Question for SCMC South Central Members??

[cobrabitn]

I didn't post a poll on this because I wanted our SCC members to voice their opinion on it. If I posted a poll then others could reply skewing the votes.

Now this is just hypothetical so please try to remember that okay?

All right, if SCMC were to give the SCC an option of renting a dragstrip for a day or renting an open track facility in the TX area, which would you prefer?

I can not say cost as I don't know yet but I'm hoping things will work out where we have enough $$ to do something like this next year.

Please just post which one you prefer..... Thanks,

Tony

[Josh968]

Open Track:bounce: :thumbsup: (hypothetically speaking, of course:p )

[PAJ]

Put me down for Open Track, too.:thumbsup:

[Firme]

Open Track

[cobrapace94]

I would vote open track..
Something I have not done and think it would be waayy cool.:D

[cobrabitn]

Okay, keep them coming. We need 25 responses because we have 25 members in Houston, TX....

[SNAKE EYES]

OPEN TRACK

[cobrapace94]

Originally posted by cobrabitn
Okay, keep them coming. We need 25 responses because we have 25 members in Houston, TX....

Will this be for members only?
Or can non members pay a higher price to do the event? They could just join and not worry about it also. :thumbsup:

[msmap]

Originally posted by cobrapace94
Will this be for members only?
Or can non members pay a higher price to do the event? They could just join and not worry about it also. :thumbsup:


I agree with Darrell as we have a bunch of people that are part of our SCC but not SCMC members since we started out not affiliated with the SCMC. To exclude them would not be very cool. Some of them do not have Cobras, they have Lightnings and Roushs, so they couldn't join the SCMC anyways :thumbsup:


Open Track :bounce:

[Andy M]

Whoa!!! You guys are amazing me!! I figured this bunch would go for the drag day??!!

Those of you who know me already know what my preference is?? OPEN TRACK!!! Yeah BABY!!!! I'm in if schedule permits?!!

Let me know if you'd like me to help get this setup?? I have friends who routinely rent the track at TWS in College Station. Only thing is?? it will be very difficult to get the track for just one day on a weekend?? it will likely have to be a weekday?? A friend of mine who used to run the track events for Momentum BMW of Houston at TWS is no longer with them..and he is trying to get some track events scheduled on his own. He told me if we could get at least 25-30 people registered, he could get the price down to $195.00 per person. For this price, we could get all the track time we want on the 2.9 mile course at TWS ALL DAY LONG! Not bad. Let me know if I should pursue this with him? By the way, this guy is a great instructor. He has done SCCA events and Grand Am Cup races in the past.

[cobrabitn]

Yes, no, and maybe....... Let's just take the poll for members right now. You will be able to invite your friends to come of course and they don't have to be members but will pay a slightly higher price. I'm not sure right now, remember, this is hypothetical. ;) Yes, Andy we need some information, I was thinking one day, a Friday but if we could get enough people to commit then we can go with a weekend if they have an opening.

Remember this is a poll to see who wants what. It would depend on how much we have left in our bank account for next year. The New England guys would probably get first shot since they formed first and are on their second Cobra show. You guys would be next in line depending on $$ availability.

It's okay if your friends want to vote but if we can get say at least 40 people to commit then we can pursue it further. Get others to tell their opinion in the Houston area and let's see what happens in the next few weeks or so......

More votes please......

[1993COBRA]

im in for open track just please make it on a sunday

[cobrabitn]

1993 Cobra,

Let's see what the interest is first and then we'll go from there. Oh and yes Sherri....... SCMC Rules! :bounce:

Looks like everyone wants open track!

[Bartman01]

Not an SCMC member *yet*, but I do plan on sending the form in soon. If I send it in tonight will my vote count :) ?

I would also vote for open track.

[SVT99]

:D Open track! Would have to be a weekend for me though, won't be able to take a weekday off. Sat and Sun would would be perfect, 2 days:rotf:

[JBejarano]

Originally posted by 1993COBRA
im in for open track just please make it on a sunday
I second that, until I find a better job, I work EVERY saturday

[Evilcartman]

Open track. I can go to HRP anytime. Fact is, I will be going this Sunday if anyone wants to join me.

[Andy M]

Ok, I will inquire with my contacts and get details on renting out TWS. Be aware however that weekends there are typically all booked up waaaay in advance, like months ahead of time. They run SCCA races, motorcycle races, etc.. and those are already all booked up to the end of the year. Now if we get enough interest? and we get in early, we may be able to get a weekend booked for next year (maybe spring time?) some time?

I will get the scoop and let you all know.

Otherwise, there are no other good road courses nearby. Hallet in Oklahoma is a blast, but it is 500 miles each way and I am sure you guys don't feel like making that trip. Then there is Motorsport Ranch in Dallas?? That I hear is a really good course.

[Firme]

Originally posted by Andy M
Ok, I will inquire with my contacts and get details on renting out TWS. Be aware however that weekends there are typically all booked up waaaay in advance, like months ahead of time. They run SCCA races, motorcycle races, etc.. and those are already all booked up to the end of the year. Now if we get enough interest? and we get in early, we may be able to get a weekend booked for next year (maybe spring time?) some time?

I will get the scoop and let you all know.

Otherwise, there are no other good road courses nearby. Hallet in Oklahoma is a blast, but it is 500 miles each way and I am sure you guys don't feel like making that trip. Then there is Motorsport Ranch in Dallas?? That I hear is a really good course.

Andy, wasn't there a rumor of a track in Houston? or was that a Nascar track? Wonder who can get us the insider skinny on that one :doubt:

[Andy M]

Just so you guys are prepared for the price tag?? TWS typically goes for about $4500.00 per day. This includes all support personnel including fire and EMS, and fuel sales at the track.

Therefore, to keep the price low for each participant?, we need to get as much participation as possible obviously. The thing I don't know right now is if they will rent us the track on a weekend for just one day??? They typically book two day events on weekends?? I will inquire and let you know?

If we could get a firm count of at least 30 cars, the price per entrant would be around $150.00 each.

Details to come...........

[Andy M]

I figured I would give you guys some wisdom as far as open track is concerned, since I've done alot of it in the past year....

First, there is quite a bit more prep work involved with making sure your car is ready for this type of duty than in drag racing.

1) tires - you can certainly run the course on street tires, but be aware that you will wear quite a bit of useful life off the edges (front tires especially). I suggest (if it is in your budget?) getting a cheap set of tires to run at the track. Kumho and a few others make some decent tires which won't break the bank. I can get details on this later for you.

2) brakes - you will beat the crap out of your brakes, so make sure you have some fresh pads - at least in the front. And make sure your rotors are up to the task... ie: no grooves, and not already worn down. Also, I would suggest flushing the system (if you have not done this in a while or never) and replacing the fluid with fresh (at least DOT 3 fluid) fluid before hitting the track. If you have ever really pounded on your brakes in the past and the fluid boiled (mushy pedal feel is the usual result), it needs to be replaced.

3) safety gear - at a minimum, you will need to purchase a helmet if you don't already have one. You can usually find a suitable (SNELL 95 or higher rating) one on the Internet for around $100.00 or so. You may want to also look into (although not necessary) a set of Schroth racing harnesses. They make a set which is removable once you are done with the event. They use the existing clip points on your factory belt system.

4) cooling system - make sure you have fresh coolant in your system and that you have checked it out for possible problems ahead of time. Remember, you will be pounding on your motor for 20-30 minutes at a time, which results in very high temps. So make sure you have a good cap (one which doesn't leak), some fresh coolant, and a good thermostat. I suggest also putting in a bottle of "Water Wetter". This helps lower the operating temps during hard driving.

5) oil and other fluids - Make sure you have fresh oil in the motor and you have at least checked the levels in your tranny and rear differential

These are the most important points to consider. Please let me know if you have any questions?

[cobrabitn]

Andy,

You didn't add insurance costs and incidentals. The cost will most likely be $150.00 per day per person but we would need 40 people if we are to handle the insurance and whatever else they may have up their sleeve.

Food costs? We will need a vendor or such. Just get the facts to me, or have them send a rate chart with all miscellaneous charges. You won't have to buy fuel from them if you fill up before you go in to the facility.

Send the chart to the SCMC address in Rock Hill, SC.

Just for the record, the SCC was here for three years not one. It was always the South Central Region of the SCMC not the other way around. Ron Hargrave used to be the Regional Rep years ago...... Now we have a whole new crew. I like this group! ;)

[Firme]

Originally posted by cobrabitn

Just for the record, the SCC was here for three years not one. It was always the South Central Region of the SCMC not the other way around. Ron Hargrave used to be the Regional Rep years ago...... Now we have a whole new crew. I like this group! ;)

I think Sherri meant "this group" started out as "Houston Cobra's" in December of 2001, and really didn't join forces with SCMC till about around March of 2002 when the core discussed where we wanted the club to go... our first meet as Houston Cobra's was 4 people in the Kmart parking lot (sherri, scott t, wingless(forgot his name) and me)...;) :D

from the begining, we have never been ones to alienate from non Cobra's when we're having fun, is what I think she was trying to say :thumbsup: :bounce:

[cobrabitn]

Oh okay, I thought you meant when Mike was here. Mike was actually an SCMC member then everything else followed. Either way, the idea is to have fun! How much fun would it be if you couldn't invite your favorite friends to join in on the action? None, so why not let them join in? I think we should. SCMC is what it is because the majority of the members voted for it to be all Cobra. I could check and see who voted for what but it is just an identity thing, nothing more. We should all just enjoy one another's company and try to make each day in life a fun day with friends, don't you agree? As I said before, I like the SCC group of the SCMC. You guys Rock! ;)

[msmap]

Hey, Tony, We didn't even know that the SCMC existed when we got the Houston Cobras together. We didn't even know Mike existed till January and even then he didn't say anything about becoming SCC till March or so. This is why we have many non Cobra owners hanging with us as well, as we all seemed to bring our friends on board the Houston Cobras so we could all hang out and have fun together. We are not asking to have them join the SCMC. I voted no to non Cobra owners. The SCMC is strictly a Cobra Owner thing, while our SCC has a bit of everything as that is how it was inherited in the changeover from the Houston Cobras to the SCC. That is all.

[cobrabitn]

Yeah, I thought you voted for no non-Cobras.....lol. ;) It's cool, I understand. Like I said, it would be no fun if you couldn't invite your friends. What would be the point? Okay, history lesson over, back to planning and what everyone wants. Thanks!

[Andy M]

Originally posted by cobrabitn
Andy,

You didn't add insurance costs and incidentals. The cost will most likely be $150.00 per day per person but we would need 40 people if we are to handle the insurance and whatever else they may have up their sleeve.

Food costs? We will need a vendor or such. Just get the facts to me, or have them send a rate chart with all miscellaneous charges. You won't have to buy fuel from them if you fill up before you go in to the facility.

Send the chart to the SCMC address in Rock Hill, SC.

Just for the record, the SCC was here for three years not one. It was always the South Central Region of the SCMC not the other way around. Ron Hargrave used to be the Regional Rep years ago...... Now we have a whole new crew. I like this group! ;) Tony,

I'm curious?? just exactly what kind of "insurance" are you talking about???

and as far as food?, I say we just make everyone bring their own?? I usually bring an ice chest full of water bottles and a couple of sandwiches. Plenty of water is the main thing! and as far as fuel goes, depending on how many sessions you run?, and how hard you drive? (uh, who me?? :rolleyes: ) you will likely burn more than one tank. I usually burn about a tank and a half during a hard day at the track. But then again, my R is pretty thirsty with those 42 pound injectors and my heavy foot! ;)

As far as insurance goes, are you proposing that we have insurance for the group to cover us in case someone wrecks?? It would be cool to have, but would it not be cost prohibitive? Just wondering?

[cobrabitn]

Andy,

You have to have insurance for two reasons. One, if someone tries to sue the club and two, the road course facility requires you to have insurance in case you damage their property. I don't know of any facility that does not require liability and property damage insurance. Secondly, I'd want the club covered. We may not have much but we need to preserve what we do have, ;) Hope that answers your question??

Sherri,

I think I understand the situation better now. I never knew their was a "Houston Cobras" up until now so that clears some understanding up for me. Thanks! ;)

[Andy M]

Thanks for the explanation Tony. I get it now. What is the typical cost for such insurance at most tracks?

[cobrabitn]

Track insurance depends on two things:

Which track and what type of event it is. If it's a school then it's usually cheaper, if it's wheel to wheel then it's sky high.

Price ranges from $700.00 per day to $1500.00 per day and more. Like I said, I don't know of a track that doesn't require an "insurance certificate". ;)

[JBoden]

Open Track for sure !!!!!!!

[cobrabitn]

Thanks Jim! ;)

[97CasperCobra]

OPEN TRACK!!!