SPR Stunt Night
Discussion
Got my SPR 2007 calendar yesterday and couldn't help noticing that on Friday night February 16th, the Pod are holding a Stunt Night with various stunt drivers and riders. I was just wondering who on earth the Pod think is going to turn up on a cold mid-February evening to watch something like that?
The following evening, there's another Saturday Night Special. What is the point of holding these type of evening meetings in February and October? Surely, if they want to attract spectators, they should be held between April and September? One thing's certain, I won't be anywhere near the Pod for any of these dates!
The following evening, there's another Saturday Night Special. What is the point of holding these type of evening meetings in February and October? Surely, if they want to attract spectators, they should be held between April and September? One thing's certain, I won't be anywhere near the Pod for any of these dates!
For the first time in many years (I think the last time was 1982!) I was at the last fireworks "fire and thunder" meeting. What amazed me was the very large crowd, given the cold conditions. Despite no serious times from any of the high horsepower cars, due to no traction, the croud seemed happy enough. For the people that stayed to the end on the Saturday it took them up to 3 hours to get to the T junction at the end of the pod's road.
Apart from the wide spread of invited drag cars, there were various 3 and 4 wheeled jet vehicles, wheelie cars and trucks and a seperate area for monster trucks jumping over or crushing caravans and another area for drifting, it thats what you are into..
As I am from the (possibly old) school of going to a drag strip to race or watch cars race, it was unusual to say the least, however a lot of the crowd appeared first timers, so whilst it was all show, but no go, if a percentage come back to a regular drag race then all well and good.
What do you think?
Herb
Apart from the wide spread of invited drag cars, there were various 3 and 4 wheeled jet vehicles, wheelie cars and trucks and a seperate area for monster trucks jumping over or crushing caravans and another area for drifting, it thats what you are into..
As I am from the (possibly old) school of going to a drag strip to race or watch cars race, it was unusual to say the least, however a lot of the crowd appeared first timers, so whilst it was all show, but no go, if a percentage come back to a regular drag race then all well and good.
What do you think?
Herb
Edited by herb andrews on Sunday 14th January 22:56
The Flame and Thunder is traditionally one of the best attended events during the year. It is also about the only event that large numbers of the local non-drag racing population attend. Locally it is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, fireworks displays, and the stunts, jets, fuellers etc add value to this. Hence the place is generally packed to the rafters.
Re 'The Stunt Show', all I can see is Santa Pod trying to extend their revenue stream throughout the year. SPR is now run by professional people, who do this for a living. I am sure we can all agree that the improvements over the last decade are testament to this. However, the raceway is hugely under-utilised.
This sort of 'Monster truck- stunt / whatever' show has been a popular attraction all over the country. I remember seeing 'The Hell Drivers' on many occasions as a youngster. SPR is a natural environment for this type of show. Off season there will be no issues with using the racetrack for such displays, and assuming it doesn't rain too much, I am sure people will turn up. Either way, SPR are trying to extend their revenue span whilst attracting more locals to the venue. This can only help to secure the venue, and to facilitate further improvements to the facility, and we will all feel the benefit of that!
SPR are, IMHO, to be applauded for trying this bold venture, rather than being ridiculed in such a public form as this. I am sure that, with or without Clives support, Locals from Wellingborough and Rushden will attend. Perhaps not in their tens of thousands, but from little acorns...
Re 'The Stunt Show', all I can see is Santa Pod trying to extend their revenue stream throughout the year. SPR is now run by professional people, who do this for a living. I am sure we can all agree that the improvements over the last decade are testament to this. However, the raceway is hugely under-utilised.
This sort of 'Monster truck- stunt / whatever' show has been a popular attraction all over the country. I remember seeing 'The Hell Drivers' on many occasions as a youngster. SPR is a natural environment for this type of show. Off season there will be no issues with using the racetrack for such displays, and assuming it doesn't rain too much, I am sure people will turn up. Either way, SPR are trying to extend their revenue span whilst attracting more locals to the venue. This can only help to secure the venue, and to facilitate further improvements to the facility, and we will all feel the benefit of that!
SPR are, IMHO, to be applauded for trying this bold venture, rather than being ridiculed in such a public form as this. I am sure that, with or without Clives support, Locals from Wellingborough and Rushden will attend. Perhaps not in their tens of thousands, but from little acorns...
Does smell of a blatant attempt to create some much needed winter cash flow in my view.
The fireworks do is always about flame n thunder rather than speed, and I guess, having seen the response this year, the Pod is trying to get a few more bucks in.
Nowt wrong with that, as long as yuo know what to expect.
Me, the pods BLOODY freezing in normal conditions, let alone Feb !!!!
Roll on May.
The fireworks do is always about flame n thunder rather than speed, and I guess, having seen the response this year, the Pod is trying to get a few more bucks in.
Nowt wrong with that, as long as yuo know what to expect.
Me, the pods BLOODY freezing in normal conditions, let alone Feb !!!!
Roll on May.
Herb
I'm with you, when I last saw some forgotten photos (110mm camera) of when we used to go late 70s / mid 80s I was very suprised to see how very sparse the crowd was and these photos were showing the track across to the grass bank side
Remember many how times Santa Pod has needed new owners over the years
The popular events pays for the serious events
Edited because I missed a word out
Also see just below this post
I'm with you, when I last saw some forgotten photos (110mm camera) of when we used to go late 70s / mid 80s I was very suprised to see how very sparse the crowd was and these photos were showing the track across to the grass bank side
Remember many how times Santa Pod has needed new owners over the years
The popular events pays for the serious events
Edited because I missed a word out
Also see just below this post
Edited by Sporting Bear on Sunday 14th January 20:28
What I meant to say was that I think this venture would be more profitable when the climate is more hospitable, unless the diary is really getting that busy.
I know they have stuff going on up there pretty well every weekend during the summer.And has been said........far rather winter stunt shows to pay for nice toilet/showers for the usual customers eh ?
F
I know they have stuff going on up there pretty well every weekend during the summer.And has been said........far rather winter stunt shows to pay for nice toilet/showers for the usual customers eh ?
F
drags06 said:
maybe then the Pod managment can give extra help to racers, more prize money etc!
It really would be nice if these out of season events did give the Pod management the incentive to increase the racers prize funds, but somehow, I doubt it will happen. Let's not kid ourselves, only a tiny percentage of the massive profits generated by the Pod are actually spent either on improvements to the facility, or given to the racers.
If anybody thinks I'm being cynical, then they are probably correct, but then I have been around drag racing for more than 40 years so I have seen it all before. Also, if anybody doubts that the Pod really is making massive profits, just let me say that a single event such as the Bug Jam, generates more than £1 million in revenue. Admittedly, that's the biggest event of the year but it does show what sort of sums are involved in this day and age.
CRR said:
It really would be nice if these out of season events did give the Pod management the incentive to increase the racers prize funds, but somehow, I doubt it will happen. Let's not kid ourselves, only a tiny percentage of the massive profits generated by the Pod are actually spent either on improvements to the facility, or given to the racers.
Also, if anybody doubts that the Pod really is making massive profits, just let me say that a single event such as the Bug Jam, generates more than £1 million in revenue. Admittedly, that's the biggest event of the year but it does show what sort of sums are involved in this day and age.
Also, if anybody doubts that the Pod really is making massive profits, just let me say that a single event such as the Bug Jam, generates more than £1 million in revenue. Admittedly, that's the biggest event of the year but it does show what sort of sums are involved in this day and age.
...and you have companies house figures to back this up, do you?
Yes, Bug Jam and the USC and the FIA events take in a lot of cash, and they also involve a huge outlay as well. The permanant staff need paying 52 weeks a year, not just 5 weekends, and all the income comes to nothing when it rains, just as it did at pretty much every major event a couple or three seasons ago.
Turnover across five weekends a year does not equal 'massive profits'. I am sure you will exercise your perogative and stay away from events where 'it might be a bit chilly', but when you are standing on the banking on a warm May afternoon watching 10 Top Fuellers, 20-odd pro mods and a whole host of other wood inducing cars and bikes, please dont give the 'pod a hard time for trying to sustain the business for your benefit.
herb andrews said:
Despite no serious times from any of the high horsepower cars, due to no traction, the croud seemed happy enough.
Tommy Moller's 5.066 @ 290 mph wasn't too shabby, neither was Andy Carter's 4.899 at 302 mph the previous year...
The SPRC track crew sometimes just dont get the credit they deserve
Jon C said:
herb andrews said:
Despite no serious times from any of the high horsepower cars, due to no traction, the croud seemed happy enough.
Tommy Moller's 5.066 @ 290 mph wasn't too shabby, neither was Andy Carter's 4.899 at 302 mph the previous year...
The SPRC track crew sometimes just dont get the credit they deserve
I agree with that they work there bollox off.
Andy Carters 4.89 was also the 5th fastest of 2005 too.
CRR
If you dont want to go to events like the stunt night then thats your choice, others may want to.
Have you read Keith Bartletts interview on Eurodragster today? 3000 new seats , more pit work , partial track resurface etc etc all costs money as did the impressive display at the Autosport show. lets hope they continue to make a profit to improve things even more.
If you dont want to go to events like the stunt night then thats your choice, others may want to.
Have you read Keith Bartletts interview on Eurodragster today? 3000 new seats , more pit work , partial track resurface etc etc all costs money as did the impressive display at the Autosport show. lets hope they continue to make a profit to improve things even more.
...and you have companies house figures to back this up, do you?
No Jon, just some simple arithmatic. I remember reading on the Bug Jam site last summer that there were 35,000 people there. The cheapest advance weekend ticket for VW people was £35. Multiply the two together and you get £1,225,000. Granted that the BJ is more of a music festival than a drag race and that there would have been huge expenses to bring in the music acts, but I would be very surprised if those 3 days didn't generate a clear profit of more than half a million pounds for SPR.
"Have you read Keith Bartletts interview on Eurodragster today? 3000 new seats , more pit work , partial track resurface etc etc all costs money as did the impressive display at the Autosport show. lets hope they continue to make a profit to improve things even more."
Yes, I have read the interview Phil, but really, it's nothing more than I would expect from a very profitable business such as SPR.
I happen to think that SPR is taking a hell of a lot out of drag racing but doesn't seem to be putting much back in. They could be doing so much more for the racers.
We have a national drag racing championship which is run at two venues over several rounds. This championship doesn't have a sponsor! There are several contingency schemes in operation for various classes to give the racers a bit more money. They all seem to be run by racers for the racers and all seem to be rather small affairs. SPR have the personnel and the experience and the know-how to a) bring in a nationally recognised company to sponsor the championships, and b) to organise a decent contingency scheme for all the drag racing classes.
I can only assume that SPR don't do so because firstly, there's no money in it for them, and secondly, it would actually cost them money.
CRR said:
...and you have companies house figures to back this up, do you?
No Jon, just some simple arithmatic. I remember reading on the Bug Jam site last summer that there were 35,000 people there. The cheapest advance weekend ticket for VW people was £35. Multiply the two together and you get £1,225,000. Granted that the BJ is more of a music festival than a drag race and that there would have been huge expenses to bring in the music acts, but I would be very surprised if those 3 days didn't generate a clear profit of more than half a million pounds for SPR.
1, thats 35,000 over the weekend, not all weekend.
2, From the FIA Sporting Regulations
for a 16 car pro mod field, assuming top eight are non uk, and MINIMUM travel expenses of 320 euros are paid, in appearence and prize money, 12160 Euros, assuming only 16 cars travel.
8 car top fuel field, again assuming minimum travel allowances paid, costs 37360 euros,
just 2 examples, but you can see how, once the 5 FIA classes, the 3 UEM classes, and all the sportsman classes are added in, the costs of getting fields in and guarenteeing that they will get their prise money can mount up quite quickly.
Factor in other statutory FIA requirements, such as an air ambulance on standby at all times,
3, Insurances. Lets not even begin to guess how much SPR's public liability insurance runs to.
4, Wages. Always contentious, but here goes. Lets assume that, rather than being run as a charity, or as a hobby as in the past, (and still is at other UK tracks), Santa Pod employ professional, qualified people to do a professional job of work. I have no idea what the management pay themselves, but they are entitled to get some return for the not inconsiderable financial risks they have taken in the past. Also, if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.
I know that the people employed on the advertising / PR side of things could, in other jobs, command in excess of 20-25K plus commission a year. Whatever the figure, these people are allowed to make a living, just the same as you are, Clive.
5,Security, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year
6,
7,
etc etc etc.
These costs all add up.
I do not begrudge SPR making a profit, esp since those profits are going back into the facility. I also dont begrudge people who improve my life getting rewarded for it.
We could, of course, go back to the track employing 2 people, with no financial backing, poorly organised and attended meetings which hemmorage (sp) money for the owner and the promoter and strip away any credibility that has been earned over the last ten years. Grass growing through the tarmac, planks of wood over a cess pit latrine, timing gear that dropped two out of every three run, Racers refusing to drive on a poorly prepared, unsafe track.
And where would we be then?
Edited by Jon C on Monday 15th January 15:18
[quote=Jon C]
1, thats 35,000 over the weekend, not all weekend.
Jon, it doesn't matter which way you look at the gate receipts for the Bug Jam, they are well over £1 million.
Obviously, SPR's annual expenses have risen considerably over the past 10 years. I fully understand that. I certainly do not begrudge them their vast increase in income since KB bought the Pod 11 years ago, he has worked very hard to turn the Pod around. After all, he only had the opportunity to buy it in the first place because the previous owners couldn't make a go of it financially.
What I am saying, and I will continue to say it untill I'm blue in the face, is that I firmly believe the SPR management could do so much more for British drag racing. Every year we hear KB mention corporate sponsorship, but where is it? What sponsorship is there in UK drag racing that is not drag racing related? When Andy Carter got B & Q sponsorship I thought how fantastic it was to at last get a significant amount of money into drag racing that had come from outside the sport. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a couple of years, but full marks to Andy for going where the SPR management don't seem to want to go.
1, thats 35,000 over the weekend, not all weekend.
Jon, it doesn't matter which way you look at the gate receipts for the Bug Jam, they are well over £1 million.
Obviously, SPR's annual expenses have risen considerably over the past 10 years. I fully understand that. I certainly do not begrudge them their vast increase in income since KB bought the Pod 11 years ago, he has worked very hard to turn the Pod around. After all, he only had the opportunity to buy it in the first place because the previous owners couldn't make a go of it financially.
What I am saying, and I will continue to say it untill I'm blue in the face, is that I firmly believe the SPR management could do so much more for British drag racing. Every year we hear KB mention corporate sponsorship, but where is it? What sponsorship is there in UK drag racing that is not drag racing related? When Andy Carter got B & Q sponsorship I thought how fantastic it was to at last get a significant amount of money into drag racing that had come from outside the sport. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a couple of years, but full marks to Andy for going where the SPR management don't seem to want to go.
Bring on more variety! If it brings in the cash flow to provide better facilities then i am all for it. If i go or not isn't the point. SPR isn't just for TF as we have seen with the USC event et al.
A big thumbs up if it works! Slowly but surely SPR seems to be climbing up the ladder.... massive improvements such as the tarmac in the pits is a welcome change. I hope this event is successful.
A big thumbs up if it works! Slowly but surely SPR seems to be climbing up the ladder.... massive improvements such as the tarmac in the pits is a welcome change. I hope this event is successful.
Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff