Here's another question

[dinoracer]

Ok now that I see what a poll post looks like, let's try another

The club runs 8 events a year; 3 or 4 at our "home " track NHIS, 4-5 at an away track. The Home events are usually fully booked, the away events less so.

So what's the primary reason you don't go to a particular away event?

[WillM]

Tom,

Excellent idea for a poll.

I suspect that the voting and results will be off a bit. It seems that most of the active members of the forum are also the most likely to attend the away events.

The away events are COM's hidden secret. The "in" crowd - those of us that have been to the away events - know how great the experience is. The track time, the camaraderie, the world-class tracks, the Canadian women. All top-notch and not to be missed!

That said, all of the reasons above for not going to away events are valid. Lots of members love going to NHIS and either do not care to go to the away events or cannot for whatever reason. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and I'm sure that many would attend the away events if they could.

Along those lines, if members cannot come to the club, perhaps the club should go to its members? What I am talking about is recruiting members that live in the Summit/Mosport/Tremblant area. I know there has been talk at board meetings about different advertising strategies, which is great, but what about word of mouth referrals?

I found out about COM from Lee and Les at autocross events. They clued me in, and in return I clued a few people in, and so on. I can think of 20-25 COM members that have joined through our little Miata network. Many of these members are also member of a local Miata club. I am sure the same can be said about the Subaru crew and other sub-groups within COM.

I am active on a couple of other car-related forums, and though there are sections dedicated to track events, I have never seen a COM event listed. These forums are filled with enthusiasts (like us) spread across the country and Canada (and the world, for that matter). If our goal is to increase attendence at away events, why not run up the COM flag for these folks to see? I would think we would have a captive audience.

I believe it was Don Pierce who headed up a membership drive a few years ago. The idea was that the member who brings in the most new members in one season gets a prize, which I believe was a free event. Whatever happened to that idea? How about bringing it back and taking it a step further by requiring that new members only count if they attend an event. Just a thought.

My deepest apologies to my fellow in-crowd friends! Sorry for letting the cat out of the bag and perhaps putting an end to such treats as 8 hours of open track at Summit, followed by 4 hours of open track and time trials the next day.

[mossaidis]

Traveling is half the fun for me. Worries include costs for gas, lodging, etc. and if something happens at the track how do I get home w/o a trailer. With some careful driving (and no lakes of water for hydroshocked engines), my goal is to go to at least one new track a year until I've been at them all.

[offcamber09]

This season was the first time I ran a full COM schedule and anyone that knows me can attest that I haven't been able to wipe the smile off my face for 6 months. With that said, I did take a lot of time off from work. I work every other Sat. so the weekend factor is not as important for me

[turtlevette]

i think it's important to keep the Canadian and other further away tracks in the schedule. It keeps things varied and interesting. I want to eventually try them all. I broke a fan belt and then blew a head gasket trying to get to Tremblant this summer but even with the extra worries we want to get out and experience these tracks.

[KeithHammitte]

I agree that we should keep the away dates, Mont Tremblant was the best time I had all summer. (particularly nice was that it backed up to a two day Porsche club event and we drove that too and then, well.. we stayed for the 3 day BMW club event. What a week) And I am pretty bored with NHIS.

Tremblant was however, the only far away dates I attended. It is difficult for either of us to get away for someplace like Mosport when it is midweek. I teach school and taking off that many days in June is bad form, and my wife has one of those jobs where if she is not at work she is not making any money, so a two day mid week event at Mosport would be difficult, particularly if it is not in July or August.


Keith H

[Grippy]

I have been to all the away tracks and they are just great. Worth using up all my vacation time and all the additional expense IMHO. I never worried about getting home if I had an incident, because I knew someone would be there to help me out, the COM people are just like that.

NHIS is fun, but nothing compared to a dedicated road course like Mosport. But don't tell anyone, it's our secret, right?

[denndy]

I also love the away tracks and have been to Summit Point and Watkins Glen with COM and Mont Tremblant and Lime Rock wiith BMWCCA. Hoping to fit in Mosport this year.

For me it's as much about the time as the money. Well actually, since I'm self-emplyed, time is money. Since I don't trailer, I have some concern about a situation that would not allow me to drive home but that hasn't stopped me yet.

In particular, having 3 events in a month's time - NHIS on Memorial weekend, Mosport, and Watkins Glen - has led me to do the 2 bookends and skip Mosport the last 2 years.

I think the idea of seeking out "local" entrants is a good one.

Looking forward to another great season, my first on race tires if I can only decide on which wheels and tires to buy!

Dennis

[zip4zat]

Actually Tom, I'm of the contrary. If I did skip out on events Id skip out on the NHIS events.

Id rather go to the away events and make a long weekend out of things. Its more enjoyable, we get to travel a bit and really spend some time away. The seat time is a sure bonus, and I feel with the limited amout of people I get to know other club members better.

I also am certainly aware of the 'drive the car there, and hope to drive it home syndrome'... I didnt exactly drive the wagon home from Tremblant this year. Im am certainly gracious that other members were more than willing to help me out, but certainly not expected nor do I want to depend on others if 'I' get myself into a jam. So that always weighs in on things.

I'm particularly more concerned about weekend days at NHIS because of the attendance. There are so many people on the track per session it is down right inherently dangerous. Not only is the seat time less, but with so many cars hurtling themselves into the s.chicaine or turn 3 at 100+mph, its gets way sketchy! On top of that lots of cars trying to pass each other in a short passing zone relative to the amount of cars on track. There were a few times where I just called it a day because it was just retarded the way people were driving.

On the flip side the club is a business and I am more than aware that it is attendance that keeps the costs down and the club going. If we could get the numbers that we get for NHIS on a track twice as long, the traffic is much less of an issue. Problem is, none exist that are local, and numbers are always lower at the larger tracks.....

[dreeves]

This year, the three events I did were Watkins Glen, Mont Tremblant and Lime Rock, mostly because I just enjoy them more than I like NHIS.

I'm thinking about doing more of the NHIS dates next year and giving Mick a real run for ST2

All things considered, right now I'd probably prefer more weekend dates. I'm sure that would be different if I had a family.

[offcamber09]

This year, the three events I did were Watkins Glen, Mont Tremblant and Lime Rock, mostly because I just enjoy them more than I like NHIS.

I'm thinking about doing more of the NHIS dates next year and giving Mick a real run for ST2

All things considered, right now I'd probably prefer more weekend dates. I'm sure that would be different if I had a family.

David, next time you are quicker than Mick at a track...make sure you drive off-line when he's following you...He learns quick.

On another note I want to cast a huge vote for Watkins Glen to remain on the schedule. I know the track is not Miata friendly and there has been some talk about dropping it. Huge mistake. The track is world-class. My familly has used the area as a vacation destination in addition to the COM outing. Any Miata drivers that feel otherwise can borrow my car and make a few laps next year...It will take you a month to get the smile off your face.

[christine]

On another note I want to cast a huge vote for Watkins Glen to remain on the schedule. I know the track is not Miata friendly and there has been some talk about dropping it. Huge mistake.

The reason for considering dropping WGI is because it is extremely expensive. Anyone who thinks it is not Miata friendly isn't trying hard enough. At the July Sprints this year, an ITA Miata (1.6l) did a 2:19.5. That's not much slower than your big bad Mustang, Scott. But I'll still take it out for a few hot laps if you really want me to.

Christine

[Don P]

I'm with Christine -

WGI is track friendly to everybody, even the 'pokey' Miata's. (n our own club look at Miata times and those in others classes - not too shabby for an anemic car on a long track).

Maybe another poll should be the willingness of the membership to pay more for annual dues and for certain venues. I think given the history of this club it would be a shame to not try to find a solution to drive on world class tracks like the Glen.

Best,

Don

[offcamber09]

I'm with Christine -

WGI is track friendly to everybody, even the 'pokey' Miata's. (n our own club look at Miata times and those in others classes - not too shabby for an anemic car on a long track).

Maybe another poll should be the willingness of the membership to pay more for annual dues and for certain venues. I think given the history of this club it would be a shame to not try to find a solution to drive on world class tracks like the Glen.

Best,

Don

I would be willing to pay a "surcharge" to keep WGI on the schedule. The dinner cruise was very nice and I would be willing to pay for a ticket next year to also keep that on the schyedule. 2:19 is smoking fast for a Miata. Still waiting to hear from those that were saying they were adjusting the radio in their Miatas on the straightaways at the Glen...

[WillM]

2:19 is smoking fast for a Miata. Still waiting to hear from those that were saying they were adjusting the radio in their Miatas on the straightaways at the Glen...

Adjusting the radio? Not me! I was enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the daily paper. But I was turning 2:28's.

I agree that it is a shame to miss out on the Glen. The price however seems to be through the roof, especially for the time trial day. There was talk about possibly having two 'school' days and no time trial, but even that was extremely expensive.

As Christine said, the decision at the meeting was based on the cost. I could be wrong, but I want to say that the two days they gave us were horrible (mid-week), which ended up being the final death blow. Don't remember for sure, so somebody please correct me if that is not right.