I have heard through the grapevine that the PPIR race weekend has been cancellled, is this information correct? Can someone please let those who were planning the trip know as soon as possible. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Edda..
2008 Novice 1000 Champ
2008 Novice Open Champ
2008 Novice GTO Champ
2008 Formula Femme Champ
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2009 Formula Femme Champ
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I'd rather live my life trusting there's a God and die to find out there isn't. Then to live my life trusting there isn't a God a die to find out there is.
Please stand by for a formal announcement regarding this issue. Your patience is appreciated.
Timmay! Young #46
Track Marshal 2006, 2007, 2009, & 2010
Rider Representative 2004 & 2005
MV GTU Season Champion 2003
Racing to mediocrity 1997-well, now...
That is the same thing I heard also
Boo
MRA #600
Find info here:
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All,
Due to declining entry numbers the board has decided to cancel rounds 7 and 11 at PPIR. We simply cannot afford to race at this venue given the revenues we have brought in from the last three races. The three remaining HPR rounds will go on as scheduled. This will leave us with a 9 race season.
We will try to notify the entire club in every way possible in the next week, but please communicate this news to anyone that you think may not get the message.
Glenn
_________________
The GECCO
HPR General Manager
MRA PREZ
2003 750 Endurance Champion
2006 750 Superbike Champion
2008 Novice 1000 Champ
2008 Novice Open Champ
2008 Novice GTO Champ
2008 Formula Femme Champ
2008 WoW Series Champ
2009 Formula Femme Champ
2009 WoW Champ
2009 AM GTO Champ
3rd Expert 1000
4th Open Superbike
I'd rather live my life trusting there's a God and die to find out there isn't. Then to live my life trusting there isn't a God a die to find out there is.
Outta drop Pueblo off the schedule next season. It's apparent people don't like the track given the empty pit lanes on Saturday morning...
Did you go to Hastings this year?Originally Posted by Munch
If anything is going to be cut I am willing to bet it will be Hasting. It is the race that costs the racers the most money to do as well as the MRA.
Im just wondering... Knowing that we were in horrible economic time why we even bothered going out there this year?
We went to Hastings because we scheduled it before the economy Hoped itself off a cliff. The logistics of arranging season schedules is a nightmare in the best of times. With the current situation, nertz!
When we get healthy, hopefully we'll try to get back. Until then, our board will do their best to keep things afloat.
Or, if I win the Lotto or Powerball, then, everything will be fine(LMAO).
Hope to see you at HPR!
Fred SpongeButt Slowpants Roth
MRA811
I may be old, I may be slow, but..... aw rats, I'm old and slow.
Just my .02 cents but maybe promoting a "SALE" for entry fees 1 weekend say mid season would be pretty nice for some of us that WOULD have raced this season but it was to expensive to get our Cert and Competition license. I know of 5 people right now that want to race but don't have the money laying around. I know 5 people doesn't really make a huge difference, but come race weekend when they are submitting entry fees it may help.
This just seems to me that the quantity of racers the MRA can put on the track would bring in more revenue than charging so much for race classes and a competition license.
Plus, hardly any spectators come out... why is that? Does the MRA not advertise or try and put on events? I know stunt riding isn't really the MRA's thing but I know of plenty of guys that would be willing to do a show for the MRA. We, as stunters, have a pretty big following for spectators and by no means could stunt riders fill the stands BUT it couldn't hurt to have a couple stunt events, raffles, fun events lined up that I'm sure plenty of people wouldn't mind doing for FREE.
Maybe try getting involved with KBPI... I know every year they do Wing Bowl and hold plenty of pre-quals... maybe Dragos or a couple of those guys that have bars as sponsors could supply the Wings and KBPI can do one of their qualifiers @ an MRA event for Wing Bowl?
I don't know, I'm just shooting from the hip here but I think the MRA should really start looking into going outside it's normal protocol for advertising (whatever that may be) and try finding a way to put more excitement behind the sport and bring in both more spectators and racers alike.
So will we see you at the board meeting?
Everybody has to pay the same price for the race license?
Vanmar always tries to work with people to get them setup to do their cert.
Having 5 people show up and race does make a difference. Racers can show up and race endurance for $50 and go home. That will give your 4 practice sessions and a 30 min race. Do your friends happen to have fully race prepped bikes ready to go race? If they did they would probably be racing considering getting a bike and stuff to go with it is the most expensive part of racing when you start out. It is mid season right now. If they did a "SALE" on entree fees we would have lost more then we did. I also dont see HPR, PPIR or PMP having a mid season discount on track rental. Nor do I see ambulance workers or insurance giving out discounted rates mid-season.
For the record I only quoted this part of your reply because the other ones weren't bad ideas. I wanted to bring just this part up because for some reason I always see you posting stuff complaining about how much it costs to do this and that. When you arent the only one that has to deal with the costs of racing.
My friends bikes just need to be safety wired and thats it.
As for the price, yeah, I do bitch about it because I wanted to race this year but it didn't seem fair to me that I had to pay full price to only race half of the season. I'm waiting until next season so it's cheaper and I can invest the rest of that money elsewhere.
All I'm saying is doing some sort of promotion to really lure riders in may not be a bad idea. Hell, if I know of 5 people imagine how many other guys out there know of 2, 3 or even 5 people? Before you know it you could have 20 new entries mid season all because of a Mid Season Discount. Last cert. session I think Vanmar had 10-15 people for their class and it was full? (This is what I heard, so if this is inaccurate please inform me) If this is in fact true why not hold a class with 30 people to offset the cost of a cheaper Mid Season Cert. discount? Or, hold an open lapping day the same day as a Certification. Maybe while the students are in class there could be an open track? Again, just more ideas I'm shooting from the hip.
I also wanted to add from an outsider looking in perspective, take this as no offense but this is just my personal opinion. Any of you ever seen the movie "Meet the Parents" with Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller?
If you have then you would know about the "Circle of Trust". This club is awesome once you are in and accept you... it reminds me a lot of drag racing. When I raced at Bandimere I remember my Chevelle broke right in the staging lanes, within minutes I had 5 racers (3 of them I have never met) under my car with me helping me replace my transmission shifting linkage. Car was fixed and made it that round. The MRA is the same way, but the problem is it really feels like becoming part of the MRA is difficult and getting into the Circle of Trust.
Getting the MRA more involved with a variety of other sports may get this club more exposure. Because when I look at it, I see a very tight knit group of guys, but it just feels very inclusive... almost as if you need the special password at the door to get it.
As I said, take this as no offense... it's just the vibe I got before I met some of you and saw that you are all good people.
Basic economics, something is not selling = low demand. There are several ways to bring demand back up. Lower Price, Marketing, promotions, etc.
So we can't just say that the prices are fair, if they are not selling....
I hope in the future something is done to try and increase attendance at the races. The attendance is free $$. Maybe start seeing some of the board at off track events IE bike nights, Moto GP races etc..
#176
That "basic economic condition" cannot be applied to racing because it is considered a luxury good.
There is actually a high demand for racing, but an incredible amount of barriers to entry. With a near 10% unemployment level, people are fearing for their jobs and the ones that have jobs have taken a hit in income. People are holding on to their money right now because of uncertainty. Through no fault of the club's is there a loss of membership. Glenn #62
The class price is not discounted throughout the year but the price for your license goes down depending on when you purchase your license. As for the last Race class, I heard the numbers were much higher than 15.
Sheila Paul - Instructor
Texas Tornado Boot Camp
Goes back to basic economics that I learned in College. If people are not going then the demand is low. IE because of the unemployment rate etc. If the price was lower, more people could afford, and thus raise demand.That "basic economic condition" cannot be applied to racing because it is considered a luxury good.
There is actually a high demand for racing, but an incredible amount of barriers to entry. With a near 10% unemployment level, people are fearing for their jobs and the ones that have jobs have taken a hit in income. People are holding on to their money right now because of uncertainty. Through no fault of the club's is there a loss of membership. Glenn #62
People wanting to race not being able to afford is not demand.
#176
Goes back to basic economics that I learned in College. If people are not going then the demand is low. IE because of the unemployment rate etc. If the price was lower, more people could afford, and thus raise demand.That "basic economic condition" cannot be applied to racing because it is considered a luxury good.
There is actually a high demand for racing, but an incredible amount of barriers to entry. With a near 10% unemployment level, people are fearing for their jobs and the ones that have jobs have taken a hit in income. People are holding on to their money right now because of uncertainty. Through no fault of the club's is there a loss of membership. Glenn #62
People wanting to race not being able to afford is not demand.
#176
I won't disagree with you here. We are talking about the same thing in a different way though. Go grab a book really quick and look up inelastic markets for luxury goods. If memory serves me correct and with regards to entry fees only, lowering the price will not have a large affect on entries. There are so many other costs involved that they create barriers to entry. This is a problem that will go on into eternity. A decrease in entry fee prices will not lead to an increase in entries. glenn #62Goes back to basic economics that I learned in College. If people are not going then the demand is low. IE because of the unemployment rate etc. If the price was lower, more people could afford, and thus raise demand.That "basic economic condition" cannot be applied to racing because it is considered a luxury good.
There is actually a high demand for racing, but an incredible amount of barriers to entry. With a near 10% unemployment level, people are fearing for their jobs and the ones that have jobs have taken a hit in income. People are holding on to their money right now because of uncertainty. Through no fault of the club's is there a loss of membership. Glenn #62
People wanting to race not being able to afford is not demand.
I am curious as to who theses members are that seem to have maybe "shunned" you away? In my years of racing in the MRA I have never seen anyone do this. Regardless of what level the racers is, everyone is always willing to help out, or answer any questions to the best of their ability, or at least send them in the direction of someone who does have the answers.
In regards to your post about the licensing costs.....
I agree that we need as many members as possible, so please don't take this the wrong way. But getting the license into people's hands isn't necessarily the answer to getting them to the track, racing. In April we had more students at the HPR race schools than I have ever seen, and we distributed nearly 300 licenses before the 1st race weekend even arrived. But we have yet to see these people at the races.
Your ideas about raising money for the club, or to get more people racing are always welcomed, and much appreciated, and it sounds as if you may be able to assist in some ways. You should attend the meeting on Wednesday at "The Walnut Room". Will you be attending?
I would also like to apologize for anyone that may have made you feel "unwelcome" or as if you needed a secret password to be a part of the MRA family. ..
~Brownie 8)
Jeff Brown, #277
"What can Brown do for you!"
2011-2022 New Rider Director
2008-2010 MRA Rider Representative
Not to be rude, but if the price of entries are the largest barrier to racing, possibly that indicates your whole race program should be evaluated with a more realistic approach. Many who want cheaper fees in the next breath are striving for bigger and better results.
In simpler terms: If you can not afford entries, you probably can not afford the 2 weeks off work and the hospital visits that roadracing will bring. It is not an if, it is a when.
Racing is indeed luxury sport. I am very much a proponent of lowering the barriers to entry, but that does not mean lowering the expectations (and therefore expenses) associated with a safe and professional club level roadracing organization.
dave@MotoSix DOT com | MRA #31, WERA #311
I am curious as to who theses members are that seem to have maybe "shunned" you away? In my years of racing in the MRA I have never seen anyone do this. Regardless of what level the racers is, everyone is always willing to help out, or answer any questions to the best of their ability, or at least send them in the direction of someone who does have the answers.
~Brownie 8)[/quote]
Nobody shunned me away, just kind of the vibe I felt from the forums and being down at the track for track days. It's not an attitude, more or less an ambiance. This was just me, no big deal... I pitted next to Ara last weekend and was more than welcome. Maybe I was his bad luck and that's why he wrecked on Friday! (Sorry Ara, I'll park by the gate next time buddy.)
As for the entry fees, I'm only shooting off ideas of hurdles that stand in peoples ways... for me personally it's both the money but the concept of paying full price mid season.
I'm not trying to pick any fights... I hope you all know that, I'm just telling you where I'm coming from. And many of you are right, I need to quit bitching about the entry fee prices and just pay it, but finding alternative avenues to getting people on the track may be necessary and by promoting a "sale" of some sort was just an idea.
Totally agree that the other cost involved is a factor. Still I think personally if the entry fees were lower, once the racer was there that racer may sign up for more classes. Once the classes get larger then three rows the racing will improve, more people will show up. I am not familiar with inelastic for Luxury goods, but I will look it up.I won't disagree with you here. We are talking about the same thing in a different way though. Go grab a book really quick and look up inelastic markets for luxury goods. If memory serves me correct and with regards to entry fees only, lowering the price will not have a large affect on entries. There are so many other costs involved that they create barriers to entry. This is a problem that will go on into eternity. A decrease in entry fee prices will not lead to an increase in entries. glenn #62Goes back to basic economics that I learned in College. If people are not going then the demand is low. IE because of the unemployment rate etc. If the price was lower, more people could afford, and thus raise demand.That "basic economic condition" cannot be applied to racing because it is considered a luxury good.
There is actually a high demand for racing, but an incredible amount of barriers to entry. With a near 10% unemployment level, people are fearing for their jobs and the ones that have jobs have taken a hit in income. People are holding on to their money right now because of uncertainty. Through no fault of the club's is there a loss of membership. Glenn #62
People wanting to race not being able to afford is not demand.
Wow if there was only a way to get the cost of this sport under control we would all be sitting pretty and so many people will race that there will be an ability to lower prices..
#176
Considering a Transponder is $400 and tires run almost $400 a set and only last a weekend or two I would say lowering the entry fees $50 would do practically nothing for enrollment.
I know when I took the race school mid-season there was a kid there who had to scrape up the money to take the class...all I could think was he had not done his homework for how much it does cost to run even one race.
That being said Chicane seems to draw pretty good crowds and the day with Boulder Motor Sports drew literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in machinery to the track, how do we convert the track day-ers into the racers is the valid question, I did it but I won't say it was automatic...I liked the cross promotional ideas being thrown out, need more of this.
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i guess it comes down to
A: raise entry fees to balance out the poor attendance.
or
B: Cancel 2 ppir races.
after sleeping on it, i think id much rather have B. PPIR is a awesome track and all. but maybe next year not racing in hastings would help us save some $ for just a three venue season in 2010 (HPR,PPIR,PMP)
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Erik Cromer |MRA #611
I agree with you there, lowering fees all around is NOT a good idea. But promoting a 1 weekend only Sale HEAVILY may be good. Maybe trade volunteer work.... if Vanmar said we are holding a Cert. class and I could be a licensed rider for $100 but the only catch is instead of doing the mandatory 4 hours, I had to do 16 or even 20.... you better believe I'd be all over that. I have no problem putting in any sort of sweat equity if that were the case. Will others be as responsive to this idea, I don't know... I guess that all depends on how much it costs for corner workers and other positions that are considered a "Cost" to the club. But if 5 new participants joined on the Firesale Weekend that's an extra 60 hours of Volunteer work REQUIRED (if the Mandatory hours were bumped to 16 instead of 4 for the Firesale Weekend) by any new member. I don't know what that equates to regarding costs, but that HAS to save money somewhere.
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