The September 9th race location has yet to be determined and the only fair way to decide between the four tracks that have inquired is to let the racers decide. The process that we have elected to use is very simple. We are going to have a ballot at each of the first three races and let each racer cast one vote for the track that they would prefer. Just to clarify how this will work, an individual racer will only get one vote which can be cast at any of the first three races. We are asking the racer to include their name as a method of tracking the totals without duplicate votes. If we receive a ballot without a name it will not be counted.


To help everyone make an informed decision we are including the websites of each track for you to browse at your convenience.


www.summitrcraceway.com

www.westoliverc.com

www.statelinerc.com

V.O.R.R. Vicksburg Off-road R/C Raceway
For more information Call (269) 330-1217 (I could not find a website for V.O.R.R.)

V.O.R.R sent me a link for more information on their track
http://knigg1100.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/vorr2006.pdf

Coop

question I thought the point of this series was to keep local racers local and costs down with travel and all yes there is 2 drops but why set aside time at a track when those tracks regulars will not attend here in the local scene?

Costs are kept down with lower race fees. I also seem to remember West Olive racers coming to Pheasant Run, Dirtburners and vice versa. We personally enjoy trying out new tracks and know that others feel the same. Anyways, that's why it is up to the racers to vote. Pretty democratic, don't you think??

Bob,

If you show up at one of the first three races we will have a box for people to put in their suggestions.

Secondly, The point of this series is to help the hobby grow and expose people to RC racing and most of all have fun!

Some people are willing to travel to race at different tracks with different surfaces

But what if you don't have time to travel?? I mean how could I be on the net talking about the problems with everything if I was actually at a race??

love the three tracks in michigan. never seen the summit before. WOW that place is awesome.. to hard of a decision. screw it - TAKE ALL FOUR :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: and just make the series longer!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tongue: :tongue:

But what if you don't have time to travel?? I mean how could I be on the net talking about the problems with everything if I was actually at a race??

Well was not really talking about problems with the series was just asking a Question if you remember I was part of the org. FTMS series board(which I chose to leave) and was wondering why would you take a series based in the eastern part of the state and throw in a race that most guys run because of how close the races are.

I forgot Dave you and a handfull are the only ones allowed to have opinions on the net. Dont forget to bring a step ladder and stool cause the little kids is tired of sharing. Its called world wide web.

Coop
I have been told that this series is not in need of any new racers they are comfortable with the 75 entries they receive on a regular basis.if thats not true I guess I was just misinformed then due to my vast knowledge of the truth.
I think the proof will be in the pudding on the travel when gas reaches $3.00 per gallon this summer might be a bad time to schedule a series race in another state(or in the western part of )



Nancy
yes very democratic and probally the only way to do it fair

all of the tracks that will be voted on are awesome places to run it will be fun either way

like was stated my question was just that and I received the response I knew I would

Vote for www.summitrcraceway.com

You guys will enjoy this track.
It's an electric only track with indoor A/C Pits, Hard packed Clay surface.
Easy access off the Interstate. We usually have quite a few guys from Planet R/C in the summer. We are also hosting ROAR Region 5 offroad this year.

Thanks,
John Barron
www.evo-grafix.com

Honestly I think part of the perception that the F.T.M.S. was started to be an east side series because some of the east siders had the perception that the MARS was a west side series. That is simply not the case. I know it seems that way to some who maybe have only ran the mars series for the last 3 years or so, however the mars used to be more of a state wide series. It used to be Litchfield, Bridgeport (by saginaw), Jackson, Grand Rapids, and Detroit (Freedom Hills). For reasons nobody could help the east tracks could not continue on the series and at the time there were no tracks that could step up and replace them. Now with some great tracks on the east side of the state it is probably time for the Mars series to be more state wide like it used to be, however I don't get to make that decision. I do applaud the F.T.M.S. officials who are willing to look at adding some of the west side tracks to the series. I know with the high gas prices nowadays the travel can be a little expensive but racing is an expensive activity even on this level and te traveling was always part of the fun for me.

I edited the first post to add a link for more information from V.O.R.R

i noticed that the voor track is a roar track. does that mean if the race is there we will have to have a roar membership?

I used to like the travel to the Mars races, until it cost me over $200 to attend the race in Jones MI. That kinda spelled the end for me, but luckily the FTMS series popped up & I was happy to attend their races. The FTMS has been growing as a "East side" series and is looking for another track to visit, seems the only tracks to express an interest in hosting a race are on the West side or out of state. In order for the FTMS to grow even more it needs to expand to more tracks.

I really don't know how I feel about it, I know it will stress my budget if I should travel to one of the 4 tracks being voted on, the nearest one is Stateline & that's a good 2.5 to 3 hour drive. It will be tough for me to attends any race on the West side of the state, I imagine it will be for others as well. And I guess it's no big deal for some people to go where ever the race is, like the groups that go to CRCRC, Fort Wayne, and Chicago. The expense is not an issue for more racers in the series than it is an issue for, so the Low budget racers lose out. Will it effect attendance? No, I doubt it, the low budget racers that don't go will be replaced by the low budget local racers for whatever track gets voted in.

I am just really bummed that I may have to miss another race and count on my performance at Dirtburners to place in the series, I never do well at dirtburners, the hardpack and me just don't seem to work well.

Does my opinion matter? I doubt it..... but there it is.

i noticed that the voor track is a roar track. does that mean if the race is there we will have to have a roar membership?

Good question, I would think so unless FTMS covers insurance for the race.

VOOR does not require ROAR memberships for the club races. It is incouraged but not required. See the Vicksburg Thread.

Tom
by the last race dirtburner should have a new building

I used to like the travel to the Mars races, until it cost me over $200 to attend the race in Jones MI. That kinda spelled the end for me, but luckily the FTMS series popped up & I was happy to attend their races. The FTMS has been growing as a "East side" series and is looking for another track to visit, seems the only tracks to express an interest in hosting a race are on the West side or out of state. In order for the FTMS to grow even more it needs to expand to more tracks.

I really don't know how I feel about it, I know it will stress my budget if I should travel to one of the 4 tracks being voted on, the nearest one is Stateline & that's a good 2.5 to 3 hour drive. It will be tough for me to attends any race on the West side of the state, I imagine it will be for others as well. And I guess it's no big deal for some people to go where ever the race is, like the groups that go to CRCRC, Fort Wayne, and Chicago. The expense is not an issue for more racers in the series than it is an issue for, so the Low budget racers lose out. Will it effect attendance? No, I doubt it, the low budget racers that don't go will be replaced by the low budget local racers for whatever track gets voted in.

I am just really bummed that I may have to miss another race and count on my performance at Dirtburners to place in the series, I never do well at dirtburners, the hardpack and me just don't seem to work well.

Does my opinion matter? I doubt it..... but there it is.


Tom,

Does your opinion matter? Absolutely it does, you have been racing the series since it started and you have been honest and open about how you feel about the decisions that we have made over the last several years. We know that no matter what decision we make for the series that we can’t make everyone happy . . . that’s why we let the racers vote and decide what they want. In this case we thought it might help promote the Factory Tracks Series to more racers from the West side of the state. We have discussed this and at the end of this season we would like to take a poll on how the racers felt about traveling to other tracks that might require them to drive two or three hours away. If the outcome of the poll indicates that the majority of the racers want to stay with all East side tracks, then that is the direction that we will take. As it stands now we will stick with the decision to run at the track that gets the most votes for the Sept. race. I have also heard rumor that an off-road track is going in near White Lake, if that is the case we can pursue that or even look at racing one of the other tracks twice. Most of all Tom we want the racers to have input to guide the series to make it the most fun and competitive.


Coop

i noticed that the voor track is a roar track. does that mean if the race is there we will have to have a roar membership?



Gary,

To my knowledge if V.O.R.R is the track that gets the vote, ROAR membership is not required because it is considered a “special event”.


Coop

i just think that it is so cool that you guys care what the "racers" think!

Tom brings up some good points. but maybe people could carpool? plan it out a little more.

maybe a couple drop off, but new and further out tracks can bring in several new, maybe 20-30 people that might also be willing to travel here!(east side)


most people do travel already. i live in lansing, we have NOTHING here. so i HAVE to travel at least an hour to get anywhere!!! just to club race let alone a series.

which ever, ill be there and i hope Tom is to!!!!!! :wave:

Can i do a write-in vote for Litchfield? lol

That would be sweet i havent run there in forever

Thanks Coop, I really don't want to make it sound like sour grapes & complaining. I do understand exactly why the series wants to involve these other tracks. From what I've seen on other sites and heard from other racers all the tracks considered are great tracks to visit. I happen to fall into the "we can't make everyone happy" category, which is fine, I can't change the fact that only West side tracks want to be involved & that the series is having the racers vote on which one to go to (can't complain about fair & democratic!). I actually like travelling to other tracks, Just really bums me out that I may miss another race due to distance.

I do have a "travel buddy" to go to the races with, & I guess I'll have to make Snickers kick in on 1/2 the expenses of getting there & a room if needed. (hear that Eric? prepare early!)

Snickers told me DB's will be moving, I don't think that will change the type of dirt they use on the track (which is what I can't seem to do good on) though. I wish them luck in getting moved into another location, hopefully something with as much or more room to work with. I know the Gas guys have their fingers crossed!

hey tom, if i can pull some power from ya , ill throw ya $20 a race. gary said i could at pheasant run. but i just want to make sure i got something to pull some juice from.

Terry, I got a genny & may bring it to some races, but mostly I will probably be using a deep cycle battery for power to cut costs and noise! I know Terry (well, his neighbors at least) likes that part! But when/if I do have the genny with me you're more than welcome to tap in.

any word on how the vote is going so far?

any word on how the vote is going so far?


Many of the people that attended the first race have not voted yet and we would rather not total up the votes until after everyone that has attended one of the first three races have had a chance to make up their mind on their favorite track. We will total the votes after the third race and post them for everyone to see.

So anyone that didn't vote at the first race please vote as soon as possible we want everyone to take part.

Coop

whats the word on the vote if its not looking good we would like to get another race here. thanks

we are not sure yet,but it's looking good for you guys so far.The final votes will be taken at the SANDHILL race on july 8th and the winner will be anounced then.
THANKS
ALLEN

thanks :thumbsup:

Hi. This is Dale Monroe from Summit Raceway. I've been hearing you guys have been considering our raceway for one of your events and I appreciate that. Our track is designed specificly for electric 1/10 scale off-road racing and is clay dirt. We have indoor air-conditioned pits with tables, electricity and food availible or there is plenty of room to pit outside. There are fast food and motels all close to Gateway Shopping Center where we are located along with a paved parking lot. There is also a fully stocked hobby shop. If we are chosen I know a lot of central Indiana racers will want to come up for this event along with the local guys we have. For more info on us go to www.summitrcraceway.com (http://www.summitrcraceway.com/) or e-mail me at summitrcraceway@yahoo.com. I have heard a lot good things about your series and would like to say thanks again for considering us. Dale.

you guys have a great looking track,i gotta come down and race, but you already have a event booked for that date according to your website. it says outdoor electric championship??

but you already have a event booked for that date according to your website. it says outdoor electric championship?? That date can be changed if necessary.

cool, hope you guys win then!!

The final votes will be takin on saurday the 8th and the winner will be annouced at the race.so we will know by the time the mains run at SANDHILL.who the winning track is. so get your votes in.
ALLEN

who is the lucky winner?

All The Votes Are In,the Winner Is Stateline!!!!!!

Thats To All The Tracks That Were Interested.
Allen

Sounds great we will be looking forward to an awsome race day! thanks to all that voted, we will try not to disapoint!

there will be a on the spot hobby shop,

DIRT BURNER RACING provides that for all of the FACTORY TRACKS races.

thats cool , did not know that

we do have lights up now so practice will go to 10 or 11 on fri night

hey Al what all do we need to do for your race ? do you use your own computer and transponders? anouncer, P.A.?? if you could let me know ill be gettin things around. thanks :thumbsup: also we do have lights up on the off road track now

just to warn you they run oval on Friday night too...... If it rains like it did for the MARS race just warning you that they will work on the oval b4 they touch the OFFROAD track....... very disappointing.... It's an honor to host a race like this but, to worried about oval. Sorry Stateline just my point of view...... others agree. enough said......

That is our regular club race schedule, this is still a business. The off road was still runable just like the oval was when there was that much water it takes a little time for things to dry out, sorry you were disapointed.... So was I, we could have done with out the rain.

hey Al what all do we need to do for your race ? do you use your own computer and transponders? anouncer, P.A.?? if you could let me know ill be gettin things around. thanks :thumbsup: also we do have lights up on the off road track now

we bring all of our owne stuff,all you have to do is maintain the track,provide power for the computer,and a table/tent for the cars and radios to be plaed when the racers come off the track.Mike cooper or myself will comtact you guys about all the loose ends.
THANKS
AL
p.s.
we dont care about the oval guys as long as we can work out the freqs. I dont see it beeing an isue.in fact it should be fun to watch.

thanks we will be looking forward to it!!

Here is what the OFFROAD track looked like at 3:00 it was runable by 9:00.

http://www.statelinerc.com/images/the lake.jpg

the off road did not get all the water off of it till around 6 friday night and didnt get the drying agent till around 7:30 so it was runable an hour and a half later that aint bad in my opion.the track also stayed in good shape all day sat. with little track maintance. all the money for the stuff put down on the tracks also came from donations takin up from the oval crowd
also there where a few guys from the mars series that ran the oval as well

no one came up to me and said there where up set , but just waited until the next weekend to say somthing , man i dont know everyone came up said we did a awsome job on getting the water off the track.

what does any of this have to do with the ftms race????please lets get back to the topic.

what does any of this have to do with the ftms race????please lets get back to the topic.
agreed stateline does a good job

sorry ahorne got of track