2012 BROCK TROPHY RACE

[il cavalino]

As most of you will know the Brock trophy Race is one of the longest running slot car races in the country and certainly the most prestigeous Victorian Races.

Since the early 1990's in has been run on the first or second weekend in October depending on things like Bathurst the AFL Grand final and the long weekend in N.S.W.

For some time Peter van Horssen have had an agreement to alternate the running of the "Brock" between his track "Mobile Raceways" and mine "King Willys".

Mobile Raceways hosted the Brock combined with his Aus v the World in 2011. Under our agreement it is King Willys turn to host it in 2012.
I communicated my intention to hold the Brock on the October "long weekend" to Peter some three weeks ago.

I have noticed on the Mobile Raceways forum that Peter has scheduled his 2012 version of Aust v the World on the same weekend.

It should be noted that this is not the first time he has done something like this as he has put in bids to hold the Nationals "out of turn", the latest being his aborted attempt to bid for the 2011 Nationals.

POOR SHOW PETER!!!!!!

Geoff Little
Owner
King Willys Slot Car raceway

[Bruce]

Hi Geoff,
I'm sure it was just a "calender" mistake on Peter's behalf as I don't believe any track owner in Australia would deliberatly schedule a "major" race within 7 days of another event.
That would be like having the "Australia Day Classic" a week before or after the "Race in Rocky", people would then have to pick which race was the most important to them as they probably would not be able to attend both due to the cost. As PVH would be well aware that the number of competitors is not huge in this country I'm sure he wouldn't do anything that may be detrimental to this great (and frustrating) hobby. AND congratulations Geoff on winning the "old car" series that has been raced over the last 10? months or so at Mobile Raceways in Dandenong. You must have clocked up quite a few Ks going back and forth from your track to race each time,that's dedication.

[FC RACING]

Bruce i don't think it's a calendar mistake the post in the MR forum makes it quite clear the reason for choosing that weekend

[Timmy Tyler]

And those reasons don't seem to demonstrate any concern for the effect on any other races in the calendar.

There is no doubt in my mind that the AVW will have a negative effect on attendances at the Brock: I am quite sure that few racers have the resources to run major events on successive weekends. No matter how many (or few) racers attend the AVW, it is highly unlikely that anyone who attends the AVW will be in a position to do it all again a week later.

[Bruce]

Hi Carl,
as usual I was being sarcastic
Happy motoring

[CAB77]

To be honest the AVW affected attendances at races last year already. I believe an event of this stature would better serve the slot car racing community of this country if it was held on a bi-annual basis. The Brock this year was a great experience and something that I'm glad I attended. In saying that I believe it didn't lead up to the hype of the event as it had poor attendance in comparison to the expectations.

I believe this occurrence is another calling of some sort of committee to help decide a race calendar for tracks. Also some sort of national series where each track gets one event in it. This way, a track can choose to have as many events as it seems fit but only one of these events promotes the travelling drivers.

We as the wing car racers need to look after our sport at this level and accept the responsibility to help it grow. Australia vs the world has its place but not at the cost of every other track's attendance at their own race meetings.

[Timmy Tyler]

You are right, Adrian. Absolutely, unequivocally, indisputably right.

[Bruce]

Hi Adrian
I believe that considering sedan classes were eliminated from the Australia Versus Whoever race that all sedan class racers should also take responsibility to at least keep the class involved in all major race meetings. Clearly PVH had little regard for the young up and coming and amateurs
like myself and only catered for a handful of internationals, hence the lower than predicted attendance. Yes, have it every second year as I believe it will be great for Australian drivers to race against the world's best, but the way it has been handled of late is only creating controversy and mistrust that is not needed in this sport.

[fast_mick]

This subject is very difficult and asks Racers to take sides which reduces attendance at both tracks.

I like Geoff because he attends a lot races outside VIC and supports the race events and therefore he gets a lot of support from other racers.

I like Peter VH because he has a great track and puts on great events and therefore gets a lot of support from other racers.

I am not sure why in Vic we have a feast or famine, my from point of view it would be good if there was one major event at each track each year outside the nationals rotation that was spaced by a few months.

eg One track has June long weekend and the other track has October long weekend.

As Les W says on his shirt "LETS RACE"

Michael

[Bruce]

This is not an issue of "taking sides", the simple facts are all tracks had a major event for as long as I have been racing until PVH decided he wanted more than just the Winter Nats on the June long weekend and has now taken the Brock weekend as well. PVH has now "upset the apple cart" without any regard for anybody else but himself.
Is it fair?,

[FC RACING]

"The overseas guests have a preference for this time of year as it doesn't clash with
similar major wing car events. And secondly this race won't fit into the Aussie race
calendar and the overseas race calendar at any other time of the year." {Quote }

It is clear to me that 3 overseas visitors are more important than the Australian Slotcar community. This blatant disregard for another track owner is rude and arrogant and the only thing that will come from this, is division of an already small community of racers something this sport can ill afford.

[Bruce]

Due to the lack of response from the majority of wing car (and sedans) racers in this country, it seems that PVH has succeeded not only in his effort to retain the Brock at his track but to only hold it every second year so that it may fit in with the rest of the world, even if 3 or 4 overseas people decide to race. Who's race will be next? Perhaps PVH may take over the "Race in Rocky" and Carl could be allocated say, Christmas Day to have his major race for the year. James in Hornsby could forfiet the "Australia Day Classic" in return for Boxing Day, and Adrian will be given New Years Day as a consolation prize. I thought that at least some of the more experienced racers would have an opinion on this subject, or is "The Brock at King Willys" dead and buried?


, Happy Motoring ( if your track ever has another major race)

[michael]

Im going to King Willys next year, stuff the world lets have state of origon slotcar racing.
Qld Mick.

[Bruce]

PVH, myself and I'm sure many others are eagerly waiting for a reply to our posts regarding your hijacking of next years "Brock". It is noteworthy that since Adrian has put our comments on your website that none of your racers have posted anything in respect to this matter as they now know the truth as to what is really happening. As the instigator of this fiasco I believe you should let the slot car community know your thoughts on this matter.
Happy Motoring

[CAB77]

I would like to see after all this is said and done, that ALL track owners work together on a calender that works for everyone. If races have to be moved then it should be on the agreeance of all track owners. I just would like to see the sport I have personally invested so much time let alone money in to survive and not be torn apart. Is it really too much to ask that we all get along.