MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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!!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

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.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I probably would have gone if my car would have fit in a class. I know it is hard to include everything though. Otherwise, if the short course would be utilized at the same time as the drag strip, I would have gone for the road course.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Forgot about that, I know quite a few people that went to Chicago for HIN.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

If I wasn't moving, I would have spectated. If my car had a class, (and wasn't moving), I would have run my car.

Overall it sounds like a good list thus far for improvements.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

The Audi would've been able to run SC-2 :D

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Oh shit! I would have been able to show off my 15 second 1/4 passes!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Wanna run 'em?

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Also, there were a couple people with Vette's that were interested in coming, but didn't come due to the "sport compact only" advertisement. Maybe think about including all kinds of cars? I swear there was still a C6 and a Grand Prix out there running.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

i just want to thank the guys from MAP for putting this all together. i had a lot of fun spectating and just hanging out with everyone. i finally got to meet a few of the guys on here so i can put a face to a username. next yr i definitely want run one of the cars, but one is owned by the bank and the other is a stock 2g. t-25 bitches!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

one other thing. we should get someone else to announce on the track. the guy that usually does it had no clue what he was talking about with our cars. like the cars are from another planet.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Here's some of the things I observed during the event:

[Tech]
Instead of just having everyone pass drag racing tech. I would recommend having 2 different tech inspections: 1 for drag, one for autox/drift. That way the BIR staff are not confused as to why there were so many cars signed up in the different drag classes even though they were not interested in that form of racing.


[Organization]
I think better signage would have helped tremendously. Signs for tech areas, autoX/drifting area, carshow area, etc.. Also, maybe you could have a general info tent as to who and what is happening and where and when. There was a fair amount of distance to cover so keeping things close together is key, I though that was OK for this event, speaking of how large the facility was.


[Events]
I though having 4 different events was great. What I might suggest is that is that you stagger Auto X and Drag events. I know many people that wanted to compete in both, but could not due to their simultaneous running.

Drag racing: I would suggest having a maximum of 3 classes: Q16, 9.99+ unrestricted, and bracket racing. There were just not enough cars there yet to necessitate that many classes.

Auto X: From what I heard the people who were going to organize this pulled out at the last minute? I though whoever ran it from there on made a nice recovery to even have the event at all. While there are probably not enough cars to warrant traditional autoX classes, it is mighty hard to beat a track prepped Exige at this type of event... The margin of victory was several seconds on a ~50 second track (was doing my own timing)

Drift: I have no idea how this worked as a spectator. It was fun to watch, but some sort of announcer during the event or a handout would have added tons.

Car Show: I drive a 1g, enough said.

[Overall]
I really enjoyed the event! I thought the drive was quite managable to get there and the setting with the on site camping was quite entertaining. I think once you guys refine the process a bit more this has a chance at becoming a top event in the Midwest.

Thanks MAP!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

My input: don't have it on a weekend around July 12th. It's Anna's bday and I didn't get to go. :(

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Updated, keep em coming!

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

lol or my bday august 25th. I would skip a drill weekend to go.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I'd like to say thanks to MAP for putting on this event. I had a great time, even with the light attendance numbers. Here are some of my ideas:

1) Don't beat yourself up over finding a free weekend to do this. You can't find one. Summer is too short. Just don't overlap any major events. HIN in Chicago is not one of them for MN residents.

2) Need a booth for information. The person at the booth should be fully informed of everything going on.

3) Hand out a schedule of events when you first get there. Put times and as much detail as you can. Then make sure to stick to the schedule.

4) I think Friday/Saturday worked okay, but obviously Sat/Sun would be even better.

5) Don't have the competition parts overlap. Obviously time trials will overlap. Just stagger the finals of the different events, and put that on the nice schedule you'll be handing out. ;)

6) There should be some kind of awards ceremony at the end. And at the very least you should post the winners on MitsuStyle since know one knows I took best Jap car at the car show. :)

Thanks,
Curt

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Allow sports cars..... This would create significantly more interested people. I suppose the reason it was a SC day was so imports had their day to be together without the heckeling????

I am sure several import owners would like to leave the event saying "I beat a viper/vette/cobra/etc in the 1/4 with my $7,000 car"....

I know you were trying to make it specialized but you cut out a large segment of auto enthusiests.

What is the definition of a "Sport Compact Car" anyhow??

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Other reccomendation: Add road racing.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

We're definitely looking into the road racing, but I don't think BIR will be opening it up to all sports cars in the future :( They are specifically targeting the sport compact market to bolster attendance at their other events and make sure that everyone in said market knows they are welcome...

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

There was a C6 running, a V8 GM powered Porsche, a Grand Prix, a Grand Am. What is the criteria exactly?

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Your guess is as good as mine lol, feel free to pose that question to BIR: bill.johnson@brainerdraceway.com

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I sent an email to him requesting their criteria. Will post when I hear back.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

No offense but isn't a corvette and 3S basically the same GT Touring Sports car category?

Grand Prix's are not sport compacts, but they get let in because they are FWD?

I say anything boosted gets in ;-)

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Quick one, Im hopin my '86 D-50 will be done next year, will sport trucks be allowed? its technically a mini truck? I would love to compete in every event, Drifting/Drag/Autox (though the last one would be only for fun LOL)

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I didn't get a link to their exact requirements in my response back from Bill at BIR. He did say "Camaros, Mustangs, Firebirds Corvettes, Vipers and the like are not considered Sport Compact vehicles. Neither are Full size trucks."

Not a big deal for me. Sounds like I would have been one of the slower cars anyways.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Its basically all imports, american sport compacts, and american fullsize vehicles as long as they are fwd and not a v8. :D

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

But there was a Red C6 running.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I'm sure BIR wants to advertise these events as "sport compact only" but they'll obviously allow other paying customers in. I really don't think its a big deal, its not like people were fighting for track time.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I agree. That's what I'm trying to get at though. There were times when we were simply sitting in the stands, waiting for something. Allowing some Vette's and Viper's to come join in on the fun would have been nice.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

I'm with Kracka on this, advertise to the group you want, let anybody that shows up in. If you want to get more than a few strays (or local people that know they will get in), maybe put in a line like "30 non-sport compact cars allowed, first come first served". I think the main thing is to have an event to attract people from a "different" market. In the end, we all like cars and racing. Even if we don't like each others cars, most of us can still get along.


I have yet to go to any car event where they won't let you in if you're willing to pay, even if you don't have the "right" car.

One other thing you might consider is maybe offering the AX people a few $$ off on some drag strip time. Pay for the AX and give the option for $20-25 time trial only drag strip passes. I would suggest it could go the other way around as well, but the AX doesn't really have 2 sections, it's pure competition.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

Just do no carburated cars unless they are an import motor.

Re: MAP Proving Grounds Event @ BIR / Feedback and Discussion
 

This is what I was looking at. I don't have a V8 anyhow ;)