ROC - treatment of little guys - input requested

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Over the coming months the BMSC Committee will be considering the club's role in the future of the Rally of Canberra. This could involve the club getting even more involved in the running of the event (currently a lot of individual members are involved, but not the club itself).

As I have a financial management and financial risk mindset, I am interested in the future viability of the event... and for that matter, the health of rallying all levels, because that is the event's real competitor base (not just the top ARC teams). This year around 2/3rds of the entries are ACT Regional Rally Series competitors.

So, the future viability of the event will depend on many things. There are 2 things I want to focus on now:

1 - the treatment of the majority of the crews - that is the little guys (income source 1 = entry fees)

2 - the ability for the ACT rally community to promote the event and its crews in the local area (income source 2 = small local sponsors who will want to see some local media profile for the event/ crews).

One of the reasons for making this request for information is something I have seen over the last few days that has left me scratching my head.

We all know that the sport is not travelling well at the moment. It needs all the positive promotional help it can get. If any media or competitor group want to help promote our sport, or the event, then it clearly should be encouraged....

but I have been advised that Rallycorp has actually placed MORE restrictions on local media. Basically, if you don't commit to covering 75% of the full ARC series, then you will be restricted to Level 2 media status, which is not much better access than official spectator points (and we have seen the forum comments about those). [Not even a series as sucessful as V8 Supercars has a restrictive policy like that].

So, if this policy is to be believed, then the Canberra Times, who have provided good coverage of the event over the years, will be limited to Level 2 access because they don't cover the whole ARC series. Graeme Tidy has taken some great shots of the rally over the years getting front page and back page exposure, ..... but this year he would be restricted from doing his usual job. I suspect the same would apply to local TV stations. Both of these are effective and free sources of promotion for the ACT Series.

So a great policy... let media people fill in all the forms for round only access, and then only at the last minute tell them that their access is more restricted than previously, and lets also d ick them around with poor media liasion support. We know that media is fickle. Pi ss them off and they will simply ignore your event or only focus on the negative aspects.

The implications for the local crews and organisers this year is that I will not by able to provide:
- a low cost and professional quality image collection for ALL competitors (yes, I stay for the whole field and not just the top 10)
- the ACT Series will not have FREE high quality images of its competitors for its media releases
- the BMSC, LCCC and ACT Series will not have FREE images for its various other promotional efforts and functions.

Now I know that the event has to filter out the 'pretenders' who want a free pass and great access to just take a few personal pics. Having paid my dues over the years, I would like to think that I am not simply one of these pretenders being filtered out.

Now this is not a dig at the ROC managment team. They do their best working within the Rallycorp rules. But we heard last year that Arcom would make the ARC better, cheaper, smarter. ??? Is this happening for the majority of the event's competitor base? Or is Rallycorp holding back the rebuilding of the sport.

So tell me, what are your thoughts on things like (not to say I think these are a problem, I just want your input)
- scrutineering - was it pedantic and looking to fail people just because it is an ARC event, or conducted to reasonable standards
- CRO and other senior officials - did they give you complete and accurate information and support, or the run-around
- service park - did you get reasonable access and facilities, or a spot near the portaloos or a rotting kangaroo body.
- media support - any interest in you at all (I don't mean the ACT Series team, including Matt H, who I know are chasing PR opportunities for the little guys)
- and the little things, like all finishers being allowed to take a quick happy snap on the finish ramp (this was OK for many many years and made a great keepsake for crews that battled hard just to finish... but it did not happen last year).
- etc

This is not just a CAMS or ARCOM bashing/ venting opportunity. I want people's thoughtful comments on actual 1st hand experince experince this year and what they would need to come back year after year, so I can make informed choices when I am asked to vote on BMSC decisions during the months ahead.

Peter Norton
- BMSC Vice President
- CAMS Gold level photographer

[Spac]

This has the potential to be one of the most productive and informative threads for some time - if people keep their brains engaged and their frustrations in check.

Peter, can I suggest a thread split? The two issues (RoC for the little guys and media access) are obviously overlapping, but I fear that combining the two issues into the one thread will dilute and confuse the flow of info on both topics.

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Spac

Lets keep them together for a bit. I think the media issue will die out quickly, as it only effects a few people, .... but then again .... and it is part of the general dissatisfaction with these combined events - that being, the ARCOM rules imposing inflexible and inappropriate rules that appear to be designed for a field of 60 odd WRC factory teams.

[Rallyray]

Originally Posted by Eco-velocity therapy

ARCOM rules imposing inflexible and inappropriate rules that appear to be designed for a field of 60 odd WRC factory teams.

Naughty Naughty...

Do they know your speaking like this?

Your gonna be in so much trouble....

[Ben Wilson]

I've serviced at ROC a few times now and I've never had a problem with the service park, the allocated bays have always been as good as (or better than) anything else I've worked in. Sure, we have never been front and center, but the service park isn't supposed to be glamorous. As long as I've got a flat bit of ground big enough for the rally car and a couple of service vehicles, I'm happy.

[DamienS]

Originally Posted by Ben Wilson

I've serviced at ROC a few times now and I've never had a problem with the service park, the allocated bays have always been as good as (or better than) anything else I've worked in. Sure, we have never been front and center, but the service park isn't supposed to be glamorous. As long as I've got a flat bit of ground big enough for the rally car and a couple of service vehicles, I'm happy.

Same here. Particularly at the back of the field, the allocated bay solves the whole problem of needing to get there early to "bags" a spot.

My genuine feeling from last year was a positive one. We enjoyed it. We were accross from Eli Evans's service team, they helped us out in typical friendly rally style.

I am not disputing the issues that you have raised, they defineately need looking at.

A small issue we had was the waiting time in Parc Ferme and having to put lights on in Parc Ferme without assistence from the service crew, was a bit silly. It was getting dark (there had been a significant holdup), there was a regroup (but no service) and the last 15 cars needed lights. I reckon that the service crew should of been able to jump the fence and put on the lights, even if they gave a "scouts honour", we promise not to fix the car in front of these hundred people who are watching us.

They put on the option of recce on Friday only (thanks paul and russell), so that we didn't have to take more days off work. It was a good event.

Cheers
Damien

[MATNESmotorsports]

i feel that and photographer that is with the local papers/TV should be able to get a media pass and be able to get in to take pic's/footage, they should aplly to the organisers as to what they are wanting to do. the ARC TV crew has guides why can't they make a another guide to take the local guys to select spot/s for pic's/footage so they can be monitored for the safety side of things......i wouldn't want media having a free for all wondering round the course.

i hope that makes sense

MATT

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Matt

That does make sense. It would be wrong to have a free for all.

Previously Level 1 access (which does allow people to wander thru the forest) is only granted to photographers with appropriate motorsport experince, which typically links back to them having CAMS Photographer accreditation Broze/Silver/Gold (similar in many respects to an official's licence except we pay for our own insurance).

[Paul]

Hey Pete, The way things are heading there won't be an ARC next year.

Costs to make an ARC happen are WAY over the top and if you expect to make money

There are a few stumbling blocks to over come, and I'm not going to mention any names, but try starting at the top of the tree, because as an organiser you're at the bottom of the food chain, my friend.

Most of what you mention is not the organisers doing, they are only being told what to do.

Go and have a debrief with Marty he'll open your eyes to a few things.

And while you are at it go and speak with Martin up in Coffs and Mike Cherry

However I do commend the club for sticking their neck out.

[AV1611]

I actually think ROC organisers are - FINALLY - heading in the right direction. Of course, it wasn't all of their own doing... Having lost ACT Government funds, and losing the FIA/APRC status, their hands were forced into having a major re-think about how they do things.

This year, there are HEAPS more competitors paying a reasonable price, than those paying the absurdly inflated ARC/APRC prices.

And spectators paying $10 - I think this is a reduction from previous years.

So credit where credit is due - if they keep this up, they may well revive the event to what it ought to be! Good work by all concerned.

(P.S - See - I'm not always critical!)

[Paul]

Originally Posted by AV1611

I actually think ROC organisers are - FINALLY - heading in the right direction. Of course, it wasn't all of their own doing... Having lost ACT Government funds, and losing the FIA/APRC status, their hands were forced into having a major re-think about how they do things.

What a load of crap Ben. Major re-think, Rubbish. Do you think you can run a $300,000 event on vapour?

This year, there are HEAPS more competitors paying a reasonable price, than those paying the absurdly inflated ARC/APRC prices.

The ARC prices are the same as last year and the ACT series prices are the same as last year. So where does this statement come from?

And spectators paying $10 - I think this is a reduction from previous years.

How would you know, you have been lurking in the undergrowth for the last couple of year, by your own admission

So credit where credit is due - if they keep this up, they may well revive the event to what it ought to be! Good work by all concerned.

(P.S - See - I'm not always critical!)

Well I'm critical of some of the rubbish you seem to concoct up

Ben don't be an armchair critic!

[AV1611]

Paul, Paul, Paul

In a few weeks after the event, you'll be getting enough sleep again. Until then, try and have a few chill pills.

You either need to read more slowly, or take reading comprehension lessons.

I said that there were heaps less competitors paying the high price, and heaps more paying the lesser price. This is TRUE, and you KNOW it to be true. (13 ARC, 32 ACT. The numbers speak for themselves.) I didn't say the prices changed. Duh. The ACT field is much bigger than the ARC field. Right? That is what I was getting at. So it has FORCED the ROC to pay more attention to the less high profile competitors - or the event WOULD NOT have survived. It is a well documented FACT that probably the biggest complaint with ROC previously was that they really didn't care if the "little fish" turned up or not. Now, the little fish are the majority of the rally. Now if you want to disagree just for the sheer fun of disagreeing - you'll be arguing that the event would survive and succeed with 13 competitors... Wow. By your own admission - a $300,000 event that attracts 13 competitors...

As for spectator pricing Paul - was I right or not? Deal with the issue, big fella. I know that you were previously charging $25 for a single day, or $40 for the weekend. Now you are charging $10 per day. I guess that makes me RIGHT. Instead of dealing with the facts, you revert to accusing me of "lurking in the undergrowth". Whatever you mean by that.

If you want me to be an armchair critic, please continue reading. (People tend to live up to what you accuse them of, after all...)

Canberra has had below average rainfall for about a decade now. Dust has been a problem almost every ROC in that timeframe.

The forecast today was for 27 degrees and very little breeze. (BTW - the BOM were consistent all week long on that. Their Saturday forecast didn't waver, so it isn't like today's conditions were a freak weather event!) And you had to wait until the dust was so bad that the ARC Series Leader had to stop mid-stage before you changed to 3 minute intervals. Less than brilliant. Is anyone awake at Rally Headquarters? You've had this problem over and over and over again. Instead of being proactive, you wait until the damage (potentially, this can change the outcome of the ARC at the end of the year) is done, and then react.

See, I tried to be constructive before. But if you want the armchair critic, I'm able to oblige.

[AV1611]

Return of the Armchair Critic

Paul, did you mean that you spent $300,000 to run an event with less competitors, less competitive Kms, and less road variety than the average club level event put on by the BMSC or LCCC, and they do it for a few grand and manage to break even, or sometimes even come out in front?

Wow.

[Spac]

Originally Posted by Spac

This has the potential to be one of the most productive and informative threads for some time - if people keep their brains engaged and their frustrations in check.

Yes, I'm quoting myself. Deal with it.
The Hand of Mod is ready and waiting....

[AV1611]

Yes sir. Happy to comply. I was actually trying to be helpful by making some observations. Oh well...