With non-COM clubs recently having difficulty selling out their events, it made me wonder: What is COM's secret sauce that has people coming back to us and not the others.
I would like to hear from everyone here, what makes you come back to COM?
The ideas that you contribute in this thread will help COM realize and maintain these strengths as a club.
thank you,
Alex Teng
COM President
Secret Sauce?
Secret Sauce?
#423 ST3 1996 Sumazdaru Miata STi
I started with COM, I always liked the people, the "run what you brung" attitude, and former the free dinners 
(I do understand why you need to charge). Not all track day organizers encourage the same level of performance levels. Except for the occational black flag for illegal passing, COM basically lets you run as hard as you can.
COM is one of the only clubs that run solo 1 type events (CART is the only other one that I know of) in this area. I believe this brings people too.
Jonathan
900 Monte Carlo PA
(I do understand why you need to charge). Not all track day organizers encourage the same level of performance levels. Except for the occational black flag for illegal passing, COM basically lets you run as hard as you can. COM is one of the only clubs that run solo 1 type events (CART is the only other one that I know of) in this area. I believe this brings people too.
Jonathan
900 Monte Carlo PA
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chaos4
Great question Alex! Here are my thoughts:
My wife and I have shown our Arabian horses all over the Northeast US for the past 20 years. We love the breed, but our most fun shows are the non-Arabian breed shows! Why? We love the diversity in breeds (and people!) found at the "open" shows. Much less "cut throat" and more relaxed.
In the same way, I enjoy seeing the diverse machines present at our track days. I think it is interesting, educational and, at times, a lot of chuckles to run with/against many other makes of cars. As with the horse show business, the people are much more interesting also when you reach out beyond your make of car/breed of horse.
The other plausible reason is that, by drawing from such a large cross section of makes and models, there is a much larger population of potential entrants. Example, there be only 100 participants of a certain make, while there may be 400 participants of all makes in a given geographic area. COM draws from them all, not just the Porsches, BMWs, etc.
My wife and I have shown our Arabian horses all over the Northeast US for the past 20 years. We love the breed, but our most fun shows are the non-Arabian breed shows! Why? We love the diversity in breeds (and people!) found at the "open" shows. Much less "cut throat" and more relaxed.
In the same way, I enjoy seeing the diverse machines present at our track days. I think it is interesting, educational and, at times, a lot of chuckles to run with/against many other makes of cars. As with the horse show business, the people are much more interesting also when you reach out beyond your make of car/breed of horse.
The other plausible reason is that, by drawing from such a large cross section of makes and models, there is a much larger population of potential entrants. Example, there be only 100 participants of a certain make, while there may be 400 participants of all makes in a given geographic area. COM draws from them all, not just the Porsches, BMWs, etc.
Last edited by chaos4 on Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:13 pm, edited 2 times in total.
The biggest factor is the people. I think COM has the best group of people to run with, and there's a zany irreverence that I find quite appealing. Even though we have different clumps of people (Subaru guys, Miata guys, etc.), I have not found the same type of camaraderie elsewhere.
The second thing that keeps me coming back to COM is the quality of the drivers in the club. The club won't punish you if you push the envelope. I remember at an SCCA track day, I got black flagged for driving too fast, ON A FREAKEN RACE TRACK. Sad thing is I was still a couple seconds under my COM day 2 pace. Running with COM will make me a quicker driver sooner than with other clubs.
Visiting the Canadian tracks is also a big draw for me, although I'd like to not do Mosport twice
Raj
The second thing that keeps me coming back to COM is the quality of the drivers in the club. The club won't punish you if you push the envelope. I remember at an SCCA track day, I got black flagged for driving too fast, ON A FREAKEN RACE TRACK. Sad thing is I was still a couple seconds under my COM day 2 pace. Running with COM will make me a quicker driver sooner than with other clubs.
Visiting the Canadian tracks is also a big draw for me, although I'd like to not do Mosport twice
Raj
#66 SuperSlowGT
Silver 2004 Nissan 350Z
Silver 2004 Nissan 350Z
For me, it's:
- Cost: While no longer the lowest cost, COM is still quite competitive. EMRA charges $175 - $200 for TT with a little open practice, CART charges $175 - $240 for TT, BMWCCA charges $180 - $220 for HPDE, SCDA charges $235 - $300 for HPDE, and NASA charges $250 for HPDE.
- Quality of instruction: You can pay thousands of $$ to professional driving schools and maybe get instruction that's a little better than what COM has to offer.
- Run what ya brung: It's a great way for people to get a taste of what it's like to drive on a track, and to get started in racing on a limited budget. As mentioned above, it also results in a great diversity of cars and drivers, which adds to the fun.
- Well-run events: This wasn't always the case - when I started out in 1991, things were a bit chaotic. Over time, though, we've worked out the system, and now almost all events are very professionally run.
- Great group of people: The cast of characters has changed over the past 15 years (and some keep coming back, right Frank and Grove?), but it's always a great group of friendly, helpful people. Again, that's a big draw for those who are just starting out.
-= Rick =-
- Cost: While no longer the lowest cost, COM is still quite competitive. EMRA charges $175 - $200 for TT with a little open practice, CART charges $175 - $240 for TT, BMWCCA charges $180 - $220 for HPDE, SCDA charges $235 - $300 for HPDE, and NASA charges $250 for HPDE.
- Quality of instruction: You can pay thousands of $$ to professional driving schools and maybe get instruction that's a little better than what COM has to offer.
- Run what ya brung: It's a great way for people to get a taste of what it's like to drive on a track, and to get started in racing on a limited budget. As mentioned above, it also results in a great diversity of cars and drivers, which adds to the fun.
- Well-run events: This wasn't always the case - when I started out in 1991, things were a bit chaotic. Over time, though, we've worked out the system, and now almost all events are very professionally run.
- Great group of people: The cast of characters has changed over the past 15 years (and some keep coming back, right Frank and Grove?), but it's always a great group of friendly, helpful people. Again, that's a big draw for those who are just starting out.
-= Rick =-
COMSCC vs other car clubs
As someone who came up thru the ranks of DE events, I found COMSCC superior to other car clubs primarily for the balance it offers between novice and "advanced" drivers and for Time Trials, which almost no other club offers.
At some point most dedicated DE drivers will advance to where they are looking for events that are more focused on performance driving, seriously-prepped cars, and perhaps some level of competition short of metal-to-metal racing. COMSCC offers this, in spades.
I also believe COMSCC events are as well run as any I've attended, so people do not feel track time is wasted waiting on grid or otherwise lost due to poor event management.
Lastly, COMSCC has a legacy and membership that few - if any - clubs can rival. Some members have belonged to COMSCC longer than I've been driving ... those that have volunteered their time to COMSCC are the unseen force largely responsible for its enduring success, imo.
Fred F
At some point most dedicated DE drivers will advance to where they are looking for events that are more focused on performance driving, seriously-prepped cars, and perhaps some level of competition short of metal-to-metal racing. COMSCC offers this, in spades.
I also believe COMSCC events are as well run as any I've attended, so people do not feel track time is wasted waiting on grid or otherwise lost due to poor event management.
Lastly, COMSCC has a legacy and membership that few - if any - clubs can rival. Some members have belonged to COMSCC longer than I've been driving ... those that have volunteered their time to COMSCC are the unseen force largely responsible for its enduring success, imo.
Fred F
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Mark Swinehart
- Speed Racer
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Georgethefierce
- Speed Setter
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:34 am
COM for the competition and the people.....I was lucky enough to be a Suby guy at the height of the WRX in COM craze.....it took one day at NHIS to get me hooked.
Instruction....huge, huge, huge factor....not everyone will get into a car that has some "small scuff marks on the passenger side" and make the driver faster....Thanks Lee!
Instruction....huge, huge, huge factor....not everyone will get into a car that has some "small scuff marks on the passenger side" and make the driver faster....Thanks Lee!
J
07 IT7
Angrypork.com
84 RX-7
07 IT7
Angrypork.com
84 RX-7
Many of my friends particpate in the Com events. Just hanging out at the events and taking photos I can see how well everyone gets along, how relaxed people are, and how much fun everyone is having. And when someone has a problem, everyone tries to help out, which is great.
I was lucky enough to win a free day with the club, but even if that weren't the case, COM would still be the first club on my list to try a track day.
I hear the president is pretty sexy too. Jason in the red miata with scuff marks can't stop talking/dreaming about him!
Paul G.
I was lucky enough to win a free day with the club, but even if that weren't the case, COM would still be the first club on my list to try a track day.
I hear the president is pretty sexy too. Jason in the red miata with scuff marks can't stop talking/dreaming about him!
Paul G.
Paul G.
#12
#12
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escortracer
- Speed Setter
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Tue Dec 20, 2005 9:38 pm
- Location: plymouth ma
I started running with com in 2003, before that I was auto crossing at Otis airforce base then 9/11 happened and we were no longer able to run there. At that time I was working at factory five racing and they were running with com but I didn't think I was good enough and I didn't want to wreck my escort on a track with other car's. But I had the racing bug so I went, didn't know anybody there went to the dinner sat at a table by my self felt like a fool then Alex, Jason R. Keith 116 and some of there friends sat down with me. I still felt funny but I enjoyed that time. That kind of comradery is what got me to come back. The people in this club are competitive but not to a point where they don't share opinions or help, in my view we have a very open club.
T4 268
The community, the instruction, and most of all the general attitude of the club. A bit of competition is nice also. COM is really out to teach you to be fast and safe at the same time. With BMWCCA I felt "babied" at certain times, with COM I feel as if I become faster and learn something at the same time.
Charles K.
#13 NER SCCA T2 Mitsubishi Evo 9
#13 NER SCCA T2 Mitsubishi Evo 9
I've only been with you guys a couple years, but for me its:
-The atmosphere. Everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome. This one of the first things my wife and I picked up on.
-The costs. COM is typically less than other clubs. Less costs = more events I'm able to attend.
-The drivers. Most are very respectful and dont drive unsafe. Additionally the cars tend to be well maintained and not leaving oil and parts all over the place. I've been to a PCA event and was dodging oil and little bits of German metal the whole time.
-Choice of tracks. Although we havent done Watkins this year (my fav!), the variety of tracks is great.
Thanks for all of the effort in running the club. I know its a pita!
-The atmosphere. Everyone is friendly and makes you feel welcome. This one of the first things my wife and I picked up on.
-The costs. COM is typically less than other clubs. Less costs = more events I'm able to attend.
-The drivers. Most are very respectful and dont drive unsafe. Additionally the cars tend to be well maintained and not leaving oil and parts all over the place. I've been to a PCA event and was dodging oil and little bits of German metal the whole time.
-Choice of tracks. Although we havent done Watkins this year (my fav!), the variety of tracks is great.
Thanks for all of the effort in running the club. I know its a pita!
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enjoythemusic
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 618
- Joined: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:51 am
- Location: New Hampshire
- Contact:
Raj!
Seriously, I'd say the variety of tracks is the most important. If COM only ran at NHIS, I'd probably only do one or two a year. I'm hoping that VMS, Palmer, and Calabogie are visited (well, when the other two are finished), plus I still think that VIR and/or Mid-Ohio are not out of the question. Add WG back into the mix, even at added cost.
Track time. No other group I've run with offers the potential amount of track time available with COM. Four hour run groups FTW!
Competition. Until/unless the SCCA starts holding Solo I events in NE, the COM TTs represent one of the few events that offer the opportunity for any 'competition', even if it's against the clock.
Instructors. The variety of instructor experience is great. We have people who have competed in many different types of cars at all levels and they are always willing to grab their helmet and go (or take you) for a ride.
Cost. Great deal for the track time. Plus those $6 plastic trophies! (j/k)
The people. Yes, even Raj. Yes, we have our clans - the Miata Boys, the Subie guys, the Bimmer Gang, etc., yet we all have fun together and freely share help & insults readily. Even though Bob drove an Escort, we still adopted him.
What would I like to see? I'd be up for more events in the calendar, maybe with a restructuring of the points system to allow one or two events to be dropped and still allow someone to be competitive for the championship. This would only be if we added long-distance away events.
I'd like to try out free passing in some form. How about going through an additional instructed process with sign-off? Then maybe only have certain sessions in which open passing is allowed. This could even be a 'racing line' type of instruction as opposed to the TT or fastest line around the track - as a preparation for those looking to move up to wheel-to-wheel racing.
I think we'd have better luck attracting new members if we de-emphasized the car classification system for the driving school portion. I think some prospective members are turned off by the class rules when all they want to do is get the feel of a track day. Once we have them hooked and they want to run the TT's then they'd have to comply with our car class specs.
I love the fun!
Seriously, I'd say the variety of tracks is the most important. If COM only ran at NHIS, I'd probably only do one or two a year. I'm hoping that VMS, Palmer, and Calabogie are visited (well, when the other two are finished), plus I still think that VIR and/or Mid-Ohio are not out of the question. Add WG back into the mix, even at added cost.
Track time. No other group I've run with offers the potential amount of track time available with COM. Four hour run groups FTW!
Competition. Until/unless the SCCA starts holding Solo I events in NE, the COM TTs represent one of the few events that offer the opportunity for any 'competition', even if it's against the clock.
Instructors. The variety of instructor experience is great. We have people who have competed in many different types of cars at all levels and they are always willing to grab their helmet and go (or take you) for a ride.
Cost. Great deal for the track time. Plus those $6 plastic trophies! (j/k)
The people. Yes, even Raj. Yes, we have our clans - the Miata Boys, the Subie guys, the Bimmer Gang, etc., yet we all have fun together and freely share help & insults readily. Even though Bob drove an Escort, we still adopted him.
What would I like to see? I'd be up for more events in the calendar, maybe with a restructuring of the points system to allow one or two events to be dropped and still allow someone to be competitive for the championship. This would only be if we added long-distance away events.
I'd like to try out free passing in some form. How about going through an additional instructed process with sign-off? Then maybe only have certain sessions in which open passing is allowed. This could even be a 'racing line' type of instruction as opposed to the TT or fastest line around the track - as a preparation for those looking to move up to wheel-to-wheel racing.
I think we'd have better luck attracting new members if we de-emphasized the car classification system for the driving school portion. I think some prospective members are turned off by the class rules when all they want to do is get the feel of a track day. Once we have them hooked and they want to run the TT's then they'd have to comply with our car class specs.
I love the fun!
-Keith-
SPB116
SPB116
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offcamber09
- Speed Racer
- Posts: 1014
- Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:44 pm
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Extra sauce- hold the pickles
The laughs, the learning curve, the competition and the cost...in that order.
Scott Rosnick
#09 BMW 318ti-6
#09 BMW 318ti-6
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