I sort of took for granted that they will return (especially since I missed them in 2005), but I don't see their mention anywhere on the schedule.
Are they in works, or not happening this year?

Good to know!  

what are the possibilities of competitors also volunteering (like marshalls on auto-crosses)? If so, I'd gladly do what I can to make it happen -- as I'm sure would most of those who have witnessed the event previously

(edit: am I the only one who finds it hilarious that forums call me a Senior Member and Ross the Junior one?   )

Anyone interested in organizing, you've got a course designer and setup/teardown person willing to do the job!  

I'll help if I can.

rosswood wrote on 02/24/6 at 19:10:30:


What would entail in organising an event? Have been considering it, would like a bit more information.

Matt

Here's a basic list of what needs to be done.  It's a lot, and I'm not trying to scare anyone, but this is the big stuff that has to happen.

There are also people willing to help out.

James Drake has stepped up to be series coordinator (right James? ) and I'll be helping out.  We appreciate the offers to help out with the organization - we'll be contacting you in the next few weeks.

Thanks for your support.




- Safety plan.  I have one that will give you a jump start, and I can provide a list of changes that CARS has recommended to me.

- Insurance.  Ask the CARS office for a copy of the insurance application package. The completed package must be sent back to them at least 30 days before the first event.  

- Rules & regulations.  Have a look at the rules and see if there are any glaring errors/omissions.  Rules should be
published on the website well in advance of the first event.

- Permissions from landowners. Get permission letters in writing.

- Grading.  Chris Ray at the Bancroft works department is a really good guy and very helpful.  He needs to be informed at least a week (2 is better) ahead of time so that he can arrange for a driver.  You would need to figure out road repairs if you held the events outside of Bancroft.

- Website and online credit card processing have to be set up.

- Course design.  Ryan H. has expressed an interest in handling it again.

- Workers.  Put out calls for help for workers at least a week before each event.  Having a worker plan with assignments will make the events run much more smoothly, since a lot of your workers will also be competing.  HAM radio operators are especially useful.

- Accomodations need to be arranged.

- Emergency response.  Gotta call the local EMS units and let them know what we're up to.  

- Organizing committee.  You need a registrar (unless you want to handle it yourself).  An assistant organizer and a clerk of the course are good to have, too.

- Sponsorship is always good to have.

- Scoring.  James D. prepared a great Excel spreadsheet, but you'd need a laptop.

- Lunch.  Something should definitely be arranged.  On-site food services is ideal since your competitors won't have to leave.

- Equipment.  The RSO trailer has almost everything you need, but you need to make arrangements to have it towed to your venue.  The only things that the RSO trailer doesn't have that we always needed were extension cords and radios (HAM and FRS), so you should arrange for those somehow.

- Trophies have to be ordered.

- Promotion.  Websites, mailing lists, and message forums are all great.  Even better to give local newspapers/media a call and invite them to come out.  The Bancroft newspaper always sends a reporter/photographer and always asks us to send them results.

You're bound to have at least a couple HAM guys at every event. I know I'll be at all of them, as will Bryn probably. Between us we've got gear for 4 operators including ourselves, so I'm sure we can make that work. Alex K is often there too. I wouldn't worry about having people with radios.