Re: 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I did it all last year . We had a nice turn-out . Phil orchestarted the whole deal . He did a great job .

Re: 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

What a bummer. :(

We sent out over 1500+ emails to surrounding members in states of NY, OH, MI, WV, etc... and I, myself only got a couple responses of Sorry, can't make it.

Re: 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

d@mn that really farkin sucks.... and i just convinced the wife to let us go... the only suggestion i have that may or may not help is move to a more central location in the country... it might help get more people here.
i suggest trying Route 66 in joliette ill, gateway international in East St. Louis, KC MO has a strip as well.... these would be alot easier being the the middle of the country. i know Gateway has weekend dates availabe for rental (though i do not know their fees) but they intentionall leave dates open for events like this.

i know this sounds greedy, but i would like to see one held at Gateway since we lost the "all ford shootout" when dodge became a corporate sponsor of the new track when they built the oval track for nascar (only used twice a year)

Re: 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Watching the NHRA racing at Norwalk this weekend sure brings back memories. There weren't as many people in the stands last fall, but there was just as much enthusiasm in the pits and on the track. I sure wish we could be heading back up for another shootout this year. :(

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I think the real killer for this event is
1. gas prices
2. Entry Fee
3. Middle of week

I think that if the entry fee was lower - there would have been a lot more entries. A lot of people can't justify paying $125 for entry fee to take several hits at the track. I am accustomed to that high of an entry since I run NMRA but for a lot of folks they see - $15 test-n-tune locally or $125 to drive a good distance and add in extra gas money and the decision is simple. I think that there were a lot of entrant last year because it was cheaper to come and it was on a Friday - so they could hit some stuff on the way home, too. I think that several people hit up Sandusky (Cedar Point) on the way home. I really wish this would happen - I had a T3650 put back in the car just for this event. Oh well.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I'm sorry that it turned out this way.

The reason we had 24 Mach 1/drivers last year is because it was free. Bill P. paid for the event and Jeff & Tammy Chambers, myself paid for the food, alcohol and so on.

Now I find out that Summit Motorsports Park after this year, will no longer book track rentals. So, as this track gets bigger & more famous, the local car hobbiest guys get pushed out and end of story!

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

What about the other tracks? I think that US 42 is up there near you. Is it a good enough track to have the event? Other tracks that might accomodate a Friday-Sunday event at that time of year might be KilKare in Xenia OH (my favorite "small" track in Ohio), Pittsburg Raceway Park in PA, National Trails in Hebron OH, Milan MI. I'd be willing to even host the barbeque (I'll get all of the meats and each member can bring a covered dish of some sort) at the track if this can still happen - just at a different - less expensive track. If Norwalk won't have any rentals next season, why stay on with them as the "standard" track each season. I think that they have a big head and charge too much - even though it is a NICE track.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I agree with ya Jim!

Maybe next year we can look at those tracks and others. If I made the entry fee $62.50 (half of $125), then we would need 50 Mach 1/drivers along with the sponsors I had, to cover an 8 hr track rental with the works to make it worth while. Norwalks prices are crazy now, for a track rental.

I guess I tried to make it to big of an event. I just wanted everyone to have fun, winner/runner-up win some money/prizes/trophies and then enjoy the evening cookout/bon fire for all.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Well there is always the Ford Fever weekend at Maryland International Raceway in Oct. Jason said he would creat a 03/04 mach1 class for us. It is a pretty busy 3 day event and we may get lost in the shuffle.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I will be returning money/checks tomorrow in the mail to the folks that paid.

I appologize to all that I was left no choice to cancel the event. This was my decision based on the number of paid Mach 1 entry fees we had.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

You tried your best Phil and its much appreciated . What happened to all of the people that were their last year ? They were pretty much local too !

I dunno :PS:

Im probably going to try and put together an event at Cecil . Ill see whats happening this week . Late Sept. - Early Oct..

Sure hope you can make it so i can return some of that good hospitality as you showed me .

Thanks Phil :worship:

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I'm in - wherever it is located. I'll call around this week to see what kind of deals can be had to still have this event this season. It might not be Norwalk but it will still be a fun event.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

this may be too late but my suggestion would be to look at a 1/2 day rental on a friday at norwalk. this would lower the entry fee, allow people to take one less day off work also. With 25 cars, a 1/2 day is plenty of time to get your runs in.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Wow, I'm pretty disappointed. I really wanted this to happen. Phil I comend you on all your efforts, time and marketing of this event. I wish I could have done more. I bullied the Ford dealer across the street from my office last week into throwing a $500.00 donation to set up a display at our event PLUS put his **** name on my car. That alone should be worth $500.00 !! lol. I know if you feel like trying to save it or maybe make it at a different track like Quaker, I can talk my car club into going halfers with ya! We made some money at our last rental and are kicking around having another one. They won't travel to Norwalk though. We had 150 cars show at QCR so I know we have no problem filling the gates

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

It is funny that you mention this Jim. Before the 2nd showdown was voted to be at Norwalk, I was dreaming it could be at Kilkare. LOL Don Garlits and other old school big names used to race there. My best times are from there because the track hooks like no other I've been to. KK didn't grow mainly because of its land locked arrangement. It does meet the other criteria for a cental location. I live 7 miles down the road from it, know a shop owner/tuner two miles away that may accomodate any breakage/parking/storage. I could accomodate a party, just not a bonfire. It would just be 3 hours almost due south, very close to I-70 & I-675. Nice accomodations nearby and Cedar Point's Kings Island is just 40 minutes south of here. These are all similar characteristics as up north. It is certainly personally possible on my end. It is another option that is workable and I could check on local arrangements if Phil can still cover the racing aspects. I'm willing to work on this end to make it a reality!?:OUCH: Something needs to be done fast if this is going to work out by Sept.-Oct.

http://www.kilkare.com/

I haven't run this year so there are no advantages for me. Frank (02mach1) needs his Hooters Passport stamped in Dayton.:23:

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I am getting a quote for Sept 19th as I type. More details when I get a reply.:3amin:

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Phil,
Would the sponsors still be interested in this event if it was held at smaller track instead of Norwalk? I'd hate to try to get this together for a smaller track if it just plain won't work out. I know there are a lot of local folks there around Upper Cinicinatti and Dayton that would go for a track rental if they could come. I think that if we leave this open to Mustangs there would be quite a bit of interest in having a track rental.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Okay. I talked to the guy at KilKare and he says that FRIDAY September 19th is available and the rental will be $2100 for a 9:00-5:00 event and includes Rental, Ambulance/Safety, Time slip distro, Track Prep, Timing System operation, and Insurance.

Any other people find anything out about any other tracks? I can set this up if there is agreement. I'd like to get some discussion before setting this up, tho. If we can't get more than 20 cars than this event is not worth it. There are probably a few of us that can get our heads together to make this a FREE event for Mach 1 Registry members. Anyone interested in that can send me a PM.

Phil, would the sponsors be willing to do KilKare rather than Norwalk if we could get the car count up by offering this as a free rental? This might get more people involved.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

In addition to this, there is also King's Island (an amusement park) right there in Cincinatti. Also, for whoever likes camping, can come to my property and camp for the weekend (I live about 2.5 hours from KilKare but I am only about 20 minutes south of I70 on I77. Those interested in camping can spend the weekend at my property - a bon fire each nite and electrical hookups. I'll also throw in a barbeque on Friday or Saturday night.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

That's a hell of a price. I would have to send them an e-mail about this. As far as organizing a new event, I'm burnt out trying to ram rod the showdown all year.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I am interested in helping sponser if we can get folks that will really come. It is a long drive for me but if we pull it off I will come.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

Everyones money/checks has been put in the mail this morning.

Re: ***Cancelled*** 2nd Annual 03-04 Mach 1 Showdown Event
 

I'll organize this if you want Phil. Let me know. Would you be able to attend? Also, would you help a little with the sponsors you already have a relationship with? if you have a list of the sponsors and the points of contact for them, I can even do that part if you want me to. I just want to see this event happen. I am also going to contact a few other tracks to see the pricing. I know the KilKare hooks like a MOFO compared to other small tracks.