Some suggestions from recent observations and lessons learned:

1) Our site needs to have a race day schedule cleary posted showing when gates open, drivers meeting, race start time, etc.. Someone incorrectly told a person that was interested in coming out this past Sunday that the races started at 5:00! With gas at over $4/gal, I feel really bad for the guy that made the wasted trip Sunday night.

2) Our site needs to have a link to directions to the track clearly posted on the home page. Preferably with a link to mapquest or some other service. The same poor soul that made the wasted trip also had a tough time finding directions since they are buried a few mouse clicks within the BIMP site and they had no way of contacting anyone at the track!
Jim P. has kindly provided this person with his cell # for any future questions.

3) We need a photo/video gallery so we can post any podium shots, action shots and even video from Dave Evans' "on-kart kamera" if he's willing to share some clips of Ross' rear bumper Seriously: I understand due to circumstances beyond our control, the program got off to a late start and ultimately went long, but in the future I would suggest taking the time to drag out the spiffy podium from the scale shack if Bob allows us to use it, tack down all four corners of our club banner and snap some nice pics to post for all the proud top 3 finishers.

Also, Brett Miles has expressed interest in coming to the races to take pictures, so it would be great to provide him with an area to share his talents behind the lens with the whole group.

I realize we could post pics in the forum, but it would be nice to have a link to a gallery right on the home page for any newcomers to easily get to and see what we're all about.

Thank you!

1. We can post the theoretical times on the front page. What time are the gates supposed to open anyway? Not racing anymore, I don't actually know and, being at work, don't have access to my home email with that information.

2. We can link to to Bob's directions. There are more than enough resources available there to find the track easily. We don't maintain the track, and I think its best to keep track and club resources separate.

3. The gallery testing is mostly done. It should be online within the week.

Also, the classified section is just about ready as well. I think I used a big enough hammer to finally get that functional.

Mike, Those are some great ideas. We can use the podium but we might cover up the banner unless we relocte it. The gates are supposed to open at 8:30. The gate is usually open by the time I get there just before nine. I just received a key to the snack bar so we can sign in before anyone enters the track. The drivers meeting is scheduled for 11 am with the first heat about 15 minutes after.
The race schedule would be a nice touch along with a map.
A photographer would be great or someone with a good digital camera so we can get the pictures of the feature winners and maybe some great action shots. I would like to to eventually print all those pictures so we can pin them on a board or put in a slide show for the banquet and to show at future promotional events.

we have come a long way but we still have a long journey ahead of us. Without access it makes it very difficult but we are getting there. We need people for backup to run the show. I like others have some big ideas but we must move slowly.

Jim Pelletterie wrote:

QUOTE:
The race schedule would be a nice touch along with a map.

Don't we already have a [Schedule] up? You would want to add a map on the schedule? I'm confused.

I was talking about a "Race day" schedule. Looks like you've just started one under the directions link, but I think it needs to be more detailed as to when practice starts and ends, and what the targeted driver's meeting time is.

I know you just posted the directions link and may be working out the kinks...it is saying I'm "not authorized to view this resource". In my opinion, I'd rather we post our own directions information so we can be sure it's always available, accurate, and up-to-date.

Ok. done. As you see it is how its going to be. It's ugly enough as it is, and there's not much room to put much else. I need to reserve one line for meeting announcements.

The Directions page had to moved to a menu button due to a permissions problem with direct links, as you saw. The page was actually completed last night, but I never log out (no reason to usually) and never checked it as a non-member to see the permissions problem.

I like the times on the home page and the directions are great. Nice job Eric!

Thanks! But, I think I'm going to just have the day schedule in the race schedule page with the rest of the information, or possibly in a sidebar. I really hate them there. Makes the site look "unclean", IMO.

I need more time to think about it.

What do you think about them just on the 'Schedule' page?

Makes more sense somwhere on the schedule page clearly identified as Race Day Schedule