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The latest word is that it will now be run on Labor Day weekend 2011. Our RE has been in discussion with the organizers about our potential involvement (how much discussion and where it went, I have no idea). That date is a direct conflict with our biggest and, I believe, longest running same date MARRS event. The Region can't be both places at the same time. The Baltimore race may, or may not, last longer than one year. Do we give up that date - potentially to never get it back - in favor of the street race? Where are we in the discussions? This is a subject I would love to see our slate of candidates for the BOD weigh in on.
Thoughts?
The origional plan was for the DC Region to support IRL at an early August date in 2011. The IRL just announced the change of date for its event to Labor day.
To me it is unthinkable that we would cancel our biggest Club Racing event, the Labor Day Double, in order to support the IRL. This would be an even bigger failure to our membership then abondoning our 12 hour and National Races.
Charlie Broring
Name all of the North American street races which lasted more than one or two years - regardless of the original length of the contract. Particularly those which actually ran on city streets as opposed to park or limited use areas like Toronto or Trois Rivieres or Belle Isle in Detroit..
If we wouldn't stand a chance of getting Labor Day back, there's even less of a chance of getting Memorial Day. I think Memorial Day is normally a bike weekend, not much chance of them giving that up. All I can say is that as a 23 year member and flagger, if DC Region gives up their Labor Day date, my days of SCCA are finished. IRL isn't long for this world, even with the INDY 500. Look at their TV ratings, look at the empty aluminum seats at their races. Most of their teams are propped up with ride buyers or still being funded by the Hulmann family in some way. They stand a good chance of losing many sponsors, especially IZOD since the promised TV ratings have not happened. I would fully support the Baltimore GP if it were not in conflict with our club events.
One further argument is: They would probably only make use of our F&C Crew. Most likely, our EV folks, T&S, Registration and Tech would be left out, not to mention our drivers. Do we further alienate our membership, I don't think we can afford to do that.