MSR Houston Dumps on Local Group and Members

[///M Ryder]

Please read the details below and spread the word.

February 9, 2013

Greetings fellow motorsports enthusiasts,

It is with deep regret that I announce the cancellation of all of our future half-day open track days at MSR Houston (April 6th, June 22nd, Aug 24th and Nov 16th). We were informed on 2/4/2013 by Kurt Hueni, Sales Manager of MSR Houston, that Houston M Club would no longer be able to hold events at their track due to “contractual obligations to [their] members”.

Now this communication really caught us by surprise since we had just completed an event on 2/2/2013 and had commitment from Kurt Hueni back in December 2012 that allowed us to run half-day events on the dates listed above.

Upon receiving the news we immediately reached out via email and phone to Kurt Hueni and James Rogerson, COO of MSR Houston, to try to work out a possible alternative arrangement for our members. However, they are simply unwilling to honor their original commitment.

Moreover, it appears that our original half-day rental on April 6th was given to the Lamborghini Festival as a FULL DAY rental; the June 22nd date was given to another organization for yet another FULL DAY rental. What happened to “contractual obligations to [their] members?”

Some may read this and say it’s their facility, and they have the right to limit or grant access as they see fit. But what happened to their commitment to our organization? Or honesty, business ethics, and basic decency? While the Houston M Club is a young local organization, we have been nothing but professional and ethical when dealing with MSR Houston.

We are left with nothing but to see this as another case of ‘we don’t need the little guys to survive.’

Our main goal in writing this is to inform the motorsports community of yet another attempt to shut out the average enthusiast by a large organization. It’s our hope that fellow enthusiasts come together and let MSR Houston know that collectively, we are the reason they exist.

[KennyPowers]

This sucks.

Unfortunate that they would sell us out like that to the lambo club.

[rzm3]

It appears that they are going through bankruptcy and need every single penny to pay themselves... rent has been doubled for some small businesses at the track, and its members get almost no track time on weekends because its all been rented out.

Bankruptcy Filing
http://business-bankruptcies.com/cas...ch-houston-llc

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v. Motorsport Ranch Houston LLC et al
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/tex...v01275/969858/

[M3roar]

Probably cause its so stinkin far away. And they may have too many people on staff with very nice salaries...

It sucks and I wish they would be wiser about management. I've personally seen too many businesses tank because of poor management and NOT a lack of customers.

[El Bimmer]

Its truly sad to see businesses give up on the small organizations specially after a commitment was already made. I understand that times are tough, but at least keep your word and as a business it means a lot. Try to move dates around to see fit, but do not take away the agreements already made. Would this be considered a breach of contract if any was made?

BTW Does that means that other organizations such as Driver's Edge events will be cancelled as well? They have 2 upcoming events as well in April and June?

[surlynkid]

While it sucks, rent the whole day and drive more sessions.

My son turns 16 in March, and we fully planned to send him to their $400 teen driving school. Now we will choose another track/firm to do it. No sense supporting them if they do this to us.

[frankzlin79]

This is sad news. The MSR track days was really the highlight of being part of the Houston M Club.

[Freshman02]

This really sucks, especially for a young organization (M club) that was just getting a firm footing. The track operators could see that the M club events were growing in popularity. Attendance was on the rise. What a bummer. Does anyone have any ideas for an alternate track?

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by Freshman02

This really sucks, especially for a young organization (M club) that was just getting a firm footing. The track operators could see that the M club events were growing in popularity. Attendance was on the rise. What a bummer. Does anyone have any ideas for an alternate track?

Grand Sport Speedway?


If we have double the # of cars than last year, could we run an A.M. and a P.M. group, and thus buy a full-day?

- V


.

[bigjae1976]

To be honest...if I were MSRH management, why would I throw away a 1/2 day of a prime time slot? Basically the 1/2 day format forces the track to do that. If I were MSRH management...I would much rather rent it out for a full day. Yes, I would guess that money is a part of it?

Maybe change M club days to a full day? Or TWS?

[///M Ryder]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

To be honest...if I were MSRH management, why would I throw away a 1/2 day of a prime time slot? Basically the 1/2 day format forces the track to do that. If I were MSRH management...I would much rather rent it out for a full day. Yes, I would guess that money is a part of it?

Maybe change M club days to a full day? Or TWS?

This is crazy talk.......we've been doing half day events for almost 2 years. If MSR wanted to change the format they should have contacted us in a professional manner and we would have been happy to talk. And based on the event we had last weekend we were already giving some thought to doing full day events. MSR's business practices is probably a huge contributor to them being in bankruptcy status now. It's obvious that the facility is grossly mismanaged by people with no business savvy.

[El Bimmer]

Regardless of full day or half day, an agreement is an agreement and it should be honored as such. The management is already unpredictable, so looking for another establishment would be the appropiate thing to do. Its sad cause the Mclub has some great individuals to which I have no problem driving 3 1/2 hour to attend an event. and that includes chasing Bigjae doing 100 miles an hour to houston with my wife screaming at me to slow down the entire way.

Hopefully everything works out!

[VMcV3y]

Originally Posted by El Bimmer

Regardless of full day or half day, an agreement is an agreement and it should be honored as such. The management is already unpredictable, so looking for another establishment would be the appropiate thing to do. Its sad cause the Mclub has some great individuals to which I have no problem driving 3 1/2 hour to attend an event. and that includes chasing Bigjae doing 100 miles an hour to houston with my wife screaming at me to slow down the entire way.

Hopefully everything works out!

His car will go that fast?





Well, seriously, if MSRH isn't going to play nicely, we should go somewhere that will enjoy our business. I like the folks that are in the ///M Club and I'll drive to wherever track to see y'all.

[bigjae1976]

In the past, the pattern seemed to be M club events weren't locked in until maybe a couple of weeks out? I was surprised that you guys planned an entire year out now...I was impressed! But the simple fact is that demand for track time in TX is growing. You'll likely find that prices will go up soon. Especially for time in Mar-Jun and Sep-Nov.

Consider the condition of MSRH. The straights are getting REALLY bumpy. Then the surface off the racing line is getting dicey. It shows when it rains. Carousel is almost like ice. Then the puddling is sooooo bad. They've made some improvement but they'll have to start spending a lot more on repairs.

The drivers edge (has nothing to do with this matter) sells out in the green and blue groups in a matter if days. They've grown from 11 to 15 events per year. NASA, PCA, SCCA, and Chump car are also growing. Not to mention bikes. My analysis is MSRH is giving them the time. Look at TWS' calendar...they are selling quite a few test and tune slots during the week. So there is a LOT more competition for track facilities. Lastly, I think COTA just increases the interest and demand.

I think the MSR Houston should give you a clear reason.

I think there are opportunities for M club to do track days...might have to look at evenings and weekdays and maybe TWS and GSS.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by VMcV3y

His car will go that fast?

My car does 160mph...gps verified. It was legal.

[El Bimmer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

My car does 160mph...gps verified. It was legal.

Lmao!!!

[leonelhpfm3]

wOw all this is happening so quickly i didn't even have much time to fart.

none the less, it is wrong that MRS-H has decided to do this to us in such an unprofessional and unethical manner.

based on what is known now about their financial situation it makes sense why they did what there doing to us but why not be honest about it?

i guess we do need to look for other track options

[El Bimmer]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

My car does 160mph...gps verified. It was legal.

Might be GPS verefied, but not legal!

[///M Ryder]

The Houston M Club will continue to provide track days to our members and track friends. MSR-Houston is not the only track game around so we will align ourselves with a more professional organization in the near future. Thanks to everyone for the emails and text messages. Let's keep the communication focused on the unprofessional business practices of MSR-Houston and let the motorsports community know via all the social media avenues available. This is how you speak to unethical business operators.

[KennyPowers]

I'm with ya Phil

I'm also committed to hitting up track days wih the m club whether they are in Houston or San Antonio, Austin, Dallas etc

Keep us updated, phil

[El Bimmer]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

I'm with ya Phil

I'm also committed to hitting up track days wih the m club whether they are in Houston or San Antonio, Austin, Dallas etc

Keep us updated, phil

same here!

[M3roar]

Phil, though I do not disagree with their behavior being unprofessional. I would highly recommend this thread and others like it be completely deleted. If it comes down to it and they read this stuff. It'll piss them off more than solve problems. I see they could do better in management and priorities but I want to make sure we're not "group bashing" an organization that could refuse us service just based on our frustrations being publicly documented through this forum.