Probationary Car Control Clinic at EVOC

[Jeffrey Hugo]

#9722

I’m happy to announce that we’ve made some progress on going back to EVOC since we lost access two years ago.

We’ve been given permission to host a car control clinic on November 21st.  This is not an autocross as that type of event is not yet permitted at EVOC.  We will setup a course similar to what we do at normal events which will provide a place to practice car control skills, and have folks around willing to work with folks to improve their skills.

This is a probationary event between us and EVOC.  There are still tensions with the neighbors, so we will be evaluated to see if we can continue visiting EVOC.

Sound is a serious concern.  In negotiating with the site for the permission to hold our clinic, we’ve not only agreed to monitor and vigorously enforce sound levels, but to also reduce our limits at the EVOC site.  Until further notice, vehicles will be issued a warning at 93dB, and will be required to make an adjustment at the limit of 97dB.  Please review the sound guide of our rules at https://www.rmsolo.org/rules/  Those of you who have historically been near the limit (historical sound logs are on the results page for reference) should expect to need to come to EVOC prepared with mitigation measures.  It is recommended that such folks be proactive by installing such mitigation measures before arriving at the site so that we may “put our best foot forward”.

Registration in MSR will be posted soon.  I look forward to seeing you back out at EVOC.

[Greg Tarantino]

#9735

Why are you all looking at me?

[Clay Turner]

#9737

Jeff, this is great news; Thanks for keeping the pipeline to EVOC open.

I’ll install a “Stealth” button in the Cobra.

 

Clay

[Scott Noble]

#9796

I’d like to bring my 16 y/o daughter to run the car control clinic with me.  She is a current SCCA member, though this would be her first event so far.  Any issues with that?

What’s the contingency plan for snow?  It’s in the forecast for Sat.  Snow showers anyway.

Thanks, Scott

[Ken Hammack]

#9798

I don’t see any issue with having your daughter with you at the event.  Will she be driving?  If so, two people can share one car if you want.

We do have events in the rain, but not in the snow.  If there is snow/ice on the autocross pad, the event may be canceled.  Keep an eye on this forum, Facebook and your email.  If it is canceled, Jeff will send out an email.  BUT today’s forecast for Saturday is looking much better, but cold.

[Scott Noble]

#9799

Thanks for the response, Ken.

Yes, I am planning on having my daughter drive.  We’ll co-drive my Focus.  I’ll need to pick her up a helmet since I’m assuming that the loaners are still not available.

BTW, what exactly is a “Car Control Clinic”?  I did Speed Train last summer – is it like that?  Or more like a Test & Tune kind of day?

Fingers crossed on the weather!

[Ken Hammack]

#9801

The Car Control Clinic is new to me too, but as I understand it the clinic will be setup with an autocross course and run groups which “…will provide a place to practice car control skills, and have folks around willing to work with folks to improve their skills.”.  I expect there will be a bit more control than a T&T and more autocross like than a Speed Train, but that is just my guess.

[J Morgan]

#9807

Scott – I’ll bring an extra helmet.

[Scott Noble]

#9808

J Morgan, thanks for the offer – that’s really nice of you.

Unfortunately, we ran out yesterday afternoon and bought her one.

[Jeffrey Hugo]

#9809

I just emailed out the following to everyone registered –

 

Hi Folks,

People were asking if the event would still be held early in the week when the forecast was looking dismal. I indicated a decision would be made Thursday morning. This is that decision.

I’ve decided to cancel the event. I know this won’t be popular, but I hope you’ll give me the chance to explain.

Yes, the forecast is looking reasonable. Down right fantastic compared to how it looked early in the week. Based on just that, I would be for holding the event.

However, 2020 keeps being the year disappointments due to COVID, and that is a major factor now. Douglas County, which is where EVOC is located, is adopting enhanced COVID restrictions tomorrow (Friday), which will be in effect for our event. These restrictions are one step short of a total shutdown. I’ve had several long discussions regarding what this means for our event. While I believe we could technically hold an event under the new restrictions, I don’t believe it is a good idea to do so. It is not going to have the right “optics”.

Our relationship with the EVOC site owners is tenuous right now. One of the primary goals of this event was to prove that we can hold an event on their site on a provisional basis, and not cause them issues. This is key to opening the door to holding more events at this site.

I believe that we can hold a safe event and obey the enhanced restrictions, however I do not believe that negates the risks to the site owners in the current environment. The neighbors have shown via past actions targeting us, other organizations, and the site owners that they would like nothing more than for EVOC to be shutdown and bulldozed. I think it is likely that if we hold our event as planned, they will complain to either the site owners, the local health department, or both regarding us holding an event during enhanced COVID restrictions. Such complaints have been filed against other Regions in the country. Even if there is no basis for a complaint based on our behavior and actions, this is unlikely to be a situation that is favorable to our interests.

I know this not what anyone wants to hear. I personally really wanted to go run my car this weekend. However, I need to consider the long term outlook for our organization. It is a difficult decision that I do not enjoy, but it does not do us any good to be focused on the shot term of just this weekend, and end up losing access to EVOC for another two years.

I expect this will be disappointing, and I don’t expect anyone to be happy, but I hope that you at least understand why the decision was made this way. I assure you, we will try our hardest to schedule another event at EVOC, and with a little luck that will actually come together.

Jeff Hugo
SCCA Colorado Region Solo Chair

[Matt Leicester]

#9814

Well thought out decision to cancel from my point of view.  We definitely do not want to give even the slightest perception of not being good tenants.

 

Matt Leicester

[John Victoria]

#9816

I also agree with your call, the last thing we want is to look like an irresponsible club (SCCA).

JV

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