SCCAForums.com

First of all - I admit it, I blew it.  This being our first year to even consider Nationals, I didn't pay close enough attention to the SCCA website and missed the Nationals online registration cut-off by a day.  When I went online to register at lunch today, I found that I'd earned the opportunity to pay an additional $75 late fee each for my co-driver son and me.  I promptly called and emailed SCCA headquarters, explained my mistake, and asked that this late fee be waived.  I could have considered $75 a painful lesson but, since 1) there are two of us, 2) we're far from competitive at this point, and 3) I somehow managed to break something different each day of our last Divisional, $150 is a tipping point.

We did the Dallas/Fort Worth Tour and three Southwest Divisionals this year, incurring no late fees on any of these events (probably because the cut-off dates were the week of the event).  Even though the national office waived all late fees for the DFW Tour (less than expected participation), they informed me this afternoon that their policy is to not waive late fees for Nationals.  Although I can understand needing to have entrants register by certain dates for organizational reasons and why a late fee penalty would help to ensure that, I can't understand why that fee is 70% of the registration fee more than three weeks before the event and 135% of the registration fee two weeks before.  Seems sadistic... As long as we've not limited out on a regional race, it only costs walk-ups an extra $5 to run.

I'm sorry that we won't be helping the B-Mod numbers this year, especially with all the help we've received from the Texas Region gang, and apologize to whoever ends up where I would've finished.  We'll also miss meeting those of you who haven't trounced us yet!  Good luck to everyone and we'll see you next year (if someone emails me before the cut-off...).

Thanks,
Mike Moulckers

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A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

Mike,

Creating the run/work order and worker assignments for a 4 day, 1100 person event is a job of monumental proportions and also one of the most important of the event.  That drives the entry deadline and also the high entry fee to encourage people to meet the deadline.

Still a bummer than you can't make it....:(

DaveW

In addition to what Dave said, they also need to know how many paddock spaces are needed, how many trophies to order, and how many tables and meals are needed at the banquets.

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2002 Mercedes C230k, retired, 2005 Nationals STU DFL

1969 Beach Solo Vee and 1985 Lynx B Solo Vee

Yes you blew it as far as registering on time. 

Now you have to ask yourself if paying the late fee is worth it.  For you it doesn't seem so.  Ok, no worries.

But they do make run work stuff, and print the books yada....yada......

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Get the car working so it won't most likely spew fluid on the course, and come back next year......in Arkansas, from what I hear

PS----you could always sign up for one of those sleep studies where they pay you like $300 for the week and keep up for 7 days straight by applying small amounts of electricity directly to your head.

PSS----I did this several times, but the downside is the occasional headaches, and delusional episodes where I run around naked through my neighborhood for days at a time.

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Trying to get faster

Hey Mike,

I was hoping to see your name pop up on the list at some point. Sorry I won't get to meet you guys this year. This is one of those arguments that I can see both sides to, but I do agree that the current fee seems a little steep and a little counter productive if they are after increasing numbers.

 
Enjoy the off season (if there is one in TX!) and good luck with whatever you end up doing to the car for next year.  
 

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Joe Gonzalez
1979 Legrand DSR- B Mod
Gilbertsville, NY

While $75 each is a large #......percentage wise it's not so big. When you consider fuel, hotels, food, new tires, race gas, etc...... the $additional $150 for the two of you may only be a 15-20% increase in cost.

 
I hope you re-consider coming. Try priceline.com for your hotel and you can save the extra $$$ you spent on the late fees. I got a room each year for the last few years for under $45 a night with 2 beds.
 

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David Hedderick
Pearland (Houston), TX
01 CRG YZ125 (FOR SALE! $2500)
08 Mazda 3s
02 Mazda Protege (automatic tow vehicle)
92 Miata SE - Fun half-arsed STS2 Car

Thanks to all that responded.

 I understand the extra effort and expense involved with late registrations.  We host a developer conference each year and face similar issues.  The reality with us is that, while a fairly firm count early on is important, maximum participation is most important and waiving late fees, especially those one day late, is a no-brainer.

Joe - thanks again for your advice this year and sorry it'll be another year before we meet face-to-face.

Dave - the extra $150 is the tipping point.  You're right, compared to the other expenses, it isn't that big.  Since I've spent nothing yet, the total is what's too big.

Again, my fault.  My apologies to the BM class, especially those from Texas Region, for not increasing the class count by two this year.

Thanks,
Mike

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A Freudian slip is when you say one thing but mean your mother.

moulckers:

Dave - the extra $150 is the tipping point.  You're right, compared to the other expenses, it isn't that big.  Since I've spent nothing yet, the total is what's too big.

Skip Babydolls and it's all even.   

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Rob Leone

'07 Solstice GXP in AS
'87 Toyota Corolla in EP
ex - '91 MR2 Turbo in SM2 <- If you can't set a good example, serve as a horrible warning.

SpyderVenom:

moulckers:

Dave - the extra $150 is the tipping point.  You're right, compared to the other expenses, it isn't that big.  Since I've spent nothing yet, the total is what's too big.

Skip Babydolls and it's all even.   

 

Man, Snyder and I spend so much at BDs that if we skipped it I think we would make money going to Topeka

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Alan Pozner
Slow and proud

Isn't there some sort of 'bring a first time participant' to Nationals and receive $XX amount off your entry fee.  Someone in B-mod add these two people and give them the money.  It will also add another trophy spot, no?  That will drop their late fee another $30-50.  Or is it too late to add a first timer?

 Dave

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#76 STU Evo

I think anyone who can aford to go, needs to go....   If this class does not make min. numbers three years in a row it will be in the danger zone.  Think of it this way, come out and support BM so there will be a BM.  I ran in BP and 2006 was the last year, it sucked losing the class.  I am in EM now and hopfully we can always make numbers (they are down about 7 from last year but still above the 17 min.)...

 Mike with you and your son you would make 16 (almost the 17 min.)....  You really should try and come out, remeber the late fees are your fault not SCCA's....

 

Jeff Kiesel

With the reasoning for the late fees seeming pretty important, I find it disturbing to slap a $160 waiver fee onto entrants who simply didn't do any tour/divisional events.....no matter how many ProSolos they've done. (a national series in it's own right).

So, I guess it could be worse!

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Jay Storm
96 Impreza L FSP
98 98 Impreza 2.5RS- co-driver DSP
Wives are like SCCA rules...
If she doesn't say you can...you can't

Hey Jeff you can reduce the EM attendance count by 1. The green scirocco will not be able to make it to Topeka this year.

Running the VW Jetta TDI series has taken up a lot of our spare time.

I will be anouncing for BM this year.  First year I am "being allowed" to do this.

Everybody tells me that BM is "# 2", but to me it will always be # 1.

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And in an effort to improve "traction" for BM, I will be providing a supply of course 3M sandpaper, that all members in the class can use when they have to do their business.  I feel your pain "BM", I know it sucks when the standard white stuff doesn't provide the grip you guys need.

PS---I will also have gauze pads and bactine available, just in case you BM folks are a little over aggressive with the 3M stuff.

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Trying to get faster

Effectively the total fees can hit several hundred dollars to run at Nats in some cases.   Up to nearly 500!

Storm:

With the reasoning for the late fees seeming pretty important, I find it disturbing to slap a $160 waiver fee onto entrants who simply didn't do any tour/divisional events.....no matter how many ProSolos they've done. (a national series in it's own right).

So, I guess it could be worse!

I don't have a dog in the hunt as I have done Divisionals for the past two years and an NT this year. Having read opinions on both sides of the issue, I can certainly understand some of the angst over the waiver fee. BUT, if people have run Pro Solo events I can see absolutely NO logical reason for requiring a waiver from them. If that is an oversight on the part of the SCCA than it should be addressed. If that is actually the POSITION of the SCCA, well that is just dumb. (Can't wait for the push back on this!!)

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Bob Buxbaum
Lee's Summit, Mo.

My guess is it is to try to increase participation and NT and Divisional events

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I am Chris Hammond.
Going2Colorado.com

Chris Hammond:

My guess is it is to try to increase participation and NT and Divisional events

Yes I think that is the case.  It can tend to make it tougher for last second co-drivers though.  But overall an event like Nationals is so complex that they need predictability and time to plan so that the event can go off properly without needless delays and problems.  So you could also look at a penalty as an incentive to just participate and plan ahead earlier in the year. 

 

Joe,

Joe,

I am sorry that Mike and his son cannot make Topeka this year. I am also sorry that I will not be making the trip as my health has decided to intervene. Nothing serious, but right now the smart thing for me to do is stay home. I was looking forward to meeting you. I am sure I will be back in the future. This would have been my 24th National, so it has become a real part of my life.

That is the bad news, at least for me. Some of my competitors may feel differently. The good news is that Tommy has an old friend of ours taking my place in the Dragon. It is a name that you may recognize, Perry Simonds. Yes, the same Perry Simonds that once owned your car.

Good luck to all of the B/Mod guys and ladies. I will be watching closely from home.

Stuart Lumpkin