Ideas for Comp Crawling
The following ideas are being discussed and we encourage your input to make this series and all series better.
A couple of definitions will help before reading on into the topic’s.
A1 Pro Class – Will be any driver who pays into the series, where competition will be the foremost ideal on their mind while driving.
S1---Sportsman Shafty/MOA--- Keep it the same as we did last year. They all run together, just seperated by shafty or MOA, same way they were doing at some of the big comps. I know a lot of people have bought the XR10. There will be a shafty winner and MOA winner. Once either of them want to step up and put dig on their rigs, now they are PRO, regardless of shafty or MOA. Same as last year, you run one 2.2 class per comp, not enough time to run in all three classes. That way if 2 shafty drivers show up and only 3 MOA guys show, they still have a class to run.
Now on to more items that have been discussed and are here for your input and reply.
Please be as specific, list item(s), with your reply or continued discussion.
1> Everyone entered in the series will take a rotation in the judging pool.
1a The rotation will be based on the list of drivers in the series for the season. These drivers will take judging responsibilities for the whole series. This takes all pressure off of amateurs as far as judging. Although everyone will be invited to keep score, keep time, etc. in conjunction with the assigned judges.
1b Judges will set up courses and assist other judges with same while check-in and tech are in progress. This means an earlier arrival to the comp site is part of that responsibility for those rotating. (those that travel a great distance will be rotated as necessary to prevent traveling pressure for those day(s), i.e. changing your day(s) with another closer to your home)
As far as Judging, I think everyone should have a go at it. We should have a fun comp that is a teaching comp, just like we did a few years ago. No pressure, no winner, all the noobs can get there feet wet and judge and ask questions on the rules. I know I learned alot from that day.
I have always thought the judges should get something. If we are paying $5 for each class, then some of that should go to the judges that sweat or freeze all day long. IF only a select few are qualified to judge, then they should be rewared. It is not often a judge makes the finals at a comp. Everyone in the Nats points chase does not want to judge, but that is the most qualified judges. We always have a select few that judge every comp, Skid,Cato, Joystick, Pickett, Patrick and a few others. Reward those that give there time to us. If they are constantly killing their chances on winning or qualifying for Nats, then they should get something. I don't mind judging, but I know I personally do not want to judge every comp, I also feel no one else should either.
2>Amateur class has been discussed that it should possibly include all crawler types, not just limited to 2 channel, no dig crawlers. Amateurs are amateurs, we just need to let them get better. Promoting this sport is what we are about. Drivers need to seek their own comfort level and should want to achieve the highest level they are comfortable at.
2aAmateurs will run the first series of gates on the courses as pro’s, but can use the remaining gates of the pro course as bonus gates. (maybe a bonus-land setup)
2b This is only suggested, the amateur courses could also deviate through different gates along the same layout.
See response above, I don't think we need to have 3 2.2 classes.
3>It is encouraged to keep time running, and the series as professional as possible, that there be a set check-in/tech time. If we are going to be more professional about the series, this needs to happen. (leave earlier if you are consistently late and can’t get there on time). (Judges will be adjusted as necessary for travel length to keep them from being pressured to arrive early and help with set-up.)
I personally like the courses we run and think Pat and Ty do a great job. They are challeging and for the most part doable, there will always be something that looks doable and is not. No one gets better just driving through a gate. Challenging courses seperate the good drivers from the rest. It also shows that you must tune your rig to your driving style, running cupcake courses in not going to help anyone get better. Doesn't matter if they are sportsman or pro.
3a Keep the courses 4 to 5 minutes max in length. Actually shorter is better. Learning to drive under these conditions proves to be more of the status of a National Event stature. Courses for amateurs will be a minimum amount of gates and/or design to promote good thinking habits without pressure to hurry, hurry, hurry. Pro Drivers are encouraged to remember, you are competitors, competitors deal with pressure and as such will be working on harder course lengths or designs within the same time frame.
Sounds good to me, I think we should definitely model whatever format Nationals is running. Can only make us better drivers and more prepared for the bigger comps and Nats.
4>Series payout should include, what the pro class will be driving for.
4a There should be trophy’s and/or gift cards/cash awards for World’s Event.
This has been brought up as past series awards have been late or not received. (not by this series alone)
4b There should also be recognition for the top five amateurs and an invite to join pro status if they wish. (again, it is our wish to promote this sport and it’s ideals)
5>It is agreed that all who enter into the (Series), will be considered of Pro status.
I Agree
5a Those entering the series will have their scores recorded for the season, top drivers in each of the 3 classes will receive trophy’s paid for from series entry funds.
Honestly could care less about a trophy or plaque, I have two at home that are in box.
Discussion on the remaining amount as to whether it should be distributed to the top driver in each class or just the top driver in 2.2 is welcome as is all discussion on this topic. .
I think all the series money minus expenses should go back to the drivers that qualify for Nats. It should be split equally between all classes. Instead of $35 for the series for all three classes. $15 for each class you want to be in the series for, That way each class has there own pot of money that goes to the top two drivers. Honestly, I bet the top 2.2 drivers are going to be the same drivers for 1.9 and Super! At Least it is separate if that does not happen.
6> It has also been discussed that there be no comp fee. This would not include the series fee as that would be a separate item.
6a This no fee to comp will end the days end payout. It would also, in my opinion encourage more drivers to come and do what this sport is intended to do, enjoy a day on the rocks. (if you are a pro, you are in the series and your payout is the end of the series.)
Me personally, I like the cheddar in the game. Where else are you going to pay $5-$15 for that much entertainment!!! Hanging out with good people and having a blast. Then you have the chance to take some $$$ home with you, nothing better. Doesn’t really matter to me, but I like taking Rubba's $5 home with me. Gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling. He sure has taken enough of mine 
I honestly think what we are doing is fine, just need to be more organized on comp day. I think Pat and Ty do a great job as it sits. Now that there are more drivers and more sponsored drivers competing, rccrawling is turning more competitive than ever before. I know the progression of the hobby and growth is sending rccrawling into this route. When I started in crawiling 3-4 years ago, you ran 2.2 pro and Super. We need to run what classes that are at Nationals and that should be it. This is our local club that qualifies for Nats, we should mirror the classes that they USRCCA recognizes. If one of the other clubs/hobbystores wants to run all the different classes, that is their right to do so, they typically have smaller turnouts and time generally is not an issue. We are one of two recognized CO USRCCA clubs, I see no reason to differ from what USRCCA has set as their standard. Once they add a class or modify and existing one, why change what we are doing.
Most of you know me pretty well now. I want to qualify for Nats just like the next guy, but at the end of the day, I just want to have a good time with a great group of guys/gals! Whatever we do, don't take the fun out of it. 
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