I guess in this country where bigger is always considered better it is not
too hard to understand that a bunch of A-types would try to turn a sports
car club that is primarily geared towards amateur sports into an institution
the likes of NASCAR, the PGA, WWF, and HSN combined.
You see this sort of thinking in Solo II with classes such as STS and SM
that are being pushed as a way to encourage the youth to get involved. But
that's not what happens. People who would have competed in other classes are
the ones to get involved and do well, chasing off any momentary gain you
might see from a few fresh faces. The net result is zero growth or close to
it. I see lots of young people at every autocross I attend. Why? It is
already within their price range. If they have the desire they will come. If
they don't they will stay home and watch football. Big surprise. Trying to
tear them away from drag racing or street racing to autocross with us is not
going to work.
In road racing it is another story. The racers are definitely greying. But I
think that is a function of the cost, not that we don't specifically cater
to younger people. The IT ranks are getting larger and larger while the
national classes seem to be doing the opposite. Everybody, not just the
youth, want low cost racing. If you want to strengthen the part of the club
that is doing well make the IT classes national classes. But you had better
plan to split the Runoffs into different events because the attendance will
at least double. You could also get growth by having more spec classes that
are geared towards Showroom Stock preparation levels, such as Spec-7, Spec
Neon, and Spec Miata.
And there is this constant attempt to make a buck off of us, the members.
How many people actually order the overpriced Runoffs tapes? And more to the
point, how many non-SCCA members order the tapes? How many people actually
sign up for the credit cards with the pretty picture on the front? And where
else is that same mailing list being sold?
How many people would benefit from having all the rules online tomorrow? A
CD is now being included with every purchase so it is already in computer
form. But why the purchase? Look at the 'books'. It is a profit center. But
who is profiting from not having free and easy access to the rules?
And here's the real kicker. We have a hardcore, loyal cadre of volunteers
that must be there for any club race to occur. And we make them pay the same
dues as we charge the participants. This must stop. We are losing volunteers
over time. We need to attract them back. Giving them free dues or giving
them a chit for each event they work they can redeem towards free dues would
go a long way to make that happen.
Next Christmas, just imagine the store shelves lined with Warren Stillwell
dolls and the SCCA making a dollar on each one. Just imagine the SCCA having
it's own cable/satellite channel so we can broadcast US autocrosses to India
on a regular basis. Just imagine doing it on someone else's dime, thank you
very much.
I say leave it alone (for the most part). Let the SCCA be the Mecca for
amateur motorsports instead of a business that is out to make a profit
wherever it can. Have events and we will come. Have low cost events and even
more of us will come.
Paul Foster
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