How do you influence SMRC

[Racemania]

As a born again racer forgive me when after only my first year in Legends I ask "How can we influence SMRC and Knockhill".

Legends and XR2’s have the biggest grids and most support from spectators yet we are ignored by SMRC. The committee do have an XR2 member but Legends do not.

Take 14th September meeting Legends final was 3 from the end, all other races got their presentations after their race with full radio commentary. Not Legends we had to wait to the end when most people had left and it was the Scottish Championship decider, very poor SMRC.

Looking to 2004 where I race will be determined by Race dates. Living in Orkney means that each race takes 4 days so a week between meetings is out of the question. (SMRC championship included 2 away meetings 1 week before Knockhill) Other competitors don’t have my time problem but many have the finance problem so races evenly spaced out would be attractive to them.

If you agree how then do we influence the powers that be?

It appears that Knockhill decide the Race calendar and because they make so little money from SMRC races their priority is to Corporate and Hot Hatch events. I would maintain that racing determines the credibility of Knockhill so although they make less money with SMRC their other events would make much less without them.

SMRC have 7 race meetings over 7 months April to October, should we try to influence Knockhill now for next year?

Should it be similar to this year with a break in July or should it be every 4 weeks?

Lets hear you views.

Thanks Ali

[jfin]

Ali,

I am the XR2 rep but not an SMRC committee member. I would be happy to see if the XR2's and Legends have some common ground which we could leverage but I'm not really prepared to do it on this board.

Drop me a line and lets talk.

John

[Blair]

Are the Legends signed up for the SMRC in 2004 yet ? I'm sure during the year one of the commentators said that this year was the end of an XX year contract, but I would hope they'll be back next year.

If not I won't bother coming to races.

From a spectator point of view it's better to have one every four weeks, gives you the opportunity to do something else the other few Saturday nights of the month.

[Mike Hogg]

Some even spacing of events would be a good idea - massive gaps in the middle of the season and two thirds of the events taking place in the first 2 or 3 months of the racing season isn't the way to go.

[XR2 Baz]

I wouldn't mind if there weren't too many races close together. Spacing them 4 weeks apart is nice for the wallet as this is how my employer spaces out when they pay me!!

Baz

[Stig]

I have researched the subject of influencing SMRC and discovered that there are some facts that you should be aware of. The Current committee has 2 Xr2 drivers and the committee are in constant contact with two legend reps (one past legend champion and one part of a husband and wife team) They are well satisfied with the clubs running of legends and as they say we are the club. The dates are clumpped together because Knockhill try and keep the summer dates open for touring cars,superbikes,and F3. If some drivers dont like things the way they are they should start a circuit in Orkney. :-

[JamesHerriot]

Stig, Through away remarks about building a race circuit on Orkney don`t help things any, while I don`t agree with everything Racemania said he does have a point about the huge gaps in the season this year. I think many of us would like next season to be better thought out. Are you convinced that everything with the SMRC is a bed of roses, have you not noticed from other threads that drivers are that hacked off with them that they are selling up and getting out of car racing ?

[Racemania]

I bow to your superior knowledge Stig.

I was only aware of one Legends Rep and he was agreeing with me and other drivers last time I spoke to him. If he is telling SMRC the opposite I guess he's not so forceful off the track as he is on it!!!

XR2's also telling me their not that happy either.

So either there all a bunch of two faced a******s or Stig/SMRC are burying their heads in the sand believing everything is perfect.

No prizes for guessing what I think.

I realise you can't please everyone but I thought all the big championships that Knockhill hoped to attract were decided at least 9 months to a year in advance. It rather defeats Stigs assertion that they need to keep the summer clear on the off chance of a biggie happening!!!!!

[Catriona]

Well, this place seems to be the place to come if you want controversial discussions!

I'm not involved in any of the racing, so don't know anything about the behind the scenes stuff except what I've read on this forum, but I have to say I agree that the race dates should be better spread out. Looks like it's Knockhill's choice, rather than the SMRC's, but I can't help feeling that the run of a race every couple of weeks on April/May/June (to the fans, and the series involved in supporting the F3/GTs, that meeting counted as much as any normal SMRC meeting), followed by a huge gap wasn't the best option, and neither was the two occasions when the Legends had a race on another track one week before an SMRC meeting.

I can see how it might be difficult to schedule things around Knockhill's other events, but I do think everyone would appreciate it if the schedule was a little better balanced, and I'm sure it must be possible to find one date in any one month, no matter what else is going on? It would help both fans and drivers to afford to be at more events, anyway.

[JamesHerriot]

Ghirlracer, you`ve put me in the mood, lets get really controversial. Knockhill don`t really get much income from SMRC meetings compared to hot hatch days etc, the SMRC only seem to be interested in running things for the benefit of the old boys network that somehow seem to hold all the power, they do nothing about bringing in fans to spectate or holding onto drivers who have made the effort to come into the sport. maybe the answer is for everyone to dump the SMRC and the race meetings to be run by a Knockhill racing club !, run by drivers for drivers (but really this time) the circuit would have more of an interest in trying to get more fans to come and spectate as well. Maybe the SMRC are like a government that has been in power too long and its time for the chop !!

[Catriona]

Oh dear... this could get interesting... :sofa:

[JamesHerriot]

Yep the dummys out the pram and on the ground and its not even Sunday yet .Is it going to be groundhog day with ZETECS getting picked on for hitting the bollard at the chicane but minis can be 12 feet onto the grass on the exit of Clark ?

[Mike Hogg]

Two very brief points I've read here I would agree with but won't go too far into cos I don't know the ins and outs of running a motor sports club...

1. Agreed that the SMRC don't seem to do much to advertise the club racing. Nor do Knockhill - that leads to the drivers friends and families and a small smattering of enthusiasts (not counting half interested observers who show up when the weather is good or if they are invited "guests" of the minis etc who are there for the free lobster and booze) being the only people to show up. Then again, where is the money for advertising etc to come from? I assume the SMRC isn't a profit making organisation and the competitor entry fees etc go towards hiring Knockhill etc.

2. The Zetecs have been picked on mercilessly all year be it shaving the grass at the edge of the kerbs or being forced to start on a sodden track with slick tyres following a sudden downpour.

[Blair]

JH some interesting points I'm sure there'll be a string of replies here soon..

I see today's Sun is offering a car full of people (5..) into Knockhill on Sunday for £30... thats just over half price!

[Racemania]

Controversy what controversy I thought it was just a Fair and Frank airing of views.

The “irregularity in enforcing racing rules” is purely down to the Clerk of the Course and I wouldn’t attempt to influence him, better to touch the forelock and grovel profusely. He is just like the police you never know when they are going to pick on you and why some get charged while others are let off. They obviously have their favourites I sympathise with James Herriot I got a warning one meeting for hitting the Floppy at the Chicane, I wasn’t aware I hit it, talking to spectators I discovered I ran over it sitting in the middle of the track but what annoyed me about the Clerk of the Course was he said I was in control of my car at the time… come on everyone knows I am never in control of my car through the chicane!

It did strike me KF when you mentioned the Lobster and wine as the Mini’s ways to influence SMRC that might be a possible route to take. I then remembered being told although they don’t pay the race fee of £140 they have to pay a Corporate Entertainment fee of £ 250 each meeting. I think there is some debate about continuing that next year so Mini’s favoured status might well dissipate with the ambience of the wine… Pip Pip old chap don’t you know.. Sorry for those last statements, Just trying to get into the correct brown tongue and gobstopper mode if I have to influence the Old Boys network as well.

JamesH you’re last posting advocates throwing the baby out with the bath water. I asked how to influence SMRC not change it completely. I know they were in severe financial difficulties several years back so can understand why they are reluctant to use any of their extremely healthy bank balance to support events now. Unfortunately I remember the good old days when SMRC paid entrants to attract them to race in the poorer supported races. We also got travelling expenses and they always found a Petrol Company to sponsor each race by providing free fuel for all racing cars. Looked good in Mondays Scotsman Race Report when all the races were won by cars using Burmah Petrol.
Looking from the outside it would appear Caterhams are progressing with this new Caterham Academy which should double their numbers however, Zetec is in dire need of support by SMRC if it is to continue.
Anyone having aspirations in F1 then the FF Zetec is the only feasible option and it would be a sad loss to motor racing if its not available in Scotland. Talking of single seaters I was dissapointed not to see Scotland having a Formula Libre type race ( dominated by Tommy Reid in Ingliston Days ) after all there are a lot of differing single seaters ex F1,2 & 3s in Hill Climb events.