NEW CLASS / SERIES; Historic Sports Sedans. formation meeting.20/04/13 ACC

[ERC]

There are group leaders out there who take a long term view of the success of a field- Old Fart for example stepping in with the pre 61 Class. Here he is not worried about racing, it is about facilitating people with these cars to have some fun.

The biggest stumbling block here was ACC requirement that there must be a certain number of cars on the grid, and the emphasis on the racing for points as a competitive series instead of simply getting them there first, so they can then decide their own competitive level.

John, there are convenors who take a long term view but there are also competitors and club officials who can't see that running a race meeting is not a charity effort so there has to be a middle ground.

That middle ground is sharing the track/grid with a compatible group, until such time as one or other of those groups is viable in its own right. But there are far too many who just want their own exclusivity, but aren't prepared to look at the bigger issue.

I happily wear the hats of driver, series organiser and meeting organiser/promoter, but if there isn't a minimum of $2,000 coming in from a grid, then that grid either has to combine; pay an increased entry fee or go elsewhere - or they are being subsidised by the other drivers or the promoters.

If a group wants to run at our meeting, I really don't care what their format is, how fast/slow they are. If they want to run, all I am interested in is not making a loss. Spectators have no say, as generally, they get in for free anyway, so if Oldfart's cars are running a 2 minute plus lap at Hampton Downs or George's group wanted track time, and he decided it was a marble draw or a staged race, so be it.

If drivers are so precious that they refuse to run with other groups, even with a split grid start, then their best option is to front up with the $12,000 it costs to run a race meeting and invite others along to share the costs, or just hire the track for a play day, but they won't be racing on a play day...

Like you, I am mad keen to see this group run and if it wasn't for the fact that I already have my hands full, I'd happily take it on - but as with our own group, it would only ever be on my terms - ie no committee! The convenor can make the rules and apply them but committee's rarely have vision.

The reality of running a group is that many will show interest - and even pay a registration fee as an expression of good faith, but over the last couple of seasons, we have rarely achieved better than 30% of our paid up drivers at a meeting, so in simple terms, if using that figure as a guideline, then until there are at least 35 cars paid up and registered, then a class is not going to be financially viable, paying a normal entry fee.

Seeing the pictures of Bruce Manon's Escort earlier in the year and now Rob Berrgrens Escort, just to name two series cars damaged when competing away from our own series, we also have to accept that with the best will in the world, cars are going to be side-lined, further reducing grids.

Too many classes already? Maybe, maybe not, but the Historic Race Saloons need a class of their own, whereas there are others who could and should combine. But will they?