53 replies to this topic

[Marc ♫]

Straight up, this is not a debate, it is a call for honest and constructive opinions on what leads to a good / successful / enjoyable SPL competition?

Is it lots of trophies, cheap entry fees, quick event turn around time etc?

How important is the format itself? Do you care if it's an internationally accepted format and rules? Do you just want regular comps regardless of format etc?

This is to give not only MEA an idea for future reference, but also good feedback for those currently out there running SPL events.

Again, this is for constructive and positive discussion and I won't hesitate to close the thread if it gets off topic.

Thank you for your feedback and I look forward to threads like this 'making a difference'...

[TEGBOY]

From someone who has been on both sides, competitor and setup/running show:
Firstly organisation is key.
Fast moving, keep people informed what is happened.
The head judge/desk operator needs to talk, nothing worse sitting around with no-one talking and informing people and keeping it exciting.
Starting and finishing promptly.
Rules HAVE to be consistant event to event
Keep it fun and keep ego's in check
To be honest trophies are nice and all, but most people just love a printed notice stating best SPL result for the day.

I think that's about it for now.

[Tiger]

Reasonable entrant fees aswell ($20-$25 is my expectation)

Trophies/Certificate combo always have good bragging rights.

You know I'd be the first to put my hand up for BBQ!!

If you plan on pushing an MEASPL or an MEA Bass Race season... a friendly format which can be mutually agreed upon by representatives in each state would do the trick JUST fine.

The organiser MUST be an MC at the event and include the crowd. That is final on that note! Crowd participation is a necessity in my opinion.

No scrutineering in the lanes. I'd say to get scrutineers BEFORE they get in the lanes. That way they get their cars into the lanes ready to roll immediately. This requires help from others.

Early start = early finish. Comps would wanna be over by 2:30pm-3:00pm.




Just thinking out aloud here...

[Lunchbox.inc]

from my experiences in attending every spl event in victoria for the last 2 years (not all that long) i'd have to say my key points for a successful event are


- resonable entry fees
- advertising
- having a fast flowing event (cars go in one side of the "tent" and exit the other side, allowing a nice que to line up, without a need to reverse out of the lanes
- having some form of MC, announcing whats going on in real time etc
- night time events
- having a "show and shine" attatched to the event, eg: not just for loud cars
- being held in a central location, near by shops/take away/bottle shops/amusements
- plenty of extra attractions, monster/redbull girls, plenty of demo cars, commercial music over the P.A at a "decent volume", ice cream vans
- rewards, whether it be trophies or a certificate specifically stating that you won, but i believe there HAS to be some kind of reward for the winners, personally the best events i've been to gave away instore vouchers, speakers/headunit, and even springnats tickets...

- the promoters/people in charge having a "not so serious" attitude, we're all there to have fun, and those in charge should reflect this
- not holding the events at the same place everytime
- CROWD PARTICIPATION! this includes things such as people crowding around the lanes and monitors to see what scores people are putting up, competitors demo-ing their cars to the public, seasoned competitors helping newbs, this sort of things...


all in all i don't think a specific format is necessary, whether it's DBdrags, MEASPL, or your local autobarns made up classes, but i DO think that the format, what ever it may be, has to be well set out, simple and easy to understand for all, just about once a day i get asked by someone what DBdrags class they would be in and who they'd be up against... 14x classes as per DBdrags is just too many for the general public to understand... plus a simple mistake can end up putting you in a class you have NO hope in, i've seen guys who in all honesty should have been in streetC, but due the the box being below the rear windowline, but above the front windowline, he was bumped up to SS1-2, a class with Mark Croxford doing 156's, he had no chance against mark, and after that i never saw him at another event... for serious competitors it's great having that many classes as everything is fair, you build for your class etc, but with events that are actually fun and enjoyable, you get attendees that don't build for a specific class, they build cars they enjoy, mostly 2x 12"s style setups... cars with 2x 12"s in the boot go up against competitors like Nuygen, runing 151db in StreetB in a CRX... in no way is that fair, i give all my credit to Nuygen and Mark, but it doesn't make for an enjoyable event when you end up competing against these great competitors...!

these lower spec guys are who we need to cater for to make for a well populated, enjoyable event! and i think that brings me to THE most important part, the more people at the event, the more fun everyone has!this goes for us competitors, and the people attending without cars etc, personally, the more people that are at events, the more i will be demoing my car(s) the more interest we get for our sport...


i think a VERY important fact, if you read thru the "who inspires you" thread i started, the one thing you'll notice in common with pretty much everyones posts, was that the people that inspire them, are the ones that got them into the sport, the ones who let them listen to their cars when we didn't have our own, i remember going to events purely to hear Ross'(RAD) and Jamies(RYDFMX) cars... these things were LOUD 150+ cars and at every events they'd have their doors open demoing to the crowds all day/night, unfortunate that just hasn't been the case for quite some time now, RAD doesn't have a car running atm, and RYDFMX hasn't had any real reason to, the events have gotten that "serious" that it doesn't make sense to waste you batteries on demo-ing, especially when there isn't a crowd to make it all worth while! and this is probably the saddest part of more recent events...

i think there also needs to be alot more effort put in by the promoters of whoever puts on the events, facebook is only the beginning of the promotion that should be done, instore promotions are sorely lacking, there's generally next to no warning of the events, we get perhaps 2weeks notice before the event, and thats it, i believe it needs to be 2wice that, with somewhat continual advertising on facebook/instore/MEA/all relevent stores...



i could honestly go on for DAYS about improvements we can make, format changes etc... but i'll leave it there...



Marc, if you want any help or advice with anything, you have my facebook, just drop us a msg and i'll do ANYTHING i can to help improve the way things are...

Edited by Lunchbox.inc, 14 January 2011 - 11:53 AM.

[Deadeye]

Hey guys, Had a quick chat with Lunchy and to my own realization i believe i could contribute to this thread from a unique angle...

I have never been to an SPL event... purely because they have not been interesting or appealed to me much at the beginning!

My post is mainly coming from a "what could organisers do to get people to rock up" or "what would i expect to see at an SPL event having never been to one!"

First and foremost advertise the fact that maybe there will be experts there that you can ask question about subs, wiring, safe amp and wiring installation... people like this who might been keen or interested in SPL would see be more keen to rock up knowing that if we did want to get into it.. we would have the spring board of professional advice at our finger tips!, I know coming to this forum and asking a question in the forum is just text, but at an event a competitor can show someone their car, show them why they used a specific technique in installing something

Chance to purchase stock or advertise a sale on for that specific day? (don't know if this is done)
If the event is held at a store like strath or autobarn... Perhaps advertise that there will be a sale on stock, wire, accessories, terminals... etc...
this will gather up even more car audio enthusiasts who may be in SQ and picking up something for their build but they will add to the crowd, atmosphere...

BBQ... food/drinks stalls?

LOTS OF NOTICE, lunchy said this and I've been meaning to show up at events but i only found out about them a few days or a week before and by that time i already made plans!

Chance to demo SPL cars... (put a car with a sensitive car alarm in the parking lot and use a car to set it off?... always makes people go WOW!)

These are just a few of what i would expect or what would make me try harder to come to an event!

just my $0.02

Edited by Deadeye, 14 January 2011 - 12:35 PM.

[VXBerlina]

Very hard one to setup events and competitors, remember there are rules to all events and your Vehicle must fit within those rules, at the moment they are set for events with large numbers to make a class, when these numbers can't be made, they are pushed into either a higher or lower class, this works both ways, if they get pushed up they can then find themsevles competing against someone that they have no chance against, but then they can be pushed down and ending up with the shoe on the other foot. Dont know how you get around this.

A couple suggestions I can think of is make street stock classes, Certificate classes or small trophies with lower entry cost , A question for everyone that have been in it for a while, do you mind paying the higher cost for a larger trophy?

Do you make classes below SS-? Cert/small trophy and above large trophy and relfects in entry cost. I know guys in the higher classes spend big $$$ and like to somthing in return and dont mind paying the higher entry. Very complex to sort out.

Also if people who compete in a class turn up get a reading and are low in their class, if they are not going to upgrade their gear they are never going to beat the guys with better gear, so may loose interest, these guys may drop off, this is why it needs to be more entertaining, make the top guys some one they can go to too chat. promote them.

Edited by VXBerlina, 14 January 2011 - 01:37 PM.

[Hardcore_Attitude]

From someone who has been on both sides, competitor and setup/running show:
Firstly organisation is key.
Fast moving, keep people informed what is happened.
The head judge/desk operator needs to talk, nothing worse sitting around with no-one talking and informing people and keeping it exciting.
Starting and finishing promptly.
Rules HAVE to be consistant event to event
Keep it fun and keep ego's in check
To be honest trophies are nice and all, but most people just love a printed notice stating best SPL result for the day.

I think that's about it for now.

Couldn't have said it better!

[Tiger]

^^^ Interesting points you raise, VXBerlina (puts thinking cap on)

[Big_Valven]

TEG made most of the good points.

-Get a meter operator as well as an MC. That way the MC can record scores and announce who is up next and scores, while someone can focus on running the termlab - OR someone MCing and running the termlab, with meter assitants putting sensors in cars.
-2 lanes are better than one IMO.
-A reasonably big screen for spectators and competitors to see scores.
-Printed score sheets for every competitor.
-Prizes can be tricky - ie giving an advanced class a useful car audio prize - just get a bigger trophy.
-Being organised is the key. I don't mind if an event goes all day, but if it goes that long because we're waiting on people to move cars / go missing / coordinate themselves it's not much fun.

[VXBerlina]

TEG made most of the good points.

-Get a meter operator as well as an MC. That way the MC can record scores and announce who is up next and scores, while someone can focus on running the termlab - OR someone MCing and running the termlab, with meter assitants putting sensors in cars.

Do this Already in Vic Kon's Wife runs the Term lab while Kon MC's

-2 lanes are better than one IMO.

Have two lane in Vic Also

-A reasonably big screen for spectators and competitors to see scores.

Have this already in Vic

-Printed score sheets for every competitor.
-Prizes can be tricky - ie giving an advanced class a useful car audio prize - just get a bigger trophy.

-Being organised is the key. I don't mind if an event goes all day, but if it goes that long because we're waiting on people to move cars / go missing / coordinate themselves it's not much fun.

[TEGBOY]

From what I heard about Summernats, its was one of the most boring day for competitors and spectators. There was Zero interaction. This is not the first time, I have heard this.

[Juan Pablo Costanzo]

there are two key elements

- no longer then 2.5 hours from start to finish
- reasonable cost for newbies
- other entertainment for people between runs - demo cars, free lapdances, etc

[TEGBOY]

lapdances.. hmmmm, who wants a mustache ride hahah

[VXBerlina]

So far I can see.

1. It needs to run on time : Have scrutineering before going into lanes, Have 1 pre run, 2-3 Qualifing and finals. I know what it like have to come from Bendigo, leave at 10am in the morning and arrive home after midnight

2. More entertainment: Good MC, Show cars, Stereo Demos SQ Demos on different types of boxes and equipment , etc etc.

3. Costs: Cheaper for Novices, only certificates

4. People need to know the Rules for their Cars, maybe clarified a bit better, they are there on DB Drag site, people need to (Printa copy) read them, if a box has to be a certain hight the competitor need to know that.

5. Better notification of Events/promotion, Scores put up quicker on DB Drags (not 2 months later) site so Series competitors can see were their at.

6. Promote the top guys in the classes as for others to aspire to and give some drive to others.

Just a few for now

Edited by VXBerlina, 15 January 2011 - 11:13 AM.

[55HAG]

Love all the comments and feedback. It has maken me take a lot of things on board, thinkin cap is now on for future events. I have been asked to run sound off events at a few major shows all around the country, also at local shops. This thread has come at perfect timing and now with everyones input will make events this year the best they have been so far! Cheaper for novice competitors with only certificates, awesome idea, having reps and key industry people there for advice, fun and exciting event, efficient and quick, all of these points are great!!! Keep all the ideas rolling

[Lunchbox.inc]

there are two key elements

- no longer then 2.5 hours from start to finish
- reasonable cost for newbies
- other entertainment for people between runs - demo cars, free lapdances, etc

i have to say, if an event i was planning on going to was only going to last 2.5hours i wouldn't bother going, for me, it takes me around an hour to get to most events


if the event only goes for roughly the same amount of time as i'll be driving to and from the event, then it makes no sense, don't get me wrong, a super stretched out day of boring nothingness is FAR worse, but i want a bare minimum of a 3hour event, if not 4hours.... a show that goes from say 6pm till 10pm would be GREAT!!

and irrelevent of the actual time it takes for the show to run, we need it to be exciting!! this will make any event seem like it didn't go for long enough, it leave patrons wanting more...!

on the other points i couldn't agree more, reasonable costs! ($20-$25) and entertainment is a MUST!!

strippers... now THATS a good idea!! i like it!!

[Tiger]

Or doing it tastefully, exotic pole dancers. No strippers!

I work with an interior designer who's been pole dancing for nearly 3 years @ Pole Princess. Maybe, a bit of promo for them would be to get a handful of dancers and some pole setups some. Even Daz's Van

[VXBerlina]

Or doing it tastefully, exotic pole dancers. No strippers!

I work with an interior designer who's been pole dancing for nearly 3 years @ Pole Princess. Maybe, a bit of promo for them would be to get a handful of dancers and some pole setups some. Even Daz's Van

Sorry everyone will lose interest in the DB Drags LOL

[Lunchbox.inc]

Sorry everyone will lose interest in the DB Drags LOL

too late for that one!! hahahaha


i think tiger may jut have not been referring to himself... lol

[TEGBOY]

To be honest, I think strippers/ pole dancers would be a very poor choice. A, its bad taste. B, makes it LESS family friendly.

[xMplar]

for me i think its good events meaning more like 1 per month and also helpfull critiques from judges and as a punter it is nice to get prizes aswell allthough a certifiacate is just as gfood as a trophy in my opinion

also i think its very important that if it is the case that all the same ppl are always winning then they should step back and let newcomers try there hand aswell otherwise there could be cause for dessention among the natives

it has to be fun aswelll so i always trhink a bouncy castle is fun but in this case maybe not but the likes of head to head comps 2 cars going 1 after the other or in a death mmatch style go till you blow type thing

but the main thing has to be advertising if the events had more advertising on them maybe it would attract sum new blood or the guys who arent just audio nuts but car nuts in general that way there is a great mix of cars and ppl aswell as systems from 1000bux ypo anything up to 40k the more diverse the ppl the more interesting the comp IMO

anyhoo thats a few of the thought i had also it needs to be a preety straight forward set of rules that leaves nothing open to interpritation


thats it from me

Ren

[VXBerlina]

also i think its very important that if it is the case that all the same ppl are always winning then they should step back and let newcomers try there hand aswell otherwise there could be cause for dessention among the natives

Those guys that win all the time put a lot of time, effort and $$$ into the sport to win. To try and knoble them would cause this to halt, not good. This is why we need Novice classes for the people who are just happy with their System bought from Autobarn and have no plans of changing it.

anyhoo thats a few of the thought i had also it needs to be a preety straight forward set of rules that leaves nothing open to interpritation

DB Drags has a good set of Rules they just need to be adhered to and understood by everyone, I think there pretty clear, some Diagrams of how boxes are measured from the windows and setup could help clarify a few points.


thats it from me

Ren

Keep all the ideas comming

[Tiger]

To be honest, I think strippers/ pole dancers would be a very poor choice. A, its bad taste. B, makes it LESS family friendly.

True.. true...

OK... lose the dancers!


Gotta think about the family scene

[VXBerlina]

Another one

Small one sheet Hand outs for Spectators describing Classes and a few fast facts and links on DB Drags and what they are watching.

[Tiger]

More so... customer/spectator feedback. Good market reearch on how to improve the dB Drags, what THEY'D want to see; etc.


Nice work, VXBerlina

[OJE551]

I think a novice class would be a good idea with a $10 entry fee and certificates for bragging rights. This will bring more new competitors and some of those will get the bug, redo there system and move into a proper class. A novice class has to be strictly for novices with rules like you can only play music and you can only compete in the class three times before you have to move up.

Advertising on other sites could help a lot. The majority of us are a member of another car forum, we should be posting events on other forums to encourage more people to enter. I couldn't believe that my friends and I have been into cars and car audio our whole lives and never heard of MEA or the events that have been running for years. I only found MEA whilst looking online for specs for a sub. MEA should be common knowledge to all car enthusiasts.

[VXBerlina]

Another thing to look at is that the average young driver with a Stereo (this is were the numbers are)has a Sedan these cars can not compete against pocket rockets and need their own classs (Boot Bass) Class or simular.

[Juan Pablo Costanzo]

ok 3 hrs then...

any longer and you lose the average punter who doesnt want to sit around all day - you are not the norm lunchie!

[Lunchbox.inc]

you are not the norm lunchie!

why do i keep hearing this?!?! hahahahahaha


ok, another point i'd like to put out there, is that for me, as much as i want to cater for the new guys, the novices etc, i can't see this happening with the DBdrags format...

we bought in the street stock classes for this exact reason, but like any other class, we have people who excel at it, look at /////Alpine Steve and Aaron parnel, these guys just took out the street stock a&b WORLD records!! this is a class made to encourage the novice competitors, how on earth are they supposed to feel encoraged when they're competing against the world record holders? i mean steve and aaron deserve their title more than anyone else because of the time and effort put into their systems... but it's just another class with different rules, theres very little about it thats "novice friendly"

sure we could run another class with a strict criteria, ensuring the competitors are in fact novices, but whats the point? it might be running alongside DBdrags, but it's not an official class... the scores don't hold up on a world level, and we're in no different position...


i turely believe that if we want to move this sport forward, we have to form a NEW organisation, with NEW rules, and NEW classes.... something where we can cater for the Australian demographic!



this probably isn't the right place to push for a new format, but this is my thoughts on the whole "novice" class discussion... unfortunately i can't see it woring along side the DBdrags format,
i know Kon wants to have street stock classes in this new season, to be limited to pre-fab sub boxes, which shows he too wishes to cater to the novice market, but you CAN'T change the rules for a class to suit different competitors... the rules say no where about only using pre-fab boxes, so you can't just make that ruling....
Kon also wants to bring in a "Livin' Loud" class, which limits competitors to using either Kicker, or JL audio gear, with classes determined by what sub/amp your running... again this is thinking about the novice guys who buy a pack off the shelf, but in reality this just won't work...


see there has already been ALOT of thought, and effort putting into bringing the Novice guys in, but it just doesn't happen

the shows i've been to that have had the best turnout, both in pro's and novices have been the Autobarn/Option Audio events, and those held by Stinger like the DW Customs show, anyone who was at the DW show will attest to just how many people were in attendance!! and it should be pointed out that 90% of the entrants scored under 140db, all up there were probably close to 60 entered cars... i'll see if i can dig up the list...

shows like this offer maximum fun, with minimal "seriousness"

THATS the way to bring in the crowd...

[bobo333]

what he said ^^^

in SA at the last few comps we have been pretty careful with seperating the novices from experienced competitors and its worked out great with most of the lasses all within a few db of each others scores... as more and more people rock up though it does get a bit difficult to differentiate the pros from novices sometimes :S