Ok no better time to think about next year then now. I want to just throw this out there for the good of the track and hope something positive can come of it.
Please keep posts positive. We are not looking for any bashing or negativity. Ross we don't need any debates here either. Evan please remove this thread the moment you see it going off track!!!
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I am well aware that Wes is the man in charge at the track. Having said that if we all have a open line of communication and a little faith we will follow your lead. You have to take the burden of any business decisions made as well as reap the benefits. All I am hoping to accomplish here is for you to read some positive things that could work towards making the track better next year, not tell you how to do things or what you did wrong.
A few points off the top of my head and I welcome anybody to add to this:
- Have a rep from each division
They would be appointed to talk with a rep of your choosing from the track which could also include yourself. We are not looking at any inside secrets like how much money is in the bank or any inside scoop. I would think this would be much easier then having a bunch of guys with concerns that have them build and pore out here each week or bombard you at the track. We all don't even need to meet in person as we can talk online very easily if needed.
- Get the website under control for next year
I know that there was an offer last year from somebody very capable of handling it and his record shows he has built some very awesome sites. Considering he races at the track and many people know who he is I am sure he would want it to be nothing less than perfect.
- Create a monthly newsletter
This could easily be handed out at a drivers meeting or be emailed to the drivers. It can include updated information or whatever you choose to keep in touch with the drivers. In fact if this was emailed you would have a good pool of email addresses if you needed to communicate with the drivers.
These are only a few suggestions that are all based around communicating and would cost nothing. I know for a fact people would step up to make this work. There is no doubt this is a business and you need to be making a profit and it is your job to worry about the business of the track but there is no reason why none of the above suggestions couldn't be implemented easily and the benefits would be astounding.
Have a rep from each division....
No thanks , We don't need or want anyone acting or speaking on our behalf .
Get the website under control for next year....
I am sure they will get this sorted out but if their site goes off line tomorrow it wont make any difference as to where we race next year . Our choice in running Barrie or Sunset will be their rules package and cost considerations not their website . If their is anything i need to know about Sunset from rain outs to who's mad at who it will be here on CRO .
Create a monthly newsletter......
Again thanks but no thanks save the tree and the ink and just post it here or on the tracks site more people will see it .
first and second really good ideas, third well good is a lot of work for a little return better to use press releases or the web site imnsho. to balls to post something like this jt nice to see.
get a big tank for used oil so it can be properly disposed of. some shops use used oil for heat i'm sure you can get it taken away.
have a premier event for every division where they are the featured show of the night...one where the drivers are introduced on the track and since there are no points nights, make the purse big enough to attract travelling cars but guarantee a spot for regulars....even if you have to run a bigger than normal field.
make sure every piece of grass is cut everywhere
make sure there is no rusty metal anywhere or bare wood.
set up two crows nests where you have two people tape the race from either end of the track. make dvd copies of those races for whoever wants them for 5 or 10 bucks....feature winner gets one as part of his/her prize
use these videos to review things when need be (such as finishing positions when there is a dispute)
use pave patch or something and get rid of all the dirt paths in the main grandstand...this will keep the little pot lickers from throwing sand at each other when their parents aren't paying attention lol and improve the overall appearance
paint the walls with either sponsor ads or the track website...it may be there already but make it bigger so in youtube videos it is an advertisement for your track.
most importantly, have someone reporting to wes who has their finger on the pulse of the racers...find out what the issues are in the divisions and give that person the answers that will make the racers feel listened to, whether you give them their way or not...at least they will feel like they are listened to.
give jackets out to champions like previous generations of champions recieved, or if not...a little more money...we did our part
They are some good ideas and I'm watching the thread to make sure it stays on topic. If you feel it goes off topic please report the post to me.
Here are my thoughts.
Getting a guy from each division is a good idea but as someone said they don't want no one representing them. I think the person would get the points from the track and discuss it with the division. I'm always willing to help out and could setup a private chat room with a password for each division if they wanted to chat about it.
Design of the website is a minor thing. I would saying have up to date points and results. Ask the track to commit to a date they will have them up for all to see.
The newsletter would be something the track would do but they don't have time for this. It's not like MIS where they have people to do newsletters for each race.
I think this would have to be a driver or a team member doing this on their own sorta like a hobby.
I think what I would ask for in 2009 what is the payout at the end of the year for finishing positions.
I think after this season I would like to see more honesty over all. If you forgot to do someting say I was busy I didn't get it done instead of making up stuff. People would understand more if you are honest with them.
Respect among drivers. Make 2009 a new year and forget about what others did to your or you felt they did to you in years past. Start fresh.
I think Drivers and Teams I don't care how big or small you are start putting out press releases and include photos. I will publish them here and search engines pick up on these and it brings more people to the site and to the races. Take pictures of your working on your car at the shop. Release can be a couple of sentences telling about your teams race weekend.
Short track racing in Canada is the best kept secret.
A non-driver/team member point of view.