I don't frequent the site very often. I've spent a bit of time this afternoon browsing to see what, if any talk I could find on interest in regional track events. FWIW, I just came back from the Utah Chapters Miller Motorsports event put on last week. John Stahmann and the Utah Chapter (thanks Jeff et al) with the assitance of the National Organization, Dean Treadway and a big group of people out of the Golden Gate Chapter put on an awesom event. Depending on which run group one found themself in, one got as many as 6+ 30 minute sessions each day! I believe I managed to log over 400 track miles on the Miller course.

If there was any disappointment, while there was Colorado support, total turnout from Colorado was less than overwhelming. The event could have easily accomodated many more people. I know the Utah Chapter wants to do the event again next year, but Miller is an expensive track to rent and run on without a large group of support. Dovetailing with this is I understand the remaining Rocky Mountain Chapter has cancelled it's previously planned and announced HPR date for, as I understood, lack of Rocky Mountain member interest or support.

I guess part of the purpose of this post is to ask the Forum members what interest there is, if any, in doing HPDE track events? Is there really little or no interest? Is Miller just too far, or difficult for greater regional participation? Opportunities to run the FULL track at Miller don't present themself every day. How does the Audi Club get more track participation, or should HPDE events be left to BMW and Porsche Club or NASA events?

Looking for regional ACNA member input and opinions.

Thanks
Mike Pederson

I'm also hearing there's less than overwh

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Normally I have no issue making the trip to Miller, even though it's a good distance away. However, it means taking 2 days off for travel time, which is time away from my business/family and taxes the patience of my wife!

I can really only make the trip out to Miller once a season realistically and that means going out there for the NASA Nationals.

Travelling to an event out of state is also quite expensive, once you factor in the cost of the event, travel, hotel, food, etc, you can spend $1000+. Compare that to hitting an event for a day at Pueblo, HPR, etc, it can be 3-4X as much.

I think the issues are multi faceted, with the flagging economy keeping people closer to home as well as the plethora of choices people now have to get on a track. Not only can you run with SCCA, but PCA, BMW, NASA, vintage, Lotus, Audi (yes, we're gonna have an event!) etc, etc. The market saturation for track events isn't good for all the clubs involved.

As a consumer, you can literally look at when you have free time, choose the event that matches your schedule and away you go.

I think all of us are excited to go to the track, but free time and money dictates the choices many of us can make to what events are attended...

 

I had been planning on attending the HPR HPDE put on by the Rocky Mountain Audi Club in lieu of Miller due to travel time. However, as soon as HPR was cancelled I jumped on Miller and had an amazing weekend. I agree, additional Colorado folks at Miller would have been nice and from the three open track days I have logged at HPR, there does not appear to be a lot of Audi interest in playing on the track (I am typically the only Audi out there).
Perhaps it is the sign of the times with the economy in the toilet, perhaps its also an issue of new-comers being intimidated, or just not well informed on the fun and benefits of track time.

 

I dont know why anyone wouldn't want to go to HPR...although I have never driven on Miller...HPR was a total kick in in the a$$. Just bring more then sufficient pads...learn the corners..and have a blast!