Having been to the sprint most years since 1989, I notice how things seem to be on the decline. I read with interest, our chairman's and SJ351's comments on the '3 questions' thread.
There can be agreement on one issue, the sprint, from an ACs taking part point of view, is in decline.
What is to be done?
1/ The idea of a track day in place of the sprint has some merit. (see '3 Questions' thread)
2/ Change the venue to one that is more convenient to the majority of members, and to a time of year when decent weather might be expected.
3/ Do both of the above
Some random thoughts on the above 3 points
I completely agree that the palaver and expense of sprinting has a significant effect on entries. I certainly put me off what is, for me, a once a year outing.
The car's continual increase in value has put a damper on many throwing them into Madgwick's with gay abandon.
After last year's sprint, I contacted Castle Combe to see what costs were involves with hiring the circuit for a sprint. The lengthy email received no reply! Maybe a foot-in-the-water page in ACtion asking for interest in the change might show what the club members want most.
I think that the difficulty of attracting new members is nothing compared with attracting new members and then expecting them to expose themselves and their pride and joy to the danger of just about the fastest sprint course out there.
We seem to be locked into Goodwood. As our Chair noted ,'if we failed to renew our application, we would never have another Sprint at Goodwood as there is a queue waiting for anyone to drop out'. This is true. but hanging on to an event that has no take-up is....?
It would only take the RACMSA to insist that all competing car are to have roll-bars for the event, as a sprint, to have the carpet permanently pulled from beneath it.
I think it could transpire that the only competitive event that takes place in future years at the circuit is the Revival, if matey in his bedroom with his noise meter has his way.
Does the sprint historically pay for itself, or is the club subsidising it?
I for one would relish an ACOC member's only track day.
The above comments have no agenda, I'm not trying to 'get' at anyone or prove any point. It's just that the sprint isn't the same as when I thrashed all those MEs with my poor old MGB all those years ago!!!