SlotForum post re: Getting/keeping new racers

[gordon]

Guys,

Following is an interesting post on SlotForum about encouraging and keeping new drivers interested in slot car racing. In fact, before the topic's initiator (Bob) clarified what the post was about, our own Ray put in 2¢ on behalf of FRC. Directly after Ray's post, Bob clarifies where he was going with the post and there are some interesting responses which we may be able to use. We already have our IROC classes, but we can still use some of the ideas here. Here's the post:

1/32 club rules

Gordon

[RameshB]

Thanks for the info. a lot of it is practiced now at TSCC so much so at tssc we are launching our classes with little or no mod. so newbees can join in quite easily, but to encourage slot car building and tuning is really the bug you want guys to catch . let us all do our part to guide and help others .there are also some people that will not even buy a car , here me i did not say cannot buy, and just come race go back home ,this was how competition has been running in tt for many years, so competitors never needed to learn about tuning or building as was in the old days , only in the open mod competition. I am thankful for the competitions of the past years but where is the succession planning, Yes is guys like us frc and tscc that can help this slot car sport to continue ,thanks Peter for giving us a great start but we must keep on encouraging new clubs throughout the country. anyone wishing to start a club can contact me at 678 1920 bye ramesh you can see us at www. slotcarclub.com

[gordon]

Guys,

I've been thinking about this a bit. What do you think about these ideas:

• We create a "novice" driver category. A novice can be defined, for example, as someone new to digital racing who has accumulated a total of less than say 50 points in all his races.
• Novices race in separate races to regular drivers. These can be with our IROC cars and can take place at regular events or at special events.
• Once a novice achieves the required points, he automatically is promoted to regular status and no longer can race in novice races.
• If prudent, a novice can be voted to regular status by senior drivers before achieving the required points.
• Everyone, including novices, are encouraged to bring along others to introduce them to the entertaining and challenging hobby of digital slot car racing.

Lets hear your feedback on this.

Gordon

[steveaca]

I like the idea of the 'novice' category very much. I also like the idea of them being broken-in, so to speak, on the 'IROC' cars. I feel that even if novices show up on a night that the 'IROC' classes are not scheduled, races (maybe shortened ones) can be fitted into the programme to allow them to participate. The challenge I think, is to attract enough novices on the same night so that there would be enough drivers, even if not a full grid, to have a race.

[RameshB]

Very creative thinking, this suggestion will need some input from the group n drivers as i would like to call them , i think a driver moving up should also be based on him being up to speed, having a club class every meet will ensure the group n drivers racing at every event gaining valuable driving time, also helps their consistancy , traffic is also an issue since we do not have a blue flag system to avoid drive through, with cars not up to speed and drivers thanks ramesh .

[steveaca]

We could maybe have a 'Rookie Of The Year ' award.
As the novices may all not start racing at the same time and may 'graduate ' out of the rookie class at different rates, one suggestion for this award would be the winner being the person accumulating the most points in their first maybe 6 races. Note that these points would pertain to races actually driven in by each novice.

[gordon]

I think we now all agree with the idea of a novice/rookie driver status with separate races for them. What are your thoughts on "graduation" requirements to ensure that they are ready to race competitively with everyone else? I suggested their accumulating a certain number of points within their group (exactly what this number should be I'm not sure). Maybe after (or even before) getting the required points, there could be something like a 3-5 lap timed run with an IROC car, done by the novice and then by an established driver for comparison. If the novice gets within a certain percentage of, equals or goes under the experienced driver's time, he passes.

(Boy, you'd think we're racing real cars at Indy or something!)

Any other suggestions for the "graduation" process?

Of course we have to get a stream of novices in the first place.

[RameshB]

One way to get guys out its to let them know that we will have a large pot of paleau next thur , just come for fun, i will sponsor the first pot , ramesh

[steveaca]

Pelau soundin' real good Ramesh !

[arden100]

Gordon,

I like the ideas being brought forward, however we must remember that we are at your home. Having more drivers/competitors is great.
We or rather you must know the behavior pattern of new individuals, the new noise level for your family and so on.
I think the really option is to get the old drivers back at FRC. Maybe the IROC is way way to get them back?

Guys I don't mean we should not include new drivers.

Arden