Wow, haven’t been on Pitracer in ages and stumble across this.
Art, I’ll give you all the credit in the world for good intentions, but to bypass your die hard track supporters who have attended your events the last few years, an ask the OMA clique on Pitracer to redesign your track, and reformulate your business plan makes about at much sense as Jeb asking Hillary for campaign advice. In your first post I’m reading your apology and gratitude, and wondering whom it is directed to. I can only conclude that either you believe all those people who keep coming out to race at Pymatuning hang out on Pitracer, or that you are looking for guidance in becoming an OMA track.
Seriously, any input is useful, but it must be weighed against the source before committing to put it into action. The concept of a monolithic race community is pure baloney. There are several race communities, and each run different machines, different tracks, different organizations, have different ideas, and race for different reasons. With a few exceptions, Pitracer represents 2 wheel, points racers, racing for year end awards and/or building a resume for nationals. OMA accommodates that far better than anybody, and no matter how you prep your track as directed by the OMA racers on this site, they will not return and race Pymatuning under a CRA flag unless nothing else is running that day, or it’s a convenient practice for them. Focus on retaining the riders you still have, and look for ways to expand on that theme! Don’t give them the impression that you’re settling for them because you can’t get the riders you really want. Don’t take them for granted to pursue riders you won’t likely get.
I’ve raced Pymatuning a few times in the early 2000s, and we finally brought the trikes out for the first time in 2015 only because of the location. We were shocked at how little we hear about it, compared to how awesome it was. The evening we were out there, I can’t come up with a single complaint for the track (or the concrete start). I certainly wouldn’t change a thing without input from YOUR regular racers, (whom you won’t find many on Pitracer). Your biggest issues are with marketing, scheduling, and structure, not really track prep.
You are on the right track in your desire to obtain input, but misguided as to where you’ll find good information. I think this 3 page thread has input from 2 people who actually raced there in 2015. Every CRA race I have ever been to, I’ve filled out an entry form with my address, email, and I think even my phone number, as well as for my CRA card. Look at those who supported you last year, and start emailing, sending mailers, or calling THEM until you get a representative sample you are comfortable with. Post an email address for input requests on the CRA website and CRA facebook page. Aside from “input,” ask questions, and try to learn why they actually race. Some are serious points racers, some race only a few special events, some race for family fun. Some like to hang out with friends all day or weekend. Some want to come in, race and get scored, and get out. You need to find out how often they want to race, why they still support you, what they don’t like about OMA, what they like about your place, what keeps them there, what has kept them out in the past, and what would enable them to race more, or bring more like minded people into the sport. Start looking at what brings in your spectators. Spectators will often spend as much money inside, as they do to get in.
A new brand and image is a good idea but I’m personally not crazing about the “extreme” theme. I personally think the casual racing family, racing for fun, exhibition race groups, and the beginners and trail riders are overlooked markets the CRA handles well, though could use improvement. I think weekend events with related activities instead of “in and out” MX races would freshen up the staleness. Saturday barrel racing, mud bog, dirt pile climbing, obstacle course, ATV or motorcycle soccer, mini harecramble, bicycle mx, foot race on MX track, or whatever else your imagination can come up with before a Sunday race could bring families and many more spectators out for a whole weekend and something the whole family can enjoy. I think your heavy scheduling of race after race has your pool of supporters burned out. You’ve saturated your race market. Turnout begets turnout, and fewer events with larger turnouts, will build larger long term turnouts.
In my old age, one of the most annoying aspects of camping is the noise of loud music, loud generators, and partying. Sometimes it’s a simple matter of segregating the two.
As I see it, the CRA can either try to be another OMA, and compete with them for the type racers they serve best, or the CRA can look at the riders who aren’t served well by OMA, and offer a product or service nobody currently offers.
