Outback RC 2009 - Page 3

92 vert · 02-24-2009, 06:14 AM

I no longer run an 8.5 in my B44.I sold it and picked up a GTB with a 5.5R for a little more power for Leisure Hours.The 8.5 motor was good to me for over 2years I think you will be very happy with it.

chicagokenji · 02-24-2009, 06:37 AM

Mr. Outback, hearing about Leisure and 4 WD buggies and thinking about your track needing to have racers show up once it gets warm outside, you need to know there's 80-100 off road racers showing up every Saturday night there in Joliet. In terms of experienced racers around town those are the people that need to know your track exists. I'll take a stab of a guess and say 80% of them don't know there will be a track open in Spring 2009 in Marengo IL.

You should head over there on Saturday nights to race and look at how to promote to them. Personally I'd try and find everyone there who lives closer to Marengo.

I'm hearing they get 20+ Slashes every Saturday.

BobWoodhouse · 02-24-2009, 07:00 AM

CK,

You could definitely be right that not everyone may know about the outback. I would probably be a bit too reserved to announce my track while at another person's track. But, I imagine after a while word will leak through the grapevine.

I am putting focus on coming up with a race program this year that will make my visitors want to spread the word. I think that getting the facilities in decent shape and running a clearcut race day will be key actions for the track.

On a sidenote, CK, I notice you often go around and write down people's race entry info on a sheet of paper. I copied that approach when I helped run the big race at ExtremeRC in Marengo. It can take a bit of time to go around doing that, especially if you get a surprisingly large turn-out. I am going to try something -- I ordered 250 "free" business crads from Vista-print that have the "appointment" area on the back side, and I modified it a bit to say "Racer Name", "Frequencies", "Class". SO I am going to have those out for people to write down their info and turn in to the race director's camper.

Best,
Bob

chicagokenji · 02-24-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobWoodhouse

CK,

You could definitely be right that not everyone may know about the outback. I would probably be a bit too reserved to announce my track while at another person's track. But, I imagine after a while word will leak through the grapevine.

I know firsthand how the grapevine works. You can guarantee a slim turnout if you only use that. Being that your place is free to race it could be as simple as regularly showing up in Joliet to race and introducing yourself and handing people a biz card with your info with an invite to join you. Any track that would have disdain for a free venue would be short sighted in that your new racers when ready could end up at their facility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobWoodhouse

On a sidenote, CK, I notice you often go around and write down people's race entry info on a sheet of paper. I copied that approach when I helped run the big race at ExtremeRC in Marengo.

I do that at Strictly and UG because it's expedient. I personally know 90% of those racing and what classes they'll be running. If I was holding a bigger event where I didn't know people I'd do what the other area tracks do and have have the racers walk up and give me their info.

BobWoodhouse · 02-24-2009, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagokenji

I know firsthand how the grapevine works. You can guarantee a slim turnout if you only use that. Being that your place is free to race it could be as simple as regularly showing up in Joliet to race and introducing yourself and handing people a biz card with your info with an invite to join you. Any track that would have disdain for a free venue would be short sighted in that your new racers when ready could end up at their facility.

Hmm. Have to consider. If it was all like you mention, I should also be able to call up the LH race director and have them announce my track's existence or put up a flier for it. If I were them, I don't think I would do it. Therefore, I would hesitate to ask, unlike a good salesman.

chicagokenji · 02-24-2009, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobWoodhouse

Hmm. Have to consider. If it was all like you mention, I should also be able to call up the LH race director and have them announce my track's existence or put up a flier for it. If I were them, I don't think I would do it. Therefore, I would hesitate to ask, unlike a good salesman.

Call Scott in Joliet up, ask for a meeting, head their to meet with him with your info and ask him personally. All he could do is say no. When he says no you explain how more racing in another part of town is helpful to him. He has the best venue in this part of the country, I highly doubt your home track is a threat to their biz or biz plan.

In your plans to present to Scott you have Joliet give you their printed info and for anyone new to your place you promote the Joliet track.

BobWoodhouse · 02-24-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagokenji

Call Scott in Joliet up, ask for a meeting, head their to meet with him with your info and ask him personally. All he could do is say no. When he says no you explain how more racing in another part of town is helpful to him. He has the best venue in this part of the country, I highly doubt your home track is a threat to their biz or biz plan.

In your plans to present to Scott you have Joliet give you their printed info and for anyone new to your place you promote the Joliet track.

I don't see why they would want to lift a finger, but your idea sounds more methodical and striaght up now. You think it could be important. So, I will give a try. But, in my mind, I would like my track to be a contender in a couple years.

BobWoodhouse · 02-24-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobWoodhouse

But, in my mind, I would like my track to be a contender in a couple years.

Sorry to quote myself, but I wanted to expand a little bit. At first, I built this track basically out of disgust for nobody else following through with their plans in the area. I wanted someone else to build one (which ExtremeRC did just slightly after I did Outback) because I knew it would be more work to build my own. When I decided to build it, I knew it might take a while for me to develop and to learn how to run it. But now, once I gain the confidence of having week-after-week well-run races, I don't see why the track can't grow into a totally worthy outdoor racetrack that has all the features of any other outdoor racetrack. If there is a good amount of interest in 2009 and I hear inputs for making the track top-notch, I don't see why I couldn't have those ideas implemented by next year, or as 2009 goes by.

chicagokenji · 02-24-2009, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobWoodhouse

I don't see why the track can't grow into a totally worthy outdoor racetrack that has all the features of any other outdoor racetrack.

The one major issue with getting many people to race there is you aren't inviting any nitro racers to show up. That's a huge segment of racers in the Spring and Summer for an off road outdoor facility. If you went with Nitro you'd get 20+ people to show up regularly.

BobWoodhouse · 02-24-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicagokenji

The one major issue with getting many people to race there is you aren't inviting any nitro racers to show up. That's a huge segment of racers in the Spring and Summer for an off road outdoor facility. If you went with Nitro you'd get 20+ people to show up regularly.

I am sure you are right about more people showing up for nitro, but we are running just electric. I can't really go to a group of nitro-only guys and say "Hey, come to my place and race, but don't bring nitros." So, at its best it could be a "world class" electric-only track -- still I would like to get to that point.

BobWoodhouse · 03-02-2009, 04:35 PM

Here is out 2009 flyer. Feel free to print out and hand out.

BobWoodhouse · 03-06-2009, 04:53 AM

Around June of 2009, one of my neighbors will sell me one of his 40-foot cargo containers -- you know, the kind that goes overseas and is about 8x8x40 feet. I would use the inside for storing track tools and equipment. As you stop by during the first half of this season, let me know if you think it should also be used as a drivers stand. I like my low 3-foot stand because it does the job and is easy to get up and down, but if you think a taller stand is useful, I will factor that in to where I place the cargo container.

Chimer · 03-06-2009, 08:50 AM

Hey Bob,
The cargo container would make a great drivers stand if the track is going to be bigger with jumps. You would just need some stairs built for it and be sure to place it a few feet from the track otherwise you can't see the car when it is directly in front of you without leaning over. Hopefully you could use most of the wood you used on the smaller drivers stand. Jeff is a carpenter-maybe he could help with that.

BobWoodhouse · 03-06-2009, 09:31 AM

When you come out, take a look at whether you prefer it using my diagonal placement that I have right now (looking northwest) or if I sould go more traditional and have it face due north. I like the northwest facing at the corner of the track because nobody can block your view.

jkach · 03-06-2009, 06:19 PM

Bob, yes I,m a carpenter and if you need help regarding the track I'm sure I could help out just let me know. I think the container is a good idea if you don't mind it in your yard. The one at extreme was real nice but the rails were to tail for me - my 2 cents worth. Thanks Jeff.