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.

SAT – BANQUET DAY

As promised, we are confirming Sat as our banquet day.  Once again, because no wristbands are being required, there will be NO MOTORS allowed.  We plan to open gates at 9AM and serve promptly at 11AM with program after eating.  UNLIKE the political world, we do know who our champions are and will honor them.  Bring your lawn games, chairs, and beverage for before, during, and after.  See you Sat.

There will be NO Friday night league as we had no one show last week and have gotten no calls to date.  We are done for 2020.

CLOSED SAT for BANQUET

Well, the weather looks to be cooperating with our banquet plans for Sat.  Since we are having the celebration at the track, we will have NO MOTORS allowed on Sat.  Join us to celebrate our season performers and enjoy the racing community camaraderie.  Gates will open at 9AM and no wristbands will be required (thus the no motors).  Anyone wishing to practice or rent will need to choose another day. 

WEEKLY COVID UPDATES

Well, I thought we were done with updates but I guess it is still 2020.  I intend to cover Gran Prix, Banquet, and track hours with this post.   

 

1.  Halloween Gran Prix — I dislike having to cancel this event (a tradition for 26 years) but do not see a date or way to run it this year.  Those that have prepaid for this event will get a full refund this week.

2.  Banquet — Well the weather (on a 10 day outlook) looks promising for the Sat Nov 7 date.  Remember to sign up this week.  Flyer on a previous post.

3.  Track hours — At this time, we intend to resume open track on Thurs morning with our normal 10AM till sunset hours.  We intend to be available for FNL and normal Sat/Sun hours.  Remember DST reset happens Sat eve.  We intend to answer the phone so give us a call with your request.

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SUNDAY CLOSING

We will be closed on Sun Oct 25.  Since Matt has tested positive for COVID last week and we are not completely certain about all of the details surrounding a positive test, we choose to NOT be open for practice/rentals this Sun.  Stay tuned for further updates.                                                                                                   

HALOWEEN GP CANCELLATION

We have an unexpected twist to our 26th Halloween Gran Prix.  Matt went for a covid test earlier this week and got results this morning that he tested positive.  While he has no symptoms today, the fact remains he got a positive test.

This means we will be short staff but more importantly we feel we have a moral obligation to do our part in not spreading COVID.  Because this happened with VERY short notice, we see no other solution than cancellation.

Our advice is to wear a mask wherever you go and limit indoor activity as much as possible