Selling More Sidewinders???

[johnsonm50]

Can anyone tell me what the largest retail chain in the world is ?

Sams Club and Walmart. These are stores that offer lower pricing. The chain grew fast with the lower prices to what it is today, the largest chain in the world. If you sell something, and Walmart is your customer, they are your largest customer, period.

Does the represent the U.S. population ? How many of you shop at these stores to save money ? How many of you skip paying higher prices at local stores to save money ? Considering the success this chain has I would say the trend to the U.S. is lower prices. We should follow these trends. Just my opinion. You have something priced at even $7500.00 for a package and no financing available, only can be used a couple weekends a month, travel expenses as well.... it seems rather easy to walk in to a marina sign and drive away with a new Wave Runner that can be used everyday on nearly every lake........ And if they want to race it they can in APBA, and then go play the next day with the same machine........ hmmmm. Something to think about.

Very true, It cost me alot less because I got everything but the life jacket used over time. Leaves me thinking 1, You really have to want to do this. 2, It isnt for everybody even if they see it, think its neat-o cool & wanna do it, Its only for some of them. Enough cash to get started is a large commitment to something you might not be fully sure of. Selling off later is likely to be at some loss.
The above being obvious, letting Joe Spectator take a ride opens a can of many worms. Does Joe have the situational awareness & basic motorsport skills to drive even a lawnmower let alone a race boat? Hed obviously have to get an event membership [at least] to be covered & abide by the first race -last place rule [meaning hed have to be slower than even me LoLs] How big is Joe, maybe too big for a J boat. Should a 1 size fits all boat be used & deliberately under-powered just to give him as safe a ride as possible & then should non race 'practice' laps be granted for this purpose? Maybe let a couple Joes drive alongside a Pro? Theres as much to work out on how to handle the ride theory as there is putting a rig together. In retrospect if something were available like this I would have been in line for the ride. 1 thing for sure, Joe would need a pre drive briefing.

[Dave M]

MHRA Does This

MHRA has a driving school at little to no cost to anyone who wants to sign up. I saw the one they did last year at Constantine MI race. It was fantastic, and they gained a new member from it. It was mostly kids in J equipment and a couple adults in ASH stuff and I think one guy went out with a CSH or 20SSH. Crappy weather too, raining but they all had a great time. The enthusiasm the participants showed was uplifting. The one bought a used rig I think. So that proves it can be done. I know a few can and would shell out 10G for a race ready rig, but reality is, most would not spend that much on a rig to get started. They would get their feet wet in a used rig and eventually if they liked it, they would buy new or better used equipment.

Focus on retention and not so expensive competitive equipment. The sport will grow. Mark my words on that.

And while I am off the subject, I have been racing for 30 years. I consider myself a vetran sort to speak, even though I am not that old. Even I have trouble understanding the dam rule book with all the garble and saftey rules in it. You expect a newbie never been exposed to read it with any enthusiasm ? More than likley it will deter them from wanting in. Maybe someone could paraphrase a sort of cliff note for each class..... make it simple for us common folks to understand.

[B Walker]

Stock Outboard has no problem getting new racers. It has a problem keeping them.

Fix the retention problem and all of a sudden other problems become much easier to solve.

BW

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

Stock Outboard has no problem getting new racers. It has a problem keeping them.

Fix the retention problem and all of a sudden other problems become much easier to solve.

BW

I have said it before we need some kind of intermediate/expert classing... New guy CSH, three years two boats, five props, one motor rework, Monday at work... How did you do?, Great I got fourth!. Here in region 10, think about the sleeves with how many patches and how many records you would need to beat just to get third.
I raced dirt bikes last weekend... Plus 40, B main first place. Can't wait for the next race and I would bet the winner of the C main feels the same way.

[blueskyracer]

I have said it before we need some kind of intermediate/expert classing... New guy CSH, three years two boats, five props, one motor rework, Monday at work... How did you do?, Great I got fourth!. Here in region 10, think about the sleeves with how many patches and how many records you would need to beat just to get third.
I raced dirt bikes last weekend... Plus 40, B main first place. Can't wait for the next race and I would bet the winner of the C main feels the same way.

I really like the age thing or advance/intermediate. It is done for the young in boat racing but not any of us with the advancing age.

[PRO-MOTIONRACING]

I really like the age thing or advance/intermediate. It is done for the young in boat racing but not any of us with the advancing age.

How about +40-CSH, over 40 years old and 40lbs over weight?

[Mrs blueskyracer]

Perhaps another class based on how many pills per day you take too?

[blueskyracer]

Perhaps another class based on how many pills per day you take too?

Leave it to the little lady

[drbyrne55]

Need a fix ....pictures

[MGallagher]

I like Mikes idea about the 5 boats. Might as well make it 6 and throw them all in one trailer. Cost of new boat for Sidewinder 15=$700(raw) with adding donated hardware and props, and the motors at cost from Racing Outboards(not much less than retail), let say $5000 per rig. APBA would have to put up $30,000 for the venture. A designated racer, from each division, responsible for bringing the rig to the race in their division, making it to about 6 major events. One or two in each division. Sounds like Merc Challenge, but without the MAJOR sponsor. At the end of the year sell the rigs and do it again.