Autocross Awards Poll

[jenniferreinhardt]

Aw I really don't understand why we give out a trophy for first place when there is only one car in that class. Seems kind of a hollow victory to me.

I enjoyed seeing my student and her success when she received her 1st place award Saturday - even though she was the only one in her class - she and her husband both can't wait to race again. The AX Chairs have historically done this because it is a nice gesture, rewards and encourages people to come back, not to mention to linger after the event, maybe even to help pack up the trailer - well, maybe not that. We don't have to get extravagant with the cost of the awards. OCR does have sponsors I believe and their events cost more. We can certainly shop for prices and see what we can get for our designated money.

[thunderbox]

not to mention to linger after the event

We don't want that. They might complain about us drinking beer

[martinreinhardt]

I prefer the nice OCR style trophies or the last seasons medals, but I also like the Trophy Board idea. Maybe an improved version with one Trophy Board per season and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place plaques, instead of just 1st place.

Money shouldn't be an issue to give back to the members as I believe the Autocross events are the cash cow.

from the PCA Zone 8 rules book:

X AWARDS

A. Individual awards are encouraged at Zone Time Trials and Autocrosses. Such
awards should include the event description and finish order. Where possible,
they should be presented at the site, immediately after the event.

B. Event Awards (Minimum)
1. One trophy for classes with two or three cars entered. Trophies may
be awarded for smaller (one-car) classes at the discretion of the Event
Chairperson.
2. One additional trophy per two cars entered to a maximum of five
trophies.
3. Participation awards are at the Event Chairperson’s discretion
...

[thunderbox]

Money shouldn't be an issue to give back to the members as I believe the Autocross events are the cash cow.

from PCA Zone 8 rules book:

X AWARDS
B. Event Awards (Minimum)
1. One trophy for classes with two or three cars entered. Trophies may
be awarded for smaller (one-car) classes at the discretion of the Event
Chairperson.
2. One additional trophy per two cars entered to a maximum of five
trophies.
3. Participation awards are at the Event Chairperson’s discretion
...

Good, that is what I'm talking about. SO, maybe the one car class should be given a trophy for the first or second time they show up, but not every time?

As for the cash cow, I believe that may be mostly true. But I also believe that the club uses those events to bankroll most other events and keep the club running.

[martinreinhardt]

[
Good, that is what I'm talking about. SO, maybe the one car class should be given a trophy for the first or second time they show up, but not every time?

I see what you mean, but I still prefer that 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class gets a trophy no matter how many people are in the class. If they don't want it, they don't have to accept it.

[thunderbox]

Really? Seems kind of overkill to me. Too many trophies handed out and I need to find a DD to get home... Just kidding.

I do think that the rules that were quoted make good sense and could be used. With fewer handed out, more money for better ones... Just saying.

[jenniferreinhardt]

There has been lots of giving back to the Drivers, Volunteers, and Members this year. Check out the minutes in the 2008 Witness mags and you will be reminded.

Your opinions about trophy preferences are needed. When the 2009 AX team responds with a yea or nay, Jackie and myself, and whoever else wants to help, can check out all the ideas, and try to make the 130 plus people who AX all happy!

[Dan Chambers]

I think awards at the end of the day are great ... especially for up and coming drivers. The awards, while small and inexpensive, represent a great upward improvement for a competing and/or learning driver. I still have my very first blue ribbon. Remember the blue ribbons?

If I remember correctly, the really nice trophies that OCR handed out last year were donated/sponsored by the OCR-AX sponsors. I think that's what Steve E. told me.

I think the trophies were nice, and one is always nice on the mantle. However, like Jad, I usually hold on to my medal/ribbons/cones just long enough for a picture (if one is even taken), then return the ribbon/cone/medal to the box. (Recycling .... yeah, that's the ticket.) With the trophies .... er, if I were ever to win one ... I would probably return it to the box as well. One nice one is probably enough for me.

If the AX team goes to actual trophies like OCR, can we find a sponsor for the fees of nice trophies? Can we find a sponsor to absorb the increased fees imposed by Qualcomm/the city? Can we find a sponsor to help fund other activities (donated transponders for TT's?) Sponsors are nice. We like sponsors, dont' we?

From a cost point of view, I think going back to the ribbons would be nice. (Yeah, okay ... so I'm the lone "ribbon" voter ).

FWIW .... my dos pesos.

[Bill Behun]

Uh oh - The AX season is coming to an end for this year and it looks like I have graduated and will now be the "senior" AX co-chair for next year. Ron Trotter and Jackie Lu's 2 year service is up. It looks like Don Middleton and John Komer will be new AX chairs when the board approves them.

As far as I know the AX team has obtained the awards and changed the awards. Orange stickers were added about 18 months ago. At some point this past year it was decided to do something different from the medals as the medals had been done for many seasons. The orange cone trophies for 1st place were obtained.

At the present time we have a few boxes of orange cone trophies and we still have some medals. There are enough of the orange cones to last a few more events. Not sure about the medals. I will take a count of each of them at the December AX. We have LOTS of orange cone stickers.

So.... the good news? is we have some time to take the survey and figure out what we'd like to do for the next round of awards.
Bad news? is we have quite a supply of awards we should hand out before we move on to the next phase. Again, I'll take a count in December and we can then figure out a time for the 'next phase' to begin.

Let's keep up the discussion and see where it goes. Jennifer, when it's time to get more data/pricing/etc. your help will be appreciated by the AX team!
I think it will be nice to have something different for the main awards AND stil do the orange stickers.

It always cracked me up seeing those college football helmets with all the stickers on them. I have a ways to go to get my helmet looking like what alll those Ohio State, Florida State helmets look like. By the way, what do those football stickers represent

[ronaldtrotter]

As one of this years AX Chairs, I need to put my .02 cents in here. As to cash cow the AX is not. Kim can tell you the true cost. But, this year I tried to make the budget reflect the true expense of an AX. When the cost of Drivers Dinner, Awards both event and end of year are figured in with the increase in cost of Stadium, I think you will find that some money is made, but Cash Cow, I think not.

We tried to be responsible and keep within budget. With 66 awards an AX that was extremely hard to do. Yes we ran out for some events and that was my fault. I had never figured out how many awards we gave out. When I did I was shocked. I'm sorry some were disappointed, but there is nothing I can do about that now. Personally, I like Zone 8 awards guide lines. This is of course from a guy who is in a class that he is never likely to win. Although we have at least five in my class an event. I also don't want to pay more for an AX just to provide for awards. By the way the OC trophies were donated at the cost of around $10.00 to $12.00 each. Steve correct me if I'm wrong.

We have a great group of people with next years AX Chairs ( Bill Behun, Don Middleton and John Kommer). Support what ever they decide and just go drive and have fun.



Ron

[Jackie C]

OCR in addition to sponsorship only gives out one trophy for up to 3 in class and incrementally increases up to 3rd. I get an end of year "trophy" from Stone that is a 3 liter bottle of beer but that's probably not gonna fly at the AX. Sorry Daaad.

[Gary Burch]

Why not get a nice trophy and give winners a photo with it.

[ronaldtrotter]

A three liter bottle may not fly, but as an award I think it's great. Why not have a three liter bottle and a picture.

[Mike]

Dan, I'm a ribbon racer too.
I asked a local trophy shop owner what was the occasion for the biggest trophy he ever made?
A south bay Martial arts competitor and store owner had won a national event, he took that trophy and had 5 feet added to the base. diy Trophies that can be enlarged, good concept?

They make a great door stop(s), display a trophy anywhere there is a door.


Yes to photos, Yvonne and I both got ribbons, yea!


Here's a link to a trophy supplier I have used for slot car racing.
You can check what you like and if it fits your budget.
Trophies can look toy like sometimes....
http://www.crownawards.com/StoreFront/TRP.Trophies.catt
I like awards that hang on the wall.
Every year place your window decal awards around a new framed photo of your car for a nice "hero" racer display.
Ribbons and a champagne shower for all winners?

[Kim Crosser]

Re the "Cash Cow" perception. I know a lot of people in the Club think that our driving events produce "tons" of extra income. While it is true that any given AX event usually produces more income than it costs to run, the AX events are actually at a break-even point when the end of year trophies and the Drivers' Dinner are included.
Of course, we could always choose to keep the extra income and skip the trophies and dinner.
With the increase in the Stadium rental since July (another $500 per day), we will probably have to increase AX fees in 2009 to continue to break even.