Interestingly,the motorsport equivalent of People magazine,AutoWeek, has a four page article on this year's Runoffs in the Nov.6th issue,after completely ignoring the event for the past 2-3 years.The article was written by Steven Cole Smith and is a relatively glowing account of the event.Most quotes are from SCCA officials,particularly Mr.Julow,with positive remarks from some government types and a few class winners.There are several barbs aimed at Mid Ohio including this jewel: "Record cold temperatures and steady rain Sunday kept a big crowd away,but no one came to watch at Mid Ohio,either."Am I the only one who remembers the Grandstand and hillsides on either side of the back straight and the Keyhole being heavily populated with spectators the last 3 years at MO?Mr.Julow acknowledged short comings but stated,"I give it a B-plus."
I am led to believe that the relationship between SCCA and MO was seriously strained leading up to the contract bidding for the RO and that the move to Topeka was a fait accompli.Obviously, the success of the event and judgment on the wisdom of the move will depend on spectator and especially competitor attendance for the next two years.The tone of this article suggests (to me) that SCCA and the state of Kansas have mounted a concerted PR campaign to bolster the event.Nothing wrong with that.It does,however, also suggest to me that there might be some concern about the financial aspect of future RO's at HPT.Watch for clues when your membership/licensing renewals come due.
For those of you who attended/competed in this years RO and enjoyed the experience,I mean no disrespect nor am I commenting on the event as I chose not to participate.I just find the gist of this article and the comments of some of our SR contingent to be somewhat at odds.Read the article and decide for yourself.I am very glad that a national magazine has seen fit to publicize our endeavors once again after ignoring us for some time.However,I find this curious.
Stafford
I am led to believe that the relationship between SCCA and MO was seriously strained leading up to the contract bidding for the RO and that the move to Topeka was a fait accompli.Obviously, the success of the event and judgment on the wisdom of the move will depend on spectator and especially competitor attendance for the next two years.The tone of this article suggests (to me) that SCCA and the state of Kansas have mounted a concerted PR campaign to bolster the event.Nothing wrong with that.It does,however, also suggest to me that there might be some concern about the financial aspect of future RO's at HPT.Watch for clues when your membership/licensing renewals come due.
For those of you who attended/competed in this years RO and enjoyed the experience,I mean no disrespect nor am I commenting on the event as I chose not to participate.I just find the gist of this article and the comments of some of our SR contingent to be somewhat at odds.Read the article and decide for yourself.I am very glad that a national magazine has seen fit to publicize our endeavors once again after ignoring us for some time.However,I find this curious.
Stafford
