Suggestion Box - Challengerfest Event Series

[Speedy 247]

OK, I've been getting feedback on things from CF4. We'd like to correlate those all in one spot for future reference.

Let us know what you liked and didn't like so we can continue to improve the event each year.

We'd like know things like if you thought the awards ceremonies were OK, location, could you hear us, etc. I got some feedback that the HJ awards may need to be for forum members only as a lot of the folks this year aren't on the forum and didn't get the jokes.

Did you guys get enough test and tune time? Do you prefer more racing or more test and tune?

Were there any problems at registration?

Any issues during the racing we need to be aware of?

How was the BBQ? We had 30ish people that signed up for plates that did not take them, so the BBQ vendor was caught a bit off guard with that at $16 a plate. We may have to make all that prepay next year due to that issue.

Understand that some things we have to be fluid with, such as moving the awards from outside to inside Saturday night. We placed a sign at the front entrance of the hotel stating where they would be, and waited an extra 30 mins before starting to give folks plenty of time. Our PA system was no longer working and both Mike and I were pretty hoarse from yelling at the track so outside just wasn't going to work.

Things that have already been mentioned and we are working:

1. I am working on making it two days at the track with Friday being TNT and Saturday racing. No promises on this yet as I have to negotiate a price.

2. We will open the registration table earlier next year and I thanks to the suggestion from Mrs. WilliamsRT I will have the list alphabetized so that check in is faster.

3. Supporting vendors who attend will be recognized before the awards ceremony so that attendees can put faces with names.

4. Name Tags with screen name and real name so folks know who is who.

5. Kid's Choice at the car show.

So let's hear your suggestions. We may not be able to use every suggestion, but if there is a running theme agreement among folks that would like something done a bit differently, obviously we should listen.

[TheBeej418 10]

BBQ was good! I was surprised it wasn't already pre-pay given the number of people. I would think the no-shows would be common and would encourage pre-pay next year.

Moving the date back a couple weeks next year might help but the HJ awards Friday were quite long and I called it a night early because it was freezing out. I was middle of the pack center and it was difficult to hear at times.

Registration - Needs to be smoother! I paid for spectator/car show and then was told I wasn't part of the car show. Went to the registration table and after waiting in line, was told I had to buy spectator wrist bands for $5/each. Thought that's what I pre-paid to be part of the car show/spectator for.

Name tags - I think we need to do some CF5 lanyards. I don't want to be wearing an actual name tag.

[BayouTigress 73]

BBQ was good! I was surprised it wasn't already pre-pay given the number of people. I would think the no-shows would be common and would encourage pre-pay next year.

Moving the date back a couple weeks next year might help but the HJ awards Friday were quite long and I called it a night early because it was freezing out. I was middle of the pack center and it was difficult to hear at times.

Registration - Needs to be smoother! I paid for spectator/car show and then was told I wasn't part of the car show. Went to the registration table and after waiting in line, was told I had to buy spectator wrist bands for $5/each. Thought that's what I pre-paid to be part of the car show/spectator for.

Name tags - I think we need to do some CF5 lanyards. I don't want to be wearing an actual name tag.

I apologize for the confusion. You were supposed to have gotten 2 wrist bonds when you checked in with us. Everyone who registered and received as swag bag should have gotten the 2 car show forms in their bags to fill out.

[novawagonmaster 62]

Mike, I love you man, and I know I'm going to get shit for this, but the HJ thing was a couple hours longer than it needed to be.

[toofart 148]

AWARDS:

- The awards are a f'n hoot. Awesome

- Bigger PA, we had a hard time hearing Hugh. I can chip in with gear.

- Hugh should pick up the pace a bit For those who aren't intimately familiar with the clique, it can get a bit long

- Raffling off prizes gets a bit long too.. I know it's for charity, but it didn't seem to end.

RACING:

CF4 is clearly targeting the novice and casual racer, so we can perhaps cut down on the bracket racing?

- People love the grudge races ... SRT5939 vs. Lakey is pure entertainment, Mani vs. Speedy etc.

- Keep the 6 spd shootout and the unlimited classes

- Lots of people I talked to just wanted to get PBs, but loved racing someone they knew or was close in time. I know of many who didn't want to participate in the PWR bracket racing even if signed up.

- track prep seemed to be very good, Much better than what I remembered at CF2. Thanks!!

AT THE TRACK:

- track PA sucks, and you could only hear Mike from so far

- only way to know when to line up is to stay near Mike at the tower, which is not workable

- A few more guys in the staging lanes, with walkie-talkies to receive Mike's orders, would help. Look how fast we got the Maggie racers.

- A portable dry-erase board could provide people with a go-to place to know where and when to line up

- Better planning for the racing event times and lanes so we don't hot-lap.

- I'm willing to help with track logistics

CF4 was an awesome event, and even after returning from the loooong drive, I am anxious for CF5.

[Jarhead11 4]

something that happened during the pwr racing bracket, some guys were told to pull over in the staging lanes by whomever, so they did, then were knocked out of the race before even making a second pass after they had won their first race....I know it was hectic to say the least but it wasn't really fair to them to miss out on the opportunity.

[NTMID8R-R/T 38]

Mike, I love you man, and I know I'm going to get shit for this, but the HJ thing was a couple hours longer than it needed to be.

well the poolman suspect didn't help matters though. that made it run too long right there.

but it was a little chilly that night.

[Speedy 247]

Good suggestions Denis, especially the dry erase board. I do think we need a couple folks in the staging lanes with walkies as well.

The track PA can be hard to hear, but it is printed all over the time slips and around the track that 87.9FM on the dial will tune in the tower. I had it on in my car and only turned it off when I was pulling in the water box. I'm not sure if others were using that or not but something to note for next year.

The raffles for charity did seem to take a bit longer than we had hoped, but folks kept donating back their prizes. We started off with only a few and ended up doubling those due to all the generosity. Next year maybe silent auction?

[toofart 148]

The track PA can be hard to hear, but it is printed all over the time slips and around the track that 87.9FM on the dial will tune in the tower. I had it on in my car and only turned it off when I was pulling in the water box. I'm not sure if others were using that or not but something to note for next year.

Yep, and I'd blast it out my windows when I was near my car... But people go buy t-shirts, lunch, or hang out in the stands, then ya can't hear shit

[rdrdr90 35]

I had the radio on and I have to confess, I didn't hear the tower as much as I heard Mike on the bull horn.

That would be my only suggestion is better communication systems at the track.

Hugh was good, but the 40 minute drunk driver delay kinda killed the momentum. Not much you can do about that. Ditto on not being able to hear Mike with the mask on.

For those that book rooms at the hotel, that should be captured somewhere in the signup. This way swag and registration packets can be placed in the rooms PRIOR to the event. Every large corporate function I attend is handled this way. The hotel will do it, they just need the list of who gets what.

The auction going long is the reason we raised the money we did. Was it long, sure, was it worth it? YES!

Great job to everyone involved, growing pains are a part of it, and these are easy fixes.

[3838 4]

RACING:

CF4 is clearly targeting the novice and casual racer, so we can perhaps cut down on the bracket racing? HELL NO

- People love the grudge races ... SRT5939 vs. Lakey is pure entertainment, Mani vs. Speedy etc. T&T

- Keep the 6 spd shootout and the unlimited classes and bracket racing

- Lots of people I talked to just wanted to get PBs, but loved racing someone they knew or was close in time. I know of many who didn't want to participate in the PWR bracket racing even if signed up.

- track prep seemed to be very good, Much better than what I remembered at CF2. Thanks!!

CF4 was an awesome event, and even after returning from the loooong drive, I am anxious for CF5.

The auction going long is the reason we raised the money we did. Was it long, sure, was it worth it? YES!

Great job to everyone involved, growing pains are a part of it, and these are easy fixes.

^^^^^^2X

[BayouTigress 73]

I had the radio on and I have to confess, I didn't hear the tower as much as I heard Mike on the bull horn.

That would be my only suggestion is better communication systems at the track.

Hugh was good, but the 40 minute drunk driver delay kinda killed the momentum. Not much you can do about that. Ditto on not being able to hear Mike with the mask on.

For those that book rooms at the hotel, that should be captured somewhere in the signup. This way swag and registration packets can be placed in the rooms PRIOR to the event. Every large corporate function I attend is handled this way. The hotel will do it, they just need the list of who gets what.

The auction going long is the reason we raised the money we did. Was it long, sure, was it worth it? YES!

Great job to everyone involved, growing pains are a part of it, and these are easy fixes.

Swag could go in the rooms. Only issue is I kept getting swag up to the time registration started

[CaptRon 19]

x2 on keeping the bracket racing!!!!

x2 on keeping the bracket racing!!!!

For the swag to be in the room they would have to have specific rooms picked for us. What would be better (if the swag is all in) would be to receive it when checking in to the room. The problem there is the dimwits at the hotel failed to give many of us our welcome packets in the first place, we may never get our swag bags. I think if some of us willing to volunteer at a table setup in the atrium for a few hrs each day we could get everyone all checked in well ahead of race day.

[junior.666 7]

Change the name to Vagina fest.

[BayouTigress 73]

Change the name to Vagina fest.

Very funny!

[rdrdr90 35]

x2 on keeping the bracket racing!!!!

For the swag to be in the room they would have to have specific rooms picked for us. What would be better (if the swag is all in) would be to receive it when checking in to the room. The problem there is the dimwits at the hotel failed to give many of us our welcome packets in the first place, we may never get our swag bags. I think if some of us willing to volunteer at a table setup in the atrium for a few hrs each day we could get everyone all checked in well ahead of race day.

I attend many events every year and it is done this way. The other way is to have them delivered after you check in. The idea is to reduce the manpower needed so we can all enjoy the event.

[Yellow Jacket 26]

The raffles for charity did seem to take a bit longer than we had hoped, but folks kept donating back their prizes. We started off with only a few and ended up doubling those due to all the generosity. Next year maybe silent auction?

Negative on the silent auction. The non-silent auction is why we raised so much money, as people get caught up in the heat of the moment and good-natured one-upsmanship. Keeping the auction at the end, after all the prizes, works well because all the awards are given so uncharitable people can just leave and start drinking in the parking lot.

Change the name to Vagina fest.

We already have that. It's the strip club that Mauls goes to.

[JDW RT 09 20]

Hire a joke writer for Hugh Jassol?

[Mopar408 22]

I loved the event. It keeps getting better every year. My hat is off to the team.

Couple of thoughts:

Vendors selling or delivering parts on site? I thought the local dodge dealer was going to be there....were they?

Name Tags in a CF lanyard would be great - even better if available at hotel check in (with swag bags).

Keep the live auction - that raises more money.

Make Hugh's awards for mmf members....we had a couple of folks that didn't get it and thought it was a general festivity.

I already have this on my calander and can not wait for next year. I am also willing to help out on site or with any planning. Whatever I can do I will.

[Speedy 247]

The dealership could not attend. I will push harder for them to be there next year.

[Renfrick1 83]

I think the dry board is good and head sets or walkie talkie is a must with two more people at the track

I didn't get enough t&t but I think one more day will solve that

The awards outside is cool because we don't have to worry about other guest with all our drinking and swearing but the car show awards inside was cool

Name tags with screen names and maybe lanyards. But deffinatly prepay on the BBQ

If Lisa could get there earlier or ship the registration swag to the hotel and get people registered as they check in would be cool

I know I was the fifth one there so I could help with that.

Other wise besides having hot chicks hand out the prizes I think you guys did great!

[nolimits76 7]

x2 on keeping the bracket racing!!!!

For the swag to be in the room they would have to have specific rooms picked for us. What would be better (if the swag is all in) would be to receive it when checking in to the room. The problem there is the dimwits at the hotel failed to give many of us our welcome packets in the first place, we may never get our swag bags. I think if some of us willing to volunteer at a table setup in the atrium for a few hrs each day we could get everyone all checked in well ahead of race day.

I attend many events every year and it is done this way. The other way is to have them delivered after you check in. The idea is to reduce the manpower needed so we can all enjoy the event.

I wasn't there, so take this FWIW. I regularly attend a few events per year for business. As noted, hotel rooms are typically NOT assigned until check-in. And then you get guys like me that request to be put on the highest level available, so even if they tried to pre-plan that could be a mess. So most likely, you are going to have an uninformed hotel employee trying to handle registration and undoubtedly forgetting people/things. And when/if a problem arises, it causes frustration because the attendee asks the hotel clerk for the info, but the hotel clerk doesn't know, etc. You can see how that can be a big circle jerk.

I've been on the end of a failed situation similar to this, and it's nothing short of frustrating for all parties involved! If I were running the event, I would not put the power of registration, etc in the hands of the hotel employees who cannot resolve an issue that will undoubtedly happen.

If you want to get really tricky, maybe someone could create an iPhone/Android app with the registration details on it. A conference I attended in February did this, and I preferred it to paper. Although we did still have lanyards with our names, company, etc on it. Much better than name tags, .

One last thought....has any thought been given to moving the location to different race tracks? Might be kind of nice to do that. I try to attend a contractors event once per year that continually moves. Over the last 3 years it has been in DC, SF and this year Boston. Keeps it interesting, while still providing the core bond of the group.

[JDW RT 09 20]

Just always keep an eye on keeping it simple. The more complicated it gets, the more that can and will go wrong. The more 'official' things try to be usually starts taking the fun out of events. Lets not let that happen.

Delegate more tasks to volunteers who may arrive earlier than others.

You can plan all you want and issues will still come up. Its just part of it, but then again I am not much of a complainer most of the time and just roll with it.

Has anyone mentioned 2 days of racing vs 1 ??? cuz, I'd be down with that.

[Boatman 97]

Stripper pole is always a hit.

I sure could have used them.

The dealership could not attend. I will push harder for them to be there next year.

[JDW RT 09 20]

Stripper pole is always a hit.

I sure could have used them.

Oohh, a late night cruise for those that don't bring their wives..

Just an extension of the Smoking Chics Thread, thats all. Its part of MMF is it not???

We could make our own "Fast Cars with Yummy Cargo" Videos...