8 replies to this topic

[KC from NC]

Let's say someone is interested in starting a traveling race series - maybe 4 races in a year - how would one go about organizing this? Just thinking out loud for now.

- How do you gage interest if it's even worth pursuing? I'm not a weekly racer, so I'm not super in tune with what people are into. I just know what I like.

- How do raceways feel about traveling series? Do they rent the track to the series? Just hope enough show up to match how much they might make on rentals?

My theoretical series: 2 hour multiclass endurance racing. LMP and GT cars on track at the same time, running 15 minute heats. Short enough that you don't need to find a co-driver, but long enough that you could justify calling it endurance.

Let's here your thoughts, good or bad. Thanks.

[mreibman]

This hearkens back to another discussion about standardized rules.

 

So what you find is that unless you have raceways that will sync up their rules (think USRA, IRRA, AWRA, etc.) you'd have a tough time because what they run at one raceway is then different from another.

 

Then you get the part where not everyone wants to run endurance racing vs. regular heat racing. is it better to run one really long race, or two-four "normal length" races?

 

Next we'll get to distance between raceways, differences in tracks, age of racers, etc....

 

So – can it be done? Absolutely.

Are there hurdles to doing it? Absolutely.

 

Good on you for wanting to do it.

[Gil Aubin]

This sure sounds familiar LOL.  I founded the New England Championship Cup (NECC) and Yankee USRA series.  Granted this was many years ago, but my one biggest suggestion is to start with classes that are already being run in the area. The casual racers are not going to want to build new classes of cars so they can race once a month.  Lay out everything ahead of time of what you expect of the raceway and what they can expect from you. Run the idea by the racers, keeping in mind that for every five people who say they will attend, you can expect one to actually show up.

 

If there are already traveling series in your area that will make it more difficult to create a new one, but the worst that can happen is you waste your time. Go for it!

[Eddie Fleming]

I wish you good luck if you try to get a series started. Your idea sounds good, if you can overcome the problems that go with any traveling slot racing series. Some of the problems are already mentioned above.

 

The biggest problem as I see it is most people will not travel for an event if it involves any long distance or especially if it involves an overnight stay. You must have local racers at each track and hope to have a few travel to any event

There are a few big annual events that draw from long distances, but on a regular basis it gets more difficult. So my question is how many tracks can you put together within say a two-hour traveling distance?

 

I don't want to be discouraging. I am all for anything that will help promote our hobby. Good luck, yeah go for it. 

[KC from NC]

Good point about local racers joining in - the travel series I ran a few races seems like they have a core group of 5 or 6 with another few locals that join in.

I 100% don't want to step on others toes, or take away from their series. We're fortunate around here to have maybe 5 tracks within 2 hours so I'd like to think the interest is there but I guess you don't know until you try.

Maybe I will talk to one of the local tracks about an annual "2.4 hours of endurance" type of race around Daytona time of year.

[JHMerriman]

Courtney Smith already hosts an endurance race at The Raceway in TN around the same time of the Daytona and Le Mans races

[MG Brown]

Courtney Smith already hosts an endurance race at The Raceway in TN around the same time of the Daytona and Le Mans races

 

Note that these "2.5 Hours du Mans" races are stand-alone (not a series) and for 1" tire cars.

The event's technical regs specify a common chassis, motor, gear ratio, body, etc.

 

 

Generally, the race announcements are posted on Slotblog a month or so in advance of the event.

[team burrito]

3-minute heats are the norm; 15 minutes is a bit too long.

 

If you run 3-minute heats, you could run a third class. maybe LMP & GT as you suggested and the third class can be the track choice - just an idea.

[KC from NC]

MG that looks awesome, I'm a sucker for a slot car that looks like the real thing.

Burrito, you make a good point about shorter heats and adding a 3rd class. Maybe combine LMP + GT into a 6 minute heat to take the time of two races, then add a 3 minute 3rd class.