New California Roadrace Association (CRA) Series Starts In 2021

[Holeshot]

Originally Posted by stangmx13

I hope CRA already has a chat started with the other clubs so they can avoid running on the same weekend.

They have. Dustin and I are great friends so we've talked about this for some time now. Trackdaz has always been a well ran organization and Dustin was previously involved with CVMA and their ascension to prominence. I have no doubt he can do the same again, if not better. Gigi and Dan are top shelf people too.

I have high hopes for CRA as a new race club in SoCal. Said as a racer and as the AFM President. We should meet up there and hit some laps Rober!

Originally Posted by stangmx13

It'll be interesting to watch another club try to make longer races profitable. WERA did it years ago and eventually dropped them. I wonder how much racers are willing to pay for races that are 3x as long. 2x? 3x?

Solid point. A race event is monetized by $$/minute of rental time. Less down time = more income minutes. If bikes aren't going around the track, we're giving up income. Pretty simple formula, but not so simple without a crystal ball. turnout and races per rider are the two most important metrics. Selling a racer more races at the event is the way to make racing cheapest and keep the club solvent. More time on track for a class/ race = higher entry fee.

Originally Posted by MR662

but maybe some restructuring is needed.

Be careful who you listen to and what their experience levels are for running club events Mike. The numbers have to work for the event to take place/ club to continue. It's the matrix of income intake VS class structure/ race day that has always seemed to be a challenge. You've got a direct link to any of us on the board you want to talk to, especially me. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to know how the sauce is simmered!

[stangmx13]

Originally Posted by Holeshot

They have. Dustin and I are great friends so we've talked about this for some time now. Trackdaz has always been a well ran organization and Dustin was previously involved with CVMA and their ascension to prominence. I have no doubt he can do the same again, if not better. Gigi and Dan are top shelf people too.

I have high hopes for CRA as a new race club in SoCal. Said as a racer and as the AFM President. We should meet up there and hit some laps Robert!

Solid point. A race event is monetized by $$/minute of rental time. Less down time = more income minutes. If bikes aren't going around the track, we're giving up income. Pretty simple formula, but not so simple without a crystal ball. turnout and races per rider are the two most important metrics. Selling a racer more races at the event is the way to make racing cheapest and keep the club solvent. More time on track for a class/ race = higher entry fee.

I really hope I get to turn laps next year. I've got things in the works. I'll hit u up when it finally works out.

Hopefully their long races are some of the largest grids in the state. And hopefully that means the extra cost can be offset some by the sheer number of grip spots they are selling.

We just all need to remind racers to not be "scared" of longer races. Ya, its harder and you'll need more skill and fitness to do well. But thats the fun part! And don't worry about getting lapped. It happens and the passers have the skill to do it well.

[scratchpad]

AFM has continously for the last several years randomly given FP whatever laps Barb and the raise of hands wants. 12-16 depending on the whos who shows up at all tracks. Catering to FP. At the same time, because of "limiting time constraints at Sonoma" ("crashes"), taken away a lap to two from the rest of the club. More times than not the racing for the day is done well ahead of time of up to an hour.

Formula classes for each weight could have longer races +2 or more. It still hasnt been done and its been talked about for years. Its not the popular vote it seems. I believe it takes someone who wants to volunteer the time, wants to write out proposals, can make the meetings and also wants longer races. Seems like there is a large crowd that doesnt want anymore laps than 6. Example: Few years ago Berto asked for a raise of hands at Thunderhill to lower laps because it was hot out and people have a long drive home etc etc. There was quite a few in favor.

Same old song and dance. Im with the unpopular and want longer racing. Just for one race whether its 110 degrees out or 50 i know what i signed up for. Add more laps and ill show up to those events. Keep it the same and ill still show up, selectively.

[Holeshot]

Originally Posted by stangmx13

I really hope I get to turn laps next year. I've got things in the works. I'll hit u up when it finally works out.

That'll be great if it works out. Would love to spin laps with you again, soon!

Originally Posted by scratchpad

AFM has continously for the last several years randomly given FP whatever laps Barb and the raise of hands wants. 12-16 depending on the whos who shows up at all tracks. Catering to FP. At the same time, because of "limiting time constraints at Sonoma" ("crashes"), taken away a lap to two from the rest of the club. More times than not the racing for the day is done well ahead of time of up to an hour.

Formula classes for each weight could have longer races +2 or more. It still hasnt been done and its been talked about for years. Its not the popular vote it seems. I believe it takes someone who wants to volunteer the time, wants to write out proposals, can make the meetings and also wants longer races. Seems like there is a large crowd that doesnt want anymore laps than 6. Example: Few years ago Berto asked for a raise of hands at Thunderhill to lower laps because it was hot out and people have a long drive home etc etc. There was quite a few in favor.

Same old song and dance. Im with the unpopular and want longer racing. Just for one race whether its 110 degrees out or 50 i know what i signed up for. Add more laps and ill show up to those events. Keep it the same and ill still show up, selectively.

Totally agree with the longer laps for Formula classes Aaron. We got qualifying approved for F classes. The next step has always been 2-3 more laps for Formula classes and (fingers crossed), top 10 plates coming from the Formula classes only. That's been my dream, at least....

[MR662]

Originally Posted by Holeshot

They have. Dustin and I are great friends so we've talked about this for some time now. Trackdaz has always been a well ran organization and Dustin was previously involved with CVMA and their ascension to prominence. I have no doubt he can do the same again, if not better. Gigi and Dan are top shelf people too.

I have high hopes for CRA as a new race club in SoCal. Said as a racer and as the AFM President. We should meet up there and hit some laps Rober!



Solid point. A race event is monetized by $$/minute of rental time. Less down time = more income minutes. If bikes aren't going around the track, we're giving up income. Pretty simple formula, but not so simple without a crystal ball. turnout and races per rider are the two most important metrics. Selling a racer more races at the event is the way to make racing cheapest and keep the club solvent. More time on track for a class/ race = higher entry fee.



Be careful who you listen to and what their experience levels are for running club events Mike. The numbers have to work for the event to take place/ club to continue. It's the matrix of income intake VS class structure/ race day that has always seemed to be a challenge. You've got a direct link to any of us on the board you want to talk to, especially me. Don't hesitate to reach out if you want to know how the sauce is simmered!

No matter what I’m thrilled to have a NorCal racing club and be a member of the AFM. You all do great work behind the scenes and it’s something I’d never want to do. Too time consuming. I’m really impressed with you all getting to 2021 schedule out so quickly.

Still though any club can always learn from others. Hopefully CRA is very successful because that helps the motorcycle industry and AFM can see if they do anything better and maybe make changes if needed. I know there’s a reason the AFM has been around so long, I’d just like to see bigger grids in all classes.

[Holeshot]

Totally agree we clubs can all learn from one another. I'm glad it's Dustin, Gigi, and Dan as the principles of CRA.

[MR662]

So looking at their calendar, they're running config # 26 on one of the weekends. I just took a look at track map and that's running the drag strip in to Mazda turn. Never ran that config before. Anyone here done that? The straight looks longer then Thunderhill and carrying more speed into the straight from Riverside then you would from turn 15 onto front straight at Thill.

[Kalvin00]

Originally Posted by MR662

So looking at their calendar, they're running config # 26 on one of the weekends. I just took a look at track map and that's running the drag strip in to Mazda turn. Never ran that config before. Anyone here done that? The straight looks longer then Thunderhill and carrying more speed into the straight from Riverside then you would from turn 15 onto front straight at Thill.

Nope. Rough measurement shows THill straight is about 2200 feet vs. BW 3100 feet for that configuration.

I found a video of Chad Lewin on a lap in reverse configuration from that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVD1WOTSSy8

[TWF]

Originally Posted by Kalvin00

Nope. Rough measurement shows THill straight is about 2200 feet vs. BW 3100 feet for that configuration.

I found a video of Chad Lewin on a lap in reverse configuration from that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVD1WOTSSy8

I have run that reverse, not sure if it was track day or afm trying in practice. I was on 1000 and front would come up in air right before riverside. It was blast.
Unfortunately afm would always find reason not to race any other configuration.

[scratchpad]

Originally Posted by MR662

So looking at their calendar, they're running config # 26 on one of the weekends. I just took a look at track map and that's running the drag strip in to Mazda turn. Never ran that config before. Anyone here done that? The straight looks longer then Thunderhill and carrying more speed into the straight from Riverside then you would from turn 15 onto front straight at Thill.

We used to race that config in reverse once a year. Its a fun configuration in reverse. Never done it CW.

Where is the calendar for CRA?

[MR662]

Originally Posted by scratchpad

We used to race that config in reverse once a year. Its a fun configuration in reverse. Never done it CW.

Where is the calendar for CRA?

It was in an email, if you signed up for their email list on webpage. Heres schedule.

CRA 2021 Season Schedule

Round 1 May 15-16 | New Track
Round 2 June 12-13 | Config 13 CW
Round 3 August 21-22 | Config 26 CCW
Round 4 September 18-19 | New Track
Round 5 October 16-17 | New Track

[MR662]

Originally Posted by TWF

I have run that reverse, not sure if it was track day or afm trying in practice. I was on 1000 and front would come up in air right before riverside. It was blast.
Unfortunately afm would always find reason not to race any other configuration.

Ya, it looks like they're doing it reverse or CCW. I didn't see the "CCW", guess that makes it a bit more safe otherwise doing it clockwise out of Riverside on a 1000 you'd be flying down the drag strip and then into a massively hard braking zone to make the Mazda turn.

[TWF]

Originally Posted by MR662

doing it clockwise out of Riverside on a 1000 you'd be flying down the drag strip and then into a massively hard braking zone to make the Mazda turn.

Isn't that what it is all about?

[MR662]

Originally Posted by TWF

Isn't that what it is all about?

It would be intense for sure and a good time, But you would have to definitely hit your braking markers and be on your game or you would end up on Lerdo highway, LOL

[mark665]

Neat!