National Diecast Racing Association?
I did a few searches but had not found anything on this topic, other than a few posts that mentioned other people talking about one.
So I was wondering if there was any kind of interest for this? I would help set it up, and have experience writing rules and organization constitutions, including one for our racing league. I don't want to be too forward since I am a newcomer, but this is something I would be interested in seeing happen.
I have included a few brief thoughts on it below - if there is any interest, I will write up a long proposal for everyone to take a look at.
Organization - instead of an overarching organizational body, make it a confederation where local clubs, youth leagues, bars (I know there are a few that do die-cast racing around the country), private clubs, and other organizations already racing could join. The confederation government would sanction groups so that records could be kept and cars from each group could be sent to the finals. End of season nationals participants would be sent from the individual clubs determined by their club's rules, not the national rules (other than some sort of guidelines or regulations). For example one club may hold an event at the end of the season to determine what cars would be sent, whereas another club may take the total points winners from that season and advance them.
Unless overwhelming popularity, the 2011 and 2012 nationals would probably be a mail-in nationals (site determined in advance and races ran by a willing club and officers of the national league present). If enough interest was peaked, perhaps a hotel ballroom of VFW could be rented out in a few years for the event.
Track - because the organization was a confederation, this would allow individual clubs to determine their own tracks and procedures (double elimination, single elimination, round robin, 3,4,5 car heats, etc...) At the beginning of the season the nationals track will be announced so that each club knows the type of tract that will be raced on at the end of the year. This gives an individualized spirit to the league, and avoids arguments about an "official" track set up. (Although perhaps another class could be added that requires cars to be ran on a specific track, so a league standard and a "freestyle" track category.)
Classes - Our group does not divide downhill derby by types of cars, so suggestions here would be good. I know some leagues have FTE, dragster, make, and other types of classes. I have found that if tracks change up regularly, there is no dominant type, but I am sure many of you have had different results.
Anyway, that is a quick thought on how a league may work - if there is no interest, then cool, but if you all want to see more details, I can write something up.
Discussion
I missed that original post, sorry!
But I do agree, the less pen and paper the better. I gave up the programmer route long ago, so I would not be very much help there! I got your PM, and will reply back shortly.
With all of my exposure during the conventions and car shows, I figured I was in a good position to organize something. I have been working on the arrangements for a couple of months now, but I still have a bit more work to do. I still have a few clubs to contact and get on board, but I'm looking at having a national finals race in Vegas next year.
Jason
I think I'll drop you a mail and pick your brain a bit on this. Incoming...
You will definitely want to contact the Rhode Island Hot Wheel Club. Here's the club website Hot Wired", it will take you to their blog site.
This club is one of the most popular racing clubs out there. I believe they race their cars down a 50' Hot Wheels track. Last time I checked, you were able to mail your car into them (provide return shipping) and they would run it, post its racing time on it, then mail it back to you. I've never sent a car in, but I'm pretty sure if you want to get a governing body on racing, this is the club to talk to.
It's hard enough to get people to attend club meetings
regularly let alone trying to get something going
nationally.
It would be interesting to have a national championship
where we had at least four events and people could
send their racers to each event.
I don't go to any clubs at the moment but I could be
one leg of the circuit.
I'm working on it guys. It's a lot like herding cats, but i'm making progress.
Thanks for the offer Mark. I think I may just have to have a few mail in races to accommodate everyone. Great idea by the way. I was going to run mostly club races as qualifiers and then have the big race at the end of the season. I think mixing it up and running on different tracks will definitely show the well rounded cars.
I'll get back to you as I progress further with this.
Jason
I have to admit that it's sort of my hope/dream that Redline Derby can become something like that. I know I've been kind of slow on progressing the site but I'd still like to see this place be the "go to" site for racing.
One project I had on my list was a super database of diecast racing. A place clubs could go to register their races and track results, in the end building a huge database of car results while also promoting local clubs and events. I have a lot of ideas down on paper that we could revisit. Here's the original post about the super database from last year. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=132
Since there is so much variation in tracks and I'm not sure that could be standardized, I think a governing body of sorts would just have to track and verify the people/clubs that are racing. Setting up criteria for what is "official" and then going through a process of review...similar to what Twin Galaxies does for video games (and now they're in Guiness Book!).
Nonetheless, I'm entirely interesting in pursuing this and am glad to hear your input...I think maybe a lot of the motivation I need to take it to the next level is just another body and mind to jam with.
But no matter what this ends up being (if anything), I can if nothing else pledge take a lead on web development for the thing. I'm a web developer/programmer and can come up with all the on-line interfaces for submissions, tracking, databases and everything. The less pen-and-paper we can make this type of thing the easier it will be for everyone to adopt and enjoy.