2017 race schedule

[Joey Guyon]

I wanted to comment on the race season schedule we just had, and see if others might have some thoughts as to how to plan the 2017 schedule.

In my opinion this year's schedule was nearly perfect. It was maybe a wee bit too front end heavy, but it was very close to ideal for me.

Here is some of the criteria I would like to have observed in 2017:
-Less conflicts with the EDKRA
-maintain 2 solid breaks in August and perhaps July, one where there are 2 consecutive weekends without a race, another with 3 consecutive weekends without a race. These allow families to plan non-karting activities and maintain balance
-Have the season begin the last week of April or First week of May
-Have the season complete (including the Enduro) the 3rd week of September (who would have expected snow this early!)

Other thoughts? Am I nuts?

[Mark]

Yeah, you're nuts !

I think if you ignore the "fewer conflicts with EDKRA", we could come close....

[John Kwong]

Just a few notes.
This year we were also able to avoid long weekends and Mother's Day. It was determined many years ago that the club members generally wanted to have a club race about every two weeks. Double header race weekends as well as Saturday races have had mixed reviews. Our most successful Saturday race was a late start type with a more relaxed race schedule running from noon to 8pm in midsummer. As well, both EDKRA and CKRC have had low entry turnout for races in August which is why we strategically only held one race that month.
In recent years we have added six Try-A-Kart events and a Junior Driver Development event to the schedule. Typically, we have been getting our schedule out by early January so that we are ready for trade shows and members can plan vacations. Trying not to conflict at all with EDKRA gets fairly difficult when you take into consideration all of these other factors. The plan in 2016 was to concentrate most of the inter club racing into the Alberta Shoot-Out races and the EDKRA Summer Challenge. I think there were 3 or 4 conflicts with EDKRA club races. There were several families from both clubs that still contested more than a few of the other clubs race events.
John K

[Joey Guyon]

That's a great explanation John. It shows how many factors go into these schedules that typical racers or new members don't see. Many balls to juggle there. I think considering all of the objectives listed, the nail was hit on the head this year and hopefully the same can be achieved next year.

Nice work Prez!

[pauldeadman]

What about a Calgary night race? Just a thought for the season.

[Team 75]

Skylar would have run every Calgary race if there were no conflicts but we are an exception
I think the clubs should work together to try and have a race every weekend in Alberta
I know that is not possible but 2015 came close.I believe there are a few more families that might travel between the clubs.This year the Alberta Shootout was a success but it can be even bigger.Lets work together and promote Alberta karting. We are getting interest from other provinces and that can benefit both clubs
Wendell

[phil]

I would also like to see a schedule that would allow more inter-club racing with Edmonton, but also realize there is a lot to deal with. I would like to see at least one more double header, which I know always gets some negative feedback, but also generally has the largest grids. The extra double header makes it easier to actually have a decent break during the season. With 13 race days, and 7 try a kart days (8 if you count the extra rain-out day we had), as well as a few extra kart prep days for try a kart, there was virtually no chance of a weekend off ( with the exception of skipping the summer challenge). We also ran double header weekends for try a kart to allow less interference with race days.
I would also like to see a break on both sides of the Summer Challenge of at least one week each way to allow time for prep before & after.


Phil

[Team 75]

Double headers are a great success in Edmonton. Everyone loves them. We make each weekend an event. This also allows more weekends off. There are 22 weekends from May 1 till Sept 30. If each club ran 7 double headers there would be 28 races with 8 weeks off

[Fred]

The Race Director normally comes up with the schedule Joey .. lol
This is something I will be working on shortly (maybe !) And if I am still with the club next year I will need to schedule around a UK wedding in the first week of July ..... unless someone else wants to give it a go ? (You only have to be really thick skinned ). ... other things I take into account is the caterers schedule too ... (if possible) i am guessing you all loved the food as we volunteers did. The manager and President used to meet the EDKRA exec over brunch in Red Deer to discuss the dates but that stopped after Kev Dowler stood down.

[Joey Guyon]

More valid points Fred. I am willing to help facilitate a meeting between the 2017 ckrc and edkra execs to sort out a schedule with the least conflicts possible. This would need to be done at the draft stage prior to publishing schedules.

Phil - I am on board with those breaks if possible. The extra double header is good as well