What's the best way to rate and review races, hosts?
Good topic!
As a host I am constantly worried about the drivers. I am worried now about my F1 race season. I feel group races are too far a part, although I did not want them to be. The editing takes so long. I constantly communicate with participants and make adjustments as needed. I change reward criteria and do make rights for any mistake. That's just me! Good topic!
- Time between heats isn’t a big deal, life happens. Not getting a car back when money was paid is uncool. Think about it, 32 cars x $8 per = $256!!! — G_ForceRacing
- Good comment G Force — CutRock_R_Marc_D
I think it could be a great thing in the near future if things get really bad. I do, however, don't love the star-rating model in this situation as people will start with "I only race at 5-star tracks, and I always use my Diner's Club card." Perhaps a very simple report card format with a few different areas (subjects) could get graded "needs improvement," etc. Perhaps for Returning Cars/Promptness, Overall Satisfaction, Didn't Spend Prize Money to Buy Wife Earrings.
- I am howling at your very last part, LMBO! CNN breaking news the International Diecast Racing Association levies 45 charges of fraud against a host for prize fund misappropriation — Chris_Hood
- In what CNBC reporting describes as a "Fire Sale," online forums are ablaze with outrage after the winner of a ten race event only received a greeting card as a prize. "What is this garbage? I get a card and it's not even Hallmark Gold Crown but instead it's this low tier Shoebox Greetings??" — Chris_Hood
- Blue collar crime is still crime! — LobotomyScam
- I like that idea — G_ForceRacing
- Thanks, G. For a purely visual rating system I think that a radar chart would be a simple and non-offensive way to rate tracks. — LobotomyScam
We had a hard time sending cars back after our first tourny, it was very expensive. We love the hobby and this community very much and we see it on both sides. Moding cars, hosting races, editing and so much more are not easy and in the end this is all supposed to be fun! J and I really appretiate all the love this communtiy has given our channel. If there is anything ever that anyone has done to a member of this community that was not proper, they should be communicated with and if that doesnt work than I guess we just not deal with them anymore. Sometimes there seems to be some miss communication and it should be corrected or at least try to. If you don't want to be a good part of this community/hobby then then you should not be in it. We just feel that is just sad!!!!!! Mistakes happen and life can get busy but, do the best that you can and be respectful to others. I had a life changing situation just after we started our big tournament and it cost me months and everyone was very kind and patient yet there were a couple of folks that were unhappy. So I see how somethings go. This is a great communtiy/hobby by far, wide and large!!!! Can't let a few bad apples spoil it for us all. I hope this made sense?
KandJ
- Thank you K and J, Indeed it is a Tast to take on. The Community Has been Awesome with a Lot of Encouragement as my Cars look ok but not so Fast. I see it as Good Competition with Many Great Builders and Teams, As I have seen and experienced Things sometimes go awry. Communication is the Key. — Bent_Rod_Racing
This thread was a great read for me. Gave me great insight as to what folks expect (both host and racer) along with the importance of the experience. Experience not being just the camera time, but including communication (which includes clear guidelines and deadlines).
Midwest Diecast Raceway has a ways to go. My motto has always been read and watch as much as possible to help build muscle memory for when it's go time.
- Baby steps...practice...hone your approach. I think is good policy. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- Your track is looking solid. — LobotomyScam
Some hosts are "better" than others, but I'd hate anything to discourage hosts from hosting... I think sometimes people forget that this hobby does not exist without people that are willing to host events.
Frankly I'll take whatever I can get, even if a host is mediocre. Sometimes my car gets returned with pretty bad packaging (almost no bubble wrap/padding) which does feel disrespectful to the effort I put into the car (even if it's not a winner... like bro just return it in the box i sent it in with my bubble wrap lol), but... at least I got the chance to race.
TBH I think some racers (including some very popular ones) don't express gratitude to hosts enough and it makes me sad on the host's behalf. I can't imagine feeling like the host should feel lucky to be graced with my presence. Some builders definitely come off like that.
I say again: diecast racing does not exist without hosts. It doesn't matter how good of a builder you are, you are nothing without a host.
- Good statements. — Dutch_Clutch_Racing
- I have never thought of that, but now that I think of it, I have seen many instances where a host wasn't even acknowledged in the comments, let alone say thanks. Even if you think the host wasn't everything you dreamed of, so what. — LobotomyScam
- Very understandable comments. Cheers — CutRock_R_Marc_D
It will be interesting to see what if anything comes out of this discussion. There are a couple of dynamics going on as more people work to get tracks going and more people consider building cars a to compete.
There is little doubt that hosts love both the incredible eye-candy sent to them and those cars that are blazing fast as well. The host then must put in the time and effort to organize and run the event.
Also little doubt that builders are pulling out all the stops to wring every bit of performance from their cars and then create an art project of creative design. All of this requires mucho effort - time and $$.
I've had a few issues with hosts delaying events etc. and certainly life can get very complicated and messy. Again communication is the key. The bigger problem is one that is mentioned many times is getting cars back. I fill out the race sheet - put in the money for return and then hope it works out. And to be honest I had some cars 'returned' but were lost in the mail due to poor packaging choices on my part. Lesson learned and I'm using better packaging.
But again I'm on the verge of sending emails on - Have you started to return cars? And while I really enjoy cooking up new custom looks and paint jobs I start to wonder why I'm doing that if the car is going into a black hole along with $10 or $20.
And while many have pointed out that while some racers are always thanking hosts for running an event many racers don't do that. But so far I've also not ever heard a host mention or even communicate that they are starting to send cars back.
- Yes, I understand your comments, they are valid. Though your last comment, I have to say there are some hosts who do communicate with regarding sending back cars, at least in my experience. Though that may be as I get more involved as the usual first stop is not back to Aus, but to another US person,(s) who assists collating my cars to send back to me in bulk — CutRock_R_Marc_D
- good points, I have a bunch of xxxx because cars don't race or come back — dr_dodge
- I don’t want to put all this on the host who is already doing a lot of work. The car builder needs to be using proper shipping containers - pre-addressed label - etc. But it would be great if the host needed an extra buck or two on your postage that they could handle that via PayPal or Venmo etc. — AbbyNormal
- the form is set up if you cut it off — dr_dodge
- it's the label — dr_dodge
While there is a thread on race hosting I want to ask this question - why is there not a Hosting Fee on these race events? It seems curious to me that a host doesn't have $1 - $2 - $3 Hosting Fee or Entry Fee that goes straight to the host for use at their discretion. Not only is doing this a lot of work but the host is also providing heat - lights - and space for the event (racing in pitch black is not much to watch). Plus cameras and internet uploads. I would have little issue with a small fee if that helped the host out and certainly it could help fund track upgrades - cameras - etc. Of course a host fee would also up expectations.
A Lot of Great responces and I think For what its worth its a good idea, I am no professioinal and I just try to have the guys and Gals enjoy the Racing. As a Rookie host I am lacking with the knoledge of fine editing.
But on the Topic as a Host I Got every Car back to their respective owner in a somewhat timely fashion after the Race. It is a daunting task and time consuming but so is editing a race. I know now how much time and effort goes into hosting a Race. My two gripes are Not returing your entries when you send return $ That smells of Dishonesty, If I send money for return then some day I would like the car back. Now I just don't send cars to that Track. Write them off, One has been two years and I know its never to return. No words just a point system for the Teams to make their own decisions as to what tracks they would like to send their entry's.
Two as a Team and you enter a Race Read the rules, And if you don't think you will make the Deadline then Please be a good Mate and let the Host know, It is a Bummer when you have to Cook Brain cells to come up with a Fair way to fill in the gaps. Putting in 7 stock cars in my first Race to fill the spots was I think kind of unfair. But the Race goes on. If I ruffled Feathers then oh poo.