Uh, free car show at RNG?

Uh Oh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do we have another Patricia on the prowl? :( What's the link H/W? EDIT: Never mind found it under todays posts, Runngun Swap meet. Clois Harlan incorrectly stated in his post that the car show is free. Sent a heads up email to Mark.
 
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Runngun vs. London

Do we as a club wish to see Runngun grow into something which rivals THE London Cobra Show? Do we as a club wish to be the driving WORKING force behind such an endeavor? Should we as a club begin the SHOPPING segment of looking for a venue/town which would be willing to host such an event? Are we willing as a group to put forth the EFFORT/WORK that would be required to host such an event? I have a town in mind that I think might be suitable for an event like THE London Cobra Show. Should we try to meet with the "head honchos" behind Runngun during this years event to bounce our ideas off them? Sorry I'll be in Col. 4 a wedding.
 
It is way over due for a meeting with the club about Run and Gun. Clois and I run the event but Clois is in Oklahoma. I would like to make sure we are all on the same page so maybe we have a "committee" meeting next week one day and see where we are. Clois won't be there but I can.
 
Who needs to be there? I live about an hour east of the bridge so late afternoon or early evening on Monday Tuesday or Wednesday would work. That way I can still get home at a reasonable time.
 
Agreed

A small group of individuals can only accomplish so much. And how many of those individuals, when there are arguably enough people, are willing to make the commitments necessary to carry off the huge undertaking that is being contemplated, discussed & considered. I was only suggesting that discussions be started about IF that is something we WISH to undertake as an organization at some point in time in the future. We would obviously need a LOT of 'worker bees" & not a lot of lazy bellyachers. Kerry is 100% correct. IF we decide as an organization that we wish to slowly build Runngun into something bigger & better than London, we should do so in baby steps as manpower & resources dictate we are able to do so. Maybe a majority of the members would say "I just wanna have fun, I go to work every day, I don't wanna turn fun into work."
 
Runngun discussion meeting place

Dean Lampe said:
Who needs to be there? I live about an hour east of the bridge so late afternoon or early evening on Monday Tuesday or Wednesday would work. That way I can still get home at a reasonable time.
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For Dean's sake I would suggest LottawattaCreek in Fairview Heights, IL. @ I-64 & 159.
 
Guys, just to put Run and Gun in perspective. Last year we had 54 registered drivers. They usually bring a spouse or friend. In addition to that we had over 500 PAID spectators. This year we are turning manufacturers and venders away because we have sold every possible free space to park them to an extrodinary list of sponsors. This year we will surely pass 75 drivers and we have booked space for 200 at the banquet. How many people are at London? Not as many as will driver or come to watch Run and Gun ! As a club we don't need to shoulder the growth of R&G. It is already a major event. We can make it better. We can do a little or a lot. This year the club has committed to the car show. That is no small task. Run and Gun will be bigger than London, we just need to decide to be a big part of it.
 
Thanks.............

Dean Lampe said:
Guys, just to put Run and Gun in perspective. Last year we had 54 registered drivers. They usually bring a spouse or friend. In addition to that we had over 500 PAID spectators. This year we are turning manufacturers and venders away because we have sold every possible free space to park them to an extrodinary list of sponsors. This year we will surely pass 75 drivers and we have booked space for 200 at the banquet. How many people are at London? Not as many as will driver or come to watch Run and Gun ! As a club we don't need to shoulder the growth of R&G. It is already a major event. We can make it better. We can do a little or a lot. This year the club has committed to the car show. That is no small task. Run and Gun will be bigger than London, we just need to decide to be a big part of it.
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for the reply Dean. I'm mainly tryn to get a read on U & Clois 2 see in what kinda direction U & Clois wish to take Runngun. Feedback from U guys would be great. Enlighten us as much as U care 2 share. I have now been to London & know what that experience feels like. I now need to attend Runngun & get a feel 4 it. Unfortunately this year I will be in Colo. the weekend of Runngun. :(:(:(:(
 
Thanks......................

for ur perspective from someone who has attended both events. Who else has attended
both events? What is ur perspective & thoughts? In your opinion Kerry is London more appealing to the masses than R&G? If so, why so? Dean & Clois seem to be receptive to
ideas on how to change R&G & make it more appealing to the masses. My ideas on multiple levels of participation in R&G seems appealing to them. It does not have to be a 2 tier level of participation. Different levels of participation could be offered as "packages" ala what car manufacturers do with new car packages. For example: Level 1 Spectator package $___; Level 2 Non-competion package $______; Level 3 Competion only package $______; Level 4 Everything Package $_______. etc U get the idea.
 
This year will be a learning event for all of us. Once we all go - we can all figure out how we can help them grow. It's their party, but if we can establish a few key elements that we can call our own, elements that will help them and us - we can grow together. But - bottom line - if we are going to grow as a club - we have to make money. To that end - what David just said is correct - we have to appeal to a wider audience.

RNG is and always has been a track event (maybe one of the top in the country) - but also that limits things a bit. What I mean by that is - cruises for example. We don't have a shortage of cruises, country jaunts or get-togethers. And along those lines - I'm sure that others that attend have no shortage in their area. So, a cruise is neat but not a big draw - since these guys are here to race. The car show is a neat idea (and just may develop into something) but it is also a bit unknown. It's off-season, there are already a bunch of established car shows, and we just can't figure how many people will actually show up to show their car - or attend for that matter. So we need to learn - and start small.

The car show may not fly - we'll see. If it doesn't work out - we'll have to figure out another way to generate sustainable funding for the club.

One idea (for RNG) I have is that there could be a "low-impact" package. The focus would be an on-track driving school, tech inspections, knowledge base, etc. plus the other ancillary benefits of RNG. That fits me and maybe a few others in the club. We don't want to compete (yet) with our cars - but we could be better drivers (I know I could). As an example - at our last meeting - with 13 cars in attendance - only 1 had ever participated, and I think only 1 planned on participating this year.

Another idea talked about - is our Cobra calender - I think we could make some money for the club with that one.

Third idea (don't know if they do this) - but have a pro race photographer taking poster quality shots of the action - and offer individuals their pictures for sale, and/or produce a yearbook for sale as well.

Anyway, they are growing - and as a club we have to figure out a way to fit in with THEM in a way that helps them and US. The car show is our first attempt - let's keep it simple and see how it (or if) works.

Clyde and Chuck and I will be working a bit deeper with Dean to work things out for this year. So - don't hit the panic button out there - we're on it. One thing for sure is that we'll need all hands on deck for RNG - so we'll need everyones help.

Thanks for reading the rant.

Mark
 
Excellent Commentary

Both Mark & Kerry make good points. In my humble opinion we are very fortunate to have so
many intelligent & experienced individuals in our club. In the short period of time that this club has existed we have come a long way very quickly. I continue to be amazed @ the level of knowledge, expertise & sophistication of our club members. U engineer & architect types are some amazing people. I am envious of your skill & knowledge levels. I had to buy a turn-key cobra or pay someone to build 4 me, cause I would have been overwhelmed & unable to do it on my own. I know I am getting off subject, but these things need to be said. Keep the ideas & commentary flowing so we can all learn from each other.
 
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Kerry, I haven't been to London in a few years. Man that is big!:eek: I,m not sure that is what we want for R&G. Your points are spot on. This is why we need to talk it out. We clearly need more direction.

(with run and gun I mean)
 
Yes............................

Dean. We need feedback from U & Clois w/respect to where U guys wish to take R&G. Maybe U guys don't want a different segment/portion of R&G to be similar to London. Maybe U guys would prefer to keep it strictly a racing/competition type of event/venue. If so, so be it. More Feedback please.
 
We have to remember that it is really a Gateway Raceway event. Clois and I are just volunteers. We might need to move it into the community like the Strawberry Festival in London. We can keep the racing like they do at Mid Ohio but actually create our event outside of the track. I am not much for all this typing. We really need to get a beer and talk through this. How about Tuesday night after work, say 4:30?
 
I know what I will do from now on. I will give my idea to Kerry and Mark and let them articulate it to the masses. Kerry/Mark - Exactly my thoughts.:eek: scary, huh?
 
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I totally agree with Dean's last post above. :D
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I also agree but it is still Gateway's money. We were suppose to get $3000 this year for advertising but they backed out on that. Clois and I are already $1,000s of dollars in the hole. At the end of the day I am a racer not a waxer. I go to R&G for track time. We need all of your ideas to grow in a different direction because that isn't my specialty.
 
Additional Comments

I have attended the last two years of Run N' Gun and London, both as a prospective buyer and an owner.

I had already made up my mind on the brand to buy however both helped cement that decision. To a prospective buyer, a chance to compare brands and speak to the manufacturers is very useful. Few manufacturers are represented at London and even fewer have been present at Gateway. I see this as an area that can grow and give the event it's own "personality" B&B or Shell Valley don't display at London. It wad helpful to be able to see and discuss those cars. As the event grows, I am confident that FFR, Backdraft and Superformance would quickly join in. The idea is to have all the major players represented.

Regarding the supplier type's, I have been really disappointed at both shows. I went, hoping to learn more about some of the aftermarket sources. At London, as I recall, the only exhibitor was Kress. We were right in Summit and Jeg's backyard. What about Enzo? Travel from Florida is expensive and maybe his market is captive, but he is really missing the boat. We all would have walked away with new toys if he had displays and inventory there. We all go to these shows with pockets full of money (or charge cards) I think they are missing the ball here. Again, another opportunity for Run N' Gun


Regarding the tech sessions: I attended last year, wanting to learn. I found the the Weds session, while informative, a little more of a BS session than educational. I was hoping to see more on vehicle setup or tips. Info like is being presented by Deane in his current KitCar articles on alignment.

The engine session by Keith Craft was very informative. Unfortunately, the setting lent itself to an extremely casual affair. We are a small market to Tremec and Ford Racing but I am certain their sessons would be welcome. It would be informative to have a session on 8.8 IRS or 9" Ford rear-gears. Most of us run Holley. They have an aftermarket team less than 8hrs away. What about Lakewood, Ram, CenterForce - we all struggle with clutch problems.

There is opportunity for Run N' Gun to grow as an informative source, whether for a racer or for a builder. May not interest the guy who just buys a Superformance to drive on Sunday. But look at the web boards. Every one of us become a Tech Head as soon as we get into this hobby. Let Run N' Gun feed that. And let Run N' Gun grow as the guys learn that they can track their baby without putting her at risk. I am a drag racer and feel comfortable in that setting. But I can't wait to try my hand at AutoCross. And just to be able to say I've had a hot lap on a road course . . .

One aspect that could be a side venture would be "Now that you own a 2400lb 500 hp car, come get some tips on how to drive her". We all think we are hotshot drivers. But the truth be known, we all could use a quick course or refresher on how to use the loud pedal and the screech pedal as they should be used.

Clois, Deane and Jay have gotten this puppy of the ground and it has reached nationwide status. With a little tweaking, it could grow to another level, being a nationwide performance show. That direction will feed right into the track event, and will not compete for dollars with London. Let London be the Show N' Shine of the Cobra set. Run N' Gun the performance side.

There's room for all in the sandbox and the bigger the playground gets, the more we will all benefit.

My 2 1/2c worth

Paul Proefrock
 
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