How to grow the smaller classes?

[Doug]

There is no doubt some classes are much more popular than others. But I've always wondered "why" and also "how can the sport entice more people to race the smaller classes?" By smaller I simply mean the classes that draw few entries in most races. Many times a class will have only one or two entries in a particular race. Seems the "sport" as a whole could do something to build up the less popular classes. Wouldn't it be great if every class had at least 10 entries in every race? Even better, 20+ entries? I sure think so. I'm not sure what the answer is, which is why I'm posting this... to get ideas.

Your thoughts everyone?

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[racecodriver]

First thing to come to my mind......

Lower the price of suff!!!!!!

[91tdesert]

These classes draw low entries because the rules are antiquated. Maybe eliminate some of these classes moving these entries to other classes.

[retroblazer]

I am a participant in one of those classes. I race in class 3. What does it take to get these smaller classes to grow? Part of the equation is the guys that have the cars have to step up and communicate with each other. We now try to coordinate we where show up to race.We've been fortunate to get a dedicated website for our class. www.class3racing.com There seems to be a natural migration out of production classes to purpose built race classes. Class 8 to TT Class 5 to Class 10 5/1600 to 1-2/1600. Simpler to prep/ no rules fights/ same costs. The sanctioning bodies are not very good at equalizing the difference in manufacturers advantages. My class favors Fords. My leaf spring front end is at significant at disavantage to a ttb frontend with coilovers. Sure, I'd love to have the rules modernized. To allow everbody the same parameters. Same wheel base, coilovers, max. engine size, etc. Not likely to happen, the sanctioning bodies are going to focus on the top classes. As long as eighty entries show up in CL1 and TT's, why screw around with us.

[1450-ranger]

A new generation who do not want to spend the money to go slower / appreciate the class and its roots. I think this is part of the success of the 14 class.

'look sick for cheap bro!'

[Tom_Willis]

The lack of class 3 numbers is because the manufacturers offer very little help. If Toyota allocated 5 million dollars for prize money specifically to promote the F J's over the next 5 years there would be more F J's than there are PROTrucks. And that amount is a puppy-fart in a hurricane to them. I suspect they feel they don't need it because the F J is selling out. It is going to take another Donohoe- or Millen-caliber team to approach the manufacturers and convince them that their newest SUV needs to "Conquer Baja". But the only thing that will get those corporations to open up their checkbooks is guaranteed network television exposure. Until then it's going to be those few very hardcore privateers in older-bodied Broncos and Blazers who somehow are able to weave their way around all the carnage and still get that finish.

Class three clearly gets too little media recognition, but they definitely have earned everyone's respect out there.

[Mr. Pickle]

I don't know your guys' ages but from a mid-20s point of view I agree with 1497. Why would a younger racer who has $XXX spend that on for example a class 3 when they could spend it on a class 1600? Where the 1600/1400 should be a more competitive class and probably ride better than the 3. Most who are getting into desert racing are going for the thrills and excitment. Not that you won't get that in a 3 but there will be more in a 1600/1400. This is just my opinion. I would love to race a class 3 (they look really fun and challenging) but since I am not footing the bill I have to go along with the people who are.

I agree that lowering the fees and expenses for those teams would also entice them in. But to play devil's advocate then the other classes could protest and request a lower price and then there would be mayhem. So I think it is a slippery slope.
Have a good one.

[91tdesert]

I totally agree with retroblazer that the focus of the sanctionong bodies is on the high dollar classes but if they want to bring more grass roots racers into offroad then they need to have an affordable level playing field to enter. By just ignoring these classes and letting the rules sit as is no new racers are going to consider these classes keeping the entries down. Why should you go out w ur blazer, spend the same amount, and not be competitve because of the rules.

[Baja4Autism]

I agree with the others that currently compete in the smaller classes, hell I travel from New York to race in the desert! Let this fact be known that the all time record entries for any class is class 11. Back in the 70's they would draw 60 plus cars at a single event. Yes, there are underlying factors here such as the availability of the cars then versus now, the cost to build and maintain a competitive car were considerably lower, time limits at events are now geared toward the faster classes. If a 1 car or TT breaks a major component they can fix it and still have time to finish, maybe not win, but atleast they can say they finished the Baja 500 or the Baja Mil! If a class 11 has a major tranny issue we might as well hang it up. There is no possible way to replace it and have ample time to finish. What do we do keep going to see how far we make it???? In my opinion absolutely not, simply because we don't have a chance against the clock and then you have to weigh in with the cost of breaking other items. In order for class 11's to finish you must hope that the odds are all in your favor and you have a trouble free run. HAHAHAHA! Why is this so funny? We are about the most limited class other than maybe the rhinos and we have the roughest course of any class. This is not because of our class limitations only, but think about it every other competitor has chewed up every possible line leaving us at an extreme disadvantage. Now don't get me wrong, Eric Solorzano deserves all the credit in the world as he has a very high success rate at most events. Dave "The King" Hendrickson does too! Dave has taught me a ton of prep and driving skills over the years which I am greatful for, but I think that SCORE in particular needs to give us a little more time. What is 5 more hours for say class 3,9, 11 and the rhinos? As a whole I feel they should also give the limited classes a break on the entry fees. Not every team has $100K + budgets. Maybe if they only charged us half, but still qualify us as PRO's and not sportsman, I firmly belive that they would draw higher numbers. CODE does it with 30 + class 11 cars at almost every event they hold. As one of the leading people behind that start of the class11coalition.com site I have conducted many hours of research regarding our class. There are over 100 class 11 cars between the US and Mexico as we speak. The number one factor for selecting one event were we can all come together is cost. I even went as far as contacting the state department to allow the mexican racers to come across on visas, similiar to those used by the olympic athletes today. They would all meet at a designated location in Mexico, be allowed to cross into the US for say 4 days as one larger group, then they would again meet at a designated location together to cross back over into Mexico.

Keep the limited classes alive, Sal to this day claims that desert racing is a "GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORT!"

Even Alan Pflueger said in Dust to Glory, something to the effect of " class 11 racers are the true sportsman in the desert."

Brian Calliari
1000 Miles For Autism

****On a side note: For anyone interested in checking out the www.class11coalition.com/race website, it is currently down due to a hosting issue. This issue is being resolved and the site should be back up in a few days. So check it out when you get time.

[retroblazer]

First, lowering fees. Not going to happen in SCORE. Fortunately, we have choices like MDR and others. Lets give the SCORE folks their due. Anybody that can organize a Baja 1000, deserves a premium.
Second, If you think the class has an age and slow image problem, tell me why thirty(30)+ JeepSpeeds showed up at Barstow. If they're fun,we're fun plus.
Third, I don't want to be dependent on one mfg showing up to promote their new car. Toyota was mentioned. How many guys get factory money when Toyota shows up?
I live in the Chicago area. After I put my car together in 1998 and ran the 1000, I came back and had no place to run, as Class 3 had gone away. I called Crandon and told them they should allow the class to run. They said, show up with ten cars and we will give you a slot. It took me three years. The class is called Formula 4x4. It has simple rules, max travel, width, wheel base, engine displacement, and must have 4wd. Today, a typical Crandon race has fifteen to twenty entries in this class. You don't hear about it on the West Coast, because it wasn't a CORR class.

You really can't compare a 3 to a 1-2/1600. I have driven both. I'd gladly take my 500+hp motor over a 75hp VW. It's really the only affordable V-8 class. The 1450's are cool. I'd love to run one. But the problem with them is the same problem with Class 8. They have enough wheel travel and wheel base to use all the horsepower you can put in them. It's only a matter of time before people choke on motor and driveline costs. BITD 7200 is cool as well, but an open v-6 motor cost two or three times minimum what mine costs and lasts half as long before needing to be rebuilt.
We have been communicating with SCORE for some simple changes. Open up the spring options to allow links and coilovers for everyone. I have to send my front leaf springs to Deaver after every race. In the modern age of off road racing, coil-overs are readily available at an affordable price. I'd love a max. wheel travel limit, but I'd be happy with the change. Even though it wouldn't benefit me, I have no problem allowing the shorter wheel base trucks be able to stretch to the limit.
The beauty of 3 is that the core vehicles are readly available for a grand. Anybody can build one in their own garage. This class will grow with a little help.