SOUTHWESTWAY SHORT TRACK RACING SERIES? ANYONE?

[RJ]

Given the success and popularity of the Town Run short track races from last year. Is there anyone on the South side (Northsiders are welcome too!) that's interested in a weeknight short track racing series @ Southwestway Park?


The new loop would make a great high speed and fun short track race. I'm just not sure with the popularity of the new loop if it would be possible with the hike and horse traffic. Maybe the Honeysuckle Assassin can weigh in here?


I've only raced XC races and I'll admit now that I've never participated or been a part of a short track race and know nothing about setting up and running one, but if there is enough interest I'm sure we can work out the details easily.


If anyone has experience with short track racing, I welcome your comments....


If we are given the blessing to race and there is enough interest we'll work out the details! As of now I'm thinking Wednesdays will be best so as not to conflict with "Trail Work Tuesdays".


Rob Shrum

[AL]

I always love a race.  However, I would be concerned with interactions with other trail users with the current trail lay out at Swwy. There maybe an area that would be better suited when we have trails down by the old pay lakes.

[Dave G.]

I always love a race.  However, I would be concerned with interactions with other trail users with the current trail lay out at Swwy. There maybe an area that would be better suited when we have trails down by the old pay lakes.

Good point.  We definitely need short track at SWW, TRTP, and perhaps FHSP.  A Triple Crown series would be fun and generate interest.  I solicited advice from others who have run short track races, and the best short track course setup is one that can be closed off to other users, and the new loop would be hard to do.
 
Paul A. mentioned that he wanted to make a short rack course down by the pay lakes, so we are on the right track.  Short track won't happen right away, but possibly next year.

[RJ]

I kinda figured it wouldn't work on the new horse/hike/bike loop (BTW this "new loop" really needs a name) but I'm really surprised by the lack of interest in a local weeknight racing series.... I expected much more interest.


Hopefully next year we can start this up and with some advertising at the park we can draw more interest and maybe get some non-racing types into the action.

[Dave G.]

I kinda figured it wouldn't work on the new horse/hike/bike loop (BTW this "new loop" really needs a name) but I'm really surprised by the lack of interest in a local weeknight racing series.... I expected much more interest.


Hopefully next year we can start this up and with some advertising at the park we can draw more interest and maybe get some non-racing types into the action.

I suspect that there are alot of riders who do not use the website that would be interested in short track.  It will take some word-of-mouth, and more trail, to get racers from around central Indiana to participate.  We have time.  We will have short track!

[edf]

I'd be up for it. Perhaps a course away from the new multiuse loop. Maybe a short loop utilizing the old entrance to the trail (down near where the gravel access road starts), the gravel road, and the grassy lanes like what was used for the finishing stretch of the night race. The gravel road paralleling the trail in many places seems to be a perfect set up for a mixture of singletrack and wide passing lanes as long as a good drop in point is available and someone is marshalling the ends of the road to give warning to horses or any amorous couples who may come wandering along.

[tjuillerat]

Something to consider - you'd have to check with Paul, but I don't think HMBA's insurance covers events.  I know we have to get separate insurance for the Breakdown.  If that's the case, who's getting (and paying) for the insurance and event permits?   I'm assuming IndyParks (or Rangeline) would have some type of fee associated with doing a race there...

[edf]

Something to consider - you'd have to check with Paul, but I don't think HMBA's insurance covers events.  I know we have to get separate insurance for the Breakdown.  If that's the case, who's getting (and paying) for the insurance and event permits?   I'm assuming IndyParks (or Rangeline) would have some type of fee associated with doing a race there...

Anyone know how this was handled at Town Run last year? Looking back at the short track thread in the TR forum, it looks like Parks was consulted and an event permit received, but beyond that is was fairly informal.

[AL]

There would be some details to be worked out for sure.
I think racing is outside the scope  of HMBA so a local group would have to take charge.
SWW needs a tight group of trail workers and volunteers to succeed.  Organized events will help grow this community. 
We need to be thinking for ways to raise funds for the park that does not rely on Grants, the city or HMBA.  Organized events and races may help with this. 
This fall/winter may be a good time to start some planning so keep brainstorming.

I hiked to the pay lakes over the weekend. What a wonderful place!  Needs some tlc but people will be blown away.  Area is to overgrown now, but this fall would be a great chance to lay out a course.  There are some low areas that would need to be avoided.

Im up for it.  Rob, if we have to race around three orange traffic cones ill be there.  You better bring it because I have been practicing my triangles.

[tjuillerat]

Anyone know how this was handled at Town Run last year? Looking back at the short track thread in the TR forum, it looks like Parks was consulted and an event permit received, but beyond that is was fairly informal.

I was thinking Planet Adventure took over the short track races at Town Run last year, but I don't know for sure if that was the case or not.

[alifford]

I would totally be up for it.  I would volunteer to help mark off the course, set-up cones, or whatever is needed.  It would be great to see a 6 race short track series that alternated between Town Run and SWW each week.
I don't think Indy Parks charged a permit fee for the TRTP short track series last year.  Planet Adventure only came on board after the series was set-up and permission was received from IndyParks.  PA helped market the races on their website and offered up some number plates for those that didn't have them, but I believe this was the extent of their assistance.  This was an informal group and I wasn't aware of any insurance carried for the series.  I never signed a waiver - I just showed up and raced.
Anyone interested in joining forces and sharing the responsibilities to make this happen?  I'd be happy to make some phone calls and try to get the ball rolling... I just know I can't do it alone because of my work schedule.  Shoot me an email at adlifford (at) gmail.com if you would be willing to help set it up.
 

[Seth Hildebrand]

Here are my thoughts on short track (very briefly):

1) I wouldn't mix TRTP and SWW. I think I'd just keep them separate to make it easier.
2) Two managers (different skill set) - one covers the fast race while the other covers the slow race. That way the managers can also ride in their respective race.
3) I'd keep it very, very informal. In fact, you may even want to forget the plate numbers. To do that, don't base the race on a time but rather total laps. Use the honor system and ask riders to keep track of their own lap count.
4) By using a lap count, the manager might even be able ride in the event that they are managing.
5) I'd revisit the idea of re-configuring the last mile of the TRTP course so that we could fit a permanent short track course on the property without the need to close part of the longer trail. The short track would be used as a beginner/warm-up loop during times where there are no races happening.

THESE ARE JUST IDEAS !!! I am not volunteering my time nor anyone else's time merely by sharing these thoughts.

Having said that, I'd be happy to help with TRTP short track as long as it means that I can still be a participant (thus the reasoning behind items 2, 3 and 4 above).