Waterford Hills Road Racing Forums

This may not be an option, but maybe moving up the time a little closer to the end of racing might help attendance? For people who have a long drive ahead of them an hour can seem like a long time to wait - especially if they are in earlier run groups who are done racing for a while before racing is actually done. Now that we're local it's not an issue for us, but when we had to travel it was tough because we'd have the trailer to unload and drop off somewhere, on top of a couple hour drive to get back home. I think giving out more trophies isn't the answer because then it will either make the trophy ceremony longer or getting a trophy less meaningful because you'd have to read through the names faster. Or you could maybe promote the dollar beers a little more - who can turn down a dollar beer?

Liz,
That MAY be viable.
The 1 hour was an easy number to remember. Plus at one time the trophy chair raced in the last race group.
Even at 1 hour there are folks still in the paddock loading up. Secondary social hour
1/2 hour might be tight, but let's see if Cynthia has an opinion, as she does the all the work.
I would be fine at a half an hour after last checker.

EVERYBODY 1/2 hour ? 40 minutes ? ( with an announced starting time, not a "back from lunch time" )

Joel

how long does the presentation actually take? would it alleviate group 6's rush to get packed up if we did all three races for each group, in order?

I'm always amazed at the quick wit and bravado that Joel displays at trophies. Especially when you consider it's at the end of a long weekend when most of us are sunburned, tired and somewhat inebriated.

I agree that some hype over the loud speaker on Sunday and peer pressure would help attendance but realize it's Sunday and people want to go home... just a fact. It's hard to stick around all day Sunday when you're in group 1, have a mountain of laundry at home, haven't had a good night sleep all week leading up to the race weekend and have an important meeting with the boss Monday morning. That said, I will always pick up my first place trophy when I'm fortunate enough to have Sean mess up

Kyle

Trophy presentation doesn't seem to take much more than an hour itself. With the addition of the time trials at end of day Sunday, gives even group 6 plenty of time to pack up and get to trophies. All the TT guys were there, but I'm guessing many had simple paddock setups and some even drove the car they ran, so its easy to pack and go.

Seems to me, the key is getting the early groups to stick around. Some people like to watch other races and stick around on the hill or in turn 6 to watch the other races and be social. Many others however have no interest in racing except for the group they are in, so getting them to stick around for a trophy can be tough.

No answers here, just more questions.....sorry.

How to get people to take an interest in racing and the social aspect of the club as a whole? Always an ongoing question....

OR,,
remember also that the clubhouse needs to updated on this , it's only fair to warn the bartender and kitchen staff.

What about Trophies start @ 6:30 , period ? Is that too late ? early ?
I bet Rich would like it if the paddock cleared out swiftly.

Kyle,, buy more clothes , that is what Monday night is for!

ALSO, Group 1-2-3 folks,, you can always drive your car out to the hill ( another old tradition ) like Sean does to spectate, let kids sit in your car, etc. after your afternoon race Saturday and or Sunday.
( granted this weekend past, no need, you would been considered nuts to do so. )

Joel, I got denied access to the hill on Sunday... have the rules and regualations about bringing cars up on the hill changed recently?

Sean,
Please PM me with information on who, when, why ,etc , as best you can. Please.

Cynthia here: The only issue I have is getting the results from Annie and Franz at the end of the day. With Bob in group 2, I have no problem getting to the clubhouse early. In fact, we got to the clubhouse and got set up and then sat and waited for everyone to get there. As far as I am concerned, a half hour after the end of racing is doable. I agree that a lot of the racers don't like sticking around after they are finished. Bob and I never did because a one car class doesn't trophy, unlike in S.C.C.A. Maybe if this were changed, more people would stay. I am puzzled by the fact a one car class can be a year end champion, but no trophies during the year. Something for the board to discuss? More questions and some answers.

Half an hour can be real tight for us when we're in group 6. BTDT. Though doing the groups in their entirety, as proposed earlier, would help mitigate that.

As for those who will only show up when they get trophies... I'd like to take a moment to ask them exactly who they expect to be applauding their performance when they get up to take that trophy? Because if you never show up to cheer your fellow racers when they place, don't expect anyone to ever both clapping for you when it's your turn...

We rarely miss an awards presentation, and always cheer our friend racers. Getting to trophies is a great chance to put faces and personalities with the neat cars and impressive drives we see every weekend...

I couldn't make it out for Race #1, but are we still having a drawing for a free race weekend if you Win, Place or Show? (That’s 1st, 2nd and 3rd for those that don't know the horse racing betting terminology) I for one received one of those free race weekends, and it really goes a long way for those of us on a tight budget. Well worth the time and effort to attend Trophies!

Ted

Ted,
Glad you were able to use it. The B.O.D. approved that with the hope it would improve trophy attendance and have other positive by products. ( race entries , club comradery )
There was not an increase in bodies that could be measured or noticed.
While i have no problem with incentives, we are already pretty darned in-expensive.
I am not opposed to trying that again.

Maybe we should give the 6:30 start time a try and see if it makes a difference. Also, can people show up early? Maybe we can promote it something like: "dollar beers and popcorn starting at 6:00, trophy presentation to begin at 6:30". If people thought other people were going to be there early they might go hang out and mingle for a bit before the presentation - then BAM we've got them right where we want them!

Go Liz Go !

Another forgotten point, one can go early .

If one cannot stay , one can still pick up trophies before departing. ( A VERY nice thing to help the trophy chair provided she is ready )

Sunday Club Social Hour ( sorta ) prior to trophies.. I really like it Liz , good train of thought.

On behalf of the Time Trial guys, thanks for having us! I had a blast and will be back for sure. The other guys I talked to stated the same.

Glad to hear it Jason.
T.T. turnout was great, on track and at trophies. Glad to hear folks feel welcome.
Like i said to you in the paddock, Love the color on your Focus.
It is causing me to rethink my paint scheme.

Cynthia here again. I will be more than happy to hand out trophies to people who cannot stay provided I am ready to go, or the people are willing to wait a few minutes until I can get set up. 6:30 is doable as long as I have the results to work from.

Ditto what Mr. Vaughn said.

Jim

Thread is slowing down.

So here is how i see it ( chime in if you have an opinion )
Thanks to Liz, and others with good ideas.
I like the idea of starting @ 1/2 after the last checker.
No later than 6:30.
Since TT is most likely to be the common last group, and they seem very good at loading and getting to trophies on time, i think we are good here.
If things are modified for run groups per weekend, we can adjust ( like doing all group 1-6 in clusters until the delayed masses arrive )

Talking with the BOD and Comp board folks that were not there ( yes, i gave some minor grief, of course )
There are some modern trends that effect this.
We have a lot of multiple car teams that require a lot of effort to get home. ( Blanchard, Dopirak )
and rental / support folks with the same issue. ( Ralph and others )
So yeah, a bit of a pass there.
Plus there are those who darned near live at the track these days helping out the day to weekend stuff
( Rich J and Ron K )

So PA announcements, racer to racer reminders, and yes, keys to the Mic at the clubhouse .
I spoke with a parent club honcho to see how this can be fixed.
Nice of him to offer ,that if the keys are not there to call him, he is a couple of miles away and will run over with his personal set.

any flaws on the suggestion to move it forward a bit ?
speak up folks, it's your party.

Really like the idea of a "Happy Hour" at the clubhouse; will never make it there any sooner, but I'm sure that'll help promote the atmosphere, great idea!

I will throw out there that one thing we've always fought a bit with is the somewhat hit-or-miss nature of food at the 'house; I understand we're basically just working off of leftovers, and I have no ideas how that could be revised/improved - especially with our currently-modest turnout - but I'd point to that as one more small problematic area. If you never know if you're going to be able to eat dinner, or just sit around (already tired and possibly dried-out) and drink beer...