I was not really going to post but I am a horrible spectator. It was my belief that MADRA was started as a series to get racers NORTH of Virginia out of the garage and establish a a place to race for them. Races being held in eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Northern Virginia and such were picked because these already had a following and it was determined that the guys not racing, had traveled to these events in the past and would do so for the MADRA. Now I see an issue with the 2012 schedule that these races, have NOT been attended by these racers and probably will NOT be, by most. Case in point was a the 2011 Atco race which had a potential for a rainout. In a drivers meeting it was asked that if this event was to be cancelled, would we like a make up race for points in Pittsburgh? 90% of paying membership said NO. That should have been the first clue right there. If the central guys are not going to travel to Pittsburgh, they wont travel to Radford Virginia. You will get some but not the almost 30 cars or so traveled most of our 2011 races.
So if no one wants to travel to Pittsburgh or Radford, that only leaves the 3 current races. Which Keith has been in contact with the folks at June Bug at Maple Grove to insure that you guys get a guaranteed purse. I have not seen any other VW races posted in the NE or we would be in contact with them.
It just seems like there is to much overlap inbetween the SEVWA and MADRA now. There is no "defining line" per say and its all kind of moshed together. I understand it is 10+ hours for Keith and Kathy to attend events up here. And it is appreciated what you guys are trying to do but I just think the mark was missed somewhat. And if you guys ever need help at an event and can't or don't want to travel the 10 hours or so, sit it out and ask for help?
Well lets see we haven't even started the season yet and we certainly planned to ask you guys for help for those that maybe Keith couldn't attend. I just now had time to sit down and work on getting MADRA's site up to date and sending out emails to all the previous members and getting sponsors for you guys.
If you can save yourself a trip up here and have someone who is already attending deal with the points, registration and such and help out, ASK for it. I am sure there are very capable people that would be willing to help.Yes OF COURSE! This can't be done alone, we need everyone's help.
Now this might ruffle some feathers and be a little of topic but it is along these lines. Maybe we have to many events. Maybe this whole VW racing thing is not "specialized enough". By that I mean look at the two big races. Farmington and Drag Night. Both are VERY unique races that have an attention grabbing draw. Not the same thing you get with a Northern Challenge or VW's at the Rock. People want to come out to these events over JUST A VW BRACKET RACE and are willing to sit out one of the MANY JUST BRACKET RACE events for something that has MORE (Farm. and Drag Night) These are the events people travel to and willing to go 12+hours to get to over a 35 car turnout in Virginia a few times a year where its the same thing as 10 other times during the year.
Well we look at more then just the racing, that is why our events are all over the place in the Southeast. I have heard from many folks in the spectator area that they are just there for the swap or just the show, and some for everything. But we have to look at the VW Enthusiasts in general, the show car folks, swap meeters and the racers. I agree that Radford is no where near like the other races, but it takes support from the community to make each event what they are. We understand that you can't go to everything, we all have a budget. But to say too many races? We have our races spread out so everyone can enjoy them. Some folks will travel long distances to get to the events, while I have locals call me day of show to ask what the weather is like and complain of a 45 min ride. We just want to be able to provide you all with a place to race, show or swap and certainly have a good time.
Fewer races = more special = less traveling costs = more antacipation over a NOW saturated market where there are not enough cars to go around and be spread so thinly. If you have only have for example 50 or 60 cars in a part of the country, you can not ask them to travel 8-12 hours MULTIPLE times a year. It will not work and we are seeing that now. You only have such a small crowd to draw from, dont ask them to move about so many times a year.
We are not asking anyone to travel 8-12 hours for an event, that is up to that person. We don't make them come! We average around 40 bracket cars at each of our races, now that doesn't include when we have special classes like USE, Pro Outlaw or Pro Stock. There are over 50-60 cars on the East Coast and plenty to come to the events.