KITCAR mag ACTION DAYS....what you want?
Discussion
I've managed to secure some trackdays for kit car magazine at such venues as: Elvington Airfield (york), Cadwell park (lincolnshire), and the Lotus test track at Hethel, with some others a possibility. The prices are looking good, with Elvington being under £100 (for 2 drivers!), and with negotiation and some money off vouchers in the mag, Den is hoping to get it closer to £80, (lotus track is well under £150!! as is Cadwell (both for 2 drivers again) 
)
The only thing is, trackdays are all well and good if you have a car, but what if you are still choosing? Well, the plan is to have "actiondays", if you have a car, then go out on track and have fun; if you are still looking, then still come along and for a small entry fee (£15?) you get a static kit show in the pits from invited manufacturers, as well as those companies giving "hot passenger laps" out all day.
Your entry ticket would give you say 4 laps in each car? (not just the WK £15 for 3 laps
)
So, what you all reckon? Action days a go go? and how many per year? costings sounding OK?? interested in static displays and some "hot laps?" etc, etc.
Let us know, as you decide if it happens!
) The only thing is, trackdays are all well and good if you have a car, but what if you are still choosing? Well, the plan is to have "actiondays", if you have a car, then go out on track and have fun; if you are still looking, then still come along and for a small entry fee (£15?) you get a static kit show in the pits from invited manufacturers, as well as those companies giving "hot passenger laps" out all day.
Your entry ticket would give you say 4 laps in each car? (not just the WK £15 for 3 laps
) So, what you all reckon? Action days a go go? and how many per year? costings sounding OK?? interested in static displays and some "hot laps?"
etc, etc. Let us know, as you decide if it happens!
Action days sound bl***y great!
Can you build a track nearer my house aswell please. I'll be able to take part then!
Seriuosly, what about doing a beginners track day, something where you show people what lines to take and how to actually control their car?
I bet there are an awful lot of people out there that find track days quite daunting. Many who would actually love to try it, but are either worried about crashing or about what others do around them.
In fact you could do car handling days, which would cost less and hold them on disused airfields etc.
>> Edited by Ex-Biker on Tuesday 28th October 08:40
Can you build a track nearer my house aswell please. I'll be able to take part then!
Seriuosly, what about doing a beginners track day, something where you show people what lines to take and how to actually control their car?
I bet there are an awful lot of people out there that find track days quite daunting. Many who would actually love to try it, but are either worried about crashing or about what others do around them.
In fact you could do car handling days, which would cost less and hold them on disused airfields etc.
>> Edited by Ex-Biker on Tuesday 28th October 08:40
Funnily enough we did try these a few years ago, the actual track days seemed to go ok, quiet a few Kit Car owners would turn up. But trying to get Manufacturers there was a different matter, even for free it was hard to encourage Manufactures to come and allow their cars to be put through it paces by potential customers. Plus if you are a potential customer, you want to see and feel how the car handles not see it sitting by a track. Still it is worth approaching again, I think it would be more beneficial and would give more manufactures a push to turn up if they knew in advance that there were going to be people interested in their products. I'm thinking encourage those looking to buy a kit to let on what type of kit their interested in, e.g. Tick Box if your interested in a Cobra Replica, Plus budget range and so on..
In addition to inviting kit car manufacturers, invite manufacturers like Lotus and TVR.
When people arrive, in exchange for their cash, give them a questionaire.
Talk to the manaufacturers that are there prior to the day. they should be able to give you an idea of the type of questions that they want answering. This way you do a little survey that benefits all the people there. This can even have subsections for feedback on your thoughts of cars you go out in.
On the questionaire you can include what cars people want to test (or be driven round in), so that bookings can be made. Otherwise you need a bookings booth.
When people arrive, in exchange for their cash, give them a questionaire.
Talk to the manaufacturers that are there prior to the day. they should be able to give you an idea of the type of questions that they want answering. This way you do a little survey that benefits all the people there. This can even have subsections for feedback on your thoughts of cars you go out in.
On the questionaire you can include what cars people want to test (or be driven round in), so that bookings can be made. Otherwise you need a bookings booth.
Tombs,
Reading
this thread must have come as a bit of a shock to you
.
It all started when UltimaAndy posted a suggestion that track days might help magazine sales. Well you know my feelings on that after the efforts of a couple of years ago
, so I played it down and hoped it would go away
.
One after another the whole forum came back saying they agreed with Andy
.
Then late last night
just as I was about to stop 
, Matt e-mailed, suggesting that IF I were prepared to put Kit Car’s name to it, then he knew of a firm that would lay it on, do the donkey work, collect the cash (out of which they might, repeat might, pay for the advertising).
Well, I suggested that Matt sounded out the views of the forum. He seems to be onto a winner
.
We get a Kit Car track day whilst somebody else gets all the risk and grief. If it goes well we get the glory, if it don’t we blame the other guy and either way the readers get what they want
Now I want to know if it’s really worth the effort and get a handle as to what we can get out of it and how it might dovetail into our other plans.
Den
PS. I see Mark’s already in front of me here. Perceptive chappie
Reading
this thread must have come as a bit of a shock to you. It all started when UltimaAndy posted a suggestion that track days might help magazine sales. Well you know my feelings on that after the efforts of a couple of years ago
, so I played it down and hoped it would go away. One after another the whole forum came back saying they agreed with Andy
. Then late last night
just as I was about to stop , Matt e-mailed, suggesting that IF I were prepared to put Kit Car’s name to it, then he knew of a firm that would lay it on, do the donkey work, collect the cash (out of which they might, repeat might, pay for the advertising). Well, I suggested that Matt sounded out the views of the forum. He seems to be onto a winner
. We get a Kit Car track day whilst somebody else gets all the risk and grief. If it goes well we get the glory, if it don’t we blame the other guy and either way the readers get what they want
Now I want to know if it’s really worth the effort and get a handle as to what we can get out of it and how it might dovetail into our other plans. Den
PS. I see Mark’s already in front of me here. Perceptive chappie
kitcarman said:
. . .
Den
PS. I see Mark’s already in front of me here. Perceptive chappie
Want some more Den?
Feature the track day in your mag . . . interview people with interesting kits . . . write a bit about their cars and what sort of times they were getting etc . . . then feature some of the cars in future publications.
I'll read your email now.
, So keep the ideas rolling
Well you know my views on this...... It's a bloody good idea and I for one will be very interested, one little technical question....
If I sell the Ultima before the track day will you let me come and play in my cossie?
I am also very aware of the difficulties with arranging them and how people say it's a great idea and then fall out.....
ULTIMAPAUL suffered from this on a trackday he arranged.... He went out of his way to sort us out what turned out to be a bloody good day
, but as the day approached people dropped out
, fortunately I think just enough turned up and gave deposits to prevent a loss.
funnily I travelled over 200miles in my cossie with two of my kids and my wife who was due with my third within the week. She even has 4min contractions during the journey home
If I sell the Ultima before the track day will you let me come and play in my cossie?
I am also very aware of the difficulties with arranging them and how people say it's a great idea and then fall out.....
ULTIMAPAUL suffered from this on a trackday he arranged.... He went out of his way to sort us out what turned out to be a bloody good day
, but as the day approached people dropped out, fortunately I think just enough turned up and gave deposits to prevent a loss. funnily I travelled over 200miles in my cossie with two of my kids and my wife who was due with my third within the week. She even has 4min contractions during the journey home
Ex-Biker said:
Don't think the track day location will matter at the mo, unless somone will lend me a car.
Just a thought
, but there must be lots of people like Mark in this position. Take PeetBee for another example, he’s re-building at the mo and probably shall be for some time to come
. Suppose Kit Car brought a modest kit, like a 1600cc Dutton or Striker or the like and “loaned” it out to those who paid for a “park and ride” ticket. Say there were 10 customers paying £60 each for which they got a couple of laps as a passenger (with somebody showing them the best line and offering a bit of guidance) then a further 10 laps as driver, split into three or four 10 minute sessions. To pass the time in between they could take manufacturer demo rides (assuming we could get a few manufacturers there).
Don’t knock the small engine or the “slippery” nature of live axles because it’s at the limits of the car that you really enjoy driving them, learn most and have the best fun
. Well recall my first session in an 1800cc, 80hp
Bulldog in 1986. Nothing has since compared with that experience despite the limitations of the car. In fact I was grateful that its limits took peoples attention away from mine. Would it work for you
? andycanam said:
If I sell the Ultima before the track day will you let me come and play in my cossie?
I’d say yes, particularly as we know you’re accustomed to track use. Might be more difficult if you were unknown.
What am I talking about – it’s the track organizers problem to ensure safe usage. A prat can kill himself in ANY sort of car. No, I’d say you’d be very welcome!
andycanam said:
I am also very aware of the difficulties with arranging them and how people say it's a great idea and then fall out.....
Exactly my past experience!! Not my risk in this scenario.
andycanam said:
I travelled over 200miles in my cossie with two of my kids and my wife who was due with my third within the week. She even has 4min contractions during the journey home
Tought you were a fast driver. Poor lady!!!
Den
andycanam
Where do you get the time to build a car, having a football team ike you do.
Kitcarman
Excellent idea. It's better in many ways to drive a car that you can find the limits of, as this will help you to know how this feels and how to handle it, if it happens in any car.
I think my maths is going a bit rusty though. Let's get this right:
People pay £80 - 100 for the track day.
Or they pay £15 for passenger laps.
Or £60 for 10 passenger laps (that would only be £15) and 10 real laps.
Are you trying to pay for the car you supply? or for the cost of the track with this idea alone?
I've got a great idea for a competetion. The person that can do the most donuts in his car gets a tenner towards a new set of tyres.
Where do you get the time to build a car, having a football team ike you do.
Kitcarman
Excellent idea. It's better in many ways to drive a car that you can find the limits of, as this will help you to know how this feels and how to handle it, if it happens in any car.
I think my maths is going a bit rusty though. Let's get this right:
People pay £80 - 100 for the track day.
Or they pay £15 for passenger laps.
Or £60 for 10 passenger laps (that would only be £15) and 10 real laps.
Are you trying to pay for the car you supply? or for the cost of the track with this idea alone?
I've got a great idea for a competetion. The person that can do the most donuts in his car gets a tenner towards a new set of tyres.
Wow!
I spend a morning away from PH and look what happens!
This idea seems to be getting better and better..... and on paper, looks like it will serve its purpose with some to spare!
If you compare this idea to "A Car is Born" on Discovery TV, it's exactly what i2i TV did.... attend an event, and film loads of cars, and interview the owners about their kits.... hey presto, they had good content to put in a 16 part television programme... plus, I would imagine, the owners who were interviewed, and their families all would have watched the programme just to see themselves, therefore increasing viewing figures.
As a so far "non-owner" (sadly), the opportunity to pay for rides around a circuit would appeal greatly to me, and if, for example, manufacturers came with their demonstrators to offer "paid for" rides, I would happily travel good distances to attend an event like that.
If manufacturers demonstrators did become involved, they could provide a couple of competition prizes in rides around the circuit.
Or even, if the event is far enough in advance, how about the next three issues (for example) of the magazine having a voucher in.... collect all three and you get a discounted ride?
I spend a morning away from PH and look what happens!
This idea seems to be getting better and better..... and on paper, looks like it will serve its purpose with some to spare!
If you compare this idea to "A Car is Born" on Discovery TV, it's exactly what i2i TV did.... attend an event, and film loads of cars, and interview the owners about their kits.... hey presto, they had good content to put in a 16 part television programme... plus, I would imagine, the owners who were interviewed, and their families all would have watched the programme just to see themselves, therefore increasing viewing figures.
As a so far "non-owner" (sadly), the opportunity to pay for rides around a circuit would appeal greatly to me, and if, for example, manufacturers came with their demonstrators to offer "paid for" rides, I would happily travel good distances to attend an event like that.
If manufacturers demonstrators did become involved, they could provide a couple of competition prizes in rides around the circuit.
Or even, if the event is far enough in advance, how about the next three issues (for example) of the magazine having a voucher in.... collect all three and you get a discounted ride?
Ex-Biker said:
I think my maths is going a bit rusty though. Let's get this right:
People pay £80 - 100 for the track day.
Or they pay £15 for passenger laps.
Or £60 for 10 passenger laps (that would only be £15) and 10 real laps.
Are you trying to pay for the car you supply? or for the cost of the track with this idea alone?
I've got a great idea for a competetion. The person that can do the most donuts in his car gets a tenner towards a new set of tyres.
Let me try to explain where I’m coming from
If you had a car you’d pay £100.
But you ain’t got a car, so I’m in effect suggesting I hire you one.
However, tyre wear, fuel, general wear and tare, transport of car to and from and someone to show you the ropes, not to mention the £100 track pass will put it beyond your reach at £500 (conservative estimate).
However, get 10 similar minded individuals to share that expense and I think £60 each is an extremely fair price for an experience of a lifetime. Assuming all goes well, I’d imagine that the punters would be sold on track days for the rest of their lives.
Only problem I can see is that when all the eyes are crossed and the dotty teas are paid for, the £60 won’t be enough. But I think there’s the workings of something here.
Den
Den
With the car you can:
1. Drive to the event
2. Another one of the KC team takes a van (full of tyres and fuel)
3. Speak to Kwik-Fit (or National etc). Tell 'em you're doing lots of events and it'll be excellent promotion for them. Tell 'em you'll want to do tyre tests in your mag and will continually promote 'em.
4. Do the same to Shell and Esso
5. Paint the car and cover it with Kit Car, Shell and Kwik-Fit stickers - hey presto, a promotion vehicle.
6. Make sure you get someone to drive it to Donnington next year and leave it outside the main entrance. (I mean if someone calls up and says they are from Shell and they want to display a car for promotional means, who will say no?)
7. Build the car yourselves and therefore get the car cheaper (as there is a lot of editorial and advertising in a build) and get a big build story.
8. Advertise to people that they can drive the car built by yourselves during the build. This way you get more interest in the build.
9. Charge about £30 now
With the car you can:
1. Drive to the event
2. Another one of the KC team takes a van (full of tyres and fuel)
3. Speak to Kwik-Fit (or National etc). Tell 'em you're doing lots of events and it'll be excellent promotion for them. Tell 'em you'll want to do tyre tests in your mag and will continually promote 'em.
4. Do the same to Shell and Esso
5. Paint the car and cover it with Kit Car, Shell and Kwik-Fit stickers - hey presto, a promotion vehicle.
6. Make sure you get someone to drive it to Donnington next year and leave it outside the main entrance. (I mean if someone calls up and says they are from Shell and they want to display a car for promotional means, who will say no?)
7. Build the car yourselves and therefore get the car cheaper (as there is a lot of editorial and advertising in a build) and get a big build story.
8. Advertise to people that they can drive the car built by yourselves during the build. This way you get more interest in the build.
9. Charge about £30 now
This is just the sort of thing that I've been desperate to go on... I haven't got a suitable car yet and £60 seems very reasonable. I've a friend who does the odd track day. When you add up all the extra costs (tyres in particular) track days end up costing a small fortune.
I could understand manufacturers not being interested in this sort of venture, but what else are "staff" cars for Den???
Count me in, if and when it happens.
I could understand manufacturers not being interested in this sort of venture, but what else are "staff" cars for Den???
Count me in, if and when it happens.
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