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Post by mikenadeau on Sept 25, 2008 9:22:33 GMT -8
I was notified today (9/25/08) by the stadium that SDKA has been "bumped" by an auto sales group on October 18th. None of the other areas in the parking lot were available that weekend. The next available date was November 1st which was the week before our last race on November 8th. Having back to back race weekends did not seem reasonable. Unfortunately, since SDKA pays the "not-for-profit" rental rate, when a vendor such as a car dealer comes up and wants the weekend we get "bumped". They pay the full rate plus they typically rent two corners at a time and for multiple days. The amount we pay, while significant to SDKA, is a fraction of the amount they receive from the car dealers.
If you were thinking of skipping this weekend because there were three races left...you might want to reconsider because after this weekend we have one race left on November 8th.
Hope to see you on Sunday!!
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Post by guest on Sept 25, 2008 14:05:39 GMT -8
Well that's a bummer. I don't suppose we could take the 11/1 date, and move back the 11/8 date by a week or two to get that lost race in could we?
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Post by billcox on Sept 25, 2008 14:12:50 GMT -8
If a spot was available at Qualcomm, we'd still have the matter of the Championship Awards Banquet the first weekend in December. Those procurring and making the Awards need some time to make it happen.
Taking the season into November is risky to start; beyond the first weekend leaves no time for the "oops" factor.
Eleven events out of the planned fourteen isn't bad for club racing; one rain-out; two bumps by the Stadium.
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Post by Conor 34 on Sept 25, 2008 16:55:49 GMT -8
What about another race at APEX. I know a few of the drivers have mentioned they would like to do another race at APEX, not to mention APEX would like to have SDKA back there for more races. I know the turnout for APEX races is always less, but that might change if we held more races there during the season. Just a thought, and not to mention the temperature up there will start to drop soon ;D
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Post by Mike Nadeau on Sept 25, 2008 18:37:08 GMT -8
There would have to be a very strong commitment from SDKA club members to attend a race at Apex before even checking if there was a date available. There were only about 20 SDKA club members at the August Apex race and if about 20 locals hadn't showed up SDKA would have taken a "bath" financially.
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Post by guest on Sept 25, 2008 20:48:37 GMT -8
Maybe a poll of drivers at Sunday's race could give some indication of the available "commitment" to another APEX race. Not to raise anyone's hopes, but it doesn't cost anything for a show of hands.
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Post by billcox on Sept 26, 2008 6:24:37 GMT -8
How about all those "hands" preregister for the race with their $$$ after voting this Sunday? And no money-back-guarantee, if you don't show up for the race?
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Post by guest on Sept 26, 2008 7:38:31 GMT -8
Sounds fair enough to me.
Pre-paying might even provide more incentive to make it happen and increase the turnout.
I'll have my checkbook in hand on Sunday.
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Post by billcox on Sept 26, 2008 10:01:38 GMT -8
Hmmm..."Guest" on the Forums are always in favor of so much but not enough to provide a name. That 'ol accountability deal, I guess.
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sofbak
Junior Member
Posts: 30
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Post by sofbak on Sept 26, 2008 11:18:44 GMT -8
"That 'ol accountability deal, I guess. "
Has nothing to do with the issue at hand. When I am sharing my meager club experience with someone on these boards who is seeking advice or help, I always log in. When sharing nothing more than my own personal opinion, I don't ususally bother with the time to type user ID's and passwords.
I'm more than willing to put my money where my keyboard is on this race issue and the need for "commitment" (as you have suggested) to establish the legitimacy of the proposal, regardless of your personal perceptions of "accountability".
Jerry Davis Matt Davis #36/HPV2
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Post by billcox on Sept 26, 2008 12:20:32 GMT -8
Fair comment, Jerry.
My perspective comes from years on the SDKA Board; hearing from many that we should do this or that. But when it comes time to show up, there are few who do. And the club takes another financial hit. The financial reserves built up thru years of committed member's faithfulness have dwindled to a scary low.
It'll be interesting to see how the club is able to sustain a racing series at a temporary location where the costs to rent/staff continues to rise; but attendance/helping hands are dreadfully low.
We're not alone in this experience. Most, if not all, of the race producing groups in SoCal are suffering the same financial and attendance struggles.
SDKA needs more willing and committed members that want to contribute their energy, time, resources and talents to make a legacy for those who share the racing passion.
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Post by J Stalker on Sept 26, 2008 12:45:35 GMT -8
Why no try getting in touch with Rob Niles at Cal-Speed in Fontana. As of now the track is scheduled for an "Open Practice" date on Oct 25th. LAKC has plenty of members who come up from S.D. area each month. Woh a shot I guess.
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sofbak
Junior Member
Posts: 30
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Post by sofbak on Sept 26, 2008 12:48:19 GMT -8
Thank you Bill. Please note that you have my respect, gratitude, and all the sympathy I can muster for your years of work with the club. I'm sure there are far more successes and accomplishments to found in herding cats across the desert than there are in managing a kart club, and your tenacity in this effort is most admirable.
I just thought it would be feasible to at least inquire with Dave D., and with the club members to see if there was a reasonable chance and support for an October race. Heck, I would make the call to APEX myself, but I'm just a club grunt with no legitimacy or authority in the process.
And WRT to pre-payment, that seems (to me at least) to be a reasonable request of members. If it can't happen, then the checks are torn up or returned. If it happens, and someone can't make it-no refund-no exceptions-too bad. I can't imagine that my individual opinion would be that far removed from others who want to race.
But I freely admit, I have no first hand experience herding cats or kart clubs, consequently I don't know what I'm talking about. So, if a substitute date at APEX is beyond possibility-so be it.
It was just my meager opinion.
Jerry Davis Matt Davis #36/HPV2
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Post by Conor Haley on Sept 26, 2008 19:13:29 GMT -8
I don't think a vote is a bad idea, it sure won't hurt anything. I personally think that the reason the last APEX race had so few turnout was because of the dreaded heat. The temperature is sure to drop a bit in the weeks to come. And I think pre-registration is a good idea for all races, and it sure speeds up registration lines. I think we should talk about it at the drivers meeting or at the next SDKA meeting. And I was talking to Dave after the last race, and he told me that he wished SDKA would run more races up there, and every time i am up there they are sure to mention how they enjoy the club racing there. Dave is a great promoter too, maybe he could help spread the word if we were to hold a race there. Just my .02
P.S. Thanks for all your effort at the races Bill and everybody else that helps too, everybody appreciates it.
Conor Haley # 34 club rotax
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Post by Marc Jordan on Oct 7, 2008 20:11:06 GMT -8
While we are not club members (this year) we would definitely show for any APEX race. I have heard Tri-C are not racing there next year. SDKA can Negotiate a better deal. And a commitment form SDKA for more races next year, would appeal to Dave, and the deal could be sweetened. You may be surprised! There are a lot of Tri-C members who really like the track, and are looking for a club to commit to the track and race with that club at the track next year. Also any update on the PALA track? Marc
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Post by Marc Jordan on Oct 7, 2008 20:16:19 GMT -8
While we are not club members (this year) we would definitely show for any SDKA APEX race. I have heard Tri-C are not racing there next year. SDKA can Negotiate a better deal. A commitment form SDKA for more races next year, would appeal to Dave. This could help sweeten the deal. You may be surprised! There are a lot of Tri-C members who really like the track, and are looking for a club to commit to the track and race with that club at the track next year. Also any update on the PALA track? Marc
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Post by jorgecevallos on Oct 7, 2008 21:19:59 GMT -8
calspeed sounds like a good idea to me
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Post by mikenadeau on Oct 10, 2008 15:47:36 GMT -8
We have considered Cal Speed before. Unfortunately their overhead costs make it prohibitive for us to rent the facility. In addition to the track rental we have the cost of their staff and the cost of an ambulance/EMT which they "require". The ambulance alone is $800 for the day. We are talking to Dave at Apex regarding a race early next year...January or February, when the temps are not so severe.
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Post by Cory Muscat on Oct 13, 2008 7:34:49 GMT -8
I recently bought a shifter and plan on doing some SDKA events next year once I get up to speed. I have done 3 practice days at Apex in the last 2 months or so and everytime I've been there they have told me how much they would like to host SDKA races. I have done some car events at Qualcomm, nothing in karts there yet, but I would think it would be more fun to race on a real track vs. a parking lot?
Out of curiousity- when SDKA raced at Apex this year did you guys run with or without the chicane?
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Post by guest on Oct 13, 2008 14:18:48 GMT -8
With the chicane..
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