Free

[DAREDEVIL]

Nothing in life anymore is free. If you can't afford a small amount then go home and find something else to do.

If that is how u tread potential fans ,,,,wow !!!

 

[MarylandMark]

I have so many post on this thread it is like my personal blog so I wanted to toss out that I am not "bitter" by any means. I'm just a lowly fan trying to help make the fan experience better.

I'll even toss out another one of my ideas- on the house, no charge...

Instead of turning away one of the most identifiable poker run boats there has ever been (Benz MTI) from even being able to turn thier vehicle around; how about offering them FREE storage and security for keeping their boat there? Could evn add in things like use of the crane, race fuel truck there for them, detailing services, etc to make a few bucks off them as well.

How many boats run the poker run again? Imagine them all parked there? Sounds like you would have to hire more door people to keep the lines down to get in the pits to me.. (ok so they ran the poker run so I'm not sure if their trailers would be there or not but still...).

 

[Davidmnc]

I don't think $10 is too much to ask, but I also agree see where Mark is coming from. When you go to a Nascar race the vendor area is open to the public and free, but the VIP seating is very expensive. I say let the fans get in the dry pits at no cost, but make the VIP viewing area cost a few bucks. But it needs to be advertised this way. Don't let that guy with his family and a very small budget bring his family to the races and disappoint his kids by surprising them with an admission charge. Let him walk threw the pits with the fam and check out all the sights for free. But if he wants the best seat in the house for the race, that should cost a couple bucks. If he can't handle a few bucks he can hang out at one of the other viewing areas for no charge. The idea is to grow the sport. Audience grows the sport. You never know. Next year that same guy may budget for the VIP seats and tee shirts for the kids, and bring his buddies too. IMHO

 

[2TR]

I read on OSO that there some fans that were told it was going to cost $10 per adult to enter the pits or VIP area on race day. They said they left and didn't want to pay. They were told the race was free to watch from certain areas but they were disappointed.
I have never gone to a car race or any other motor sport race were it was free to watch and normally a premium for the pit area. Why do people think it should be free for everything we do in offshore. Is it not good enough that there is always places to watch for free. Maybe not the VIP section. Some how the race producers needs to generate some money to put a race on. You have to pay $10 each to go to the movies. Maybe I am way off on this but I think the free show needs to stop. We have entertainment value and I don't think $10 each is over the top. When was the last time you went to a ball game or concert. Our purse could be larger and a shot at recovering our gas money would be nice.
The problem with free is it show no value.
MD

Thanks for believing in offshore and having something worth paying for Randy. But I must say, It was advertised as Free but things were changed during the last days that moved the dry and wet pit area into a private marina and this is were the problem started.

You could watch the race from many great locations and bars along the lake, but if you wished to enter Beacons Cove there was a charge. But Karen at Beacons did a wonderful job making it worth your $$$. She had a DJ Playing all day, live band at night, Catered food, beer tents, golf carts to shuttle you to and from, clean bathrooms and showers if needed and of course all access to the pit area.

I do apologize to all the people for the confusion.

 

[2TR]

And I must thank Karen and Beacons Cove for everything they did. She provided a large secure pit area with easy access to the ramps and lift even at the expense of closing down her own rack storage facility for 5 hrs Sunday and only allowing the race teams access to the ramps/lift.

 

[DAREDEVIL]

Thanks for believing in offshore and having something worth paying for Randy. But I must say, It was advertised as Free but things were changed during the last days that moved the dry and wet pit area into a private marina and this is were the problem started.

You could watch the race from many great locations and bars along the lake, but if you wished to enter Beacons Cove there was a charge. But Karen at Beacons did a wonderful job making it worth your $$$. She had a DJ Playing all day, live band at night, Catered food, beer tents, golf carts to shuttle you to and from, clean bathrooms and showers if needed and of course all access to the pit area.

I do apologize to all the people for the confusion.

Thanks Rick for clearing this up,,,,and u did a great job. Good luck to u and i C-YA !!!!:seeya:

 

[Lee]

I read on OSO that there some fans that were told it was going to cost $10 per adult to enter the pits or VIP area on race day. They said they left and didn't want to pay. They were told the race was free to watch from certain areas but they were disappointed.
I have never gone to a car race or any other motor sport race were it was free to watch and normally a premium for the pit area. Why do people think it should be free for everything we do in offshore. Is it not good enough that there is always places to watch for free. Maybe not the VIP section. Some how the race producers needs to generate some money to put a race on. You have to pay $10 each to go to the movies. Maybe I am way off on this but I think the free show needs to stop. We have entertainment value and I don't think $10 each is over the top. When was the last time you went to a ball game or concert. Our purse could be larger and a shot at recovering our gas money would be nice.
The problem with free is it show no value.
MD

Randy,
It was Saturday not Sunday (raceday) which would of been totally acceptable.

 

[TYPHOON]

Mark, I am disappointed in you feeling that a $10 fee to help the race teams is out of line. For someone to spend $600 on beer and $200 on food and a 25% tip is outstanding for some bar or rest. That's a $1000 per day to watch something you like. Why is $10 out of the question? you just spent $200 on a tip. And is the bar you spent a sponsor of the race that is paying the promoter? Its all about helping each other.
I agree its a shame it was announced it was for free but it sounded like a great deal to me.
I'm not sure where you are going with the MTI boat scenario.
MD

 

[Offshoredrillin]

Mark, I am disappointed in you feeling that a $10 fee to help the race teams is out of line. For someone to spend $600 on beer and $200 on food and a 25% tip is outstanding for some bar or rest. That's a $1000 per day to watch something you like. Why is $10 out of the question? you just spent $200 on a tip. And is the bar you spent a sponsor of the race that is paying the promoter? Its all about helping each other.
I agree its a shame it was announced it was for free but it sounded like a great deal to me.
I'm not sure where you are going with the MTI boat scenario.
MD

I think what is missing in the translation is this. from a business standpoint, what is the customer/fan getting for that 10 bucks? using both Pete and Marks theory, is more should be offered than to just stroll around the dry pits.
As mark suggested, having a paid ticket stub offers the fan/ customer to give that to a racer for a discounted shirt, or as pete said, have an area that a person gets a better view, with a possible upgrade. It seems that it was "10 bucks or get out" mentality.
In the scenario where a ticket stub or paid wrist band gets 10% off of souvenirs that puts the fan in the mood to buy more and spend money with the vendors and race teams. Even if the person doesnt buy anything, they still have perceived value, and you have their 10 dollars in your pocket.

you will always catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

(the mti thing was a slam on carbonell, doesn't need to be brought up)

 

[MarylandMark]

I agree its a shame it was announced it was for free but it sounded like a great deal to me.

I apologize- I was not pointing fingers at this particular venue; referencing charging for the pits in general and as a whole. The MTI was the Key West issue- again speaking in general and not this particular venue. I guess that kind of brings up another whole ball of wax- if a guy that spends a few years on boating boards groups all races and race orgs and race sites together what do you think the average Joe is doing/thinking? Fair- no since some put on a better show than others. Is perception, reality- hell ya.

I guess I am looking at it from the stand point was as a whole is everyone involved better off getting that $10 at the gate vs letting the public in for free and then they are interested and come back with their family/buddies next time and buy shirts and beers and so on? VIP area $10? Without a doubt. Just getting in for $10? Apparently not so much. I guess I just think iin the long run you would make that $10 at gate 100 times over.

Example-
Bar 1 charges $10 to get in and has 150 people drinking $5 beers.
Bar 2 has no cover, 400 people buying $5 beers

Which owner has the Bayliner and which has the Top Gun?

She had a DJ Playing all day, live band at night, Catered food, beer tents, golf carts to shuttle you to and from, clean bathrooms and showers if needed and of course all access to the pit area.

I'd pay $10 for that. Walking around a dusty parking lot with people pawning $7 hot dogs and $8 beers and a few potta pottys; not so much. Generalizations aren't fair but it is what it is.

Side note- if I didn't give a crap I wouldn't spend this much time giving my debatable 2 cents. I could have kept my mouth shut vs jumping in the frying pan but that gets you the same show you have and maybe that is good enough for some; I still think it needs much improvement.

pss- I want you to make $1M/year boat racing. If/when you do imagine the show you would be putting on for me to see!!!!!

 

[Ratickle]

I'll get into this later, I just got home, the venue here was incredible. This race has the best viewing, assistance for the racers, etc of anywhere I've been. One boat split a hull on Sat, fixed and raced on Sun from the help of the shop right there.

Clean bathrooms, catered food to buy, beer tents, full time chauffered golf carts to haul you around, beautiful patio to watch from on the point where you could see the entire course, showers, nice personel, safety/firemen/police you name it.

Maybe Smitty can comment if he gets a chance.

I paid $75 per ticket at Key West for pit pass. They didn't haul me around like these guys and the viewing was better here. Plus, I raced here.....:03:

 

[scottc]

I would think very few people would cry at a $10 pit pass. It's just how you sell it. In KW they hit you real hard and people pay to get in, in Cambridge at the Hyatt, they charge a buck or two to walkout on the bird $&it covered floating dock to watch the race. At St. Clair the whole street was free but had every type of vendor there selling their goods. If you have the vendors paying then maybe you don't need the people to pay. Most sites are hurting to get the money just to pull off the event. Charging to get in to the pits I feel is a great idea, but let them watch the race for free (but charge for the VIP areas). It's a lot of work to put a venue together with very little help. Collecting a gate is just more work for someone. But the pits are easyier to control and collect.

 

[Ratickle]

I would think very few people would cry at a $10 pit pass. It's just how you sell it. In KW they hit you real hard and people pay to get in, in Cambridge at the Hyatt, they charge a buck or two to walkout on the bird $&it covered floating dock to watch the race. At St. Clair the whole street was free but had every type of vendor there selling their goods. If you have the vendors paying then maybe you don't need the people to pay. Most sites are hurting to get the money just to pull off the event. Charging to get in to the pits I feel is a great idea, but let them watch the race for free (but charge for the VIP areas). It's a lot of work to put a venue together with very little help. Collecting a gate is just more work for someone. But the pits are easyier to control and collect.

The main issue sounds like the change from advertising. Shouldn't ever happen again....

It is an awesome site for a race......

 

[DAREDEVIL]

The main issue sounds like the change from advertising. Shouldn't ever happen again....

It is an awesome site for a race......

WE HAVE A WINNER,,,thats what it was about !!
Nothing more !!!!!!!:driving:

 

[TCEd]

The goal is not to have the fan feel abused but relize this is how we raise money to have the show come to town. I would think $15-20 per adult and kids $5-7 is more than fair to walk the pits for a weekend. We have to help raise money for the promoters. How many people are on average in the pits? 200-1000 maybe.
MD

I'm sorry but suggesting to charge for kids entry is wrong.
ed

 

[Wahoo 214]

Ok. Viewing was free everywhere expect Beacon Cove. This is the prime viewing and had all of the amenities Ratickle mentioned. NO KIDS WERE CHARGED not even 16 year olds. Access on foot to the Pit area was free access to the pier is a private area that non members were charge $10 to access. That is where you had food, beer, a pool, Supercat Racing, and the best viewing anywhere. If you can't spend $10 for that, sit in your boat and watch it free or go to Metro Beach and watch it or Gino's Surf. Those are free.

It think way too many think that everything should be free, but last I check I was still writing checks for all those amenities I just listed and then some.

For those that think it should be free, who should pay for it?

 

[Offshoredrillin]

Ok. Viewing was free everywhere expect Beacon Cove. This is the prime viewing and had all of the amenities Ratickle mentioned. NO KIDS WERE CHARGED not even 16 year olds. Access on foot to the Pit area was free access to the pier is a private area that non members were charge $10 to access. That is where you had food, beer, a pool, Supercat Racing, and the best viewing anywhere. If you can't spend $10 for that, sit in your boat and watch it free or go to Metro Beach and watch it or Gino's Surf. Those are free.

It think way too many think that everything should be free, but last I check I was still writing checks for all those amenities I just listed and then some.

For those that think it should be free, who should pay for it?

Agreed, I don't think it should be free, I just think in the presentation might be altered.
look at what I had posted on perceived value, that's where you will make the 10 dollars and even more if it is packaged correctly. give the fans a chance to take either A or B, not take it or leave it. A and B being two paid options.
Just like Mr Hartunian said to Steve martin in "the Jerk" "Navin, you just made 30 dollars on 60 cents worth of crap, you're doing fine. "

Maybe what racing in general needs is not the action to change, but the atmosphere on land to be different? Humpy Wheeler does it at lowes motor speedway, three is always something to hold everyone's attention.

 

[mikey]

And I must thank Karen and Beacons Cove for everything they did. She provided a large secure pit area with easy access to the ramps and lift even at the expense of closing down her own rack storage facility for 5 hrs Sunday and only allowing the race teams access to the ramps/lift.

Hats off to Karen and her staff they wer awesome with everything that we needed all weekend.

Beacon Cove is a great marina and one of the best places to have a race because everything was right there.

I understand that people thought the event was free and were upset when they found it was not but there will still a lot of people there watching the race so it could not have been that bad.

 

[palmtree1]

as a fan who has already traveled several miles this year to be at offshore racing events, $10 is a steal! I have had the privilege of meeting many members of race teams and made some awesome new friends in the sport. Heck, even my 6 yr old son got to meet his favorite driver, MADDOG...he loves the typhoon boat. Been to the stock car stuff, done other motosports events....would drive anywhere for offshore powerboat racing. my 2 cents.

 

[Ratickle]

I would think very few people would cry at a $10 pit pass. It's just how you sell it. In KW they hit you real hard and people pay to get in, in Cambridge at the Hyatt, they charge a buck or two to walkout on the bird $&it covered floating dock to watch the race. At St. Clair the whole street was free but had every type of vendor there selling their goods. If you have the vendors paying then maybe you don't need the people to pay. Most sites are hurting to get the money just to pull off the event. Charging to get in to the pits I feel is a great idea, but let them watch the race for free (but charge for the VIP areas). It's a lot of work to put a venue together with very little help. Collecting a gate is just more work for someone. But the pits are easyier to control and collect.

As the facility is laid out, I'm not sure how you would do that there. As I said, $10 for what was provided seemed like a good deal to me. I even gave away some free autographs.....:sifone: