204 replies to this topic

[tonyp]

Why didn't you guys run on flat tracks back in the day when Retro wasn't Retro? I believe if you had the Gerding type tracks to run on back then slot racing would have had a better chance to survive.

There were very few at commercial raceways, and those that had them were like small and used for rentals. Why would you want to race on a 80' track when that high-banked 220 Engleman was on the other side of the room? Seriously they were looked upon as Geek tracks. We never even raced on Hillclimbs until the '80s...

[TSR]

I guess it will have to be a King track then if this thing ever happens...

Good luck to you all.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I have yet to see a "punch bowl" track for retro. The Gerding King at TR Motorplex is NOT punched while driving and the track still has to be driven with IRRA Can-Am cars. The Gerding King at TR's is similar to Roger's in Chicago and at Mimi's in D.C.

Can any of you run your car "full punch" at Mimi's track and if you can are you running 3.9's while never letting up on all 8 lanes?

I guess that depends on your definition of "punch bowl". I agree that you still need to drive T/R's King... to a degree. Then again, everything is a punch bowl compared to an original AMCR King. The way I look at my King... it still gives racers the familiar feel and timing of a King without putting a major emphasis on horsepower like a modern King does. And it demands more driving finesse, as does a flat track, without giving a huge home track advantage as does the flat.

This concept of a US Retro Worlds is great. There has been a lot of good ideas here. Hopefully this can be accomplished in a way that will showcase our Retro racing and not just give fuel to those who want to criticize.

[Noose]

A King track is is the equalizer as it is the track that most are familiar with and at least feel they have chance to perform well. Second to that would be an Engleman. If it was on a flat track I would have very little interest in it be honest. If it is Swiss' track is not a punch bowl but I don't know about Roger's.

Handout Pro Slot Puppy Dogs would be great. That's what I did for the Enduro here and they were all pretty equal. For one thing, they will last a lot longer in the format proposed where there will be move-ups then the FK motors.

[John Gorski]

LA's BPR, Roger's Mid-America, Mike Swiss's, and Mimi's.
Are all equalizer tracks any one would be a good track for this event. These tracks would draw the most entries.

Speedzone would be great but I think people think of a home track advantage and would prefer a King.

Enough people have their own Pro Slots where you may not need a hand-out motor. Would make it easier for everyone to be prepared with no surprises of a slow
pick. But hand-out is another good option.

[John Streisguth]

A "driver's King" would still require the best car tuning and driving. Might be easier for lesser drivers (which would make the field tighter) , but to be #1 you still have to be "the best".

[Mopar Rob]

I think the time has come to establish a steering committee to explore the feasibility of doing such an event...

I propose the make-up include a representative from the following groups:

Retro East
ORS
Penn-Ohio
A representative from an IRRA regional series with the best race attendance aside from the above three
D3

The above represent 2/3 of the active Retro racers in the US.

Also M.G. Brown, as he knows the ins and outs of the Chicago media...

We also need to keep in mind the mandates put forth by JP...

Gee, you sound like you know what your doing?

The steering committee, after that has been assigned should then assign a project team. The project team would move forward with the direction of the steering committee and eventually present to the stakeholders (JPVR, Hosting Facility...) and then everything could move forward the way actual multinational companies or event promoters would proceed.

Instead all I see is a shotgun blast of ideas and proposals. In the real world this "brainstorming" would be explored for feasibility by the project team and the best options presented to the steering committee and stakeholders. After that a project plan would need to be developed and a project manager would need to be assigned, scheduled project update meetings and some sort of tracking to make sure tasks are completed per the project plan.

I'll stop now, what do I know? I'll just keep reading the shotgun blast proposals.

[Ron Hershman]

The formation of a committee is being discussed in a non formal way at the current moment. We can't do a whole lot more than that until JP gets back from Barcelona and gives us his full attention and time to this matter.

[Mopar Rob]

The formation of a committee is being discussed in a non formal way at the current moment. We can't do a whole lot more than that until JP gets back from Barcelona and gives us his full attention and time to this matter.

Well at minimum, I would think that someone would create a "Brainstorming" thread or split this one off so if and when a committee is ever created they'll have one source to review everyone's ideas. If the committee will just do their own brainstorming then everyone is just wasting their breath.

[Noose]

Rob..relax..I do this stuff all the time. The committee will formalize answers to questions like:

What are we trying to accomplish?
What are our expectations?
Any potential roadblocks?
Where is there value added?

And perhaps the most important question is "Do we have the right people on the committee that have the knowledge to be there?"

[Ron Hershman]

Well at minimum, I would think that someone would create a "Brainstorming" thread or split this one off so if and when a committe is ever created they'll have one source to review everyones ideas. If the committee will just do their own brainstorming than everyone is just wasting thier breath.

No brainstorming is necessary Rob.

The race is going to be held under IRRA™ rules for the Can-Am class only to be raced at this event. Pro Slot Puppy Dog handout motors are going to be used for this event.

The race is going to take place in Chicago in the first half of 2012. Sometime between Jan and June.

The location need to be decided along with stands for 480 spectators. Two locations seem to be able to do this at this point.

A TV arrangement has to be figured out and seen through. Some of this discussion is already taking place.

Tickets have to be purchased or money sent to the invited drivers. That is JP's doing at this point.

What else is there to do, Rob??

[Noose]

See Ron already answered the questions.

[W. J. Dougherty]

Potential Sponsors:

Pro Slot - motors (done)

O/S - bodies

Koford, JK, Stupid Fast, etc - tires

Parma - crown gears

ARP - pinions

U/I - chassis

Anybody else want to pile on...

[Mopar Rob]

I'll look to see a future anouncement

Edited by Mopar Rob, 13 July 2011 - 12:55 PM.

[JohnnySlotcar]

I would be willing to work constantly with the committee and seriously consider a new "retro" king to be built for this event.No practicing [other than non participant testing] before the event.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

I would be willing to work constantly with the committee and seriously consider a new "retro" king to be built for this event.No practicing [other than non participant testing] before the event.

Thank you for stepping forward. From the pictures and description your facility looks impressive and perfect for this event.

[Ron Hershman]

Thank you for stepping forward. From the pictures and description your facility looks impressive and perfect for this event.

The only thing that could possibly be better is if the event was held in a Shopping Mall or Hotel close to a airport and hotels if it were to be held in a Shopping Mall.

The Mall would be awesome as there would be plenty of spectators and space for grand stands.

John's set-up would also have plenty of room for spectators as well.

[W. J. Dougherty]

You could also check local schools with gyms (on break maybe), National Guard Armories, churches, YMCAs or other sports or rec facilities that might have built in bleacher setups...

[Jonathan Forsyth]

The only thing that could possibly be better is if the event was held in a Shopping Mall or Hotel close to a airport and hotels if it were to be held in a Shopping Mall.

The Mall would be awesome as there would be plenty of spectators and space for grand stands.

John's set-up would also have plenty of room for spectators as well.

Anyone think of "The Mall of America" in Minnesota. The place is huge and would probably be open to the idea of holding a race, within it. Minnesota is just as centralized as Chicago, and may even be cheaper to fly into. Just a thought, that could be looked into.

Although, I think JP wants a facility with a roadcourse as well for the model car race after the retro race.

[Tom Thumb Hobbies]

The only thing that could possibly be better is if the event was held in a Shopping Mall or Hotel close to a airport and hotels if it were to be held in a Shopping Mall.

The Mall would be awesome as there would be plenty of spectators and space for grand stands.

John's set-up would also have plenty of room for spectators as well.

All good ideas. But it's nice to know that somewhere such as LB is ready with a facility of that caliber. There is still much planning to do however.

[Ron Hershman]

You could also check local schools with gyms (on break maybe), National Guard Armories, churches, YMCAs or other sports or rec facilities that might have built in bleacher setups...

Yep more good options.

Anyone think of "The Mall of America" in Minnesota. The place is huge and would probably be open to the idea of holding a race, within it. Minnesota is just as centralized as Chicago, and may even be cheaper to fly into. Just a thought, that could be looked into.

Although, I think JP wants a facility with a roadcourse as well for the model car race after the retro race.

JP claims he "is done with model cars" in his latest editorial.... maybe a roadcourse is no longer needed?

All good ideas. But it's nice to know that somewhere such as LB is ready with a facility of that caliber. There is still much planning to do however.

Tons of stuff to do for those involved.

[Jacob Shiplet]

You could also check local schools with gyms (on break maybe), National Guard Armories, churches, YMCAs or other sports or rec facilities that might have built in bleacher setups...

I have some YMCA connections in Ohio and neighboring states. WIthout getting into to much detail, from what I know, it would be a difficult route and probably not the best one. Just my opinion.

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

The race wit with hard bodied CHEAP model cars, to be held immediately after the Retro Worlds will be held with 24 124F1 cars, representing models of the 24 actual 1/1 F1 cars, 12 to be raced by Europeans, 12 to be raced by Americans. Michal Niemas will prepare the 12 cars for the Americans. Model car racing with hyperexpensive cars will be stopped as far as I am concerned personally.

[Ron Hershman]

The race wit with hard bodied CHEAP model cars, to be held immediately after the Retro Worlds will be held with 24 124F1 cars, representing models of the 24 actual 1/1 F1 cars, 12 to be raced by Europeans, 12 to be raced by Americans. Michal Niemas will prepare the 12 cars for the Americans.

On King track or Flat track????

[JohnnySlotcar]

I also have avaialable Larry Kelly's Ogilvie LTD that hosted many ISRA events. It would be freshly braided for the event. John