Smackdown suggestions for 2009

[jaymzz]

First off I want to thank everyone from NWAA for hosting the Smackdown.

I attended the first Smackdown meeting about a month ago. All of NWAA and all the team captains were invited. Only NWAA, Carfreeks, and Dirty drifters showed up. There was some great ideas and sugestions on improvements. The reason I am posting this now is to hear everyone else's feedback on what they think can be improved for an even better Smackdown 09. I was put in charge of keeping the forums updated on changes and such. So lets hear some ideas! I am excited for Smackdown 09 and I hope you all are to!

Some of what was discussed.
A question I had was what path does NWAA want the Smackdown to go. Do they want it to be fun or start being a serious racing event. There plans are to keep it a fun event and not get to seriously competitive. While we all are competitive, we need one fun weekend of racing that is just for fun. No protesting, calling people out, etc. I mean where else can we go to beat the crap out of our cars racing for a whole weekend for so cheap.

Another idea is to have registration close 2-4 weeks prior to the Smackdown. This will help most of the issues of the last Smackdown. I also requested that a mandatory meeting be the same time registration ends. That way we can turn in our money and get chores assigned. I think that every club there should help with the Smackdown. That will help NWAA and everyone else have fun. The meeting should be mandatory for all team captains or they can't attend the Smackdown.

I have made the same thread on some other forums. Here is some of what is being suggested.
Since this is a fun event there should be some fun trophies. Examples are a broken engine part for the first brake down, maybe a chunk of tire for the best tire blow out, etc.
Instead of choosing who is running for points in your team, they will all be pulled out of a hat.

I would like to hear all of your ideas. I will check this thread daily and try to answer any questions I can. There was a lot of ideas talked about at the meeting, and I am waiting to get e-mailed the notes. As soon as they are e-mailed to me I will post them up.
Thanks for making a section for me to post this in.

[Miazda]

I think that the team captains should help design the courses. For example the drift course was one setup by autocrossers and it showed. Packwood is large enough that the courses needn't be so lopsided. I.E. the autocross course was ridiculous because it had so few turns that it was geared for larger more powerful cars. Meaning for those that were not so powerful couldn't do as well as it was a power course. A good course should have a balance, some cars will do better in one section and worse in another to make it fair for different classes and power ranges.

Also they need to run the autox more like a real autox, remember how no one really had much idea of what their times were at the event? We at least need someone who writes peoples times down on a board like at the salem events. And would it be possible to find a better PA system so you can hear an announcer? Last year it was a joke and you couldn't hear it.

My thoughts are it should be made more professional. It is cheap but with that many entrants it needs to run smoother. Remember when no one really knew when registration was? And grid was at 10 but didn't really happen till 10:45 after a haphazard drivers meeting? My thinking is there needs to be a set time for things to happen so people aren't out in the heat for hours. Registration/tech needs to be at 8, drivers meeting at 8:45 and grid at 9 on the dot.

And honestly I think that NWAA needs to ask for more help in doing jobs, many of us have a lot of autox experience maybe even more than some of them. And if not more experience a number of us have participated with alot of different clubs in the region to see what works for them. And one more pet peeve of mine was that everytime you'd call a penalty the person on the other end was rude and would yell "I need the number!!!" They should be able to see what's happening and have a description of the car along with the number. And it should be a rule that all cars need big numbers.

I'm honestly not a real big partier and I wasn't the biggest fan of the shenanigans that took place. The party train got to be rather annoying and it's not easy to take an event serious with that kind of BS happening. Especially when you're trying to drive your best with only 3-4 hours of sleep due to peoples drunk-fest. I don't know how you could curtail the actions of some but I wasn't thrilled. And disrespect needs to be curbed, I know it became a bit of an issue.

Changes definitely need to be made before I attend another one of these events. Because asides from driving I had a terrible weekend, and I wasn't the only one. It either needs to turn into a serious competitive event or stay a drunk-fest and attract those types of competitors and issues.



On a side note good to hear from you jamie. We discussed some of these problems at the smackdown and I think that we could make this an epic event next year. It's a shame they won't let you in the damned forum, IMHO you have as much right if not more to be here. I think this forum should be a bit more open, especially since we're all on your club's forum without being a club-member...but I have no say in such matters. Hint Hint: Let him in, he's a good friend and an attribute to the car scene up here, make an exception.

[jaymzz]

I think that the team captains should help design the courses. For example the drift course was one setup by autocrossers and it showed. Packwood is large enough that the courses needn't be so lopsided. I.E. the autocross course was ridiculous because it had so few turns that it was geared for larger more powerful cars. Meaning for those that were not so powerful couldn't do as well as it was a power course. A good course should have a balance, some cars will do better in one section and worse in another to make it fair for different classes and power ranges.

I agree. This was brought up at the meeting. NWAA is a very small club that is not used to lots like that and also used to a very small turn out at there races. (10-20) What was brought up about coarse lay out was have drifters help design the drifting coarse. I am not sure about the autocross yet.

Also they need to run the autox more like a real autox, remember how no one really had much idea of what their times were at the event? We at least need someone who writes peoples times down on a board like at the salem events. And would it be possible to find a better PA system so you can hear an announcer? Last year it was a joke and you couldn't hear it.

They are looking into new timing equipment for next year to avoid that from happening again.

My thoughts are it should be made more professional. It is cheap but with that many entrants it needs to run smoother. Remember when no one really knew when registration was? And grid was at 10 but didn't really happen till 10:45 after a haphazard drivers meeting? My thinking is there needs to be a set time for things to happen so people aren't out in the heat for hours. Registration/tech needs to be at 8, drivers meeting at 8:45 and grid at 9 on the dot.

And honestly I think that NWAA needs to ask for more help in doing jobs, many of us have a lot of autox experience maybe even more than some of them. And if not more experience a number of us have participated with alot of different clubs in the region to see what works for them. And one more pet peeve of mine was that everytime you'd call a penalty the person on the other end was rude and would yell "I need the number!!!" They should be able to see what's happening and have a description of the car along with the number. And it should be a rule that all cars need big numbers.

I am pushing for a mandatory meeting prior to the Smackdown for all NWAA and all team captains. There the work assignments will be handed out, registration will be done, and any issues will can be dealt with then so when everyone shows up for the Smackdown most of the pain in the ass stuff will be done.

I'm honestly not a real big partier and I wasn't the biggest fan of the shenanigans that took place. The party train got to be rather annoying and it's not easy to take an event serious with that kind of BS happening. Especially when you're trying to drive your best with only 3-4 hours of sleep due to peoples drunk-fest. I don't know how you could curtail the actions of some but I wasn't thrilled. And disrespect needs to be curbed, I know it became a bit of an issue.

Changes definitely need to be made before I attend another one of these events. Because asides from driving I had a terrible weekend, and I wasn't the only one. It either needs to turn into a serious competitive event or stay a drunk-fest and attract those types of competitors and issues.

One of my first questions at the meeting was what is the path NWAA wants the Smackdown to take. Do they want it to be fun, or start being a seriously competitive event. Every person there agreed to keep it a fun event. That is where the fun trophies came from. There was some other ideas that I can't remember at the moment. As far as everyone having fun, that is what the main focus is for everyone. That is why the meeting were started. That way we can all discuss how to improve next years Smackdown. I personally had fun partying. I am sure I got a little carried away partying myself due to not having a voice the next day. But where else and when does so many Car clubs and car enthusiast's get together? The first Smackdown was a blast. Everyone there partied together and had fun. We all met new friends. To me the partying is part of the Smackdown. If it is an issue for some people, then maybe we can get two different sections of the campground next year. That way the people that are not into the partying don't have to deal with it. I do understand what you are saying about the partying though. But that is why we need to find an alternative for the non partiers.

On a side note good to hear from you jamie. We discussed some of these problems at the smackdown and I think that we could make this an epic event next year. It's a shame they won't let you in the damned forum, IMHO you have as much right if not more to be here. I think this forum should be a bit more open, especially since we're all on your club's forum without being a club-member...but I have no say in such matters. Hint Hint: Let him in, he's a good friend and an attribute to the car scene up here, make an exception.

Thanks man. That is really cool of you. And for whoever makes the decisions on who is in the club or not, if I do ever get accepted into the rest of the forum your secrets will stay here.
All ideas and suggestions that are posted here though will be cross posted and brought up at the next meeting. The next meeting will be in January. I hope to see the team captain or someone representing DS there to help bring up what is discussed in this thread. Keep the ideas and sugestions coming.

[jaymzz]

I forgot to add something. Are you guys and gals planning on going next year? If so I will keep this thread updated. Please remember though that the goal for everyone is to have fun. It will not be a serious event, and plans are being discussed on how to make it fun for everyone and get it organized on a few forums.

[Miazda]

I'm going again. I imagine everyone else will follow as well. As far as the partying I think next time I'll get my own section. Don't get me wrong I like my fair share of shenanigans but at the same time I also like to sleep before an event. My complaint was not against one club or person just that I didn't get as much sleep as I deem necessary before an event.

Keep us updated dude. Bobby was our team captain last year, I assume he will be again.

[jaymzz]

I will be the first to admit that I was pretty mad at the last Smackdown. It was insanely dis organized. I was at the point that I didn't want to attend another NWAA event. But my car club had fun and that means everything to me. So from that I want to do everything I possibly can to make next year smoother. That way I and all the other team captains can have fun along with there clubs. So from that if people do have issues like the partying lets find a resolution. Before the next meeting I am going to go through all the posts on each forum and wright down all the ideas, suggestions, and issues.

[Jen_ForesterSTi]

I think if this is going to be a fun event then why even have auto-x classes, and why have a 1st and 2nd place so on and so forth. I think if keeping it a fun event is the priority then time should be kept for the purpose of improving yourself and comparing how well your doing, no pax no classes just raw time and you can compare your self with whoever you like. and you want to have trophies maybe it should be things like most participation, most break downs, things like that, or loudest crew or something, but as long as there is classes and such then there needs to be a more serious tone about the event and more strict rules should be followed. I think keeping it a fun event is in the best intrest of most clubs, it could be like the old drift days we had you pay to show up and have a spot to drive there are no points no time just go have fun and get better, it could be the same thing with a drag race auto x and drift event you pay for your spot you keep times but only raw and points can be given for drift but everything would be for refrence to get better on your next run and nothing else. no keeping tally of whos in the lead no bonus points for how many drivers you have just show pay and race. Sorry I could not of made it to the first meeting but I did email back bpimm that I was going to be in vegas for sema and could not attend so please dont think I didnt want to be there. I think I am interested in attending again as long as the event leins in one direction or the other, if it stays structured the way it was this last time I couldnt honestly tell you if I would go again. I will try and think of some more things and as soon as you have the exact date and time of the next meeting I will make sure to mark the calender so I can make it to it.

on a side note: jaymz you are more than welcome to post in the non member section all you like but in order to keep peace amongst all club members the members section is for different strokes crew only, you could always join different strokes and then get access to all area's theres really no secrets to hide in here as of yet! we may broaden the board here in the future to allow more access to non members and keep only a small area to members only but I would have to talk it over with a couple of the main people of the crew.

by the way this is bobby posting cause I am a bonehead and cant remember my password so I have to use jens screen name!!!

thanks-
bobby

[jaymzz]

Thanks Bobby. I copied some of my first post from a different forum. Brian Pimm told us that you could not be there, so I have no hard feelings about you not being there. It is the rest of the clubs that didn't show up or I believe even acknowledge that they received the e-mail about the meeting.

I personally think there needs to be classes and some competition. I just think we all need to figure out a happy medium to keep it fun and not get to serious. If it was a free for all I don't think it would be much fun.

I would join your club, but Carfreeks keeps me busy enough. I couldn't imagine owning a car club and trying to participate in another at the same time. That could potentially make me go insane. lol.

[Jen_ForesterSTi]

Thanks Bobby. I copied some of my first post from a different forum. Brian Pimm told us that you could not be there, so I have no hard feelings about you not being there. It is the rest of the clubs that didn't show up or I believe even acknowledge that they received the e-mail about the meeting.

I personally think there needs to be classes and some competition. I just think we all need to figure out a happy medium to keep it fun and not get to serious. If it was a free for all I don't think it would be much fun.

I would join your club, but Carfreeks keeps me busy enough. I couldn't imagine owning a car club and trying to participate in another at the same time. That could potentially make me go insane. lol.

Yeah, its hard to be a owner of a Club and then join another!!!! I've done it!! LOL

so you didn't have a good turn out at your meeting? Did anyother club besides yourself even show up??

Also, I think if there are any kinds of rules that go with a Event, like autox or drag... Everyone Must follow the same rules so the Competion is fair for everyone particating in the event And being more organized will make things go some much smoother and take away so much Down time.

This is Jen btw.

[Miazda]

I think it needs structure. I don't see why people can't have fun and have a formal event. I have fun when we do other autox's. I think we should do away with the PAX and just run according to scca classes. Award for the fastest in each class. And to that end we need people running tech that know the cars to enforce accurate classing. Bobby will remember that guy that had a 2.5 swap running stock class because the old fart tech guys don't know subaru's. I just think if we do away with pax and just run straight time in classes there won't be as much strain on the judges. And we'll be able to know the results that day.

Maybe we could have some creative awards for the various events. Don't ask me what they should be as I'm not creative.

You know what else grind my gears? This has nothing to do with smackdown, rather the town of Packwood. I've been there a few times and the townspeople for the most part would rather us not participate in there town. I realize that they're country folk and don't really understand what it is we do. But nonetheless the events at the packwood site pump in a lot of extra revenue into that backwoods hick town. And you'd think they'd be more welcoming of us so that we'd be prompted to return. Because lets face it, Packwood is hardly a travel destination.

[jaymzz]

The only clubs that showed up to the meeting were Carfreeks, and Dirty Drifters. NWAA was there also, but they hold the event.

Before I understood PAX scoring I completely disagreed with it. But now that I know more about it I think PAX is a great thing for the Smackdown. It actually makes scoring easier to a certain level.

There was some ideas on involving the town. One of them is to have the Fire Department have a BBQ for us. We could have a mini show for all the competitors and drive all our cars from the race site to the show. It is just an idea in the works at the moment though.

[Jen_ForesterSTi]

I think it needs structure. I don't see why people can't have fun and have a formal event. I have fun when we do other autox's. I think we should do away with the PAX and just run according to scca classes. Award for the fastest in each class. And to that end we need people running tech that know the cars to enforce accurate classing. Bobby will remember that guy that had a 2.5 swap running stock class because the old fart tech guys don't know subaru's. I just think if we do away with pax and just run straight time in classes there won't be as much strain on the judges. And we'll be able to know the results that day.

Maybe we could have some creative awards for the various events. Don't ask me what they should be as I'm not creative.

You know what else grind my gears? This has nothing to do with smackdown, rather the town of Packwood. I've been there a few times and the townspeople for the most part would rather us not participate in there town. I realize that they're country folk and don't really understand what it is we do. But nonetheless the events at the packwood site pump in a lot of extra revenue into that backwoods hick town. And you'd think they'd be more welcoming of us so that we'd be prompted to return. Because lets face it, Packwood is hardly a travel destination.

I agree on the town being more active. I hope to see more of them atleast spectate and/or particate! And on the Classes..I know Bobby wasn't the only one who notice that guy... cause several other teams mentioned the guy with the 2.5 swap in the wrong class.

Keep us posted James!

[ryan2.5]

i agree on incorporating a show/bbq with it to also involve the locals to come watch.

[Miazda]

Ya a bbq/carshow for the yocals would be cool. It'd be nice if the town had a bit more of a open attitude towards us. Of course it'd mean everyone on their best behavior.

[ryan2.5]

yeah getting the locals involved would be a great step. We take over their town for a weekend but they have no idea why. Maybe the proceeds (or some) from bbq/car show could be donated to local police/fire. Im sure locals would also love to come watch the races.

[Miazda]

I think thats a good idea. That would definitely help with the image, and if we could get them to spectate the event that would be really cool.

[jaymzz]

I agree. I thought it was an excellent idea also. From what I hear, the town actually hates people coming into there town to race. So if we could somehow get them involved it would be in all clubs that race there best interests.

[Checksum]

Call me crazy but in my opinion if you want a "fun" event then the classes need to be relaxed. I was thinking RWD, FWD, and AWD. You only have 3 classes to keep track of. Each could be treated separately. To get full points each team needs to compete with 1 of each class and a wildcard. This hopefully would get some of the fwd and awd guys to try and drift and get more fwd cars in the drags.

points awarded as follows
1st in class = 10
2nd in class =7
3rd in class = 5
4th in class = 4
5th in class = 3
any others who finished = 2 points

If a team swept 1st in all the classes and 2nd in whatever they drew a wildcard the most points they could get would be 37
If a team only brought rwd cars the most points they could get would be 26 (assuming they placed 1st through 4th)

no pro/am classes, no paxing times

with a seriously less complicated points structure we could focus more on having fun. This also ELIMINATES class cheating.

just my .02

[jaymzz]

Excellent idea!!!

[Jen_ForesterSTi]

I like that Idea too!

[Jen_ForesterSTi]

Not sure when you'll check this, but if Friday sometime after 4:30 maybe at Mall 205 or if you can come to PRE. I have lots of Lindsey's old clothes, a good set of old silverware, and good shoes to give away. And I know Tim and amelia can meet us at PRE Too, if you can meet us there??

Let me know James. if you don't get back to me on here.. I'll get you on a pm on carfreeks...

[jaymzz]

I think Dave is going to meet up with you. So can you pm him please.

[jaymzz]

The next meeting is coming up. Anymore ideas or suggestions you would like me to bring up? I am going through this thread and some others from different forums to print up all the ideas and suggestions to take to the meeting with me.

[jaymzz]

The next meeting is coming up next week. I have gone through and collected all the ideas and Suggestions from the different forums. Getting them printed this week for the meeting.

[jaymzz]

The January meeting went well.
Clubs that attended:
NWAA
TSDNW
Carfreeks
Dirty drifters
Rightwheeldrive.com

When I get the list of stuff brought up I will post it. Thanks everyone that came to the meeting.

[jaymzz]

Steve and I agreed that from now on the ideas and suggestions will be up to the team captain or whomever is the representative at the Smackdown meetings to bring with them the ideas and suggestions from there clubs. This does not mean that we will not be coming on your forums, but intended to free up some of our time. Thanks for understanding. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. jaymzz@carfreeks.net

Thanks,
Jayme