Quote:
Originally posted by Rattler
I do like the PACE day formats - the grouping of similarly timed individuals makes a lot of sense to me.
The only real critisism I've heard of these is that there is a requirement to carry a transponder and the associated cost - and that this is a surprise to some attendees. I suggest that anyone attending does read all the paperwork sent out before attending as its all covered in there.
Tony Scott of the ESS is trying hard to offer an improved service to his attendees and I reckon he's heading in the right direction. I recently discussed with him some of his ideas and they do seem to make a lot of sense to me.
For example - the idea of an ACU approved membership card system that tracks (via the trasponder) your individual record of laptimes at various tracks over time. (He's been promoting this optional scheme for a while).
This means that you can potentially be grouped precisely into the group that best fits your ability (and bike) and not a choice made on what information you provide at booking time. Its a bit Big Brother, but I think the gains far outweigh the losses. The added advantage of being able to track your own laptimes is greatly valuable IMHO.
It could also be that (in theory) a trackday could be just for individuals of a certain ability - so perhaps the equivalent of an inters-only day.
Or an example may be that in order to get the groups running more effectively and efficiently at say Brands on the Indy circuit, you'd need to have recorded laptimes of 51-57 secs to get into the fast group, 58-63 for the inters and 63-70 for the Novice. The use of transponders during the day would allow for any necessary (albeit minimal) changes to be made too.
Or perhaps a more open field (with an understanding by all attendees that its more open) where the Fast could be sub 60s, the inters 60-70 secs and anyone outside of this in the Novices.
I wouldn't like to be in the trackday business as it seems a tough place to be right now and a difficult place to differentiate yourself. I like the PACE format (as stated above) and with further refinement could become adopted elsewhere.
I'm still not totally convinced about the ESS SPORTS DAY format though - I reckon the added value is in there, but is not immediately obvious. Sometimes perception is reality and ironically I reckon if they charged a lot more for these, individuals may seek and better understand what differentiates these from the PACE days (as they'd need to justify the additional expense) and would sign up.
Tim |
Very well put, although I'd add they do already put you into the correct group automatically when you book (if they've got the lap time info on you). They also move people between groups on the day based on your lap times.
I went on 2 SPORTS days last year & I think they fill an important gap between a full School day (which ESS also run) & the PACE days (which are effectively timed track sessions). The cost of the SPORTS days last year was £199 (the 1st one I went on included transponder hire). They seemed to have jumped up to £249 this year (or £211 if booked on the web). I'm sure this is down to operating costs, but I think £199 - £211 is spot on. IMHO £249 is too much.
I think the ESS range of products is definitely the way forward. They seem to be open to criticism & constantly refining them.
Tony, if you happen to read this, how about providing a few lockers (I'd pay a few quid to hire one) for those that ride their bikes to the events for storing valuables (as you know, there's a few scumbags that'll pinch your gear from the garage's).