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Great seminar yesterday, and big thanks to Scott Jessup from Aim Sports, Angie for her arrangements to get Scott here, the facility, food, and drinks. If we can utilize our on-board data 30% of it’s capabilities, I will be a happy camper.
Some of us had a discussion after the seminar and here is my question.
Do we need a flat rate entry fee for all CSC races?
This rate would include: Entry fee, transponder rental, pit space, CSC/Club points postings, trophy’s, track announcer, flag and driver ceremonies, event interviews, heat race announcing, main event announcments, and end of day award ceremonies with a stage.
After discussions with all of the track owners, Doug, Angie and some fellow racers we have all agreed that there is a need for some sort of production company to elevate our races to that of a Pro-Moto event. We have a company waiting in the wings to produce such events. It costs money however, like everything else.
Give us your thoughts so we can have discussions with the three tracks and set something up for Steamboat.Thanks,
Curt KistlerRacing costs money in any form, how fast do you want to go.
All of steamboats spectators had no clue what the hell was going on, they were intersted in it after someone expained what this was. Fact is, with a flat rate, we can have a sound truck (curt, explain what you told us yesterday) tech, track crew, points, etc. The supernationals was in excess of 400, so a CSC at 100, is not going to kill anyone
@Curt Kistler wrote:
After discussions with all of the track owners, Doug, Angie and some fellow racers we have all agreed that there is a need for some sort of production company to elevate our races to that of a Pro-Moto event. We have a company waiting in the wings to produce such events. It costs money however, like everything else.
Curt, I do agree that it would be cool, and helpful, and professional, to have something like that at the races. (And I think maybe you should explain what you mean by “production company”.) I don’t think however, that we should increase the entry fee by much, if any to accomplish that. Last year there was money that was given back to the racers at the end of the season that probably could have been put back into the series. But in its first year, the promise was made that the fee (the $10 per race above the regular track entry fee) would go 100% back to the racers. I recall some input from racers saying that they would rather have no trophy, or some sort of other recognition, and let those funds be turned toward the overall production of a top-notch event. There has been much talk about getting series sponsors, too, and I think that would be an area to pursue for that (the sound system, stage, etc). I think you mentioned that there was plenty of room for signage on the trailer/stage.
We all want this series to grow, but making it more expensive isn’t going to help. Since it is a series that includes everyone from Kid Karts to the Pros, we have to consider that in our approach to the events. Again, yes it would be great for the extended families of the juniors to come to an event and be able to hear Drew’s excellent announcing of the event, and of course, the racers like to hear the important announcements in the pits, too. I just don’t think that the majority of the racers are going to accept a continual increase in entry fees.
Ok, that’s my comment…. for now. I think we HAVE to keep the ideas flowing, and working TOGETHER to come up with a game plan. I will do what I can.
angie
Marc your missing the point. The one big reason karting has a low turnout is due to the cost just to show up. Ex. Motocross 25.00 entry fee .Thats why they have 500 racers show up. !! I know, I raced for 10 yrs. plus .You must have deeper pockets than most. What your saying if I pay more entry fee I’ll be faster???????????????? Come on. Besides this isnt a national level series. If theres a CASH payback FOR ALL ,MAYBE. But for a $10.00 trophy, no way.
I’m a bit in the dark here, since this upcoming season will be my first.
About what were the entry fees last year per race?
I for one have no interest in any of the above, I even have my own transponder now. Supply and demand, you can mark me down on the right hand side of that chart.
I like an event that is run as efficient as possible, i.e., minimal amount of time not on the track. Therefore I don’t like the flag ceremonies, or driver introductions. I have enough trophies (hmmm, no CSC trophey though). I race tag, so I’m off after the last pro shifter race, so the trophy presentations wouldn’t add value to me either.
I’m not trying to say this is a bad idea, if that’s what people want. It’s just not what I’m personally interested in.
But if you guys raise the price up much more, I’ll just be a club racer anyhow.
How can I vote without knowing the number? If we get rid of the trophies would that pay for the “additional” stuff? I would not want to eliminate any potential racers just because the cost went up. I would rather have more competition than more fluff. The point about motocross is well taken — their entry fees are quite a bit lower than ours and the turnout is much higher — don’t know if that’s cause and effect however.
With what we paid last season, we got, good turnouts, highly competitive racing, good safety measures, and largely competent race personnel running the races. What more do we need? How does a sound truck help me? I know where my son is on the track.
I do know this…If the CSC price goes up significantly, you’re going to lose participation and people WILL become club racers again. Without knowing what the extra amount would be, I’ll have to vote No for now.
First off let me get this out of the way, yes I have a dog in the fight in that I announced the races last year and I have been approached and agreed to announce the races this year if we can put a good program together. If not I very well may race, just to give some of you guy’s the opportunity to pas someone! 😀 So, now you know where I stand.
Having said that, I would agree the cost is important, and the raising it much would be detrimental for the series as a whole. However, I think there are several things we also have to keep in mind.
#1) Spectators. Anyone who is racing does (or at least should) know what is going on on the track, however, those who are spectators may not. I can’t even begin to count the number of people who came up to me last season to ask questions. Questions ranging from speed to age of the racers and some technical questions. Steamboat alone drew a number of people who “just wanted to see what the noise was all about” and ended up hanging for at least part of the day. In short, some of these are future racers. Let’s “Educate” them. This will allow us to share our “addiction” 😈 and bring them to the fold. 😮
#2) Drivers/Pit Crews. Can anyone name a track (and I’m not knocking the tracks) where those who are not in the front area can hear what is going on? The system that is available should take care of this problem.
The CSC is a fantastic series that has the opportunity and the ability to become even better. We are making noise on the national level and have the opportunity to turn the noise into a sonic boom! With that sonic boom comes the potental for even more possibilites, bigger and better sponsorship leading to maybe to bigger and better payouts to more classes, bigger and better swag, national recognition, etc.
Drew Kunter
Ok….I’ll agree that a public address system would help me know what’s going on during a race day. I remain unconvinced that an announcer would help us “grow” our sport. We got into karting because we happened to “hear the noise” at a race, watched for a while, roamed the pits, asked questions and ultimately decided that this was for us. I think that if most karters were polled as to how they “joined the fold,” their answer would be similar to mine: Gearheads tend to gravitate in a certain direction despite better judgement. I’m having difficulty connecting the dots: My entrance fee increases and we get a PA system and therefore we attract more spectators (who presumably pay to get in – a benefit to the track owners) how does this directly benefit me? Corporate sponsorship of the series would be wonderful…..but, no offense, I’ve got my own team to sponsor!
The benifits could come in several ways to the race teams. Yes, more spectators means more gate which benifits the track owners. However, more gate means more money for more improvements at the track. The fact is, the tracks make more money off of rentals than off of racers on race day.
As for the way most racers got into the sport, I think you are right Wayne, they came, they saw, they asked, and they joined. However, come race day, not all spectators will pay to enter the Pit (look at Steamboat/Grand Junction), nor do they feel comfortable asking the Drivers/Crews basic questions. On the flip side, how many teams on race day have the time or desire to answer questions? You/they came to race and win, that is the focus. Again, I don’t mean that as a derogatory statement, because I know that many teams are more than happy to share the knowledge, but at the appropriate time. They do however feel comfortable in asking the guy with the mic.
As for corporate sponsors, we all have our own teams to sponsor and I am thinking bigger. I’m thinking that the closer we make this to being a National type event the better chance we have of getting a Major Corporate Sponsor. Again I think that if we attract a Major sponsor, it means more benifits for the teams in terms of money/awards, sponsorship, facilities improvements, etc.
Finally, this should be a show. Offer the public the ability to follow what is going on on the track. We know who is who in any given race, but Uncle Fester and Aunt Mable, or Timmy and his Dad don’t. Take a look at any Race Track in the state/country on any given race day and see if they don’t offer some added value to the race. Think of Colorado National, Pikes Peak, Bandimere. Ask the Folks at Bandimere if even on the days they have lesser races if they don’t offer something of added value.
❓ I need tracks to race on. The track owners need not just rentals, but race programs as well. Just look at the shops. How many renters buy the parts they sell? The money for motocycle races can be explained by the fact that what wins on Sunday sells on Monday! How big were the races back in the day? A hundred or less.
We are not at that point yet. You can’t even find karting magazines in the local stores.
We are a small group that needs to look at, not only my team, but the big picture as well with limited funds at our disposal.
We love the karting sport that we are enjoying.
A good sound system will help at Bandimere and Steamboat where we have some potential fans due to the closeness of other events. A pit speaker will cover the other tracks where the most asked question following an annoucement is: What did they say? Did you hear what they said? Wait – it is needed at all the tracks cause when the motorcycles run we get a bull horn.
A simple business card with the schedule of events would be a great starting point. A discount on the back or a folding card with a tear off for a
reduced rental fee giving back to the track or entry fee for a spectator. If I can bring fans to the track many things happen. They look at how much fun kart racing is. They use rentals to get the experience for themselves.
How many of us tried a rental before buying a kart? We now have a fan base. A fan base means sponsors are more interested in participating. The racer gets a fan base to sell his equiptment to when they change classes or
leave the sport. We are a flow through sport and should realize the better we take care todays potential, the better the future will be for all concerned.I support a better run series but do I need to pay for the load to make it turn the corner? I would do my part if a program can be formed with the
question answered: whats in it for me? WHIIFM. Not just the track owners or the racers, or the fans. Lets put our assets together and make a step forward for the series and kart racing in Colorado.The track owners advertise the rentals but not the races. That should be changed. Try to find the race results of a local or national event in the Post or News.
We, the racers, can bring our friends and other gearheads and let them look at the big picture.
I’d take my kart to Colorado Speedway as a display out front before the races if someone sets it up . They already have people who like racing. It seems like a good place to solicit fans and rentals and sales.
Just my opinion. I feel that the PA system should be the responsibility of the track. (GJMS had a FM trasmiter at one race I think)
We as racers pay a fee to race and with that should include some amenities; like a track, pit space, toilets, scoring method, medical assistance; everything to will be needed to conduct a race!
don’t make all this stuff “extra”
Do we need to make the CSC as big of a deal as the PMT ❓
last year seemed to work okay, did it not?This can go either way. My original proposal was to elevate the CSC events to that of a Pro-Moto event. The track owners are in the karting business and trying to keep their facilities in the best of conditions for all of us to race on. At the end of the day toys like a solid PA system, podium and having a educated announcer are secondary things that are impossible to afford. Yes we can race without these bells and whistles, I beleive your standard club race weekend at all four tracks have little if any extras.
I personally want to hear a drivers meeting with 100 entries, and if Matty ever podiums at a CSC race, I would like to see him on a podium, not standing in the dirt. I also want to hear what other friends and team members are doing when I am thrashing to get ready for our next session. I am willing to kick in $10 for this at each of the seven races.
If the price is already tooo high for most of you then we need to drop this issue and go race.
Just vote and let me discuss this with Doug and the three track owners.
The sound guys can always find other events to book, no issues there.
Thanks,
Curt
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