Cobra Nats 2015

[Hoity]

Hey Kim, it would be great to see the top ten or so cars for the show and shine, perhaps some info on how they are scored as well. Provides some recognition to those that have gone to a lot of trouble presenting their cars. Best interior, best paint job, engine bay etc

Cheers
Jon

[Tenrocca]

Hey Kim - As they are no longer making the KU36 just wondering if we can add a few alternatives to class 7. I think a few folk struggled to find remaining stock this year. Perhaps the class could be modified to just be any tyre less than R Spec?

[gjkrv8]

Hi Kim, I was wondering whether we could do a class for 2 - driver cars to encourage some younger folk or partners etc. e.g. Father/son, Father/daughter, Husband/Wife/partner etc

Just you and Madison have to be handicapped :-)

When I got back and showed my sons the videos/photos, one of them put his hand up for next year?

Maybe a combined time system or points? Maybe remove Sprints as that is a bit daunting first out for some? or a handicap. Whatever.

Just a suggestion to try and get the "young" ones and partners interested.

Cheers

Gregg

[Modena]

Ah like a team entry - maybe add up the two drivers and average the result? Good idea Gregg.

[gjkrv8]

Originally Posted by Modena

Ah like a team entry - maybe add up the two drivers and average the result? Good idea Gregg.

Exactly.

Or do a "regularity" type approach on nominated times.

But include the Drags/slalom/hill climb times too. Maybe you can elect to remove a run if you stuff it up etc?

Anyway, I know running these events is hard enough - but maybe a simple "team" style event.

cheers

Gregg

[Gav]

The only 'regularity event' Andy knows about involves a high fibre diet.

[Kimbo]

All great feedback guys, keep it coming, I have til the end of today (Wednesday 14 Oct) to compile this for tonights meeting.

[Towmaster]

Originally Posted by Kimbo

All great feedback guys, keep it coming, I have til the end of today (Wednesday 14 Oct) to compile this for tonights meeting.

Only one thing from me...

Can we please have a red flag at the finish of the slalom so we know if we are disqualified because we knocked a cone over?
Each time I pulled up at the end no one said anything, they just walked over, took away the witches hat and I drove off...... I thought I had won the event at the presentation because all my times (that are shown on the board at the end of the run) were under the winning times.... How embarrassing....

Other than that a very well run event, and thank you to Peter for allowing me to short cut the car park because of my lousy turning circle, definitely made it easier.

[spookypt]

Kim I thought the event this year went even more smoothly than years past and we had more entrants I believe. Thumbs up.

I like how the sprint lap was allowed to be reversed from slowest to fastest. It'd be good if after each group went out the fastest current lap was written on an outlap board so as the next faster group had something to chase. Bit like qualifying. (Yes I know a bit much to ask!)

Another suggestion may be if on the entry list it said we can email both our payment receipt and entry form if this is suitable. Many did but it'd avoid people thinking they have to email one thing but post the other.

Lastly I'd love to see more people attend to grow the event but thats up to respective states to gee up its members I guess.

Its hard catering to all tastes but I reckon you put across a pretty even spread of options for all entrants.

Cant wait till next year!

Matt

[Modena]

I would suggest more emphasis on the dinners and perhaps add some nighttime entertainment for the group. For me I'm not fussed I am happy with it as it is, but I think if the social side were better advertised more people would attend from interstate as spectators and modifed entrants. Just a thought.

[BJ's Snake]

Originally Posted by Modena

I would suggest more emphasis on the dinners and perhaps add some nighttime entertainment for the group. For me I'm not fussed I am happy with it as it is, but I think if the social side were better advertised more people would attend from interstate as spectators and modifed entrants. Just a thought.

Wazza's not enough entertainment for you...

[Modena]

Originally Posted by BJ's Snake

Wazza's not enough entertainment for you...

Enough for me sure because I've been to a couple now so I know I will be back. I guess what I was trying to say is that if we want more people to attend, especially as competitors, then you need to get people to attend as a non-competitor first. There are LOTS of Cobra people who do not go because they are not interested in speed events. Consequently they don't attend at all. If you can get them to attend their first Nats as a spectator, I think you'll find the conversion rate to a second time as a spectator is massive, and conversion to a competitor will be good too.

I know in the Vic club we encourage as many people to go as we possibly can just because it's such an awesome fun weekend regardless of whether you track the car or not, but I suppose some more non-track events would maybe get more people along? Just a thought, like I said for me its' good as it is.

[Kimbo]

The funny thing about this is that there is a red flag on this course at the finish box (you can see it from the pits), but it must be too far back for the driver to see.

Thanks for the feedback

[Wazza]

A couple of ideas ...
1.

[spookypt]

Originally Posted by wazza

a couple of ideas ...
1. I think a decent mc at the dinners would be a huge leap forward

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Wazza]

I've got a couple of ideas, which may not help much, but thought I'd throw them in anyway...

1. The "Show and Shine" could last longer, and be better promoted.
i.e. a lot of "normal" people just love looking at the cars up close, and not really too interested in the track events.
It would encourage those who are more "waxers" than "Racers" ( Definitely no insult intended ), to come along to the Nationals and show off their lovely cars.

2.As much as I LOVE doing the sprint events...I fully understand that it can be quite daunting to many of our owners, who are understandably very cautious about either getting damage to their cars, or even just being made to look a bit foolish.

I'd strongly suggest that we could spare the time to get some of the experienced drivers to go out with the inexperienced drivers, to show them all of the lines, and braking points etc. prior to the start of the practice day.
Then keeping them in the "novice" group on the practice day.

Then they would be a lot more confident, and enjoy the experience.

3. For these same drivers....as mentioned above...a "regularity" event is perfect for those who would love to try the track, but would like to have a competition whilst not driving at 10/10ths.

4. An organized run on the Sunday....a few hours driving, and a morning tea ??..something like that?

Ideal for those who don't want to take part in...or even watch....the sprint events.

5. Pay the M.C. a Motza....Lovely fellow, and he looks like he needs the whip.

6. Keep asking for ideas for the next couple of months...someone will come up with some excellent ideas that nobody has thought of before.



and HUGE thanks to eveyone on the N.S.W. team for making the Nationals such a great event to be a part of.

Regards,
Warren

[Mad94d]

Originally Posted by Wazza

I've got a couple of ideas, which may not help much, but thought I'd throw them in anyway...

2.As much as I LOVE doing the sprint events...I fully understand that it can be quite daunting to many of our owners, who are understandably very cautious about either getting damage to their cars, or even just being made to look a bit foolish.

I'd strongly suggest that we could spare the time to get some of the experienced drivers to go out with the inexperienced drivers, to show them all of the lines, and braking points etc. prior to the start of the practice day.
Then keeping them in the "novice" group on the practice day.

Then they would be a lot more confident, and enjoy the experience.

3. For these same drivers....as mentioned above...a "regularity" event is perfect for those who would love to try the track, but would like to have a competition whilst not driving at 10/10ths.

Regards,
Warren

The passenger laps originally started as driver training sessions with other inexperienced drivers going for hotlaps with fast guys or fast guys riding with more inexperienced drivers. It has become a hotlap passenger session for spectators which is fine, but it does take away from the driver training. I have taken a few drivers who were just starting for laps and tried to give them all the advice I could and from what they tell me, it helped.

Same thing when I went out as a passenger for two sessions with another young driver (father son combo). He was appreciative and said it helped a lot also despite the fact you can't driver train in a cobra on the run due to the noise, you have to debrief after!

I like the idea of driver training though, I think it's great and benefits people a lot. Would like to see it again for sure.

Regularity also used to be an event i'm sure. I remember the old man used to quite often get a trophy for that!

I like these suggestions Warren, would be good to see these two things back especially.

[Donunder]

Originally Posted by Wazza

5...Lovely fellow, and he looks like he needs the whip.

Just had a scary lady pointed out to me over here in Hanoi who I'm assured could attend to this very situation... and any other you care to dream up. Cheap cheap.

Think I'll stick to buying T shirts.

[David Hodgson]

I know I'm a bit late now for Kim's meeting however there's still a year to go 'till the next Nats.

The Nats used to be a really social affair where everyone could feel they're a part of it. When we were forced to come to the controlled environment of Wakefield, it naturally evolved into the fast track work we have now. And most people like that.

I think it was a good move this year with the Show'n'shine & motorkhana package for those who don't enjoy the sprints. It brought back a few of the people we lost over the years, and I think it will encourage a few more back.

Given that Sunday is sprints all day, I don't see the real need for the lap dash on Saturday afternoon. This session could be used for something like a regularity, or paired two up event. This might even encourage more ladies or family members to drive if they have someone in the passenger seat for re-assurance. Given it's the Nats, I Sat and Sun should be completion events and save training and familiarising for Friday afternoon.

Mads, We've never had a regularity event at the Nats, they were included in the NSW club track day's. Getting through the Hill Climb, Go-whoa and drags with 100+ entries used to take up to about 3pm Saturday. Occasionally some free track time was able to be allowed after that.

[Gav]

Passenger hot lap sessions eh?
I wonder which two siblings immediately come to mind...