It seemed like ECORS started out with a HUGE amount of enthusiasm, peaked maybe 3-4 years in, then faded the last couple of years. I seem to remember several people getting burned out and just wanting to get back to trail riding. I remember going to look at
@RenegadeT first 666 A class XJ during our lunch break at work, LOL. I think he paid $500-800 for it, welded the rear, bought some used 33" MT's, a budget boost for the front and an add-a-leaf for the rear.
It would be cool to see a smaller version of ECORS run just within 200 miles of central NC like Stuntman suggested with 3-4 races/yr, DPG, Flats, ??? I would definitely show up and pay to spectate as I did at several of the old ECORS races.
People started becoming uninterested because the series slowly moved further and further out and alot of races. Keep it close and 3 or 4 races for the year and have it only take one day, it would be packed each time and keep at the same tracks.
There is a bit of a chicken or egg conversation to be had there.
Now everything I am about to say ignores the last 1.5 seasons ran by Travis and Megan. Not intended as a knock on them at all, just that I wasnt involved in their decision making process so I cant comment.
But the move west was because participation and attendance were dieing. When we went to Bama in Season 3....at the time it was the largest event ECORS had held to that point both in terms of competitors and spectators.
We dangled the carrot to a whole group and picked up several new competitors who then traveled back to the Carolinas and competed.
But there was a cost as we lost 2 full time NC racers following that move. Maybe a few others didnt evnter single events they previously might have but we lost (only) 2 full time guys who blamed increased travel as the reason.
Despite the way things appeared at times, Rob and I are both pretty organized business savvy dudes. Locations were data driven. We had web mapping showing us where people were visiting the page from etc. It was a calculated move. We had to do something because attendance and participation was declining in our home market. The push west breathed life into the series. Then it became vogue to say "I quit because they were leaving their roots".
btw UTV was part of the last 2 seasons at least of ECORS..and frankly there was serious conversation to taking the series UTV only following 2013. The money was there from sponsors, the racers were there, the classes and tech were easier, the courses were easier to find...and candidly UTV guys complained a LOT less about course design...once we figured out what UTV riders wanted to race. The first two races UTV riders hated because we built rock races for UTVs and we destoryed a lot of equipment. But they gave measurable actionable feedback. It was unanimous...UTVs wanted speed and jumps and less rocks.
Anyway....about 18 months ago I got a wild hair up my ass and started brain storming. I came close to trying to pull something back together...specifically a 4 race series in NC...2 races each at 2 parks...maybe a finale at a major venue. Even had a meeting and got numbers from the dirt track at Charlotte motor speedway...but ultimately, and no one wants to hear this, ECORS was some of the funnest memories of my life. It was also the hardest Ive ever worked for the least amount of money...and the most Ive ever been bitched at.
It's fun to look back at the good times through the clouded lens of nostalgia...but its a soul sucking experience to sit down Saturday night at 10pm...not having even laid down to sleep since Thursday morning. Looking at the books and realizing you just lost $7,000 in a weekend and then having someone come up and cuss you, or want to fight you or tell you how you are doing it all wrong. Then look over and see your kids who youve ignored all weekend and they feel neglected....and you start to wonder what you are doing it all for. Its what pulled me away and I think its what pulled Rob away a year later as I understand it.
