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v8klla
07-13-2009, 06:54 PM
http://www.maperformance.com/gallery/pictures/ProvingGrounds2009_FPbanner.jpg

I would like to begin by thanking EPDC for organizing the Drift and AutoX portions of the event and Chris Nelson from ClubRedline.net for organizing the car show! I would also like to thank those that came out to participate and/or spectate. Even though attendance wasn't what we had hoped for it still sounds like BIR would be interested in hosting a 2010 MAP Proving Grounds event!

With that said both MAP and BIR would greatly appreciate your input in regards to how this event can be improved upon next year. We have already had some suggestions, which I have outlined below, but please feel free to add to this list!

General Changes

- Change event to a two day event consisting of Saturday and Sunday.
- Improve signage designating vendor areas, campsites, car show, etc.
- Release event dates earlier to improve attendance
- Avoid scheduling conflicts (Hot Import Nights Chicago)
- Allow camping the day before the event
- Scheduling: Allow for participation in multiple events
- Move vendor area closer to campsites / spectator parking
- Competition Road Course Racing
- General Information Tent with Earplugs available
- General Information Flyer / Schedule / Map distributed at the gates
- Event organizer meeting / contact information sharing
- Driver's meeting explaining rules, schedule, etc.

Drag Racing

- Evaluate class structure, perhaps introduce tiered brackets so that more racers participate in eliminations?
- Eliminate All Motor class (zero participants in eliminations) unless demand increases next year

Drifting / AutoX

- Implement timing system for AutoX
- Take barriers into consideration in regards to AutoX course design.
- Specific tech for these events
- Announcer for these events
- Bleachers / Seating for spectators
- Marked staging / tech lanes
- First Aid Kit / Fire Extinguisher in the area
- SCCA / MAC Organization

Car Show

- Loud speaker announcement of winners
- Lunch break = Focal period
- Mobile Dynamometer
- Bikini Car Wash for Breast Cancer Charity

Also, if you did not attend the event please let us know why you chose not to attend and what, if anything, would make it worth your while to attend next year!

viridionplague
07-13-2009, 07:01 PM
i hope to make it next year, i dont know if your doing this or not but it wouldnt hurt to have a discount in labor or a sale on the more commonly broken parts before the event to help those who are just broken down but want to attend

this is coming from a guy who needed new wheel bearing, where its more labor intensive than parts intensive

Matt D.
07-13-2009, 07:30 PM
I intended to at least spectate if not participate in the autocross, but between being sick and slacking on working on my car I chose to stay home.

One thing concerned me from the videos of the autocross I saw that would have turned me away from it, and that was the barriers surrounding the course. I heard the same concerns from at least two other people, one of which chose to drag race instead. I have suffered a collision with such barriers at an autocross before and it's not fun. Drifters may accept that certain "obstacles" are inherent to the sport, but no where in autocross are you expected to pay for your mistakes.

1QUICK4
07-13-2009, 07:36 PM
I like the idea of holding it over Saturday/Sunday. I could not get off work in time to run Friday and me and the ol' lady really wanted to camp out Saturday night as well. Brainerd staff said that was a no-go

v8klla
07-13-2009, 07:37 PM
I intended to at least spectate if not participate in the autocross, but between being sick and slacking on working on my car I chose to stay home.

One thing concerned me from the videos of the autocross I saw that would have turned me away from it, and that was the barriers surrounding the course. I heard the same concerns from at least two other people, one of which chose to drag race instead. I have suffered a collision with such barriers at an autocross before and it's not fun. Drifters may accept that certain "obstacles" are inherent to the sport, but no where in autocross are you expected to pay for your mistakes.

Hmm perhaps we can consider that in regards to course design next year, but I have to say the area for the drifting / autox was much larger than I had anticipated.

C3L1CA
07-13-2009, 08:00 PM
The one thing I wish was that the car show, drifting and the final racing were at different times. I would have liked to watch the drifting and liked to walk the car show but wanted to watch the drag racing and race my car more.

Halon
07-13-2009, 08:11 PM
I had a good time. One thing I honestly wouldn't want is more segregation between the people and the vendors. I felt kind of torn as some of the people I knew, and where I hung out, was on one side of the track while I also knew a handful of people who were vendors. Made it so I was constantly going from one side to the other to kind of hang out with everyone. If next year it was more segregated, I don't think I'd like that personally.

Also, not sure where all this event info got posted, but I think it'd be cool to get this posted up on some of the larger nation wide boards so we could get more of a diverse group out. We have a lot of people around here, but seems like just not enough to fill a track for 2 days I think.

Anyhow, I still had fun. Thanks for putting the event on. If there is one next year, I really hope to be there again!!

blageo23
07-13-2009, 08:45 PM
It was a Great time. I really think to took a great spot when setting up :)
One thing I would say is that it seemed a bit disorganized. But I dont blame ya, considering it was the first time and you had a bunch of other things on your plate.
Agian, I would like to know what happend to the car show? All the sudden at 330 everyone packed up and left. I heard nothing about the awards or anything.
Thanks again for the vendor spot!

Kracka
07-13-2009, 09:11 PM
I had a great time but do have a few suggestions:

1. Autocross course designed in consideration of concrete barriers
2. Better info/signage on events at the track facility
3. Don't have competitions overlap (aka drag elims and auto-x at the same time)
4. Sat/Sun event rather rather than Fri/Sat. If just one day, Saturday if possible.

Nightjoker7
07-13-2009, 10:16 PM
Ya I think making sure that Hot Import Nights isn't going on anywhere close would help, I would have had two more people come with if it wasn't.