1999 Question of the Week:
"What would you do differently from the present owner if you took over your local R/C track operations?"
Let AE cars compete instead of just Losi's.
First off I would leave the clay oval track but bank it and make it indoors. Also I would build an off-road track and make that indoors as well. I would quit buying the (other guys merchandise) I would go exclusively Team Associated. I would have a class called "All for one and one for all" designed for racers that are tired of all these rules. And have other classes for the more budget racer and serious racer.
I think I would try to advertise a little to get more people interested and work on getting an offroad track.
For me, the only thing that could be done too much differently is to have a new building, something with a higher ceiling, and have people sweep the track in between heats to allow the track to get a better groove and a few more racing lines. But there is not too much [in the way] it is ran that I would change. [AE responds: Why don't you volunteer to sweep the tracks?]
I think at my club I would like to see more endurance races about 2-3 hours. And also have more cars in one race, say about 15-20, or as many as crystals will allow. It would be a lot more exciting than racing against another 8 cars or so.
Do some more on-road racing. Put better lighting for the track in for night time off-road racing. And the most important thing every race track in AMERICA should have a HOT looking trophy chic to give us kisses if we win!! That way all the men drivers would put that 110% in to win!!! . . . .
Make the onroad track not an oval with a curve in it and make better pit areas
At times, the corner marshals are horrible. During a race, you usually have to yell at the marshals a few times to get them to your car (or buggy!) So, if I was owner of a track, I'd have 3 marshals at a corner, instead of the sometimes 1. [AE responds: Hmmm. . . if someone was yelling at me, I wouldn't want to turn marshal there! If you have trouble getting just one, you'll have a lot of trouble getting three!]
Start races on time!!
First, I would pay the bills so I would be able to keep the track open. Then, once open again, I would try to at least keep the parts of the kits my customers raced in stock. Because the racing would be very competitive after I utilized the space in the building better. Instead of jacking around with my pals all the time, I would take some of that time to keep neat and tidy bathrooms so my wife could come and watch me race and not have to leave because she was repulsed by the condition of said bathrooms. Finally, when somebody comes to me and wants to order something through me, I would write it down, maybe ask them for 10%, and actually order it. So after a week passes by, that customer doesn't come and ask me if his part came in yet and I say "Uh, sorry man, I forgot to order it."
Advertise, Advertise, Advertise!!!! Our track isn't in a large city so it is difficult to get many new people. Especially with the costs of startup in this hobby/sport. I think some advertising and maybe a little sponsoring of public events might get the name of the track out a little more. You have to have new people coming into this hobby or it won't survive. We seem to lose a person every few months. Unfortunately we don't always have someone new to replace them.
I wouldn't let it close at 8:00 pm.
I would run my local track pretty much the same as it's runned right now. Everything is great: there are plenty of pit tables, there is a hobby store there, they sell snacks, the tracks are challenging, and the staff is great. So I think it's fine just the way it is. The only real modification would be an "open class" where you can race any vehicle, for example, the mixing of trucks, buggies, and rallies. I think that'll attract a lot of attention. And on on-road they should mix everything from sedans to ovals to minies! Now that's open modified! N.A. loves K.A.
I would have two beginer classes one for the junk cars and one the good fast cars.
I would make it easier for kids to try their hand at driving. There are rentals available, but all kids don't have the money. I would also open earlier. 11 am is too late. Thank You Chuck Wilkinson
i would ask TA to buy it. leave it open for the public, and make it there exclusive R&D track! ... DKrcracing =}
I would rent R/C cars or trucks for people to use on the track, so they could give racing a try. It could help get people hooked, I think -Zak Swartz
I would acutally check cars to see they aren't running anything illegal, especially stock motors. I would make sure there was at least one turn marshall at each corner, and make sure that the track had a few sets of transponders, instead of flags. Also I would keep the track in better condition, and get someone who actually knows how to true coms...
Well for one thing I would make sure that the track would be kept prepped and race ready when weather permits for every weekend, Unlike our local track who's NEW owner seems to have NO interest in doing!! Our local track has gone from looking like a real track to looking like a CHEAP PET!!! Watch out for the V.C. in the jungle there!!
Have a set of track crystals to loan out, the other day i went to the track to practice, and i feel ive done my part, i have 6 different frequencys, there were 6 guys at the track and none had any other channels, every one of the six guys were on one of my channels, if the track would have "rental crystals" just 3 or 4 sets that wouldn't happen. (or if everyone would do their part and get at least 1 set of back up crystals for less than $20)
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