204 replies to this topic

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

I received 89 different mails this morning. I added some comment on them on the IMCA web site at the Retro page.
I also received an interesting letter by Keith Tanaka. Curious to read US reactions, because I personally see no difference between IRRA and D3.
I am looking after the best possible location for the racing event where we have room for grandstands with at least 480 seats. If we want success on TV all those seats must be completed.
Supporters will receive on entrance at their own choice one of 3 types of flags: USA, Non-USA (UN), Underdogs
We al:so'll need a scoreboard USA - REST OF THE WORLD - UNDERDOGS where the public can follow the standings, just as at a basket ball match. Someone need to write a computerprogram for it.
Ambiance is the key word! If there will be excellent ambiance among the public there will be excellent TV.
Who can negotiate with the existing TV networks?

JPVR

[MSwiss]

Hi JP,
Thanks for all your efforts, ambition and enthusiasm on promoting this event.

A grandstand for 480 people would be quite large.
I have what would be considered a medium sized raceway by American standards.
My max. occupancy is 123 people.

So it sounds like you want to hold an event in a high school gymnasium.

FWIW, my King is not easily disassembled and reassembled so I have no
interest in moving it to another venue.

I will be happy to participate in your race and/or provide race commentary.

One criticism I have.
I don't think you did this event any favors by publishing Keith Tanaka's E-mail to you.
I suspect he didn't expect you would post it publicly.

Please, lets not turn this into a D3 vs. IRRA debate.

[brnursebmt]

I agree with Mike 100%. It was sounding fantastic up until the letter.

[stoo23]

What a Shame that Both Europe and the US are so Damn Far away and Expensive to get to for us Poor,..forgotten antipodean Aussie Retro Racers, who apparently Don't even Figure in the Possible Points or standings within this proposed Retro World's.

Are we 'Classified' as "Rest of the World", "Underdogs",..or "Irrelevant" ??,..

Whilst we Don't currently race cars that strictly follow either D3 or IRRA rules per/se, as our Motor choice is different, as we tend to race on smaller Road type tracks, we Do have some damn Fine drivers and chassis builders!!

Perhaps 2013 in Australia ??,...,..it Really IS a Very Nice place to Visit you know and as Randy Newman said,.."They got Surfin' Too",...

Maybe we can get something together like the Wing car race being held at 'Mobile Raceways in Melbourne later this Year,.."Australia versus The World"

Cheers,

[Howie Ursaner]

Hi JP,
Thanks for all your efforts, ambition and enthusiasm on promoting this event.

A grandstand for 480 people would be quite large.
I have what would be considered a medium sized raceway by American standards.
My max. occupancy is 123 people.

So it sounds like you want to hold an event in a high school gymnasium.

FWIW, my King is not easily disassembled and reassembled so I have no
interest in moving it to another venue.

I will be happy to participate in your race and/or provide race commentary.

One criticism I have.
I don't think you did this event any favors by publishing Keith Tanaka's E-mail to you.
I suspect he didn't expect you would post it publicly.

Please, lets not turn this into a D3 vs. IRRA debate.

I do not think there is a debate.The UNITED STATES is racing IRRA rules and Buena Park California is racing D3.

[Ron Hershman]

I do not think there is a debate.The UNITED STATES is racing IRRA rules and Buena Park California is racing D3.

No debate, but would BP host a IRRA rules race there using IRRA rules for the Can-Am classes and would the D3 "legends" and other D3 racers participate in a IRRA rules Can-Am race on their "home" track?

[Rick]

This is the best thing to happen to Retro Racing that has happened since it's beginning. JP has already announced it will be run under IRRA Rtero Rules, that debate does not exist. The cars from both coasts are very very similar with very subtle differences so that is moot, other than the motor choices and when in Rome................

The choice is Chicago, which is probaly the wisest choice, as it is the center of the country, has 2 major airports and driving distance for over 100 retro racers. IMO, this is a no brainer, Mid America Raceway is the premiere slot track in the country today, with 11,000 square feet of room and the only raceway capable of hosting the event. Recently Mid America hosted the ISRA Worlds with over 100 entries in one class.

Every raceway has resturants, tourist attractions, theme parks etc availabe to surroundng areas another moot point. What is happening, is a retro race and that is where the focus should be directed. What one has to consider is what facility will serve the purpose the best?

[Howie Ursaner]

No debate, but would BP host a IRRA rules race there using IRRA rules for the Can-Am classes and would the D3 "legends" and other D3 racers participate in a IRRA rules Can-Am race on their "home" track?

I think that the D3 racers would race anything because they are racers but the politics of it all would be crippling.Any big race would have to be centrally located in the U.S. to be accessible to the many racers who have limited funds.

[Ron Hershman]

I think that the D3 racers would race anything because they are racers but the politics of it all would be crippling.Any big race would have to be centrally located in the U.S. to be accessible to the many racers who have limited funds.

Yes they probably would....but none have posted yet that they would

Centrally located is more fair to everyone and it has nothing to do with the "birth place" of Retro.

[Jonathan Forsyth]

Yes they probably would....but none have posted yet that they would

Centrally located is more fair to everyone and it has nothing to do with the "birth place" of Retro.

I may not be a D3 regular anymore, but since I have only ever raced one IRRA race, I consider myself a D3 guy still and I will most definitely be there. I have also talked to a fellow D3 racer the other night and brought this up, and he was all over coming to this event at any means possible, and he isn't even one of the sponsored invited D3 guys.

I completely agree with Howie, lets not let politics ruin this, the differences are so sutle, and if it's the motor rule that will cause the controversy, JP already said it's going to be handout motors regardless, so who cares.

[Hipsticker]

I just noticed this. . .

$1000.00 for a t-shirt design. . .

HMMM 1000 BUCK-A-ROOS FOR A TSHIRT DESIGN? MIGHT BE UP MY ALLEY...WHERE YOU FIND POST THIS AT SIR?

[Howie Ursaner]

HMMM 1000 BUCK-A-ROOS FOR A TSHIRT DESIGN? MIGHT BE UP MY ALLEY...WHERE YOU FIND POST THIS AT SIR?

POSTED AT http://www.imca-slot.../EdiNew2011.htm

[Hipsticker]

Who can negotiate with the existing TV networks?

JPVR

OK so who has enough loot to walk in ESPN and say"hey you guys need to get a fiming crew out to Chicago and tape a slot car race"......does this not cost thousands of dollars and tons of planning? I know its better than underwater basket weaving,and few other "sports"they put on there .....but TV COVERAGE? asking quite a bit here i believe

[Ron Hershman]

I may not be a D3 regular anymore, but since I have only ever raced one IRRA race, I consider myself a D3 guy still and I will most definitely be there. I have also talked to a fellow D3 racer the other night and brought this up, and he was all over coming to this event at any means possible, and he isn't even one of the sponsored invited D3 guys.

I completely agree with Howie, lets not let politics ruin this, the differences are so sutle, and if it's the motor rule that will cause the controversy, JP already said it's going to be handout motors regardless, so who cares.

We are ALL retro racers....just running under different rules.

JP has announced the location or area he wants to have the race, JP announced the rules the race will be run by, JP has announced hand out P-S Puppy Dog motors for the event.

There should be no controversy as it's JP's race. He can do what he wants afterall, it's his race and money.

Racers are free to make their choice if they want to participate even if their way is paid or not. Some who are being paid may not be able to attend.

You are right who cares...... this could be a great and epic thing for retro racing.... those who want to participate are welcome and those who don't want to participate will stay home.

Nothing more...nothing less.

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

Hi guys,

I understand NOTHING, but a F... NOTHING from what opposes IRRA racing to D3 racing. That must be something typical American because to me it seems a controversy without object.
So let's not loose time on it.
What about the location of a grandstand. Is it possible around Chicago to have one for free from the city where the event will be contested.

[Jonathan Forsyth]

Who can negotiate with the existing TV networks?

JPVR

OK so who has enough loot to walk in ESPN and say"hey you guys need to get a fiming crew out to Chicago and tape a slot car race"......does this not cost thousands of dollars and tons of planning? I know its better than underwater basket weaving,and few other "sports"they put on there .....but TV COVERAGE? asking quite a bit here i believe

There's other routes then ESPN ,which would be near impossible to get on. However maybe a channel like Speed, could have interest and is a channel already dedicated to racing. Hell maybe even SpikeTV, they could possibly do something, because of the segment they did on Auction Hunters with the vintage slotcars. Another channel that could be good, that not everyone has, but a lot of guys watch is HDnet. Plenty of options and JP has some pull, to get something done I believe.

[Howie Ursaner]

There's other routes then ESPN ,which would be near impossible to get on. However maybe a channel like Speed, could have interest and is a channel already dedicated to racing. Hell maybe even SpikeTV, they could possibly do something, because of the segment they did on Auction Hunters with the vintage slotcars. Another channel that could be good, that not everyone has, but a lot of guys watch is HDnet. Plenty of options and JP has some pull, to get something done I believe.

I was thinking similar thoughts on this.Good channel choices.

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

What a Shame that Both Europe and the US are so Damn Far away and Expensive to get to for us Poor,..forgotten antipodean Aussie Retro Racers, who apparently Don't even Figure in the Possible Points or standings within this proposed Retro World's.

Are we 'Classified' as "Rest of the World", "Underdogs",..or "Irrelevant" ??,..

Whilst we Don't currently race cars that strictly follow either D3 or IRRA rules per/se, as our Motor choice is different, as we tend to race on smaller Road type tracks, we Do have some damn Fine drivers and chassis builders!!

Perhaps 2013 in Australia ??,...,..it Really IS a Very Nice place to Visit you know and as Randy Newman said,.."They got Surfin' Too",...

Maybe we can get something together like the Wing car race being held at 'Mobile Raceways in Melbourne later this Year,.."Australia versus The World"

Cheers,

(1) Then you have to start to explain what are the most important races in the Pacific
(2) You should mail us top-10 results of those races
(3) Then we can make a classification of Pacific racers.

In the past I had always an open eye for racers from Australia and New Zealand, and I paid regularly a plane ticket to several of them.

JPVR

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

I was thinking similar thoughts on this.Good channel choices.

Why should it be impossible to convince a national TV network??? The life story of guys such as Ursaner, Schmid, Steube, Cukras is interesting enough to make a report on it as introduction. Who has video material from the golden 1960s?
Here we have to co-operate all together.
We need a good organisation committee
Let's begin to form such commiitee

Let me remember that I am NOT the organiser! The organisers are you all. All I can do is giving working ideas and looking after sponsor money.

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

Hi JP,

One criticism I have.
I don't think you did this event any favors by publishing Keith Tanaka's E-mail to you.
I suspect he didn't expect you would post it publicly.

Please, lets not turn this into a D3 vs. IRRA debate.

I found the letter by Keith Tanaka interesting. Why must it be hidden??? Has he a dangerous disease or so??? It should be great if he too could enter the organisation committee. Of I am naive on writing that?

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

We are ALL retro racers....just running under different rules.

JP has announced the location or area he wants to have the race, JP announced the rules the race will be run by, JP has announced hand out P-S Puppy Dog motors for the event.

There should be no controversy as it's JP's race. He can do what he wants afterall, it's his race and money.

Racers are free to make their choice if they want to participate even if their way is paid or not. Some who are being paid may not be able to attend.

You are right who cares...... this could be a great and epic thing for retro racing.... those who want to participate are welcome and those who don't want to participate will stay home.

Nothing more...nothing less.

It's the racer's race, Ron. Not my race. I am only here to launch new ideas and to go after sponsor money. That'(s all as far as my involvement.

[Ralph Thorne]

How about something like the following:

"SPEED launches new SPEED 2 channel"

http://www.topspeed....el-ar89870.html

[Noose]

JP

Most slot tracks here in the US are located within facilities that are limited to the number of people that can be allowed in the facility by the fire marshals. I doubt any track here in the US could could fit or get a variance to have a grandstand to hold the amount of people you are asking for.

I will gladly take part and act as tech director for the event as I do at all the major IRRA^TM events. I would of course also plan to participate if it is at a site convenient to get to and Chicago surely is such an area.

Right now, the dates for the major IRRA^TM races here for 2012 are 3/9-12 for the R4, June 1-3 for RetroPalooza, mid-October for the Sano and mid-November for the Fall Brawl.

[MSwiss]

I found the letter by Keith Tanaka interesting. Why must it be hidden??? Has he a dangerous disease or so??? It should be great if he too could enter the organisation committee. Of I am naive on writing that?

Yes, you are naive if you think publishing that was something positive to promote the event.

My advice to you;

Please wait to talk to the Americans that attend your event later this week.
I'm sure someone like Howie,Retro racing's most traveled racer, can give you an accurate take on
the Retro climate in the US and what to expect from an event like this.

[Jeremy Wyant]

JP

Most slot tracks here in the US are located within facilities that are limited to the number of people that can be allowed in the facility by the fire marshals. I doubt any track here in the US could could fit or get a variance to have a grandstand to hold the amount of people you are asking for.

I will gladly take part and act as tech director for the event as I do at all the major IRRA^TM events. I would of course also plan to participate if it is at a site convenient to get to and Chicago surely is such an area.

Right now, the dates for the major IRRA^TM races here for 2012 are 3/9-12 for the R4, June 1-3 for RetroPalooza, mid-October for the Sano and mid-November for the Fall Brawl.

In the early 90s The ho nationals were in jackson mi at the ice arena that was then shut down in the summers . The fans could sit in the seats and watch the event and they had the consession stands open for the event . the racers and the tracks were on the rink with seats all around them. This sounds like to me of what needs to happen Im sure there is a arena in chicago that could be used or rented at a decent price for use in downtime. The saftey walls seperated the fans and the racers . The fans could then purchase a pit pass to go down on the main floor to get a closer look if they wanted.