Arena Shifter Kart Racing

Darren Swisher · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2001 7:23 pm Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

Just got done getting some info on Arena cross racing, Food for thought.

With the right people in place this could happen. I think SFX would do a great job.

Arena cross info:

Tickets from $15 to $35

Over $1.5 million purse

Number of classes = 15
Number of national events = 17
Entry fee, Youth / Amateur: $40
Entry fee, Pro/Expert: $45
3-day events
National series sponsor is Speed Stick
21 contingency awards from $20 to $500
BOYESEN RACING PRODUCTS
DUNLOP TIRES
HJC HELMETS
HONDA MOTORCYCLES
HUSQVARNA MOTORCYCLES
KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLES
KTM MOTORCYCLES
MAXIMA LUBRICANTS
MAXXIS TIRES
MOOSE APPAREL
NIKS PRO-X PISTONS/LA SLEEVE
PIRELLI TIRES
RK CHAIN/VORTEX SPROCKETS
SCOTT GOGGLES
SHOEI HELMETS
SPY GOGGLES
SUZUKI MOTORCYCLES
THOR APPAREL
VORTEX SPROCKETS
WISECO PISTONS
YAMAHA MOTORCYCLES

How do we sell this to SFX?

[ August 12, 2001: Message edited by: Darren Swisher ]

Francisco Vasquez · Joined: 20 Jul 2001 Posts: 27 Location: Baja, Mexico

If am am looking at the imformation correctly, I think the big question is:

What will it take to get people to pay $15 to $35 to watch the events?

If you take the low number of $15 and lets say you could get 20,000 people to show this equals $300,000. I am guessing that is maybe 1/3 capacity.

add the entry fees at $40 for 100 racers = $4000.

A series sponsor topay for TV coverage.

What are the cost related to rent the facility?

Frank V.

Wayne MacGregor · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 1:14 pm Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

I was involved in motocross in its "infancy" during the '60's. At that time we ran on natural terrain tracks, outside and fans only showed up for the big InterAm events to see the US riders get their butts kicked by the Europeans.

With Supercross and Arenacross, the promoters have come up with a formula that works: Comfort for the fans (seats, semi-clean rest rooms and readily accessible beer) and the carefully engineered tracks that produce the "big air show" (also for the fans).

Karting held in an arena venue certainly would address the "comfort" factor, but what about the "show?" There are incredibly talented drivers that race shifter karts, but the fans want a show....What can karting offer them that pushes their "thrill" buttons?? I'm not sure what that might be....just asking the question.

Darren Swisher · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 4:23 pm Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

Frank, You may be a bit ahead of yourself, but it sounds good.

I checked here locally at the RCA DOME (where the colts play) and the dome can be rented for $15,000 per day, they give you the day before to setup.This includes concession and all. Capacity is 57,000 seats.

I have no clue as to how many would show up to race and spectate.

Ideas on getting people to show have included:
1. Celebrity Race
2. Other attractions, such as x-games style stuff.
3. seperate oval track to run other cars like 1/4 midgets, 3/4 midgets ect.
4. Charity

5. ??????

Wayne, The only thing shifters would have is the sound, speed, and wheel to wheel excitement.

Give me some more feedback guys.

Darren

Dale Nickos · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 4:26 pm Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

If you do this in the winter time..id bet you'd get 300 + karters...

Still dont know about the fans

Nick Weil · Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2001 4:40 pm Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

Darren,
If this were done in the winter in Central Florida eithere the week before or after Daytona and Jacksonville I am sure you would get 400-500 karters if promoted well. Maybe even 700+ if enough promotion was done. Most of the guys for those two races are down here for a week or two... I have done some research in the area here and could share some info with you. If interested, e-mail me...

Nick

Darren Swisher · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 6:00 am Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

The RCA Dome has 95,000 sqft of floor space to work with, so I am sure we could have 2 tracks and pit space if set up right. Set it up as if it were an airport space.

They have run motorsports on the floor before, cleanup is a concern but doable.

What classes should be considered?
What rules to Follow?
Would Skusa consider this type of set up?
Does Skusa need to ne involved?
Who would cover Race Direction?

DArren

Spedeeman · Joined: 25 Jul 2001 Posts: 28

What is the floor made out of in the dome? Might be a problem getting something that won't get torn up by lots of YGA's over the course of a race. Something to look into...
-Jeff

Erik Frank · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 6:41 am Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

If I'm not mistaken, I believe they've regularly run indoor USAC midgets at the RCA dome. I've also heard that the problems with the floor are with traction...its slick concrete. To address that problem, I've also heard that they've poured Coke syrup (corn syrup?) on the floor to get that "movie theater floor" like bite. So if a 350hp alky-burning USAC midget won't tear up the floor, I'm sure a kart would be fine.

If you did it right, you'd probably see wheelies from a 125! Now that would be a show!

-erik

Darren Swisher · Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2001 8:33 am Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

Erik, For the past many years, Called thunder in the Dome. They also run karts and other cars prior to the main event.

Darren

Darren Swisher · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2001 4:27 am Post subject: Arena Shifter Kart Racing

I have been talking to alot of people concerning this type of event. It seems that there is alot of interest, Even from some tv people and Some brazilian kart clubs.

The real snag is audience, what will it take to excite them, and bring them back.

Is shifter kart racing in itself as exciting as arenacross or freestyle mx some say no.

Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

I would say it is possible to have an event and not worry about the crowd but pricing to the drivers would be quite high. If this is to work and work right we need and audience and they need to be charged to see the event.

With that may come the TV deal, Large purses, large associate sponsor participation ect.

Darren

Chad Stapleton · Joined: 19 Jul 2001 Posts: 4403

The basic problem you have is that unlike cars, trucks, bikes or even horses, the average "Joe" in the street cannot directly relate to a kart. A car, truck, bike ,or horse he may well own & drive (ride) but a kart is as relative to him as fishing rod is to the men on the moon!. You need to appeal to a wide customer base, and will have to find an "added attraction" to draw the punters. Household name drivers is one option (as used at the Paris -Bercy Kartmasters) but you realy need contacts and influence to make that happen (anybody pals with Schumacher ??)
Another well proven attraction would be naked women, - but i guess that is a non starter these days !!

Seriously, it is possible to sell seats for anything, providing you make a "show" of it. As the saying goes :- "Sell the sizzle, not the steak" !