SSLance

What the Chief of Workers runs up against in an instance like that is what if there are no experienced T&S people in a group or two once registration fills up? We are then asking people to move run groups around after the fact to cover the assignment or risk issues with no experienced workers in place. I observed T&S for one group at an event to cross train a bit and I can tell you I want no part of it. I could do it if I had to in a pinch now, but I'd volunteer to work course before T&S. Some people like it though and are very good at it. As a Registrar or Chief of Workers, you get to know people's strong points or weak points quickly because when things go sideways, you are always the first one people complain to.

I agree with the majority of that but why not have any experienced Timing and Scoring people slotted into each run group? Timing and scoring issues are generally what causes most delays during an event, pre-registering at least one experienced Timing and Scoring worker in each run group helps alleviate these issues.

Just a procedural note...The pre-registered entries are capped as to how many can be in each run group because if not, the opposing work group would not have enough course workers. C sells out so quickly because so many entrants trying to register at 8 pm choose it first. And remember this, if there were less overall pre-registered entrants that doesn't automatically equate to more available spots as each one of those not pre-registered entrants just becomes one more person hitting the "register now" button at 8 pm.

Imagine this scenario, when registration opens...up 3 different drivers choose Run Group C and Grid Group A at the same time. The first one to check out gets their choice, the next two automatically get waitlisted because their chosen work assignment is already taken and now sold out. Now multiply that by Starter, Announcer, and Observer times 4 run groups. Once waitlisted, either the Chief of Registration (who is also working on his or her computer every time registration opens fixing errors like this) has to correct the entry by changing the run group or work assignment or the driver has to cancel their entry and start over. This is why we stopped choosing individual work assignments when registering. I guess another option would be to do things like National since that seems to be the comparison. Driver signs up to drive...then at some point later gets told what run group they are going to run in and where they are going to work...every event...with no say or choice in the matter. Leave it all up to the Chief of Workers. Frankly, that would be MUCH easier for Registration and Chief of Workers. Personally I don't care for that option as I think it's less member friendly than our current method but knowing how registration works from the inside I see that as the only other way of doing it vs how we do things now. I'm also going to add this...typically even though we have been going on a waitlist fairly quickly, as cancels roll in those that get waitlisted on opening night pretty much always make it in the event. I can go back and gather the actual numbers, but off the top of my head there are usually less then 10 waitlisted drivers that don't make it in for a normal event. I appreciate the civil discussion on this and am willing to be as transparent as I can to explain what is really happening behind the scenes regarding registration. I'm also open to innovative ideas but just know that I'm going to respond with the details of what those ideas really mean when the rubber hits the road. I've worked hard to make the registration and staffing part of our events run as smoothly as I can...and that includes making it as easy as it can be for the Chiefs that volunteer so much of their extra time to put these events on.

By necessity, pre-registered non-course workers are spread out amongst the run groups. If this weren't done, we'd run short of course workers in certain run groups. The idea of grouping everyone by class has been discussed before. The difficulty comes when trying to staff certain work assignments for all run groups. This idea also adds an extra layer or two of work to Registration and Worker Chiefs. This is not to say it could not be done, just noting that it would take considerable effort to implement and there is sure to be opposition to this from other Region members who prefer the current methods. In the last couple of months 3 new Chiefs have come on board, Mike Hitt is the new Chief of Registration, Ron Bistrais is the new Chief of Workers and Jim Enriquez is the new Chief of Course. All 3 are learning their new positions and putting fresh new eyes on how things can be done. David's suggestion about 2 day weekend events is pretty spot on, current Chiefs are reluctant to do them because basically they are twice the workload on the Chiefs. The SC committee has repeatedly offered up the idea of adding new or extra events staffed with new up and coming Chiefs and that offer still stands. I'll ask again, who wants to step up and learn more about Chairing and Chiefing more events? The SC is willing to lend help and expertise to guide them along the way.

I went to look at the February registrations to check on this. The majority of the course work assignments listed are in Groups E and F and these are the 2nd work assignments for those essential workers that are also running Time Onlys. There are a couple that are certified Solo Safety Stewards that are not designated to be SSS that event. Usually those people are moved wherever needed most once registration is filled and assignments started. The Observers I noticed are actually left over assignments from before Chiefs or Assistant Chiefs were promoted and those will be cleaned up as well once the rest of the assignments are done. Registration making the attendee list public is an effort to be transparent. I remember the days when an entrant might not know their work assignment for the day until the night before. I believe getting as much assignment information out as soon as possible for everyone to see makes it better for everyone.

Hey Dave, I'll address your ideas individually from my perspective. Regarding event participation, our newly formed Phoenix AZ Solo Region currently has 490 dues paying members and has won SCCA Awards for the tremendous and quick growth of our Region. Every event we have held since we started PASR has sold out or been very close to selling out. There are many members who add PASR membership to their other Regions of Record just so they have a better chance of getting into our events. It is my belief that the efficient way we run our events contributes to this demand. People want to run with us. Again, our Region has almost 500 members and for the most part...those that wish to enter an event get in. While there initially may be a waitlist upon the rush of entries...there are also usually many cancels and those on the waitlist are promoted on a first come, first served basis. If one doesn't make the initial entry, chances are good they'll get in eventually because of cancels. Having an event structure that promotes more runs vs more entries has been brought up in SC meetings many times and the discussion always reverts back to more runs is preferred. The Autocross on the Track events are special events and by design have somewhat limited participation built in with limitations on vehicle type and driver experience at the outset. They are also held on a weekday which also limits participation. The first one we tried 139 entries which resulted in only 3 runs total and many headaches and issues staffing the event. For the second one we limited entries to 80 split into 2 groups which ran twice...once in the morning and once in the afternoon. This format was much better received...by everyone surveyed....so the SC decided to stay with this format for future Autocross at the Track events going forward. At our Veteran's Day 2024 event, we initially had 24 drivers waitlisted. By the night before the event I was scrambling trying to find 2 more drivers to come to fill the last spots opened up by cancelations. In other words, everyone that wanted in, got in. Regarding having 200 participants registered, we are limited to no more than 200 people on site at any one time. This includes lunch servers, security officers and guests. Our current limits for regular events are 148 drivers, 45 guests and a few extra non-registered people to stay under the site limit. Should we restrict access to all guests so that we can allow more drivers to enter? The answer to that question every time it has come up is no... The Steering Committee feels that the current system not only provides the best workers put into position to put on the most well-run events, but also rewards those that put in the extra voluntary effort to help put on our events. There have been call outs asking for more volunteers to step up into leadership roles and in the last few months we have brought in a new Registration Chief and a Worker Chief. There is always a need for more volunteers to step up contribute and engage. In fact, if there would be enough volunteers to step up to Chair, Chief and staff more events, the Region is willing to sanction and help put those events on. The issue is ALWAYS the lack of leaders willing to put the extra time and effort into this. Our current Chiefs do a fantastic job, but they are maxed out. They all concur they are not willing to take on any more work. If we want to change the operation of our current system, the first need is to find more qualified Chiefs willing to take on these tasks. Who is willing to step up and take on more of a role in the Region? Input is always considered, and appreciated...but actual willingness to put the work necessary in is needed as well.

This is not the first time these concerns have been brought up, and the steering committee has discussed them regularly. The SC understands the optics and have dealt with them as best as we can, but are always open to other ideas. To clear up a couple points, this event had 43 entries pre-registered when registration opened. The rest were "guests" which were not counted toward the entry max limit and included key volunteers that will be there to help run the event even while not actually participating. We also restrict our entries to provide time to get more runs in per entry. The alternative might be 200-225 entries per event and only get 3 runs with no time onlys? 75-80 entries for the Autocross at the track events seems to be the sweet spot to fully staff all positions and still giving 2 runs groups 2 sessions each. Typically we have between 40-50 pre-registered entries which include those that go above and beyond in preparing for and running our events. This includes Board members, Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and key workers with special skills that are at EVERY event and are reliable to show up and get their assignments done quickly. How many events have you been to that regularly get first car off at 8:15 am? Our Board members and Chiefs put in a bunch of hours off site voluntarily to run our events and our Chiefs rely on their key workers to help them get their responsibilities accomplished efficiently. I can speak from experience, we need to make it as easy as possible for these Chiefs to do their job so that they stay on as our Chiefs. Part of that is giving them experienced workers to help them. One way we help to do that is to pre-register those workers, along with the Board and the Chiefs. This way we know we have those assignments covered with capable hands before the race morning happens. Chiefs do enough extra work (voluntarily) as is without having to wrangle inexperienced workers on race day every event. One idea that has been floated several times and I'll float it once again here...if there are enough people that want to gather up teams and Chiefs and put on additional events, the Region is on board with that. All we need is more people to step up and assume Chief duties. So far, nobody has stepped up and been willing to put the extra time in to admin putting events together. Which brings me back to my other point, it is HARD to find people that will volunteer 10 of hours per month away from the track to help run these events, so we need to take care of those that do. Hope that helps, It never hurts to have a fresh set of eyes look at things. I just wanted to give you a heads up on why we do what we currently do. See you later today? Lance

Okay, I have put the new classes in MSR and changed every entry I could find containing the above old classes to the above newly created classes. All of you should check your individual entries though and if I made any mistakes or you need any changes made, just let Registration know by emailing phoenixazsolo@gmail.com

STR went to both AST and CST?

When Registration gets word from Jason that changes have been made in the Timing and Scoring software, we'll update the classes on MSR. Sid, are those changes noted above just direct swaps? ie: all STR cars are now AST?

Huge thanks and kudos to Amanda Hitt for her working documenting and sharing our fun at the last event. It was all smiles, laughs and fun in Time Onlys as the eight of us took turns beating on each other's cars trying to best each other's overall time while Super Dave Schotz called out all the fun on the Mic. Can't wait to do it again next year! Maybe next time we'll include more late model car drivers and see what they can do in our old manual activated rides while we try our hand in some newer nanny aided cars?

Nice! I was out there Sunday helping Dale with his car in TT. Wish I knew you were there.

Here is my 2nd session Sunday where I set new PB 4 laps in a row. The rumble barriers are painted yellow inside the red/white curbing. https://youtu.be/eNkeO1bmdrQ?si=hPsknighugCDEVNy

Oh I'm already addicted... lol... Watch out for the new rumble barriers... They make it mandatory that you do not drop a tire anywhere near them. I spent all day Saturday relearning my line to make sure I didn't encounter them.