Anonymous
Feb 20 2003, 02:23 AM
Now that the rules are pretty much sorted out I thought I'd start up a discussion to get people's input on what they think are the key requirements to holding a smooth event!
Obviously communication is the first and foremost thing. If all event organisers know what's happening then they can inform all of the entrants and everyone is happy. But what about some potential pitfalls in the logistics of the event?
For example in my experience one of the most aggravating things is not knowing where in the line-up I'm up. In otherwords keeping the entrants updated as to the current progress of the itinerary, and also the current ranking... Maybe some sort of leaderboard can be put up in the queing area?
Other comments?
Jetstream
Feb 19 2003, 03:21 PM
Pretty Obvious and not really something you can do about, but not having to drive all over the place through thick crowds to get to the lanes.
But yeah you want all of the officials to say the same thing, not one person say that's illeagal and another to say its fine. Thats how to lose your credibility very very quickly.
basic124
Feb 19 2003, 03:24 PM
i have one i have one!!!
/me raises hand
the most annoying thing at FB was the drive in - back out arrangement... this was just a pain in th **** for the ppl running it, the competitors, and spectators lost interest in between runs. now i know its not always practical to have a setup in which you can drive in and out of, but i htink this is of vital importance to create a good flow, and to keep everyone happy. it also means that cars can queue up behind, and make it all run faster.
setting up a leader board is a good idea - as long as its updated regularly. it woudl work well if everyone pre-registered because ten you coudl arrange competitors before the day even starts.
a larger parking area as well woudl be good to prevent park-ins and so that not as much shuffling needs to go on.
once again i realise that these sorts of things are not always possible given the space allocated, but i htink they shoudl be pushed for as much as possible... thats all i've got at this point
nick
BlackIce
Feb 19 2003, 06:12 PM
Nothing gets up my nose more than being told "be at the gates at 10AM sharp, it starts at 10:30AM sharp".. showing up at 10AM and then sitting around for an hour or two waiting while everything gets "set up". 10AM sharp for competitors should mean 10AM sharp for organisers too.
Also parking space can be an issue.. remember FB ? 30+ cars crammed into a space that should have had say, 15 or 20 max ?
Heh, and maybe the photographers should be kept out of the "pits"
nemesis
Feb 19 2003, 07:30 PM
leaderboard is definately the best idea ive heard. have a chart that for each class, with the name of enterant, number of runs taken and highest score. always been something thats annoyed me with db drags, as you seem to have to wait around for ages for your name to scroll across for 2 seconds to see where you're up to
to have a dedicated screen just for that, aweeeesome..or maybe not a screen, we're not made of mula' but just a nice big chart or something
Bodyjar
Feb 19 2003, 07:34 PM
A leaderboard is great. Just something that shows which car is where, what they've done in previous rounds and who they're up against next. This will inform not only the driver, but the crowd as to when who is when etc etc.
THE most annoying thing about SPL comps is not knowing when you're up. And hearing one guy say you're up next, then having to wait for 4 other competitors is the worst thing EVER!
ripped
Feb 19 2003, 07:57 PM
number the cars so when they do there qualifying rounds they know when they are up. run them in order for the qualifying round(s) and then go from there.
hardon
Feb 19 2003, 11:34 PM
I think a big white board (leaderboard) showng the "tree" after the qualifying and before/during the finals, updated after each knockout.
Maybe when filling the board in at the start of the finals - show the highest qualifying score of each competitior.
Most comps I've been to have one person on the Mic, one running the PC, one assistant at the PC with a clipboard, and a guy at each lane setting up the mics.
Flag off the "Mic" area so they are looked after and doesn't get damaged or dropped.
Flag off the center between the lanes so that all the gear is looked after.
Have one central point for singing up/paying the money and any queries regarding classes, etc.
"structure" the day so that it starts at a certian time, maybe suggest a finals starting time, depending on entrants, try and finish up by 4 PM so the day doesn't drag on.
Maybe have a big laminated set of rules, like a poster so that all competitors can point and show the judges any rules being queried, rather than on an A4 sheet.
Have a "loudest scream" contest to break up the day during breaks, or other SPL based activities to keep the crowd interested.
That's my thoughts, so I'm just throwing them out in the arena!
cya!
hardon
Feb 20 2003, 12:05 AM
Maybe have a digital camera hooked up to the tv's so u could give the audience a close up look at the installs by putting the camera in the cars before the runs????
lancerman
Feb 20 2003, 12:20 AM
QUOTE
Originally posted by Bodyjar:
THE most annoying thing about SPL comps is not knowing when you're up. And hearing one guy say you're up next, then having to wait for 4 other competitors is the worst thing EVER!
Yeah, even worse is that you are told you are next up, and your amp is still sitting in someone else's car...
Marc
Feb 20 2003, 12:35 AM
QUOTE
Originally posted by hardon:
[QB]Have a "loudest scream" contest to break up the day during breaks, or other SPL based activities to keep the crowd interested.QB]
That one could be a little more difficult. While I am not entirely sure until we do some testing and play around with the system. But aren't they pressure transducers rather than traditional microphones ?
Walkinshaw
Feb 20 2003, 12:49 AM
I agree, during AdeaideAS, i had no idea when it was my turn to go through for qualifying, and i was told by a crowd member who i knew that they had called me for finals. I had no idea, there was no board displayed etc. A set time for qualifying to start and finnish and a set time for the finals to start is paramount.
I also agree it is completly unfair on competors to be asked to attend at 8:00am sharp (like we were at aas) when the area hadnt been set up, and qualifying started at arround 11am, pure rubbish.
[ February 19, 2003, 22:50: Message edited by: Walkinshaw ]
Marc
Feb 20 2003, 12:56 AM
Well all I can say guys, is we are as new to this as you are. Running a competition is obviously different to competing.
It's fair to say, there will be mistakes made at AutoExpo, but we will learn from them, and with your help, suggestions, and patience we will definately improve each event
hardon
Feb 20 2003, 07:21 AM
With the "screamdb" I was thinking of using it as a fun time filler, thats all, not anything "formal" as such - just pull people/volenteers out to see how loud thet got, stand behind a line, screaam. It will register and I've seen people go around 125-129db.
Mr_Bob
Feb 20 2003, 10:34 AM
an announcer that tells a bit of a story would be good,
maybe someone with a sense of humour, who can rev the crowd up a bit.
parking and a clear path to the lanes is definately required.
cars taht are entered in the show, as well as the comps can't avoid this problem, but comp only cars shouldn't have to deal with it as well.
icebreaker
Feb 20 2003, 03:13 PM
Not to bag out Angelo at all,
but i think this is prob a BIGGEST key to the announcer.
What's happening between runs, not just during the runs. Then a 2way set up between officials to organise vehicles.
Car x is next. No running around to sort it out. Just a quick word from the person on the computer over a 2-way, and it can be organised.
It costs nothing for the announcer to keep talking. It's costs very little for 2-ways as alot of members have them. But a big TV Screen or display to show people could be very costly.
Just an idea, perhaps for the first few events to atleast build up numbers before crossing the line of screens, etc.
Just my thoughts.
Dan
QUOTE
Originally posted by Bones:
Now that the rules are pretty much sorted out I thought I'd start up a discussion to get people's input on what they think are the key requirements to holding a smooth event!
Obviously communication is the first and foremost thing. If all event organisers know what's happening then they can inform all of the entrants and everyone is happy. But what about some potential pitfalls in the logistics of the event?
For example in my experience one of the most aggravating things is not knowing where in the line-up I'm up. In otherwords keeping the entrants updated as to the current progress of the itinerary, and also the current ranking... Maybe some sort of leaderboard can be put up in the queing area?
Other comments?
WRXCORE
Feb 20 2003, 04:58 PM
Leaderbaord, yeaaaaaaah somewhere where everyone can view it.
Marc
Feb 20 2003, 06:41 PM
We'll work on the leaderboard idea, but....
having said that, we are going to have 2 screens in Sydney, and have a video out arrangement on the laptop, so that should keep most competitors up to date with where we're at.
We'll definately be using the UHF's for communication, although I think they are going to be quite difficult with the ambient noise.
The crazy canadian Scott (Bones) is the official MC of [CAAdB] in Sydney, and thereafter will be a rotating role, for anyone that would like to have a go, and Timmy (hardon) has expressed interest in this also.
DrEvil
Feb 20 2003, 07:47 PM
As the others have said... a board telling everyone when they are up... Whiteboard would be the best, cheap and easy to change.
Communication is a big factor and hopefully the 2-ways will help eliminate running around.
A "run-through" or trial of putting say 5 cars through before the CAAdB starts (say 9am in the morning) so we can all just get an idea of where the cars are going and the processes rather than just be thrown in straight away.
The "drive-through" idea of Basic VN's is a good one... this is how it was done at Summernats this year, everyone seemed to get through quickly... however i am unsure as to whether or not this is possible.
At Glo Sydney last year they had a seperate hall where the cars waited (tonnes of space) but then the car had to go in to the main hall one by one... it meant the cars went through very slowly, however this time is DbDrag and if possible i HIGHLY suggest u try and implement the drive through idea, i believe it would make the day SO much easier and faster.
The ScreamDB is a great idea and i would love to see it happen at AutoExpo... maybe for first prize a t-shirt, or some other thing... Maybe get AutoExpo to donate one of their t-shirts to the event?
Make sure that there is adequate barriers put up to keep spectators getting too close, and probably not possible, but would be great for future events is to have a "grand stand". There was a small one at final battle, and at summernats there was one about twice the size... this gave seating to everyone, and made it so there was no pushing to have a look at the lanes...
Anthony.
Marc
Feb 20 2003, 09:34 PM
All the barriers are under control.
From what I have worked out, we will be using a similar setup to Final Battle last year, cars will be outside, and come in nose first 2 at a time to the arena, back out and park.
Shouldn't be too many headaches.
Also, the system will be completely trialed and tested on the Saturday all day with a couple of invitational cars.
I'm not sure the scream test is possible, I will look into this now, but the mics aren't mics, they are transducers, which measure pressure.
Not dB. How do you compress an arena with so many people and only one person screaming. I will go and read into this now though.
basic124
Feb 21 2003, 12:23 AM
screamdB - we need a small car.. or rather perspex box just sit the person in there with a mic (pressure sensor.. whatever it is)
but if theres a car thats not being used (gee where will we find one of them at a car show? i mean even when thers NOT a show on most of these cars dont get driven in the rain).. it could be worth a shot... heh.. if ppl need inspiration you could put a tv screen showing bad traffic and it'll come right out...
i can see the slogan now... "Convert your Road Rage problems into Bragging rights..."
oh.. and LOL @ blackice
Anonymous
Feb 24 2003, 09:45 PM
I feel a main point is to keep the crowd interested, to do this competitors should get points for showmanship ie: getting the crowd involved themselves, not making simply an announcer do all the work
u know if some guy smokes his subs or sumthin give him a few points on the side, points to competitors for their cars also, even silly things like after your turn when everybody shows off ur system the amount of spectators u draw, then a prize maybe for the best crowd pleaser at the end of the weekend?
Also barriers should be setup or some way that it doesnt take 5 minutes trying to get through the damn idiots gawking at other cars, ur equipment gets hot, u get cranky and it takes longer.... u shuld be able to just cruise in and take ur spot.
and maybe a digi cam inside the boot, similar to wat was stated earlier so that ppl can watch the subs move!!! ppl love that
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