What have I gotten myself into?

Yes, I did it... I took over as the Southeast Division Solo Development Coordinator (AKA Solo Steward) officially at the beginning of the 2014 season. My thinking was that everybody would be as excited as I was to attend Divisionals, and events would fall from the heavens like rain. Hmmmmm... It didn't quite work out that way. I guess I knew in the back of my mind it wouldn't be that easy.

So, I've adopted a mantra. My mantra is simple: 3 "R's". RE-ENERGIZE, RE-TOOL, and RACE!!!

1) RE-ENERGIZE!

The SEDIV Solo Series, despite several valiant attempts to revive it, has been pretty stagnant for the last few years. It needs to be re-energized. Since attendance at a Divisional/National Tour is no longer a prerequisite for attending Nationals, a standard Divisional is a tough sell. New ideas, new venues, and a new format is needed to regain the excitement.

The SCCA here in the Southeast also needs to move forward with new ideas to help regions restart or grow their Solo events. We want to offer to help them in this, both with some new programs at the SEDIV Convention and throughout the year as well.

2) RE-TOOL!!

The SEDIV Solo Series needs to elevate competition, but without losing the fun factor and becoming all "SRSBZNS". We want to partner with regions who enjoy promoting our hobby. We do not want to run the series like a Tour or a Pro; Instead we want to work together with regions who would like to benefit from a big event, and help put on what we hope will be their best event ever, with support from SEDIV Staff and fellow racers.

We want the regions and SEDIV staff to work together in putting on outstanding Divisional Championship events, and let the region keep most of the profit. SEDIV will work with each participating region to promote and grow the event. SEDIV will take care of supplying trophies and key personnel. We want the series to feel welcoming to all soloists, old and new! These events do not require a "super lot", or surface. Our goals with the SEDIV Series are all about elevating the competition AND having fun. We can never forget the number one priority - HAVING FUN!

3) RACE!!!

I personally like the Match Tour format from a marketing and logistical view point. It's easy to attract sponsors, and it adds excitement to our racing. However, I know that I am in the minority with this view. So after considering several different variations that some of my fellow Chattanooga Region members cooked up, a better idea was presented to me (thanks Randall Prince), and we have decided to run with it. The idea? Rally-X Style cumulative scoring! As a bit of a break, we have decided to drop each competitor's worst run. Otherwise, THEY ALL COUNT! No brackets: race and race hard! You have to, because you never know which run might be your worst. And now add in TWO COURSES, and all but your dropped times from both courses added together! Yeah it's crazy, but our trials thus far have proven it to be fun and tight. How tight? Pro Class was decided by less then .250 sec at BOTH 2014 events, and for the championship we had to go to the 2nd tie breaker!

SO NOW WHAT???

The 2 trial events in 2014 were a qualified success. From an event format standpoint, and most definitely based on the excitement factor, it was right on. We even had the first in-car (and on-car) real-time streaming video broadcasting worldwide, thanks to Karl Rickert and his KARTS crew working the event. They did a first rate job!

The regions involved in 2014 did a great job of coming together and working together. And with the lessons we learned, and a few refinements in the works, we are ready to assemble the 2015 SCCA SEDIV Solo Divisional Championship Series! Our friends with Knoxville's ETRSCCA have already stepped up for a SEDIV EVENT April 11 and 12 at Smokies Stadium. It is sure to kick off a fantastic year of SEDIV Solo FUN!!!

We are looking for regions to join us in growing this exciting series. Contact myself Scott Dobler II @ sdobler2@gmail.com if your club would like to get involved in putting on one of these fantastic events and making some money for your region!