Jas0nn

I really don't think its the cost, to be honest. The series that are growing are very, very expensive. There is a lot of wealth out there. Which obviously don't sound very inclusive - but at the end of the day, its an expensive hobby!! And we are talking about racing expensive cars. The racers are out there ...

Try and rent a seat in WRL GTO today. It's 2015 pro series $$$.

Now try and go "pro" racing. MX5 Cup (note the use of lowercase @LuigiVampa ) is big $$$$. Everything in the racing world has gotten expensive. Even top SM builds are $60k today.

Within PCA, we've seen CUP grow pretty steadily these past few years. But we're not talking the $16k car that I bought 10 years ago, anymore; today, that's donor motor dollars. We're talking the same $$$ for CUP as you would pay for a 6/7Cup. Granted, some of the running costs are much lower (tires and most consumables), but the biggest costs - cost of entry, rebuilds - are at a similar level. Which is to say: we have a great counterpoint to the argument that costs are the problem. Unfortunately, that means that there are not too many brand new racers coming into CUP - so we've had to look elsewhere to find drivers with the right mindset ...

ProCoach

I understand. Germane to the question because obviously, a rising sea does NOT float all boats. So that would point the "opportunity for improvement" squarely back to the administration, marketing and operation of PCA only events.

Ditto. This is the same kind of argument where 65% of people think their own financial standing is good, but the same 65% think others (and the country's) is not. Big disconnect.

Agreed. Most important point (for PCA DE and Club Racing organizers. marketing folks and operations) is in bold.

Saying simply that in a diluted market, PCA Club racing (and some, but not all DE's) needs to become more relevant and more compelling to capture/recapture those lost to other venues. The people who think the opportunity (hence financial) costs of racing provide value are out there...

ProCoach

PCA has the most passionate, successful and performance focused membership of any of all of the different marque clubs out there.

The accessories and service market, the dealership and PMNA initiatives and outreach, it's all growing.

PCA driving events appear to be stuck in time...

Now, SOME Regions (and again, shoutout to just some of the exceptional examples) run programs that people WANT to be part of. Niagara, Potomac and several others. They look outward, invest in their participants, run well-oiled machines.

It can be done.

ProCoach

My comment to your post was in reference to the last sentence. Missed the edit time.

Nicks2

Agree, I guess the attraction of WRL (and to some extent any A&D) type effort is that an affluent (funded) driver does not have to pay for a 150-250k porsche unless they write it off, the $ can stay in its investment fund earning interest (that helps pay for the seat in a very similar car). Arrive and drive is now much more normal and accessible for those with the means, and could be argued has a lower risk, easier to get in and get out. It kind of alienates self support people who buy a car for $$$, show up without professional setup, testing, knowledge and track perks (food, massages, pep talks, coaching etc). FWIW i very much like the philosophy behind 911CUP, perhaps something could be done along the lines of “BoxsterCUP” which has a lower entry price, but i wouldn’t hold my breath that it works out when a nice SPB is still a 40-50k entry price. I am not sure that PCA’s target for new drivers are those attending champ or nasa or even gridlife events, but if it were there would need to be a big shift towards what makes those seem better value (in both time and $) to get folks more excited to sign up.

Adam144

Because they're using cheaper cars?

Jas0nn

Something else to consider as a counterpoint to the $$ excuse: PCA has a much larger concentration of drivers with pro track support most Clubs. Those services cost big $$$$.

I prep my own car; trailer it down; and do my best to keep it running during the weekend with minimal help (sometimes with one friend helping out all the cars in our 2/3 car paddock). Normal grassroots stuff. That's the only way I can afford to race as much as I do - that and one set of tires/race weekend!

Obviously the definition of "grassroots" has changed over time: I've heard the stories, and am in awe, of Gregg Wilson driving 10 hours in his race car with his race wheels strapped to the car only to show up at the track, swap wheels, win the race, and then drive home. The cars have changed over time - and so too has the notion of what constitutes "grassroots" - but this kind of self-supported racing is definitely NOT the norm in PCA (at least on the East Coast) as it is in CCA and NASA, for example.

I'd argue the norm is to have full track support - which is just one more point showing that there are plenty of people spending the $$$ ...

sbelles

I did that for years. Then I went to partial support. Then full support. The older I get, the more I like arrive and drive. You can't take it with you.

Jas0nn

Don't get me wrong: I'd love it! But we all have budgets - and self support means I can (sprint) race 5 times a year v. 2 times a year if I used support. I also appreciate that not everyone has the time/skills/tools to do it themselves. But I tell myself there is satisfaction in doing it yourself - just not at 2:00am the night before you're supposed to leave, and you find yourself upside down underneath the dash ...

Veloce Raptor

I blame hookers and blow

Carrera51

Nicks2. There are plenty of decent SPBs out there for well under $40-50K. $25-30K will buy you a good one. Done that. One of the fastest SPB guy in the country and definitely on the East Coast isn't racing a $40K SPB. His doesn't even have the current MCS shocks on it and he holds a couple of east coast track records. The driver of the Carebear SPB.

Adam144

Many many drivers have learned the lesson that the price of admission is the cheapest part of the whole endeavour.

Running costs, replacement parts, and upkeep for racing aren't cheap. They're even more costly when there's a Porsche crest involved.

The increase in car value, rarity and cost of parts is killing the 944. That all just moves up the chain each year.

will968

"I'd argue the norm is to have full track support." I'd second that Jason. But we have way more fun for less $$$.

multi21

Your post reminds me of a thread a few years back where the discussion was about track support and Swedish fish or maybe it was Norwegian fish…IDK, maybe the increase cost of Scandinavian seafood is the problem.. I’d ask Luigi, I think he was big into this 😀

MJR911

Yup, this is what happened to the '12 hr at the Point', 'Longest Day' and 'Charge of the Headlight Brigade' SCCA enduros that were an absolute blast in the early 2000s BUT everyone just kept raising the game. History will likely repeat itself. Champ Car seems to have a bit better of a handle, may be?