Your elected BoD gives the final approval on each seasons schedule but they leave the actual negotiations to me. I can assure you all that I work very hard to put together each seasons schedule.
At one time we had more venue options but with OHR, TWS, and ECR closing that all changed. The truth is this, the newly reopened ECR doesn't want us and we cant afford COTA. Both of these truths will hopefully change in the future but until it does we got what we got. As for Barber, we can do a three day event there for slightly more that what we would pay for one day at COTA. With our license reciprocation policy we will likely have a huge turnout at Barber.
The reality is that with no new tracks coming online in our region and competition for the available dates at our existing tracks ramping up we are forced to look at venues that are outside of our region. This is just the new normal.
Walter Walker
Director of Competition
254-717-6848
walter@cmraracing.com
CMRA Ex #43r
Member since 1990
(NOT mean and unapproachable)
Thanks for the reply!
Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination.
Racing support: The Metric Garage
Walter Walker
Director of Competition
254-717-6848
walter@cmraracing.com
CMRA Ex #43r
Member since 1990
(NOT mean and unapproachable)
Then theres a reason why and I believe someone else asked why we think that way.
I try not to get into the politics, and I wont claim to know and I try to stay away from the CMRA rumor mill. All I'm asking is we do what we can for the members to ride as much and as cost effective as we can. IF it's a personal beef, a misunderstanding, whatever it might possibly be...I expect we re-eval and try and resolve. IF that's been done, I understand...not many people building tracks! Barber is absolutely a magnificent motorsports racing venue and experience....no doubt! It's just a really long way and with the economics of the club, the primary way to ensure a profitable weekend is to have ULWE there. Assuming that's a probability, that means NOLA and Barber...two long trips for most teams. I guess if I endurance I'd be more passionate about it.
Last edited by Derek Thomas; 11-03-2019 at 05:04 PM.
If we pitched to ECR that the CMRA (Riders) would pony up for additional dedicated cleaning staff for trash and RR's on the race weekend might they reconsider? It seems like additional expense from a local janitorial company could be offset by an "ECR premium" to have a race that satisfies all geographically, and damn sure cheaper than expenditures with pulling race rigs to AlaBAMA. May also get people to straighten up and be considerate. I have "heard" that even nice tiddy clubs have restroom attendants. ;)
brainstorming here.... whatever it takes to get back in ECR.
I think some of you misunderstand that the only reason for ECR not wanting us is that we have a reputation of trashing the facility. It's more than that. Its my understanding that motorcycle racing doesn't fit their current business model. Other track owners have started out with the same idea about their tracks and found that to make ends meet they had to open up to racing. It just takes time. When ECR originally opened it took two years to for CMRA to get a date there. And for the record we already pay a hefty clean up fee at every facility that we visit and that included ECR under the previous owner.
As for Barber, depending on your location in Texas Barber is only 2 to 4 hours further than NOLA. Also IF we had gotten a date at Barber it would have replaced the NOLA round.
Walter Walker
Director of Competition
254-717-6848
walter@cmraracing.com
CMRA Ex #43r
Member since 1990
(NOT mean and unapproachable)
I'm personally not thrilled about a potential Barber date. Not that my opinion matters really.
While correct the drive to Nola for me is 9 hours straight up drive time but factor fuel stop, pulling trailers etc reality is about 11 hours considering I usually go by myself and don't have a relief driver. I stop to move around for a few minutes every couple hours. Barber is 15 hours considering the same. Not to mention both drives are on some knarly roads that just plain wear you out. Not to mention all the big city traffic going to barber I don't go to Nola for these same reasons.
Heartland park is 10 hours for me but a much easier drive without too many major cities
Long story short Barber would mandate at least one extra vacation day 2 if I wanted to stay all day sunday and race afternoon races. I get 40 days a year vacation all of which are currently used for CMRA and since I don't have a mon-fri job, sat and sun count for me
Barber is awesome and yes we would likely draw from other orgs but in the spirit of being regional club racing org Heartland could be a better option.
Just my worthless pennies worth of opinions
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