NMCA and the LSX Shootout opinions wanted in here

[NMCA Aaron]

The True Street situation is being discussed internally and I have a few ideas.

1. Charge a small fee to add TS if you're already running Rumble. This could reduce the # of TS cars but not put a big financial burden on someone that wants to do both (stolen from someone else on this board but couldn't find to give credit).
2. Hand out printed maps of the entire cruise to the TS field (also mentioned previously).
3. After lining up for the cruise designate every 10th car a "lead" vehicle for any breaks in the group. Possibly a large window or bumper banner. The "lead" drivers would then have the cell # of the main leader (NMCA) to call in case of problems. This would keep the # of people calling down to a possible 10-15 instead of 100...

Keep in mind I'm just throwing ideas out there. If you have any opinions please feel free to discuss.

BTW: my opinions above could all be "and/or"...

Thanks,

Aaron

Originally Posted by Exotic Performance Plus

If the Bracket and Jr Drag are eliminated, then Mother Nature and oil downs are the only two really big problems that are left. Mother Nature is what it is, but engine diapers and probably transmission and rear-end diapers could and should be implemented. Besides making racing a lot safer, the track would spend less time in clean-up supplies and manpower, and the racing would have far fewer interruptions. With our society so caught up in litigation, I'm surprised that the diapers aren't already mandatory.

With less time needing to be spent on track prep, perhaps more energy could be addressed to other items such as Steve Verplank mentioned about True Street not having a leader on the cruise. This sounds like an accident waiting to happen that we don't need. I'll volunteer if you need one!

I do want to thank all the powers to be for putting on a great event, which needs to keep momentum behind it! Threads such as this one go to show that the LSX Shootout will thrive. Bob

[jrob56]

Originally Posted by NMCA Aaron

The True Street situation is being discussed internally and I have a few ideas.

1. Charge a small fee to add TS if you're already running Rumble. This could reduce the # of TS cars but not put a big financial burden on someone that wants to do both (stolen from someone else on this board but couldn't find to give credit).
2. Hand out printed maps of the entire cruise to the TS field (also mentioned previously).
3. After lining up for the cruise designate every 10th car a "lead" vehicle for any breaks in the group. Possibly a large window or bumper banner. The "lead" drivers would then have the cell # of the main leader (NMCA) to call in case of problems. This would keep the # of people calling down to a possible 10-15 instead of 100...

Keep in mind I'm just throwing ideas out there. If you have any opinions please feel free to discuss.

BTW: my opinions above could all be "and/or"...

Thanks,

Aaron

Why are we trying to cut down on the number of true street cars? how much is a small fee? lol

[NMCA Aaron]

Originally Posted by jrob56

Why are we trying to cut down on the number of true street cars? how much is a small fee? lol

Not necessarily trying to cut it down, but it is difficult to manage 100+ cars cruising through town. Then manage 3 back to back passes. Remember, the index (Rumble) cars got free entry into TS so that's what blew up the # of participants.

Any ideas?

[tim99ws6]

Originally Posted by NMCA Aaron

Not necessarily trying to cut it down, but it is difficult to manage 100+ cars cruising through town. Then manage 3 back to back passes. Remember, the index (Rumble) cars got free entry into TS so that's what blew up the # of participants.

Any ideas?

Mis-Management of True Street shouldn't be penalized at the racer's pocketbook. It's the bracket cars and buy back's that killed the time. I'd be willing to bet it's that little incentive of getting in Rumbler/TS on the same $$$ that brings so many participants down. You charge more, and you might lose a valuable amount of cars.

I think you guys are so close on nailing down a great event, you can smell it!

-Limit brackets to 100 cars or less w/ no buy backs or eliminate all together(already done?)

-Implement the suggestion of 1 lead car with a "co-lead" car every 15 cars With a flag or something. Assuming 100 cars, that's not too unmanageable for the lead guy to stay in touch with the co-leads. Why are we using cell phones opposed to hand-held remote CB radio's or the like to put all "lead" cars on the same page?!

-Why is there no police escort?! That is unreal!!!

-Run 1st round of LSx heads up classes on Saturday. It's also going to increase your Saturday SPECTATORS by doing this.

[SK360]

+1 on not charging more for true street... if I am already paying $150 to run having to pay more for true street is lame.

[5.3LJimmy]

Originally Posted by NMCA Aaron

Remember, the index (Rumble) cars got free entry into TS so that's what blew up the # of participants.

Any ideas?

I don't know about this. There were about 30-40 LSX cars in True Street that didn't make the call for Rumble. If you want to limit the True Street participants move it to Sunday and see what happens. What you have are cars that want to race but need to head home early, so they run True Street only and spectate on Sunday until it's time to go. If you change the True Street format/price I guarantee you will drastically reduce your overall car count.

[NMCA Aaron]

I guess you guys missed where I pointed out that the additional charge was suggested by someone else on this board...nothing's set in stone, I was only throwing ideas out there...Remember the non LS TS guys and gals that follow us around have to pay for TS and are not allowed to run in other categories. We're just looking at different ways to get a better handle on it for next year. As I said, it could just need one thing (escort or map or lead vehicles) or it could need a few different things to make it run smoothly which is what we all want.

You guys can keep your ideas coming...we are still listening.

[NMCA Aaron]

Originally Posted by 5.3LJimmy

I don't know about this. There were about 30-40 LSX cars in True Street that didn't make the call for Rumble. If you want to limit the True Street participants move it to Sunday and see what happens. What you have are cars that want to race but need to head home early, so they run True Street only and spectate on Sunday until it's time to go. If you change the True Street format/price I guarantee you will drastically reduce your overall car count.

That actually falls in line with what I was suggesting.

If you want to go home early and run TS your price is: X
If you want to run Rumble and because your more set for the strip your price is: Y
If you want to run both your price is: Z...(not X+Y).

This doesn't matter as I really don't think this will get implemented...I was only tossing out ideas...

Also, I think we can stop talking about the brackets as it's already been addressed.

[OutlawZ]

Attempt to combine the LTx Shootout with the LSx shootout... There were a high number of cars that ran at the LTx deal and we could easily increase the car count by like 10 cars especially if they decide to do a nitrous 8.50 class. Me, Mike Jakes, Tony Shepherd, Joey Kenville, Taner Bosnali, Mike Harvey.. That's 6 cars right there capable of 8's and bottom 9's.... I can figure out how to get a mid 8 out of the car maybe between then and now..

It would increase car counts. It would increase spectator counts. It would put more people in the pits and in the seats having a co-located event. Everybody wins. GMPP says they want to sell LS engines. Well why not invite 500 racers/spectators that are still playing with the LT engines???? Seems like a good demographic instead of trying to sway NMCA guys over to the LS engine...Even if there are seperate classes for LTx and you run the classes seperately based on engine or you lump us in an 8.50 nitrous class or a 275/28x10.5 class I don't care personally but I know if you put the events together and add some appropriate "average joe" classes, in addition to LTx Outlaw for the big boys with LT1's to play that you'd pick up 50-60 cars easy....

1: Put events together and invite LTx cars to have a shootout and/or lump us in an appropriate LS/LT class.. maybe allow weight breaks for the LT cars for parity.

2: Add a nitrous class. limited tire size like 275 or 28x10.5 (no W's).... ZERO nitrous cars show up every year cause the 100,000 dollar twin and single turbo machines dominate and who wants to tow 1,000 miles to go home after 2 passes???? Allow the nitrous boys to showoff what we can do....

[REDGAR]

On losing cars on the TS cruise, is it an option to it on another part of the park that incorporates the oval track similar to what was done at zMax? That is the best solution.

I like the freebie for TS it gives us an extra pass or two and a shot at a few more dollars for the indexes and trust me I am not a fan of TS but on an 1100 trip the extra passes and cash help.

[NMCA Aaron]

Originally Posted by REDGAR

On losing cars on the TS cruise, is it an option to it on another part of the park that incorporates the oval track similar to what was done at zMax? That is the best solution.

I like the freebie for TS it gives us an extra pass or two and a shot at a few more dollars for the indexes and trust me I am not a fan of TS but on an 1100 trip the extra passes and cash help.

Good question, I'll see if we can find out. I know I heard roundy round cars testing on Saturday but don't know if that's the norm or if we can even get access to it.

Once Charlie gets back we'll be going over a lot of these ideas, just remember we'll all be at SEMA and then PRI so we might not be on here as much as we are now. However we will be checking in regularly.

[Pro Stock John]

I suggest NMCA have Scott or Aaron create a list of the suggestions, along with the issues, and demonstrate next year how it will be improved. Having the elims run all spread apart and running does not work well. Most of the LSX fans need to see some runs before lunch. I'd run first round sat nite, and then 2nd round 11am, and 3rd round at 2-3pm. Like I said before, 75% of the lsx spectators leave at 5/6pm on Sunday. If you ask folks about 2008, only a handful saw the drag radial final as it was run like at 9:40pm. These are just my suggestions as I don't play any official role and just frankly want to see our guys have an organized place to play.

[jrob56]

keep true street free and just organize the cruise better, maps would help a lot as has already been mentioned and run them back to back. they will be off the track in no time, i dont think i saw any true street oil downs or wrecks.

IMPORTANT: im planning on running next year and do not make us put stickers on the paint! i would have been royally pissed off and im sure a lot of the other guys didnt like it as well! window would have been just as good advertisement wise.

[tim99ws6]

Originally Posted by jrob56

IMPORTANT: im planning on running next year and do not make us put stickers on the paint! i would have been royally pissed off and im sure a lot of the other guys didnt like it as well! window would have been just as good advertisement wise.

No way in hell i'm puttin stickers on my paint/wrap! I saw that and just about fell over! I'll go buy some blue painters tape and stick them on that way or enter the car show with my toy next year before you see me put a sticker on my paint, haha. Who'se idea was that?! Sticker the hell put of my windows all you want but not gonna happen on the body.

[jmasse]

I am sure some of this has already been said but I am not willing to read through 5 pages so I will just reply.

Overall, this event has been fantastic over the past 3 years. The weather was challenging this year, but the treatment received was not justified.

1. I arrived Thursday at Noon (when the gates supposedly opened but others were already in??) in a 40 foot Motor Coach. I was told I could not park on the concrete infield even though it was almost empty. I was then told spots were reserved for guys that called ahead?? Where was the phone # for that?

2. I was then told I could not park along the road course, then 100's of racers were allowed to (which made the drive back to the pits very dangerous IMO).

3. I was then informed I could not block the gate between the motorsports park and the airport, but somebody was parked there Friday in a large rig??

I was trying to avoid parking in the grass area that LSX racers were shoved to due to the size of my rig but no one cared......I guess arriving early didn't matter either.

4. To top it all off, the TS Cruise was a joke with no map and cars going 5 different directions. After the cruise, it literally took 7 hours+ to run the 3 passes since every class was more important than hours. If we hadnt been held hostage to our cars it wouldn't have been a big deal. Why couldn't someone have announced "be back at your car at 5:00" or whatever time would be reasonable???

With all that said, I would still rate the event a 7 out of 10. Where else can you see the fastest LSX cars in the country along with ProMods and the fastest NMCA cars.

[NMCA Aaron]

Before this one gets outta hand: The decals will more than likely stay. The class sponsors want them and in order for an LSX Shootout their needs to be class sponsors.

That said, if you simply take a decal and put the sticky side on your carpet or T shirt once or twice and then place it on your front fender you'll find it'll slide right off with no trouble whatsoever. The fuzz pretty much makes it a temporary deal.

Decals on the windows would get lost with the contingency program, which I'm assuming most would want.

[NMCA Aaron]

jmasse,
We're very aware of all the things that went wrong, what we'd like to see is how to fix certain things. Unfortunately weather isn't something any of us can control. I've been at every NMCA TN event since '02 and it's NEVER been that cold and you top that with constant rain for the previous 3 weeks meant no time for the fields to dry. We're already looking at different parking options for '10 and I hope we're able to announce them and satisfy everyone's concerns.
Thank you for coming out and I apologize for the hand you were dealt.

[NMCA Aaron]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

I suggest NMCA have Scott or Aaron create a list of the suggestions, along with the issues, and demonstrate next year how it will be improved. Having the elims run all spread apart and running does not work well. Most of the LSX fans need to see some runs before lunch. I'd run first round sat nite, and then 2nd round 11am, and 3rd round at 2-3pm. Like I said before, 75% of the lsx spectators leave at 5/6pm on Sunday. If you ask folks about 2008, only a handful saw the drag radial final as it was run like at 9:40pm. These are just my suggestions as I don't play any official role and just frankly want to see our guys have an organized place to play.

Thanks John. Scott and I are already on this. We're taking our observations along with everything posted from you all and I'm writing it all up with different solutions to each problem. I know we won't be able to please everyone, but I feel 2010 will be a huge improvement.

[jrob56]

Originally Posted by NMCA Aaron

Before this one gets outta hand: The decals will more than likely stay. The class sponsors want them and in order for an LSX Shootout their needs to be class sponsors.

That said, if you simply take a decal and put the sticky side on your carpet or T shirt once or twice and then place it on your front fender you'll find it'll slide right off with no trouble whatsoever. The fuzz pretty much makes it a temporary deal.

Decals on the windows would get lost with the contingency program, which I'm assuming most would want.

Do you mind elaborating on this, I still have seen no reason why a sticker on a fender would get any more attention than on a window. If I have to ill do painters tape as well. Getting dirt and threads from carpet on the back and putting it on the paint sounds terrible too. Also what do you mean the stickers on the windows would get lost with the contingency program?

[Pro Stock John]

I know you guys were in a tough spots, how many cars and jr drags were there, like 550-550?

I know you all have very good intentions and that y'all want nothing more than for folks to show up, have a great time, have a crack at a door prize, and a crack at winning a class.

But one of your guys, or an outside guy, has to be the LSX coordinator. That person(s) then has to fight for a fair spot on the schedule and be it's advocate. It can't be 11 and 12th classes with a priority that is the same.