[Marc]

As we have made it no secret that MEA is contemplating a format for SPL Competition to run side by side with the existing MEASQ format, I thought perhaps I should put up a post with some more information, and some facts to stop some assumptions already being made.

Firstly, MEA and myself personally, have always supported db Drag Racing, period. I've met with Ange and the crew officially on a couple of occasions to ensure mutual support for our organisations, we've allowed promotion of sanctioned dB Drag Racing events on MEA, and we've even ran events side by side (and are still doing so).

What has brought about this intention to start an SPL format? Plain and simple, the lack of dB Drag Racing events Australia wide. It is obvious to all it is all but dead. I had zero interest in SPL and competition in recent years (since the CAA Mini SPL Project). Sure there is a handful of "db" events in QLD, similar in ACT and WA (thanks to MEA guys running them), a small amount of actual events in VIC and that's about it currently.

The above is not a competition series, and certainly not one that entices and encourages people to build cars for it. Building SPL cars is far from cheap so anyone not already building one, where is the motivation to get involved? From an industry perspective there is no exposure to be had from building SPL worthy demo cars, and no reason for the industry to get involved and support a competition format. Despite my differences I have had with Option Audio as a company, I still take my hat off to them for being active and actually supporting SPL competition.

For the car audio enthusiasts out there that are 'potential' db competitors, why would they pay $45.00 to see how loud their car is? Seriously, in the scheme of things it is cheap compared to what they have spent on their audio system, but the fact of the matter is they don't see it like that. Imagine "Scott" with his VL Commodore Sedan with a single Cadence 12" sub in the boot that he's paid less than $1200 for the whole system ... he's not going to pay $45 to see how loud it is. "Potential" db competitors lost.

Every time we've hinted towards starting our own format (remembering we actually did once already that was very successful), the age old argument is started that why would we want to compete against the dB Drag Racing format and organisation? We don't want to, and never have. The truth is, I respect the format, the competition and the organisation and what they have achieved worldwide is something I could not even imagine achieving. But ... that's great in Europe and the US, which is evident their system works for. It does not work in Australia. I have always had the greatest respect for Ange and his crew and have supported them wherever asked and where we can. I can understand his own personal lack of enthusiasm for events when competitor numbers are dwindling. Add to that, being dictated to from another continent what you can and can't do. You must do this, because it works in the US of A. Great, how does that help Australia? I should point out that these are my words and opinion, not necessarily Ange's.

I mentioned we already once started an SPL format that was successful. That came about for the very same reason as this one has. There were no dB Drag events happening at the time and we were approached by a large car show (Glo AutoExpo) to do it. We did, and it worked very well, along with a handful of local events around the place. Whether it was because we were becoming active or other reasons I don't know, but shortly after dB Drag started again, and in full support of dB Drag we stopped our events and supported theirs once more.

I want to avoid this turning into a long winded post, so I'll try and keep it short from here. We are not starting any sort of format to "cash in" as has been suggested by a certain vocal member. As mentioned, I have no interest in SPL competition personally, and I think it's quite obvious to all there is no fortune in car audio competition. Our model is to break even at best ata events, and bring SPL competition to the everyday car audio enthusiast. This will be achieved through lower entry fees, a very small token fee for the first timers, regular events in all main states (including QLD, VIC, ACT/NSW, and WA) and an active national competition series. This includes a national leaderboard, national finals events and above all, an exciting format that is evolving, growing and active. Being able to evolve our own format each season and tailor the rules and classes to suit Australian conditions and market trends will certainly also assist in our format being successful. Adding SPL competition to our already successful MEASQ format also adds value to our existing events, adds more for spectators and makes for an all round more enjoyable day out.

To those that want to say "but it's not dB Drag Racing", "how can we compare our scores", I agree. It isn't, and you can't. In order to see yourself on a world scale and standing against cars all over the world, you need sanctioned events anyway. At least with our format, you will see where you stack up on an exciting, active, national level. I'm afraid that is all we can offer.

For those that want to suggest why don't we adopt dB Drag Racing format and so on. I have tried, I have researched, I have asked the question, and I don't forsee this as the resolution to increasing exposure of SPL competition in Australia. It would also mean we would adopt some of the existing problems associated with the current db Drag Racing format.

Was this an overnight decision? Of course not. All year I have been asking existing competitors their thoughts. I know what they don't like, what they are not happy about, and in a lot of cases why they stopped competing. Were these reasons something we could overcome and do differently, yes they were, and that's where we are at now. Doing something about it.

Is it confirmed? 80% is the best answer I can give. I have liaised with MEA in ACT, QLD and WA some of which have already been running their own versions of SPL competition, and the result is that they are behind the development and roll out of a national MEA SPL competition format. Together we will draw upon what they have already been doing, find a common ground, address some of the existing issues and put out a format that will cater for all. To a degree, it will be back to basics, but also allow those with dedicated SPL cars a competitive arena on a national level. The key to success however is to attract some new blood into the sport and that is our priority.

This is all already taking place and we hope to post up a draft of the rules and classes as soon as possible, in time for a roll out of the format for a full competition season from January 2010. I must commend Matt and Wazza (ACT), Dan (QLD), and Jnr (WA) for their support, and active roles in the development of this format.

Guys, I feel I need to drive this point home. I don't do this for self gain or promotion. As mentioned I don't even have much personal interest in SPL, we are doing it as we feel the need for the Australian car audio community and industry, and are in a positive and advantageous position to do so. We all volunteer our time and often our own money to do these things, and finding a balance between this and personal life and interests is often already stretched. My biggest task is always keeping MEA itself afloat, which has become increasingly harder in recent times, and advertisers are not renewing and industry support continues to be lost. These are areas that I am spending quite a bit of time and a lot of money (web developer for new site and features, new servers to cope with demand and so on). Next time you feel like tossing in a comment from the side line of which you know nothing about, consider that just maybe those that do put in around here take offence and start questioning their dedication as a result of your comments.

With that aside, I still expect a little flak and obstruction to our efforts. We are committed to this and will go ahead with it. We hope that you will see we are doing this for your benefit and embrace our best efforts with your support. I am personally happy to work with all any anyone who is willing to support this, regardless of their advertising status or support level of MEA in the past. We hope to attract some more support from the industry once this is established, but realise our challenges first that we must overcome as an organisation on our own.

I hope this clears up any confusion over what MEA is proposing and look forward to your support.

[xMplar]

Sounds good too me anything to further the sport here in oz and make it more about getting in new faces rather than the same pold guys and gals compeating over a couple of dbs every single time

I support MEA in entirety with is decision and whole heartedly give my support and if nessesary my time too

its about ppl coming together who are likeminded and having clean fun maybe even do nite time club SPL doos so we can drink and have strippers etc
but its more about progresssing the sport and hobby we all love so much


"AND TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD"


Oh no that last bits just me

Ill be the first online in this thread to put my hand up for helping out anyway i can

Ohh and just so were clear
"I WILL TAKE OVER THE WORLD AND IF NOT THE WORLD THEN JUS MY STREET"


Ren
xMplar

[Matt VIP]

Well said Marc.

What I would also like to point out is that the MEA state committees function with the input of competitors like yourselves.

The BEST way to ensure that things are working well is by getting involved. Making your voice heard. Get on one of the organising teams and help put on these events, so that your ideas are put to the test

The only way change comes about is by those who work for, and make change. Sounds obvious - it is.

Get involved.

:good:

[xMplar]

Well said should be the slogan

MEASPL GET LOUD OR GO HOME BUT GET INVOLVED OR YOULL BE ALL ALONE

[DB JAY]

Well done Marc.
long overdue i think.
i remember you talking to me about doing this over 2 years ago now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said and good luck with it all

[MOBASS]

This is a great idea and something that I think would work here in Adelaide.

A small number of us are trying to start up regular DB comps with a similar sort of format to what you are suggesting.



So I would be interested in seeing the final format that you have come up with, to see if we can keep in line with that and maybe get MEA support.



Cheers

Simon

[Sorin-Andrei]

I noticed no mention of SA in any posts, and i don't mind, but i do think there's a need to establish some new SA reps and use their enthusiasm to build new relationships and events in SA. There's alot going on in the motor enthusiast community in SA, anyone with a finger on that pulse and a passion to see it branch into car audio could make a great impact on the scene here in SA.

I also wanna point out that even though Ange and the boys have always been total legends, there is alot of good change that can occur to make SPL more attractive and accessible - props to you Marc for instigating a new move forward.

[Cide]

i actually don't see the problem if you are able to make any money off it Marc. we all know how hard you work to keep MEA going and a lil sumin sumin in the pocket is probably a lil overdue.

[Marc]

Hi Sorin, we have nothing against SA ... and I for one would love to see MEASQ and MEA "Insert SPL Competition Here" spread into SA. Perhaps in time it can happen but unfortunately to date we haven't been able to secure a reliable, motivated State Rep and/or Committee.

Thanks for the comments of support so far guys ... I expect the die hard "dB Drag" will have some comments to make, but it's all good. We're open to ideas, suggestions and to a degree criticism provided it is constructive. :unsure:

[ddaudiodirect]

Congrats to Marc and the MEA team for taking the bull by the horns and getting MEA DB rolling :)

If you build it they will come...

by making comps more accessable, more affordable and competing less intimidating I believe many more people will give SPL comps a go, and isn't that what we all want?, like any sport SPL stagnates without fresh blood.

Two thumbs up from me :good: :good: (edited for Matt VIP :P )

This post has been edited by ddaudiodirect.com.au: 16 September 2009 - 03:35 PM

[Matt VIP]

I see only one? :unknw:

[DG Phil]

I agree, entry fee should be $5-15 tops, maybe $20-25 if they get a shirt or goodie bag. I think half the problem is that a lot of stores have lost sight of the point of sound-offs, plain and simple it gets people to you shop, it gets people excited about car audio.

It shouldn't be hard to get sponsors to pony up for trophies. I have access to a CNC router and laser cutter, I'm sure we can make some cool trophies. Count us in!

Phil

This post has been edited by DG Phil: 16 September 2009 - 04:17 PM

[Komodo]

DB JAY, on Sep 16 2009, 02:05 PM, said:

Well done Marc.
long overdue i think.
i remember you talking to me about doing this over 2 years ago now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said and good luck with it all

As Marc mentioned and DB Jay just reinforced this hasnt been an overnight thought by Marc and MEA admin. Whilst I am no longer actively involved with MEA other than as "just another punter" I have discussed this with Marc many times over the past 3-4 years I even purchased a TermLab to help local competitors in the dB scene get more testing time in. I've helped organise and run with DB Jay a "prototype" style event a few years back at Ballarat when dB drags couldnt be run due to prior commitments.

I think its fair to say that dB drags suffers locally which I believe personally is due to the complexity of the rules which is basically the same reason MEASQ was started when IASCA disapeared. Hopefully thought we see the MEA SPL competition model actually help dB drags fire up again locally by actively encouraging new competitors to give it a go and through MEA promoting sanctioned dB Drag racing events so that we still can see how we fare against competitors overseas.

If MEAdB can run successfully inconjunction with (and independantly of at times) MEASQ I think we have at least a fighting chance to pump a bit of life into the dB competition scene locally. I think the secret to success with this model will have to be in a simple easy to follow set of rules with more emphasis on street pounders than on all out "extreme" builds and a relatively low entry fee and perhaps a discounted "combined" entry fee for competitors giving both MEAdB and MEASQ a go at the same event. Also a cheap "one run wonder" fee for off the street competitors to see how loud their system goes "for a bit of fun" during "qualifying" rounds. Ideally with an A5 sized certificate stating the date their score and with the URL's for MEA, MEASQ and MEAdB to encourage them to look up and find out more about "MEACSCA" or what ever the feck that competition was called LOL :P

The otherthing is that its gunna need someone with a whole lotta personality (ie blanket or dbjay) on a mic "spruking" to keep it interesting for bystanders

[DG Phil]

Definitely look at power classes and definitely have a Sedan A/B class imo.

And make it music and a 30 sec average, maybe allow tones in a PRO / OPEN class.

Oh, and make it WINDOWS DOWN!!!!!!!

[SPL Samuel]

This is really good news, i will throw as much support behind MEAdb in SA as i can :good:

Keep the entry fees low and encourage as many people to become involved in the sport as we can :)

Once again a big thank you for coming forward with something productive for Australian SPL