What would bring YOU to watch a race meeting?

[James Deuce]

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned this yet.

But what about an international quality field of entrants?

That would get me there tomorrow.

Because no one expects to see that in NZ ever again. We stretch to support A1GP, the Motorsport equivalent of Aussie Rules.

[NC]

YEP WITH NICE BUTTS

Heh you read my mind..*ahem..filthy bastard*

But it's all about the arms and sexy backs, thighs etc..( I'm perv )

[FROSTY:Me]

Jim thank you--ok lets go with that tot for a mo- what WOULD your kids travel 5 hours for? -a carnival? kids entertainment?
Im not dismissing your feedback -but building a racetrack in upper hutt is a bit beyond my budget sorry

[car]

something else to look at while there, aka stands by suppliers of parts.

Plus one on that. All the spectacle and tat -- show and shine, intermission stunt show, promotional stalls from manufacturers/ importers, hot dog stands, bouncy castle, Harrier jumpjet flyover and the opportunity to buy bike-related crap.

[avgas]

kids carnival would be pretty cool. bouncy castles n the like

[cowboyz]

right. Firstly it would take me getting a day free from work, then the kids organised, then I would be there. I go to wanganui (note the lack of H's) every year because the view of the compeditiors rock. You can be about 10m away from them if you choose. At Taupo and Manfield you are a fair way away from the action. That is a big reason why Street races has so much appeal. I couldnt care less if there are scanty girls running round. I go for the bikes not the woman. Some stores would be nice which accomodate road riding rather than trying to push expensive track gear onto you. The rest is gravy really.

[Pumba]

Not having to travel for 2 hours minimum.

Yes, but in saying that a group of us have riden tho Wanganui and back on boxing day to watch the racing for the last three years ans I know a hell of a lot of other people that do a simular thing

Why?

For me its a good ride with good people, and you get to watch good racing at your destination.

[Weaver]

Jim thank you--ok lets go with that tot for a mo- what WOULD your kids travel 5 hours for? -a carnival? kids entertainment?
Im not dismissing your feedback -but building a racetrack in upper hutt is a bit beyond my budget sorry

Well i can do a whip around and i'm sure we can manage to get about $50 to help you out. I'll even let people set up tents on my front lawn.......for $35 a night

[klingon]

Things that would make a race meeting appeal to me (in the same way street races do):

- Decent places to get decent food - cafe-style tents where you can actually sit down to consume your coffee & scone. And places that serve actual meals like big brekkies, with real plates and real cutlery.

- Shade! I get so overheated & burned at a lot of those summer events that it's one of my prime requirements to know that there will be shade available. Better still, some kind of water feature that would let me cool off. Water slides aren't just for the kids you know!

- Somewhere secure to leave my gear so I can arrive on a bike, then stash my helmet, boots & jacket so I don't have to carry them with me all day.

OK so maybe I'm not your target market for attending race meetings. But if you want 5000 people to attend, you're going to need a very broad target market!

[FROSTY:Me]

No klingon you're wrong--the very reason I raised the question in GBR not Racing forum is to get the opinions of as wide a range of people as possible -us racers at times tend to say--but they should!! rather than asking -why aren't they??
Shade is a really good point

[deanohit]

good food --yep
trade stalls--yep
rally --hmmm -lotsa boooze n stuff -could work as there is a camping area next to the old taupo pits that coulkd be set up
Girls-kinda goes with the trade stalls I think
Free entry--kinda defeats the point -but I wanna keep entry costs to around $10 each

Good food, yep, but I go to watch the racing, drives my mate nuts when I just want to sit there eating in the stands.
Trade stalls, great idea but see above for me.
Girls are definitely a bonus.
I'm not worried about travel time, a rally for those who want to would be awesome, bonfire and a local live band would really set it off.
I'd be happy to pay $20-30 to camp some where the night as long as there will be entertainment.
Entry costs, happy to pay $10-20

Good luck with setting this up mate!

[Paul in NZ]

Make into a festival - how many people go to the cold kiwi etc

Look at the burt munro event - something worth the travel.

A decent band in a decent venue (Taupo) along with other activity (swap meet or rally etc) maybe even themed events each year..

Look at the Goodwood meetings in the UK

Look at the old LeMans 24 hours - lots to do - lots to see...

[FROSTY:Me]

whats the normal attendance numbers at Ck or even sulpher city??
Taupo lends itself really well to the combined rally/race meeting thing--the new pits are "up top" so the race teams would be based there
Rally goers would be in the "old" pits which is parking for a fair few bikes and tents n stuff --dunno about the bomfitre idea though -avgas and fire---scarey

[Paul in NZ]

I'd say the Pukekohe Classic festival of speed would be the biggest spectator wise... Theres a LOT to see there..

The poms do these kinds of events well - bouncy castle for the kids (eh bah gum lad) plus all kinds of alternate attractions. I certainly would not go to watch 6 hours of tedious racing....

The last wanganui we went to was only 'cos we could go see Jimmy Barnes after, stay the night, meal etc - great weekend away... Motorcycle racing is not really exciting except to the die hard enthusiasts anymore, bikes are all non descript clones from the stands and our partners find it insanely boring... You have to provide a reason for a non motorcycle partner to come as well

[kiwisfly]

How about reservered seating Frosty? Went to the V8's in Auck for 4 years (from Wellington) and one of the attractions was reserved seating that allowed you to get up & wander about the displays, pit walk & get food/drink then get back to you seat.
I would pay a higher rate for the privilage.
A giant screen would be awesome for showing the live action, pulling in the thrils ad spills moments on replay and possbly provide a revenue stream with advertising?
Easy pit access that allows the folk to get close to the real live racers.
Wanganui do the "big show" on the night ie Jimmy Barnes. He's unrealistic I know but could be room for a concert that wil bring punters in that want to make a full weekend of it.
Try & nail the better weather period.
Still thinking about it, will get back to ya!