Another way
I had a conversation with my dad last night that went something like this:
Fred: "We should let the more popular classes race more and encourage people to get their friends into those classes."
Mike: "That's great, Dad. Is Mom home?"
But it got me thinking. Here are a few hypothetical scenarios to consider:
Scenario 1
Classes with 8 or More Boats >> Race is based on three heats
Classes with 6 or 7 Boats >> Race is based on two heats
Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats >> Race is based on one heat
Two or more Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats can be combined to run two heats, with the race committee’s approval, and to be scored separately.
The basic goal is to incentivize stronger heat racing for both the driver and the conducting club. For the driver, this means increased seat time for the same cost in entry fees. For the club, this means increasing the average revenue PER HEAT despite running more heats in some classes.
For example, let’s assume an entry fee of$25 per class. Currently, a four-boat race equates to a revenue of $100 over two heats, or $50 revenue per heat. Under the new system, that would jump to $100 per heat in revenue. But one-heat racing is not the goal—we’ve incentivized running races with more boats. So those four boats sign up their buddies to get six boats and run two heats. That is an increase in overall revenue of $50 for the club, and equates to revenue of $75 per heat, eclipsing the previous $50 per heat figure. If there are eight boats in a class ($200 in entry fees), that’s equivalent to $67 per heat in revenue, even though you’re now running three heats.
The benefit for the spectator is simple: more exciting heats and fewer boring heats.
Over time, this should attract racers to the stronger classes.
Also:
Classes with 13 or More Boats >> Race is based on five heats (2 Elims, 1 Consolation, 2-Heat Finals)
Scenario 2
Classes with 10 or More Boats get a second sanction day’s racing for free (or $5 or something). More bang for your buck, encourages entries and rewards participation in larger classes. Combine with one-heat racing for Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats.
Scenario 3
Modified Category adds a new class: Formula 500CC. Same rules as 500CCMH but with a stock exhaust system, gearcase and tower housing, and 3/4" height restriction. By 2012 the five most popular classes in Stock/Modified racing are 200CCMH, 200CCMR, Formula 500CCH, 500CCMH and 750CCMH, with Formula 500CCR, 750CCMR and 850CCMH also acting as “premier” classes. A typical race would schedule J Classes/Modified. It's purely coincidence that most of those are my classes....
A penny for your thoughts.
Mike(y)
I had a conversation with my dad last night that went something like this:
Fred: "We should let the more popular classes race more and encourage people to get their friends into those classes."
Mike: "That's great, Dad. Is Mom home?"
But it got me thinking. Here are a few hypothetical scenarios to consider:
Scenario 1
Classes with 8 or More Boats >> Race is based on three heats
Classes with 6 or 7 Boats >> Race is based on two heats
Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats >> Race is based on one heat
Two or more Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats can be combined to run two heats, with the race committee’s approval, and to be scored separately.
The basic goal is to incentivize stronger heat racing for both the driver and the conducting club. For the driver, this means increased seat time for the same cost in entry fees. For the club, this means increasing the average revenue PER HEAT despite running more heats in some classes.
For example, let’s assume an entry fee of$25 per class. Currently, a four-boat race equates to a revenue of $100 over two heats, or $50 revenue per heat. Under the new system, that would jump to $100 per heat in revenue. But one-heat racing is not the goal—we’ve incentivized running races with more boats. So those four boats sign up their buddies to get six boats and run two heats. That is an increase in overall revenue of $50 for the club, and equates to revenue of $75 per heat, eclipsing the previous $50 per heat figure. If there are eight boats in a class ($200 in entry fees), that’s equivalent to $67 per heat in revenue, even though you’re now running three heats.
The benefit for the spectator is simple: more exciting heats and fewer boring heats.
Over time, this should attract racers to the stronger classes.
Also:
Classes with 13 or More Boats >> Race is based on five heats (2 Elims, 1 Consolation, 2-Heat Finals)
Scenario 2
Classes with 10 or More Boats get a second sanction day’s racing for free (or $5 or something). More bang for your buck, encourages entries and rewards participation in larger classes. Combine with one-heat racing for Classes with 5 or Fewer Boats.
Scenario 3
Modified Category adds a new class: Formula 500CC. Same rules as 500CCMH but with a stock exhaust system, gearcase and tower housing, and 3/4" height restriction. By 2012 the five most popular classes in Stock/Modified racing are 200CCMH, 200CCMR, Formula 500CCH, 500CCMH and 750CCMH, with Formula 500CCR, 750CCMR and 850CCMH also acting as “premier” classes. A typical race would schedule J Classes/Modified. It's purely coincidence that most of those are my classes....
A penny for your thoughts.
Mike(y)
Comment