If you had an option...

[spyderchick]

I am that guy.  
 
I just started doing track days and made my way out to see a few races to get a feel for the scene.  I do plan on moving up and racing once my skills improve some more.  So with that intro, here is what I saw and my $.01
 
Gate:  My brother and I were a little surprised to get whacked $40 for us to spectate.  I have co workers who dirt track at Sycamore and it's a fun night for $10..    Track days.  NESBA covers the gate for spectators so lots of "on the fence" friends or family can come out for $0 and enjoy the day.  Funny thing, I also went to Northern  and studied economics.   Think elasticity..  $10 does not seem to bad for a race/ $20 is not bad for good lap dances..  $40 is for a nice Scotch.  elasticity    not all goods and dollars are the same.

Read Mongo's response, Tracks set gate, and sometimes are not willing to negotiate. Believe me, racers have been on sanctioning bodies for this in the past. It probably won't change.

 

Info:  We did not see any sort of program or even a bulletin board with a schedule of what was racing when.

Usually registration has the schedules available. Spectators might be a little reluctant to enter, but go ahead, and feel free to ask questions if they're not busy. Friendly folk in there!
 

Classes:  What the heck is going on out there?   We are sort of enthusiasts, and have some knowledge, but some classes had a Heinz 57 flavor going on. ( a odd mix of bikes)  What are the dang classes and how do the bikes fit into one.  I believe that a SS can run "up" to SB and a lightweight can race up ?  and so on.  Which brings it back to info  and "what in the heck is going on out there?"  Is there a must see "feature event"?

You have a point, and the solution is both simple and complex. Classifications are as laid out in the rulebook, and they can get complex. The reason you sometimes see a "Heinz 57" of bikes is because we sometime combine classes to save time. Ex: 125s almost always run with another class because they field few bikes.

Is there a "Must see event?" Check the schedule, (Ask a racer if you don't have one) This year Unlimited SB ran under Akrapovic sponsorship and paid out nicely, so the fast guys run money races as a rule.
 

Racing: It was very cool to walk all around BHF and see lots of good racing . That part was pretty entertaining as is.  I enjoyed it more than the AMA follow Mat show at Road America

Thanks!
 

Racers:  We walked around a bit and enjoyed the very relaxed family atmosphere, but there was nothing to make us feel welcome or un welcome.  Maybe make a effort to say hi to unfamiliar faces and thank people who do come out.  Some cool 8X10"s for the kids walls or a few T shirts might break the ice for not too many $$$.

As a rule, everyone is really nice, but you need to remember that almost everyone out there has a job to do. We really do appreciate anyone who takes an interest. Feel free to ask people questions, most are willing to answer if they aren't busy.

Actually, most racers are running on extremely tight budgets, so photos and tees and assorted swag at the club level is not an option. F-USA events do have autograph signing, you might want to check before you attend a national event.
 

Distractions:  It's a long day, or half day watching bikes go around and around again.  Maybe have something else going on too.  Like a bike show and /or have a stage and a few bands.  Not every one is THAT into racing, but would come out as part of a bigger event.

Sometimes there's a Stunta group at lunchtime, but CCS is a club race event, and not really a spectator event. You have to be pretty into it.
 
 

That's all I have rattling around my noggin right now.    

 I hope to join you nut cases  soon
 
that guy    :D
 

See you there, and thanks for the input.

[that_guy]

Read Mongo's response, Tracks set gate, and sometimes are not willing to negotiate. Believe me, racers have been on sanctioning bodies for this in the past. It probably won't change.



I guess  you just have to keep trying.  It's a shame to have such a entertaining product and not be properly positioned in the market.  Perhaps a alliance of sorts with the track day orgs which would discount gate fees?  That is the most natural audience and breeding ground for future participants.  Agreed it will be a tough nut to crack.
 
  
 
Usually registration has the schedules available. Spectators might be a little reluctant to enter, but go ahead, and feel free to ask questions if they're not busy. Friendly folk in there!



You hit the nail on the head with "reluctant to enter".   With it being such a open place, I felt more compelled to not get in the way.
  
 
 
As a rule, everyone is really nice, but you need to remember that almost everyone out there has a job to do. We really do appreciate anyone who takes an interest. Feel free to ask people questions, most are willing to answer if they aren't busy.  
 
Actually, most racers are running on extremely tight budgets, so photos and tees and assorted swag at the club level is not an option. F-USA events do have autograph signing, you might want to check before you attend a national event.  



My brother and I certainly noticed the variety of budgets on display, which is great.  Not everyone is a autobahn cc member.
  I will disagree with you on the swag.  I spent many years in the local music scene and T shirts can be slight money makers or at least neutral.  You could peddle them at the track, to friends and coworkers and maybe have a few with a local dealer.  A cool logo could be a hit with the squids of woodfield and then, next thing you know your sponsoring a AMA SB team    ;)
  
Quote:
Distractions:  It's a long day, or half day watching bikes go around and around again.  Maybe have something else going on too.  Like a bike show and /or have a stage and a few bands.  Not every one is THAT into racing, but would come out as part of a bigger event.  
 


 
Sometimes there's a Stunta group at lunchtime, but CCS is a club race event, and not really a spectator event. You have to be pretty into it.  



Please.  No stunters.   I spit up my soda reading the wera Vs starboyz extravaganza.   A little something would go a long way to make it easier on the less committed.
   If I drag my GF out there and spend all day, walking around in the hot sun, studying every Ed Key line, and drooling over the 250 gp bikes , I will be having a expensive evening or a lonely one.   Meaning I won't be getting into it.     ;D
  
  

[Jeff]

To the question of what would be done to improve...

I'd have to say COMMUNICATION

The communication from racers to CCS and CCS back out to racers is terrible.  I'd wager a bet that an overwhelming percentage of the issues you see come up (gate fees, licensing, refunds, pit practices, etc) would be completely resolved if the communication was effective between the racers and the organization.

Unfortunately, when the racers don't have a good, clear path to get an issue into CCS, they get frustrated and end up firing off emotion filled rants.  Or worse yet, they post flames up on an internet forum.

Then while CCS may very well be resolving the issue, since there is no communication outward, it seems like nothing is happening...

Things happen and are done for a reason.  The problem is that not everyone understands the reasons involved (and this goes to both the racers AND CCS).

[motobenco]

"The Great Plains would look nice like this: MAM, Heartland, Gateway, Hallet.
I call that a Great Plains region"

Dreams come true....from an e-mail


TrackAddix Forms Great Plains Roadracing Series

Denver, Colorado, November 7, 2005- TrackAddix, Inc. today announced that it has
reached an agreement with the Championship Cup Series (CCS) to begin operating
the TrackAddix Great Plains (TrackAddix GP) Roadracing Championship, under a
sanctioning agreement from CCS.

The TrackAddix GP will open in 2006 with a 9 race series to be focused at tracks
in the Great Plains region to include Road America, Mid America Motorplex,
Heartland Park Topeka, Gateway International Raceway, Hallet Motor Racing
Circuit, and a new track being developed in Hastings, Nebraska named
Motorsports Park Hastings.  A tentative schedule is available on the TrackAddix
website at www.trackaddix.com.

"TrackAddix is a huge supporter of roadracing throughout the MidWest and Great
Plains regions, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to develop a racing
series that is truly focused on tracks in the Great Plains area," said Dean
Rumfola, President of TrackAddix.  "We have always been interested in building
a strong relationship with the CCS.  We feel this new venture will compliment
our existing business, and at the same time benefit the racers in the Great
Plains region."

"We are looking forward to this expanded relationship with TrackAddix," said
Kevin Elliott, Director of Operations for CCS. "Dean and crew have a good
reputation in our industry and we are proud they have come on board as the
promoter of the Great Plains series. TrackAddix will give CCS racers and fans a
stronger presence in the Heartland of America and that makes us excited about
the future growth of our sport in those areas."

[grasshopper]

I'd like to see some kind of cash payout for sprint races, not just the GT races.

Something is better than nothing.

Lower gate fees, like so many have stated. Make people want to come and watch, don't shoe them away. Maybe have some kind of memorabilia stand, with CCS T-shirts, sweat shirts, stickers and hats.

MAKE THE FANS WANT TO COME AND WATCH!!!! Make the sport fan friendly.

It definitely IS NOT!!!!

[StumpysWife]

Even though it's been said ad nauseum...

It's not up to CCS to make this sport a fan-friendly, spectator sport.  It's up to you.    

Present a nice pit.  Have your pit crew wear a uniform.  Get your name out--even if it's just on your leather.  Clean your bike and paint it. Have the schedules to hand out to people who stop by and tell them what races you'll be in.  Isn't it more fun to watch a race if you know someone in it?  Make people know YOU!

The AMA doesn't provide the pits for the teams...they make their own.  And you don't need a $20,000 budget to do it, either.  Just put a little time into it and consider it part of the job if you are serious about it.  Don't wait for it to happen for you.  

I would think this info can also be copied and pasted into the "why aren't there more sponsorship opportunties for club racers" conversation.  There are plenty of opportunities--you just have to make them happen.  

Heather