Comments on: NASA vs. SCCA — impressions http://www.godoggoracing.org/2008/02/11/nasa-vs-scca-impressions The blog Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:06:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Ray http://www.godoggoracing.org/2008/02/11/nasa-vs-scca-impressions/comment-page-1#comment-2 Ray Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:05:18 +0000 http://www.godoggoracing.org/blog/2008/02/11/nasa-vs-scca-impressions/#comment-2 An excellent comparison. One point to mention that wasn't clear; all NASA officials are also volunteers. My perception is that the NASA officials are very passionate about their duties as well and perform them to the best of their abilities. NASA's safety crew (glad you didn't meet them!) are all trained professional EMTs and firefighters and also volunteers. I've been running with NASA for a number of years now to the point of exclusivity because I feel truly welcome every time and I get value for the buck. Someday I might race but until then I enjoy HPDE. An excellent comparison. One point to mention that wasn’t clear; all NASA officials are also volunteers. My perception is that the NASA officials are very passionate about their duties as well and perform them to the best of their abilities.

NASA’s safety crew (glad you didn’t meet them!) are all trained professional EMTs and firefighters and also volunteers.

I’ve been running with NASA for a number of years now to the point of exclusivity because I feel truly welcome every time and I get value for the buck. Someday I might race but until then I enjoy HPDE.

]]> By: Brian http://www.godoggoracing.org/2008/02/11/nasa-vs-scca-impressions/comment-page-1#comment-1 Brian Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:56:48 +0000 http://www.godoggoracing.org/blog/2008/02/11/nasa-vs-scca-impressions/#comment-1 Josh - really interesting comparison. I've also raced with both organizations and have had a similar experience. I think it boils down to SCCA is a volunteer-run operation where NASA is a for-profit entity. How do you control costs? Push more of the work onto the customer and lower headcount. I, like you, don't necessarily think that means the events are lower quality but it does impact the "culture" of the event. I think the perceived stuffiness can be linked to two issues. One, the SCCA has an older demographic than NASA. Two, SCCA volunteers are serious/passionate about their roles and it's reflected in the military-esque hierarchy of volunteers, chiefs, divisional administrators and national administrators for each worker specialty. I think the reputation is more stereotype than reality however; as you noted racers are racers. I've met great people (and not so great people) at both. Having just returned from the SCCA National Convention in San Antonio, I can tell you that the volunteers are hard working folks who care a lot about the club for zero compensation. I don't think it makes them better or worse than NASA - just different ideals and goals. Josh - really interesting comparison. I’ve also raced with both organizations and have had a similar experience. I think it boils down to SCCA is a volunteer-run operation where NASA is a for-profit entity. How do you control costs? Push more of the work onto the customer and lower headcount. I, like you, don’t necessarily think that means the events are lower quality but it does impact the “culture” of the event.

I think the perceived stuffiness can be linked to two issues. One, the SCCA has an older demographic than NASA. Two, SCCA volunteers are serious/passionate about their roles and it’s reflected in the military-esque hierarchy of volunteers, chiefs, divisional administrators and national administrators for each worker specialty. I think the reputation is more stereotype than reality however; as you noted racers are racers. I’ve met great people (and not so great people) at both.

Having just returned from the SCCA National Convention in San Antonio, I can tell you that the volunteers are hard working folks who care a lot about the club for zero compensation. I don’t think it makes them better or worse than NASA - just different ideals and goals.

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