105 replies to this topic

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Getting an early start on next year we have decided on the dates for the R4/3. So mark your calendars and schedule some time off for March 11 - 14 (Thursday through Sunday).

Because of the huge attendance this year and the expectation of more next we are considering a four-day event with only one class per day. THIS IS NOT YET CARVED IN STONE - ONLY UNDER CONSIDERATION.

We are already planning to make next year even better. Also under consideration is some type of off-site get-together time permitting. Our thinking is that one-class-per-day may give more time for socializing.

Comments welcome.

[RapidRobert]

Mike and Cindy,

Wow! Talk about early planning!

While we recognize that it may be difficult for some folks to commit to four days, we think your idea is excellent!!! The late night Saturday followed by the early Sunday morning was challenging this year.

We also like your idea to expand the socializing opportunities at the R4.

No matter what you decide, though, we'll see you March 11-14.

Are you considering the race order to be: JK, GTC, F1, and then Can-Am?

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Thursday - GTC, Friday - F1, Saturday - Can-Am, Sunday - Spec.

[JerseyJohn]

Yeah man... Get my room ready. LOL!

[Pappy]

John, there has been mention about taking a vote on whether or not to allow you back in Ohio.

I really enjoyed meeting you, John; you're a character and I hope you can make next year.

[Larry Mattingly]

I like the schedule... My only suggestion would be to can JK Spec (is this class even needed any longer in IRRA?), and move GTC to Sunday. Guys who want to leave early can skip a second tier class. Or, flip flop spec and GTC.

Jersey and I both vote for more socialization...

God knows we aint going to make the podium...

LM

[Pablo]

Thank God for people who plan ahead. I'm in.

[Pappy]

Great, Pablo You can sail up the Mississippi River then turn right on the Ohio River, take a left at the Great Miami River, and I'll pick you up in Hamilton, OH, and drive you to Columbus.

[Pablo]

Or, I could just fly up there and rent a car.

[Pappy]

Sailboat fuel is much cheaper.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

IMHO JK Spec will always be needed. Retro will (and is) suffering some attrition and new blood is needed to replace what we lose. Remember this is all just early thinking.

The reason I put JK Spec last was to give travel time to those who don't race that class. JK Spec seems to be the smallest of the four.

[One_Track_Mind]

JK Spec seems to be the smallest of the four.

This is only because it was limited to 24 entries.

[Pablo]

I will have the best haircut, the best T Shirt, the most tools, the best rental car, the best bourbon, the best best best...

And my rental car will beat Hershman's motorhome in a drag race.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Here we go again...
Brian, I regrettably limited JK Spec entries to 24 to ensure practice time for others on Friday night. At first JK Spec wasn't even on the schedule. BUT, I felt that it had to be even if at a restricted number of entries. And everyone had equal opportunity to pre-enter. I believe it took just short of three weeks to fill.

But I based my comment on other races that didn't have a limited number of spots. Seems like JK Spec is still the smallest. Wrong???

[Paul Martin]

Mike didn't mention it, but practice for next year's R4/3 has begun! The track has been freshly cleaned and re-glued. On Thursday, Neil Easterday and I managed to break in green, orange, blue, and yellow.

This isn't too early to get started on next year, is it?

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

Pass on the haircut... any shirt will do... rent a cool ride... bring a fast race car... leave the tools home to make room for more bourbon. MORE, MORE.

Hershman's motor home NO PROBLEM

I will have the best haircut, the best T Shirt, the most tools, the best rental car, the best bourbon, the best best best...

And my rental car will beat Hershman's motorhome in a drag race.

[Pablo]

I have asked many people, "what is a Spec?" Not one person has given me a good answer.

Special? Specific? Specification? Racial slur? I'm sorry, I don't get it. I saw a bus on the street yesterday, it had a big sign on the front, "Special".

Retro, IRRA, D3, Ohio 2010, I get it. Spec??? A spot on my shirt?

[Rick]

JK spec should go away. There has not been a race at rookie level and with Coupes going with hand-out FK motors, it's redundant. The original design did not work out and the hot shoes are entering and winning it. The practice time would be better than a race on Thursday...

With four races, that makes Wednesday practice day and into a five day weekend, IMO it will hurt attendance. Friday, Sat, and Sun good for racing, Thursday for practice...

[Larry Mattingly]

JK spec should go away. There has not been a race at rookie level and with Coupes going hand-out FK motors, its redundant. The original design did not work out and the hot shoes are entering and winning it. The practice time would be better than a race on Thursday...

With four races, that makes Wednesday practice day and into a 5 day weekend, IMO it will hurt attendance. Friday, Sat and Sun good for racing Thursday Practice...

I supported the JK Spec concept when it was first introduced. I felt it would be a great class for retro newbies to get their feet wet.

However, I don't really see that happening. Ohio Valley is probably the only region that even races a JK class, and I don't think they pull many (any?) true newbies.

The JK race at the recent R$ was made up of pretty much seasoned veterans.

I agree with Rick... If the JK class is not strictly for beginners, it is truly redundant, given the GTC handout FK motor rules.

Just my thoughts...

LM

[One_Track_Mind]

"What is a spec?"

Hi Pablo,

My belief this means "specific", as you must run a "specific" chassis, motor, and body. All JK Products "specific" items.

Just my two cents worth.

Mileage may vary?

[One_Track_Mind]

I regrettably limited entries to 24 to ensure practice time for others on Friday night.

Hi Mike,

Exactly! I didn't or don't have a problem with your decision.

I was just pointing out this is the reason WHY it was the smallest classs. IF you had allowed more entries, THEY would fill the class to the gills IMHO.

You make the rules for the racing and the racers will fill the classes.

[Mopar Rob]

JK spec should go away. There has not been a race at rookie level and with Coupes going hand-out FK motors, it's redundant. The original design did not work out and the hot shoes are entering and winning it.

I believe it is track owner option on how it is run.

Mike Swiss chose to not let the hot shoes enter. This gave the average racer an additional race's worth of experience or practice on his flat track. I assume it was to hopefully even the playing field a little more and give the average racer a chance to come home with a plaque from that race. The hot shoes, as you call them, shouldn't need the additional track time to beat everyone. I do belive that he did he let Howie run, but it was like a million years at that point since he last raced a slot car. Remember that hindsight saying.

Mike McMasters chose to limit the entries to provide additional practice time. I think it was the right thing to do in his situation. Unfortunately he didn't choose to have a banned list for it. It was his choice and I respect that.

[JerseyJohn]

John, there has been mention about taking a vote on whether or not to allow you back in Ohio.

I really enjoyed meeting you, John; you're a character and I hope you can make next year.

Butch, you folks in Ohio are really warm and friendly. Mike even offered to put me up at his home in lieu of my appearance fees. Guys, I can't wait!!!

[JerseyJohn]

Jersey and I both vote for more socialization...

God knows we aint going to make the podium...

LOL! Ditto.

[Ron Hershman]

NO schedule will "please" everyone. While I hate to see the JK Spec class not run, if it wasn't run... those who have JK Spec cars could use them in the GTC class/race. The only difference would be the body used/allowed and a TSR motor (if those are used again next year as the hand-out).

The idea of a spec class was to get newbies into retro racing and scratchbuilding cars. Again they can use the same chassis in the GTC class. Another beauty of how the rules came about for GTC. The spec chassis are also competitive in the Can-Am class as well using the same FK motors and Can-Am style body.

I think it would make more sense to run the two "FK" motor classes, say Thur and Fri, as those racers who only wish to race that type of car/classes could do so in two days, then go home versus racing one class one day, possibly sitting one day then racing their "second" class on the third day.

My question is... if we drop Spec... can we race 4.5" Stock Cars on one of the four days???

The real decision to be made is... a three or four day event... then figure out the class to be dropped or added.