Important please read!!!!!
 

Hi All,

Numbers have been really low at our Friday night race meetings. Things are getting a little tight to keep it open. We all want to keep it open for next winter.

So the question is?

Please be honest. What would u change to make it better?

Please post below. Your feedback could help.

I think the reason for numbers been down there more out doors meeting in summer than the winter I race worm/ Tiverton every weekend also people have budget where in the winter there only your club / worm that run is Friday the best night to run!!

This venue could go if numbers dont improve :bored: and we all know there is alot of racing outdoors in the summer this year with TRCCC and WORM running great meetings. I find Yatton a great venue for testing stuff before sunday racing or just getting the thumbs in tune for sunday:thumbsup: For years I have always wanted a indoor venue to race at with the ropey English weather and we have it! I personally would like a bigger wider track with better chances to overtake and this could happen! :woot: Rob and Alan have put alot into this and it will be shame to see it go and without support it will. :bored: If you ask most racers around the country do they wish they had a indoor venue they would give there right arm for it. Sorry only my 50p worth

Martin

Bigger track would be the best thing better jumps and maybe more footage of racing on oople/YouTube of and so on then people will see it and more than lilkly won't to go there and check it out

105 views of this thread and no ideas or opinions :bored: hmmmm

I don't know if this is constructive or not...but for me its all about raising awareness of the sport/hobby. Posters in schools might be one way of doing this...alternatively perhaps go back to basics and organize a few one off races in as public place as we can find...old school tires and fire hose sort of thing for the track layout. I am sure enough south west racers would support it. Bristol has a massive school catchment area, it wouldn't take too many events to gauge the current level of interest that kids have for the sport.

1) Make the best you can of the venue...Done?
2) Make sure all the racers know about you...Done?
3) Make sure you charge enough to cover your rent...???

If your happy your not putting racers off with the facilities, and your not sure you can pick up any more racers in the short term...increase the price a little...I suspect your regulars will all understand and support you....

It'd probably still be WAY cheaper than a night in the pub, and I'd like to think people will see the value...

I personally wouldn't worry about comparing your race fee's with other clubs too much...you have a unique facility in the uk...so you need to set your own levels accordingly I would say. As long as it's not silly money, people will get it, and if numbers do improve you can re-value it.

???

Personally don't enjoy the track(s) too much

In what way Dan and be honest this isnt a witchhunt is it the size or the design? You will never match the feeling of an outdoor track as indoor is different? Does it need to flow more or more and bigger jumps?

Most if not all the guys who go to Yatton also supply worm would be nice if it worked both ways don't have to go every week and it doesn't matter if you like or dislike the track supporting a venue that gives you racing in the winter months I myself would love to be there but mostly working on Friday evening.
Perhaps try doing micro's as well

maybe try running on a different night?

I race at Caldi on Friday so no chance of me making the journey over the bridge to see you guys

But if it were on a Wednesday for instance then I may be tempted to come along

Hope you can keep it going for those that do race with you

Could you be more specific, do you not enjoy the track layouts or just the track/venue in general? We are trying to get as much feedback as we can to try to improve what we have and to make the racing more enjoyable for more people.

Apologies if this sounds a bit negative.

Most people aren't going to travel more than a 15-20 mile radius on a regular basis, due to fuel, race fees and just not been able to get there in a reasonable time.

With the outdoor season, racers are concentrating on these meeting.

Friday nights is when other clubs race, so changing to a different night may help, but then this could have a worse effect as people have work or school the following day.

It would of been nice to see more one off open meetings over the Summer, the revenue off this would of helped cover rents. Sadly though every weekend is tied up with Tiverton and Worm, having there own race series on a fortnightly basis. Shame you couldn't of taken advantage of the two recent Bank Holidays.

Open all day on certain Saturdays for open practice may work, but I can't see numbers been that high with outdoor racing on a Sunday and it would probably only have an ill effect on Friday nights.

To be honest I don't think you can rely on the regular racer, due to many of the reasons above.

A local model shop where people can chat is always a good thing, you get people through the door, the interest starts to develop and some start racing.

The only way you are going to make the club grow is to enlist locally through schools etc. New blood will always support a local club because that's what they want to do, is race every week. And if they start racing, there friends start racing.

Hopefully you can pick some positives out of my negatives :)

Bit more light hearted.

Fill the place with clay and you'd have an influx of drivers all week long:drool:

yatton
 

its a great track and a great crowd..the reason i cant make it is getting from stroud and to the club especially with the holiday traffic. i have a mate in weston and his brother are going to come along to join hope this will help a bit.

You could set an example and race your self every week.:-)

Hmmm!!!

Ever tried running a race meeting, tuck shop, Rc shop and race all in one night.

It would make no difference Financially as Alan and I fund the club.

Are you for real ? The work and hrs those guys put in to having the track even operating with shop on site etc and this is the best you can come back with???

I know rent wise it doesn't work this way ,but as has been said before in the summer months ppl are gearing up generally for outdoor races at weekends and probably can't make two days racing in one weekend.
It would prob work better to run from say sept/April then I guess the numbers would be better?But guess we'd lose the venue that way?

Track wise yes maybe could be tidied up a bit but in general the track layouts have been great. It's a challenge for new guys and seasoned pros in my opinion and the racing is super close. Yes the proposed larger layout may help improve the track but in reality would it really bring any more racers (apart from reasonably locals) in? I'm unsure. Would be a real shame to see it go- the guys work hard there to run and keep it open.I live an hr away and it's tight for me to make it there on shift work, but its great to have a venue to run/ test your car if needed.

I'd say I have to agree with Dan on this, the tracks are a bit lame .. sorry ... :(

At most indoor clubs, tracks have to be built every week .. which is a proper pain in the arse but the upshot is that you have variety every week and also you tend to learn what works and what most peeps like in terms of difficulty and layout...

I'd say spend a little money on some hardboard and plywood to allow a little more variation in track type and design. I know that's easier said than done when your already strapped for the stuff ...

Maybe even have a track build night, some of us actually enjoy that sh!t :)

And another point, I think Yatton and our micro club at Hutton (WORM) are probably victims of the outdoor WORM's success, we only had 7 turn up last night :thumbdown:

and while I'm thinking of it, maybe put up a permanent sign outside by the road, the traffic through Yatton in the day time is nuts !!!

Unfortunately as WORM have found out in the past people don't turn up and help. Our experience is that people just want to show up to the track and race.

The frustrating thing about all this is come the Winter people will be wondering why there isn't anywhere indoors to race.

I know you said this jokingly but I have had the same thought and would love to do this. I may talk to the owners and see what they say. If we are not in the building paying the rent they are going to knock it down anyway.

I think yatton is a brilliant track, as previously mentioned its great to have somewhere to go on a Friday night to keep your thumbs in tune.

Sadly it's abit to far for me to come most of the time as its an hour and a half drive each way.... I wouldn't mind the travelling time it's just the fuel cost!

For a Sunday meeting I would happily support yatton, just becomes a bit much when racing Friday nights and Sunday. Now the summer months are here with regionals etc. it's preferable to race on an outdoor circuit.

I think the track is making really good use of the space and features available. Extending it may make the track better, but not sure if it would bring more members.

It would be sad to see yatton go, especially after all the hard work and amount of hours that have been put into it!

Maybe ... but if you don't try you won't know ...

Would be good to have a few spares bits n bobs to have a play around with ... and its not as if you you have to dismantle it at the end of the night ... !!

Dirt would be amazing ... but more work :(

Ask Paul about it, he had a club a few years back which was indoor dirt ... and was amazing :woot:

Dirt is more hassle than its ever worth !!!!

I think maybe the 2 clubs could come together and come up with a solution after all do you really need 2 indoor tracks in the area why not pull together and work something out after all your all adults doing the same thing.
Just a thought

We have discussed this in the past but because we are not sure how long we will have the place (could get turfed out if they find a renter) WORM decided that they would like to stay in the hall they are in. I completely understand this and would do the same if I was in their position.

Dirt is a lot of hassle but if it improved the numbers then I would be willing to try and find the time to sort it. Having said that I think that we would be better off expanding what we have and trying to improve the facilities available first.

One thing I think would be good is for Yatton to have a small committee so try to get things sorted and to get things actioned. At the moment myself, Rob and Martin sort everything (mostly Rob) and it would help to get other people involved more in the general running of the club.

tbh the little time i have spent at the track i have liked even tho im not always able to run im happy to chip in to keep it moving i think awareness is a issue i no of few rc'ers & shops that had no idea it was there i have a couple of newbies coming in the next few weeks

Yatton
 

Maybe there could be other key holders for the nights/days it shuts due to competition elsewhere or even for different class evenings i.e. Micros etc

I personally love it there but have no experience of other clubs

I would be sad to see it go so I would defo be prepared to pay more each evening if its required. In the grand scheme, an extra £5 is ok.

Changing the track may be fun however i dont think its the answer unless you have a MASSIVE jump somewhere for those who dont mind fixings their cars loads:thumbsup:

Maybe there should be a session for TOTAL beginners so they dont feel under immense pressure to perform or avoid upsetting fellow members, or even an evening where there is no racing, just bashing?

Is it a fixed cost per month to run or do the electricity costs fluctuate depending on usage?

Whats the cost of opening separate nights??

Just ideas.

Thanks for the hard work put into the club. All I do is turn up and smash my car around all night and eat your food so I am grateful enough to pay more for my experience

whys that Martin ? Would you need to wash more :)

All joking aside the track is good for what size building you have , The people there are all nice and helpful !

Down side for me is its just over an hour away for me ( Exeter ) and when you have kids with after school clubs , Home work and then put them to bed leaves me pushed for time and at the end of the night when i get home it's really LATE for a old man like meself :eh?:

I do think it would be a great idea to speak to as many models shops as poss to SPREAD the word as i bet there is loads of people who have cars they just trash about in the garden or car park !

What about test days? Say open up for a 1/2 day on a saturday to test / Pratice ! ( I understand extra work for you both but maybe a pre book Min of 5 at £5 each )

Last of all Good job Rob and Alan for all your hard work setting up this venue and thank you for your time you put in to ranning race control and giving up YOUR racing to do so !

Tony

Well said Tony ! well most of it:p

Hi Rob

Try this as cheap advertising !

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Supastox-G...item460fdaa734

ebay advertising 30 days for a pound or two !

Tony

Hi everyone, some good points made here.

I believe that the club has the future to be an excellent facility for us all AND grow significantly in numbers. Yes it’s a bit smaller than we would like, but lets turn this fact into a positive and become known for having a highly technical twisty track (which is sheltered from rain!). With the popularity of WORM, caldicot & now YRCCC it seems that the South west and Bristol area are becoming a bit of a hub for RC racing and they can all offer something a bit different whilst focusing on the 1/10th which seems to attract the masses.

I believe that there is currently enough of a critical mass of people who are willing to pay extra that would be able to support the club finances.

I also believe that dan is 100% correct, we need to attract new blood to the support for the club to have a long term future.

Therefore I would suggest the following:

1.We introduce club membership fees at around the following rates:
•Annual membership £90 or paid quarterly at £27 (2 options to help those with cash flow issues)
•No fee for new comers for 2 months (the costs of setting up with RC stuff is high)
•£20 a year for under 18’s.

2.We continue to charge race fees. £5/ night for members and for your first 3 times at the track. £12 for non members.

3. To address the 'new members' and 'track changes' issues that have been raised, we setup a small committee. From what I can see, this would consist of the following areas that would help the us take the club to the next level:

a. A New recruitment officer/s. somebody responsible for recruiting new members or as a minimum coming up with a plan/calendar of how this could be done and be responsible for moving it forward. E.g. signs in schools, race days in public places such as school car parks, getting the sign out on the road etc etc etc.

b. Someone to own track improvements, this becomes their job and reduces bad feeling when the same old are always looked to to do the work when they already do EVERYTHING. ( I know I have never helped in this btw, so guilty here!)

Therefore my question to everyone is, how many would be willing to pay this sort of money? if it meant the difference between the club staying and going.


I would imagine the long term strategy would probably be to reduce these fees but it could buy us a year to work on getting the member numbers up and therefore revenues.

Sorry Alan/Rob/Martin, I don’t know exact cash you need to generate but I think the response here might determine how much we could look to raise. Hope I haven’t overstepped the mark suggesting this. Its just what I would do if it was completely down to me. :lol:

PS really appreciate all the hard work you’ve all put in to get here, thanks guys.

The rates are £270 p/m then we have to pay electric and water. At the moment we have paid £100 for water for the year we've been there and nothing for electric as they can't seem to agree on the meter reading!!

I can't see people paying 90.00 a year membership and pay to race

I agree, we need to be careful when setting our prices so that we don't put people off.

What would the £90 be paid for if you still had to pay race fees on the day?I've seen this tactic before but the money up front meant you could race anytime any day that season on the track so is basically always open.

Ditto on that. Personnaly i couldnt afford it so that would cancel me out of racing