MBDrift 2011 Event Schedule

[EPiK]

First Event Sunday January 23rd $60.00 drivers/$10.00 spectators+$5.00 to ride along
Gates open at 9am
Tech starts at 10am
MANDATORY DRIVERS MEETING at 12 noon
Drifting begins at 12:30pm track will be hot til Dusk

We WILL continue to be offered this venue this year, however it is still up in the air whether there will be a competition points series.

It is up to the drivers to prove that it is wanted by increasing attendance.  The management of the MB Speedway is of the opinion that the competition Points series has done little to bring drivers to the events.  While there has been a slight increase in spectators,  driver count has been slightly above 10 drivers for the past several events last year.  The hardcore regulars are appreciated very much and that is why this venue is still open to us, however the competition on such a small scale seems worthless for the amount of work it generates and demands.

I believe that the strength of the MB Speedway experience is in the no holds barred drifting that is permitted and encouraged here, with no cage or suit require for tandem, drift parade tandems and every other crazy thing that has happened here in the almost 5 years we have been doing this.  I also believe that the timewasting that can occur in the midst of a competition event is a detriment to seat time that could be experienced in a true practice only event.  Over the past few years there have been several other options that have become available for competition format, and it is difficult for a driver to commit financially to compete in multiple series consistently.  This may be part of the reason for reduced attendance.  With the loss of local venues in the Atlanta and SE Ga areas we may experience an influx of those drifters looking to get their fix, only time will tell.  I believe that a competition format would be a deterrent to that happening however.

We have seen such great progression of new drifters with the open environment at MB Speedway, and hope to continue to see more new drifters as well as the hardcore locals and regulars coming out for the MB Drift Experience.

Without further wait

MB Drift 2011

Jan 23rd
Feb 27
Mar 20
Apr 17
May 23
Jun 12
July 10
Aug 14
Sept 11
Oct 9
Nov 6
Dec 4

While these are the dates for sure, the decision on competition is not set in stone,  and at least one member of the local MB crew has sugggested a poll to gather info that can be presented in favor or against a Points competition.  

We have given this a lot of thought and if you have anything positive to offer..  then please..discuss.  

The most important thing to remember is, this is not the loss of a venue, which has become so common in the drifting world.  This is an opportunity to take away the stigma of competition that is preventing new drivers from "stepping across that line".

above all. Keep Drifting Fun..or else

[DRFTGRL]

Well, I'm glad to see dates have been chosen and things are a "go" again. Looking forward to drifting again soon and seeing everyone again!!

A problem I see and had with Bill last season................and is the essence of your first sentence in this post Jeff and was the entire topic of the drivers meeting at the October event. The DRIVER is the problem according to him.

It is NOT up to the drivers to prove that we want this venue by the amount of attendance. MB Speedway is offering a service for money, which in this case is "Drifting". It is no different than opening a business. You need to offer something that someone wants to pay for, make it great, and people will keep coming back, they will tell at least 10 more people and will bring everyone they know. This includes advertising, friendly staff, organization, clean facilities, consistency in payouts, consistant unbiased judging, safety, and more. If these things aren't done properly then the business fails (hence lack of attendance at MB drift). I believe in KEEP DRIFTING FUN but when time and money is involved you have to take this into consideration.

I personally don't believe that having a competition is a deterrent. In fact, it is the most exciting part of the day, especially for spectators. It is the only time of the day that everyone at the track is involved at the same time. It doesn't matter if someone commits to doing the points series for the entire season or not the competition at each event is a crowd pleaser for sure. I'm not sure we would have made every event if not for wanting to earn points. I think practice days would be fun and lots of seat time but the urgency to show up every month wouldn't be there.

IF YOU WANT MORE SPECTATORS: This venue is happening at one of the biggest tourist cities on the east coast. Take advantage of that! People could take their families on vacation, see the shows, go to the beach and come see drifting all within 2 days and five miles. They'll be hooked, they will return, and they will bring more people and possibly come to drift someday. That is almost a certainty if they ride a-long. ADVERTISE! There is a huge ass sign in front of the speedway. Use it! I've never seen a drifting date on that sign in 3 years. We sometimes get a 1x2 sign stuck in the ground the day of the event at the stop light. There are also free local advertising outlets.

I hope great things for MB drift this year whatever the decision. I appreciate and understand the time involved in everything you all do as volunteers/staff to make this happen every month and look forward to drifting soon!

[Adam_KAS13]

I'm guessing that was supposed to be May 22nd?  23rd is a Monday, just so happens the 22nd is my birthday too.

[EPiK]

will verify that Adam, but yes i'm sure it was given to me wrong.

[Ichiban]

Communication is also a plus. I can remember showing up only to find that the track was going to be in use for another event that had gotten rained out.

Driving 400 miles on a round trip towing 2 cars is not cheap. That type of thing leaves a bad feeling that is hard to overcome.

If there are going to be points/competition involved, it would be nice if the points were posted in short order, not two or three weeks later.

[H22dragster]

I agree with Christine and Don. Hell!  I agree with Adam too and that's rare.

Points or not, advertising is easy and there are plenty of free ways to do it.  I personally am not concerned with points at MB this year, because I plan to try my luck at ProAm. That doesn't mean I won't be tearing it up in MB every chance I get. Jeff knows I like to drive. Myself and Adam were probably the only ones who called about Wedneday practice last season.

As for points posting. A timely manner would be great as well as consistency. If you give points to the top ten, then post points for the top ten. Always. It may not seem like much, but I think I was 10th for the season, but I can't confirm that.  It's good to know where you stand in a competition.

[H22dragster]

All in all. I'm very glad we have the opportunity to drift MB. If it weren't for you guys I wouldn't be selling my street bike, project car and considering selling my nice daily, just so i can do something i love.  Drifting is expensive, but it's worth it!

Woooo!     

[EPiK]

good words man, thanks for the support and we will look forward to seeing you all back up here in our neighborhood.

[tougekid]

First, its a business. I understand that. It needs to make $$$$. I understand that. Anything you want to make money at you first have to invest money in.
You want big business?
 High driver turn outs??
 Rip out that wall for oval usage, or take some $$$$ and pave the grass. You can only sell so many tacos out a truck before you run out of meat.
To many questionable calls on spins.
 I heard that more last yr then anything from everybody that attended. Spectators included. They may not understand how to judge a good drift from a bad drift. But even they know that a spin means a fucking goose egg. Tighten up that shit or nobody will compete.
I had alot more but I decided to keep it to myself seeing as I haven't been there ,due to my engine having a fucking curse on it, in close to a yr.
Im glad its still open.. but to get more you have to give more.

and p.s. ... she right about Bills speeches. He may mean well, but he doesn't come off that way.

[Drift MB Marshall (aka GoldElox)]

If we do have comps this year I have offered be a judge every event and be responsible for the points. I have an excel spreadsheet made up and would make every effort to post the results the night of the event.

I personally think we should have a competition series even if there are a few less events, like maybe 6 or 7. The season payouts would be less but we could have practice events in between each comp which would give the guys who do not like competitions what they want, and people who do like to compete and possible have bragging rights for a judge competition series. It may be a smaller venue or series but it is still part of a racing resume that looks good. This also gives the guys who would like to make more comps have more time to save money and still make every event.

Just my 2 cents.

[Adam_KAS13]

I have been quiet on this issue on both websites (gunemdown and slydestalkers).  I have been at every MB event since I got my car, minus the couple months of blown motors and deployments.  I have been to a few SWD events as well.  I prefer the atmosphere at MB, and the seat time is far greater hands down.  I learned how to Drift at MB.  In my honest opinion if I would have tried to learn at SWD events it would have taken twice as long to get at the level that I am at.  MB offers an atmosphere that I have never seen before, I have never once broke anything and not been able to walk down pit road and be able to find someone willing to help me fix my car and/or someone who has the part that I need. 

You guys have all been my mentor, inspiration, and drive to take it to the next level.  If there wasn't a points series of some kind I wouldn't have stayed up until 3am in the morning on Saturday night event after event to get my car ready.  I have never once done this for the payout at the end of the year for a points series.  I do it for the chance to put my name on the podium next to those that I learned how to drift with/from.  I would rather have a points series for the pride of saying I won the 2011 MB Drift Championship with no cash prize then pay $20-$30 more an event for a small cash prize at the end.  5 years from now I am not going to remember how much cash I got handed at the awards ceremony at Hooters.  But I am going to remember that I won the points series, and I am going to remember all those nail biting tandem runs that it took to do it, and all the great friends I made doing it. 

Run a points series for the whole year, I will be there to earn points not money.  Give first place there money back, Give second and third a discounted entry fee at the next event.  This is a win win for us and you, it gives me extra incentive on top of points to make a 2 hour drive at 7am after staying up until 3am working on my car.  If I don't show up then I lose out on my discounted entry.  Offer a discounted entry fee for those that don't feel they are at the level yet to compete.  There is no reason you couldn't do 2 entry fee's based on your intentions for the day at the beginning of the day.  This would also save time when it comes to competition and get us back to fun runs quicker.

[JoeZrhdsil80]

something needs to be decided soon, is anybody coming sunday?? like to get a head count to see if we should cancel

[EPiK]

there will be no cancel.  come if you can, i'll be there marshall will be there.. i'm sure others will too.

i just posted this on GED.. copied to here.  Adam your post inspired me more than the rest for some reason. Thanks.

 
so.  Here is my proposal.

Split the events.. practice one month $60.. points comp the next $75..(can run practice only for $60 these days)

Comp days the driver only will receive entry fee ($75)  refunded and top 3 will receive a trophy.  These have been offered already by Tommy with DriftBasic, I put him on the backburner until something was decided so i hope the offer still stands. There is a chance that local supporters may continue to offer contingency merchandise, gift cards, auto supplies..etc

In turn, I will recommend to Bill H that the money normally paid out to winners 1-2-3 will be put into an account to be used as track improvement, this will be very effective as daily payouts will only be $75, as opposed to $250 or more per event.

Intermittent practice days will be a help to those that need to shakedown a new setup, dial in a new suspension, or God forbid.. take a month off to save for repairs, without missing an event and suffering the drop in standings.

Season points will be tallied within no more than 48hrs following an event by Marshall Eggerling, he has already volunteered for this as he wrote an Excel spreadsheet just for it.  Thank you Marshall.

A rulebook will be created for points series competition and it will be adhered to strictly. This will include car prep and technical safety requirements. 

Judges will be chosen prior to an event and introduced at the MANDATORY drivers meeting.

Course layout will be posted on the tech shed and explained in the MANDATORY drivers meeting.

A final party for the season will be held, winners announced and prizes awarded.  Odds are that merchandise can be accumulated from local sponsors (set of tires..etc.. to sweeten the pot.)

My suggestion... b/c of the low money winning potential, drifting just for the thrill of competition and the privelege to stand that ONE STEP higher...

MBDRift 2k11 Braggin' Rights

[EPiK]

forgot to add that i also like the reduced admission for the following event idea for the 2-3 drivers.. no refund/rainchecks/transfers. coupon will be issued on the podium with a trophy.  i'll okay that also

[Adam_KAS13]

Glad my points were well received.  I stopped myself from replying right away because I didn't want the initial shock of a possibility of no points series there effect my reply.

I am going to try and run MB and SWD Pro-Am this year, good thing i finally got rid of all my credit card debt so I can rack it up again this year.

Jeff the only thing I can say about points only every other event is I personally will not stress myself to make it to practice days like I would for a points day.


Team Tandem days. . . . . . . . . . . . . COME GET THE BELT IF YOU CAN BITCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!