I originally posted this response in the "2004 Schedule" thread in the main forum but did not receive any response, either from Bryan, whose original post is referenced, or from any other current BOD member. It is my hope that by posting it here in the appropriate forum I (and other members who don't understand the base motivation for this very impactive change) might be able to get some input.
Bryan's original post and my response follows:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We had to cut one facility.
We didn't want to cut Oak Hill because we have too much investment in the track.
We didn't want to cut Hallett because it gives the Okies a couple of races.
Obvoiusly we wanted to add an MSR.
TWS was the only option.
I feel your pain, I live only 62 minutes door-to-track.
The other option was to run an 11 race series, but I think we'd all go broke(er) </div></div>Bryan (or any other current BOD member who might care to comment), can you provide some additional clarification so that I might be able to understand what the driving force behind this decision was?
We had to cut one facility.
Exactly what was the reason for this "cut"?
1.Fiscal? I was under the impession that the club was operating very comfortably budget-wise. I understand that track rental and expenses are more at TWS but isn't revenue correspondingly higher as well? Does the CMRA lose money at TWS events? If you have % profitability #'s for race event weekends at each track maybe those could shed some light on the BOD's motivation (if it is actually fiscally based).
2. Calendar? Taking a date away from TWS and adding a date to MSR certainly isn't going to solve that as a problem so I can't see that being the issue.
3. Safety? I think there are those that would disagree that from an endurance standpoint that MSR is safer than TWS. I would also state that the arguments regarding facilites and geographic concerns from South Texas members are spot on.
We didn't want to cut Oak Hill because we have too much investment in the track.
Exactly what is the ROI to keep throwing money into Oak Hill, a track that can't support big bike endurance now and can barely support current sprint grids #'s much less future grids.
We didn't want to cut Hallett because it gives the Okies a couple of races.
So what makes the wishes of the Okies of more concern than the South Texas members? What is the ratio of Okies to members in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Lousiana, etc.?
Obvoiusly we wanted to add an MSR.
Please help me to understand why it's so obvious?
TWS was the only option.
Many of us are trying our best to understand how this is the case. I myself just don't see it that's why I'm hoping to get some additional input.
The other option was to run an 11 race series, but I think we'd all go broke(er)
Did I miss the membership consensus that indicated that there are too many events in a year or that personal financial obligations were keeping competitors away? If financial expenditures are a deterring factor whether you race, the reality is that you picked the wrong hobby and changing tracks isn't going to solve that issue either.
Any insight into the process of making this decision would be greatly appreciated.