be $45/driver and $15/crew while weekday (Mon-Thurs) will be $35/driver and $15/crew. ANYONE entering the Hot Grid will be required to have a wristband but those wanting to be on-site to only watch will not need to sign in. Therefore the gates will remain open, except on event days, allowing you to enter and park without stopping.

NEW RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

We will return to offering single rides in either the original karts, for $30 or premium karts for $35. You will need to sign in and purchase a $10 driver pass and $10 kart damage insurance (optional) plus rides cost each day. Since multiple rides were implemented last year, we have noticed some wish to get a discount for that option. We will be offering a “triple ride package” which will offer you FREE drivers pass plus FREE kart damage insurance. Purchasing a triple package, for the same driver, for originals at $90 or premiums at $105 will get you both a FREE drivers pass and FREE kart damage insurance. We will also implement additional cost savings on weekdays (Mon-Thurs) by adding a fourth ride FREE. Those wishing to just watch will be allowed on property, OUTSIDE the Hot Grid, without signing in.

Our open hours will remain 10AM till sunset so come out and enjoy yourselves. Watch for a future post offering pre-registration opportunities for these and competition events. We are developing pre-registration guidelines to allow you to speed up sign-in and reduce your need to enter a building.

RACEDAY UPDATE 3

At the banquet, there was conversation encouraging more on-track assistance during races.  It was requested that we need more “corner worker” help for racers.  We have been responding on a 4 wheeler to assist those who have made errors.   We were strongly encouraged to increase coverage for the next year.

This has been the source of many hours of conversation and pondering.  Looking at  traveling regional series, they allow no movement of wheeled vehicles on track while the track is “hot”.  They perform pickup help only after the track is not “green”.  Many times drivers are DQ’d if they receive help during a race.  Insurance covers race workers, but nobody wants to place themselves in harms way either.

We certainly want to run a safe event and we also want to offer help to those who are unfortunate enough to need it.  We will be assessing situations carefully and responding with a red flag, stopping the race, until the danger can be corrected, and then restarting.  We currently do that for flips and other things that look like emergencies.  We intend to “lower the bar” on our view of critical issues.  This will be a work in progress and quite probably the subject of conversation in drivers meetings. 

 Stay tuned for future posts on Leagues and other items.

2021 RACE SCHEDULE UPDATE 2

Thank you to the several people who have commented on the last post.  While we can not comply with every request, I believe there were some good ideas for input.  We have come up with the following compromise.

13 Races — Apr 10, 24, May 15, Jun 5, 12, 19, Jul 10, 24, 31, Aug 7, 21, Sep 11, 25 schedule

Day schedule — Races 1-6, 12, 13 (Apr, May, Jun, Sep) with evening schedule Races 7-11 (Jul, Aug)

Rain makeups will be scheduled for Races 3, 6, 12, 13  —  These single events will turn into double events IF there were missed events needing makeup

TODAYS NEW ISSUE  —  There was a unified request, at the banquet,  for using white and checkered flags to end races with less confusion.  Corner lights were seen as good for yellows/reds etc. but white/checkered lights were sometimes missed at the flag stand.  This has been pondered at length and I propose this solution:

1.  Races will be started with green lights (as before) – We can monitor starts much better from scoring deck

2.  Start/Finish for scoring will remain in line with the flag stand

3.  White and Checkered flags will be displayed from scoring deck in addition to lights at flag stand

Stay tuned for other issue discussion in future posts

2021 RACE SCHEDULE UPDATE 1

The input we have received mostly affirms our proposed 13 race season.  Those dates are Apr 10, 24, May 15, Jun 5, 12, 19, Jul 10, 24, 31, Aug 7, 21, Sep 11, 25 with Jun, Jul, Aug dates (Races 4-11) on the evening schedule.

TODAYS ISSUE IS HOW WE HANDLE RAIN OUT EVENTS

1.  We could schedule 2 more dates (Oct 9, 16) for use IF any events require makeup — Like 2020 schedule

2.  An alternate idea has been proposed — Race 3 would be double IF Race 1 or 2 cancelled and Race 12 & 13 would be double events IF needed.

Please let us know which plan you prefer.  Look for future posts on other issues

2021 POINTS RACE SCHEDULE

This is an attempt to start our 2021 discussions on the future year.  I am looking for your input on both things you want and don’t want.  Issues, other than schedule, will be covered at a later date.

Avoiding holidays, Mothers day, CKNA, and Rt 66 events, we could have the following dates Apr-Oct.  Apr 10, 24, May 15, Jun 5, 12, 19, Jul 10, 24, 31, Aug 7, 21, Sep 11, 25, for 13 dates with possible Oct 9, 16.

Some possible choices for rainouts are:

1. Schedule all 15 and NOT makeup any rainouts
2. Schedule 13 with 2 rain dates (only used if rainouts) — Like the 2020 season
3. Makeup rainouts at next day race (double) — Evening schedules run too late — Used some years ago

What about evening schedules?    (Evening schedules are 4:30 drivers meeting vs 10:30)

1.  Jun, Jul, Aug dates — Used to offset possible hot day temps

I realize there are more things to discuss but let’s solve this issue before we move to more.  You may respond w/email, FB comment, or call my cell.  Thanks for keeping it positive.

RACER MEETING DATE

COVID has affected our lives in 2020 and it is still a factor in todays world.  Current regulations limit our indoor meetings and would not allow a repeat of our previous format.  Also, we usually have the racer meeting on the Sunday between the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500.  This year those are back to back on Feb 7 & 14.  We could schedule for the Sun before or after which I would probably favor the 21st as it gives more time for COVID vaccinations.  An outdoor meeting may be chilly and not as lucky as the banquet was. 

Should we just publish issues one at a time and have responses on line?  We could publish our ideas on a schedule and give a week for response, for example, and then move to the next issue.  We are expecting your input to help guide our next years planning.