Partial Gate refunds - PLEASE READ

[r1owner]

I'd really like to see the gate data.  I'd be willing to BET that we could bring in more $ if the rates were reasonable (say $10/day - $15/weekend)...  People just don't/won't pay $25/day or weekend to watch us race...

I think we have a winner.  Like I said ealier.  A person can pay 30 bucks to see the "pros" but they're going to have to pay 25 to watch us?  What is the incentive?

I'm a big proponent of charge less and get more people in the gate.

[Jeff]

I'm a big proponent of charge less and get more people in the gate.

it's a shift in mentality though...  and I don't know that it will ever happen...

[spyderchick]

I thought this started out as a partial refund issue, but now we're on to gate fees themselves.

I've got a different take on gate fees, and it might not be too popular. (Plus, I'll let on a little about my age  :o ;))

In the mid 80s the gate fee at BFR was $15, and you did get a partial refund if you left on Saturday, but only if you did it within the rules.

The Mid 90s brought a $5 hike in gates fees, so it was $20 to get in. The refund issue wasn't really an issue

Now its 2005 and the gate fee is up $5 once more. Truely, a $5 hike every decade doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me. I know that insurance, medical staff and security costs have probably risen to offset the increase, and gates fees are a set fee we can all budget for at the begining of each season.

I would like to see the partial refund issue revisited, and it's my understanding that Kevin Elliott will be working to resolve this, but his hands are tied as gates fees are somewhat set by each venue CCS/FUSA visits.

It's why some race organizations/schools/track day promoters will not work with Road America any longer. It's just not cost effective.

I know that everyone wants their friends and family to come and watch them race. I don't really think there's anyone up at CCS rubbing their hands together drooling over all the additional fivers the weekend might have netted. It'd my belief that they want to find common ground on this issue.

This is an expensive sport, period. One of the largest expenses is liability insurance. Why? Racing is dangerous. Andy Feuer...had a relatively benign lowside exiting T4 last weekend. However, it turned spectacular when his bike decided it wanted to be a fighter jet and lauched off the curbing. How much do you think the gate fees will go up if something like that happens and the bike flies over the fence and hits a spectator and they sue? (it nearly did clear the fence) You can bet your race budget they will go up dramatically should anything of this nature should occur.

I will gladly pay the additional $5 hike this year, with or without a partial refund for early Saturday exit. Up to now, BFR has been at least trying to listen to everyone on safety issues (airfence with the help of RRW Action Fund, Gorde Lunde Sr. and CCS racers), clearing out trees in T5 and other areas of the track, and scheduling future improvements.

Just my 2 cents.

 ;)

[Jeff]

Agreed Alexa, we should focus on the issue of the partial refund...

And start a new thread about having a NET installed on T4...  (Gordy, or anyone taking notes and working with Mr. Irwin, please please please bring this up again... T4 is not really that safe...)

[251am]

  This was about a partial refund. We all realize, IN REALITY, that no matter what the gate  fees were in the 80s, very few people will pay $25 to come watch their brother/sister/friend to run a couple races on Saturday or Sunday. This new "no refund policy" will actually encourage more cheating.(Hiding 2 in the trunk.)  

  Last year a friend wanted to bring his two nephews to a race weekend. I honestly did not know what the gate fees were for kids and I told him so. They did have a great time, BUT they will not be back. He made that clear. I did not ask how much he paid, but it was disturbing to him. He brought up Road America and it's fees. What could I tell him?
Tell him that BHF has comparable expenses to the world class facility of 600 or so acres at R. America? My only response was that we love being there, and yes we'll pay that to race. He understood our point of view, but it does not agree with his WALLET. Lost 3 great fans in one weekend. I'll e-mail Mr. Elliot like I actually should have last year...          

[StumpysWife]

There's still a Sunday only price of $15 so I'd encourage local friends to come on Sunday if they want to pick one.  

Heather

[251am]

  Well, Kevin's mail box has been disabled... >:(

 Oh well...

[Jeff]

There's still a Sunday only price of $15 so I'd encourage local friends to come on Sunday if they want to pick one.  

Heather

Good encouragement and advice Heather.  I'm doing the same, but I know there are some who can only show up on Sat's...

[Racingxtc7]

I've probably got 15-20 people send emails already!!