9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Well said riley. I agree and being on the track is awesome enough as it is, being on the track with a bunch of rx8's will be epic.

Creto

And a huge piece to being on the track... I don't have to worry about what's hiding behind every turn. The amount of stress that puts on the lead is insane.

I'm in, even if I didn't respond to your message earlier Thomas.


Also to expound on the Quad State meet, folks drove from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana just to hang for a day with other rotor heads. It was open to 7's and 8's specifically, but you had the occassional other rotor powered vehicle show up. There was car show, lunch, raffles/prizes, and then folks went home. Granted, some of us would have an after party, which was good too.

With the track meet, as Thomas says, it's not the intention to be a one and done affair.

40w8

Riley,

It hasn't even been a day, and you have at least 5.

Your post spelled out my sentiment pretty well about why driving hard should stay on the track.

ECR track day with mostly 8's is the best track news I've heard in several years.

Keep up the good work!

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

If it wasn't for work I would be in full time and prolly organizing the caravan from SA up to the area.....

I agree with Creto, 75% of the stress of leading a row of 8's on a public road iis the unknown factor of what is around the next turn. Not to mention the driver behind you.... hence why I only let 9k or SWG ride behind me, they are the only ones I trust not to rearend me in a pinch. In the years I have been running the three sisters, its a miracle that we have only had one incident with another vehicle. A track presents a whole new aspect of driving your car, it actually lets you compare your driving ability to that of the others on the track.

I think this is a great idea, it allows us to finally travel away from the local area.

lta_ds_fs7

iTrader: (2)

^^All of these I can actually agree with...It would be much safer on a track...Although we can have a track day anytime, and going out of town would be more exciting (I love road trips), this idea eliminates death or tickets...I really can't argue with that.

Highspeed

iTrader: (2)

Thomas,

I apologize you seemed to take my post as a personal attack against you...it was not in any way meant to be an attack against anyone or their ideas. I was just stating my opinion of a track day and preferences. As for the money spending...what I was getting at is that I would rather spend the money to come run the 3 sisters than a track. As for us not going to tracks here...you are right, we haven't. I have had my car a year and have not had it at the track. However, if I have not made the hour drive to pay to go to a track here in Oklahoma, it kinda justifies what I was saying about driving to Dallas for one. I agree, the people make the meet and all of you are awesome people and I really enjoyed you all when I was down last year for the 8. I apologize you think I personally attacking you. I didn't respond in a private message cause I didn't feel I was flaming someone or disrespecting them. I didn't know you would take it that way. We all appreciate the planning you do for events and I understand by going to the track you are eliminating the risk of the open road. And being on a track with all the other rotor heads would be cool. I guess, in my opinion and preferences, the 3 sisters seems like 4 different courses last year since we went up and down each side...as to where a track is repetitive but also fun I guess in the same way. I have ran a track before in other cars I have owned and after running a couple times, it became a little boring at some points but yes it was fun.

Again, sorry you took it as a personal attack and no, I do not think what you said in your post was flaming me but you were just doing what I did...stating your opinion. Try and not take something so personal, especially from people who have never personally insulted you or confronted you something in a personal attack way. I am not that kind of person. I was simply stating my opinion...as you and many others do on this board daily.

I hope the track does goes great for you and the planning...and I am sure it will be a blast for everyone. Miss all you guys down there!

lta_ds_fs7

iTrader: (2)

To add to my last post (I'm using my mobile version so I can't edit), since the track day does seem much safer, I'm in.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

Highspeed just doesn't want to come because he has a four port auto

Highspeed

iTrader: (2)

Lol, yeah that's it Would love to come and see everyone and hangout...but don't think I will make this one. I'm sure it will be a lot of fun and hats off to Thomas and this planning it for a good safe idea and I am sure it will be a lot of fun. I am sure we will be coming down as a group sometime in the summer for a weekend visit or something.

sillywhitegirl

I got a PM to express my opinion here, so I suppose it's only right that I do.

Let me start by saying that a track day would be amazing! I think that it would be a blast to get everyone out there and have a good go at it. However, I don't think that it should be the Texas 8. I think that it should be a Track day, and have NO affiliation to the Texas 8.

I don't believe that the comment about the south Texas owners not traveling was very cool, but I guess that the attitude there is the same as the attitude that was displayed by so many of the North Texas owners at this last meet. I honestly, didn't feel all that welcome there, I don't even think that you introduced yourself to me Riley. Seeing as this is supposed to me put together by y'all up north, I figure that being a good host is a nice start. I was for all intensive purposes totally put off. I LOVED the drive, I had ridden along once in it before the meet last year and had a blast, it was amazing to drive it. But the obvious distance between the northern member and the southern members proved to show a lot of tension. With that being said, I am not to sure that I would want to travel to an area where the same attitude, possibly even more so, would be shown. Only to run on a track? I think that I would rather go to Austin Driveway, or Harris Hill... besides, this is about location... central location so that more members would be willing to show. I would love to see more of the Houston group show. Although I believe that the attitude of "holier than thou" may throw anyone into not wanting to participate.

You asked me to share my opinion, and I've seen another post or two in this thread where others shared their opinions and if they didn't agree, they where a little reprimanded. That's sort of the whole deal, I didn't like the segregation of the NTX group and the rest of us. We are supposed to all be in the meet as a group, not just you guys in a "fast" group and the rest of the down to earth people in the "slow" group, and by down to earth, I meant anyone NOT from Dallas.

If it wasn't for the cold shoulder that I received at the Texas 8 this last year, I would pack up and Totally be down for a little track time! But, I think I'd rather have something more fun to do this year... I'll keep running the 3 sisters, and I used to live in Fredericksburg, I know more back roads in the hill country than just those, with NO BIKES. I'll more than likely stay put and be with a more accepting crowd right where I'm at.

You asked for my opinion.

Riley Craven

iTrader: (1)

Let me start off with an apology. It never even occurred to me to try and introduce myself to everyone at the meet. As the event planner my main focus has always been to make sure first, that everyone is safe and stays that way, and then second, to make sure the event runs smoothly. If I can assure that everyone has a good time as well and feels welcome, then that is awesome bonus for me. But given the intense focus it takes to accomplish the first two, I often forget to do other things.

That being said the PM I sent to you and others wasn't really meant to ask for opinions, rather it was meant to get a head count of others that would possibly be interested. The original post asked for interest, not comments. I'd much rather hear about complaints in private as they are usually much easier to address in that manner. My intention was never really to reprimand people, but merely to ask them to consider a better time and place to express their opinions and be more considerate of what I'm trying to accomplish for everyone. Its frustrating as a planner to constantly deal with people complaining about stuff in public because it dampens everyone's mood.

But again, since you've expressed your concerns in public, I feel obligated to answer them in public for accountability purposes.

First, as I mentioned several times to others in this thread, this is NOT meant to be a replacement for the Kerrville run. I've gotten comments from several people saying we should do more stuff, and even 9k has posted that he thinks two events a year is the way to go.

Second, I am also sadly aware of the distance between the Northern and Southern groups. It has actually been something that I and the other planners have discussed at great length. We have tried to come up with several solutions, but none of them seem that workable. From our point of view the biggest thing we can deduce that's causing a lot of the tension is that some/most of the SARX group don't arrive or stay for the whole event. The event actually starts Friday at 7 and continues till Sat night when the after party ends. Some people that live locally choose to only to come to the meet during the Saturday and leave shortly after supper. This makes it extremely hard for me to establish relationships with a whole club because as I've stated earlier, on Saturday my main focus is the event itself. I actually met several new people last year after supper at the hotel that stayed and we had some pretty good conversations with the Mazda rep as well. I'm even pretty close to the whole OK group mainly because both years I've had their entire group spend the night at my house. In fact, one of the main reasons I wanted to have the second meet of the year in DFW was precisely to try and get SARX (and others) to travel here and stay for the whole thing so that we could establish the same relationships that we have with the OK group. I'm sorry that you felt cold weather on my part, because that was never my intention.

As to the group make up, that's more of a safety issue than anything. I've driven A LOT with the NTX group and I've got a good feel for what each of our drivers are capable of (with a few exceptions and mistakes that I made last year) There were actually a mix of us in both groups. I know of at least 3-4 NTX cars in the B group and 4-6 non NTX cars in the A group. 9k and Grunge know you guys a lot better and the goal was not to "segregate" but to ensure that people were driving within their abilities and had supervision. 9k mentioned that he wasn't thrilled with the way I handled groups last year and that it was better in '10, and I do plan to correct that in the future.

I hope I've done a better job of communicating my position to you than I have to others and that you will reconsider your position as well.

sillywhitegirl

I appreciate the response.

The reason that I didn't feel the need to stay after the dinner last year, was the fact that event at the dinner the attitude was bad. I've heard about events in the past, underage drinking and driving.
Not to mention that a certain driver in the A group got all of the B group pulled over for reckless driving. I don't think that it was funny, even though all of the A group thought that was VERY funny. It was not. And from all reports, I believe that was the same Minor that was drinking and driving in the event a few years back.

If safety is your number one priority, THAT should have been addressed. Also, should the driving styles have been dealt with.

I know that you didn't ask me for my "opinion," you asked for a response. I've given mine. My response, is that a track day would be fantastic. Just not really thrilled about the whole Dallas group. It's not JUST you Riley and if I made you feel that it was only you, I apologize. Because it was not just you, It was the entire group. You are just the only one that I really recognize. Other than the little kid in the "Blue car with the black hood" ... Just so you know... It's STILL not funny. Also, I am from that area, I would have found a better hotel, and a MUCH better restaurant to eat at. But, I guess that since I didn't have anything to say then, that's out of line. Sorry.

I don't like the whole idea of being forced to stay with people that don't accept me. It's supposed to be about the cars, not the clicks, I know, but it is about you guys. If we don't like it, then we generally get flamed.

I realized that it was not a replacement for the 3 sisters, and I just wanted to voice that as my opinion, that I hope it would be in addition to the kerrville meet. I suppose that I didn't word that correctly.


If it's too much for you to do all of the planning and the safety and the host aspect, maybe the rest of the Dallas group, should help you a little more. Be a little more receptive, and be a little more personable.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

I think SWG should be banned from this track day anyway, or at least make her drive a Ford Fiesta or something if she is allowed to participate.

Personally I don't want a repeat of what occurred (she beat everyone on the track, and I mean everyone) at Pole Position in Vegas.

sillywhitegirl

Lmao! Aw c'mon! You guys are still sore about that?! My Daddy taught me well, what can I say?

Creto

Just to clear the air on B group being pulled over and the actions that led to it. We have a video of the entire event with the biker, and kid Brandon's blue with a black hood did nothing wrong, and did not run her off the road. My guess is that she fixated on that car because it was the only bright color in the A group (if I'm remembering correctly. Lots of dark/gray/white).

What actually did happen was kid Brandon (the blue/black) safely passed a group of motorcyclists in a passing zone. Thomas was passing behind him and the passing zone came to an end before he had finished passing the entire group, so he safely and appropriately slid into an open spot.

A safe distance in front of Thomas were two motorcycles running side by side. The lady on the bike closest to the shoulder freaks out (seen quite clearly in the video) and yells at Thomas about running her off the road. In order to run her off the road, however, Thomas would have had to have gone through the biker that was closest to the middle line, who kept driving along with absolutely no issues.

As to group A finding it funny that group B was pulled over, I can speak for several of us that that wasn't the case.


When it comes to planning the Texas 8, we have previously asked others to volunteer and step up, so with you being from that area, I would be more than happy to talk with you about routes, because I'm the one that sets that up. I know a couple roads in the area, but I have not had ample opportunity to explore more.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

I still contend that last race.... I started in the pole position and finished first, she never passed me..... Therefore I won!!!!!

sillywhitegirl

And grunge it was all about the track times not that you crosses the line before me.... I had you beat by a full second .... I still have the track times.

Your arguement is invalid

JoeHawk

iTrader: (1)

Would be good to see everyone again, so if there's a social piece after the track day or over the weekend, I'll be there! I could track the truck, I mean y'all wouldn't mind waiting while I maneuver through each hairpin curve with a three (or more) point turn, right?? Lol.

sillywhitegirl

I do have one question about the track day.

How would this be run? Would it be single cars, timed laps, or groups? Because not everyone is at the same skill level. And not everyone has driven on the track before.

Creto

Is that with or without a camper trailer? Gonna have to figure for your drag.

seatownracer

iTrader: (3)

Joe you better be going to this event!

Riley Craven

iTrader: (1)

*Sighs* I was hoping to have any more discussion about this behind closed doors, but so much for that

As to the underage drinking and driving. I had no idea that was going on until after the fact, and let me assure you I would have laid the beat down into him had I known about it as it was happening. To my knowledge no drinking and driving has been done by anyone since (underage or not).

As to B group getting pulled over last year, let me also follow up Creto's post a bit, since I actually have the video evidence of the event:

http://youtu.be/zWNieKTtOaM?hd=1

Let me be clear, what we found funny was NOT that your group had to get pulled over the incident. What we found funny is who was blamed for it (considering the irony that for a change it actually wasn't him being stupid) and the sheer gall of bikers at the **** they pull and then try to blame others for. Laughter is the best medicine when it comes to that sort of thing and we were giving the "kid" driver a hard time about it (as people are prone to do to him for his other shenanigans). Had you stayed despite your reservations, I took the time to find the video after supper and show it to everyone I could find so that people could see what actually happened. (After all I was the one filming the event, even though I wasn't driving my car at the time)

As to the hotel, I assure you, I am as open to suggestions about it as Creto is to routes. The very first year we held the event the hotel we stayed at was an absolute **** hole (bugs every where, things not working like AC/Heat, hot water, and of course the creepiness of it all, like getting a free beer at check in) The hotel we stayed at last year has been the most consistent with service and accommodations as any I've stayed at, and with a mini fridge to boot, we've stayed with them through several years.

As to the restaurant, yes I wasn't too happy with it either. The reason I chose it was because I knew they had a space large enough to accommodate us. The place I actually wanted us to eat at was booked already and so we ate at the "crappy" place. Instead, I was able to secure the venue I wanted for Saturday on Friday night (and of course the people that were there raved about it). But again, you weren't there for that part. If you have suggestions, please feel free to PM them to me and I will contact them about space, pricing, etc.

As to being forced to stay with people that don't accept you, I can't really comment on how you feel, but honestly if I don't know you, chances are that no one else in NTX knows you either, and thusly hasn't been given a chance to accept/deny you. I don't think you are being entirely fair since you weren't there the whole time and yourself did not make the effort to try and get to know us better. Regarding flaming people for their opinions, I think you may be taking things a bit too far there as well. I've made it a point to correct people in order to set the facts straight in order that everyone understands whats going on and to try and get things back on topic. Like I've said countless times, these discussions are much better in private.

QTdude

iTrader: (2)

You know, I've been thinking it over. And a lot of you have been saying the best part is the people, and I have to agree. I'll give this track day a shot, so count me in.

And on the bright side I will get to destroy some people in my turbo'd 8.

lta_ds_fs7

iTrader: (2)

Ehhh...I can't really argue with being told Dallas people are snobby...Money and sports cars are about the only things that make me happy...lol

Creto

Oh yeah???? Well, I'll get better gas mileage while you do it, lol.

Damn turbos.