Mark,
I think you have a very valid point. Whether the track manager is 25 or 55,
he still may be more business oriented than car. And what is the most
popular form of racing in the US at present, Nascar. I know one of the
reasons Mid-Ohio forced SVRA to include historic stock cars in the event is
because they'd love to have a Winston or Busch race, and its their way of
showing that the cars will work on their track. I wouldn't even walk over to
the fence to see them. Besides, I don't think there is one running that is
even 10 years old. I too wanted to come to the Glen, even though its a mega
event, this year but couldn't because of job conflicts. I too, love the town
festival.
Roger
>From: "Mark Palmer" <mgvrmark@hotmail.com>
>Reply-To: "Mark Palmer" <mgvrmark@hotmail.com>
>To: vintage-race@autox.team.net
>Subject: Lime Rock Labor Day etc
>Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 20:10:59 GMT
>
>Listers,
>
>I switched from the Labor Day event, to the Glen event a number of years
>ago. My reasons: I love the Downtown Festival at the Glen; much more track
>time; better & more reasonably-priced accomodations; no quiet day on
>Sunday;
>and of course the Collier Cup all-MG race (yes, that's what I drive).
>
>It seems pretty clear to me that the vintage race world is changing,
>especially over the past 2 - 3 years. I believe one of the primary reasons
>is track management. At many tracks, the Big Vintage Weekend is now one of
>their top money-makers, often behind only the NASCAR and CART events.
>Hence, the Big Vintage Weekend has now attracted management attention.
>
>At some major tracks, the General Manager is now a person who is far
>younger
>than me, or my car. To an ambitious 20/30-something Manager, a 1986 IMSA
>GTP car seems pretty darn "vintage". Heck, it's half as old as HE is.
>Plus, it's big, fast, loud, and is painted in lots of pretty colors -- just
>the thing to attract more spectators. By contrast, a '50's & '60's era
>small-bore production car is only that ... just a small bore to the X-Gen
>Track Manager. Little, slow, and plain-looking.
>
>The fragmented nature of having 20+ vintage racing organizations in the
>U.S., has allowed the tracks and event sponsors to assert far more control
>over the scene. If one vintage club won't do what the track wants, the
>track can shop the event around to other vintage clubs. I think this is
>what the SVRA/HSR alliance is all about -- trying to regain a more
>equitable
>bargaining position with the tracks. I for one, certainly hope it works
>out
>that way. They're not perfect, but I still have more faith in the
>management of my vintage organization, than the management of a major
>road-racing facility, when it comes to protecting my interests as a
>participant.
>
>This is all just personal opinion, and only applies to the current crop of
>"major" vintage events like Labor Day, the Glen, Mid-Ohio, etc. There is a
>whole 'nuther class of events that I regard as "club events": small,
>non-sponsored, often non-spectator, usually just 2 days, where a vintage
>club rents the track & runs the whole deal. I've always found these small
>club events to be extremely enjoyable. At the small club race, the primary
>customer to be satisfied is the participant, and the decisions are mostly
>made by the club's event chairman, who is usually also a participant ... at
>the Big Spectator/Sponsored Vintage Event, the primary customer becomes the
>spectator, and decisions are driven by vintage-ignorant track managers
>trying to increase the gate and please the sponsor.
>
>You pays your money & you takes your choices ... I like a little of both
>myself. I just hope the Mega-Events don't become so ponderous that they
>aren't fun anymore. For me, right now, the Glen is still a lot of fun!
>(And so is the Turkey Bowl)
>
>Regards,
>Mark Palmer
>MGA #185
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