What's it take?

[yoda]

Couple of other threads got me to thinking about this, as well as our own issues in the past few years here in the Baked Apple... What does it really take to manage a drag strip? Other than having deep pockets (that shouldn't be on the manager- that's an owners job, IMHO), and a good sense of judgement and public relations skills, what makes someone the "right" person to keep a track operating in the black, from a racer's and a fan's opinion?

 

[Rat]

Couple of other threads got me to thinking about this, as well as our own issues in the past few years here in the Baked Apple... What does it really take to manage a drag strip? Other than having deep pockets (that shouldn't be on the manager- that's an owners job, IMHO), and a good sense of judgement and public relations skills, what makes someone the "right" person to keep a track operating in the black, from a racer's and a fan's opinion?

Money aside I would think it's all about the schedule and the classes. Are the rules fairly balanced? Also, how can I forget. Is the track smooth or does it need a resurface that never gets done? What side are you asking, I just gave what I think would be a racer's concern, but are you thinking spectator? Then of course it's all about good views of the track and nothing like a tree blocking anyone's view of the et/speed the car ran. Also, your gonna want to attract some big e.t. cars if the track can handle it, because you'll get alot more paying to see a TF car make a pass then just a 10 sec. bracket car.

 

[PJ]

Needs to have a good blend of meeting racers needs and fans needs. Getting some type of booked in shows that draws fans, havinga good regular weekend sessions for the local racers.


Get sponsorships that expand beyond the track. Be known in the greater area, a track doesn't start and end at the front gate. They need to be out for people to see and hear about.



Work on the youth to get them to the track either,as fans, crews or drivers. High school nationals are great,

Perhaps the key, is to be close enough to people so that they don't have to drive "way out there" but be far enough so that the track doesn't have to deal with dumb neighbors.

 

[BaldyLochs]

Admittedly having absolutely no knowledge thereof... but I would think, like alot of jobs out there, you need to focus on the basics first. Which starts with getting your people to take care of the people. Embrace the fans and racers alike. Because if they stop coming onto the property - you're doomed. Sure, you can have an all-concrete facility, running toilets, modern timing, great marketing, great concessions, great safety crew, top notch tech people.... and a healthy bank account. But what about the drivers and fans? You gotta cater to them, period.

 

[Fast Al]

THE most IMPORTANT factor that determines whether a racetrack will be successful or not is the surrounding POPULATION-----period. According to NHRA stats, if you can draw 1% of the population within one hours drive (or less) of your facility, you have done a good job with fan and racer promotion. So if your track has a surrounding population of 1 million+, you at least have a chance at success. Below that, the chance of success,(regardless of your promotional skills) is slim to none. Been there done that.

 

[z28]

THE most IMPORTANT factor that determines whether a racetrack will be successful or not is the surrounding POPULATION-----period. According to NHRA stats, if you can draw 1% of the population within one hours drive (or less) of your facility, you have done a good job with fan and racer promotion. So if your track has a surrounding population of 1 million+, you at least have a chance at success. Below that, the chance of success,(regardless of your promotional skills) is slim to none. Been there done that.

so what's the bottom line. how much revenue does it take to even open the doors for a test n tune or a weekly points race.

 

[yoda]

Tucson has a winter population just around a million, with SIR being on the SE border of the city- 45 minutes from the NW border of town. Crowd sizes are slim at best; participating racer attendance is usually pretty good to really great.

Managing this track has been a handfull for the past couple of years, just by how many folks we've seen through the office. Everyone from well known, experienced track manager/ operators with tons of racing experience to folks with lots of heart and a bit of business experience but no real history with running a track. All of them have moved on, some by their own accord- some a bit less gracefully.

My original question was based on what it takes for THE PERSON to be able to run the track, not for the track itself (Patrick..). Where should the experience be most derived from, and what makes for a good overall operator? PJ has lobbed the closest grenade- but there has to be a working formula that has been in place at some track somewhere...

 

[Jim]

Re: What's it take? on a related topic?

Can a 1/8th mile track make it?

 

[Nunz]

Of course an 1/8 mile track can make it. We have a track close to us, Lancaster Dragway, I think it's now Dunn Tire Raceway. Been 1/8 mile for decades. You won't get any closer to the race cars without stepping onto the track. Been operating for decades. I think "what's it take" is a difficult question. Kinda like the restaurant biz, probably one of the toughest businesses out there, many attempt it only to close in a short amount of time. A few become wealthy at it. I think there are so many variables that apply to each track, like location, demographic of local population, the monthly nut to keep th lights on, the pool of racers to draw from, etc. And a little bit of luck, weather-wise, especially where I live in the northeast. We have another local track, Empire Dragway, great 1/4 mile facility with a super long shut-down. But since I was a kid, I always wondered if that track was built under a permanent rain cloud. Having said all this, the obvious ingredient is promotion. Whether the owner does it or hires someone, to make real money, you need to promote shows of all types and sizes, and many tracks have one or two big events a year that often help insure profitability.