by FalconEL » Wed Sep 14, 2011 11:49 am
Your questions are valid, no doubt.
I think part of the problem is that most of the other categories such as Improved Production, HQ's, Gemini's (to name 3), don't have a National Series/Championship, moreso a one-off Nationals. In the main, they can concentrate their efforts locally. Less time involved and probably less expense.
As in NSW, we have opened the CAMS State Rounds up to include "Invited Cars" which has been great and given guys that don't quite fit into Improved Production or other categories an chance to compete.
For us, five National Rounds (each of which conflicted with a QLD State Round), plus potentially four State Rounds and other one-offs requires a lot of time involved in car preparation etc.
I agree with you that the class would be better off racing in front of a crowd. I applaud the NSW Association for their efforts in their inclusion at the Muscle Car Masters and next years Bathurst event. These are truly great events to be involved in.
I also see great value in supporting my category when the National Series comes to town as I get to race against the best cars in Australia and try to improve myself in doing so.
As I mentioned, I am awaiting a return phone call from QR. I am more than happy for you to also give them a call to assist in co-ordinating an event that fits in with the existing calendar.
Political issues? I don't think most guys care about the whole CAMS v AASA thing. I ran at a Sprint meeting at Lakeside (under AASA) in Bob McLoughlins Commodore last year, had a blast and came home with all my arms and legs, so it was all good.
Sure, we can buy a battle group at Lakeside or QR, but I am unsure of the support we would receive from competitors. I have been proactive and spoken to two competitors this morning who have indicated that they aren't interested in running at Lakeside. We are not prepared to take the risk in committing the Associations funds to the purchase of a Battle Group without the guarantee that we will re-coup the funds in Entries from a full field of competitors. Until I get 20 competitors email me to suggest they will put their money up, we won't commit financially to this purchase. This however does not stop the enterprising types from putting up some sponsorship money of their own to lock in a spot on a Lakeside or QR programme. There is nothing stopping yourself for example in approaching QR on behalf of the competitor group.
I have also spent considerable time this morning on the phone to NSW and VIC State Delegates. They agree that there needs to be a tidying up of the Forum in many areas/threads as there have been posts of late in various threads that have "not been a good look" to our Series Sponsors. Keep in mind, this is a National Sports Sedan Series Forum and in talking about State Issues we are in fact "guests" on the forum. There is a PM (Personal Message) function available to those who wish to use it.
QLD Sports Sedan Competitor
Ford Falcon EB (Ford Cleveland V8)# 43
Winning Facebook Post of 2015 - Jared Martin - "But wasn't chez on the pace when he hit the wall ?" Dafuq?