FWIW, I too think Summit Point, WGI, Mosport, Tremblant, etc are worth keeping on the event schedule if at all possible. I know the Glen rental fee is high but it is also one of the most historic and well known tracks in the world (even Michael Schumacher snuck over to drive it after a Canadian GP). Frankly, I'm surprised that the WGI event has not been a sellout before (BMW club events at the Glen sell out immediately).
I would even forego the time trial if it meant offering an "open track" or 2nd school day that would (A) appeal to on-the-fence drivers and those who don't care about time trials and (B) provide more track time to balance any increase in the entry fee -- whatever it takes to keep the date.
Fred F
Here's another question
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jeffreystrong
- Rookie Racer
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:47 pm
It would be a shame to see the WGI event go away. The track is awesome, fast fun and easy to drive. I drove it this year for the first time at the Com June event. I loved it so much , I joined the Audi Club and drove it again in August. They do not time trial but run a two day school. They run WGI twice a season (June and Aug) and have banquet that they charge $35.00 extra for. I would be glad to have a 2 day school and have to pay for the banquet with COM. I would have been willing to pay for a banquet at this years Lime Rock event.
The Audi group charges $30 more than COM plus the banquet. Lets try to keep this "World Class Track" in our schedule.
Dan D'Arcy
Mustang #310
ps: the Audi club is not crazy about Mustangs
The Audi group charges $30 more than COM plus the banquet. Lets try to keep this "World Class Track" in our schedule.
Dan D'Arcy
Mustang #310
ps: the Audi club is not crazy about Mustangs
Watkins Glen Dates
I too find Watkins Glen a real treat even if the styrofoam did jump out and attack my car in 2004.
If it takes a surcharge to make it happen then that definitely ought to be considered. However, I would hate to see us give up the time trial since that's what makes COM special for me (other than the people of course).
Perhaps this can be up for further discussion at the Board Meeting tomorrow night if time allows.
Dennis
If it takes a surcharge to make it happen then that definitely ought to be considered. However, I would hate to see us give up the time trial since that's what makes COM special for me (other than the people of course).
Perhaps this can be up for further discussion at the Board Meeting tomorrow night if time allows.
Dennis
Sad to see my SSB 2001 Miata go.
away events
I made a choice to make sure I did all the events this year and am very glad I did.
After having the experience of driving all the tracks COM has on the schedule I would rate NHIS as my last choice. I have to belive that other members who have not taken or had the time or opertunity to drive on some of these other tracks would share my opinion if they did.
Maybe COM should do something as drastic as offering a "first time at a new track discount" to provide members who are on the fence because of expense the chance to get "hooked". Once you have been to the Glen it is hard not to find the time and the money to do it again!
I also support the idea of promoting new membership from the local areas.
I will also support the idea of raising the entry fees for events that are expensive for the club.
As for paying for the away banquets, I am concerned that members on a tight racing budget may chose to skip this part of the event. I think thst would be a shame because this is the best chance to meet and get to know fellow club members.
After having the experience of driving all the tracks COM has on the schedule I would rate NHIS as my last choice. I have to belive that other members who have not taken or had the time or opertunity to drive on some of these other tracks would share my opinion if they did.
Maybe COM should do something as drastic as offering a "first time at a new track discount" to provide members who are on the fence because of expense the chance to get "hooked". Once you have been to the Glen it is hard not to find the time and the money to do it again!
I also support the idea of promoting new membership from the local areas.
I will also support the idea of raising the entry fees for events that are expensive for the club.
As for paying for the away banquets, I am concerned that members on a tight racing budget may chose to skip this part of the event. I think thst would be a shame because this is the best chance to meet and get to know fellow club members.
WGI is a top flight driving experience. If a surcharge is necessary, fine but don't drop the event. COMSCC members new and old should enjoy the thrill of driving on a world renowned and respected track. If you want to save money, don't ever go back to the Shenedoah circuit. A long drive for a go-kart facility. WGI provides thrills for any type of car.
I understand the difficulty in taking mid-week time off to travel to the "away games" for any memeber other than the core group. Work and family time is also important to a lot of members. I guess only us truly sick and twisted speed addicts are willing to sacrifice...
SAVE WATKINS, SAVE WATKINS, SAVE WATKINS!!!!
I understand the difficulty in taking mid-week time off to travel to the "away games" for any memeber other than the core group. Work and family time is also important to a lot of members. I guess only us truly sick and twisted speed addicts are willing to sacrifice...
SAVE WATKINS, SAVE WATKINS, SAVE WATKINS!!!!
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offcamber09
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:44 pm
- Location: East Kingston, NH
- Contact:
$$$$$
What I hear through the grapevine is that WGI is not an option. The price for the 2 days went up more than $5,000 from last year ! I do understand that the club is put in a tough position because of this, but I will find a way to get to this track again next year...be it with COM or without.
Scott Rosnick
#09 BMW 318ti-6
#09 BMW 318ti-6
WGI and Summit
This has been a very interesting thread.
Personally, I love WGI, and have been to 6 of our 7 dates there.
I had written 6 paragraphs before I realized that I had only
scratched the surface of what I wanted to say, so here's
the condensed version:
WGI June 28/29 vs. NHIS July 3/4
Logistically, we couldn't run 2 events a week apart. As it is, we
may have to bite the bullet and run 2 events just under 2 weeks
apart to keep Summit Point (in July, on Shenandoah, but a weekend)
on the schedule for 2006, but that's not a done deal yet.
NHIS is the place where the largest majority of new members get
their first experience with COM. Going down to 2 NHIS events
doesn't seem reasonable. We're constantly talking about how to
get new members, and then we say we're ready to cast off one of
the dates that is most likely to draw new members, for a mid-week
away event that people have complaining loudly is exactly what
they don't want.
This doesn't even address the cost issue, where WGI would be
a huge money-loser, and NHIS events help keep those free
dinners coming.
Anyway, WGI is a lost cause for 2006. I held the track off as long
as I could while we talked about it, but they had several groups
lined up waiting to take the date, so it's gone. There might always
be a chance that someone might cancel, but don't hold your breath.
Sorry, that's just the way it went this time.
Personally, I love WGI, and have been to 6 of our 7 dates there.
I had written 6 paragraphs before I realized that I had only
scratched the surface of what I wanted to say, so here's
the condensed version:
WGI June 28/29 vs. NHIS July 3/4
Logistically, we couldn't run 2 events a week apart. As it is, we
may have to bite the bullet and run 2 events just under 2 weeks
apart to keep Summit Point (in July, on Shenandoah, but a weekend)
on the schedule for 2006, but that's not a done deal yet.
NHIS is the place where the largest majority of new members get
their first experience with COM. Going down to 2 NHIS events
doesn't seem reasonable. We're constantly talking about how to
get new members, and then we say we're ready to cast off one of
the dates that is most likely to draw new members, for a mid-week
away event that people have complaining loudly is exactly what
they don't want.
This doesn't even address the cost issue, where WGI would be
a huge money-loser, and NHIS events help keep those free
dinners coming.
Anyway, WGI is a lost cause for 2006. I held the track off as long
as I could while we talked about it, but they had several groups
lined up waiting to take the date, so it's gone. There might always
be a chance that someone might cancel, but don't hold your breath.
Sorry, that's just the way it went this time.
-Herb DaSilva
2004 SRT-4, Blue #62, ST2
2004 SRT-4, Blue #62, ST2
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offcamber09
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:44 pm
- Location: East Kingston, NH
- Contact:
Herb, I know we all appreciate the effort and the circumstances that led to this. What does it take to get our foot back in the door with WGI in the future ? I think the money issues could be solved if we can get a date again. Last night I met with a couple of COMers for a Xmas drink and hopefully one of our ideas will be brought up at the board meeting tonight. It will meet with some opposition from some instructors, but I would support it. I can not attend and I don't know that it is appropriate to discuss the details on this forum. Tom Cannon, I believe, will present it.
Scott Rosnick
#09 BMW 318ti-6
#09 BMW 318ti-6
Herb,
Thanks for the update and insight. If I read the financials that Paul provided at the November meeting correctly, the club would have had to charge an additional $50 per day to have broken even at the Glen this year. To meet the increase that the Glen quoted us for next year, it would have been about an extra $85 per day, and that is with the same number of participants. I don't think anybody wanted to cut the Glen out, but unfortunately, they seem to have cut us out by pricing out of our league.
On the positive side, there are several clubs that run at the Glen. I have heard great things about Track Masters, but have never run with them. Coincidentially enough, they were charging $235/day for the Glen this season, which is the estimated amount I figured COM would have to charge to break even.
Thanks for the update and insight. If I read the financials that Paul provided at the November meeting correctly, the club would have had to charge an additional $50 per day to have broken even at the Glen this year. To meet the increase that the Glen quoted us for next year, it would have been about an extra $85 per day, and that is with the same number of participants. I don't think anybody wanted to cut the Glen out, but unfortunately, they seem to have cut us out by pricing out of our league.
On the positive side, there are several clubs that run at the Glen. I have heard great things about Track Masters, but have never run with them. Coincidentially enough, they were charging $235/day for the Glen this season, which is the estimated amount I figured COM would have to charge to break even.
96 Miata #72 SC
PRA 4
PRA 4
Price and schedule. If NHIS had offered us a May or August weekendWillM wrote:To meet the increase that the Glen quoted us for next year, it would have been about an extra $85 per day, and that is with the same number of participants. I don't think anybody wanted to cut the Glen out, but unfortunately, they seem to have cut us out by pricing out of our league.
[...]
I have heard great things about Track Masters, but have never run with them. Coincidentially enough, they were charging $235/day for the Glen this season, which is the estimated amount I figured COM would have to charge to break even.
event, this would have been a lot easier to swing.
Track Masters is a non-competition event, so they pay the lower rate
on their track days.
-Herb DaSilva
2004 SRT-4, Blue #62, ST2
2004 SRT-4, Blue #62, ST2
WGI and Trackmasters
Trackmasters entry fee may be higher but you get 4 HOURS of track time and all events are 2-3 days. Students get 2 hours (four 30-minute sessions) which is more track time than any other club I know of. They have a unique registration policy (pay in advance w/ a cancellation option) - something to help w/ fiscal and event planning.
Tony Funicello (chief instructor) is a great guy who has attended COM events. He may accept a TT license as qualifying you for open track. I've run w/ Trackmasters 5+ years and their events are always well run. They have ~ three 2-day events at the Glen, from May to October, and have also run at Summit, Mosport, and Mt Tremblant.
FF
Tony Funicello (chief instructor) is a great guy who has attended COM events. He may accept a TT license as qualifying you for open track. I've run w/ Trackmasters 5+ years and their events are always well run. They have ~ three 2-day events at the Glen, from May to October, and have also run at Summit, Mosport, and Mt Tremblant.
FF
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