2004 Calendar???

[afifield]

Hi,

It seems that someone has a sense of humour. The Bathrust rally is listed as 1/4/04. Does anyone know what date it is scheduled for?

Thanks
Andrew

[Ian Bigg]

Try 1/05/04 instead

[afifield]

Thanks. At least that one's a saturday!!

Andrew

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Does any one know when the 'final' 2004 calendar will be approved/released by CAMS?

Do CAMS look for conflicting dates? Eg The proposed date for the Tranbell is the same as the V8s at Bathurst (yeah I know.. blah blah roundy roundy ... blah blah ... taxis ... blah blah - but some of us like both!).

You may find there is a strange corelation between ACT Series/ some NSW rallies and the V8 calendar.

Not a problem when the V8s are in WA (=Bega), NT(=Ulladulla), etc. But Oberon = V8s at Eastern Creek, Bay Stages = V8s at Winton. Why do we try to compete for the motorsport volunteer/spectator/media with the highest profile category of Australian motorsport?

Also a possible issue with NatCap and Bathurst 24hr.

Yours thoughts....

[Tweety]

Originally posted by Eco-velocity therapy
Why do we try to compete for the motorsport volunteer/spectator/media with the highest profile category of Australian motorsport?

Do we actually try to compete with them? Or maybe just ignore them altogether and it's a coincidence?

I know what I'll be doing on all the dates you mentioned .

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Compete.... I think it is mostly in the area of the casual volunteer that we do compete.

How does Oberon go for getting Sydney based people to drive right past Eastern Creek, up the Blue Mtns, to do a control or road closure.

There was a thread on here after Bathurst and it surprised me who and how many people actually went to the track.

OK, might not be a big deal for many competitors, but I think we should try to avoid conflicting dates when other racing is nearby.

[Spac]

Peter, you're right, but I think KW has nailed it - its hard enough to get the NSW rallies sorted, much less adding another factor into the equation (particularly when the other factor is so completely out of our control).

[fro]

Originally posted by Eco-velocity therapy
How does Oberon go for getting Sydney based people to drive right past Eastern Creek, up the Blue Mtns, to do a control or road closure.

The same amount that drove past the centre of Canberra when the V8's used to be in town, and went down to Bega for the weekend (and having now been to Bega, I know which one I'd prefer).

I take your point about the other big* motorsport events, but normal V8TaxiCar rounds really shouldn't have a bearing on the calendar, or as Karl pointed out, we'd have to look at rounds of everything else...

* - Not wanting to validate things like Bathurst, but recognising that things like Bathurst are considered a large event by most people with a passing interest in motorsport.

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Ahhh, this should be fun!

Looks like I am the only one with an interest in Motorsport and not just Rallysport (what is the name of the club ???)

But I see your points. The rally community needs to be a closed community and uninviting for general motorsport fans with a mixed interest in all forms of motorsport and other sports (eg. there used to be a big decline in the number of people attending November club meetings - something about a horse race – how dare people have mixed allegiances ).

If we are looking to grow the sport, why go up against another motorsport event that draws 20,000 motorsport fans from the region?

Why should V8s (and their predecessors) be mutually exclusive to rallying. Just ask: Bates x 2, Bond, Fury and many others who have done both.

Spac – Yes, the V8 factor is out of our control, but it is known back in September or earlier. It should not be that difficult to plan around.

Karl – re Oberon. I agree there are lots of considerations. Re your examples, F1 not in the same region so less of a concern, Konica V8s does not draw 20,000 (more like 5,000 to Winton) – so while these could be factors, they are a smaller issue in balancing up the various concerns. I think YOU identified a better date. 1 week back. Only against Konica V8 that are sufficiently far away, and nicely balanced between NSW rallies (as it is currently only 2 weeks after the 2GO – 3 would be better and that would make it 3 weeks before the Bathurst rally).

Fro – ‘normal’ V8 taxi rounds have become significant events in their region (ie 20,000 people plus ?? of a TV audience). Have you attended many ‘normal’ rounds?

Ever wonder why the Bathurst race is no longer on the long weekend? The Sydney football (ARL or NRL or whatever) stole their date and the V8s are too smart to compete with what they see as a lesser sport, but they recognise that the footy would take some of their spectators (live and TV) and corporate box sales, and most importantly take media exposure (required for the race team sponsors).

Likewise, the AFL and NRL grand finals have not been on the same weekend for many years. While they each have their own committed fan base, they recognise that it is silly to compete for the fringe fans. I guess that is my point.

… now seriously, yes, I can see your points about the many factors at work.

This year I balanced my attendance at 8 x V8 rounds and doing the ACT rally series. Next year wont be so easy, but that is fine.

[fro]

Originally posted by Eco-velocity therapy
Fro – ‘normal’ V8 taxi rounds have become significant events in their region (ie 20,000 people plus ?? of a TV audience). Have you attended many ‘normal’ rounds?

Last time I attended 'normal' rounds of the V8Taxicars was 2000, when I attended one fo the rounds at Eastern Creek, and another at Oran Park.*

I'm all for other forms of motorsport. A question (with discussion probably best held in another thread) that I've been asking for a while now is whether BMSC should be about more than just rallying.

In the last two years I've:
- had a go at some hillclimbs (3 at Fairbairn, 1 at Wakefield).
- been with Spac out to and IPRA round at Wakefield.
- been to Parramatta City Raceway twice (I still love dirty agricultural machinery**).
- been to a supersprint at Wakefield.
- been to the Bathurst 1000.
- been to the MotoGP.
- bought tickets for the F1GP in Melbourne 2004.

I'd like to think that my motorsport interests are pretty broad. I'm spewing that I didn't get to go to the Bathurst 24hr race, to have a look at least.

I thumb my nose at the V8's because I don't much like silhouette racing... I'd prefer to see production cars win on their merits, and improve the cars that you and I can drive through motorsport. I put up with ProCar because it "usually" provides good racing. This year has been the first in the last 4 or 5 that the V8's have been semi-interesting for me, so they might yet win me back. Then again, maybe not. It's not the only category I think of as pointless***.

You're point is fair. We should be more accepting of our fellow motorsport lovers. I think for the most part we are. With a good deal of ribbing thrown in.

But, I know that there are a lot of categories that I respect and pay more attention to than V8's. Just because it is part of motorsport doesn't mean I have to like them.

* - at least, I think it was Oran Park... testing my memory.
** - Also known as Sprintcars. I'll be going along to the scheduled World of Outlaws date, just 'cause Steve Kinser's gonna be in town...
*** - I don't know why, but I've never warmed to drag racing either.

[jem]

e-vt,

Just about everyone on here knows I'm all for super taxi racing. Infact, just about all forms of sport where fuel is involved, I'm pretty keen on.

But I'd have to agree with Fro about Drag racing. it's never done it for me. The only thing I like about the drag races is that the service crew strip down and rebuild motors between each run.

Jem

[rowdytoot]

hmm, not a huge supertaxi's fan... 'cept for the soap opera bits... which are a huge laugh, and TV replays are fine for that.

but I'd say that if it's a rally weekend and I can find a way to be there, it'll take priority. Lets face it, even on non 'clash' weekends we get no media coverage anyway, so whats the difference media wise. Spectator and official wise, I don't think we lose out too much - it appeals to very difference audiences for the most part.

I've been to F1 GP's, Supertourers, little club circuit meetings back in Adelaide, Amaroo when I was a kid- still have photos somewhere too, hillclimbs, Drag Racing in QLD- most boring day of my life... am apparently going to World of Outlaws next year , which will be an experience, and I'm looking forward to it.

Rowds

[Bogan]

No way man, drag racing rocks. Some of those things do 500km/h!

But anyway, there's a valid point that's been made here regarding officials, and it seems to have been glossed over. If there's a V8 race or something else on where people will go to spectate or participate or volunteer or other it diminishes our chances (maybe) of getting volunteers to rallies. Is it just me that sees it?

Dunno what the answer is, but surely we can all share the motorsport lurve and consider other peoples' point of view? Maybe changing the calendar isn't the answer, but there's a point there.

And anyway, who isn't impressed by Vic Bray and his humungus burnouts?

*hugs flanno*



T.

[Eco-velocity therapy]

Fro summed up my point well when he said...

"I'm spewing that I didn't get to go to the Bathurst 24hr race, to have a look at least."

The calendar makes people choose which event they want to attend. For every Fro that picks the rally, how many pick the other events?

All I am asking is whether MAJOR events (other than rallies) in the REGION are considered in deciding the calendar?

I am pleased that the ACT Series generally lets people drop a round (OK this year did not work out so well). This flexibility is greatly appreciated.

The 2004 Tranbell is only a round of the ACT Series (ie no clubman, novice or gemini to bulk up the field). I fear that the event may be weaker due to competing with Bathurst 1000 for people (volunteers and rally competitors). This is the round that I intend to drop.

[rowdytoot]

Eco.. Bathurst is pretty far away from Canberra... Sure fro and I both talked half jokingly about treking up to bathurst if natcap was rained out.. we stayed home and got drunk instead... ..so I don't think you'd be verily looking the same bunch of people as fro and I might be. I'd like to see bathurst, but I'd much rather see a rally, and I'm sure 90% of speccies at say natcap, weren't even thinking of going to bathurst that weekend.

Interestingly the reason you'd choose to drop Tranbell is the reason I'd choose to run it... smaller field, better atmosphere, rallying amongst friends, less competitors, less road damage before I start, better chance of good outright placings- hell I was almost leading P2 at one point! hehee.. .. but each to his own.

Boges... I don't really like having to wait 2 hours between runs cos someone lunches a diff on the start line, then see one run before the same thing happens again, then you get 2 drops of rain and they sit around and wait for an hour til it's 'dry', repeat an infinitum.. and thats one of 4 drag meets I've been to- same thing every time..not ever bothering again. Give me a weather don't matter, constant action motorsport- ie. just about anything else, and I'll watch it.. except taxi racing that is


Rowds