As a child I used to love to poke a hornets nest and then to hide. I have
learned to do the same after a posting to this list. But no, I will come back
for more.
My original post was not an effort to turn Vintage Racing into Professional
Wrestling, but to point out the trade-offs which are necessary to obtain
spectators, To wit- the last sentence in my post: "But everyone should know
the tradeoffs, and remember the old saying "be carefull for what you wish you
may get it."
Thanks to Uncle Jack who pointed out: "there's more to this than just our love
of the cars. It has to do with AWARDS" He's right. Most vintage groups give
1st. 2nd 3rd. place awards, AND publish results. If competition is not a (
not the only) driving force why give awards? Why even call it RACING if it is
not Racing. Call it Solo 1, or Rallying or exhibition driving. To the extent
that spectators show up (in numbers), the competition will increase even if it
is only marginally, this is not good or bad it is just true. Competition is
here already. And with it and wheel to wheel racing comes risk. This year in
the Southeast, I saw more punts in Vintage Formula fords than in SCCA. I do
both. Maybe I saw the exception, but those who say competition should stay out
of vintage seem to be a little late.
Cheryl Barnes replys " Damit,Hammet---people will come to see 'old cars'---at
Steamboat Co. on --street race course---at base of the ski area---there is the
mystique of mountains, ---fleet of hot air balloons -great restaurants " etc
etc etc.
Well, Darn Barne, I'll come see all that too even if there are no cars,
sounds great. But what about Sebring Florida, or Homestead Florida. No
mountains, hot air balloons, no good reasturants(that I know of in sebring)
but pleanty of sugar cane and migrant workers. Last HSR and SVRA races I went
to at these places had NO spectators who were not freinds of the drivers.
And this is what I am talking about. Not Pebble Beach Laguna Seca, Aspen,
Steamboat Springs Co.
Jim Hayes gave a well reasoned reply. Again referring to the draw that crashes
have on drawing spectators. " Modern racing series build spectator interest
with drama:driver championships, marque rivalry, which driver will land in the
hospital--"
All true, it all works. That doesnt mean I want vintage to go that way, but
it should be recognized. And if Some Vintage Organizers want to adopt SOME of
those marketing techniques to draw crowds, so be it. We now have enough
vintage groups to accommodate several different agendas. And some of the
above techniques could be used, with the exception of encouraging crashes, and
keep the flavor of vintage an still keep the risk acceptable. Perhaps not for
the $500,000 ferarris, but for some other groups.
To the point made about demographics. All valid but let me give one more.
One additional reason that most vintage race drivers are from 40 to 60 yrs old
is that they can afford this rather expensive sport. There will be more
affluent folks in the next generation, if they are interested in D type Jags
of Formula fords is another question. There are younger SCCA drivers who may
end up in vintage.
Patrick Young seemed to propose a reasonable approach "vintage racing will
work commercially if we want to work at it, a decision each club must make for
each event." Since most organizations are for profit and private, this may
happen. The drivers can only vote with their entrance fees, which now support
the events. Patrick's suggestion of show up money, or even travel money (as
opposed to prize money) would take some of the incentive out of too agressive
driving.
My original post was intended to start a discussion of some of the pros and
cons of promoting this sport, not necessarily to take a side. I do admit
however it seems a waste to be in Homestead Fl. for a Vintage Race. In a
grandstand which will seat, maybe 40,000(?) people, and have every seat
empty. Wouldn't it be nice to have 10,000 people, or 5000, or even 1000
spectators , who are not your mother, wife or employees? Maybe its like going
to your kids high school band concert and no-one shows up but the band. I
think it could be done with some planing, and still keep the flavor of the
sport.
There are those in this sport who feel it is already too competitive. They,
with reason will be leary of promotion for the reasons mentioned. There are
others who do not deny the competitive nature of this sport, want to improve
their car and driving skills, and do want to win. They should not be ashamed
to admit this. After all this is racing, wheel to wheel, checkered flag and
all. I for one would not mind having startup money, and some crowds. I will
admit that the best races I've been in, win or loose, have been those where
one or more competitors ran with me close, changing positions several times.
Its exiting , its why I race, and is more risky than solo or exhibition
driving. Its also why I don't golf.
Allow me to state several axioms (self evident truths), in my opinion.
If you want less competitve and aggressive driving then:
1. Remove the checkard flag. Have only timed sessions
2. Dont publish times or results
3. Dont give awards.
4. Dont encourage spectators. ( Few would be interested in this anyway)
To the extent one does the following, it encourages more competitive driving.
1. Give or increase awards
2. Have more spectators
3. Give winners more attention then others.
Interview winners and Do publish times and results.
What one chooses from the above depends on why one likes Vintage Racing.It
appears to me there are two distintly different philosophies.
Thanks to all who emailed me. Even the one about putting my typing fingers
into the valve springs at 6000 RPM.
Frank
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