[SECC] Roebling Road - 2009 Convention Update

[D. Barry Ellison]

>
>The cost to rent the track will be $3200 for the day.  "Fast Eddie", Donnie 
>and myself feel this is VERY reasonable and doable.  Most time trials cost 
>about $100 - $150 per participant to run.

This is very reasonable at this point.  Keep a buffer 'cause we don't want 
to "take a bath" as Brian O'Neal pointed out to me about NECC and Mosport.

>timing equipment, we need the timing equipment that will put a transponder 
>onto the car itself.

Do we NEED this, or is this a WANT?  We had these at Summit Point and they 
required like a $250 deposit <or some rather large amount>.  Sure, you got 
your money back and it's REALLY cool but a couple of decent guys with stop 
watches can get you dang close with the same results.  Of the time trials 
I've done, that was the only place that had them.

>What about the involvement of the NECC?  "Fast Eddie", Donnie, and I all 
>agree that the SECC has matured enough and continues to mature with the 
>addition of new members as well as the seasoned professionals we have 
>amongst us to host this event on our own.  We would like to make our first 
>official SECC Time Trial.

I hate to be a nay sayer, however, it seems that running an autocross on 20 
acres of flat land vs a time trial with curves and hills are two very 
different animals.  Radios MUST work, Safety is paramount of the drivers, 
spectators and workers, at double and triple the speeds of an autocross 
(think 1 mile straight at RR!).  Lots of excellent communication is REQUIRED 
between the guys starting/stopping/controlling the pit area and tower.  
That's a lot to chew on.  I'm trying to think of who besides me, Tony, 
Eddie, maybe Joe, have actually run a time trial.  Anyone?  How about manage 
one?  Not me - I've never even been in a tower and watched the timing occur.

>We are not saying that we don't welcome the help and guidance of the NECC, 
>but at sometime we have to step out and take a chance on our own.  If we 
>end up needing help, we will not hesitate to ask NECC to step in and help.
>So what are all your thoughts on this?  Pretty exciting, don't you think?
>Sarah
>
Now that I put a damper on things let me tell you how I REALLY feel.  :)

Yep, VERY exciting, and I'm pretty sure it will happen.  Glad to see it.  
It's ABOUT TIME!  Now we can plan some long weekends around Roebling road 
and do our stuff there instead of Jacksonville.  vrroooom, vrrroooom.  I 
think we need a practice weekend to work out all the kinks.  I volunteer to 
be the guinea pig driver.  :)

There is nothing I mention above that can't be overcome with the help and 
guidance of the NECC and Roebling Road Staff.  It's just the unknowns that 
scare me.

I am a computer guy and I'm willing to lend a hand where I can, with 
classes, run groups, online registration and website stuff, logistics, 
programming, database work, etc.  It's not like it's brain surgery.  We'd 
just better have running smoothly.

Looking forward to it!

Barry