Challengerfest 6 Feedback Thread

[Speedy 247]

While CF6 is fresh on everyone's mind, gimme feedback on areas of improvement. Each year I've learned a little something and we're dialing in a formula that seems to work, but I know there are always opportunities to improve.

I'm not saying I can make everything "perfect" or please everybody, but do want to hear how it is from an attendee perspective. My goal is to have a high quality organized event that's fun for everyone.

One piece of feedback I got was about the banquet dinner plates going to prepay attendants only with no option to buy plates at the event. The issue there is the hotel requires prepayment for X number of plates a week ahead of the event. Obviously I don't want to waste event funds on plates no one will use and don't want to charge people for plates they won't take either, so that one is tricky when it's sponsored. Obviously the sponsor can't write me a blank check. If someone has an idea on what to do there I'm open to hearing it but most events I've checked do it the same way with the tickets and prepayment required to insure entry to the dinner.

Lemme know what you guys think.

[InferAl 5]

If I remember correctly there was a TNT scheduled after the 6 Speed Challenge and then after the Unlimited and we had neither. Even just one of them would have been good

[No_Mic_Marshall 0]

^ That would be my only thing, also. It seemed like a lot of time was wasted waiting on drivers to come back to the staging lane when everyone was told to go straight back after their wins.

[BayouTiger 88]

I think there was confusion on there being a qualification pass for seeding before the shootout. I think we will get that word out next year. some of the drivers thought they were out after the first pass.

There was some T-T time after the shootout but unless you were right there after the final you likely missed it. I think next year we need get the time nailed down better as the lunch break kinda came right as we were finishing up the shootout.

I think next year we might want to try to get a running count on what classes folks plan on entering at registration so the timing can be planned a bit better. I think we had double the cars in the 6 speed as years past. I think unlimited was bigger than usual as well and getting everything seeded up takes much longer than the bracket to get all the cats herded up. At least that's how I see it.

Very minor issues in a great event! Didn't even see the crazy lines at registration, so I think Lisa, Malena, and Diana really nailed that. Kevin and I looked like we were there to help, but we were really just drinking!

[InferAl 5]

I was sitting in the staging lanes in line the whole time waiting, don't know how I could have missed it. There were a lot of people waiting in line and it just went straight into the Bracket race

[BayouTiger 88]

I might be thinking of earlier when some guys got a pass while the 6 speeds were cueing.

[Micktag 4]

I was talking with the starter, at one point the schedule was behind about 40 min, then they had managed to catch up sometime during the six-speed shootout. I think the TNT got eliminated to guarantee that the event could be done before the close time.

[BayouTigress 73]

Someone in another thread mentioned name tags with screen and real names. I need to think on the banquet thing.

[RonP 10]

Someone in another thread mentioned name tags with screen and real names. I need to think on the banquet thing.

Some of the Drag race events I went to with the Duster, we had vinyl decals with our screen name on the car. We could just ask folks to put their screen name on with marker. It would be nice to see who's car is who while walking the pits or staging lanes. Of course you can't make folks do it, but we could throw it out there.

[Speedy 247]

They got off schedule by a bit at some point and did a 30 min lunch and moved the some of the TNT time to the end of the day to make sure we got all the racing classes complete. When the track owner says we have to get off the track at 4pm he means it and I didn't want to risk us not completing the AGP Bracket Race. The track owner would literally tell us to stop right in the middle of it and pack up if we ran up to 4pm. Brock, the track manager, had a sudden death in the family and had to leave the track about 10:30am, so I suspect without him there orchestrating, things fell behind a few minutes here and there. At CF5 they were dead nuts on schedule all day even with a bit of on track carnage.

I like the idea of marking the cars with nick names Ron. Maybe an opportunity for SuperDave to do up some decals for us as well.

It does seem that 3 racing classes are about the max we can have in a single day and still have plenty of TNT time for those that just want to run down the track. If we add anything we'll have to consider a 2nd day at the track.

[rtr0id 73]

what about lanyards? people could wear them or hang from hood at car show. this way no sticker or decals would have to be applied to cars.

[BayouTigress 73]

That might be double. Pre registered people we could have ready when they arrive. Just need a wireless printer to make them on site.

[BuckeyeGuy 82]

I thoroughly enjoyed both days.

The range was great, although a bit muddy so we might be able to come up with a better alternative but if not, so be it.

The track actually went pretty well. The reason for the qualifying passes was to set the brakets - who races who so that added a bit of time as it was not planned but overall things were pretty much on schedule. The track did wait quite a bit in the 6 speed and bracket classes for cars to return, they could have moved on quicker but again, it would not have saved too much time. Other alternative is to rent the track for an extra hour???

Someone mentioned a Hellcat class next year, I dont think that will work as by next year you will see them running in the 9's and they can run unlimited at that point.

Name badges for Friday night and marking of names /online names on the car is a good idea.

Overall, for an event of this size - it was great !

[DevilDogge 23]

12 thumbs up, J. Everything seemed planned out great.

Only issued I had was with the track broadcast system. For whatever reason, I could only get audio in my car when I was in the staging lane right by the tower. Not sure if everyone experienced that, or if it was an issue with my new head unit I put in.

Can't wait for next year!

[BayouTiger 88]

I thoroughly enjoyed both days.

The range was great, although a bit muddy so we might be able to come up with a better alternative but if not, so be it.

The track actually went pretty well. The reason for the qualifying passes was to set the brakets - who races who so that added a bit of time as it was not planned but overall things were pretty much on schedule. The track did wait quite a bit in the 6 speed and bracket classes for cars to return, they could have moved on quicker but again, it would not have saved too much time. Other alternative is to rent the track for an extra hour???

Someone mentioned a Hellcat class next year, I dont think that will work as by next year you will see them running in the 9's and they can run unlimited at that point.

Name badges for Friday night and marking of names /online names on the car is a good idea.

Overall, for an event of this size - it was great !

Of course having rain all week hurt us with mud. I think they have a nicer pistol range but they had a competition coming in so we couldn't get that. Believe it or not, finding a range where we can belly up and swap guns is pretty tough. Of course I doubt that most ranges would approve of us working off that "table" as it certainly doesn't fit the normal protocol for handling. But I will certainly check with the AIMperfect site in case the new operator would make it available. So many ranges going to the private club model.

[Speedy 247]

For whatever reason, the track owner is pretty strict on time. 8a to 4p is all he'll allow. Normally they have a Sat night TNT for local folks for $10 a car, but didn't do it the Saturday we were there. I thought for sure they'd give us some extra time as a result, but he wouldn't budge on that when I asked. That's why the decision to move forward with the AGP Bracket race to make sure we got all the races in and whatever time left at the end of the day was TNT to 4pm. I was concerned a car would have an issue and cleanup would eat up time and we'd end up missing finishing the bracket race.

He nearly threw us off the track at CF3 before we finished the Supercharger Shootout, so he's serious. That year was a fiasco on the track and I'm not sure how Mike let the timing get so far off as he was running the staging/racing, but after he and I parted ways I learned to let the track run the schedule and they do a pretty good job.

12 thumbs up, J. Everything seemed planned out great.

Only issued I had was with the track broadcast system. For whatever reason, I could only get audio in my car when I was in the staging lane right by the tower. Not sure if everyone experienced that, or if it was an issue with my new head unit I put in.

Can't wait for next year!

You weren't the only one have problems with the broadcast system. The past couple of times I've been to the track it's been a problem. Not sure if their amp is going out or what. I meant to ask them about it and forgot. That was a problem for me as well actually as I was in the car trying to listen to what they were running.

[toofart 148]

Part of the 6 speed kerfuffle was my fault -- I was telling everyone to go to the pits if they lost, but I didn't know there would be 2 qualifying runs. I was trying to improve efficiency but it backfired.

Track prep was nowhere what it was for CF5. Everyone was spinning. It was probably the first day the track was open and the surface may have been softer than what it should be, but I was expecting it to stick like last year.

If Mike@OST is sponsoring the track glue, put some down.

I did notice that cars with cats dumped gallons of water out the tailpipes in the morning. That didn't help either.

Otherwise, you guys do a bang up job. I'd be in for a 2nd day of racing.

[Speedy 247]

No worries Denis. The track prep thing is always odd to me. I tell them I have budget for track prep, and I'm charged for track prep. I did see them spray the track twice and they used what is listed as "gold dust" to spot prep the start line. Did they not prep more than the two times I witnessed? They charged $12 per gallon for prep and that thing was spraying like a fire hose when I saw it going down the track.

I emphasized to the track manager I wanted good prep. He told me he'd do his best but told me the rain and cool temps over night would make it an issue. I think that track wicks water from somewhere when temps change. I can try to drive that harder next year, but I make it a strong point every year already. Maybe next year I need to make payment of track prep contingent on cars hooking or something along those lines. Since I didn't run, I didn't have any experience with how it was.

Keep the feedback coming! So far it's name tags, TNT schedule time, and track prep. If that's all folks really have concerns about we must have done pretty good.

[Yellow Jacket 26]

Lanyards are gay. Screen names on cars would be way better. Extra points for having screen name factory installed.

[muzza61 60]

Make the 'distance trailered' per capita 2 people in the car - halves the distance

Lanyards are gay. Screen names on cars would be way better. Extra points for having screen name factory installed.

agreed. On car.

[JDW RT 09 20]

no lanyards. cant stand them.

[BuckeyeGuy 82]

Lanyards are gay. Screen names on cars would be way better. Extra points for having screen name factory installed.

What, you afraid someone you pissed off in the past is finally going to realize who you are and kick your ass?

I agree , kinda gay but there were really some I wanted to meet and I am betting I walked right by them without realizing who they were. And names on the cars is great if everyone sits in their car all Friday. Just would like to put more names with faces is all.

It could be optional for those of you with identy crisis'.

[CruzKing 83]

No pins, no sticky stuff, magnet back for easy changing shirts.

sorry for the crappy pic. get these from office depot, or staples.

they could be made with a ChallengerFest logo.

[715racing 31]

Speedy, I haven't been to one of these yet, but have talked to a few that have. ALL say you do one hell of a job, and absolutely love the event. The most often comment I hear is the "recognition" factor. Nametags, even hats with names on (optional but paid for ahead of time and given out at registration), might work well.

The other item is track time. Two days at the track, paid by those using it, would be quite popular I believe. Friday test n tune might be surprisingly packed. Let the track do it all, we just pay as we arrive there. Would be fairly easy to get a somewhat accurate count for the track ahead of time, so they would know how many to expect, and they could decide if it is worth it to them. Even Friday evening, say 3-6pm would give guys and girls some valuable test time. And plenty of time to drink after!

Congrats on a great event, and I hope to make it next year.

Rob

[Renfrick1 83]

Weren't the names on shirts supposed to take care of that problem. As for cars ,my screen name is already on it