The 2008 racing season is winding down and I have really missed the opportunity this year to travel to other tracks with the travelling JCAR series. The camaraderie that was developed amongst the teams was awesome and it was reflected in the racing on the track. The campfires/bbqs/corn roasts shared with the other teams made this group really special and the kids always had such a great time. I am really looking forward to the Sauble weekend on Sept 20th.
We have been racing at GBS for 7 years now and I expect to continue to race in the GBS home series next year. I enjoy the racing, the track, the people and the feel of the Bend, but I also enjoyed the traveling and miss it. I did fit another race at another track into our schedule this year and it wasn't the same - traveling with the group of people was the difference. I really hope that a traveling series for Junior Late Models, Mini Trucks, and possibly the Microsprints would be possible for 2009, even if it had to be a club separate from JCAR.
Ultimately the number of participants will determine the feasibility of the idea. What might it take to resurrect a traveling series for 2009?
Who might be interested in the opportunity to travel is 2009 as part of JCAR or a separate club? What things might make the difference maker between your race teams interest/disinterest? Would you be interested in double-header weekends on the Civic and Labour Day weekends that cut down the driving by doing something like a Sauble/Varney or Kawartha/Peterborough? Are there Sauble, Varney or Junior Race League based teams that might be interested if it could be arranged around your home track schedule?
Lets get the discussion and idea sharing started. Be positive and suggest what would it take to make it happen instead of blowing off the idea as unworkable.
one post would have been a good start
I apologize to all of you who didn't understand my intent to get the topic to appear on the specific pages for each of the Delware, Sauble, Varney and JCAR sites for the people who only frequent those tracks. If I could have figured out how to post to all at the same time I would have.
The recent headline listings get refreshed as new responses or topics are posted for any topic, and then intended audience of junior racing teams from Delaware, Sauble and Varney might miss the opportunity to be party to the discussion.
Thank you
Murray
Murray, you read my mind tonight because I started the exact same topic and I stopped to think about what I wanted to express and all of a sudden I refreshed and here is yours.
I think there are a few things that need to be addressed:
1. Why was there such lower support for the "travelling series" than there was last year? I have a difficult time believing that 5 races being 2 hours away would scare people away from giving their kids that much more experience. It would be nice to know from the parents what it would take to get them ALL involved?
2. I spoke to Brad last week and he told me that Sauble Speedway has interest in seeing the 6.5 Sprints at his track. So I think that your suggestion of them getting seat time away is also a valid one coming from track support and that class now getting very thick. My thoughts are to make a Sauble event a "Grand Bend Points" event for the A's and let them go put on an excellent show. As we have discussed, with all the new cars coming in next year and the 4 of 5 B's moving up I can see 24 car fields in the A's next year.
3. I think we need to look at Brads plans for 2009 and what he's scheduling for GBS. I am sure he would like to see us travel just for the good of getting the 1/2 scale racers out there in the rest of the provinces eyes. Certainly the racing experience on bigger tracks with larger crowds wont hurt anyone either. Personally if we would be going to Peterborough, it would be excellent if we could tie into the Friday night before at Kawartha. The double header idea of yours is excellent and it makes perfect sense.
With all this in mind, rather than having a separate "Travelling Series", my feelings are these away races would come off much better being run as GBS Points events.
I think we could come up with some sponsorship for the classes who travel. We would encourage Brad to request an increased payout structure for each class per event. We would also look for a "GBS or JCAR PRESENTING" sponsor for the away races to enrich the 2009 awards banquet. This would all make things worth while for the parents to support the few away shows, and to have good reason for everyone to attend the 2009 Banquet.
I definitely do want to race at other tracks next year. If Brad decides he only wants to be involved with GBS races then maybe we should look at other alternatives.
I think there are many others who want to race at other tracks as well, lets hope they speak up now when it counts.
Rob
Hi Guys,
You both have spoke to me concerning this issue and I think you both know how our team feels about this whole situation. Personally I think the travel races should be kept separate (no points for GB) from what is racing in grand Bend. I also believe I had mentioned that a round table meeting may be in order to discuss this topic farther in detail as most of the teams are not going to post their opinions on this message board and we both know why.
I LOVE the idea of Wes getting to different tracks and not only the experience or challenge of racing somewhere else but also for the new friends and fans that come along with the different tracks.
But until a decision is made as to how the travel series/club is going to go ( with or without GB support)and a team gets put into place to initiate such a great idea I don't think too many teams are going to say awhole lot on the message board, right??