I was discussing this topic with a few racers this weekend and figured I would bring the topic back up (I know it has been discussed in the past), but more so to make an attempt to bring upon change (rather than just kick, cry and scream...I can do that too, but know it rarely works).

I know PCA National believes or has in the past had the belief that if you give out trophies or awards that people would race harder, or more aggressively. Without arguing whether or not this is true (I do not believe people hold anything back or add any extra racing effort because of a trophy), I would like to propose a reason to give trophies and awards.

Most of us club race for nothing more than memories. There is no purse at the end, no ever-lasting publication (except Rennpoints, which we all love), no media or tv coverage, nothing to bring us back to those weekends where we spent thousands (some 10s of thousands) of dollars simply pursuing a passion with friends. The trophies and awards give us the ability to 10, 15, 20 years from now look at the award and say "ya I remember that weekend, it was a blast racing wheel to wheel with so and so."

I have competed in a lot of martial arts events where my medals although not something I look through daily, from time to time give me the ability to think back to my efforts on a weekend, my time spent with friends and quite simply appreciate the memories.

I am not saying have a champagne spraying affair like most series (although I think going even that far is a good idea because it brings quite a bit of joy and exposure to the club), I am saying at the very least start giving away trophies, awards, and scrap the idea of giving us a sticker that is usually bent by the time you walk back to the trailer to put it on your car's rear window (which when the car is sold gets sent away with the car).

For what it's worth not a single one of us is going to race harder, wad up our cars, or race dirty just for the sake of a trophy. Those who would do that, will do it just to get a sticker either way. I am simply proposing letting us club racers who spend a lot of time, effort, and money on a passion to have something that will allow us to remember these weekends for a long time to come.

My flame suit is on, ready to get torched, but stand firmly as I catch fire!

 

 

for a low attendence event this we, im glad they gave us this, its great memory.


i agree with Mo, some trophies, pictures on podium, i think it would be fun


even cheap champagne would be nice!!!

 

That's really nice! Did the region do this? It makes for a really awesome award!

 

I went to MoSport a couple of years ago and also got a plaque like the one pictured above. The Region paid a photographer to take pictures and, if I recall, they had the trophy place scribe the finish place(s) on the plaques between in the end of the sprints and the Saturday evening dinner - so rushed to say the least. It really is a very nice gesture by the Region.

 

Every event...

 

GUMS they are talking Trophies here.....where are you boy?

Sorry Frank I just couldn't resist.

 

Back in the day I did Autosprints, Hillclimbs, and SCCA racing. All awarded trophies. I raced just as hard to pass the guy in front for 7th place as I did for 2nd place. I ended up throwing most of the trophies away just saving the most meaningful like the first hillclimb trophy and my Second place finish in the "Closed Wheel" class of my first SCCA drivers school at Marlboro (The track that looks like a cartoon on the wall at Summit Point).

 

I would stuff my SPB and two others into the Armco for that plaque!





The awards are fun momentos. Pretty sure it won't change on track behaviors. Plenty of self motivation with out them.

 

I'm pretty sure I can see the cigarette in Seb's mouth. Export A green?

 

Please consider those having or are undergoing a 12 step program. Pressurized milk would suffice.

 

Pretty sure they'd have to rewrite the rules for that.... LOL

The only trophies I kept were the ones that meant the most for what happened on track -- 2 specifically, one where I had beat a 3 time NASA national champion and eventual pro racer in the rain and the other a two car team for an enduro where my partner and I beat cup cars for the overall win. The NASA trophy is probably a $7 trophy, but every time I look at it, it means something. Now, personally, I'd vote for grid girls!

 

Fancy awards are only for Clubsport drivers.

 

I think this has proven to be true 1000x over. Add a tire contingency to your club; see what happens.

 

We have tire contingencies and a championship points program.