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I would like your comments...
dangerous - August 3rd, 2006 at 09:12 AM

I would like everyones coments on this post:


http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=54867 


Perhaps it will give us some insight as to what will make these events better attended,
and more popular for VW Dragracers AND VW enthusiasts.

pete wood - August 3rd, 2006 at 12:18 PM

plane fare and the day off. Warrick is a long way rom Sydney. :(

Is there any chance of running a similar event here in Sydney?

HotRodMatt - August 3rd, 2006 at 01:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pete wood
Is there any chance of running a similar event here in Sydney?


It would take a lot of VWs racing and large spectator support to get "just vw" racing at W.S.I.D..

I am involved in a rod/kustom/pre 70 drag day which is held at WSID in March. We need minimum 40 cars @ $200 each (that includes 8 entry tickets) and nothing faster than 11 seconds. This year we had all the cars running as many runs as they wished. Were able to put on our own catering and such. Couldn't open to the public per se but could sell packs of 6 spectator tickets prior to the day.

An alternative to a just vw day in Sydney would be to have 2 VW brackets (pro - sub 11 sec and racer 11sec+) along with a muscle class (say 8 cars in chicago shootout), a rod class, an exhibition class and a couple of group 2-4 cars in test and tune. This could prove to have enough "interest" for WSID to take the risk of recouping the $ rather than the limitations of a track hire.


As to Dave's question. Even though most of the "serious" racers are heading up to Warwick, some of the sponsorship money being offered to those drawcards as travel assistance (scaled by distance) would ensure early sign up and commitment.

We need to remember that this "a first" and as "a first" it is expected that a lot of people will wait and see what it was like before deciding to invest their hard-earned on "the next". For those reasonably local it isn't such an impost on time and money. For those from Sydney, Melbourne etc it is a 4 figure investment.

Clubs (eewww) also need to support this type of event which supports their hobby. In the rod/kustom scene we actively set up billeting arrangements. Travellers are assured before committing that a bed is available for them. We regularly have visitors from VIC and the ACT staying when they travel for events in Sydney. Likewise, rides and/or accomodation has been arranged for when we travel.



[ Edited on 3-8-2006 by HotRodMatt ]

A 1200 is slow - August 4th, 2006 at 05:54 PM

I would love to come! Even thought my car isn't finished yet, I would love to come just as a spectator to give some support, but as I am in Melb, it's to far to go to just watch. If my car was finished , I would be seriously considering it.
It would be good to have 2 of 3 of these events each year, like one in each state? Heathcote would be perfect for this in Melb. and (I haven't checked, But?) I dont think the cost's would be anything near that of WSID.

aussiebaja - August 4th, 2006 at 06:03 PM

why dont they have stuff like that up near tamworth

dangerous - August 5th, 2006 at 08:40 AM

Ross Freestones "Houndog" lives in Tamworth , and in '93 I drove all the way there, with no sponsors paying the bills.
I had 10 runs that week end, and the local people were the main reason for it being such fun.
I heard that the club still exists but not the track...they were gunna build one, but finances always kill ideas like that.
This is a good example of what I mean by asking people to come to this event.
For many years Dragracers have spent many dollars to travel around and race interstate, at their own cost, so it would be nice if the spectators and businesses would pitch in their support of this event by just attending as a minimum. The costs to attend are peanuts compared with the costs (financial and mental) of running a car so far away from home.
Please come along and enjoy the spectical, and you will have a ball.

[ Edited on 4-8-2006 by dangerous ]

dragvw2180 - August 9th, 2006 at 04:25 AM

Hey Dave ,
Very well stated,everyone forgets that if the events don't make any money,there won't be future events.I am just as bad as anyone else,only been to 3 BUG IN's in VA,but like you I have driven to Florida from North carolina to race.It would be nice if you could get all of your car clubs to work together to arrange at least 1 large event a year.It is pretty cool to meet the people you have met on the web and to renew old friendships,also to make new ones.Parts and equiptment suppliers could showcase their wares,sell alot of parts,a win win situation for all.

squizy - August 9th, 2006 at 11:23 AM

I think the scene suffers because of the size of Australia. If we could pick up our whole scene and drop it into the size of California, things would be different. Thats why the Cal scene has always been so huge - logistics. I'd go if it was closer, but will be on a watching brief for sure to see how this one goes, before considering next year. I'm also one of those fathers with limited weekend leave passes - everything needs spousal negotiation. :P

dangerous - August 9th, 2006 at 11:49 AM

Thanks everyone for you input.
Appreciate all the comments and honesty.

VWMA Editor - August 9th, 2006 at 02:27 PM

Hey Guys,

All good stuff being said. Thanks.

Some questions have been raised about the financial side of things, so I thought I'd just explain how this event works.

To help support the Warwick Drag Club who own and operate the track, the club is taking the gate fee of $10 per head. My hope is that the numbers are large enough that this makes it worth their while.

The major sponsor fees go towards the insurance and ANDRA staff for the day, as well as associated costs with running the two day event.

The driver fees are split between the ANDRA licence, insurance, track entry, catering, trophies, ticketing, armbands and other admin costs.

If anything is left, I'm hoping some will bolster the prize pool, and maybe some out of pocket expenses, but this is never a guarantee. There is certainly no 'fat' this year to match what other promoters offer teams in the way of travel costs, pre-booked accommodation, etc, but with any luck, the success of this one may mean better things on offer for events in 2007.

So far all the major costs for Warwick have been covered, so the event has a big green light. I know it will be a fun weekend for those that can make it.

Craig

HotRodMatt - August 9th, 2006 at 03:31 PM

Hopefully numbers will grow. As at least a bit of "fat" is required to start building a fund to ensure it runs again.

So many complain that no racing was offered for the Nationals. Here's the oportunity to show that it is a worthwile endeavour.

bugbrained - August 9th, 2006 at 08:11 PM

hey i'll be there allready got my room booked :cool:

Dak-A-Tak - August 9th, 2006 at 10:20 PM

The Dak-A-Tak team will be there ,with a tow of Two hours is a dream but Rod and I towed all the way to Valla (5 hours ) and with all the rain we didn't even take the blue car off trailer. With open 48ida's we couldn't drive in the town cruz's BUT still had good time talking about Warwick drags event. Rod had things to do on sunday so we towed home saturday night . Hope everyone that said Yes to warwick makes the effet to come !!!