Club Race Attendance

[vwduud]

Having raced in the south since the late 80's, weather has always played a part in our race schedule. Maybe it's because I run the races at SCR now, so I am just more aware, but it sure seems like Mother Nature has been more against than not this past year.

Beyond the weather keeping us from getting to race, our club race attendance is in a lull right now. Over the past year+, we've seen the SCT class go from almost 20, down to nothing. We haven't had a kid's class race in months. Some of our latest races, we've just had enough to race and corner marshal (5 eBuggies and 5 nitro buggies).

Having done this for as long as I have, I've seen the sport thrive and I've watched it slow down (even to the point of forcing tracks to close - Loupe's in Baton Rouge in the mid 90's). Although I am confident that our attendance will pick up once again, I am curious to know of some of the obvious and perhaps not so obvious reasons why you or someone that you know either no longer races, or races very little today.

Let's do what it takes to grow our attendance back to the 40+ (sometimes 60+). I am looking for constructive criticism; ideas; solutions. If that means pointing out a problem first, that is fine. But an empty complaint is one thing. Back that complaint up with a solution. And be prepared to do more than just write or speak up. I've enjoyed being the president of SCR and am excited to continue on. I have my strengths and weaknesses when it comes to running our track and invite anyone who would like to help out in areas that maybe you see are being neglected.

One last thing. Forums and threads like this one tend to get off topic on occasion, getting ugly with people attacking each other's opinions. It's real easy to do sitting behind the comfort of your keyboard, miles away from the other person getting ridiculed. I may be asking too much here. While I am asking you to be completely candid and outspoken, please refrain from cutting other people down or getting on a rant. Let's keep this positive and stay focused on the topic: Club Race Attendance (increasing it).

Thanks everyone.

Jim
225-806-7574

[weaselMP9]

I'm not sure if anything else can be done for SCR Jim. Like you said we are at the mercy of the weather meaning new and current racers can't just go practice or race when ever they want like an indoor track would provide. Unless we can get st. Rose to build a structure over the track making it weather proof, but we all know that's not gonna happen. I think this is just a low in the hobby right now. The closest track besides SCR is Flowood. Most people are just feed up with the weather and will definitely not drive two or three hours to flowood every week.

[hammertime]

First off thanks Jim I think you are doing a great job !
1)I think a we need to work with the two hobby shops in the area to let people know where to find us . Plus that would help there business in return !!
2) set up a Facebook page I think more people are on Facebook then our web site !
3) see if we can get more lights up and fix the driver stand
I think we have a good track just need a couple of thing ,lights would help a lot for some !!!

[vwduud]

Alright, here's a start. Thanks Wesley and Mark for your feedback.

While we work on the hobby shops, the driver's stand and more lights, here's the link to our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/scr.raceway

Spread the word about it. I will keep it updated along with our forum here.

Keep it coming guys. This is our track. Let's do what it takes to keep it alive for years to come.

Jim
225-806-7574

[weaselMP9]

I agree more advertising with Facebook and also Twitter. I'll donate what money and time I can to fix the stand and other track improvements.

[Mike Oliver]

I really think the club needs to find a way to attract newcomers in different ways; as a newcomer, I might be able to express a fresh experience on it.

We all know the cost of the hobby can be shocking; at least it is to me having a less than middle class income & still supporting a family. I can only suggest some thought in a more effective method of posting/advertising more affordable used equipment. I think local, quality used equipment is a great way to get one's foot in the door. Maybe swap meet night during practices and an opportunity to try out running potential sale buggys to try out the sport. I remember folks in RC flying clubs who's efforts were to teach newcomers to fly with club owned equipment. If folks brought out used, but ready to run models, trying it out might cause others to "catch the fever." Advertise what it is for sale and then make it available to try out.

For me, novice racing and emphasis is a must. We've seen interest from folks, including youth; first impressions were good...there was a excitement upon observing the hobby. But then the difficulty of the track came into play. I remember at least 4 or 5 folks who actually brought their less expensive "hobby" grade models and raced (plus one 1/8 nitro buggy)...raced that one time, not to return. To me, the track layout is not conductive to novices or hobby grade racing in general. It takes a tough model and someone with some experience driving not to be frustrated. Maybe SCT should be suggested more. As for driving, to me the skill level to make it consistently and without frustration around the track is quite advanced.

To attract novice, hobby grade, and 1/10 scale racers, I recommend modifying the track to only use the outside oval, eliminating the inside portion, especially the big jumps. It seems to me having breakaway seams in the two pipes at the far right creating a back straight would help novice racers to get around the track without crashing so often. I still barely make it, and certainly not at speed.
It would require the pulling of 4 stakes, pushing open those 2 pipes for hobby or novice races, and then close it up for the 1/8 races.

A novice class is a must. It might need to be "run what ya brung" for all ages & go from there. I don't see novice racing as a competition like the other "serious races." I have great fun just getting around the track with a bonus of encouraging other novices to also do so.

Let me add that the club members are some of the most quality folks I have met & know. I've been helped and offered help at every turn. I appreciate Jim's efforts and all the other members that make the club possible. I certainly look forward to cooler and dryer weather as the fall creeps up over the next months.

Also, those who have met me know that I'm absent minded & easily distracted. I forgot 2 camp chairs and a plastic (empty) tool box at the track on 2 different occasions. Hopefully, they haven't been sold on ebay yet, as it's been many weeks ago. I'm sure someone either rescued them for me, or they are being stored on sight. Maybe the best thing is to put them in the storage shed so I can pick them up at the next race. That is, if I remember to look for them !!!

Again, thanx all :-)

[jmistric]

I agree that Mother Nature has been our biggest enemy but negativity is also a reason for the decline in attendance . If SCR is not up to your standards join in a lets make a difference as a club . The lighting does seem to be a major problem for a lot people and should be our main priority . The new clay track surface has been great, it holds together well , the cars stay clean and it's very easy on tire wear. The drivers stand and nitro pit area can use some tender love and care.
All the burden can not be put on one person. We need to bring back the club and make these changes as a club. Victory Lane was a great and fun place to race but it's like K&B NOT DERE NO MO. Let's join in and make SCR our home.

See y'all at the track

[cutdog70]

I need to become a member. I almost have everything I need to be able to race now. I'd also like to help out with anything that's needed with the track. Also I'm trying to recruit some friends to come out who have never been into rc before.

[alvinsmith75]

I know I haven't posted here in ages but I love where this is going and I have seen in the past where some "newbies" came out to thee track all excited about their purchases at the local hobby shop only to find that their beloved purchases were awesome bashing vehicles but on the race track, not so much. Then they would have to start all over from scratch. By this time they are questioning the money it takes to get into this hobby.
I love the idea of getting the local hobby shops involved and I guess my suggestion is that if someone is going to do so then maybe the local hobby shops should also be educated on what the majority of the brands, classes etc. are being run. Maybe this will help new comers to make the best purchase for them the first time.
Good luck guys!!!!

[dalton98]

I agree, the local hobbie shops need to definitely be more in tact with the track, as Alvin said I've seen so many people show up with what they where told was a "race ready" vehicle when all they have is a 2wd slash or rustler. I understand that the hobbie shops need to make money and have to sell items to do so, but that should not be done by lying to someone who has no clue what they are buying and in the end ,most of the time, ends up hurting both the track and the hobbie shop, the racer once he finds out what he has spent several hundred dollars on is junk will most likely not go and attempt to race it hurting attendance, and he will not go back to the same person who sold it to him saying that it was a race ready vehicle who was lying.

[Mike Oliver]

the local hobby shops already sell SCT's, mainly Traax Slash 4wd. The all included (less fast charger, add $50) ultimate includes radio & 2 batterys for around $650 total plus tax. It would be a decent first model if the track was modified for novice only using the outside oval. It's a big cost difference from my 1/8 ready to run buggy which is $900 ready to go, and the $1200 putting together a kit.  Kids and some others may not be interested in running, or moving up to 1/8 scale if there some focus on fun 1/10 scale racing.
I am impressed seeing them raced at SCR by skilled, experienced drivers and how tough they are.
The other option is purchasing something used.
just my 1.5 cents

[vwduud]

NeoBuggy interviewed Founder/CEO Kendall Bennett of AMain.com (formally AMainHobbies.com). Below is a snippet from the interview that somewhat reflects what we are seeing right now:

NeoBuggy: "What is the strongest segment in RC right now, sales wise - what vehicle types do you see selling well now, and where do you think RC is headed in the next few years? What segment has fallen off the most in the last 2 - 3 years?"

Kendall Bennett: "The RC segment that has made the biggest gains for us over the last year or so is the 2WD buggy market, while the 4WD short course market seems to have taken quite a large hit compared to where it was 2 - 3 years ago. Nitro 1/8 scale has been soft for quite a few years now, and that has not really changed; electric is so convenient and fast these days that most new customers tend to get into electric over nitro. For RC as a whole, multi-rotor (Drones) is the fastest growing category by far."

[bigrob21]

I know i haven't made the trip down to SCR in a while and it is not because of the facility, but rather LIFE. I can't speak for everyone, but in the middle of the summer I just don't feel like sitting outside for 5-6 hours. Racing at night isn't the best for me with my eye sight and I having the little one my bedtime is about 10pm (sad in know).

With the outdoor track you not only have to beat the weather, but every ones schedule (lots of little league stuff going on) and the larger races that everyone saves up and spends the time and money to go to.

I am confident that the turnout will pick up when things cool down a little.