MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM

gonegonzo
Gasser

Posts: 46

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 13, 2011 15:45:43 GMT -7

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Post by gonegonzo on Apr 13, 2011 15:45:43 GMT -7

Honestly and respectfully , I'm not trying to argue wether proxy orrrrr head to head racing is the best or if either is going to promote and make our hobby grow . Both concepts are fine for those that chose them . I'm sure one is as much fun as the other .

My post is about "Promoting" our hobby locally , regionally and nationally . Promoting it to where you don't have to guess and inquire where to race . Thru promotion those questions will be answered with a list of tracks , where they are located and wether they are commercial or garage / basement based .

So , here we are . Here's the senario :
We agree that promoting the hobby is needed . We as a group set out to promote it . So , are we going to invite people ( prospective racers) to race on a track - head to head , showing them the cars and filling in blank details and answering their questions

Orrrrrrrr , do we invite them to sit down and work on an HO drag car that they don't know anything about and mail it away for someone to race for them

Really now , which avenue do you think you would get the most reception to ?

Personally I know a lot of 1=1 racers . Some of them race slots and others have never tried it . Also , I know a lot of prospective racers in which attend the local drag races regularlly that have'nt tried it either . I intend on inviting them to my garage for an HO drag race . I'll keep it simple car wise (stockout of the box) and even set it up at the local hot rod runs . The track will be my AW Drag Track . I do have an old track from years ago (HO Scale 1/4 Mile) that I plan to rebuild in the near future and replace the TOMY track with a routed one .

Now add this to the kids on my block and the neighbors that are wondering what the excitment is in my garage . Or, the passers by at the local cruise that need to do a double take when seeing toy cars being drag raced and saying , woouuuhhhhh , I'd sure like to try that . I'm talking about promoting the hobby here . I'm not lobbying for racers not to enter proxy races or strictly race head to head . I'd be foolish to even think that .

It's like your favorite food . You like it and you want everyone to try it to see if they like it . I enjoy the hobby of slot car drag racing and want to share it with others . Thru this , I get more racers to race with and I get to see my hobby grow .

Otherwise , where will this hobby be in 1 year from now ? 3 years ? 10 years ? At its present growth rate , will it be flourishing , where it is today or will it be a memory

?

Are you ready to plan your garage based or rod run based drag race ?

Respectfully ,
Gonzo

sjracer
Pro Stock

Posts: 380

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 13, 2011 16:29:17 GMT -7

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Post by sjracer on Apr 13, 2011 16:29:17 GMT -7

I think what I mentioned earlier would help. Say a group, 4-5 ,of us go to one town celebration a month in our local area. We take an AW track in a cabinet made of cull wood from Home Depot. We also partner with a local hobby store so people can buy cars and accessories if they want. By having a group we can also give people hop up tips and actually allow them try their luck. Just my $0.02

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 13, 2011 17:16:41 GMT -7

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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2011 17:16:41 GMT -7

I have been fortunate to been given space in a newly opening hobby store to build and run a 1/24 scale drag strip with no rent or responsibility other than running the track on the weekends and giving a fair portion of proceeds to the store owners. it went well, but not gang busters. there were a few die-hards who made every race and enjoyed the comraderie and competition. that was a decade ago and the owners of that store have since faded away. I have been an HO drag track owner and have been invited to hobby stores and shows to put on exhibition races. those have gone well, but not one person who tried ever returned. I still help with HO drag races in my area and travel a bit when I can to race in the general area. I have always tried to promote the fun of racing and not concentrate so much on the need to win. I have come to the conclusion that those who are interested will seek out what they want. some who happen upon the event and try it, but don't commit, are more common. I have been involved in positively promoting slot drag racing for decades and even support a local hobby shop with a 1/32 scale strip although the frequency of scheduled races is anything but frequent. I think that it would be great to do all the things suggested. may I suggest finding DRHOE and HODRA for links to rules, regulations and tracks? also, Hanks Eagle Raceway in the Lansdale area is holding the April Fools Fun Run this Saturday April 16 2011 in Skippack PA and all are welcome. there is a thread with directions and the classes being run with the current rules for those classes. I put my money where my mouth is as does Hank. we DO have races and try to promote good sportsmanship. we don't just give lip service. we run races. please join us and see how much fun it can be. all are welcome and there will be loaner cars available as well as cars race ready to purchase. practice is free, so come on out and try some fun HO drag racing. thank you, this has been more than 2 cents worth. LOL

SKR
Administrator

Sam Beckworth - Colorado

Posts: 5,909

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 13, 2011 18:15:26 GMT -7

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Post by SKR on Apr 13, 2011 18:15:26 GMT -7

This is a good topic that really needs input from everyone here as to what you think might help promote the hobby or what you have done to help promote the hobby. Our group has put up flyers at hobby shops, advertised on craigslist and sat at a few local car club meets with flyers explaining a little about our hobby and the different kinds of drag racing classes that we run such as bracket, index and heads up. We also brought along some cars to show off. There was some interest but nobody from the car events ever came by. One way to promote this hobby is to advertise on this forum where and when you are racing. As far as I know... we are the only group on this forum that races regularly having raced 2-4 times a month for the past 4 years. This doesn't mean your group needs to race this much or is expected to, just get a program going that is consistent. List your track, you might find someone in your area with similar interest. As far as Proxy, it is a different style of racing and since we are talking promoting. I've always said that proxy racing is not like the real thing but by having these mail in races.... it is a way to promote our hobby in hopes that it will spark interest for guys that otherwise might not of ever thought of building a drag car to give it a try. Who knows? maybe that will spark enough interest to build a drag strip and get guys racing locally. If you do hold events, be sure to have loaner cars. If your track has the capabilities to run bracket and index racing then be sure to include them in your program. Not everyone likes heads up racing or want to get involved with it due to the fact that they might not be able to afford or build a competitive car. Keep it fun and spread the word.

If you saw Green, You waited to long!

charley
Gasser

Posts: 88

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 14, 2011 9:12:33 GMT -7

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Post by charley on Apr 14, 2011 9:12:33 GMT -7

I am reading very good ideas. So far, my ONLY input would be to have one sanctioning body wiwth one set of rules. I know, the rules are close, but if everyone was on the exact same page, personally I think it "might" make it a little easier. Back when SDRA ran the 1/24 stuff, they had one set of rules. I could go from Atlanta to Texas, wwhich I did a few times, without ever changing anything except the wheelie bar height. That my friends was nice. Like Sam say's, it would benefit the track owners to include the index and brackets also.

scottman2007
Pro Stock

Posts: 425

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 14, 2011 10:21:19 GMT -7

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Post by scottman2007 on Apr 14, 2011 10:21:19 GMT -7

I too agree with Sam ,you have to promote this hobby and iam still in favor of really promoting not only HO drag racing head to head, but promote HO Proxy races,If iam not mistaken,we have had a few people on here that proxy raced an it sparked them into building a track,And i too agree with Charley on here we need all tracks maybe to follow our class rules,I think we have on here a wide range of classes from very fast to Stock,and a nice range of cost on building these cars.One thing i want to say again, is Proxy racing gets people HO drag racing that otherwise couldnt HO drag race because there is no track in their area and or they might not have the room to build a track of their own or maybe money is an issue.my point is plain and simply Proxy racing will help our hobby of HO drag racing. I too think that maybe setting up at local festivals,and maybe at Local Drag Strips in your area,and even if its just setting up an AW track and having some of your cars as well as some stock cars to run and passing out flyers about nitroslots.com and talk with the kids and their parents and tell them about the classes we run and mention our proxy races and mention if they room start up a track and run some of our classes.I think this would be great for our hobby .My two cents guys.

Last Edit: Apr 14, 2011 10:26:04 GMT -7 by scottman2007

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

MAKING OUR HOBBY "MORE" MAINSTREAM Apr 17, 2011 9:08:09 GMT -7

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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2011 9:08:09 GMT -7

News April Fools Fun Run

12 racers and numerous spectators, 109 entries in 8 classes of FUN drag racing H O 1/64 scale style.
I would like to thank, in no particular order:
Joe S, Eric H, Tom L, Dave M, MAC, Jim P, Eddie P, Mike C, Sgrig, Hank G, Scott D.
Also Dave M donated one of his original unique styrene C-cab Hot Rods as an award for the first .400 reaction time in eliminations and Scott D took those honors.
Mike C really dominated the day to take a nice pair of threaded aluminum 4 gear wheels with slip on silicone tires as an award for Top Eliminator.
Sgrig once again dominated this event with his building prowess, as many of the cars in the finals were built by him or at least had his custom Yellow Jacket motors in them.
Srig, Eric, Eddie, Scott and others provided excellent skilled advice and assistance to all racers to help keep the event running smoothly.
Eric, Hank and Sgrig donated some nice armatures and magnets for 4 raffle drawings which allowed 4 winners to upgrade their parts boxes for little cost, Thank You all.
There were various bodies awarded to all winners and runner ups along with nice stick on plaques (which will fit nicely on race boxes) denoting their accomplishments on this fun day.
Hank, Scott and Sgrig kept everything moving smoothly with assistance from Eric, Eddie and the infamous Joe Skylark!
There was a moment of prayer and silence for a fallen comrade, Bruce aka TRAX who has left us to race in the big sky.
After pledging allegiance dutifully to our flag and country there was a lively and meaningful discussion about changes to the structure of our race classes and rules. Many good ideas were discussed reasonably and most adopted which will be reflected in other posts, threads, sites and flyers.
These changes will help streamline and simplify our races and should make many people quite happy with the outcome of the decisions. We held this procedure before the race this time to include everyone because some people have to leave early and cannot be part of such a discussion after the event. Again, I think many people will be pleased the results and changes.
On another note, I took an informal poll and had people check off their 5 favorite classes from a list of all the classes which we have ever run (soon to change significantly, so stay tuned for that information). Out of the 14 classes we have rules for, TJ/S and TJ/M tied with 9 votes each, AFX/S got 8 votes, AFX/M got 7 votes, 4G/PS got 4 votes, TJ/PS, I/S, and D/S each got 3 votes, AFX/PS, 4G/D+S and I/M each got 1 vote. TJ/O, I/PS and I/O got no votes. Along with the expressed desires of the racers, these results and the decisions of the race directors, Hank and Scott, future race classes will be determined. Again, there are changes which will be posted soon and reflected in the choices and desires of the racers. Requests that have been made in the past that weren’t carried were reconsidered and some adoptions including those suggestions carried favorably this time.

I would like to personally thank everyone on behalf of Scott D, Hank G and myself for the support the racing community gives our attempts at providing occasional venues for fun H O 1/64 scale drag racing, THANK YOU !

also to note, Dave M took a lot of notes, kept track of the 1/4 finals of every class along with total wins for each racer all the while documenting every final pairing with his cool camera which takes stills and short videos. it Takes Dave a long time to edit that media, so don't be clamoring for those pics too soon.
THANK YOU Dave for your support and documentation of this event.

Results April Fools Fun Run 2011

8 classes of fun run leaves us with new champions and new low ETs.
12 racers and a total of 109 entries plus some real upsets.

TJ/S 18 entries TQ- Mike C 55 Chevy(no stripe) 1.776 .543
1st Mike C 55 Chevy(no stripe) 1.762 .565
2nd Jim P Camaro 2.109 .495
Low ET Mike C 55 Chevy(no stripe) 1.729 .509

TJ/M 15 entries TQ- Mike C Willy .859@ 21.70 .479
1st Eric H Dodge .878@ 18.55 .414
2nd Mike C Willy .903@ 20.25 .312
Low ET Mike C Willy .859@ 21.70 .479

AFX/S 16 entries TQ- Mac Nomad .971@ 19.13 .454
1st Mike C Camaro .915@ 20.89 .504
2nd Joe S American Flag 55 .990@ 20.39 .501
Low ET Mike C Camaro .912@ 21.01 .569

AFX/M 12 entries TQ- Joe S Turbo .751@ 25.32 .544
1st Joe S Turbo .825@ 23.72 .470
2nd Mike C Camaro 6 .798@ 22.61 .369
Low ET Joe S Turbo .751@ 25.33 .544
______ Mike C Camaro 3 .751@ 25.23 .508

4G/S+D 13 entries TQ- Mike C Vega 1.055@ 17.15 .569
1st Mike C Grand Am 1.055@ 16.96 .651
2nd Mike C Vega 1.152@ 16.22 .604
Low ET Mike C Grand Am 1.041@ 17.29 .490

4G/PS 12 entries TQ- Joe S Yellow Rail .658@ 28.78 .632
1st Mike C Rail .800@ 23.30 .373
2nd Joe S Orange/White Vega .655@ 29.47 .362
Low ET Joe S Orange/White Vega .655@ 29.47 .362

I/S 13 entries TQ- Eric H Mustang .664@ 26.11 .544
1st Eric H Mustang .675@ 24.98 .468
2nd Eddie P VW .780@ 21.01 .428
Low ET Eric H Mustang .655@ 26.37 .504

D/S 10 entries TQ- Hank G 57 Chevy .712@ 28.06 .439
1st Joe S Starliner .730@ 24.78 .387
2nd Mac McDonalds .705@ 27.71 .375
Low ET Mac McDonalds .703@ 27.42 .462

thank you all,

alpink

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