Rain Out

[RICK3059]

I preregistered for this weekend at Shannonville. I loaded the car onto the hauler Friday afternoon and left home. We checked into the Quality Inn in Belleville, which I will say has dramatically declined since last year, and went out for dinner. Looking forward to the event we hit the sack early and awoke at 545am. I looked outside and to my dismay it was pissing down rain. I went to the track anyway and I think it was raining harder there. I went to the registration tower and signed in anyway. I spoke to a few of the guys about the situation. I decided that it was too dangerous to go out onto the track. The Kingston radio station said the same weather was also due for Sunday. I headed for home. Now to the gist of this comment.
I prepaid $220.00 for the event. I paid $101.00 for the hotel. I paid $50.00 for dinner. I paid $60.00 for fuel.
I am of the opinion that if the event is rained out, preregistrants should receive a credit for payment to be applied to a future event. I don't think that I should be penalized for prepayment. I could have chosen to pay at the event which would have saved me a large # of $$, because I would have never left home due to the rain. I was disappointed enough not being able to race let alone dealing with the $$ situation. I like to prepay for the events that I wish to attend in order to make it easier for the organizers, but I will have to consider seriously changing that procedure in light of these events. If the readers of this comment believe that I am out of line, then so be it. I am a committed Solo 1 competitor, play by the rules and help promote the sport in any way I can. I do not know what your opinions will be but I welcome all input and comments. Should your responses be positive that the Solo 1 committee should examine this issue and come up with a satisfactory resolve. ( i.e. a partial or full credit for the next event etc.)

[Taylor]

It's hard to argue for or against this situation.

On one hand if credits were issued, you'd probably have events with 10 people at them, 6 of which are organizers. Some people don't mind the rain. While I wasn't out there this weekend (mostly due to the forecast of rain) when I was there at the last event, the event had to be shutdown before Percy came off the track in his Saturn. I missed out on a Lapping evening and the two events. In the end it cost me as much more to do the event as I was loosing by not doing it. Besides the workpile helped make the decision a lot easier.

On the other hand. The event should promote safety and standing water is not safe (IMO). I didn't mind the cold and miserable mess we had for the Shootout last year because the conditions were drivable, but standing water is spooky and the conditions are ever changing. But on an amateur level like this, I'm sure the series can't afford to basically cancel events, it would be one thing if the track would refund the money to the organization then they can "pass the savings" down to us. But when Solo 1 has to still pay for track rental, they need their competitors to still pay too. And I think ultimately that's the bottom line.

I want 2001 back.. dry EVERY weekend. Even the day it rained, it was dry track come the start of competition. Yeah.. that was sweet.

[RICK3059]

I hear that and I agree. Where is the sun? But still, to register on race day will have no effect other than a small ripple. Prepay is only to assist the organizers. As I orginally stated I'm 100% behind the sport and promote it at every opportunity. I could be just blowing smoke, but again, I welcome all responses and opinions.

[alexb]

First off, the event was not rained-out.
A rain-out would mean a cancellation of the event, however things ran as normal.

By the way Sunday was warm and sunny!

As for saftey concerns-you drive to suite the conditions and youre ability.

[RedRabbit Racer]

Lets see if you are welcoming all replies. First, be glad you aren't driving an open cockpit car.

There are a whole lot of fixed costs to run a Solo event that happen whether it rains or the sun shines. If you don't pay in advance, you don't get the date. There is no shortage of people prepared to play by the track rules. However, there aren't many clubs who are prepared to lose $6000 because it rained on Saturday.

Rain is part of racing. It doesn't happen all that often. Get used to it. If anything, it is the great equalizer that permits low powered cars with good drivers to beat much more powerful cars. Some people like it. Be one of them.

[Chris P]

Why didn't you look at the forcast before hand? Saturday called for a 90% chance of rain and some predictions for 30-40mm of rain. What did you expect? Put some new Toyo's on and it will feel almost dry like.


Sunday was very nice, no rain and the track was dry by the first timed run.

[Taylor]

Rick: The rules are stated fairly simple in regards to refunds. Ultimately the conditions didn't fit your comfort level and you decided to bail. Your choice, your cash. While I do know where you're coming from (as someone who also decided to not run due to the forecast conditions) I also know that it's a decision you made and it doesn't sound like the conditions were worse than Event #1 which took torrential (sp) flooding to finally break out the red flags.

Besides the forecast had been calling rain in the extended forcast for 4-5 days. The 100% POP forcase that showed on Thursday for Saturday, up from 90% on Wednesday, should have been enough to tip you off. You could have cancelled your reservation and skipped the drive up and limited your expenses, but instead decided to chance it then bail. Once again, another decision.

Now having said that as it turns out, my prerequisites for going (dry Fri and Sun) did in fact get met, but the forecast said they wouldn't. So I missed out 2 of 3 days, that's the risk you take in going or not going. So I should have done what you did, and you should have stayed home like I did. Next time lets converse beforehand and switch decisions.

[RICK3059]

You guys are right. I wimped and bailed. Here's hoping for some sun later on. Thanks for the input and I'll see you at Mosport as I am pregistered for that event. I'll take your advice and run anyway. Thanks guys.

[ADAM]

like the gamblers says....

you got ta know when to hold em'.....know when to fold em....know when to run away....


the fact is...the track is rented and must be paid for by someone...SO if you chose to preregister to get some savings then that is the risk you must assume if the weather is bad at those events and decide that you don't want to compete...

(it was a wretched day at the track)

sunday was very nice out however..

[Chris91GT]

I never would have believed it last year, but I really enjoyed racing in the wet on Saturday. I can't believe how much I learned in 4 short track sessions about pushing hard in the wet.

Not to mention that I learned a thing or two about track brakes in the wet... as witnessed by me sliding off into the mud just before the final hairpin when a brief hint of lock-up resulted in pads welded to rotors.

[ADAM]

we took a good picture on c sorensons camera of you in the mud....

[Chris91GT]

Send it over!

atkinscc@mcmaster.ca

[Chris91GT]

Nice pic. hehehe

[Chris P]

just to make sure everybody gets a look

[tomfoolery]

I think you were right to bail...no need to feel bad(except for loosing your money).

Driving in the rain may be fun for some but for others its a waste of time and a waste of the car. Slamming a hot header into a huge puddle isn't best best use of money. Sliding off into lake muck and having to get on your hood so you can jump on to the track without loosing a shoe in the swamp shouldn't be part of the weekend.

I wouldn't prepay

Oh and I think everyone who drives a shannonville(dry or rain) should bring some rope to help tow them out of the dirt when they get stuck. Home depot is your friend for that(and much more).