COTA - "Not interested in allowing HPDE or amatuer racing events..."
12-27-2012, 09:33 PM
#61
12-28-2012, 12:54 AM
#64
12-28-2012, 04:10 AM
#65
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IMHO this is just a situation of the track in it's infancy/toddler stage. I don't think they know what they want to do/be. It was hair-on-fire to get the track ready for F1 and it appears from the behavior we've seen they hadn't put much thought (or agreement) into anything beyond the big race. Smells like management can't agree on what the mid-term vision is for the facility. Being the "prettiest girl at the dance" probably isn't helping either. It will settle down eventually (I hope), but it will take much patience from all of us that want to give them our money.
12-28-2012, 09:08 AM
#66
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IMHO this is just a situation of the track in it's infancy/toddler stage. I don't think they know what they want to do/be. It was hair-on-fire to get the track ready for F1 and it appears from the behavior we've seen they hadn't put much thought (or agreement) into anything beyond the big race. Smells like management can't agree on what the mid-term vision is for the facility. Being the "prettiest girl at the dance" probably isn't helping either. It will settle down eventually (I hope), but it will take much patience from all of us that want to give them our money.
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www.peterkrause.net
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12-28-2012, 09:32 AM
#67
Rennlist Member
Except, to the best of my knowledge, Barber was neither built with $25,000,000 of public funds/tax rebates per year nor required disparate groups of the usual tree-hugging car-loathing hippies to get on board to benefit the community. I could be wrong, But IIRC that George Barber simply built the place as his own private playground...and thhen over time decided to begin renting it out.
12-28-2012, 09:51 AM
#68
FYI, I understand that The Driver's Edge event scheduled for Jan is still on. First private/HPDE event at COTA. And at the rate things are going, maybe the only one! doh!
If my other obligations clear up, I'm there
-td
If my other obligations clear up, I'm there
-td
12-28-2012, 11:33 AM
#69
Rennlist Member
What GT3DE said. At the rate these guys are going, there will be new owners in a few years. Hopefully they will be more receptive.
12-28-2012, 12:12 PM
#70
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Not quite correct, VR. Public money component is part of Barber's disposition from him to the group that operates events now.
The disconnect between the sports management company hired to operate Barber from day one and amateur groups was astounding. It's taken nearly a decade for them to "get real."
I doubt COTA has that much time...
The disconnect between the sports management company hired to operate Barber from day one and amateur groups was astounding. It's taken nearly a decade for them to "get real."
I doubt COTA has that much time...
12-28-2012, 12:46 PM
#71
Rennlist Member
You mean the rumors that were flying around that if you put a wheel off and killed a few blades of grass, you (or the club) were going to get fined big-time? I had forgotten about that... I guess it did take a decade...
12-28-2012, 12:50 PM
#72
Burning Brakes
Guess they feel that the potential fan base represented by amateur racers & HPDE crowd is not significant in comparison to the Indy & NASCAR fans who enjoy races as social partying events and typically don't own/drive track ready sports cars. Not saying there's anything wrong with partying. Just a different crowd with different priorities.
Attitude will probably change when the "new" wears off. Have a few friends who attended the F1 event. Said it was fun but too expensive so they won't be back but they wanted to attend the inaugural event. Be interesting to hear how the advance sales go for the next events.
Attitude will probably change when the "new" wears off. Have a few friends who attended the F1 event. Said it was fun but too expensive so they won't be back but they wanted to attend the inaugural event. Be interesting to hear how the advance sales go for the next events.
12-28-2012, 01:56 PM
#73
The Penguin King
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IMHO this is just a situation of the track in it's infancy/toddler stage. I don't think they know what they want to do/be. It was hair-on-fire to get the track ready for F1 and it appears from the behavior we've seen they hadn't put much thought (or agreement) into anything beyond the big race. Smells like management can't agree on what the mid-term vision is for the facility. Being the "prettiest girl at the dance" probably isn't helping either. It will settle down eventually (I hope), but it will take much patience from all of us that want to give them our money.
12-28-2012, 03:47 PM
#75
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Zoom (http://www.brunoeventteam.com/zoom-motorsports.php) billed the renter (volunteer-led vintage group, VDCA) $5K PER PIECE of Armco. $25K Yes, you read that right, $25K for used Armco pieces, 5 of them.
My client, not wanting to compromise the sanctioning body, should they have wanted to rent there again, paid an amount slightly less than that, but not much less...
The group did not go back...