Majors program - now that we're halfway through the season

CBB

CBB

Well-known member
I think it's worth opening a new thread to take a fresh look at the Majors now that we're half way through the season and a lot of people here have dipped their toe in the pool. Feedback from those who've taken part or those whose race schedules have been affected by it? Both good and bad? What did you like about a Majors event you attended?

I'm still hearing a lot of confusion and "exclusionary" is a word that is often used. It seems people want to race and will go regardless of format, even if half their friends are left out because of the format. But my take on it is that the majority of people aren't happy with it. At this point I don't have a dog in the fight, as we're not currently affected by it - but my initial take on it is that it's unnecessarily exclusionary. But I'd be curious as to people's opinions. It sounds like the national office is fully on-board and invested in the concept.

I have a friend who is involved in the program and would like to provide some feedback from this forum.
 
I think the proper way to judge the program's success will be to compare events year over year, from "plain" to Majors event. Unfortunately, we don't have any data to go on - that I know of.

The Pueblo event, I have no explanation why only 40 cars would show up - other than simply, 10-20 cars more would have been there had they been allowed to compete.

HPR July 4th, car counts increased (2011 = 95 sat/87 Sun - 2012= 107 Sat/ 101 Sun), but all classes were invited, just like last year.

I don't see how the Majors did anything to entice people to come to the event - feel free to prove me wrong there.

And, just to be clear, I would rather support a series of events crowning a national champion. I know it's never going to happen - I'm just pointing out that I'm biased in favor of a series event champ rather than what we have now.
 
Well, having sent my license form in recently, it got me thinking about how the club is using the money. Now I'm guessing the national office has had to make some payouts as the car counts have been low at these Majors events. And its interesting to hear on the forums the perspectives of both the drivers and regions. I guess I do not understand, in this current economy, how this program is going to get more poeple to spend money. After all, that is the plan. More racers will majically have more money to spend, and come out in droves to these races. I think there is a lack of understanding in the BOD/National office about racers in general. Most of us already spend every dollar we have on this crazy hobby. You can ask us to go to the well, but theres nothing left. You can move around where we enter, but it won't change how much we enter races. And, they are currently offending many with an exclusionary program. The 2 region RE's I've talked to have said they will just run an additional race on top of the Majors race to create a Rational/National. Now rents on tracks here in the Northeast are pricey. I believe $50k at Limerock and the Glen is not far behind. Its going to be impossible to make that work with 10 class events. My travel budget has not majically doubled so I can travel to an exclusive event. Nor my time off from work. I just cannot fathom what went thru there minds with this program. Are they just trying to kill national racing altogether. Am I happy with the previous system of nationals. Yes. I get to see a great diversity of poeple that I like. Do I believe the national program is in trouble with low entries. Sure, but it goes hand in hand with the economy and with competing sanctioning bodies that have multiplied in recent years. Lower the number of overall national races and each one will be attended better. And consequently with better attended races will be lower entry fees. Chris
 
zChris":1a3q1izs said:
You can ask us to go to the well, but theres nothing left. You can move around where we enter, but it won't change how much we enter races.
Click to expand...

That pretty much boils it down for me. Good post.

As far as getting new drivers - I don't see how the Majors program entices a NASA driver to come and run with us. While they certainly (now) have elite drivers, their classing structure is too different, and the stigma of how SCCA events are being run is not going away.
 
CBB":2vexz3po said:
I think it's worth opening a new thread to take a fresh look at the Majors now that we're half way through the season ....

..... would like to provide some feedback from this forum.
Click to expand...

While I cannot provide direct feedback on the Majors program, I also think it is important to point out the affect of "Rational" races for certain areas.

The event that just completed at Sears Point (Sonoma Sprints) drew a boat load of cars >300 on the West Coast. This type of event may result in crossing over of drivers/cars from Regional to National races over time from the events that they were otherwise excluded.

JMO
 
Actually, the official 'Majors' program is concluding this coming weekend at HPT culminating in a Majors Banquet and award celebration on Saturday night. The exception being the Showcase event at Pikes Peak later this month.
So it would be my guess that the Sunday race doesn't (shouldn't) count towards 'Majors' points? Look how close the E Production points are (top 2 entered at HPT) so I am not sure how you would have an awards program before the last race that is called HPT2.

http://www.scca.com/events/results.cfm?eid=4510
 
FP8":2wnkaup6 said:
Actually, the official 'Majors' program is concluding this coming weekend at HPT culminating in a Majors Banquet and award celebration on Saturday night. The exception being the Showcase event at Pikes Peak later this month.
So it would be my guess that the Sunday race doesn't (shouldn't) count towards 'Majors' points? Look how close the E Production points are (top 2 entered at HPT) so I am not sure how you would have an awards program before the last race that is called HPT2.

http://www.scca.com/events/results.cfm?eid=4510
Click to expand...

Only the classes that are decided will have awards given out. Classes that are still being contested will be noted, but the awards will be presented on Sunday in Victory circle. Would be tough to get people to stick around Sunday night for an awards banquet...
 
Well. I thought I was in. Sold my house yesterday after I registered. I need am not going to make it this weekend. Too much to do.

Sorry guys. Have fun!
 
I enjoyed the "major" at Pueblo. I've noted more FV, F500 cars at Pueblo and HPR, some other classes were way down but I do not know why.
 
I've long thought that the majority of racers plan their racing season in advance for a set number of races, and they are not likely to enter any more races unless they did poorly at a race where they needed points. I think total annual race enrties remains somewhat of a constant per licensed racers. I believe for the most part, as the number of races increased, the participation per race decreased. National offices should be able to compile total race entries per year for the last 10 years to support or refute this belief.

In talking with a few SM and ITA/STU drivers at the VERY poorly attended double regional race at Blackhawk last weekend, they stated they would not participate in a single race weekend as long as double race weekends were available (St. Louis scenario), and even then their participation depended on good participation in their class. Also noted that the HANS device has eliminated almost all pre-race grid comradory (sp), as everyone is already strapped in or focused on getting strapped in.

I think the "Majors" were intended to assure good participation in the elite classes, but at the exclusion of the second rate classes. It'll be interesting to see how many Regions/Divisions want to expand the "Majors" into their neighborhood.

RJS
 
I am in the teething stages of my total car build. Basically the majors showed me that my times need to be a ton faster then the majority of local fp cars. In fact it shows I need to be faster then most local EP cars. Yes, that says something about this division, yes it is a small pond. But what it also told me was why tow 6-9 hours, expenses of the weekend, to basically get waxed unless my car is atleast to 80%+ of the rules to have something to develope on.

I want to thank the guys that have well prepared cars for coming out, it was a eye opener to see how EP times were compared to local gt2 cars, and fp times to local EP cars.

This is not a bash on anyone!!! It has showed me that I need to invest this years race budget into horsepower. I Love to Race! But unless she is really hot, I'm not paying to get spanked j/k :D

Also, please check but I believe I got a email about the ppir race being canceled
 
R. J. Sorensen":31w5gb8d said:
and they are not likely to enter any more races unless they did poorly at a race where they needed points.RJS
Click to expand...

Who needs points..... it's too easy.

.
 
Ran the Majors at Pueblo only because my region needed entries :(
I'm not about to spend any more to go faster and if there aren't any more pure regionals (weary of the 45 mile races) in my division, I'm having trouble justifying staying so I might as well go full time vintage. :think:
Any move to HP just got nixed by moving the 914s to H
Every other year physicals, no charge for a Comp Lic and entry fees $150 less for a weekend :doh:
 
Those are LP 914s, and they have been classed in H as LP for several years now.

They are no threat to anyone.

There are vintage races with low entry fees? Where?
 
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