Y'all missed out, and Jim Murley is very cool

[Scott Siegel]

I just wanted to say that everybody that didn't make Long Track Nationals missed an absolutely fantastic event.

Friday's practice went well.

Saturday we came together for the driver's meeting and after the normal driving stuff, Jim Murley had other stuff to say.

He admitted the low turn out, and suggested that due to the lower-than-expected amount of excitement we might "try something new." He informed us that this was done many other places in the world, "They call it.... DRAG RACING!" After a psuedo vote to guage inerest it was decided that we would have the first SKUSA National Drag competition after the heats. VERY COOL!!

Right before the heats it started to rain, and SKUSA officials knew that there were quite a few people without rain tires so they first postponed the heat(to try and wait it out), then called they drivers to do another completely new (at least to me) idea;

Jim Murley called us all together, explained the difficulty of some without rains, and many with only one set (that we would need to save for the feature.) *AND ASKED WHAT WE (that's right WE!), wanted to do.* We agreed to wait a bit, and hopefully go dry. Somebody suggested a 10 min drive around to familiarize the drivers with a damp (not actually raining anymore) track. A partial vote was taken and that suggestion was prefered. Then another suggestion was to dry the track with street cars, well actually I believe somebody mentioned "Power-Stroke Racing"

So, sure enough we all got out there in our tow-vehicles, and many crew got their first (and some their sworn only ) opportunity to tour a race track with their drivers. EVEN COOLER!! I will have some hilarious pics up soon.

Other than one slight mishap in the G1 main, things went very smoothly for the well-dried heats.

Today also threatened rain, and another vote was taken. I don't know if this is standard practice, but I was truly impressed at the sincere attempt to please the most people.

After a string of VERY exciting racing I'm fairly certain that everybody went home pleased with the weekend.

Then I had the opportunity to have a great talk with Jim Murley one-on-one. After reading some of the posts here I had no idea what to expect. But let me assure anybody who has cared to read this far that Jim Murley UNDOUBTABLY cares more for the sport, and does more thinking for the good of the sport, than just about anybody I have met. It was obvious that he has done tremendous research, thought, discussion, and probably some soul searching while planning the future of SKUSA.

Which brings me to my final point (or am I past that point). I know everybody talks about voting with their check-books, but when it really comes down to it, we all want to see shifter-karting succeed. I think it is pretty much indisputable that SKUSA is (at least this country's) biggest, best, and most promising shifter organization. Not supporting it seems to me to be a direct blow to the sport. If anybody has a problem with the anything, the organization, rules, schedule, whatever, Jim Murley was extremely approachable all weekend.

I guess my point is, don't hurt the sport trying to vote with your money and attendance. Show up, and voice your difficulty directly to the people who can do something about it. All it shows SKUSA when people don't come is that you didn't want to race THAT race. If people came, it would prove they want to race, and once you're there you can tell them exactly what you didn't like, or what ALMOST made you stay home.

That's gotta be at least my quarter, sorry for the ramble-a-thon.


Let's RACE,
Scott
<><
Siegel Racing
404-388-8751

[ August 12, 2001: Message edited by: Scott Siegel ]

[Doug Welch]

If any one ever gets the opportunity to talk one one one with Jim, they should take it. After just a few minutes, you know that here is a man who cares so very deeply for racers and providing them the opportunity to advance in motorsports. At no time do you get the feeling that he is doing this for personal gain for it is never about "What I have done for you" kind of attitude.

I just wish that we could some way get his message out. Most of the whinning and complaining would stop and people would get on the SKUSA band wagon and start pulling together. Instead of finding fault, we would start finding solutions.

As an aside, do you think the location, or weather (all the stories of HOT, HOT, HOT) held down the turnout?

Doug

[Scott Siegel]

I definitely think that might have been a possibility. I also heard the weather radar showed rain all weekend. However we never really had a problem. And it opened the opportunity to quite possibly the funniest sight I have seen in motorsports; all the dually's running around the track to dry it out. I guess I can understand people not wanting to come from far away with the threat of rain, but the temp was never a problem.

I need to throw a shameless plug in here. Ray Spiers, and AJ Whistler (unrelated) are undoubtably some of the coolest people ever. They both helped me out of weekend-ending tire problems. If anybody is ever at a track with either of them, at least meet them, they represent the generosity and comraderie this sport is known for.
While I'm at it, I need to thank Bill and Hunter Gillespie for much help in preperation for the weekend, and at the track. Also Marc Croslyn, and the whole Abbott family for GENEROUS help at the track. Might as well keep going, Joe Galyon, the gentleman I shared the pit spot with, is new to sprint shifters, coming from twin laydowns. He had some cool tricks, tips, and tools that many of us had never seen before. I guess I just feel that karting is so much more than just racing, there is the friendship, shared interests, ideas, and lots of GREAT FUN. Despite the slightly low numbers, I would definitely have to say the quality of the event, and the people there, were absolutely top-notch. I hope that we as a sport can come together and do everything to promote racing as a whole. In other words, we need to go everywhere we can, and meet everybody we can. Whether we're in it to pursue racing as a career, or just having fun, it's definitely a better experiance with lots of great people.


Thanks,
Scott
<><
Siegel Racing

[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: Scott Siegel ]

[Marc Miller]

I have known Jim since before he was directly affiliated with SKUSA. I have worked directly with him and consider him one of the nicest men I have ever met, and still do. I will without a doubt work with him again if he asks me to without question.

Anything that I say in regards to an event, how an program is handled, lack of promotion is not a slam or degrading to Jim (or SKUSA) in any way. In most cases, it is out of concern for a sport I love as much as Jim does.

Jumping on a "band wagon" is not the answer to making this sport any better. I am glad everyone had a great time at the LTN's, that is what it was for, however, the reason for the low turnout was not because of the prospect for a hot day or the location. I have driven 24 hours to texas in the middle of august to race against 3 guys in an IKF race in 114 degree weather. Racers will go to a race regardless of those things... however, you must know the event is taking place, know the rules and regs, know the cost and know the coverage and media attention that is planned in a suitable time frame prior to the event. Without that, the cost of going to the event isn't worth the return. Many races could have spent a lot less money to go to a local event and still have a great time with more people to race against and be closer to home. I certainly hope this won't happen next year. Last year's LTN turnout was VERY small... this year was even smaller. Next year I hope it is either promoted or handed to someone or a series that will promote it properly. Otherwise it will be even smaller than this year.

My opinion (from someone who ALSO loves this sport and its racers)

Marc Miller

[Marc Miller]

Scott-

I support your claim. I have been to EVERY LTN's and all of the promoto races (nearly) until this year.

I ALWAYS had a good time, for the most part (last year was hellish *grin*)

Here was the point I was making however... where you saved $150 due to not having to run rains... they could have had 10 times the number of entries they did have if they helped you save a little bit more BEFORE you got to the race. The fun you had may have clouded the fact that there were MANY of us that would have liked to attend, but due to lack of proper info distribution and promotion.. couldn't afford to.

This sounded like much more of a club event... as you know, many clubs and regions have PRO teams that attend as well... but the most important thing is, I am glad that it turned out to be a fun event for everyone that COULD attend... that was the intent, but I am disappointed by the reasons many of us could not go.

Marc Miller

[Matt Thornton]

I went down to the LTN's on Saturday as a spectator. The one thing I (and others) noticed was how organized everything was and how they stuck to the schedule. However... there were NO tow vehicles! Any time a driver has to rely on his mechanic to wheel out his kart stand across the track after he broke... it's a little "clubby". (Not to mention it was at a LONG track!) I may have missed the reasoning behind this, but I thought it was a little odd!

I gotta admit, though... I had a BLAST driving my Jeep around the track! (I wish I could've entered it in the drag race!!!)

[Russ McGrane]

Who won the drag races?

[Scott Siegel]

I believe Preston Peebles won it, but I'd like to know what the podium was.


Scott
<><
Siegel Racing

[Todd Bellew]

I attended the first two LTN's. Now, after three LTN's the entry has dropped. While there were some promotional issues I believe by the third time a round it would blossom.

But, it actuality the small size of the event has made it also a very special event. Both events I attened were very good races and we always had a really good time. Miller knows, he and Howden pitted across from us at HAllet. I think the smaller size made it seem a little more laid back.

I love long track racing and would love to see the national stay a small event. But, I know that money makes the world go around. And it's hard commiting to promoting a race that has a history of getting smaller.

Will be interesting to see what happens.

Todd BEllew

[Rob Howden]

Todd's right about Hallet in 2000. Although the turn-out was small, the nine-kart S1 field put on the best shifter race I have ever seen and thanks to the intimate atmosphere, we all had a great time. Small can be good, although I think around 75 karts for five classes would be perfect.

I'd hope that SKUSA finally takes this as a hint. If they have a race, they need to promote the crap out of it early and relentlessly, make the entry reasonable and plan some fun stuff for the downtime throughout the weekend.

The Long Track Nationals needs to become a festival that is anticipated all year long. Information can't appear out of no where two weeks in advance. This race has potential but they need to come back big in 2002.

RH - SKI

[Charlie Tackett]

I would be curious to see a list of entrants. My suspicion is that it is a one shot long track race for people who are primarily sprinters, as oppossed to an event that draws those who are primarily long track road racers. Even the event format and a few other features are more reminiscent of sprint racing. THey did however lengthen the feature to make it a bit more of a "enduro".

I think to make this a more successful evenet, in addition to the comments made by others, teh factors as to why they are not drawing the hard core long trackers need to be analyzed.

[Preston Peebles]

I had a great time at the LTN. The low turn out kinda made things embarrassing, but it was definitely laid back.

I think Jim and SKUSA handled everything pretty well, the rain tire situation was the only problem the whole weekend. I can't say Im the Long Track Nationals Champion, but I can say Im the Inaugural Long Track Drag Racing Champion!! haha (I'd rather it be the other way around, but those .005 of a second will get you!)

[Todd Bellew]

Charlie,
I believe your right about the demographics of the field. In 2000 it was 99 percent sprinters. Even with the large Texas road race scene close.

I believe we touched on this before. I believe ,obviously, SKUSA promotes "sprint" style races for the most part. SO thats where they draw from well. However, for the vast majority of road racers from CAlifornia, To Texas to the Midwest and South. They all run under more "club" oriented groups, and none of them SKUSA.

So drawing those guys over to the long track race has been the HUGE barrier.

I think thats the answer. Figure out why the true road racers aren't coming. MAybe one answer could be, it's Not worth it for a one time race with an unfamliar organization?? Who knows.

Todd BEllew

[John Denman]

Todd,

Coming from Texas is a pretty good jaunt to Alabamy. We would like to have come but our focus this year is on the Red River Regional Series. The following week we have an 800 mile drive west of Dallas.

I think the key reasons the attendance was low this year is twofold;

Lack of timely promotion is a big reason.
Cost, especially to those who new to the sticker shock prices of SKUSA entry. Its one thing to charge at least double the going rate, its another to charge more to for parking than the hotel costs.

We did enjoy having a good number of the SWRA Road Race teams come and run Austin with us on a street course. Many of them even went out and bought Programmable Ignitions just to run with us.

[Erik Frank]

John,

Since I regularly run SWRA, and also raced in the Austin street race, I guess I am one of those "road racers" you are referring to?

In my case, I already had my PI from running it last year in SWRA. Recall that they were legal in Formual Moto International in 2000. To run the Austin event, I just had to dust it off....and make a few motor changes.

Previous to "taking the plunge" to run the Austin/Red River SKUSA race, the biggest hurdle for me was the fact that SKUSA only allows 5" wheels. Thus, I had to go invest around $500 for rolling stock just to be able to run. Not to mention first time membership, entry fees, pit spot, race fuel, BBQ, beer...it was an expensive weekend indeed!

Regarding the Long Track Nationals (LTN):

About the only thing that was convenient about the LTN to people who run the SWRA series was the fact that it happened in the month of August...a month where there are no SWRA races.

Personally, I would have liked to have run the SKUSA long track event, but I had some schedule conflicts. However, I think you make an excellent point regarding the costs. The event was too expensive (both admistratively and logistically) for me to participate. Why would I want to pay TRIPLE the amount it costs me to race with IKF/SWRA, where I can race with the best guys, have three times the number of entries in my class, and have more fun?

Judging from the number of entries, the LTN field wasn't very deep.

IMHO, SKUSA's focus should be on their upper end sprint/promoto stuff. From the declining attendance each year, it's obvious that the Long Track event has become the ugly stepchild.

A more interesting scenario would be some sort of truly "national" long track event, like the one at Road America, or a properly administered "Grand National". An event where the best show up and race.

Now, if everybody could agree on a common set of racing rules...I might go run it!

-erik

[ August 13, 2001: Message edited by: Erik Frank ]