MX5CQ Trackday QR Monday 11/4/16

[86JMJ]

I have been very active in Motorsport for the past 2+ yrs and am now running sprint events for the 86 drivers club. Getting people involved is a huge uphill battle, I have a core group of 20+ drivers - out of nearly 1000 86 owners!

I recently purchased an MX5 - my daily driver, which will be used in appropriate Motorsport events (initially I was planning on doing the mx5 club sprints but that will depend on what you charge)-there are so many options -including- IWMCC who run dirt sprints at Willowbank - these are perfect for any older MX5 IMO. It is now possible for other clubs to hire the track -

QR do charge a lot for club track days - which will limit your capacity to run if you increase your track fees and numbers drop off as there will be better value options for enthusiasts -

I would like to thank the MX5 club for introducing me to the joys of the track, my only disappointment is that I didn't start earlier.

[Steampunk]

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?

I'm all for this.
Some people actually scoff at the idea of taking their car on track, not because they aren't keen, but because they think their car isn't "track worthy".

No idea if QR will be up for it, by I'll volunteer to be a pseudo instructor for the day. I'm not the fastest but I know QR quite well and I like to think that I can impart knowledge in a responsible way

Mousmota, if you're suggesting allowing newbies go "door to door" racing then that ain't gonna happen. We already have "slower" groups to cater for newbies. Regardless of experience and skill, QR management simply won't allow constant side by side driving.
They've been generous with bumper to bumper "racing" as it is.

[Steampunk]

. Getting people involved is a huge uphill battle, I have a core group of 20+ drivers - out of nearly 1000 86 owners!
.

Quite a number of 86/brzs in my neighbourhood and half of them are dríven by females in their 20's. Perhaps target them specifically, get them keen by putting them in their own group of females only, then perhaps guys will in turn get interested.

[Vat]

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...

Just having a bit of consciousness-streaming here, but I wonder if Morgan Park and the numbers for this now-cancelled day might have shown the rough 'core numbers' of MX5CCQ participants - with 23 at Morgan Park and 24 confirmed for QR, I'd guess there's probably a core of 20 - 25 you can absolutely count on, with degrees of 'reliability' from that group out (e.g. there might be an additional 5 to 10 who will do Lakeside but not QR, maybe 5 to 10 for QR but not Lakeside, with a mix of maybe 20 to 30 people who dip in and out of the days as it suits, giving us the numbers of 35 to 45 depending on who's doing what on a given day.

I'd be interested to see what sort of cross-over numbers-wise we had between the Morgan Park group and those who put up the readies for the QR April 11 event.

Some people actually scoff at the idea of taking their car on track, not because they aren't keen, but because they think their car isn't "track worthy".

Gawd, I remember the state of my thing when I started doing track days mid-last year - sh!t tyres, apparently dying engine, SUV ride height. That, along with getting everything else organised, it felt like a bit of a leap of faith to get out there. Maybe spreading the word on how easy it actually is to get out there (i.e. just buy a helmet, pay some fees and fill out some forms), and no-one really gives a rat's backside about your lap times. Maybe a Track FAQ stickie? I did something like that in the thread for the Lakeside day in November last year.

Maybe you're on to something with the all-female '86 (or indeed any car) group - the girls are generally less competitive and more 'group' focussed with this sort of thing (that's certainly what's developed in running), might be a good example of just getting out there and having some fun. Question is then how do you identify those groups and reach out to them.

[mousemota]

Steampunk.......No not door to door....that would not be good at all......"race" as in Lap Times ........just using their wording for want of a better description.

Was an idea to get youth involved .....I have see posts on other places where they talk about times up Nebo from Gap to lookout like they are doing the "ring" from Bridge to Gantry .....bit of a ego thing ..much better on a track than a public road of course.......that was what I was thinking of .more of learn your race craft skills on track.

[Steampunk]

.....I have see posts on other places where they talk about times up Nebo from Gap to lookout .....

Someone told me about this a while ago and.I was hoping that it's only a handful ofpeople, but it seems like the propensity is growing.
Certainly no one in our usual group does this and if I ever find anyone who does, they'll learn my displeasure in no uncertain terms.

[Trackphotos]

Steampunk.......No not door to door....that would not be good at all......"race" as in Lap Times ........just using their wording for want of a better description.

Was an idea to get youth involved .....I have see posts on other places where they talk about times up Nebo from Gap to lookout like they are doing the "ring" from Bridge to Gantry .....bit of a ego thing ..much better on a track than a public road of course.......that was what I was thinking of .more of learn your race craft skills on track.

The Gap to Jolly's Lookout thing is a joke, but it does originate from a guy who claimed to do it in some ridiculous time, iirc it worked out to an average speed of 140kmh or something lol. Incidentally, the same guy has only ever done a single track day at QR back when he was driving a stock powered NA about 2 years ago, coming about 6th last of 35 cars. Throws back to building a fast car and being able to say it's fast, and nobody can prove otherwise.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

[Magpie]

Was not me, have not ever dríven in that area in the MX5...

[RileyR]

My 2c
Im new to the game (besides khanas and auto-x) and have just sent off my membership application for mx5 club qld.
I may not be considered a 'young' blood at 25 but more facebook information about upcoming events would help I think.

Also, if the cost had to go up to cover for 30 people i would be willing to pay it - because I assume it would be more track time. And POSSIBLY better track time as opposed to the sprint events run by QR (which i am yet to attend).

Again also, I would prefer to enter into QR events than lakeside because it is safer and better to learn on (as others have mentioned here).


1 more thing - the requirements for scrutineering etc and the paperwork involved can be daunting for first timers - i know it was for me. Several times i have had to email clubs to find out what they want and need for me to enter their events - because it can be difficult to interpret what they want.

If this process was more streamlined and clear there might be more of the younger guys attending. Again, if events were well notified through common social media such as FB i think that would improve numbers as well.
I am not pointing the finger at the mx5 clubs as I am yet to enter into an event with them and dont know how clear/easy the process is with them. I am only giving my 'new to the game' observations



Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

[Vat]

the requirements for scrutineering etc and the paperwork involved can be daunting for first timers - i know it was for me. Several times i have had to email clubs to find out what they want and need for me to enter their events - because it can be difficult to interpret what they want.

If this process was more streamlined and clear there might be more of the younger guys attending. Again, if events were well notified through common social media such as FB i think that would improve numbers as well]

Cool, great feedback. Actually, the process through the MX5CCQ days is really easy and I'm sure Adam, our Competition Secretary, will be only too happy to help out. I was similarly daunted and was a bit embarrassed once I discovered how easy it actually was. Morgan Park was a little more involved with obtaining a CAMS license and scrutineering, but not hugely so. Hell, I got through it, and I wouldn't rate myself as particularly organised.

I mentioned this earlier, but the following is what I put up in the Nov 2015 Lakeside thread.

For those looking to start out, I can give a rough summary of what I went through a year or so ago when I started. Much of this is at http://www.mx5clubqld.com.au/?page_id=51:
- you will need a suitable car, in reasonable nick. Track days are pretty hard on cars - brakes, cooling, clutches, engines. Make sure it's been serviced recently.
- get a helmet. Cheap, convenient option I went for is here: http://www.motorsportaccessories.com.au ... gory_id=26.
- full length fire-retardant clothing is needed. I used to run some cotton cargo pants and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt
- you'll need a QR license, $20 for the day, $55 for 12 months. Go here (https://www.qldraceways.com.au/secure/members/login.php) and follow the Register Here link. You'll need your doctor's details (wherever you go if you need a medical certificate for work...). Payment for the license is done at this point. There'll be a form for you to sign on the day
- Enter the event. This is done via your QLD Raceway's log-in once you're set up. It's under Sprints. Pick a nice number. Your favourite number is probably taken. And your next favourite.
- Pay the entry fee to the MX-5 Car Club as per the MX-5CCQ's details (refer above), and e-mail the Competition Secretary to let them know so they can approve your entry.
- CTP extension form. Ask your CTP insurer. If it's Suncorp, just send an e-mail to Insurance.CustomerCTP@suncorp.com.au with your name and rego. If not, give your insurer a ring...and then just change to Suncorp for your CTP when your renewal comes up. I was with RACQ before, and helpful though there were, it was $10 per event and you pretty much had to train the staff every time.
- MX-5 CCQ Indemnity Forms (http://www.mx5clubqld.com.au/wp-content ... orm-v2.pdf). You can grab one and sign it on the day, but it makes it easier if you print it and sign it beforehand
- timing transponder. If you just do the day, it'll be a $120 deposit with $100 refunded on return...or you can just buy it for $100. If it falls off because of dodgy attachments, I think that counts as 'bought'
- turn up on the day. Be punctual. Doug will make a point of embarrassing the late comers at the driver briefing, and you'll get a crap pit spot. Listen to the briefing, don't go out too hard too early, don't bend your car, and be friendly. First time is pretty much just getting a feel for the rhythm of the day and dealing with the freak-out that is tracking your own car.

[RileyR]

I mentioned this earlier, but the following is what I put up in the Nov 2015 Lakeside thread.

For those looking to start out, I can give a rough summary of what I went through a year or so ago when I started. Much of this is at http://www.mx5clubqld.com.au/?page_id=51:
- you will need a suitable car, in reasonable nick. Track days are pretty hard on cars - brakes, cooling, clutches, engines. Make sure it's been serviced recently.
- get a helmet. Cheap, convenient option I went for is here: http://www.motorsportaccessories.com.au ... gory_id=26.
- full length fire-retardant clothing is needed. I used to run some cotton cargo pants and a long sleeve cotton t-shirt
- you'll need a QR license, $20 for the day, $55 for 12 months. Go here (https://www.qldraceways.com.au/secure/members/login.php) and follow the Register Here link. You'll need your doctor's details (wherever you go if you need a medical certificate for work...). Payment for the license is done at this point. There'll be a form for you to sign on the day
- Enter the event. This is done via your QLD Raceway's log-in once you're set up. It's under Sprints. Pick a nice number. Your favourite number is probably taken. And your next favourite.
- Pay the entry fee to the MX-5 Car Club as per the MX-5CCQ's details (refer above), and e-mail the Competition Secretary to let them know so they can approve your entry.
- CTP extension form. Ask your CTP insurer. If it's Suncorp, just send an e-mail to Insurance.CustomerCTP@suncorp.com.au with your name and rego. If not, give your insurer a ring...and then just change to Suncorp for your CTP when your renewal comes up. I was with RACQ before, and helpful though there were, it was $10 per event and you pretty much had to train the staff every time.
- MX-5 CCQ Indemnity Forms (http://www.mx5clubqld.com.au/wp-content ... orm-v2.pdf). You can grab one and sign it on the day, but it makes it easier if you print it and sign it beforehand
- timing transponder. If you just do the day, it'll be a $120 deposit with $100 refunded on return...or you can just buy it for $100. If it falls off because of dodgy attachments, I think that counts as 'bought'
- turn up on the day. Be punctual. Doug will make a point of embarrassing the late comers at the driver briefing, and you'll get a crap pit spot. Listen to the briefing, don't go out too hard too early, don't bend your car, and be friendly. First time is pretty much just getting a feel for the rhythm of the day and dealing with the freak-out that is tracking your own car.

That information is great! I had no idea that I had to get a QR license or how to register for a QR event - I was just planing on showing up with cams license, club license and CTP extension.

I imagine this info is exactly what a lot of people might need to get started.

Personally, the only reason I caught the motorsports bug is because a friend said that I should show up to a motorkhana - Luckily, it was low key enough for me to show up without ANY idea what I needed to do. I think the first time was free, and I was helped through the paper work and told about sup-regs and CAMS and scrutineering, none of which I had heard of (which may be very uncommon haha). Without this easy introduction I dont think I would have ever felt the itch to drive/race bad enough to go and get a CTP extension (which is only a QLD thing), a CAMS license, join a car club or pay an entrance fee. - I would have saved a LOT of money if I hadnt!

I understand that the MX5 club events are much more legitimate, and held at proper race tracks, as a result, more regulations and paperwork will be inevitably involved.

However, the point I am trying to make (and most people here seem aware of it) is that some people might not initially be motivated to begin, and are simply unaware of how to begin.

There are numerous MX5 Facebook pages where upcoming MX5 Club track events could be posted, and if a link to information (just like yours Vat) was posted along with dates and specific information about the event I think you could see more people wanting to try it out.

Its a shame that this track day didnt go ahead because when I read about it (only today for some reason) I was planning on going - as I would prefer a club event over an open sprint type event.

[gslender]

I wonder if a track day mobile phone app would be useful. Good for helping newbies and good for Adam to gauge realtime interest, paid and tally your place. Thoughts? Features?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RileyR]

A phone app would be sweet, but possibly hard to design and implement? I have no idea how easy or hard it is to make a phone app. You can create 'events' on facebook where you can confirm attendance.

[Vat]

A phone app would be sweet, but possibly hard to design and implement? I have no idea how easy or hard it is to make a phone app. You can create 'events' on facebook where you can confirm attendance.

I imagine an app would be fairly cost-prohibitive.

I wouldn't be placing much stock in Facebook acceptances - I'd say the current policy of "money in the bank" for counting entries is one borne of hard experience. There might be a 'public commitment' aspect to putting something up in public, but it's the old axiom: money talks, bullsh!t walks.

[Magpie]

Another thought I have had in my head is to allocate a session where people can swap cars (untimed session).

There is other things to consider like will the car get abused etc, if it gets damaged etc but the risks can be managed. Would this encourage more people to attend, don't honestly know.

I would agree to swap cars with somebody with a turbo for a few laps maybe even a completely stock NA6.