[Marc A]

This is hot off the press:

"When should I register for an event?

Starting with the 2004 season, each event will open for registration
according to a schedule posted on the web site. An event will open for
registration about 60 days prior to the event. Drivers will be able to
register for an event only after registration has opened for the event.
Track events are oversubscribed. There’s more demand than we can
supply. You need to register as soon as registration opens. Staggering
registration as described above, which is new for 2004, should give
drivers a better chance of getting into an event, since an early bird won’t
get to register first for all events in one go. You’ve got a better shot at
getting in an away event than in a local event. In other words, you’re
more likely to get into the event at Mid-Ohio or Watkins Glen than to an
event at VIR or Summit Point because fewer people will go the distance.

Your chances are better to get into an away event simply due to lower
demand.

How do I know if I’m accepted for an event?

Login to the website and check your status regularly. Look under Event
Registration. Here’s the status codes and what they mean:

STATUS CODE MEANING

Pending: You registered but one of the following conditions is true:
- You don’t have a credit card entered
- OR, you didn’t send a check
- The registrar hasn’t processed your registration yet

Once there’s a payment mechanism available and the registrar
processes your registration, you status will go to either Accepted,
or Waitlist if there’s no room in your run group.

Waitlist: You registered but there are more applicants than there are
openings in your run group. You’re waiting for an opening.

Accepted: You’re accepted for the event.

Cancelled: You cancelled prior to the cancellation deadline. You will not be
charged for the event.

CancelLate: You cancelled after the cancellation deadline. You will be
charged for the event.

ReApply: You cancelled and then re-applied before the cancellation
deadline. This is the essentially the same status as Pending.

NoShow: You were accepted but didn’t show up. You will be charged for
the event.

About 1 month before the event, drivers who are accepted for an event will get the first of several email notifications announcing that they’re accepted for the event. This email will go to the email address that’s entered under Membership Information. (Note – there’s another important email address under account info, separate from this email address.)

Things can change right up to the event. Drivers do cancel late, and when
this happens, the registrar tries to fill the event from the waitlist. If the registrar does accept a driver into an event late, the registrar will positively contact that person before accepting them, since they won’t have a chance to cancel without paying the full price. This can get dicey with away events, since a driver may have little notice to get a reservation or plan the party. It’s the price we pay for the privilege. You don’t have to agree to go if you’re accepted late."


Should be very interesting next year.

[Lucky]

I hope the pcapotomac.org web servers are up to all the traffic I'm gonna generate!!!

I could see two registration windows... 1st half of year and then the 2nd half later, but for every event? That's kinda nuts. Oh well.

Thanks, Marc, for keeping us up to date.

[BW911]

Have you guys seen this on the PCA site: A substitute event to replace the Nov 1-2 event, now cancelled?

I've just sent an email to the registrar, Art Parsons, stating my interest. Here's an open shot at track time, guys.

---

Bad News, Good News
Bad news: due to delays in construction of the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, our November 1st and 2nd DE event must be cancelled.

Good news: We have entered into an agreement with BeaveRun to hold a two-day event on the same weekend of November 1st and 2nd. Since there is always the risk of bad weather, we have a contingency agreement that allows us to cancel a few days before the event if the weather forecast is severe (extreme temperatures, freezing rain, snow, etc…). The only penalty to PCA Potomac is a non-refundable deposit of $500 with no financial impact to the participants.

Before we can develop a rate and make a final commitment to BeaveRun, we need to have a count as to how many drivers are interested in registering to drive. No charges will be made at the time of registration. Cancellations made 15 days or less before the event will be charged to the participant if weather is favorable and the event is held. However, if the event is not held due to weather related conditions, no charges will be made. For participants who attend the event in light of favorable conditions, no payments will be charged to your account until the event is held.

Since we need to make the final commitment to BeaveRun by Oct 1st, 2003 please e-mail me,Art Parsons, DE Chair, ASAP to express interest/disinterest. Once responses have been received, we open the online registration for sign-up.

Attention Instructors:
This event is dependent on having sufficient participation from instructors relative to the number of students. Please be aware that you may use any unused instructor credits towards registration for this event. As well, I plan to offer further discounts as an added incentive for instructor participation. I will advise you of those specifics as I receive further information concerning the number of participants and finalize the details of the event.

[Doug E]

Now all we need is the schedule for 2004! Anybody have that inside information ?

[Vicegrip]

[Karl S]

[quote="Lucky"]I could see two registration windows... 1st half of year and then the 2nd half later, but for every event? That's kinda nuts. Oh well.[quote]

Actually, many other regions I have run with work this way. NNJR, Shattenbaum, NY Metro, Peachstate, and Florida Citrus are all regions I have run with that open registration on an event by event basis. Most of the BMW clubs do it that way too. I think it helps cut down on cancelations from people who sign up for everything at the beginning of the year and then find out later that they have conflicts. It also helps out new members who join after February. I remember my first year. I bought my car in March and joined PCA right after. By the time I got the Potomac materials, everything was full, except Mid-Ohio.

Karl

[targa911man]

How do you get the tech inspection done if it's an away event? You guys that have been to the Glen and Mid-Ohio must know.

[BW911]

Dan, It's the same deal as SP events. You get your tech inspection done before you go, either at the club's tech day, or through a local shop. Your car then goes through a tech grid each morning at the event. That is a more basic check -- brakes, tires, make sure nothing is hanging off the engine, check helmet, inside clear, etc.

It's customary to give a Cuban cigar to your tech inspector, too.

- Bill W.

[targa911man]

Thanks Bill.

[Trak Ratt]

I don’t have an inside track but… The track schedules very little year to year. The reason is that once on a tracks schedule they will usually hold the date for us the next year.. if all went well. That’s one of the problems trying to move or add an event. There may not be another open date & some other organization will take our old time slot. That’s one reason Zone 2 doesn’t have more events. All existing tracks are booked.

Best crystal ball guess… next years schedule will be like this years, same weekend, but different date. Kind of like the Thanksgiving holiday.

Of course w/the new track at Summit opening… eventually, we may have a few more choices there.