Lessons Learned from C5Fest I (Planning for C5FII)

[DrumDawg]

Originally Posted by nhra stocker

We needed more organization on the dragstrip. Not even the people running the track nor did Camaro5 people know what was going on , as far as classes to be ran , test and tune or times. As far as the index classes go that must of been decided at the track cause I didnt see it mentioned on here anywhere. It worked out fine having the index classes and not having a stock or bolt on class which would of probably just brought up contriversy over the cars being ran in it. There is definetly room for improvement here!

I would have really liked to see a totally bone stock class for V6s and V8s. That way we could see what the totally stock cars could really do. Plus, this class is where most of us novice drivers would have been together. Instructions could have then been given and then we could have just raced against each other.

I'm not sure if any drag instructions were given because I went and did the autocross first. Were there any? The autocross organizers had a driver's meeting and explained everything before we raced.

I guess it would be easier next year since I kind of know what to expect now.

[IROCanSS]

I have an idea but I have to go to the inlaws... stay tuned... LOL

[Fleet1]

Vendors are so important as they supply the money for expences.

Central location, just makes sense as more people have access.

TV coverage, if you can get this you have a major event.

Get planning started now!!!!! The bigger the show the more time it takes to plan and the more people it takes to make it work.

And yes, I do have some experience in this area.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Knight_Rider

Here's some tips for next year. Overall it was nicely done. The main area for improvement seems to be communications.

1) Hand out a map of the track at the gate. We had no idea where anything was. We didn't know where dragstrip/autocross parking etc., happened to guess correctly.
originally, EVERYONE was to be parked in the same area. however, we had a bunch of people that showed up before 9 am and parked next to the track. I know I talked to just about all of them and told them we were parking everyone in the grass.

Then, I get word that the parking had to be "adjusted" and I drove up to the gate and went to each and every car and told those that were driving/racing to park next to the track and if you were there as a spectator, you were to go park in the grass.
2) Hand out "do's and don't" on track etiquette for novices. The track PA man should not have to tell people with street tires not to do burn outs.
you can do a burnout on street tires. just dont go into the water box.


3) Most of the information on what was going on seems to have came out by word of mouth. We completely missed the cruise around the oval, the track party, and whatever else happened after that. Need some type of event schedule like everyone else said.
The cruise around the oval was a last minute thing. We started the car show and someone mentioned doing a few laps around the track. then the word got passed along

4) Need a list of places to wash your car in the area. Actually we had no idea of what was around town either, restaurants, bars, etc.
We had a car wash area at the track and there was 1 or 2 guys doing $30.00 details all day friday at the host hotel.
5) The locals had no idea this event was happening. They were sorely missed at the track.

responses above in blue

Originally Posted by Dr Jekel

I have only a few observations not complaints just things I noticed.

1. AT SGMP, move the vendors to the area right near the track where the parking was for the drivers. Makes it easier access.
we had originally planned for the vendors to be lined up in pit row, however we had some "guests" at the track before we got there that had already reserved that area without us knowing. so, we made due with what hand we were dealt and moved the vendors to where they were

2. Require vendors to be setup and ready the day before with all the displays etc, weather permitting. This will cause less confusion of vendors trying to get stuff to their area when everyone else is coming in.
most all of the vendors had set up all day friday. keep in mind that if you are a vendor, you dont want to keep that $800.00 intake manifold sitting out in the open all night unguarded.

also, as I said before, a lot of people showed up before 9am
3. Open the gates up 30 minutes prior for vendors only, to give them time to put finishing touches on. Use the exit gate as a vendor access point since access to the track is limited to one gate.
most of the vendors were there before you guys showed up. but again, a lot of people showed up an hour earlier than scheduled

4. Since access is limited to one gate for everyone else be prepared for early arrivals, some did not stay in Valdosta and drove in the morning of. Allow at least 30 minutes or so after the gates open before things actually kick off to allow people time to get in.
we had people that showed up an hour early, we had a huge line of people waiting at the gate to get in. it took nearly 2 hours to get everyone in the gate....except PQ... he decided to show up whenever he felt like it.

5. Have a PA system for Camaro 5 to have announcements. Missed some things specifically Mike Judge that I really hate.

this is a big one that we are working on now



for everyone that says they didnt know what time things were going on or where things were going on, the information had been posted here on the site for quite some time

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50651


granted, we did change the parking situation up, but you had been provided the information long before the fest.

[chuckstacamaro]

A three day event would be cool....... Day one for Drag Racing/Vendors, Day two for Auto Crossing/Short Track Cruise/Vendors and Day Three for Car Show and Award Presentations/Organized Cruise before leaving. I loved the Drag Racing and the Short track cruise but didn't have enough time to do some autocrossing due to having some work done to the car by vendors at the Camaro5 fest. There just wasn't enough time. Either way it was a great weekend.

[Blade]

Spike - Right on about the schedule, there was plenty of information on what the schedule was for each day. I went ahead and printed it out even though I had the iphone to reference the schedule

[DrumDawg]

for everyone that says they didnt know what time things were going on or where things were going on, the information had been posted here on the site for quite some time

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50651

Below was part of the schedule:

9:45am - 6:00pm: AutoCross open for business. MTI Racing will be doing AutoCross “How To’s and provide full support for those who are AutoCrossing.
10:00am - 10:00pm Dragstrip open for business. Drag racing “How To’s” will be provided at the Drag Strip. Sponsored by American Racing Headers (ARH)
10:00am – 5:00pm: Mobile Dyno Runs Provided by East Coast Supercharging
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Lunch Sponsored by Hennessey Performance
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Fundraiser For Charity (Vendor Raffles, To Be announced at the Fest.)
6:00pm: Competitive runs/eliminations/brackets begin at the Drag Strip. Prize Money for 1st and 2nd place winners to be Paid by American Racing Headers

If you were like me... I went to the autocross first since it was listed as opening before the drag racing. So I raced that for 1 hour or 2(They got started late because the main gate didn't get closed on time.) and by the time I made it over to the drag racing, everything was already going. No one ever said anything about classes, rules, etc.... I learned how to do everything by talking to other racers. Thankfully, everyone was really nice.

All we are saying is that a more detailed schedule could have been given out that would have explained the rules and accommodated all the great events that were going on. Maybe have two briefings for the drag racing so the autocrossers can get briefed before they race. I'm sure there will be some first time racers again next year.
I never could figure out the competitive runs despite racing down the track 8 times and hanging out in that area.

I still had a blast! I'm just trying to help make it even better.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by DrumDawg

for everyone that says they didnt know what time things were going on or where things were going on, the information had been posted here on the site for quite some time

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50651

Below was part of the schedule:

9:45am - 6:00pm: AutoCross open for business. MTI Racing will be doing AutoCross “How To’s and provide full support for those who are AutoCrossing.
10:00am - 10:00pm Dragstrip open for business. Drag racing “How To’s” will be provided at the Drag Strip. Sponsored by American Racing Headers (ARH)
10:00am – 5:00pm: Mobile Dyno Runs Provided by East Coast Supercharging
12:30pm – 1:00pm: Lunch Sponsored by Hennessey Performance
1:00pm – 2:30pm: Fundraiser For Charity (Vendor Raffles, To Be announced at the Fest.)
6:00pm: Competitive runs/eliminations/brackets begin at the Drag Strip. Prize Money for 1st and 2nd place winners to be Paid by American Racing Headers

If you were like me... I went to the autocross first since it was listed as opening before the drag racing. So I raced that for 1 hour or 2(They got started late because the main gate didn't get closed on time.) and by the time I made it over to the drag racing, everything was already going. No one ever said anything about classes, rules, etc.... I learned how to do everything by talking to other racers. Thankfully, everyone was really nice.

All we are saying is that a more detailed schedule could have been given out that would have explained the rules and accommodated all the great events that were going on. Maybe have two briefings for the drag racing so the autocrossers can get briefed before they race. I'm sure there will be some first time racers again next year.
I never could figure out the competitive runs despite racing down the track 8 times and hanging out in that area.

I still had a blast! I'm just trying to help make it even better.

what we would like to do is be able to gain control of the loudspeaker so we can announce everything ourselves instead of running around telling small groups of people individually. cus everytime we'd go into the booth, we'd tell the guy what to say and it would come out as...

[KATHY63]

We had an awesome time and were glad we got to attend the inaugural event and we definately left wanting more. We didn't have a lot of time to meet new people, but it still was great. Are they going to increase the track laps every year? That was awesome and we got some great pictures. We knew that there would be some hiccups, but it happens and people will get over it. It was great on our way back to illinois that when we would pass another camaro, we would wave to each other knowing that we had just experienced something incredible. We also hope that MTI will be doing something at Talledega on 10/10/10 because that Nascar thunder would sound great with all our camaro's

[Blade]

Boomhauer FTMFW!!!

[CaniacFan]

First off, awesome event and I'm proud that I was able to attend the 1st Annual C5Fest.. With that said, there is always room for improvement in practically everything we do in life. I'm not knocking, just recommending.

This is not the popular choice, but leave the location in SGMP - build on it and improve event to event. Otherwise, you backtrack and start over year after year. Plan "B" alternate between two locations (i.e. SGMP and Kansas).

I couldn't commit until March due to work commitments so I was not at the host hotel I was 3 or miles away (Holiday Inn Express). We need to get everyone at the same facility or to a parking lot big enough to accomodate all the cars. There was no room to park at the Host hotel and mingle. A tailgate after the cruise would have been perfect.

The Friday cruise was by far my favorite event. VPD was great, they let us "play with our toys" on the streets. I figured we'd be doing 35 MPH with our hazards on. Nicely done.

Mods - I saw Tags license plate. These fantastic people needed to be introduced to the entire group whether at the hotel or track or both.

I had no idea the group from GM was there until I saw pics. After hanging out for 10 hrs in the heat all day Saturday, we left thinking the only thing left on the itin was dinner. Had we known about the drive on the track or fireworks, we would have toughed it out. Divide the track acitivites into 2 days - Saturday was just too long.

Assign the vendors a location for their vehicles and wares and provide a map/layout for members. Did I also miss the C5 window decals? I got a shirt at the Host Hotel Friday night, didn't see them Saturday.

Maybe move the event later in the year (June) to accomodate families, schools, vacations, etc.

Again, proud to have been associated with this awesome event, looking forward to a bigger, better C5Fest11. Great Job, All.. My .02 only.

[garcmol]

I had detailer #2 on the north of the Host hotel parking lot move his rig forward to access the ramps to the grass area for additional parking. Even told folks coming back from the cruise it was available. Obviously no one wanted to park there.

addresses and phone #'s for all car washes in the Valdosta area were posted.

addresses were posted for some of the restaurants in the Valdosta area. And I called that list to make sure they were right and to expect a surge of people Thurs-Sun.

Drag rules folks, are NHRA standards governed by SGMP. They have to run a group like this as a typical Friday night "test n tune" at the local dragstrip. If not, some folks wouldn't have been able to get to the start line, i.e. power adders, run time vs. safety equipment required, pre inspection to assign to correct division, etc, etc, etc. Classes, divisions and the like equal more $$$$$, plus more time before hitting the 1320. At least running it like this, you were only required paying your $50 and get in line. Seems like a win to me.

Remember there was a golf tournament ongoing at the same time of the fest. Only a certain amount of rooms could get blocked for the Fest for the weekend.

A race team basically "bought" the track for Friday which changed the area for the vendor setup.

[Camaro Freak]

Bring it back to Valdosta GA and make it bigger and better next year. Improve on what you have, don't start over some where else. Thats how F-Body Gathering has been running now for 14 years its always in Atlanta. Thats how Daytona Bike week in Florida is the premier bike fest in the country. They stayed where they started and improved on it each and every year. Hope the people that decides this stuff will listen and take notice.

[brandotron]

I brought this up to a mod or two already, but this seems like a good place to bring it up:
We should set up streaming video of the track for members that couldn't make it.