Expo 2023 - Community Collective

[coolhandluke]

That's a reason I needed a break. So, if we get an Expo Reunion going, we will need support from everywhere and everyone.

Count me in wherever it may be....

I your attitude.

[Zyg]

Track Night at Pitt Race on coming Weds. the 19th to shake off some rust and figure out which wheel/tire set I want to use for AMP.

Seems I also made friends with a local former racer that now has a lime green 911 track car, will see him/it at the track next week.
BTW -- the couple owns a nice beer/wine drive through and brushless car wash and we got to talking a couple times when I came through in the CTRs.

[coolhandluke]

I always enjoyed the community aspect of track weekends.

[LoooseR]

Just to add my enthusiasm...
Expo West would be great for me since I'm in AZ. But would try hard to make it wherever this might happen.

You and me both buddy, I’m still gonna keep trying to get Jay to use Podium Club for a future Expo.

I hear there may be a OG gathering at Ozarks next year.

[LoooseR]

Just to add my enthusiasm...
Expo West would be great for me since I'm in AZ. But would try hard to make it wherever this might happen.

You and me both buddy, I’m still gonna keep trying to get Jay to use Podium Club for a future Expo.

I hear there may be a OG gathering at Ozarks next year.

[coolhandluke]

There have always been community planned track days at third-parties across NASA, TurnOne, Chin Motorsports, etc.., and I don't see that changing. Recently, a large group went to Watkins Glen & Virginia International Raceway over July 4th weekend:
viewtopic.php?t=1825

As for an official Type R Expo event, I agree that getting a track date with a large track has gotten increasingly difficult in recent years. I stepped down from the Expo committee after last year's failure, so I'll defer to current/future Expo committee members on whether they want to switch Expo from an independent/self-managed event to piggy-backing with a third-party. Piggy back would reduce risk financially, but doing so also risks losing control of the event entirely. My guess is it would require strong relationships and legal contract, but still a risk. (we always wait to announce Expo until a legal contract is signed with the host track.)

[Aquafina]

...
When the community decides to plan another Expo, I highly encourage everyone not to have the mindset of "I'll come out if this is closer next time." I flew and then drove/rode to every Expo 2012-2018, and it was worth it every time.

This is crucial. It was one of my biggest frustrations during the years when people assumed it would:
- be closer next year
- will be around next year

That's a reason I needed a break. So, if we get an Expo Reunion going, we will need support from everywhere and everyone.

I'll throw down for a drivers spot regardless of location, and whether my car is ready or (most likely) not.

[g3teg97]

Will 2024 be the year we get Expo back?

[coolhandluke]

Will 2024 be the year we get Expo back?

Great question. It's a community run event for the community. If the community are willing to:

*Step up to pay to rent the facilities for a track day/s (prices have risen for tracks & insurance)

*Step up to volunteer to plan & deliver an event (includes on-site staffing at the event, graphic design, sponsors to lower drive costs, etc)

*Step up to evangelize the event to the larger Type R community (new CTR community, older Type R's, etc.)

Then yes! 2024 could be the year Type R Expo returns.


My brutal honesty/feedback is it takes more than wanting the event to return to pull this off. Commitments above are required it and it is a large financial commitment by the club. The community has to sign a legal rental agreement committing this non-profit club to as much as ~$60k for a 2x event at a premier track like VIR/RA/etc. Hence, needing community commitment up front to pay for driver spots.

Now, those who are willing to volunteer will always find help. Myself and several current/former Expo committee are available. With proper motivation, yes, this event can/will happen, and I'll be first to pay for a driver's spot- regardless of track location.

[coolhandluke]

You and me both buddy, I’m still gonna keep trying to get the Expo committee to use Podium Club for a future (Type R) Expo...

First, this community has depended on Jay's tireless efforts and limited finances to pay for events, this website, non-profit CPA fees, for too long- the italics is intentional to highlight that and steer towards sharing the collective burden to maintain this site, Type R Expo, etc.

Second, in the spirit of transparency and for the broader community benefit, the biggest factors for considering a track are:
*Track availability for requested dates
*Local community support to pay for a driver's spot
*Financial feasibility of track costs with respect to driver count required to break-even (*as a non-profit, we are unlike most track groups. Hence why driver spots are cheaper and the committee volunteers to be there.)

...I hear there may be a OG gathering at Ozarks next year.

Several of us got together recently in the southeast and Ozarks came up. This would not be a Type R Expo, but another community track day, under a different track org. A few of us are considering another Watkins Glen+ or Ozarks community track event.