Edgar, first off, you put your heart into this and have made me feel welcome.

I’m new to this and took my first pass on a track, not even a year ago. That was at a Raceway Park Corvette Challenge. And, as long as I can afford to run my car, and as long as I’m in the area, I’ll be there.

There’s a reason that I make every CC event that I can, versus missing many of the Car Shows and bling stuff that I used to attend.

So, maybe the question is: For those who continue to participate in the CC events, why? Then, take that info and play off it to get some new participants and maybe draw back some of those who have left.

Of course all the decline reasons presented in this thread may be true (some more than others), but maybe all the reasons why we participate are not getting out to those who don’t. Since most of us here are participating, perhaps a new thread: For those who participate in the CC, why?

I bet that’s much easier for most of us in here to answer than to theorize about why others have disappeared. Then let’s go tell the next Corvette Cruise that passes through NJ on the same day that we’re all racing why they should make Raceway Park a stop along their cruise, versus some sub shop 15 miles to the west

Thanks for your dedication

EDIT: Perhaps the a CC rep. could share a booth in Carlisle this year (ECS always seems to have extra space in their tent - LOL)... Show some videos, throw up a poster, make the series something these people ("Corvette Buffs" / many local to NJ) want to come see and participate in! After all, where is ALL that performance stuff going? And, more people racing = more people buying performance products... Win/Win (hint/hint) :-)

 

That's a potential factor as well I suppose, the same 4 or 5 racers winning/runnering up most of the time. I know lots of people stopped watching Formula 1 during the latter part of the Michael Schumacher era because the final results became almost predictable at that point.
I know going into a Pro 11.50 event that I'm only going to get so far (often not even one round LOL) because of the skills (and laptops and weather stations ) of some of the competitors but I can't let that alone stop me from at least trying. Anything can happen out there, tire spin, parts failure, a bird craps on your opponent's windshield just as the lights come down etc and you can still take the round. More practice/attending more events can help one improve at that tree (I should actually heed my own advice there LOL).
I do agree with some of what you're suggesting above but I also think adding more complexity to the series/raceday roster can have at least some negative fallout as well.

 

Is there any way to get data about the other classes that run at Etown ? Are the Sunday Classes also down in attendance ?

Vic

 

Good question...ow dos the CC compare to some of the other series (car count)

 

Thank you all very much for your points of view. There are some I had not considered and this is helpful.

As for other raceway park classes, I don't know that they have or would even want to share that information with me. However, I would not necessarily want to compare to those classes because we do this a bit differently. There is no web site you can go to where you can get 10 years of "Real Street" history or thousands of videos and pictures or even go to a forum to discuss like we are here.

 

Like most series success is killing it. Several years back it seemed almost anyone had a chance to go rounds. The casual racers that make up most of the field come and get 2 time shots and one round,
go home early. It's not fun when you feel you don't even have a chance. You have to get serious(spend more money or modify your car)some of us don't want to do that. It is just a fun afternoon. Everyone
is friendly and helpful but if it's not fun there are other things to do.Sure the cost is part of it, but to drive for hours and get 3 runs and go home most casual racers give up. If all races were run on a tree,#1 vs #2 etc. anyone with few or no points would race each other. This would eliminate some top racers early and give everyone a chance to go rounds week after week . Winning builds desire to compete and improve. This would be more work but it could be programed and done quickly,we seem to wait for hours before racing anyway. The "Pros" would have better racing and the "Joes" could go rounds. This would also make the show better and improve attendance. When a "Joe" goes home after winning a round or two or more he can't wait to come back for more. The pros will still win most times but the field will be fair.

 

I only has 12 cars vs my normal 25 for my spring rental..........times are a tough
Free pizza maybe Edgar

 

best idea so far...I agree

 

Edgar,
While I was mowing my lawn, I thought of something else - kinda goes along with what some of the others are saying.

I know some guys down here (there are at least 7 other vette owners) - that go to Atco T&T nights. I ask them about the CC and they all say the same thing. They want to go rounds, not just one and done. With the level of competition you have, it is unlikely to get past the first round.

We live in a society of "I want it know!"

I have one goal for the CC in 2010. I want to win one round. And I think that is a pretty lofty goal, considering the current racers in the CC.

I am still learning, as are my friends. The difference is, I know I'm going to lose a lot and I'm willing to accept that. I just need practice. They want to win right away.

People like you, Rob, Eric, Ellis, Jeanne, and on and on, were (likely) not that good when you first went to the track. It took lots of passses and a lot of practice to get where you are. I understand that, and am willing to lose a lot in order to get better, so eventually I can go rounds.

Sorry this is so long, but I think a lot of potential racers are intimidated by the current regulars and it is keeping them away.

So thanks for the CC. I enjoy watching and next year I'll enjoy participating.

 

I can't believe some of the CRAP i'm reading in these post. People that win have worked hard to get where they are. We all started out on the bottom. When I first met Edgar he had to ask were the starting line was, how did he get good? He worked, asked questions, listened and and soon he was winning. As for fast big money cars inorder to win that is bull also. I won more rounds with my high 12 second C4 and Panuzzo did the same. You don't need a fast car to win. I never had a weather station or even keep a log book let alone used a computor.
Guys get out there and race, anyone can be beat just run your own race. Sorry for the rant.

 

Sounds like a trend here - And, it makes sense to me. For something with smaller turn out like the Pro 10, it's tough to break it up. But, if you get 20-40 entries in the challenge, why not break them into two groups: Novices and Veterans (not sure how to define that). Of course, even with novices racing novices, someone has to loose. But, the chances are much better of a novice taking a round in their own league, versus a novice against a veteran in the initial rounds. After that, well... It's the Superbowl! And, we can all cheer on the underdog while the veterans can continue to bust our chops about R/T, staging with the rear wheels, trying to figure out what the heck DA is and how to connect a latop to your car, etc, etc.

I'm about ready to pay some of these DA gurus to give me a lesson in "tuning for weather." Any takers?

But, the only way to truly get better and compete with the veterans is to eventually run against them and learn from your mistakes. I know I've made a few... But, I no longer stage with my rear wheels

Just my opinion on the topic

EDIT... P.S. I race for points in Pro 10 and the above suggestion can't / doesn't apply to me

 

I don't know about E'Town, but 2 weeks ago I was at another track and I was surprised to hear from the owner that so far this has been his best year for attendance. Could it be possible that the economy is making some attend other tracks that are less expensive? It was $20 to race, spectators are $5 each or $10 per carload.

Whatever the reason Edgar, you can be assured that you are not the cause. I came to almost every event 2 years ago, then had a child and made about half last year, now have 2 children and was there once. Your fault? Unless you were with my wife, I'd say no.

All of the different classes offer something for everyone, thats what we like, keep it as it is, and don't even think about a 12.5 index

 

Here are the reasons I hear most....

1) RP made it an all day affair by eliminating the nighttime program. This ensures only two timeshots at best and a whole lot of sitting around. This is pushing racers away. I heard this complaint from the RS guys as well.

2) A month between races makes a guy that does not get a lot of seat time even worse off. Of course, that is partially their fault for not getting extra time shots on a test and tune day.

3) Same guys keep winning- paritially due to #1 and #2 above.....

This is just what I normally hear............Tony

 

Its not crap, people are expressing their opinions and feelings. Attendence is down for a reason, perhaps some of those listed. I dont think our series is going the way of the dodo, but perhaps there are things that can be done.

Of course they did and I respect the talented field we have, but not everyone is willing or able to go to several T&Ts. I have a hard enough time getting down there for the 11 corvette challenges and hopefully the Corvette Show & Go. I have not been to any T&Ts and it is unlikely to happen for quite some time.

Ultimately, most do this becuase it is fun. If it becomes less fun for some because they are tired of waiting an hour and a half between rounds and then getting knocked out in the first continually then attendance will continue to suffer.

One thing I did to have more fun this past weekend was enter in another class, they were running some muscle car class. So I guaranteed myself 4 times shots and 2 elims. I won that event and got knocked out in the second round of the challenge, so all in all while I would have prefered to win the challenge it was a good day.

 

John, you thought you had a RANT? Read this.

The following response is me speaking for myself. I don't speak for anyone else but myself.

Don't be sorry John. I agree. I was going to say the samething.

Just because there is not a CC scheduled for a month is no excuse not to drive to the track and pratice or race in another event. Many events at RP you can race in with a Vette. You don't need a Vette to run in all the classes.

Same guys winning? I want to see a list of WINNERS. Who on the Corvette Challenge website has all the * next to there names? You also don't have to win an event to be a Champ either - just need to go rounds.

I like the way everything is running now. RP made a change this year. They call our class to the lanes, now you have no clue where anyone is in line. I would think that would be something that everyone would like?

My 2 cents on this:
I think money plays a large part in this. Now are you ready? For those that are complaining or are going to complain about some drivers being to good - maybe we should shipped them off to another country. Joking. Do yuo think they started on the top? Most if not all started from the bottom and it was much worse years ago. You were not just handed your a$$, you were handed more then your A$$. Now, people think loosing to a MOV of .09 is having there A$$ handed to them. Let me tell you, when I started racing I lost races to .0001 to .0009. That is loosing and having your A$$ handed to you.

You want to get better - race more, buy a pratice tree, pratice on line with websites that have pratice trees for those that don't want to spend $$$$.
Raceway Park has so many different events that you can race your Vette in.
If you want to race the 11 CC events and not come to the track anymore then that - DON'T COMPLAIN about loosing. Seat time is the key here.
The more you do something - the better you get. This is not just in racing but also in life.
Someone said that you need to race someone better to learn, How true that is. Ask questions. Everytime I am at the track, there is always someone picking my brain. I have never said NO to someone. I will give you a straight answer. If I don't know the answer, I will tell you I don't know.
I am 41 years old. Some other racers are older then me and have spent more time at thetrack then I have been alive.
If a driver decides not to race after loosing a few events - he/she either did not try hard enough, lost interest and could not stick it out to learn and get better or just was not meant not to be. That to me is a quitter.
You cannot start racing and think you are going to be John Force in 2 short weeks. Think about it? Did you learn your job in a few weeks? Did you get better at your job as time went on? I am sure you did.

Think about what I wrote with an OPEN MIND.

 

When I started drag racing in 05 I had never been to a drag strip in my life. Fortunately for me I had beginners luck in my first Corvette Challenge, I made it to round 4! Rest of the year didn't miss one race and won a whopping 3 first rounds. That just made me want to do everything that I could to win more!

AGAIN!
Two years later I ended up in 5th place! I didn't spend alot of money on my car. I did however get alot of seat time by entering everything that my car was qualified for. My fastest time in the Corvette Challenge-------------14.025

 

I am 41 years old. Some other racers are older then me and have spent more time at thetrack then I have been alive.
.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]


Man, I've got TROPHIES older than that
And look at Panuzzo he race covered wagons against the race team of Lewis and Clark.

 

I almost quit because I could not seem to win.But I did not give up and kept racin no matter what
Your full of crap,I ask you a queston about the weather station you said NO you wouldn't answer me & Shawn is my witnessI figured it out on my own anyway,So there. But I'll still be your friend anyway

 

buncha candy-asses

 

Dead on with a 0. If a car is drivable I can race it and win rounds. Maybe these guys don't know about the Farley Slide I've read about. I know of one guy on this forum that leaves on the 2nd amber. It's a slow car and super slow off the line.

Seat time is very important but so is learning your car. How consistent is it? Does it launch hard or soft? There are many different ways to win rounds but staying away from a more experienced driver isn't one of them. That's called duck hunting and you've already mentally prepared yourself to lose so you probably will lose regardless of who you race.

Webster