F-Body Europe

This is gonna be long....BUT extremely important to us all.

Tony, myself, and a MWR director sat down last night and discussed OSL its goal and how to get there. After talking to Tony for a good hr later I finally got the BIG picture with what he is trying to do.

You know how most of us get here and find out there is no venue for you to do the things you want w/ your car ie race, shows, etc? Only if you know your way in the europe circle will you get a chance to do some of the things that can be only done stateside. This is where MWR fits in. When you pcs to a base you basically are informed of ALL the services MWR provides but has it ever donned on anyone as to why there is no venue for us? It's a fact the Army, AF, Navy, Marines sponsor various motorsports. There is money in racing. Army drag, AF nascar, etc......and this is as of last yr in starting these sponsorship programs for the sake of recruiting new people into the military way of life. Sucker born every minute I always say and it works for some. They see the branches w/ these cars and think to themselves "gee I didn't know they did that too" only to realize we don't later on...LOL. This is where OSL fits in.
What he wants is basically the same thing but for our level.
In laymans terms MWR funded motorsports events just like the rest of the programs that exist across the board throughout MWR programs. THAT IS ONE HUGE TASK!!!!
What I mean by funded is they would provide the bleachers, food, drinks, entertainment, prizes, promotions etc. But we as clubs have to prove to them there is money in this (which there is) and most importantly a public interest from all walks of life (which there is) Do you know how big the racing scene in europe in general is? 2nd only to football aka soccer. But most don't know about it because either you in the circle or you're not. Do you know of any events going in GE? Probably not but there is a show every weekend all across europe or a race but it's like a well kept secret. Go to the gas station and pick up Chrome Flamin and you'll hit the jackpot w/ every detailed event for the next 8 months. But you wouldn't know that.

The problem lies in people. There is strength in numbers however most people don't have the time to pitch in. It's just like the club...we all have lives outside of FBE. But this cause is alot bigger than FBE. Just think the next time you pcs overseas there could already be a program in place w/ events for racing fans as STANDARD MWR practice!!!

Build and they will come is the belief of this MWR director we spoke w/ last night. It's true to an extent because FBE was developed the same way by way of notes on cars and word of mouth to a BB website. She believes this can happen but w/ lots of planning and support from all clubs involved. The VW club has got alot of time invested in this w/ Tony. What does he need from us? Support in one shape or form. Meaning if you can't help him directly like handling say promotion for a upcoming event to include flyers, email, whatever. Then just make sure you get the word out to as many people as possible in your community.
Not to just the racers but to people that you think would like to come and watch the events. So if you know people it doesn't matter to what they drive invite them.

He has to sell this to MWR and prove to them that there is an audience out there that hasn't been tapped. But in order to do that when he has these events there has to be a huge crowd so that these MWR people see and are convinced to want to put this in their programs w/ their money invested. If not we'll be reduced to the occassional street race w/ a Audi A3 or station wagon.....ooooohhhh, or the few tracks we do know of Nurburgring, Hock, and maybe Sembach since it just got bought out by some Germans who now own the airfield.

What he is trying to do is extremely complicated and time consuming. I know because me being Services/MWR myself they don't buy into anything unless it's a profit and not no little one either. This is a chance to change things for the better for every racing fan stationed overseas from here on out. I personally didn't know this is what he was trying to do. I just thought it was some type of grassroots thing and monopolize a corner for himself. That's why in a earlier post I was saying what I was saying. But now that I know the whole story it's a different ball game. He needs all the help he can get to pull this thing off. This is a benefit to us ALL not just US members either.....I can't put it no plainer than that. Like I said if you can't help in a direct kind of way than indirect is just as good.

The Bitburg meet is the testing ground so we need MAX participation/audience that we can muster from our side of the house. Since we'll be there this will be the perfect time to sit and talk to Tony in what it is we can do to help further the cause. It'll also be a chance for us to sit down and discuss FBE because we cleary didn't last time (too busy having fun at the gokarts ).

So please get the word out to anyone you know of. I'll be emailing this to everyone on my mailing list so if you don't by chance read it here you'll read it via email.

Thankyou
Silas,

Thats a big 10/4 on that. At the same time Our "club" needs to apply for and receive "private organization stutus"
from The US Military. What can this do for you say as Fbody Europe. Well it entitles us to the use of military facilities . This can put a foot in the door for for us , for some of these Army Air Fields (AAF).

Did you know that there is no flying on Saturday , Sunday and German Holidays for AAF's? These are all basically candidates for us . But We have to devise a Constitution and bylaws.
Just some tidbits.

Now we just need to find people that are actually interested in promoting the club and/or racing....

First, let me say that I agree that MWR sponsored racing events would be great. After being in Germany for 7.5 years and longing for any outlet for my automotive hobby, it would be great going to a base and knowing they had races right there on base every weekend.

Second, let me say I do not believe it will ever happen, do to insurance cost and what not. Hell, our base commander has a policy that we can't even pass a car on B50 unless the car is going 40kph or slower. I doubt he will welcome auto racing on his base.

Third, So if I am to understand this correctly, you are saying that when there are racing events, like the upcoming one in Bitburg, that you are allowing any type of car to participate as long as it passes the tech inspection? If this is true and we post up flyers around base and Bitburg I would guess that you will have more cars then you know what to do with. It will be overrun and mass confusion. Is that what you are looking for? With all of the lowered/modified VWs and BMWs running around the small towns around here I don't think it would be a problem finding people to come out.

On a side note: Are there any restrictions to posting flyers on base?

Posting flyers on base would have to go through legal and probably some other sections as well. To answer your question Krazy in regards to vehicles. Yes he needs everyone involved. VW is helping out considerably on their side of the house w/ their members. If the vehicle pass tech inspection then it shouldn't be a problem provide insurance, helmet etc.

To my understanding from what Tony is trying to do is solidfy one air field only not per say have a base use their air field. I know that wouldn't happen. But by doing this and MWR see the end result they'll be the ones to lease the air field for all our events. Centrally located and then people would travel from all over the country for the events being showcased there. Like every yr Hockenheim has Nitro Olympics. Well we'd have say a field and MWR would host sponsor drags, auto x, shows etc.
Because as of right now the prime and only example that MWR does support is Cars are the Stars. He's trying to expand beyond just shows. SO K town would be cars are the stars but the airfield would be to do the triple event thing not just once a yr but 4-5 times a yr during the spring/summer.

Did that make any sense I'm sure I got it right.

Yep it passed the sense and sensibilities test for me . but what were thinking when posting to every forum . Now that confused the hell out of me.

I'm trying to get everyones attention. Not everyone visits each area. Me for one. So I just picked the most used of them all.

This as I can see may get no where. I was hoping to hear from more people than just us regulars. I'll give it time and see what happnes.

Like Jack said "lets so who's interested" Like I've told Tony several times I can lead a horse to water but that doesn't mean they'll drink.

I´ve offered my assistance to Tony before, but I haven´t heard back.

As a drag racing fanatic myself, and the owner of a well known Internet Services business (RITAnet, TopSurf, deSurf, etc)... I can provide propogation of our events to thousands of people (both American and German) Germany wide.

Not to mention that fact that we have a heavy trafic flow retail outlet in Landstuhl, that I can easily place posters and info material.

How many mass emails, web sites, banners, posters, info letters, etc... are we needing here.

Let´s get this show on the road.

Joe Bunt

Joe in regards to your questions I'll have the final details ironed out by Tony on friday. I'll post whatever it has for me to the board. In all honesty I'd say go over board. It's better to have more than less. Even if we have more people than we can expect it's a plus for him.
If I have to take pics of the event to show the mass support to provide to additional upper MWR personnel that's what I'll do.

Thanks again!!!

Stupid question from a german non-soldier :
Whats the MWR ?
I did unterstand what they do
- but what is it / what does it mean?

Maybe I am being naive, but I honestly believe that if you get the attention you want the events are going to be overrun. That may sound good to the person making the money, but I can tell you when I use to bracket race in the states.....IT SUCKS!!!! I have gone to the track more than a few times and only got 2 practice runs and then they started the bracket clase. If you loss the first race then you just spent $20 bucks for 3 runs down the track and wasted 3-5 hours of your time, all because every Tom, Dick, and Harry was out there that night. If you do invite all cars then you will have to put them in different classes and run several different brackets for the cars. You can't expect a stock VW golf to want to run against an F-body and think it is fair(unless of course you are running bracket racing)? So if you are running NHRA rules then you will have at least 3-4 classes that I can think of and you have to let every class have equal track time for practice and qualifying. This just sounds like a lot less track time for the club as a whole. More people will be out there running their cars then there are in the F-body or VW club. And that just sucks for the club members.

I am not trying to knock a good thing, just bringing up a point of view for the other club members to think about. Peace

I'm kind of leaning Krazy's way.....

What I mean is I would like the event to be big and make some cash... but I am also kind of being selfish and want as much track time as possible. Just an example.... My first year here I attended the Bitburg festivle of speed.... I did about 8 or 9 runs down the 1/4... about 6 laps around the sloloam, and 2 tries at the road course. This year the ammount of cars doubled and I think I only got about 4 runs down the 1/4 (maybe less) and then only one try at each of the other events.... but all for the same price as the year before. On the other hand I have already spread the word to the local Honda and Mustank clubs and both said they want to attend.

I just don't want to see these events get so far out of control that people won't want to come....

Great! I hope everybody sees the light now! This is really a good thing.
What I would like to do on my part is to help with promoting the club/OSL/events. As some of you know, I pulled of the car show on Leighton singlehandedly last year. While it could've been better, I think it went pretty well being the first time and being a one-man operation (and crappy weather). It took a lot of effort and I'm willing to do the same for FBE and OSL. Since that car show, I have a lot of contacts in the German Hot Rodding scene that I'm sure would love to participate. I also speak German just as well as English and could get in contact with other German clubs and get our events featured in the German magazines.
Unfortunatly, I probably won't make it to most events myself due to my *$%^&$ up work schedule, but I'll still do whatever I can to make the events succesful.
By the way, I do think that's its very possible to pull off, it's been done before. Giebelstadt used to have a Drag Strip, so did Pirmasens. The hardest thing is cutting through all the red tape. Glen Ward (TROUBLE) was working on getting something going in Schweinfurt for the longest and was shut down at the end for a really stupid reason.

Well, that was my input and offer. We need to hear from more people!

There is a guy that was big in the NHRA that you might want to talk to about this. He move d a shop to somewhree in Germany and Is now doing something similar to the american Anti-Street-racing Thing. Setting up drags and stuff. I'd think you guys would know something about it. Anyhow You might want to talk to them..They already sponser some stuff and He seems like a reasonable guy.

...errrmm I believe this is that guy

Umm, Beefism, Tony is that guy!!

Krazy and Jr, you need to realize that MWR doesn't only cater to those with fbodies... Sure, there will be tons of people, but if there aren't, MWR won't hear it!!

Jack your missing the point. I think what you are all trying to do is great, but I also think you don't realize how difficult/big this thing is going to be. Like I said before I will spread the word and support the club, but I just don't believe it will ever happen(the MWR thing).

What are the specific tech rules that we are following? Can someone produce those and post them, so everyone knows what they need before they show up to the event?

Are there going to be classes for the drags, as in different time brackets?

Are there going to be trophies?

Are there going to be different classes for the auto-x?

Is there going to be a food booth?

Thanx

Krazy you are missing the point. This is not for FBE. This is for everyone. Don't worry we'll have our own events as well. This is bigger than FBE as said before. Maybe I didn't make it clear for everyone to understand.
I understand exactly what your are saying however and I do agree if this was an FBE event and we got people that we didn't expect or invite all would get limited time on the track. That isn't the case here.

There is enough people on this board and if we wanted to rent a track I'm sure all participating could pitch in and the costs would be minimal to everyone involved. This is a test bed for the Bitburg the real deal is the one in Hockenheim but like I said before they want to see what kind of support is out there. I'll get all the facts straight Friday and then go from there. I'm just trying to muster up the masses to see who is wanting to help.

Thanks again.

Oh, my bad. I was under the impression this was all going to be FBE hosted and we were suppose to just suck it up and feed the masses. Me thinks me understands now Once you get the details worked out I can let a few people know about it. I know of a garage in my town that does all of the work for the local modified VWs in my area. He's german so I will need a good german flyer to give to him. The owner use to work for Porsche in Tier, but he quite and started his own shop. It was just built last year. Peace

yes to all questions Krazy and track time is not a problem You can run 50 X if you stay both days. I have the most fun doing grudge runs. 1/4 heads up backing up the smack I talk.