<VV> The Economy Run - looong

[Robert Marlow, Vairtec Corporation]

I tend to agree with the objections Brian enumerated to begin this 
thread.  At the same time, some of the more recent rules changes for 
this event have addressed some of his concerns.

It has been suggested on these lists that such things as pre- and 
post-event tech be stepped up, that new rules be added, or that the 
event be folded into the rally.  Such steps may improve certain 
conditions, but will worsen others.

First, let's take a step back and look:  Why do we conduct an economy 
run?  We do it because the Corvair was marketed as a economy car, and 
because it participated in classic economy trials such as the famous 
Mobil Economy Runs.  This is similar to why we conduct rallies -- the 
Corvair has a long and rich rally history.   It is similar to why we 
conduct autocrosses -- Corvairs were being autocrossed back when the 
cars were new and the events were called gymkhanas.

The Corvair has a broad range of strengths and capabilities, and so 
we exploit them for our enjoyment.

As I look at things, any shortcomings in the Economy Run can be 
traced to our own limited capacity to staff our events.  To keep a 
closer eye on how the cars are prepared, we need additional 
volunteers.  To keep the event's overall time limit within reach 
while encouraging neither tortoise nor hare driving, we need more 
timed segments, requiring more checkpoint workers.  In a perfect 
world, an official observer would ride in each car -- how many 
volunteers would that require?

But this same argument can be made of the other convention 
events.  The rally would benefit from more staff, as would the 
autocross, and, of course, the concours is always in need of more 
judges and scorekeepers.

Which brings me to my real point:  I am wondering whether we should 
in fact be trying to conduct every one of these events at every one 
of our conventions.  We tend to photocopy each year's convention 
schedule and try to duplicate it every year.  But, wouldn't life be a 
bit more interesting if, say, last year's convention had a rally, 
this year's had an economy run, and next year's had something else 
entirely, maybe an AACA-like tour?

Here's what our by-laws have to say on the subject:  "The annual 
convention will consist of an event program containing the annual 
membership meeting, a Concours d'Elegance, at least one other 
competitive event, technical or general interest sessions, commercial 
vendor displays, a Board of Directors meeting, and an awards banquet. 
Other events may be scheduled at the discretion of the hosting chapter."

So there it is, apart from the concours what is required is only "one 
other competitive event."  We don't need to do everything every year.

When we were last in Detroit, in 1979, the convention was three days 
long.  Over the years our conventions have grown to be five days 
long.  But is a five-day convention "better" that a four-day or even 
a three-day one?

Do we really need to conduct every one of these events, at every 
convention?  I really wonder if things wouldn't be more interesting, 
if conventions wouldn't be more enjoyable, if they were more distinct 
from one another.

And if they had more available volunteers because the volunteers were 
stretched over fewer events.

You'll notice that I have not yet included the autocross in my list 
of events that could be "rotated."  I have skipped over the autocross 
only because the autocross has proven to be consistently 
well-attended.  If for some reason the convention venue made 
conducting an autocross problematic, I see no compelling reason to 
insist that there "must" be an autocross, but generally speaking it 
is an event that I think can be justified each year.

The rally has been very popular in recent years, too, but I think 
that if the rally were the event rotated "out," virtually all of 
those participants would move over to the Economy Run or the Tour or 
whatever else might take its place.  And note that something such as 
a road tour is not a "competitive event."  That's okay, it doesn't 
have to be, as long as there is one competitive event other than the concours.

Anyway, this is a very long-winded way of suggesting that the primary 
way to improve the Economy Run -- and all convention events -- is to 
improve its staffing levels and reduce the clutter around it.  And 
this is a very long-winded way to ask a far more fundamental 
question: Are our conventions what they should be?

--Bob Marlow, just thinking out loud