Roy Seymour

Im just wondering if there is a big enough crowd near the Groton area that would be interested in a decent Shop/Track. This is something im considering on starting, after I do alot of research. Groton will not be the location but somewhere around that area. Ive looked for some tracks around there but most are clear across state. Looking to start indoor offroad and an outdoor onroad, or the otherway around depending on the interests. This will be a couple years if I do end up doing this as I am currently in WA. Thanks for any input, both good and bad.

Dieselpower

iTrader: (25)

There are already too many tracks in CT, but they are all located in either the western or northern part of the state.
The Groton area would probably be able to do well (if done correctly) as it'd draw largely from the RI and Cape areas.
I say go for it!

taco94

iTrader: (1)

We could certainly benefit from an outdoor onroad track. Don't have any of those here. Far too many offroad tracks in CT.

EricW

iTrader: (1)

Rc madness just paved a new outdoor track.

Roy Seymour

Im thinking of doing both, something for both seasons of CT. Also another question, I know theres a difference of size to build for. 1/10 is a popular class size, if theres enough people with 1/8 Id look into finding a space big enough.

taco94

iTrader: (1)

That was made more for the electric cars. Not enough room to stretch my nitro's legs. I was excited when I first heard, but then I saw the size of it.

Dieselpower

iTrader: (25)

Yeah, I think that Chris put that asphalt down just for the TCS race.
You'd friggin drool if you saw the Kart track that's right down the road from RCHaM in Winsted Derrek.

EricW

iTrader: (1)

Control Freakz is supposed to reopen, they just made a post about a month ago that they found a new location.

TonyD.

iTrader: (43)

we got guys running their nitro cars on the RCM paved track. with no problems. Plenty of lane space.

beaker1024

iTrader: (2)

Another vote for something around the Groton, CT area. I've just gotten back into RC cars and am only finding tracks > 1 hr drive from south eastern CT.

I have a 1/10 Slash 4x4 so I vote for a dirt offroad track of some kind.

Also have a TRC 1/10 pan car from early '90s so something onroad would be a 2nd choice.

BTW - I called the phone number for ControlFreakz and a guy at the Kawasaki dealership said they have the track closed and are not re-opening. If they transplanted to another address/phone number I do know and the website says closed.

May I ask what the status is for your plans for setting up a track / shop in south eastern CT? (Still on or off?)

mdl060374

iTrader: (3)

Onroad would definitely be cheaper to get going, and yeah almost zero prescence in CT..

But I don't think the existing offorad tracks in the Waterbury area is the same market as south eastern CT. (So the "competition" issue would be non existant IMO bvewtween tracks.. Driving an hour each way to practice and deal with I-84 traffic can kinda wear on you over time, so I would love a SE track..

Plus anywhere near Groton can tap into the Navalbase crowd, and you also have zero tracks in RI, so you can also capture that crowd also....

If think if marketed right, it could be very successful...

(Only thing that worries me about off-road outdoor tracks is BMX/quad racers tearing it up I up on off hours. So it would hopefully be fenced in some way so they couldn't get in.. )

b/c of that maybe having the onroad outdoor and the offroad indoor would be best option. Plenty of ideas!

Roy Seymour

Still thinking about it, I run indoor offroad over here in Bremerton, WA and I ask the guys questions all the time... but the owner has the advantage that he had a real cushy job as a motorcycle dealer/service as well.... so me getting a buisness loan to get this running would probably be the only thing holding me up... as well as brushing up on buisness, balancing books, hiring, ordering and all sorts of stuff...

But the answer is yes, this will be a while in the making if i do pull this off, and probably will be going into it with somebody else that is enthusiatic and probably knows more than i... lets face it i just started a year ago and dont know everything, but learning a lot everytime i look into it.

mdl060374

iTrader: (3)

Count me in for any volunteer work you need to get going and maintain the track. I'll even put some $$$ up and work with you as part time help, but I am also not experienced in the details of running track and the business side....

Roy Seymour

Awesome, if it turns out that I can find a decent venue and learn everything in time... I'll definantely need the help.

diablo243

I have explored this business plan over the years and it seems for what ever reason nothing ever grows legs here. I grew up in Waterford and have lived all over and keep ending up back here, so I have looked at this several times since the 80s. With the Navy base in the area one would think you would find a good lot of interested candidates that would keep a facility going year round, but despite that market and the local non-military nothing ever has staying power and that even includes, casual parking lot meet ups or races. Rumor has it there will be an outdoor dirt track next year in the Mystic area, the guy that built the paint ball place out there in the woods has a pretty good chunk of left over land, all the equipment needed to build a track and is gonna have a go at it. He has been asking around Lee's Toy and Hobby and I know they have offered support and even sponsorship for a track in this area. So after that dissertation the long and short is if you are going to really have at it, get in contact with me and I would be very interested in working with you to bring this to fruition. Also give the guys over at Lee's a call, love or hate them they have been around a LONG time and do have a good idea of whats come and gone and what the pulse might be for local desire or need. Good luck!