MX5CQ Trackday QR Monday 11/4/16

[MXO005]

Bit of a shock that TD1 made a loss.

Completely forgot that we got a full day for the usual half day price, so makes more sense now that I think about it.

My couple of posts above are probably all complete bollocks then. Woke up in the middle of the night (for me) and brain obviously wasn't engaged.

[gslender]

Thanks for the feedback and comments. I will address a few of these items.

... <snip>

Thanks Adam - like everything else you are doing, this is a top-job #1 reply!

I do wonder if assuming 40+ attendees as the method to determine the overall per/person pricing seems a little tight.

Would ~$180 per event be that much of a stretch? That means it can go ahead with ~30 entrants and means anything above 30 = a solid profit for funding future events that don't get the right numbers or go towards making the events more social/enjoyable. It would seem reasonable to have a built-in buffer to allow for times when the number dips to 25 (and you can fund it from past profits) and strong attendance means we have more in the kitty to support better and more enjoyable events (things like paying for a coffee cart or BBQ, free cold drinks, a professional photographer, better tech to support registration etc and so on).

Not sure about everyone else, but $200 x 6 events is less than what you'd spend on tyres, brakes, fuel and maintence per year so not sure why people would spend $300+ on other costs per track day but be scared off spending $200 to attend a dedicated track event with only 30 or so other MX5 owners? I mean a general track day is costing you around $500 if you honestly add up all the costs assoicated with the day.

Might be worth considering or at least review if things are going to be that tight... I for one would rather consistency/quality over cheap/budget.

Cheers,
G

[Magpie]

Paul Stokell - 1/2 day $240 full day $395

Time Attack 1/2 day $160 full day $240

QR (Street Sprints) 1/2 day $145.

QR General Practice if only 1/2 day scheduled $120, if a full day scheduled $80 for 1/2 day $120 for the full day.

MR Tuning full day (no coaching) $450

The MX5 Car Club represents good value, however a full day at general practice is the best. But the amount of wear/tear for a full day of general practice as well as the mix of cars may discourage people attending. The briefing for general practice is very different to the one the club gets.

[adidistyle]

The briefing for general practice is very different to the one the club gets.

Magpie, In what way?

[Magpie]

Adam, the briefing is rather short (Doug style) but the emphasis is on watching your mirrors when turning in, apexing, exiting a corner as well as when braking, accelerating and going straight due to the different performance of the cars on the track.

Overtaking is permitted anywhere, hence the mirror warning. However it is still very good seat time and requires the use of vision (ahead and behind).

Here is just some of the cars... (I touched on some oil, plus wrong line)

[ausbuoy]

So having a conscience that I read but rarely rite/'post', and in the way of giving back just a little, this:-
Without 'quotes' as I'm sure you'll or is that “Y'awl”:) know who is referred to;
my much hackneyed statement,'there are as many differing expert opinions as there are people to ask' applies here in spades. That is most likely (surprisingly), because each respondent has a different set of circumstances that influences their point of view, and it would certainly require the 'stars to align' above a 'perfect storm' cloud, for their to be consensus!:-(

“Apology” Adam, for being one of the 'somewhat' regulars you might have expected to belly up for this date, as old fashioned ways make one disinclined to $ay for something that was very, (in my case) uncertain.* I do however, having endured an unrequited quest to be 'responsible' for the fiduciary well being of two2 children (grown now), vocally applaud you for your efforts in shouldering this burden for 50 or so of us kids.
So rather than bleat on about disappointment/might have beens if only-
ie; it is unlikely that we will ever enjoy our desired $50 track (all)day every 3rd weekend on either Sat or Sun as requested with a 'midweek' option subject to notice,(prize gtd!:),
but we can continue to ask. “C'mon Adam!” Rather, perhaps suggestions/think tank.

For those of us who 'shared' the Morgan Park experience with the Por$che aficionados, you can recognise the reality of our relegation in the (Far)queue of Budget boyracers!
But on the 'Damn' for the Dollar dyno, every MX5/Miata warrior was a winner!
My point, (God, he's got one!?'), is that Adam can only write Cheques we can cash.
I suspect, especially given the four wheeled 'Hell's Uglies' of Ricerville being arguably forced more and more from back street to our hallowed grounds, the access to 'suitable' track day slots (with exclusivity) is increasingly stretching our hairdresser handbags. Let's just try for rationale.
Might there be a more achievable (affordable) opportunity for an 'event' that would be delivering of the satisfaction that we variously desire from this puerile pursuit? Careful not to suggest a 'replacement', but maybe an additional/alternative for date clash
Thinking outside the ($day) square, could it be that we could cobble together an MX5CQ 'night out' to proffer QR as additional yet less competitive utilisation of their assets, and justifying for some/many of us the notional severance of about the amount we're used to accepting of as penance for our indulgence?
To wit-
already offered and well attended at Willowbank are drifting/skidpan ($100), & Qtr ml drag runs ($60), and add to this possibly a carpark 'auto x' or whatever it's called here, or maybe a horizontal hillclimb all offering most the opportunity for chest beating indulgence with the added danger of dark! (for the realistic, just a chance to better understand/handle your car's nuances).

I know this activity is far from the F1/Carrera Cup skill honing & credible acclaim of the Latent Lakeside Legends, among us, unrecognised only thru oversight, but maybe a motor sport cup runneth over for others:) Even has the opportunity for an expansion of the aforementioned sociality. I for one just have a J Thurston/like belly laugh in my helmut at every opportunity to let the Rebel RIP loose & use a car, (for most an investment 2nd only to a house), as Society deems is no longer 'acceptable' on the outside! It's LEGAL! Surely also opportunity for 'Robust Richard' bragging rights for those.....

Anyway, remiss for the length of this thesis, and acknowledging that you may have already considered this Adam, if not, comment here might fuel your negotiating fire, or douse it if the ubiquitous wisdom generated so decries(oops'crees':)

[mousemota]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth here ....yes I am a newbie and just started I wanted to say "Thanks Adam ! " for what you tried to get up and running and also for your well explained reply.
I am sure you have far better things to do than write long forum reply's .

Am looking forward to the next one, if it costs a little more for the day (as someone suggested) so be it, the club will not
let events take place if it is going to be a loss .....a business doesn't ..Living proof of that ......ex BP

Thanks again Adam !
Mark

[JBT]

It's a sign of the times IMO. BMWCCQ is also having problems filling (Friday) track days of late, whereas they were oversubscribed up until mid last year. Their full days at Lakeside and QR now cost north of $200 for members and an extra $25 for non-members. So, by comparison, the MX-5 Club rate is quite low.

[Vat]

It's a sign of the times IMO. BMWCCQ is also having problems filling (Friday) track days of late, whereas they were oversubscribed up until mid last year. Their full days at Lakeside and QR now cost north of $200 for members and an extra $25 for non-members. So, by comparison, the MX-5 Club rate is quite low.

Interesting - I just had a quick look at the BMWCCQ website and they showed their participation at the Morgan Park day at $165. They had very few attendees - maybe three or four? I seem to recall a 335i coupe and an E36 black cabrio but not much else.

Dunno what the solution or the issue is. I'd have thought you'd have seen growth - the NAs are well into the youth-mod scene now so I'd have thought we'd be seeing a few more of that crowd appearing (Stance Potato aside!). The MX5CCQ days strike me as good value and I guess that's been confirmed by comments above.

[Trackphotos]

the NAs are well into the youth-mod scene now so I'd have thought we'd be seeing a few more of that crowd appearing (Stance Potato aside!).

Turns out there aren't actually that many of 'the youth' that are interested in actually tracking their cars. A lot of them say they want to, but somehow it never happens. Happy laps, sure, but nothing where they might reasonably risk bending something. Or getting their car dirty. There's a huge number of young guys modifying MX5s around Brisbane, but bugger all are interested in actually finding out how their cars perform with all their hektik mods. Easier to say their car is fast and never be proven wrong, I suppose.

[Vat]

Turns out there aren't actually that many of 'the youth' that are interested in actually tracking their cars. A lot of them say they want to, but somehow it never happens. Happy laps, sure, but nothing where they might reasonably risk bending something. Or getting their car dirty. There's a huge number of young guys modifying MX5s around Brisbane, but bugger all are interested in actually finding out how their cars perform with all their hektik mods. Easier to say their car is fast and never be proven wrong, I suppose.

Hardparkers, I guess. More guys I zoom up on heading up Nebo...at the speed limit...

<checks date of birth> yeah, 'youth'. Sigh.

[Steampunk]

Easier to say their car is fast and never be proven wrong, I suppose.

Hit the nail square on the head with a sledgehammer there.

Then there are "straight line specialists".

Have a friend who've owned some very tasty cars (Sti, BMW 135, Golf R) and he looks at me like I just told him his dog grew another head whenever I invite him up Nebo , let alone the track.

Everyone I've met, whether through this forum or just random enthusiasts in all sorts of cars, I've asked if they ever take their car to the track and if they show some interest I tell them about our track days.
Last guy I talked to has a fully stanced 240Z with uber wide wheels and stretched R888... yes stretched R888s .... his goal is to track it in the near future and when I asked him what he's going to do regarding wheels and tyres he just says "oh I'll just run these. I can corner pretty fast on the street."

Riiiiight.... 205/50 series tyres pumped up to well over 35psi stretched onto what appears to be 15X10" wheels...

[mousemota]

Ok shoot me down if you want ......a left field thought to attract the younger crowd to a track day for numbers

Could we promote a new class/group call it whatever..... at a track day for the "P" plate crowd under 20's like, to run in a group together .....a bit like the "race your mates" at QR.

Maybe use Facebook, Twitter and other social media, maybe we could advertise at Automotive+ of upcoming event as I think a lot get bits from there!

I am sure the younger ones think the MX5 club is for old people in cardigans going on picnics ......we all know it isn't .....ok some picnics sometimes ...but not all the time .......now where did I leave my cardi !

Mark (Old person)

[Magpie]

Following on from what Steampunk said, I had a friend who I was thinking of using as a co-pilot in the car. She said that she could drive really well. So we went out to a SDT day at Morgan park and all of a sudden she found out that she could not drive fast. Fast on the street is a lot different to fast on the track. Person's ego was slightly shattered.

Attracking younger people to our track days is a solution, however who wants to be shown up by older people, an ego thing. Maybe offering mentoring, but who will give up their track time to mentor.

Taking a suggestion from the NSW track days wherein an experienced driver is allocated to 'newbies' and the experienced driver does some laps in the newbies car (newbie is a passenger) then they swap seats, approx 6 laps. Helps develop confidence.

Can 1 session be used for this scenario? Are the attendees willing to sacrifice track time to encourage new drivers?

Organise skid pan days, these are low speed and fun. But again the complaints of diesel/water on my car arise.

Like somebody stated, you can't make everybody happy. Further the club is not run by forum suggestions/consensus. If people want change then they need to be active in the club and not just pay membership (I'm now guilty of just that).

[JBT]

Interesting - I just had a quick look at the BMWCCQ website and they showed their participation at the Morgan Park day at $165. They had very few attendees - maybe three or four? I seem to recall a 335i coupe and an E36 black cabrio but not much else.

Classic example of fading interest for whatever reasons, along with the "tyranny of distance" issue with Morgan Park, as well as being close to their next scheduled track day...