A Message From The President About Competition - Long Post But Please Read

CLUB FUTURE COMPETITION EVENTS
 
We have said that as we develop the Club's activities after incorporation last year we would look at having some competition events as well as the monthly Runs.
 
In attempting to do this we have had a look at a number of possible options (Downshift, hiring a track ourselves, Macleans Bridge at Lakeside, etc;) but as everyone who has ever wanted to compete in an organised event knows, NO ORGANISED COMPETITION COMES CHEAP.
As an example of this in the 2012 Run Calendar we looked at making part of a Run a stop at a Go Kart Track and doing some racing, but after finding out that 15 minutes could cost $35.00 and more it seemed a lot of money for little benefit.
 
My view as President is that with such a diverse range of cars and driving experience in the Club, anything we do in the context of competition should provide maximum benefit for drivers through enhancing their skills, plus enjoyment for spectators and everyone else who attends.
We also have to consider the risk to the cars and the standard of organisation provided that supports the competition activity. This was brought home to me personally with the first ever free Honda Riders Club Day at Eastern Creek in Sydney some years ago. Halfway through the day someone with limited track skills who was test riding a new bike crashed at speed and died. The whole day was stopped, and Honda has never run an open event of this type again.
 
So, based on some great research undertaken by Knightrous, plus reports coming back from participation by others, I want to seek your opinions and expressions of interest in an MR2 Club "Slidewize" competition event later this year.
 
I have been communicating with Aaron Drew who runs "Slidewize", which is a very well organised and highly respected activity, and he has provided the information contained below. Slidewize events are held on Saturdays, not Sundays, so this may rule some people out. However, you will note from what Aaron says that we have been discussing a date in September, which is notionally Saturday the 14th, and this is day I now intend to include on the Run Calendar to give everyone time to plan and save their cash.
 
Personally I would like to see 14 cars or more and we make it an all MR2 day, but this would require a firm commitment now, and to be practical with the size of the Club I doubt if 14 or more members could pay a substantial, non-refundable deposit by the end of this month. Both Aaron (Knightrous) and Aaron Drew have indicated that the "Them Versus Us" days are a whole lot of fun, which would mean another Club like the V8's or Skylines pitting their skills against us on the skidpan and in the games. This sounds like serious fun to me, and would not require 14 MR2's or more to make it happen. We could also educate a few non-believers about what these cars can do.
 
The proposed details then:
1. Saturday the 14th of September will be our Club competition day this year (fixed, unless not available with Slidewize).
2. We have a full day and it is an "MR2 versus Them" competition based on the range of activities listed below. Nominations will be taken at the end of June.
3. We have a full day and it is only for MR2's, which will require a minimum of 14 cars and money paid by the end of March.
4.  We have a half day of MR2's only, but not the full range of activities, although still requiring 14 cars and money paid by the end of March.
 
Excluding the date above, could you please do a short reply indicating which of the activities 2,3 or 4 you would be willing to support and pay for. It is $130.00 for the car and two people, with a free full BBQ lunch, and it is for a whole day of organised competition!!
 
Although there are a lot of other competitive activities around in the south east, the Slidewize day out seems to offer the best organisation, value for money, spectator enjoyment and fun. If members have any other suggestions then we would be happy to have them organise a Club attendance that fits in with the Run Calendar.
 
Everyone always talks about competition so we look forward to hearing from you about what is proposed.
 
Walter
 
From Aaron Drew:
 
Hi Walter,
Skids till lunch, driving games in the afternoon.
BBQ lunch is provided for driver and 1 co-pilot per car..
Cost is all inclusive $130 per car. min 14 cars for the day. For clubs, pay for 14 spots, get 2 spots FREE.
You can raffle them off, give them to the president, lucky dip them or sell them for money for the club.
If you only wish to do a half day, then I'll have to work out a price for you.
If you are interested in doing a "us" -V- "Them" type of day, that is easy and LOTS of fun!

Games include but are not limited to:
Go-to-whoa
Shoot out
Time trial.

Club days NEED to be booked early, as there is only so many Free Saturdays in a year!!
Were you thinking Sep or something??
Cheers
Aaron
 

I can vouch of the professional but relaxed atmosphere of the Slidewayz event.  $130 is about the cheapest track style event that can be had other than drags or Morgan park when open to the public, definitely value for money for the time behind the wheel.  Although I agree with Dennis that 14x firm commitments  in two weeks might be a bit of a tall order for an exclusive MR2 day, leaving an MR2 vs THE WORLD as a more realistic option.
 
Put me name down on the interested list (whatever the format), and PM me some bank details when you're ready to receive money.

I'm in.

Maybe an MR2 + Invites, I know a few former MR2 owners that would probably bring another toy instead.

You guys should look into doing "Happy Laps" at Queensland race way. Its pretty cheap gives you a spin around the track. Although its a little limited in the fact your not supposed to be "racing" they seem to let you have fun ;) turn around and pretend your not going to fast.

". . . join one of the 20+ QLD CAMS clubs :) 
NDSCC is like $30 year membership."
 
The appeal of CAMS affiliation for us is the pride in listing the MR2 Owners Club as my club of choice.  Seriously.
 

Ok im out if this convo and my opinions too.. im a tight arss

Walter I just thought of something. Since you kind of need to know levels of interest and commitment fairly quickly it might be an idea to send out a PM to everyone that has come on the cruises in the last year or so and point them to this thread.
 
I myself don’t visit these forums too much and you might find that could be the case for some of the other people out there as well. With a PM they are going to get an email notification they have a PM and will check it and then be pointed to this thread.
 
Might speed things up in the way of finding out who is interested and hopefully grow the numbers.

Aaron and Walter, if you can get them to bend the rules a little and let a P plater in, I will deffinetly be there!