Cowracer
Cogito Ergo Moo
*** WARNING!! OPINION TO FOLLOW ***
***** DO NOT CONFUSE AS FACTS! *****
(damn lawyers)
Dean hit the nail on the head. Local tracks DO have to compete with Movie theaters, Ball Games, Casinos and the like for the publics' money. But the point that most promoters miss is that you dont have to make the public want to come to the races. You have to make them want to come BACK.
When a family of four goes to the movies or the ball game, they are treated to clean, modern facilities. The seats are comfortable, and the toilets wouldn't make a worker from the CDC puke. In the theaters, the sound system is top notch, and at ball games, an army of ushers are there to contain anyone who gets a snoot full of beer and gets out of hand. They have an enjoyable time and will return when time and money allow.
Now take that same family. Let say that they decide to go to the races for the first time, because there are no good movies playing.
They have a hard time figuring out where to park, because nobody is directing traffic. They take there seats, but the bleachers look like they are going to fall over. They are new to racing, and they dont understand whats happening because the P.A. speakers in their section have been broke for a month.
They are covered with dirt or mud because the promoter wont prep the track very well. They use the bathrooms and find out that the promotor expect one roll of paper to last all night. and so on. They leave disgusted and wont be back.
Die hard race fans will put up with almost anything at the races. But I wonder what the percentage of first time visitors to a track who return in the following weeks are...
Tim
***** DO NOT CONFUSE AS FACTS! *****
(damn lawyers)
Dean hit the nail on the head. Local tracks DO have to compete with Movie theaters, Ball Games, Casinos and the like for the publics' money. But the point that most promoters miss is that you dont have to make the public want to come to the races. You have to make them want to come BACK.
When a family of four goes to the movies or the ball game, they are treated to clean, modern facilities. The seats are comfortable, and the toilets wouldn't make a worker from the CDC puke. In the theaters, the sound system is top notch, and at ball games, an army of ushers are there to contain anyone who gets a snoot full of beer and gets out of hand. They have an enjoyable time and will return when time and money allow.
Now take that same family. Let say that they decide to go to the races for the first time, because there are no good movies playing.
They have a hard time figuring out where to park, because nobody is directing traffic. They take there seats, but the bleachers look like they are going to fall over. They are new to racing, and they dont understand whats happening because the P.A. speakers in their section have been broke for a month.
They are covered with dirt or mud because the promoter wont prep the track very well. They use the bathrooms and find out that the promotor expect one roll of paper to last all night. and so on. They leave disgusted and wont be back.
Die hard race fans will put up with almost anything at the races. But I wonder what the percentage of first time visitors to a track who return in the following weeks are...
Tim