APBA Driving School in Dayton, Ohio, May 30-31

[Mark.Wheeler]

28 people signed up.

[Andrew 4CE]

Can you break that down to the groups?

J
CSH
5L
SST120
SST120/5L

Thanks!

[HRTV]

28 people signed up.

Mark,

Can you tell us if these 28 folks are from outside of the racing circle i.e. family members or current drivers etc. or are these complete outsiders?

It would be great if we could see a demographic break down including age race gender etc.

Thanks

[thirlbym-14]

Age

Age
41
53
59
53
9
41
38
59
31
45
51
52
58
70
52
61
62
46
45
51
11
74
48
69
37
31
49
73

(7 students are APBA members)

[HRTV]

Age
41
53
59
53
9
41
38
59
31
45
51
52
58
70
52
61
62
46
45
51
11
74
48
69
37
31
49
73

(7 students are APBA members)

Did you guys put up a flyer at the local nursing home in Dayton

[Mark.Wheeler]

Did you guys put up a flyer at the local nursing home in Dayton

Dan,

Do you think this type of comment is somehow helpful?

Mark

[Andrew 4CE]

That's pretty cool acutally!

I'd say many people will finally realize their life long dream to drive a race boat.

For a first crack at this it's amazing. There likely wasn't much advertising. And isn't this event in conjunction with a vintage or testing meet?

I hope I'm able to climb in a boat at 74!

I'd guess most are signing up for th inboard ride?

[Mark.Wheeler]

That's pretty cool acutally!

I'd say many people will finally realize their life long dream to drive a race boat.

For a first crack at this it's amazing. There likely wasn't much advertising. And isn't this event in conjunction with a vintage or testing meet?

I hope I'm able to climb in a boat at 74!

I'd guess most are signing up for th inboard ride?

Andrew,

I agree completely. It is pretty cool.

Mark

[Hutch06]

Age - Appeal

"Quote:
Originally Posted by Admin
Did you guys put up a flyer at the local nursing home in Dayton


Dan,

Do you think this type of comment is somehow helpful?

Mark "

Although the post may not be completely helpful in this subject, the age subject does point to something with marketing APBA. From what I've read from many forums over the winter, a good majority believes the sport is dying. I believe that if Outboard racing or APBA in general can be promoted to the younger generation in a better way than it's being promoted now, you may see more attention to the sport.

The sport isn't boring, and once you get in a boat, it seems that you're just kinda hooked. The sport is affordable which reaches the young crowd as well.

Seeing the ages listed above, I have to admit that I was surprised by the amount of folks over 40 getting into a raceboat in comparision to the under 40 age range. Now, I'm not saying anything negative about the older generation, I think everyone should get in a ride in a boat - but it is an interesting comparison.

Sorrry if this was a bit of a thread hijack...

[Blackhawkguy]

The age may reflect

The age group is very interesting, it may very well reflect that people of that age group remember as kids boats being the water toys not jet skis, and or they have the money to spend on frivilous things, whatever the reason it looks like we need to go for the older crowd in marketing, not the younger.

Kerry

[sam]

Marketing to those interested may eventually bring in their kids and grandkids, too. You have to start where you can.

[ryan_4z]

Oh come on Mark, lighten up, it was a joke. It is pretty crazy that 9 of the 28(32&#37 of the people signed up are over 55! And 23(82%) are over 40. There is definetly something to be learned from those statistics. As Dan so sarcastically pointed out though, those numbers would be skewed if the advertising was not aimed at all age groups. What methods were used to advertise this program?

I would also like to make clear that I think this is a really great program. It is probably the best program APBA has done to look for new drivers. Way better than that silly Water Mouse or anything else I can remember.

[wagner-racing16-s]

I can see it this way. Back in the 70's when most of the older generations where in there 20's and boat racing had some huge number of racers. Now we have designed the chance do give it a shot. Todays younger demigraphic is all caught up i would say on cars and jet ski's. Not saying that the younger generations wouldn't be interested but i think that not a lot of them know about us as a sport. My friends and people i talked to never even heard of it but as soon as they see a picture they think that it is sweet. Then its just a matter of getting them into the boat to try it out. If we want a younger generation then maybe we need to advertise to them. Young adults i would say barely watch the news or read the paper. Most of there time is spent on the web on such sites as facebook and myspace. We have a huge group of racers i would say of all ages on there. Not it is just the matter of reaching out to them through this useful tool. It's the matter of paying for a banner to be posted on there, and you never know we could get even several more internet hits and more people interested.

[HRTV]

Dan,

Do you think this type of comment is somehow helpful?

Mark

Mark,

As Ryan pointed out it was just a joke, most of the veteran HR members have learn by now you must have a pretty thick skin to hang out and post here at HR

I also think this a great idea but if it were not for the two young kids that singed up this would look more like a bucket list. Hey I'm old so don't think I'm knocking old people I just thought this list would have been made up of a much younger group of kids.

[Mark.Wheeler]

Dan/Ryan,

I understand it was an attempt at a joke. I'm not sure the people on HR's "bucket list" would agree.

Mark