We've had a handful of cancelled events this past year. I know it's frustrating as an attendee, but it's worse for us as officers. We do quite a bit of work in the background just to get the chance to step out on the concrete pad.
- 2 weeks out we submit a sanction request to our SCCA home office. We usually get our sanction the week preceding the event.
- About the same time our MSR registration opens. We watch this as it gives us an idea of the numbers to expect on site. This will help us determine what kind of course we'll design/use.
- A week out we request site access. We usually know if we have site access around Thursday/Friday.
- We also make contact with our key person to see if they are available to attend the event. A civilian is unable to sign the key out. We're always looking for a key person so let us know if you'd be willing.
If you've made it this far you realize we've done a handful of steps and we don't even know if we'll have access to the site, a sanction, or someone to pick up the key. Mid week we typically get a yes, yes, and insurance /sanction to run our event. We jump for joy and contact our guy to bring a portable toilet to the event.
At this point you'd think the event is a go right? Nope. Our site is an active training facility and we had 4 downed choppers left on site. With key in hand, we've been turned away because a helo is left on site. We've had instances where the key wasn't picked up. We've been given the wrong key before. We have arrived on site more than a few times and had to cancel the event at the gate. This is in no way to blame anyone, but it takes a number of items to make an event.
I'm sharing this to give you insight on what we are doing behind the scenes. Keep preregistering and watching our posts for information. Help us have a successful 2019 season.
Thanks from the Wiregrass SCCA Officers