This is all fine & dandy if the 'deleting' process works. But it
doesn't. When is the last time we deleted a class? (Yes, I know that
F/P went away temporarily - but came back to make the world safe
again for Fieros.)
Adding 12 classes in 3 years would have been fine, had we deleted
an equal amount.
Class proliferation diminishes competition, and most often does not
recruit ("build it and they will come") from outside, but rather
shuffles
the existing competitor base.
Roger 2
BT>I've seen posts for years about us having "too many classes" in Solo II.
BT>Why are people concerned? I dunno, maybe their own pet class is suffering
BT>from a mass exodus to another class or something. I know when we started
BT>the OSP class here in Atlanta that the EM guys were ticked because they
BT>didn't have any trophy fodder, anymore. And frankly, now EM is just about
BT>dead here, while OSP is drawing 7-10 drivers per event.
BT>I certainly hope that the number of Trophies Denver has to buy or the
BT>fact the awards banquets go so long aren't the reasons some of you oppose
BT>the number of classes we have. I'm sure the entry fees from 15+ entries
BT>in each class should be able to fund the trophies/jackets.
BT>How do you think Nationals drew almost 1100 drivers this year? Do you
BT>honestly think that if we reduced the numbers of classes that we could
BT>STILL draw that many drivers? I doubt it. Of course, there is always an
BT>element, in our club, who would like to keep our sport small like it used
BT>to be "in the good old days."
BT>SCCA has two challenges in the development of the Solo II program:
BT>1. Keep current Solo II competitors happy with the classes structured for
BT>their current cars.
BT>2. Attract new drivers to the sport.
BT>Class proliferation is a natural development IF we want to attract new
BT>people. There are simply new and different types of cars that enthusiasts
BT>are embracing, so classes developed to meet those needs is natural.
BT>This IS amateur motorsports. Holding fast to last year's classing
BT>structure or regressing back to an earlier day will simply push many
BT>enthusiasts out of our sport. Adding a couple classes each year and
BT>perhaps deleting one will naturally follow the ebb and flow in vehicle
BT>interest.
BT>Endless dabates about Ladies classes is a waste of time. The Ladies
BT>classes work, why fix something that works? Besides, we were able to get
BT>3 drivers in our car at Topeka this year because of Ladies classes.
BT>Typically, you can max out with 4 drivers (2 open 2 ladies) which makes
BT>the whole Topeka experience much LESS expensive to the participants AND
BT>helps more people to experience the highest level of our sport.
BT>Ben Thatcher
BT>Apex Benefit Services & Motorsports
BT>Stockbridge, GA
|