I think that a once-a-year ITR Expo is a wonderful idea. I can vouch for that, because I've been to five NSXPO's. Seeing a racetrack filled with your car - and only your car - is priceless. Getting a chance to hang out with a bunch of owners of your car, getting to know them, sharing tips about the cars and all kinds of stories - is also priceless. It's a BLAST!!!

From what I read here on honda-tech.com, there are plenty of other folks who feel the same way. Most of us think it would be terrific fun - look at all the arguing we've seen over where it might take place! That's because everyone wants to have the chance to enjoy an all-ITR event, and wants it to be close enough to home to take part in it.

Well, I have some bad news: It might not happen. This year, or ever again. Here's why.

Every time the subject comes up, we here from dozens and dozens of folks who say, "Great idea! I'll be there!" and "We ought to get 100 owners to come, NO PROBLEM!" But when it comes time to sign up, too many of you just don't. For example, last year was the first ITR Expo. There were around 100 ITR owners who said they were going to be there, but only around 35 of them paid and showed up. The event would have lost a ton of money, except for the support of one or two "guaRdian angels" who covered the loss. And, frankly, that sucks.

So far, it looks like the same thing might happen with the ITR Expo 2002, which is scheduled for GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan May 27-28. The registration form has been available for a month and a half now. Right now it looks like everyone is putting it off, because Wes and Phil haven't received a whole lot of registrations. Well, GUESS WHAT! If you (yes, YOU - I'M TALKING TO YOU) continue to wait, the ITR Expo is going to be cancelled. If we don't get enough ITR's signing up, it's just not going to happen, because we can't hold the event if enough people don't sign up to pay for it. And if we couldn't get enough people signing up for an ITR Expo in California, and we can't get enough people signing up for an ITR Expo in Michigan, then forget it - we can't do it anywhere, and it's never going to happen again. So those of you who want an ITR Expo next year at VIR, or at Lime Rock, or at Laguna Seca, or anywhere else, can just forget about it.

I know it would be an absolute blast to spend two days driving around GingerMan with 12-15 other ITR's. I know how much fun it is to drive my car on a real racetrack, driving the ITR the way it was made to be driven. I know that those of you who have spent so much time and money modding your cars would enjoy the chance to see how those mods work out on the track. If you've never been in a track event before, you have yet to see the faces of all the novices at the end each day, with the biggest grins you've ever seen, all thinking the same thing - "So THIS is what it's all about!"

I'm hoping that I get a chance to see that all-ITR event. But if it's going to happen, people are going to need to get off their butt and mail in their registration, and SOON. THIS MEANS YOU. If you're planning to come to the event, and you want to see it happen, then send your registration in NOW. Because if too many of you wait until the last minute, you're going to find that there won't be an event to sign up for.

 

Get a move on people! No ITR expo =

 

Too many people wait until the last minute, I think we need to put up a date that you have to get the Reg in by to get the current price then after that date the price increases, That will get people moving.

PS Yes I have procrastinated, and I have my form all filled out just havent had a chance to send it in. Another Idea would be to allow people to Fax in their forms Like I have for speedtrial.

 

If I had the means I would most definately go. The last EXPO will remain in my memories for my entire life. I said this before, it was the most fun I had EVER, the BEST weekend of my life.

I still have not ruled it out, but it looks like it will cost out of pocket over $1500 to go the 2 days...not to mention the loss of what little work there is to go around here right now.

I hold the utmost respect for those who caravaned across the US. You guys are some hard core *************.

I hope it does happen....if not, maybe by the time I get my(and Bobs!) track up and running, there are still R's out there to invite.

 

sorry guys, unless I hit the lotto and can stop working, it's impossible for me to miss work on mondays. I work at such a small company that there's nobody to cover for me. I've been avoiding having to tell you guys, but I'm really REALLY sad to have to say that I won't be able to make it *wipes tears*

yoshi - who hopes that ITR Expo #2 won't be cancelled

 

Amen Brother...me too..same boat. now I need to move to SoCal to win (the wifes mexican...so we are half way there )

 

You R owners should be all over this ITR expo. It's reasons like the Expo, I wish I bought an R.

 

Great post Ken and you're absolutely right. I too am guilty as sin for procrastinating as I have...

Jason- who's registration will be in the mail TOMORROW!

 

i would sign up but you ITR EXPOer's black listed me causse i just drive a civic!!

 

Big Post. No Link?

I check this board several times a day and I was not aware that the registration had been going on for a month and a half.

Marketing is key. Can honda-tech admins put a link to the registration at the top of the forum where the "HT members receive 10% Dicount" and "Please read before posting!!' links are?

Thanks.

 

I know there's a bunch of people (myself included) that are in school, and if I recall correctly, its right in the middle of a semester...i can't really afford to miss classes and perhaps tests or whatever, so making a commitment is pretty hard

 

Are you in college or high school? I will be in college this semester, and I will be done with classes on May 10th, and the Expo isn't till May 27th. Check for SURE to see if it is in the middle of the semester or not so you know for sure.

Yoshi: You should have Memorial Day off... are you sure that you have to work that day?

 

I have made several posts about the Expo, just do a 'search' [sorry, had to throw that in ] and the link is in my signiture. I have also asked for the Expo topic to be permanently listed at the top, but I never got a response, and I don't know who has that ability.

 

Wes-

I believe either Dustin or MarkC on this board can make that happen...

 

I didn't think I would ever again feel the need to vent about Expo 2001. After reading the previous posts on this thread, I feel the need to vent again.

I was one of the guys that planned to attend Expo 2001, and talked it up alot. I had 2 weeks blocked off on my calendar, and I guarded those two weeks of vacation jealously. I ended up not attending because of TOTAL lack of promotion and a TOTAL lack of information about what was going to be at the Expo at the end of my two day drive to get there. I was pissed that I didn't attend, but I wasn't about the throw away 7-10 days of vacation time and a couple hundred bucks on the Expo when nobody stepped up and answered any of my numerous questions about "what the hell is happening with the Expo planning?"

My issues about Expo 2001 may be unique, maybe others felt the way I did, left out in the dark. That could explain why some people balked at registration time.

Wes knows how I feel about Expo 2001, and he knows why I felt that way. I admire him for tackling Expo 2002, and he knows that I'd love to go. But I have some issues about Expo 2002 that he's aware of. Again, these issues may be unique to me, maybe not.

First, Gingerman is damn near as far a drive for me as Expo 2001 was. I'm looking at a 2 day drive each way. I don't know how the track forums are chosen for the Expo's, but it certainly wasn't a process that considered my vote.

Second, the date of Expo 2002 caused problems for me. Not so much the track dates, but the deadline to receive registration money. When whoever picked the track and the track dates (again, this was not a democratic process) did so, they didn't realize that registration fees would be due around Xmas and the turn of the new year. This time of year is ALWAYS the tightest time of year for most Americans (taxes, Xmas, other holidays). Many people, me included, do not have a couple hundred $$ sitting around this time of year. Again, if there had been some better open discussion and voting about where and when to have Expo 2002, this point may have been raised.

My bottom line is when I get the money, I will send it in. Wes knows this. I don't want to not race like last year. The anger that I felt for the Expo 2001 planners dropping the ball did not adequately replace the empty feeling that I had by not racing.

I felt the need to air my opinions before we start condemning those who bailed on Expo 2001 (me included), and those who haven't yet paid for 2002 (me included). Yes I will get upset if I'm chastized for bailing on Expo 2001 and for not paying yet for 2002, and I have good reason to get indignant over some of those comments.

 

I'm planning on coming with another person. I won't be able to foot the $600 bill until next month (I'm paying for the other person).

I know I can get some non-ITR folks to attend if that's okay.

BTW- King Motorsports has agreed to expend some sponsorship for this event and show up with an ITR and the new RSX. Please sign up - I don't want to look like an *** having asked Scott to come out and only have a few people show up.

Clayton

 

nope, holidays don't apply to me unless it's TG, Xmas, or NY

 

Very good post nsxtcjr. You hit on a lot of different points. I think we all tend to procrastinate a bit too much (myself included).

I really, REALLY, want to go...but I'm not sure I will just yet.

1) Well...I might not have the ITR still (long story). Even then I might try to attend just to watch.

2) Vacation. I've only been at my new job for about 4 months now. I joined a Vegas bowling league (we go to Vegas paid at the end of it) and I signed up for it before I even knew any info on the Expo '02. Well, we go to Vegas (no exceptions) the first week in June. It will be VERY hard to get that much time off from work. The fact that the Expo '02 is that last week in May makes it tougher (back to back weeks off)

3) Financial. I lost one of my roommates and I don't have another one to replace him. I'm paying a lot more for bills/rent and it's killing me. I should be getting a bonus here at my new job that might help out, but if I'm going to Vegas I will need some spending $$.

 

Ken -- thanks for the reminder!

Bat -- as far as choosing the "EXPO" track and date, ... those involved did surprisingly well given the circumstances.
wrt -- answering questions concerning the event (last year): you only get out of it what you put into it!

I'm not trying to be a smart a$$ or anything, but since we're not a dues-paying "club" or anything, ...

2002 ITR EXPO "official link" http://www.itrexpo.com/

 

As Clayton said, King Motorsports has showed some strong interest in attending the 2002 ITR Expo, but as Clayton also mentioned, it would be a shame to have them committ to it, and have a poor turn-out. This will definately add to the excitement of the 2002 Expo.

 

This is the kind of thing that we really need. And this is why we need people to sign up NOW. Businesses like King Motorsports (home of MUGEN) need to plan well in advance whether they're coming, and they only want to commit if there's going to be a big turnout. I think it would be very cool to see all the Mugen stuff at the event, and maybe a project car of theirs. This is why everybody has to send in their registration forms NOW (even though the deadline isn't yet). The more people who sign up early, the more features and activities we can plan for.

 

Come on guys sign up for this! I went last year and had a blast, and I didnt drive or own a Type R! And think of it this way, if you fill it with the needed amount of R's, they wont have to open it up to lowly Civic drivers like myself to cover expenses

Brian

 

Quick question...i'm going but can't afford to bring the R with me. (saving for a house). Do i still need to register?

Even though I won't be driving, for me expo 2001 wa also one of the best weekends of my life and vow to never miss one.....not one. Please trust me when i say that you will not be sorry for attending.

Its quite a site, just kicking it at the hotel, gazing at a parking lot full of R's. Lots of friendships struck. (Wes it was cool sitting with your bro at Denny's, laughing about the food/service...remember?)

Anyway people please do what you can to attend. thanks.

 

TTT

I'm trying to work out my schedule to have this time off. Yes, it would be very nice to see as many TYPE-R's in one place tracking along. What better way to see how the car reacts with different people, situations and modifications!!

I'll head out the Mid Atlantic Region, who's behind me!!

Thanks,
Victor Perri II