If you dont race you dont understand anything that is going on. The Batemans have been doing there best because they love racing. Just like you and me there hearts are in it and believe me they read all of this and it doesnt impress them. Why does everybody assume that its all there fault. First of the economy is terrible and if you know anything about business the economy has a huge effect on your business. Lorain might have a decent amount of cars but you cant compete unless you have at least 10000 in your car. Im building a street stock and I have 8000 in it without the motor, tranny, and rearend. Thats unbeliveable my dad and I used to deal with what we had and many belived we were cheating but in all honesty there were 15 cars who had more then me when I won my title. I used two sets of tires thats it!!!! I agree with chad when he says that you can sit on the computer all day an complain and attack people if you want but chads won how many championship and ive won one so you have to ask yourself do you really know what you are talking about. Lastly id like to say that the batemans are wonderful people. I just had dinner with them this week. We are all human and unfortunately you cant please everyone.
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I am sure they are good people and I personally have nothing against them, however they are missing tremedous opportunites to promote and operate the track more effectively. Not all marketing is extremely expensive, updating the website isn't too costly and there are numerous other opportunities thay have to cash in on and they just don't seem to be getting it done.
I certainly can't purchase the track and I don't have all the answers, but there are tremedous opportunities being overlooked.
Here is a crazy idea that worked: The Cleveland minor league hockey team usually gets a couple thousand fans per game. They decided to have a night where they give out free hats and marketed it through their website and the radio and they had about 10,000 fans show up early to get the hats. There were 2000 hats given away and they got 10,000 fans. I'd say that worked out. They probably sold thousands in concessions and lots more tickets for just some lousy hats that probably cost them about $5 each at the most.
Another idea: "Blank" Speedway gives all their drivers 50 FREE tickets to give to all their drivers to promote autograph and sponsor night. End result, over 5000 people show up on a night where they might get 2000 people. Thats a lot of hot dogs sold and a lot of promoting for the drivers and the fans for future events.
Market it well and people will show up. Marketing works for the fans and also for the drivers obtaining sponsors. Really, you don't even have to give anything away, but you have to be creative and put on an organized well run show that the fans come to expect. Mkae it exciting and make it fun. Find a way!!!!
I agree with Drew,more needs to be done to promote this place and bring it back to what it once was.And no you dont have to be a racer to know whats going on here,Patrons who have been coming there for yrs see whats going on there,its evident all around us...Yes the economy may be bad right now, but how come that doesnt stop alot of these guys from hauling their cars to such tracks as Lorain,Baberton,Sandusky,Conneaut,Erie??Why not stay right in their own backyard to race at our home track?Instead they are spending double the money to go somewhere else!!Were not trying to impress anybody,were hoping to save our local track from going under!!!I dont wanna see this place go down!!
I don't really believe that you want to bring the track to what it once was, I believe that you want to bring it forward into something better. It is true, many Painesville drivers have gone to other tracks and it costs more to get to the other tracks. There needs to be a focus on : What can ownership do to make this a better place for the drivers, the fans and the community.
Thats right, the community too! Do something to attract the younger crowd. If the kids scream enough then most likely the parents will bring them. It happens all the time, just listen at the grovery store when you walk by the snack cakes aisle. Now if the parents bring the kids and then some fights break out and somebody is telling off somone else, well then you lose. They will never come back and they will tell other families what a terrible place it is. Things just have to be under control and drivers fans and ownership need to come together.
Don't think because you own a track that people will just show up, it doesn't work like that. You have to make people want to come to your track. If you plan something, then you have to go through with it. Don't plan a demo and end up with 2 cars. That stinks! What a disappointment. Why would fans believe you will come through the next time? Don't ever think that everbody knows about the track! I know lots of people that haven't heard of Painesville Speedway and they live within 20 minutes of the place. Wow, the opportunity to have the only Figure 8 race in all of Northeastern Ohio. Thats awesome, well it could be!
Don't expect to increase your profits by simply increasing ticket prices, concessions and lowering payouts. Thats a quick fix to a bigger problem. People are too smart for that. People have the money and you have the product. Very true, this economy is tough and that means ownership has to be even more creative. Make Painesville Speedway a desirable place. Get your hands dirty or at least wear some rubber gloves to clean the bathrooms. I think that one faucet in the mens bathroom was broken for years. Get the little things fixed and they will add up to fixing a big part of the problem.
I hope things work out, because I still think Painesville is the best short track around. The racing can be exciting, the wrecks even crazier and the Figure 8 rules when there are enough cars to make things close!
Yep, its like starting over. Its the 50th Anniversary Grand Opening. I suggest a free night for the fans!! and they should advertise the heck out of it. Its a win win situation. There is no way they are making a profit off of approx. 200 fans or less at the races. Free sounds crazy but its not. For example: What if 1000 people show up? They buy concessions, souvenirs, and Big Mama burgers. I am sure those profit. You would possibly sell loads of other stuff and get some fans there to show them the facility. Don't like that idea, here are some more: How about $5 admission and dollar dog night. How about $2 night- $2 admission and $2 burgers. I'd like that. I'd buy at least 3 or 4 burgers!! There are countless schemes to get people in the stands, just try something and make it fun!
By the way, this is supposed to be the fan club, so drivers arent supposed to complain so much here. I am at least trying to offer some ideas to make it better. Marketing works if you do it right, just have to try it!
Drew and everyone else you make some vailid points. I went to school for marketing/public relations. What a great idea to have a handout night with Painesville speedway apparel of some sort. Do they even have any Painesville Speedway apparel to sell?? I have actually been to other race tracks and have recieved fliers from people in the stands for a completely different race track..now look at that marketing..I have noticed that some tracks partner together..like if one races on Friday night and the other on Saturday night..they will try and run some race that corresponds to both tracks in that case both tracks win. I frequent Lorain quite often and I am constantly hearing how this person came from Painesville etc..they get to know their drivers and make them feel welcome so they will come back. Anyways back to the topic..great ideas if i got a free hat or shirt or something I would wear it when i go to other tracks..why not you know!