IROCC Attendance Statistics, Summer 2008/2009

[Blake]

Hey all,


After last weekend's low turnout for racing, I decided to compile some basic attendance stats for the last couple of Summer seasons.

The table below lists the average daily entry count by class, for three different time periods:

	TC Stock	TC Nitro	Pro10	Total
2008 Summer, First 7 races	28.0	9.7	18.3	56
2008 Summer, Last 7 races	17.9	7.7	13.9	39.4
2009 Summer, First 7 races	15	8.6	15.6	39.1

Basically, after Speed Weekend last summer, our numbers dropped by 30% and have leveled off there.

This season's low turnout numbers are actually no worse than where we were at the end of last Summer season.  There has been an obvious shift in popularity from TC Stock to TC Nitro and Pro10.

Feel free to comment if you like.


Blake

[haddow]

I think we have dipped below the number of weekly drivers that safely supports 3 classes without hurting competition and club moral/interest.

My thoughts:

Go back to 2 classes and start a revitalization committee wth mandate to attract new drivers.

more importantly, somehow get back to our roots of a flagship spec based class in which everyone in the club competes. We let the competiveness of touring car get away from us and interest soon followed.

Promote nitro more since it is what the spectators love the most by far (they leave right after its over).

Nitro should have two qualifiers per round (3 min warmup only). A round would look like this:  Race two heats of touring, nitro, two heats of pro-10, then nitro again to complete the round. (yes 6 nitro qualifiers) Maybe we can keep peple watching longer and get some more interest going?

Jody

[Blake]

Thanks for the input Jody - lots of good ideas.  I'll add a few comments below.  I'm certainly not proposing anything, and I'm not agreeing/disagreeing with anything you've said - just putting some stuff out there for more discussion.


Return to two classes
The popularity of Pro10 has basically taken the 30 entries we used to get in TC Stock, and divided it into two groups of 15.  This *seems* to go against everything we believe in... but I don't know if it's doing real damage to the club.  I suppose the hardest hit are those that are looking for top caliber racing in TC Stock.

Spec Based
Spec based racing is great in theory.  It's a little tough in practice though since our hobby is always in a constant state of change.  A spec system would basically call for a new motor/battery/tire rule every single season since nothing (batteries and motors especially) stays constant long enough to carry over from year to year.  This could end up costing the average racer more... but maybe it's worth trying it again.

Promote Nitro
As a Nitro driver, I like to give Nitro some extra attention.  As a non-Nitro driver, I'm sure I'd prefer it was the first class to be dropped.  As someone looking to promote IROCC, I know that our Nitro shows are what draw the crowds.  As someone looking to promote IROCC, do I care if we get lots of spectators?  I probably do, but I honestly can't think of a single new member that has come to IROCC because they overheard the Nitro race from across the street.  I like the idea of splitting Nitro into two heats and spacing them apart in the schedule so that we're only ever 20 mins away from one.  When a spectator asks me when the next Nitro race is, and I say "In 45 mins", they head for their car.  Also, in order for this to work, we need enough Nitro racers to warrant two separate heats.


Blake

[Tom]

I'll bring up what's been a highly contentious issue in the past, which will evoke strong opinions either way.  I don't know how much people will comment on it though.

Basically, it comes down to the frequency of racing.

Lots of guys want to show up to every race.

However, once you miss one race, it gets easy to miss another race.

So, with racing on the schedule every week, it can be difficult to show up to every race.  Once the first race day is missed, the 2nd is easier to miss, and so on and so on.  Ask me how I know.

If we had a full-on racing program 3 out of every 4 weeks, that one week off would give guys a break from racing, but without missing a race.

This, of course, does nothing for guys who can't show up for racing, since you've only got a 1 in 4 chance of having that fall on a non-race day, but that's not the point.

Although my situation has changed recently, I have heard this sentiment for a very very long time.

[gotnitro]

Ya but what guy wants a week off from racing.yikes

[RC51]

I see it a bit diferently. Look who is not out this year that was racing last year and the average is about the same, I would think. I've missed four, Brian will have missed three or more since he won't be there this weekend, Ken, Tom, Mick, Kurk, Mike, Mike and Mike, Ron and a few more have other stuff happening, too. The reasons for not being out aren't really anything to do with the classes (at least for a handful of us, anyway), but that other life events are happening and other commitments, choices had been made.

It is a bummer that TC stock has depleted and it is indeed affecting motivation on my end. In fact, Brian and I were just talking about that on Tuesday. I mean, there are lots more cars in the club and elsewhere, but the same can't be said for nitro. Just not motivated to get into it. There's always a wax and wane in participation to any collective activity, isn't there?

We also need to ask ourselves what we are doing to promote the hobby, or not. The draw was a very cool idea and it would be interesting to see how many tickets for the RTR we had from non members. How easy are we making it, materially, for new racers to get into it? The up front costs are still daunting, especially in this age.

My two bits.

Phil

[Blake]

Lots of good comments.

With 5 new babies since December, and turbulent economic times, we should probably expect a slowdown at the track.  Truth is, we're still getting 40 entries every single Sunday which is still impressive.

I just remember this time last year, when we really peaked, and we were seeing D-Mains in TC Stock, with 55+ total entries.  It'd be cool to work our way back there again.

Competition in TC Stock has definitely depleted, but it has surged in Pro10.  As Haddow points out, I doubt we have enough members to have both classes flourish....


See ya all on Father's Day.
Blake

[roofrider]

Personally I would like to see the 20 minute nitro race at the end of the day, certainly break up the heats to keep an audience, but I will never run a nitro car myself.
As for the other two classes if you remember we even used to run 19 turn TC all we did is replace that with Pro 10. So we have to look at what else has changed and caused the drop in attendance
Who knows

[weekend camper]

Thoughts:


- more nitro is a great idea, but where are the pitguys/marshals coming from? Don't we have a hard enough time getting them now?

- its a long ass day to commit to.  Would shaving a heat get some of the new dads out?

- I was going to propose an under-12/sportsman class with tight restrictions on gear selection.  From what I've read on the internets, that approach has had success with the Slash classes.  The flip side is that most under-12s want to race with the regular guys.

- if its a money issue with the "no shows", would making a 1/18 scale class be good? Parksville Ron seems to enjoy it and its less money to run isn't it?

[Gorden]

If we did get enough Nitro cars for 2 heats I would like to see

10 B-main
15 A-main

plus

Pro 10 move to 6 min mains  Maybe next year limit motor to 13.5 max

TC As Is

Bottom line is Cash it take's  about $300.00 to get into a used TC for a newbe and we as a club should have all our old cars that are sitting at home ready to sell if there was a new guy wanting to join the club.

Want about a rent a ride that the club could rent out to a new driver for the day?

[Tom]

'Ya got any stats indicating how many people ran 1, 2 or 3 classes?

[cyrrus]

Hey, all Sorry for not making it out this summer. 

I know for myself,  I can't make it out this summer, as work is is crazy being short staff'd. (start time for me is 8pm and I go till 9am. being in the sun all day would deplete to much out of me) If I did make it out I would have to leave right after the my main and my marshelling duties.( I would also for go any bumping up too,  then I would have to pack up and leave.  that would leave sour taste in the guys mouth that are still there and have to do tear down.   

I guess I'll see you all indoor this fall.

Andrew 

[RC51]

Hey, all Sorry for not making it out this summer. 

I know for myself,  I can't make it out this summer, as work is is crazy being short staff'd. (start time for me is 8pm and I go till 9am. being in the sun all day would deplete to much out of me) If I did make it out I would have to leave right after the my main and my marshelling duties.( I would also for go any bumping up too,  then I would have to pack up and leave.  that would leave sour taste in the guys mouth that are still there and have to do tear down.   

I guess I'll see you all indoor this fall.

Andrew 

Hi, Andrew

I don't think the guys would begrudge you for having to do what you have to do. It wouldn't be as if you were just arbitrarily skipping out because you choose to - you have work and life commitments. It's tightened up for me a lot this year, too, and I am not able to be there as early as I used to, and I must be heading back home no later than 5:30 each day. The guys have been supportive and understanding. I feel bad too, but really, if everyone can support you having a little fun, then come on out once in a while. You need the break, too!

P.

[Blake]

It has been great to see the new and re-newed Dad's (and Mom's) out racing as much as they have!  And yes, we are understanding of the "home" commitments.  Phil, you are always there for track setup which is great.  Plus 30 mins of Nitro marshalling must be worth something!

I personally don't mind pulling an extra hose or two if it means some of these racers can come out for a day of fun.


Blake

[Blake]

By the way, nice turnout on Sunday!  43 entries, 3xStock, 2xNitro, 3xPan and good racing all around.

See ya all this Sunday,
Blake