G2 Radios presents The Waterford Speedbowl Message Board

if I'm not mistaken the bowl stands can hold just about 3 thousand people right?

I have not see the show. To lazy to find it. but what I hear form here and my grand father and my friend, they say it's a good show. I still have no plans to watch it. Unless it's on hulu or something like that.

I've heard 7k.

i am not here to badmouth the bowl however i am here to express my opinion and other then the wings n wheels events the saturday shows are pathetic as far as fan counts in the stands... i just can not understand why the track with the best racing action in new england has the lowest fan counts obviously theres something keeping people from attending the speedbowl on saturday night s to watch the best short track racing in the north east. I remember back in the 90's when if you werent at the track with in an hour of the stands opening you had trouble finding a seat and now on the average saturday night you never have a hard time finding a seat.

I manage an installation crew, and I tell them, if you have a problem, come see me. At the same time, I also tell them to come with a solution. How does this relate? We make things here where I work, and we're trying to make something better at Waterford.

You've pointed out a problem, now bring me some realistic solutions.

ie:win the lottery is not realistic, fire everybody is not realistic.

home work will be due in the AM.

To be honest why dont u get a pit pass and take a walk through the pits. there is as much if not more people in the pits than the stands. Not just that but the cost of raceing has increased along with alot of other things. At this point in time people dont have the money to come to the races like they did in the 90's. hey shadow as for gettin people in the stands how about makeing a family pack where it brings the ticket cost down for a family and throw in some bowl bucks. that way a family of 4 or more get a discount. u know there gonna buy food and drinks when their at the track.

To Shadow: I will do some homework and report back in the AM

As For BigBoi: i go in the pits everyweek at waterford wednesdays and saturdays (unless i am not in CT) and i am kinda not really falling for the "economy" excuse anymore yes i do realize the economy sucks right now however the same economy at other tracks and they are still getting peeps in the seats and im not just talking Thompson and Stafford im talking about most the tracks in New England...

Just have to make the place more appealing to the fans however the big question is how do you make the place appealing to people??

and that's the answer I look forward to hearing.

well after thinking pretty hard for an answer and asking a few other people for their thoughts and input i cam up with a few things that would most likely help the bowl put some peeps in the seats. I am not saying the BOD hasnt addressed or been trying to address some of the issues i have come up with however these are the findings i have found that make the bowl not so appealing to race fans, or other things that might help:
- More Advertisement
- Less Downtime (keep race cars on the track except for during the drivers meetings)
- Lower Admission cost (this will allow more profit on concessions, most families are only going to bring a certain amount to the track with them and if 80% of that number is eaten up by admission they will be less likely to buy track concessions)
- Let the Fans meet the drivers (Do weekly autograph sessions alternating through all the divisions, ie: week 1- SK, week 2- LM, week 3- SS, week 4- MS and whenever a touring division is there get those drivers in autograph alley as well)
- Like bigboi stated before give discounts and giveaways (if someone brings 3 consecutive weeks ticket stubs they get 50% off or a free meal)
- have 2 concession stands for the main food products instead of having 1 with long lines people dont want to miss the best racing action in the North east to wait in line for a hamburger.
- Paint the bleachers and pep up the place (buildings, billboards etc.)
- Possibly get a new Sign for the main entrance.

Again these are just my opinions and what i have heard from other racing fans and general people of what could make someone want to go there and check it out or make their visits better.

Restrooms... don't know how bad the ladies room is but the mens hasn't changed much in 40 years and that goes for the pits also. The porta potties are better and if a guy wants to impress a lady for a fun Saturday night he wouldn't want her upset over nasty facilities. Same goes if he has a family, he may get out voted because of the simple things and end up at the bowling allies or movies.

The tough part is when you are having issues paying the rent to start with and also have to pay the help and competitors, it is hard to shell out cash for upgrades or cut the addmission. It is a very tough deal.

I agree with Steve S. however a smart businessman would know when its time to try something else or just sell to someone who has the money to put into the place to make it do what it has to do... i guess im just looking at this whole thing from a business point of view not a "bowl lover" or pride thing!
again just my opinions