U.S. Majors Tour to Replace SCCA National Racing by 2014

GP need not be in the GCR to run as a regional only class. All you'd need to do is get it OK'd by your division, submit the rule set to Topeka as a "new" regional only class and get the rubber stamp. Now you'd need to get some cars on track. I'd switch my Honda to GP (Please someone buy it) and let my son drive it or I'd drive it occasionally if it remains unsold.

I don't know of many GP cars in the area that have owners that would run in SCCA.

James R.
 
So... fewer races = lower annual fees for the hosting regions to put on events. Perhaps this plus the increased entries per event (assuming the demand will stay stable) will translate into lower entry fees or a towing fund for the Majors events. Just my two cents, but this could end up being a good thing...

The one issue that will really need to be carefully rolled out is the qualifying for the runoffs via either Majors or Regional points/championships. Does this mean IT is now going to be eligible for a runoffs race? If so, does that bring back the 24 runoffs class limit BS from the past decade? Hopefully Topeka is considering this carefully, as it could be detrimental as well...
 
Does anyone have any detail on the path for regional racers to qualify for the Runoffs. i have seen it mentioned in all of the articles on the Majors, but I haven't found anyone who defined it.
 
Ron, Over on the Mazdaracers site, the SM guys are saying six races at three different tracks. No confirmation of source, or whether that is true (stake it for what's it worth), but that's what I've read.
 
Seems like they are playing darts at a bar – there is always the hope that if you throw enough darts one will eventually hit the bull’s-eye – at the rate they are going could be a few years and several plans and iterations before something begins to come out of the oven with a smell most find alluring – it’s a silly way to go as it generally reflects a state of panic – potential members are surely in a quandary – you really can’t spell anything out for tomorrow the entire ball game may be redefined – the changes to specifications and now the entire racing scenario make any kind of planning meaningless – seem like the only protection a racer has is to close one’s eyes and mellow as the changes ping and ping like the chrome steel round object in a pinball machine – save your flippers until you see it coming – change happens yet progress is not always made – so how do you keep the campers happy when what ever they might think and feel is of no consequence to the decision makers …..
 
What would it take to get GP cars out of the garage? What rule set would be needed or applicable to do so? At this point, would any of the "sitting" GP cars find their way back to the track? It appears that most would rather let them sit than come back but that could be a gross over statement.

How is it the club can not find places to adapt cars into existing classes as opposed to creating more classes? It seems that competition would be created if cars were placed in classes instead of classes being created for cars.

The Majors Tour appears on the surface to have some potential if GP could be "established" regionally, then could it be reinstated over time?
 
I was a kid when there was the distinction between regional and national and it never was difficult for me to understand. Of course being involved in SCCA as a kid and adult makes the understanding easier but I can not see where explaining the difference would be too difficult for intelligent youth to understand.

What is hard to understand is why there are so many cars sitting. Mine has been (sadly) due to economics but that is changing quickly and it is discouraging to know so many cars are parked for good.
 
Asked this question when the Majors was first announced, and will ask it again.

Who, how, when are the classes eligible for the Majors determined, particularly now that there is greater separation between Majors and Regionals.

Are Regional classes left on the outside looking in at the Majors program? Own the "right" car or forever be a Regional only driver?

And who, how, and when are Run-Offs "eligible" classes determined? How many? What limits?

Specific, objective answers warranted.

RJS
 
Like others, I got this 3rd hand...still looking for details. The news release I saw, said go to the majors section on SCCA site, but that appeared not to have been updated for sometime...

Anyway, what I wanted to ask: What happens to the different levels of licensing? Will we retain novice, vintage, regional, national, and pro levels? Will national licensing fall away, leaving regional only, or will we add a new Majors lic. to replace the national? What will be the requirements to achieve and mantain different licenses? Costs?

I think I understand the attempt, but without details, it's hard to understand. Hopefully, there has been some thought and definition done before the announcement was made public. Seems odd that additional information wasn't made available...thus all these posts...gee, what a surprise?

Shoot, I didn't even get an email notice of the change to me as an SCCA licensed driver...as I said, just got "word" via a 3rd person...

So, it goes... 43 yrs and they still don't know ya.... But it's the same with the "big" vintage guys, too.

What happens to those "Safe Racer" stickers? getting new/different ones now?

Let's see the details.. licensing structure...

Bob Lembcke
SCCA #9526
 
I had a conversation Friday with the new program manager. The hosting region will still decide to host either an invitational or a showcase. So far no region has committed to hosting an invitational. Lone Star won't as long as I am RE. James?

The other tidbit was all non-majors events will be rationals.

RJS,

The invitationals will be the top ten subscribed classes in the zone. Showcases can be just about anything the hosting region wants, a restricted national so to speak. GCR regional classes are still regional only classes and are not runoffs eligible.


I have a feeling the upcoming convention is going to be very very interesting
 
Jerry,
RE James has not been contacted. Race Chair Sydney hasn't that I know of anyway. Would take a local board vote. I don't have a vote in our region.

James
 
Why does it all have to be so very complicated. :eh:


Just a crazy question here. With ALMS and Grand-Am merging in 2014, anyone think that the SCCA may be touting the Majors as more of a pro series in order to attract all of the drivers that may not make the ALMS/GA mashup? Turning the Majors into more of a "pro"-club series. TV, sponsors, fans, etc. No real anything to back it up, it just popped into my head with the timing of everything.
 
So if for 2014 all "regional" races will basically be rationals, in 2013 all non major races are planed to be rationals, and for 2012 most all races in MidDiv were rationals, what is the big change?

What about the "regional" races that happen after the Runoffs but before the new GCR rules come out (IE Oct, Nov races) during 2014? Will they qualify towards the next years Runoffs?

I can see a couple things, "Majors" weekends may "hurt" the IT/regional only classes because they will most likely not be included on the weekend schedule. Some regions will not want to take on the "Majors" and just run their current races with out the "Majors" weekends. Some regions may work to make their non Majors weekend special in other ways which I think will be a win too. They may be able to do more Club Time Trials, drivers school type run groups, and may do their own podium ceremonies.

The Majors weekend can take it to the next level because they offer more contingency/"prize" money because of the National office contacts which I think is a win too.

You will have a option to do the Majors races to get to the Runoffs or you could do "regional" level races and still get to the Runoffs. Sounds like it may take 6 races instead of the current 4 races. So a little harder to get to the Runoffs which people have asked for also.

If it builds club racing and build up the racing competition I see it as a win/win.

With any change somethings may get hurt so identifying those should be part of the process also.

I was looking back at some Nebraska regional historical information, back in the 50's SCCA had an East vs West race weekend every year at Offutt air base. It was build as a "Majors" type event with sponsors, prize money, and spectators. If the "Majors" bring some of that back to SCCA I don't see a real problem.
 
team-gpracing":a0xn1inw said:
Why does it all have to be so very complicated. :eh:


Just a crazy question here. With ALMS and Grand-Am merging in 2014, anyone think that the SCCA may be touting the Majors as more of a pro series in order to attract all of the drivers that may not make the ALMS/GA mashup? Turning the Majors into more of a "pro"-club series. TV, sponsors, fans, etc. No real anything to back it up, it just popped into my head with the timing of everything.
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Only if they were to "partner" a Majors weekend with one of the pro series. I remember there being nationals partnered up with Trans Am.

I would hope that a reduction in the number of nationals races would have the impact of making each "Majors" race more attractive to enter and therefore more attractive to attend. Make them races again, and not just "meet runoffs entry requirements" events. have that happen, and get fans on the ground, and THEN we might be able to think about 'televised' events.
 
Jay R. Creel":hsy2pjzd said:
I was a kid when there was the distinction between regional and national and it never was difficult for me to understand. Of course being involved in SCCA as a kid and adult makes the understanding easier but I can not see where explaining the difference would be too difficult for intelligent youth to understand.

What is hard to understand is why there are so many cars sitting. Mine has been (sadly) due to economics but that is changing quickly and it is discouraging to know so many cars are parked for good.
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Jay... Just got home from the CFR October Regional, attended by around 40% less than previous years and seems to be getting worse. Sad part is, economics is the leading driver down here for parked cars. Husband/wife team been running since the late 90s had to sell the car to concentrate expenses on their business. I let them drive my car to maintain licenses. One of my best students in '10 finally got his first races in this weekend after the school. His mother, father and himself all wound up unemployed right after completing the school in one weekend. Talented newby, great car, parked until now. Still on shakey ground. Lots more of that available... and it's really sad because these folks are dedicated racers. My question is, are these major changes going to hurt or help the Regional races? Also, haven't seen any indication that this is going to increase the fun factor of SCCA racing... just the costs for everyone, especially at the Regional levels. Sad stuff.

Bob
 
Bob and all, the numbers for all races in SEDiv has been quite stable for a number of years. Yes, the entry for that October race has decreased, 131 in 2012, 154 in 2011 & 169 in 2010, but much of that is because most drivers do not like the Sebring short course. For all regionals in SEDiv, we are right on track with past years compared with a decrease overall in club racing regionals- 6056-SEDiv/20241-SCCA in 2011, 5823-SEDiv/21959-SCCA in 2010, 5857-SEDiv/22135-SCCA-2009 & 5937-SEDiv/24330-SCCA. And our National series had almost the same entry for 2012 as 2011, about 1875.

The SEDiv has two popular Division wide race series, SARRC & ECR plus several region series. These increase the popularity of racing in the division. NEDiv has similar regional race series, MARRS & NARRC.

I think the Majors will provide a better level of National race competition while SARRC, MARRS, NARRC will keep providing a regional level of competition. Hopefully, the other divisions will start or expand their regional/divisional levels.

I think our race programs here in SEDiv will not suffer much at all. We had 3800 SARRC entries in 2012, almost exactly the same number as in 2011. I see no reason to think we will go down in 2013. As for the Sebring race last weekend with 131 entries, we also had a SARRC at VIR last weekend and had 133 entries plus another 74 at the ECR race. Not bad for the end of the season(actually, all three races were 2013 series races). We don't stop here in SEDiv.

BTW, the Double Rational at Homestead has been rescheduled for 12-28-12-30. Sebring Double National will still be the next weekend, January 4-6. Come have fun in the sun!
 
FP Racer":1mxtdugy said:
Bob and all, the numbers for all races in SEDiv has been quite stable for a number of years. Yes, the entry for that October race has decreased, 131 in 2012, 154 in 2011 & 169 in 2010, but much of that is because most drivers do not like the Sebring short course. For all regionals in SEDiv, we are right on track with past years compared with a decrease overall in club racing regionals- 6056-SEDiv/20241-SCCA in 2011, 5823-SEDiv/21959-SCCA in 2010, 5857-SEDiv/22135-SCCA-2009 & 5937-SEDiv/24330-SCCA. And our National series had almost the same entry for 2012 as 2011, about 1875.

The SEDiv has two popular Division wide race series, SARRC & ECR plus several region series. These increase the popularity of racing in the division. NEDiv has similar regional race series, MARRS & NARRC.

I think the Majors will provide a better level of National race competition while SARRC, MARRS, NARRC will keep providing a regional level of competition. Hopefully, the other divisions will start or expand their regional/divisional levels.

I think our race programs here in SEDiv will not suffer much at all. We had 3800 SARRC entries in 2012, almost exactly the same number as in 2011. I see no reason to think we will go down in 2013. As for the Sebring race last weekend with 131 entries, we also had a SARRC at VIR last weekend and had 133 entries plus another 74 at the ECR race. Not bad for the end of the season(actually, all three races were 2013 series races). We don't stop here in SEDiv.

BTW, the Double Rational at Homestead has been rescheduled for 12-28-12-30. Sebring Double National will still be the next weekend, January 4-6. Come have fun in the sun!
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Agree... but you left out the fact that there are a huge bunch of folks in SEDIV busting hump to put on some really high quality race weekends. Get comments from other division racers on our ability to put on a fun, competitive weekend every time we go to the track.

Bob
 
These are two posts from Apex Speed that Bruce Kummer made. Thought you would fine them interesting. the consensus there seems to be cautious optimism. Be sure to check to comment by Ed Prill at http://sccaofficial.blogspot.com/

More later, but right now I want to clarify that starting in 2013 ALL Runoffs classes (28 classes in 2013) will be invited to run the vast majority of Majors events. The only exception is the Invitational event, which will be for the "Top Ten" only. After I sell a region on hosting such an event we'll have hard data on which to determine the viability of that format going forward.
And yes, the Solo National Tour is a very good analogy for the Majors concept.
As I said, more later...
Butch Kummer
SCCA Director of Club Racing, Majors
2006, 2007, 2010 SARRC GTA Champion

Still a short post, but just to hopefully clear some things up:
• All Runoffs-eligible classes (currently 28 for 2013) will be invited to run at the vast majority of the Majors events. The only exception will be the Invitational events that will be for the "Top Ten" classes. Although I've been directed to schedule one of those in each conference, to-date I've been unsuccessful in doing so.
• The target is six double-race Majors weekends per conference, but there may be some singles on the calendar as well. You'll count your best 67% of the races (8 if there are 12 races, 7 if 10, etc.) in the conference toward the Conference Class Championship, so it's not like you MUST run all six weekends to contend.
• The Majors program in 2013 and beyond is vastly different than the 2012 pilot program. There certainly were some successes in 2012, but we also learned a lot about what NOT to do (which is why all classes are invited to the Super Tour and Showcase events). The BoD (who makes policy, while the National Staff implements it) recognizes that Invitational events are a tough sell to the regions, but the drivers who participated generally had very positive comments about the clustered competition (1-3 classes per run group vs. "alphabet soup") aspect of the weekends. The BoD would like us to do at least one Invitational per conference to prove or disprove the concept before giving up on it.
• As many have said (and thank you for your comments), we can keep on doing what's not been working or we can try something different. Is this the absolute best answer to what's ailing SCCA Club Racing? Maybe not, but it's a pretty damn good one and at least "we" (your club and mine) are trying something new.
I had planned to add other comments about the program, but Eric Prill did a nice job of summarizing what I would say here:

http://sccaofficial.blogspot.com/201...s-it-mean.html

See y'all at the track...
Butch Kummer
SCCA Director of Club Racing, Majors
2006, 2007, 2010 SARRC GTA Champion
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