Why I like MKM Promotions more than the SSCC, Rant..... Options

[NataSS Inc]

Ok for anyone that read the "Hey AndyJ" thread you will know that Jeff and I didnt even get with in 50 miles of the start line because our tow rig blew up a couple weeks ago at the Nevada Open Road Challenge.

I got an email from the race directors wife stating that they were still charging Jeff and I ALL associated fees with running the race. I responded with a "can we just roll the fees over to the next event since we didnt even get within 50 miles of the start"? The response was "NO". So for a race we didnt get the car off the fucking trailer we are being gouged for almost $1,000.00 (costs a little more to run with the fast group). Jeff takes the biggest hit though. On my portion I just said, I'll pay but don't EVER expect to see me at another Silver State Classic Challenge event.

Now that right there is some serious bullshit. I could understand if we were all suited up, in the car green flag drops and we make it 5 miles out and the car goes tits up. The car never left the fucking shit hole town of Ely!!!!

These runs are NOT the fucking SCCA World Challenge, they are NOT the fucking ALMS or Trans Am series. This is a group of good old boys that like to get out and run fast. We do these events to be around our friends and fellow speed junkies. A while ago there was a big stink about the SSCC and ALOT of the "old timer" ORR guys jumped ship and never went back to SSCC. Tons of political games got played and I never paid attention to any of them. Well, now I am......

If this would have been an MKM event, Mike would have said "we can work this out" or "we can roll this to the next event" and AT THE VERY LEAST he would have refunded a good portion of the fees that didnt cover the cost of stickers, etc. MKM has ALWAYS tried to be the stand out group in the ORR community because they know that we keep coming to these events for the love of the sport and some of us that do them are on absolute shoe string budgets. SSCC.......If I may quote one of my favorite movies "Fuck you, pay me".

So as of this point forward, I will no longer be running the NORC or SSCC events.

Have one on me SSCC (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

[marka]

Howdy,

What are the costs associated with putting on one of these types of events?

Was the refund policy spelled out ahead of time?

As an organizer of motorsports events (but having no knowledge of open road racing stuff in general or these folks in particular), I can say that normally grassroots events like these run _very_ close on budget. Having someone commit and then back out can often mean the difference between breaking even and not.

Bottom line (to me) is that if they say something along the lines of "no refunds" and your tow vehicle broke down... It'd be nice if they could refund your money but its understandable if they couldn't.

Mark

[98_1LE]

A couple years ago I had to cancel at the last minute before the RRORR because of a car problem no one could figure out. Per the policy I was out the entry, and had accepted that. A week or so after the event, a full refund arrived from the organizers. Coolest thing ever. I will probably run SSCC eventually just because I have wanted to since reading about "Big Red" a long time ago, but have not heard many positive things about them.

[Shortcutsleeping]

Boyce,

That just sucks and is NOT how to run a customer-friendly organization. At least with scca/nasa if you don't turn a wheel on track you get a refund.

I'm going to try and run some ORR stuff with the new car and it is stories like this that make me wonder....


Costas
cars and such...

[AndyJ]

Boyce, that is too bad.

Most of the ORR websites promote it as an easy and affordable way to take your daily driver on a really fast drive. Cool --we need new racers to keep the sport growing.

Fact of the matter is as the speeds rise so do the costs for entry and prepping the car. Some of the races are run by entities which have to turn a profit to stay viable. Some are run by the local municipalities. There is a definite advantage to attending one which is run by the municipalities.

When money gets tight, safety issues get the first scrutiny and I pay very,very close attention to just what safety measures are in place. Sometimes, sometimes, the advertised safety staff and equipment do NOT actually make the final cut for race day.


Bottom line is there is a personal risk involved, there is a monetary risk involved and there is the possibility of loss of equipment. I don't go unless I am comfortable with all 3 factors.

It still sucks Boyce even though the entry forms say "No refunds after 15 days prior to the race."