HotShotRC Offroad Racing Wednesday Nights Survey
 

Taking a poll here for interest in Offroad Racing on Wednesday Nights 8pm at HotShotRC Raceway.

We currently have Onroad racing every Wednesday night. If we decide to go to a large offroad track that means Wed Night Racing on the offroad track.

So my question is WHO will be coming and HOW OFTEN will you come race on Wednesdays within a month? Let's keep it clean here ! And thanks for taking the survey.

I could probably make it once or twice a month.

I could do once a month since it's a work night.

If we did qualifying fast enough I could do 1-2 times a month, maybe more depending on my thursday am meetings

If we can get out of there by midnight I would probably do 3-4 times a month.

I could be there 4 times a month if it starts at 8 and ends by midnight.

Still 10th scale only?

Love the idea. I'd shoot for once a month (in addition to the Fridays I can make with my sons). My problem is coming from Suwanee...makes for a long day. However would try to support the track as much as time and family allows. Just glad we have places to race.

1/10 only or 1/8 Ebuggy also??
 

I would make a few each month if 1/8 Ebuggies were permitted!!

Will be there every WED possible boss!!!!! 3 times a month!

I am always there unless I am traveling. Count me in.

Mini Pro Truggy for the win!

Brad my feelings are that more or rather different questions need to be asked here, to get where you are going or thinking.

Those that are looking to do some off-road racing on Wednesday nights.... that is the question posed, is that in add to their Friday or Saturday racing? If they are only going to move from racing on Friday or Saturday to the Wednesday night racing then that will dilute the current turn out with no net gain.

I think one way to counter act this would be to have a series. This series would be taking your best main each week and run it for 6 weeks... compiling points from their best single weekly results. This would allow racers to run an additional day during the week, to post their best time. If they run earlier in the week (Wed) and they think they got the best run for the week, they may not race the rest of the week. However, If their results were not good in the Wednesday main then they can come back Fri and/or Sat to try and improve their week's result. You could pose the strategy for racing Wed nights would be if turnout is low then that could equal a clean run but less traction. Where as Friday and/or Sat would be more traffic with max traction.

Another idea, try to come up with better ideas to reward middle of the pack guys to keep them interested in the series. Rewards for most improved over 6 weeks or most consistent under 26 laps, something along those lines.

if I may...am I reading this correctly?...are you guys considering doing away your on-road program/track?

It's sad to say but yes.

I'm curious about this too. With mention of a larger off-road track there really isn't much room other than cutting into on-road. As much as I love on-road, 1/8th ebuggy is my favorite and I'd run that at least twice a month if the track was that large. Never enjoyed 1/10 off-road.

I was talking to lots of big names and manufactures at the Reedy and all of them agreed :nod: If we made a East Coast OCRC like facility, we would get some HUGE events offered to us!

"Those that are looking to do some off-road racing on Wednesday nights.... that is the question posed, is that in add to their Friday or Saturday racing? If they are only going to move from racing on Friday or Saturday to the Wednesday night racing then that will dilute the current turn out with no net gain."

Danny is 100% correct here. racing Wed, Fri and Saturday night every week is just going to dilute the racing for sure. Do WED and Saturday and see what happens. I will try to make a Wed night race from time to time. Just depends on turnout and time getting home.

Brian

:nod:

well that's a sad day in GA....

the interesting thing that seems to get overlooked, is that GA has several offroad tracks in arms reach of Hotshots. If I was running HS, I would try and get something that nobody else has, a strong on-road program.

Brad and company...I by no means am trying to tell you what to do....but you have the right facility to have the best indoor on-road carpet track in the region or possible the country by simply expanding the on-road instead the offroad.

I don't want to drag this out but in short....

GA has plenty of offroad tracks and more summer months than winter, meaning that when the weather breaks its outside time for offroad...no exceptions...it happens to every indoor track in the country...incl ours

GA doesn't have any onroad tracks other than HS, that's a Monopoly that screams. The one thing you don't have in GA is a top notch onroad program with proper promotion. Having big events can and will be done with the right extension of the simple upgrades that is needed to keep your onroad racers indoors year round.

You will end up "fighting" with other tracks for racers when the weather breaks, or cater to the racers that don't have any place to go....

Myron

I have been shamed. :( But I agree with you. besides that one off-road class, I really enjoy on-road, especially 1/8th on-road (Which is sadly nowhere). Despite the fact I can't currently run 1/8th buggy at hotshots, I do have plenty of options to run it elsewhere. Whereas I don't have any other options for on-road and go to hotshots specifically for that. I would hate to see that option go away.

I agree with you, but an large indoor offroad will also be a monopoly (its the only one in GA). Also there is a reason for so many offroad tracks, it is what is popular.

When you have many tracks offering the same type of racing it brings competition the the market. Track must make there facility the best to bring the numbers. Competition is healthy for a growing market!

If anything have you seen ALL the new faces and interest that HS is bringing into r/c because of the small off-road track!?!?! This is what our scene desperately needs, more new faces!

Myron yes everything you said makes since however what GA and HS does not have that is most important.

On-Road racers: HS can't keep the doors open with a regular crowd of 9 and expanded crowd of 15 racers.

Promotions: Sorry but Brad and all his staff prior and now have no skills at promotions.


Yes it's sad that the on-road track will be gone and so much of it is based on the fact that this year was a very rainy year. Normally that means the next year will be dry. So that means all these fighting so hard for dirt will be no where to be found (well they will be at Dalton, Loganville or Henry county) from spring until HS closes the doors. My feeling however is that if Brad does not invest in this opportunity he could be closed before we get to summer. Off-road has some awesome weekends and then some ok weekends. On-road has not carried any weight in a long time.

well I think it can be resolved with some club togetherness and understanding.

My 1st time coming to HS, I was so surprised at the place...and Ive been to a lot of tracks across the country... lots of space, nice shop, and clean....but I saw a lot of upgrades such as instead of the 70x40...why not 125x45 of high speed carpet, that would bring mod TC to middle GA, as well allow the normal classes of VTA,mini,12thscale,GT and whatever have plenty of space to play.

You guys have no idea what you have in an onroad track...most tracks Ive bee to don't compare to yours, but sometime size matters as well as competition.

Solid classes such as VTA,GT,12th scale and 17.5 TC also keep racers coming...you have to set rules and spec with classes and not change them cause of a few whiners that seem to flip from class to class to try and get a win. A good foundation is always better than changing constantly...that also goes for a schedule...make it and stay with it, most racers have jobs and have to plan for days at the track...having a solid schedule is very important to them...

just remember, once its gone...its gone...and Im sure you have 20 guys floating around that see this the same as I do in the state of GA

MK

True off-road is very popular, and that's the issue....loyalty and taking it for granted is and always an issue that plays offroad....racers get upset or lose and then no big deal I will go xxx track and be at no lost....

Where onroad if done correctly you will build a strong loyalty cause once you invest into a $500 TC you want to run it...and that's always in your mind that support is needed to keep the doors open. Thus building the loyalty and dedication to show up and race....

But you have to maintain classes and rules...structure is so very important

example we have had the same rules for TC 17.5, USVTA and 12th scale 13.5 for over 3 years...USGT has been changed for club racing to GT21.5
but this always gives ppl and new racers a solid understanding of what is to be expected and this helps in the long run

Why's that the issue? Because that's where people want to spend money?

issue is that ppl tend to take advantage of the idea that no matter what happens, I can go xyz track if it doesn't work out here or there. If Im at HS and things don't go my way, I have the option of packing my stuff and run up the road to Daltons and continue racing, and never look back at HS...

Loyalty to a track is the key to keeping the doors open, and offroad guys incl myself when I raced it don't have that....we have 4-6 outdoor tracks here at "1" time...and every weekend we bounced to whomever had the best competition and newest layout or whatever....no loyalty, and that's why the all closed down...

bottom line guys is you have large offroad tracks to race, why not invest in something you don't have...build something that can be a good future for years to come and have the best indoor carpet facility and track possible.

You got the ball, do as you please, Brad, but I hope you continue your growth and invest into your onroad program....

Good Luck to all of you...and hope to cya soon

Myron

They tried that for the last few years, remember. Then the dirt came in and attendance went from 10-12 to 40-50 regularly. Heck just go look at the last 2 weeks as a perfect example of the offroad vs onroad raceolution. Look at the turnout between them.

The problem with onroad is the day that become the norm for racing. Wednesday nights are hard for most that have jobs. So the core group race on Wednesday and then do not race on Saturday when others that would race. So it basically feeds off that imo. It also doesn't help that even with low turnout we don't get done until after 11 most nights.

that goes back to a solid schedule....here onroad is always Sunday except big events, offroad is always Sat, oval Friday...been that way for years...weekdays are for practice at $5...

I know the Wed night thing is a bit of a hassle as I have made that trip myself from Nashville to race with you guys on a Wed night( lied to the wifey too...lol)

You have t get the core guys to "organize" and get on the same page about times and classes and stick with it...build a foundation and you will see a different onroad program..

you can go as far as having a club...elct a Pres,treasure, and sec and go from there...it can be done and it can very well help and maintain itself

hmmm seems a little bias, not poking fun but my 2wd buggy cost more than $500, and to say that there are no sore loser's in the onroad world seems a bit off too :)

Its all about the numbers! Off Road is on the up and up! You cannot blame a owner for doing what is by far the more lucrative move!

TC kits are $500+ for the majority. You still have to add the electronics and such on top of that.

Wonder why no-one wants to commit to that when you can go buy a competitive 1/10th buggy rtr for 250$

Kindness and loyalty is not a business plan. The track owner must decide if he wants to have a business or a hobby. If you want to run it as a hobby you will need volunteers to keep it running. What your describing is basic economics which has been going on for thousands of years. You can't just put up a track then complain that racer's aren't loyal enough to race on your track when they get a better experience at others.

Bottom line if HS wants to stay open they have to bring in money. If on road could do that we wouldn't be having this conversation.

+1 so very true...

I have recommended we race On road on Sunday so many times it drives me crazy. Wednesday night historical became the night because of the newness of the track. Yes we used to have big turnouts but if you listen to a lot of racers that stopped coming, they will tell it's hard to get in and out of hotshots at decent hour and get to work or school. The problem is no change came. No adjustments were made. I know he tried it once but that's just it, it was once and it was very short notice. I still feel had he made those 2 changes he would had spent less money to make more money. He would have the largest indoor on road track in the region and been able to hold the Roar carpet nationals and other large events with out any competition.

Back to the subject...... yeah ill be there to race on Wednesday night probably not as much as I was with on road because I'll probably will be preparing to travel to other on road tracks that don't have a facility as good as what Hotshot RC could have.

This entire conversation is going to feel very ironic a year from now...

Myron, I appreciate the effort, but we have been fighting this fight for months. Onroad is not dead in GA, though it appears to soon be at Hot Shots. Some may argue it died a year+ ago. Hot Shots is a business and should be run like one, and I hold 0 ill will towards Brad over his upcoming decision. I truely do not envy him having to make it either.

For the time being, when the onroad track gets more covered in dirt, we will come up to Thunder and One Lug to get our fix.

I could make a Wednesday night event 1-2 times per month.

I say move the stand back and have a small onroad and big offroad.

Okay you guys this is becoming pointless. Any off road racer on the outside looking in is going to see the same thing. On road number are down and this track may close if we don't do anything about it. I know why it's this way as do many of you but at this point it's irreversible damage that's already been done.