Long time ago, mid 80's such a show existed. Model and Allied Publications used to organise, or at least sponsor a model and car show at the Royal Agricultural Showground, Stoneleigh. Only ran for a few years, but it had everything modelling at the time. 1/10 & 1/8 th buggies, 1/8 circuit, 1/12 circuit, stock cars, airplanes, boats, control line planes, slot racers as well as crafts. Bought a Puma 1/8 stocker from a stand. Lots of clubs and societies showing stuff. Fantastic as an enthusiast teenager, but maybe not for everyone else.

Guessing it didn't pay its way even then. Today with Internet and all its joys, even less chance I would think.

As a returnee to the game, together with introducing a teenage to it, I'm a bit shocked the shear speed of the things now. For a newbie it must be frightening. Theres no 380 class to start off in now. And the easy temptation to buy speed rather than gain it through experience, but then discovering you still can't drive and are now busting things must put a lot off.

I'm also rather shocked at the number of grown men playing with toy cars on a Sunday afternoon who need to shout and swear at all and sundry, despite polite requests not to, even at enthusiastic juniors marshalling, before they've even finished crashing. Hardly encouraging to parents attempting to drag their kids away from the play station.

Bri

Hi

While the thread started about major shows - which are a whole world of difficulty - it's now moved onto club promotion, which isn't..

Promoting YOUR club is relativly easy, cheap and 100% essential.


To start with some facts.

There are MORE people racing now than there used to be 'back in the good old days'.

If they aren't racing at your club either the vehicles you're racing are out of the current fashion (which unfortunatly does happen) or more likley your club promotion isn't high enough profile.

An average club needs to recruit about 15-20% of it's average attendance, per year, just to stand still numbers wise.
Do no PR and you're dead within 5-6 years unless you're very lucky.



So to start with, i've selected a bit from one of the above:-

I'd most definatly argue that point..


A few ideas below, there's loads more - pick one and JUST DO IT..


A local fete / hobby show / sports event etc - should be dead cheap to do and any extra racers are always a good result as you're looking to boost your profile too, so while you may only get a couple of instant new racers who else will see you / read about you and come and find you a few weeks later?


Take any and every opportunity to get your club name in the local press - send them a well writen, short, article with high resulotion digital images (carefully noted as 'copywrite free') and 9 times out of 10 it'll get printed.


Make sure the club is listed in every local what's on guide.


Is your profile compleated on the BRCA website - while i'll admit it's not pretty it is very functional and gets a huge number of hits per day - guess what's the most popular click?
- 'find your local club'
Amazing how many clubs don't bother compleating that bit..


Printing is cheap - Get some A3 or A2 posters done for your club, about 4 for every member, as finding somewhere to put up 4 posters isn't a big ask is it..


Go onto one of the many business card printing websites - print off a business card for your club; what, where, when, website and a phone number.
Distribute a dozen to each club member, for them to carry around so when asked they have the details.
The BEST club PR is for us to drag a newbie along.


If you've got a website it MUST be up to date - I go on several per week that are out of date, have no contact details etc etc.
But remember people go looking for websites AFTER they have the idea of trying to find you.


If you attend any event:-
Contact the BRCA pro, he can supply 'Go Model Car Racing' booklets on demand - all you need to do is add an A5 flyer for your club.
He can also advise you on what you need to do to make an event work.

And there's loads more..


Lastly
Never EVER be worried about chatting to your friends and mates at work about what you do in your spare time.
I've had this come up several times - believe it or not - and it always surprises me that people are self conscious about the hobby that they love - dont be, anybody who takes the micky is a prat and will be corrected by somebody who knows better.
Your enthusiasm is the best selling tool there is.

To be a 'National Show' does it have to be Earls Court etc? :thumbdown:

Im sure there must be some schools/colleges with a suitable sized hall, say somewhere in the midlands or Manchester areas? Letting should be more affordable, not mention fairer costs for those attending from up & down UK.:thumbsup:

Can you get enough traders? :confused:
School canteen please...down the corridor and to your left.

Main assembly hall for regular 'flat carpet' stuff and sports hall for off-road.
1/5 2 strokes outdoors on the sports field.:p

Our local high school isnt exactly massive, but could accommodate these easily, Im sure England has at least the same if not better.:D
Bearing in mind that its a 'show' with a few races thrown in, hopefully not as many headaches with shed-loads of race entrants to contend with.:thumbsup:

... you wont get 1000's going to a school.... would need to have at lest a whiff of credibility...

I've had experience with the controllers in one of the local exhibition centres and they want funny money, hence my 'suggestion' nothing more fella!

I'll crawl back under my rock.............................

Just a couple of things to add...

What's wrong with attracting the over 40s? They are usually monied, have some appreciation of focusing on a hobby and are seen in their hundreds at things like the Autosport. We always talk about having to attract youngsters, but why is that? Why can't we attract people in their later years too? I am guessing the James' reference to a couple of motorbike enthusiasts joining RHR means they are not youngsters or in their early teens.

The point about speeds is very well made. Gone are the days of BR motors putting out 80 watts, now any BL motor in our classes puts out 150W with a small amount of timing. People are racing TC 2S/13.5/boosted cars with more than that, and Off-Road 7.5 cars. They are frankly uncontrollable for the average club racer without making spares sales soar!

Our fixation with single classes in this country has always seemed strange to me. In the US they run many classes even on a club night. I went to Ranch Pit Shop one club evening. They raced eight classes of Off-Road on the one night and had over 120 people there - on a club night! Many clubs run two or three classes on a night.

Why would we not think about attracting more people by slowing it all down and offering multiple classes at Clubs to help new drivers learn their art and compete with what they have bought? Just a thought...