Thoughts on a more relaxed $2000 Challenge Event Schedule?

In my role as Grand Marshal, I’ve been thinking a lot about the $2000 Challenge and talking to people about it. Apparently, we all seem to like each other, because a common theme is that folks want more time to hang out together. 

With that, what would people think of the idea of a more relaxed schedule that allows for extra downtime and socialization? The way it could work is having the drags Saturday morning to lunchtime, then followed by the Concours in the afternoon and once concluded, extends to an afternoon/evening of free time for hanging out/social time or whatever one wants to do. AutoX would be Sunday AM until early afternoon, followed by the awards. Thoughts?

My disclaimer here is that I haven't formalized any changes to the schedule with anyone at this end, but I'm curious as to what people think. 

Thanks, 

Bill C

Hmmm, I'd need to talk to the track, but I think this would be feasible on our end.

I know the track cooling down in the evenings, and dew forming always seems to be a concern.  You get some of that with the mornings but not as much and sweeping the track off should take care of most of it?

I've always thought that autox morning then drags evening was a killer.  I forgot what year it was recently that we did drags the next morning because of rain but it was the bestest ever.

From Competitor stand point, it's nice to be able to get the autocross in before the drag racing.  This allows a "full send" moment after a drag pass or two.  If you break on the drag strip, you can't autocross the next morning.

Autocross the first morning, drag the second ?

Personally I really like the current schedule of racing Saturday and Concours + awards Sunday. Though Saturday is quite busy with both races and little downtime, Sunday morning with the Concours and Cars and Coffee is very laid back and allows for lots of social time. Plus Friday afternoon/evening is nothing but social time.

Autocross takes longer than drags, often until 3 or 4 pm, plus fun runs until 5pm or so? If we try to squeeze autocross into Sunday morning, it would push awards later, which would hurt folks who travel from far away. Most of us leave immediately after awards, many with trailers already loaded before awards even start, to make better time for traveling home. 

maschinenbau said:

Personally I really like the current schedule of racing Saturday and Concours + awards Sunday. Though Saturday is quite busy with both races and little downtime, Sunday morning with the Concours and Cars and Coffee is very laid back and allows for lots of social time. Plus Friday afternoon/evening is nothing but social time.

Autocross takes longer than drags, often until 3 or 4 pm, plus fun runs until 5pm or so? If we try to squeeze autocross into Sunday morning, it would push awards later, which would hurt folks who travel from far away. Most of us leave immediately after awards, many with trailers already loaded before awards even start, to make better time for traveling home. 

I agree, I like the current schedule.

One thing that is really nice about a split schedule is that it allows 2 nights of hanging out. Both Friday night and Saturday night become fun nights at the hotel.

And, if it is a split schedule, definitely autocross on the first day and drags on the second. 

In reply to BillCuttitta :

I like this idea better than the current arrangement.

Their isn't much time for small teams to make adjustments and repairs with both events in a single day. Conditions deteriorate at night and exacerbate issues. Also, it always made much more sense to me when the drag racing was before the autox to discourage track closing hero runs and promote durable builds. 

Just three off the top of my head, but I don't feel strongly about it and am not actually competing. 

As someone who lives a few hours away and works Monday mornings I like the current schedule as I can have all my tools and gear packed up before the concourse and leave at a reasonable time. I definitely would not want the drags before the auto x. 

That's similar to what the schedule used to be in the old days. I liked it much better. 
 

I also really enjoyed the evenings and banquet at the hotel (though I know this may no longer be possible)

Also... the road course (in the back of Gainesville) was fun!

I feel like you have to have the drags as the last competitive event, the hero runs as long as people are responsible make for good stories. The concours after the drags allows for those stories to be told. 

I'm all about a slower paced Friday/Saturday just not entirely sure how to accomplish it. 

I like the current format in the sense that autocross before drags is best. Launching on the strip is harder on everything in the driveline than anything on an autocross course. Throwing nitrous and boost into the mix plus drag slicks means some cars won't get a chance to put down a time in each event. It's not even about hero runs, there's just attrition on the drag strip. There is every year. I've always been able to drive back to the trailer but definitely hurt 2 engines at the challenge on seemingly normal passes. 
 

If anything I want to not spend more time at the track, I want to hang out at the hotel with my friends. 

Patrick said:

If anything I want to not spend more time at the track, I want to hang out at the hotel with my friends. 

Can't make the challenge this year, but this is what I'd be looking for as well.

Something I would add here re. the Drags scheduled for Saturday - this gives us a built-in backup plan should Saturday be a rainout. 

If Saturday is rainy, it would be possible to move the autoX forward to that day, and then be able to wait another day for the weather to clear for Sunday. 

Scheduling the drags for Sunday makes it entirely dependent on good weather, with no backup plan for a rain day. 

There's no question drag racing is one of the hardest tests of a car's driveline there is, so some judiciousness in judging how hard to push on a Saturday would be necessary. 

- Bill C

I liked it when there was a conference room back at the hotel to socialize in, but understand money limits that, and if we keep the current race schedule, it wouldn't make sense anyway.  Maybe some sort of hospitality area in the shelter at the track that opens up after autox ends, and stays open til sundown would be a good place to mingle, at least for those who are not scrambling to get their car set up for the drags.  I also understand that we are trying not to cut into the track concession revenue, so even if it was just set up for hanging out without any free food, it could still help.

As someone who enjoys the autocross and fun runs most of any portion of the scored competition I like the current format. I typically feel 2 or 3 drag runs for me personally are enough. Then I watch the fast guys and gals. I really don't want to break my ride before the autocross!!

We enjoyed the early year relaxed schedule.  It made the visitation with the tribe more practical/possible. And that makes a difference when you tow 32+ hours.