MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (B24)

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 19:50:24 GMT

I read some it but there seems to be a lot of fluff. A lot about you keeping you in a good light and others in a dark one. Same rubbish, different day.
I will not send PM to discuss behind closed doors as I have nothing to hide.
I will not spend a lot of time writing a long winded pointless post as I have better things to do. Like organise MTC and some other events.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (tralfaz)

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 17:54:17 GMT

Steven,

In response to your latest post about my previous highlighting of wrong information I am not “attempting” to achieve anything other than draw attention to it and correct the so-called "facts".

In reality, given the extra interest the personal criticism of my post has created, I feel have actually achieved what I set out to do. That is, as President of the Club in Queensland and Chair of the Committee that ran the 2015 Nationals in Brisbane, I make sure when matters involving the 2015 Nationals and the Queensland Club are presented as “facts” on the public record, that these “facts” are correct.

This is particularly important when the people stating the “facts” did not attend the event or have anything to do with the organisation of the event, and these “facts” are subsequently used in the context of a discussion trying to shape future Nationals events.

A statement was made on this thread about the 2015 Nationals “track day” being organised “by another Club with the MR2 group joining in on the day”.

As I said before this statement is totally incorrect for all the reasons outlined in my previous post.

This may seem a minor point to some, but to try to pass it off as insignificant or having some hidden agenda totally disrespects the huge amount of effort put in by the Committee to ensure that the Nationals remained focused at all times on hosting a completely integrated event.

I don’t know why this statement about another Club organising the track day at the 2015 Nationals was made, but if anyone formed the opinion after reading it that the track day was not a separate MR2 activity professionally organised solely by the Nationals Committee, and subsequently rated highly by participants, then their opinion is simply wrong.

People can make up their own minds about what this all means, but I see it simply as maintaining the integrity of information around what took place at the 2015 Nationals and recognising the organisational skills that went into setting up and running a very successful Nationals track day in Brisbane as part of a complex, multi-path gathering of MR2 owners from around Australia.

None of this has anything to do with “petty politics”, and it escapes me completely how any of what I said can or will impact on other MR2 events such as your MTC. if anything, having a hugely successful track day has just wetted the appetite of some owners who may not have done this before, so it has to be a good thing for wider exposure of the cars at other events like the MTC that they may not have considered attending in the past.

As I said above the complete focus of my post was to inform people of what had taken place at the Nationals just past, and so-called "other paths" were not considered or mentioned in anything I said. The statement about another Club organising the track day was wrong and the reason for the change needed to be explained.

Despite the request you made I will certainly never get over making sure information directly involving me or people close to me that is used in a public discussion has integrity and is correct. If anyone has a problem with this then I would expect as previously offered that they take it up with me via PM and not use the Forum.

As has been previously stated by many more people than me, the Nationals format has been developed over many years to give the people who attend a broad MR2 experience, which is what the 2015 Nationals did. The Nationals have never centred on one particular type of activity but the ones just past certainly gave track work prominence as it was the first event in the three days. There were also a substantial number of the "track guys" who went to everything, including the road run on the Monday, and if this is doubted then I would suggest people look at the photographs.

I completely refute the claim that anything I have ever said or done on this Forum or elsewhere, particularly as Chairman of the 2015 Nationals Committee, “shows I am not truly interested in the needs of MR2 owners or choose to discriminate against people who choose one path that differs from another”. I don’t compete in track day competitions because I have a physical disability which prevents me from driving a manual car, but no-one should mistake my non-participation as sign that I have no interest in or don’t promote MR2 involvement in motor sport.

Given the Queensland Club has just run what is now widely acclaimed as the best Nationals ever I would strongly suggest that the advice given by Kevin Clarence in his previous posts be followed by everyone from here on in, that the process being put forward by Rick is a good one to consider, that further discussion on any aspect of the future Nationals wait until the 2017 Committee is formed (we don’t even have dates yet and the Queensland dates were only set one year out), and that personal feelings always be communicated via PM and not on the open Forum.

Walter

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (rikkir)

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:38:49 GMT

I'd love to hear suggestions from everyone of what they'd like to see included. Any ideas are great, but any negativity is counterproductive and doesn't help the community. As we haven't even had a formal discussion in this state yet, any comments i make are entirely my own, so don't read too much into them. I'll be putting forward my ideas, and am happy to present anyone's ideas if they'd like to PM me.
It's still a long way out yet, so we'll have to be patient.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (Reddtarga)

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 14:03:20 GMT

Some good constructive comments here.
It takes a lot of organising, so I really hope enough SA people get behind this to help make it all happen.
It could be a fantastic MR2 event for SA.
I have only been home a month or so since Brisbane, but I'm already looking forward to the next one.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (rikkir)

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:46:57 GMT

Hey Sharon, i have already contacted Kevin and Walter about wanting to help organise things. As i have to travel 800kms to get to Adelaide, i want it to be a great event and i'd like to spend a few extra days with extra activities. I'm hoping to get together with the SA guys in September to have discussions about what we can do...

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (Shaz)

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 12:17:37 GMT

rikkir
Hey Luke, I have also offered to help organise the Nationals in SA (not sure how much I can do from Ceduna though). I think us SA guys need to get together sometime to discuss our options. Steve's experience with track days is invaluable and should help add to the event if possible, even if it is a separate add on to the Nationals for the track enthusiasts. We need to remember that there are a lot of enthusiasts that don't necessarily want to track their cars who will want a great weekend of social activities. I'm hoping to be down in September, so hopefully we can all catch up and throw some ideas around. Feel free to message me with any thoughts.

I'm sure there was a thread before the nationals asking for people from SA to PM Kevin if interested in helping to organize an event.

Yes Rick there are lots of us who don't necessarily want to track our cars, but enjoy watching others on the track. " />. Or getting in the passenger seat if time permits. " />

I found the Nationals had something for everyone at a very affordable price. There were some people who didn't come to the track & some who didn't come on the drive on the Monday. There were a few who went to the track earlier in they day to get some extra track time. The committee & everyone who helped make it happen did a great job. I found the whole thing very inclusive for the various types of enthusiasts that were there. Even inclusive for a friend of mine who came for the Sunday night dinner & then tagged along for part of the drive on Monday.

I also love MTC even though I don't compete. Steve & his team do a great job of welcoming everyone as well. Everyone gets along, the competition is friendly & the social aspect is good with everyone staying in the cabins.

I found they are very different. Whilst MTC is open to everyone, just by it's nature, it will attract more people who like to push their cars, & there is nothing wrong with that. I was nervous heading down for my first time, but had a ball. Nationals will attract a wider group of people because of the different aspects. Yes, when there are people traveling long distances to both events, we need to make sure it is worth their while.
If we add extra time for any of the different things at Nationals, it would mean less time for something else due to the limitation of 3 days. So adding something either before or after the official Nationals bits is probably the best way. The guys in Brisbane had initially said they would add a few days of playing tour guide around the nice roads in the area, so I booked my accommodation for a few extra days, but most people were heading home on the Tuesday. I was very appreciative of the extra run that Walter arranged for the Wednesday.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (rikkir)

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:58:06 GMT

Hey Luke, I have also offered to help organise the Nationals in SA (not sure how much I can do from Ceduna though). I think us SA guys need to get together sometime to discuss our options. Steve's experience with track days is invaluable and should help add to the event if possible, even if it is a separate add on to the Nationals for the track enthusiasts. We need to remember that there are a lot of enthusiasts that don't necessarily want to track their cars who will want a great weekend of social activities. I'm hoping to be down in September, so hopefully we can all catch up and throw some ideas around. Feel free to message me with any thoughts.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (Lukeae71)

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 21:22:31 GMT

I have to agree with Steve here. As an attendee at two MTCs I can see that Steve has a wealth of experience in organizing an event of that nature, and goes to an extraordinary amount of effort during the year to draw extra people to the event. The fact that you can attend an event where there are international race car drivers, mechanics, driver trainers etc all willing to help with tips and tricks is invaluable. All this at an event which is well and truly affordable for an entry level type of racing. Us SA blokes spend a wad of cash getting there and it's worth every cent.

I get that you wouldn't want that kind of assistance in your event, but do not understand it. It is completely non productive in anyway to the wider mr2 community.

You have enlisted the assistance of one member from the SA community, one who openly criticizes other members of the SA mr2 community and that sort of attitude is counter productive in its own right.

I have only been an owner of an mr2 for a short while and so don't have the benefit of history within this community but what I am witnessing here is pretty average.

I'm sure you have your reasons but again, they all appear to be counter productive.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (B24)

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 17:46:37 GMT

What exactly are you attempting to achieve Walter?
Its not that I do not get it, but I am sick of it. I am sick of this petty politics which always comes up. Seriously get over it.
The fact that I am looking to organise enough options for people who choose to own competition cars to make the effort to drive to S.A. in 2017 should be embraced, not opposed. The fact this is happening shows you are not truly interested in the needs of MR2 owners or choose to discriminate against people who choose one path which differs from another.
If I do happen to go to the nationals in 2017 (which would be to support the MTC crew in S.A.) I will be organising at least one or two days at Mallala wether you like it or not. Not to compete in your petty playground but for more rational reasons.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (tralfaz)

Sun, 12 Jul 2015 14:17:59 GMT

Now that the 2015 Nationals are over I wanted to clear up a point of discussion about the track day held at Willowbank Raceway.

In a previous post on this thread it was mistakenly said that the facts were:

"At each of these events there has been a track day. Winton was organised by the Victorian chapter but both Tasmania and Queensland had one. Tassie was arrive and drive and at open practice day and Queensland was organised by another club with MR2 joining in the for the day. Based on these facts, a track day is part of the Nationals not just a 'bonus'."

As Chairman of the 2015 Nationals Committee I can state that the Queensland Nationals Track Day was not organised by another Club with the MR2 group joining in for the day.

All the negotiations for and management of MR2 participation in the "Advanced Handling Day" (AHD) on Saturday the 6th of June at Willowbank Raceway were carried out by the Queensland Nationals Organising Committee, The MR2's attending (with the exception of a lone Toyota 86 at the Nationals belonging to Anthony Oh) were on the track at the same time as a single marque group with no other cars being involved or mixed up in the MR2 sessions at all.

There were additional "Street Sprint" sessions run by the Willowbank Raceway for other cars on the day as they always are during the annual Willowbank competition rounds, but none of the other cars that were there on the day were given a group photo opportunity on the starting grid at the conclusion of the sessions, nor a "Lap Of Honour" of the Raceway lead by the pace car to celebrate the Nationals gathering in Brisbane.

As they say on the ABC -"This has been a Fact Check"." />" />

In addition to this I can't speak in detail for the Tassie situation but as an attendee in Hobart for the whole event I understand that a properly organised track day exclusively for MR2's was initially organised, but the local support for the track day was not sufficient to make it financially viable in its own right. Therefore the alternative "arrive and drive" scenario played out, but as there were so few cars other than MR2's at the track on the Monday the day was fairly exclusive.

I certainly agree that a track day should form part of the "Nationals" experience and not be a bonus, however, the context of the "Nationals" should aim to be a total integrated MR2 experience, which is what happened in Queensland this year.

The cost for the track day organised by the 2015 Nationals Committee was $70.00 per entrant, plus licence fee if one was not already held. You could also rent an electronic timer if you wish to.

The "AHD" (street sprints) proved so popular at the Nationals that in Queensland we are now including this type of activity in our Annual Club Calendar, again organised fully by a Club member in the form of our Treasurer, Eric.

Walter

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (Dudeman)

Sun, 21 Jun 2015 20:19:20 GMT

I can't see the problem with these events being run back to back. Set the dates for the Nationals and Steve can organise some track events to run after or before the dates. Then they can remain as 'separate' but will give us, the members and owners of MR2's, the most return for our efforts.

Like Steve says, it's a fair effort for interstaters to get there so having a few days to enjoy the cars and each others company is a good thing.

Driving to Melbourne for the 30th was cool, having a dinner organised at least that night would have been nice as well.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (rikkir)

Sun, 21 Jun 2015 18:03:31 GMT

I am sure that once the committee gets together that they'll ask for ideas and help if they need it. It's still very early though. It's great to see the passion that everyone has for their MR2's !

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (B24)

Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:05:47 GMT

dasic1
Steve Im not sure if you are aware the the nationals is not a track oriented thing, just a bonus

They encourage people to come to the whole event, not just the track day

I am aware of how the Nationals operates as I have been to two out of the last three. At each of these events there has been a trackday. Winton was organised by the Victorian chapter but both Tasmania and Queensland had one. Tassie was arrive and drive and at open practice day and Queensland was organised by another club with MR2 joining in the for the day. Based on these facts, a trackday is part of the Nationals not just a 'bonus'.

I know people are encouraged to do all the event but people do not always do so but everyone shows up at the track to see the cars go or drive their cars in the right environment. This is well documented.
The circuit guys would go to the dinners, put their cars on display at a car show as happens at each Nationals but would miss the country drives.
To tow the cars to S.A. will require more incentive than one day of driving that is why more is required by the Club or an outside party to organise it.

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (dasic1)

Sun, 21 Jun 2015 14:29:18 GMT

Steve Im not sure if you are aware the the nationals is not a track oriented thing, just a bonus

They encourage people to come to the whole event, not just the track day

Re: MR2 Nationals 2017 trackday. (B24)

Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:51:49 GMT

REDMR2RED
Rick, if you would like to assist the MR2 Owners Club of Australia in the organising committee/group to plan and put together a total program for the 3 day MR2 Nationals 2017 in Adelaide, SA then your input would be most welcome. Graham (essdub) has already indicated willingness to assist. I'll put together a group email list of those who want to help plan the event so we can work together. Send me an email to nationals@mr2club.com.au

Hello Steve, you know the planning that goes into pulling off an event like your MR2 Trackday Challenges, so I guess you understand a lot more goes into planning a three day MR2 Nationals Event. We are already in discussions for a Track Day which will suit both competitive and non competitive MR2 owners.

The MR2 Nationals are a totally different type of event to your MR2 Trackday Challenges, lets keep them separate, and as I said we can give the SA MR2 owners two events in their State.

Steve, please go ahead with your event, but don't confuse it with the MR2 Nationals.

Cheers, Kevin

Thanks for clearing that up Kevin.

If you are planning on one trackday, will this be within a day of a race meet at the track so people interested in bringing their car to South Australia will have more than the one day of driving?
Will there be timing, fire, ambulance etc?

This is aimed at the owners of cars which will be 'trailered to the track'. I have already spoken to a few of the owners of race spec MR2 who would come along, but need more than just 'one day' at Mallala.

As MR2 Club is more comfortable with running separate events, I will respect the decision. It would make a lot of sense to have a second trackday/meet within a day or two after the MR2 Nationals just for the benefit of people who would travel to enjoy both events over week.

Its also important to understand that I am not looking to run MTC in S.A. in competition to the Nationals. This was never in my thoughts (never has been). MTC is held at Wakefield Park in January every year, nowhere else. I planned on bringing over a lot of knowledge and expertise to provide a quality trackday package by taking 'aspects' of a already successful event for the benefit of MR2 owners who are considering N2017.

For the Nationals being more involved in organising than MTC, I believe we are 'on par' with each other (organisation) as both parties put in a lot of effort for the same cause.