You do that and car goes up for sale that very moment. I hate LeMons........Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranav
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You do that and car goes up for sale that very moment. I hate LeMons........Quote:
Originally Posted by Pranav
Dave since I know the spirit of your intent is to provide a superior service, I'd support you on whatever you think will work - you have a great heart and have a good feel for the business. Just don't change because nothing has changed- it's a crap shoot. Think New Coke (or whatever change-is-improvement BS idea you want to substitute). The SCCA issues have been a long time coming and built up over year and years of not listening to anyone but the loudest voices.Quote:
Originally Posted by nasa-rm
If your energy is focused on innovating towards improving the quality of time on track and at event, then many will support you even if it results in a reduction of time on track.
But I challenge you to focus on innovating more like Disneyland than NASCAR. Disneyland's innovations don't eliminate problems as much as they create opportunities (both for the business and the consumer). Switch back lines did not eliminate long waits, they make the wait less annoying and reduced congestion. No-queue-queues give consumers options and visual eye candy while they wait for the next attraction or go from store to store. The whole operation of Disneyland is geared to generate fanatic customer loyalty despite flaws. NASCAR's changes are poorly thought out, driven by "loudest voices" and almost always wind up highlighting the problems (COT meet 6th gen, penalties meet "have at it boys", which channel is NASCAR on? WHat month is it...TNT=June, Fox = March? I give up...check Speed for highlights). I don't go to NASCAR races anymore and only watch the start and end of races....if I watch at all.
Wait, now I know what's going on here...Quote:
Originally Posted by kbrewmr2
If it's hope and change I'm out.Quote:
Originally Posted by edrock96GT
JJ
One more year of reading this forum and I will be able to sit for the psychology boards. The only thing that is constant is change. Despite knowing that, I hate change. I like the TP to hang over the front of the roll, I hate when someone rearranges the furniture, etc. I don't care what we do as long as I get advanced notice. I also hate those lemons clowns.
Damn.......beat me to it! LolQuote:
Originally Posted by ShadowBolt
It's ok Eddie, and even allowed in the military these days, and the Boy Scouts.Quote:
Originally Posted by edrock96GT
Thunder is a great name.
We could have been called Nancies or Blitz, or something like that.
I'm good with change, as long as it doesn't begin to feel like I'm playing putt-putt on a course with the windmill and clown face. Just want it to be good clean racing, so we can say after the race, "Wahoo, did you see when you were....." Instead of saying before the race, "Cool, now watch this, you ain't seen nothing"
A few leadershp qualities:
Be honest, build trust; Be aware of history, change the future; Be a leader, follow good examples; Be humble, demand the best; Be a team player, challenge the team; Be professional, break paradigms; Be commited, have fun; Be happy, never satisfied.
Dave and the NASA TX Region, you all exhibit all of these, and I truly thank you.
With Randy's words of advice, let me explain some of my reasoning's to do this. I can explain in more details over beer at Hallett.
1. I want to build NASA TX to be "the place" that people want to go for auto-sports. The NASA calendar should be the first place they look when setting their schedule for the year. If this means do the same thing every time and be consistent, we can do that. Or trying new things to see what breaks and what works best, then yes.
2. I want our racers to be top notch quality and be able to go anywhere and stand on the podium. Under any conditions and length of race. 25 hours in a constant downpour, 15 minute sprint, 40 minute race in the heat. While building muscle memory is a great thing to do, if you only exercise the same way you are conditioned to only work one way.
Two quick notes:
Someone asked if we are trying to do things that are done by a successful larger region. Yes, in fact Texas is a small region and minuscule in comparison to what it could be for the population of Texas. This region *should* easily have 250-300 cars per event and history to 2010 was just about 100 cars per event. That's why we were brought here, to make things grow. We hit our target of 200 cars in the first couple of seasons several times. Now it's time to raise that bar and hit 250. We are also trying things done well by smaller regions than Texas. Things we have done in RM, Central, Florida, Arizona, etc. NASA's goal is to keep things fresh and keep trying to improve - this is ONE thing that hasn't changed over the past 20 years. Help us reach those goals.
If someone on a team gets butt hurt because we only have 3 races in a weekend, then we can allow them to run an extra race in another race group (PTB or SM8) to make up for their loss of a session. I am happy to keep working on solutions to perceived problems. You guys set them up, I'll keep knocking them back until I'm under the table.
I think it could take more than beer with this group. I could be wrong (again) but my sense is the group is up for different things.Quote:
Originally Posted by nasa-rm
For example, would the collective "we" be up for a 60 minute race with a mandatory 5 minute stop at the half for the team guys to change drivers? I don't know, but why not; could even score the halves differently.
And put me in the camp of hot, cold, wet, or dry - if it's a race weekend the weather is the same for everybody thought I know some/most folks don't like the summer heat.
Another example of not knowing what I was missing on this one. I skipped July and August events from 2006-2010 because I hated being on track in the extreme heat. Since I had to miss the spring TWS in 2011 due to work conflict I decided to go to the August event. The heat did take its toll on car count but the event was great and had some of my favorite duels with Dr. Frank that weekend. Renting the RV for the A/C and shower definately took the edge off though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fbody383
Not long ago, Jerry changed the track layout at SPIR from Saturday to Sunday - anyone familiar with SPIR knows it can be a VERY unforgiving track if you make a mistake. A few folks bitched, but the world didn't come to an end, cats and dog still fought with one another, and there wasn't massive carnage. You had to pay attention to the flag stations and to the cones.....no different than any other time being on track.
Folks, you need to quit your whining, and try something different. Racing in 5 different regions around the US has taught me a few important things - things change, nothing stays the same, and a 40 minute race, even in 100 degree heat, isn't the end of the damn world. We did a 40min race at Buttonwillow in 107^. The floor of the car showed 155^. We all survived.
Good luck trying to get this group to change, Dave. It's your region.....give them a month heads up, and just f'n do it.
AI/CMC in Texas seems to be growing very nicely. The work Dave has done in TX is incredible and greatly appreciated, and the car count is showing!!
Little change in format + Dave B = success :^)
Change for the sake of change + change for the hope of change = hope & change = liberal thinking that there is something wrong. Or global warming.
Randy for Pres!
I still think MFW (either of them) should run... Presidential motorcade would be pink, but I guess folks would get used to it. That way, nobody has to give any point by's....Quote:
Originally Posted by AI#97
:)
If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is!Quote:
Originally Posted by rleng1
Just tell me when and where, we will do our best to be there! I am not going to bitch about getting to do something most people could only hope to do!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Ginsberg
Couple things (I know - why do I bother....).
Adam –
You went to race other regions knowing good and well it would be different, just like any racer here would do when they left this region to do the same. So that example does not apply here. It only proves that you liked the change you saw. You fell in 1 of 2 groups – those who do like change and those who don’t like change.
General thoughts to the group-
The other issue is the change that was planned for Hallett was not announced to the general masses and was only provided here once I did so w/in minutes of me finding out. Change is acceptable, when it is announced w/ proper lead time. Lots of folks take time off work and spend money that is not refundable weeks and months in advance based off the established norm. They plan drops/missed events based off of established norms. If the established norm was random formats, then this would not be an issue, but random is not the norm. Obviously this is a big deal in a CUSTOMER oriented business. So as the owner of the business, Dave has the right to make changes as he wishes. As customers we have the right to complain about said changes and not continue “shopping” here anymore. Dave has the knowledge to deal w/ that and I’ll not second guess him there.
Now, if Dave makes a change and announces it well in advance, I’m good with that as are most people. I don’t think everyone who is happy w/ the lead time of the announcement will attend though, so don’t confuse the two. If the “new format” event has a 50% drop in customers, it is safe to say that more than 50% disliked the change as surely some will attend only to maintain points leads and stuff like that but still dislike the change.
One other perspective to keep in mind.
Regions that are established based on random formats and stuff like that tend to retain folks who like that sort of thing. Regions that maintain standard formats and are known for what to expect from event to event, seem to retain folks who like that sort of thing. When change is introduced, you have to expect some kick-back. After all, we seem to love our 4 race weekend formats w/ 2 of those being inverts. Seems to mix things up pretty good. Add in a the Hallett format and I see some fair amount of variety. Add to that the few Enduro races and it seems like a good mix for the amount of racers we have.
Dave can force a change. Some folks will like it, and some will not. Dave can risk running off a few customers and risk retaining the same number as well. It will either show Dave it was a good thing or a bad thing. I’m all for trying something new, I just want to know about it well in advance.
Mike, I'm with you. If its generally black with a few deviations from dead straight, something green either side of the black and with any luck a few guys near me willing to race I'm there. If I ever get in a points race maybe I'll think different. For me right now developing a car, seeing the improvement (in car and driver) and keeping up with the field is why I spend hours in the workshop and why I turn up whenever I can. So long as the format keeps things competitive and close with some good laughs after I'm there....Quote:
Originally Posted by Terlingua 121
Very well said Glenn. I agree that if change is mentioned well in advance, everyone can chose to accept it or pass.
Just remember, Dave mentioned a while ago to expect something different for TWS in September.
I know Dave did that, but I would like to know what that "something different" is priort o pulling into the gates at TWS.
I think it was CMC running CCW and Glenn running CW...Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
Agreed.Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
Dang- I had to open a 2nd bottle of wine to get through this thread! I've been away too long! I assume this is the change in format Glenn was referring to in the other post. I've sent Dave an email asking him for details- as soon as I get them I'll let y'all know. The feedback is great and I appreciate all of your input- Dave is just trying to keep things fresh and different.
"D" for Drama....funniest thing all night! :-)
Precisely why I said this:Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennCMC70
Have fun with this group, Adrian.Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Ginsberg