Cobra Nats 2017!

[Jethrow]

Originally Posted by Beejay

Sometimes you can have the right product, but your target market shrinks.

Some would say this is the definition of the WRONG product .....

[Jethrow]

Originally Posted by LJ47

Hi Tim
How can we change the Nationals to attract WA and SA entrants?

Hard to say really as it is a long long way to go. If the event moved around a bit, was in different places from time to time and those places were closer, it might help.

Also the heavy race focus for me is a turn off. My car is built for just cruisin' and fun, so I am not that keen on racing it.

Some of the ideas like making it a bigger show event, perhaps with other types of cars to see and experience would make the trip more worthwhile. Let's be honest, why would I drive 1,000s of miles to look at some cobra's when I have one parked in the shed!

Just some ramblings ...

[Kimbo]

Here is my interpretation of the Nationals Survey from November 2016.

Many thanks to Tenrocca for creating this survey.

There were 81 responses – Thanks to all that participated.

Over 90% filled in by fairly equal proportions of VIC NSW and QLD people.

57% of people did not enter this year

About 57 people are more than likely going to enter in 2017

Most people believe it is good value for money

41% of respondents have never entered the event with 38% that have entered more than five times – so there are people that never enter or always enter (not much in between).

The biggest reasons for people previously entering but not in 2016 is
• No longer own a cobra
• Don’t want to damage the car
• Been there done that
The biggest reasons for people not entered in 2016 and have never entered is
• Don’t want to damage the car
• Entry cost
• Goulburn weather
• Extra costs
People that don’t normally enter don’t understand the rules, the car requirements, the classing etc.

Many that don’t actually enter come as spectators

Some structural format changes were floated like:
• Friday Cruise & track events Sat and Sun
• Greater importance on Show and shine
• Dyno Competition
• Sharing the event with other clubs

These options were answered in a very dangerous fashion with equal numbers of more likely and less likely to attend – I see this as a warning not to make major structural changes as we may lose our current entrant base and still not get the extra entrants from those that would not normally enter.

So what did we do with these results?
As a committee, one of the things we needed to act on early, was to agree on the overall structure for the event and confirm our track booking for 2017.
In our October meeting we agreed that we would be happy to consider structural changes to the event pending the results of the survey.
When the survey came back, the results showed that making structural changes to the event may lose a significant part our current entry base without any evidence that we would improve our entries from those that wouldn’t normally enter.
The decision was made in our November meeting to continue as a three day track event and confirm our booking for the October long weekend as we have done in the past. This has now been confirmed with the track and our deposit has been paid.
Having said that, even though we are still three days at the track, we are discussing elements within this event structure we can tweak to make it more fun and social.

• A “come and sample” the track event with no focus on times and speed
• More scheduled passenger laps and driver training sessions
• At least one of the dinner nights to be less centred around award presentations and more centred around fun and socialising
• More social activities to keep the non-drivers at the event entertained

We will continue to listen to suggestions from the community and use these where practical to improve the event in the future.

Many Thanks,
Kim Down

[spookypt]

Originally Posted by LJ47

Hi Tim
How can we change the Nationals to attract WA and SA entrants?

Nice write up in UNIQUE CARS this month on the WA CCC. Had about 60 cars at their 20th Anniversary on pages 16,17,18,19 and 20. Couldn't see Dave's mullet though from the drone cam so it cant be as big as he reckons!~

And is that "Heidelbergs" old car on page 20? Guy who owns it now is a fella called Alan Golding but it sure looks like Pauls old car to me?

Be awesome to get some of these guys over for the Nats.

Spookypt

[albanycobra]

I was told it was visible from Space.......Irvine you promised me...

[Gav]

How am I getting drawn into this?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Gav

How am I getting drawn into this?

I thought picking on you was a national cobra pastime.
This is a nationals cobra thread... makes sense to me.

[Gav]

How silly of me

[spookypt]

Obviously some talk on the Robnell thread about booking accom for this years Nats.

Just wondering if anyone knows anyone above the OPs Manager (Matt Baragwanath) at WP. Kim D has tried valiantly to see if we QLDs with our own accom in our trailers can stay behind the pits as has been done many times in the past, but best the Ops man can do is make us drive our trailers and park next to the onsite Villas. (getting 18m of truck and trailer up that dirt road and then turn around the next morning seems a rather dumb idea to me)

Anyway, having had WP's response the edit 4 of us (all race class) sadly wont be coming. Too much coin invested in our gear and that trip to then not be able to use it as intended.

I cant see anything changing but if anyone knows anyone in power with some common sense who can change that result please PM me. So far all the guys Mick, Geoff, Gaz and I are calling it as a no go.

Spookypt

[aussiecoupe]

HI . This might not help if you all have decided not to go but last year I was looking at bring my caravan down if my wife was coming . I found the local caravan park was about $35 a night a couple . I know its not like staying at the track but looks pretty cheap and would be easy to get into town . Any way just a thought .

[spookypt]

Warwick nothing wrong with that as a suggestion. I'm not sure though they'd be keen on 5 20 meter transporters coming and going every morning and night. All our tools spares food etc is in our trailers so it's just a pita to move once parked up.

Appreciate the suggestion tho. (And spewn i missed out on those Simmons spinners. I know I have to let it go lol)

[Towmaster]

Just to be clear.... my reason has nothing to do with the fact we can't camp there. It has a lot to do with the fact that I don't race my cobra anymore and while I loved taking the Supercar down it's just a large investment for me for a non racing event. I want to run at SMSP this year and possibly Philip Island which as you can expect will cost a lot of money. Plus I want to run at the 12 hr again next Feb ....
I will still probably come down and support the event just not as a competitor.

[spookypt]

So to be clear ash wasn't coming to camp anyway!

[Gav]

Ash is very camp.

[spookypt]

Another option has been put forward and is open to the "camp" lol guys. All may not be lost!

[gjkrv8]

Originally Posted by spookypt

Another option has been put forward and is open to the "camp" lol guys. All may not be lost!

Keep trying guys, I really enjoy having the "racers" there to watch. cheers Gregg

[Gav]

How about the stunt drivers?

[gjkrv8]

Originally Posted by Gav

How about the stunt drivers?

I think I qualify for some of those.

[guye]

Hey Gav, guess who was one of our guests the the Club Dinner with Moffat and Gibbo this week? A bloke who is currently repairing a second hand, slightly bent Bunnings greeen cobra! Had a bit of a chat.

Wouldn't it be funny if that turned up on the track next year!

[Gav]

Very bent...