Consider this night out. I took my four kids to the bowling center here in Titusville last week. We all had dinner from the concession stand, got five pairs of rental shoes and each bowled two games. Guess how much…$110!
I was stunned at how expensive it was. We only do this a couple times a year, but it had really gone up. By they way, this was on Thursday, a school night, and the place was packed.
A similar night with the kids sitting in the stands at the track would have been half the price. So what is the difference? Why did the bowling center thrive while my home track struggles?
I have two suggestions: kid involvement and concession stands.
As a kid, I was completely content to sit on the boards and watch cars drive in circles, but are today’s kids as patient and dedicated? I don’t think so. Obviously in bowling my kids were 100% involved in the game. Aside from racing a kart or a [SIZE=“1”]bando[/SIZE], the kids can’t jump in and make things happen. Here are a few suggestions to involve kids, and hopefully make them fans for life.
RC car racing could work. Set it up by the concession stand (its not part of the show) and make sure it is priced so that the kids can afford to play over and over. I know there are vendors who could bring in a complete track set-up. Whatever form it takes, we win if the kids want to race all night.
Anyone remember the rental kart track at Hollywood Speedway? They set up a little kart track, no bigger than Lil’ 500, and they operated it during race nights. Us kids loved it, and in my young head I “was racing at Hollywood”. Remember, the idea is to get them involved so they can fall in love with the sport.
Do you know what was the LOUDEST response I have ever heard from a the stands at a race track? It was at Sunshine Speedway for a kids Big Wheel race! No kidding, the announcer played it up and the little kids riding their toys delivered. Everybody was on their feet and yelling for the 6 year olds! Unforgetable! Bike races during intermission would also work.
Here is one more: exploit the popularity of the Wii system. We had a big New Year’s Eve party, and for the first time I rented a projector and screen for the Wii. THe screen was 10 feet tall and 18 feet wide. It was as bright as a good TV and my guests loved it. How about setting up a Wii tournament where the winners get to race the drivers in Mario Kart or something? The people would get a kick out of it.
Topic two: concession stands. The bowling alley food was a little expensive, but there was a wide variety, it was freshly prepared and was good. Currently at my home track, we no longer have ANYTHING for sale in the pits, and the spectator concession is really weak and outdated. At the risk of going on too long, I’ll suggest building a permanent facility in the pits and updating the spectator side, even if it means paying vendors to set up shop.