carnival + racing = !!

[Boneman]

As I was riding the giant ferris wheel inside Daytona this weekend, I began to wonder what would happen if one of our short tracks teamed up for a weekend with a small carnival. "Ridin' n Racin'", or whatever it would be called.

I had a friend who owned a hardware store here in Titusville. He said that a small carnival company used to pay him to be allowed to set up in his parking lot. They would put up rides and games for 3 days, sell tickets (or wristbands) to the public, and then move on.

It looks like this would work at a track too. Figure out the payment details somehow. For example, buy a ticket to the track and get a wristband for rides. The track and carnival would the money. Or maybe buy a ticket to the track and get a handful of ride tickets. When they are gone, buy more from the carnival.

Another option is to leave the carnival up for a few days, and they can give away a ticket for the track on Saturday night. Whatever it takes to draw in some new fans, treat them fairly and send them home happy.

I think this would really benefit a track like Putnam, Citrus or New Smyrna. Why? Because you can see these tracks from a main road and the rides would help draw fans in, especially if they are tall, crazy-looking and all lit up.

This must have been tried somewhere, how did it work?

[kendo]

This must have been tried somewhere, how did it work?

Orange County Fair Speedway in NY has been doing it for decades...always a big turnout

[egspeedway]

Tampa did it for years during the Florida State Fair. It has been a mainstay of many mid-western state and county fairs so the relationship is established. What is being suggested here is a little different in that the primary draw would be racing and rides. State and county fairs offer a great deal more than just rides and racing. I am not sure many people would be up to spending a lot of time and money on carnival and races all in the same visit.

[Jimmy McKinley]

Palm Beach and the South Florida Fair used to do it.

When I lived in Virginia, we went to the State Fair in Richmond, which is the same property as Richmond Int'l Raceway. They were running open-wheel Modifieds and Late Models during the fair.

[Boneman]

not sure many people would be up to spending a lot of time and money on carnival and races

Remember, I'm proposing a small carnival with a limited number of pieces. It doesn't have to involve a lot of time.

[Bigbuck]

Good idea....

in theory, but when I go to the races, which isn't often, I go to see a racing show. I guess if my grandkids were with me I might take them for the carnival but admittance to most carnivals are free? In all truthfulness I go to the races to see a racing show, I think thats what local tracks need to concentrate on, at least until the crowds and show are there. JMO.

[Jimmy McKinley]

Carnival/fair during the daylight hours, racing at night. Simple as that.

[Bigbuck]

Carnival/fair during the daylight hours, racing at night. Simple as that.

Now that makes sense.

[Boneman]

Carnival/fair during the daylight hours, racing at night

That defeats the original purpose of drawing new fans to the track.

[Bigbuck]

sorry

But I don't understand. One thread says "This does not compare to short track racing', and this one says something like carnival at day, racing at night, which I agree with and understand. But to this idea you say "but this defeats the idea of drawing more fans to the track". Now at the ROLEX I bet half the people there in the infield area didn't really know if they were at the Rolex or Volusia County Fair by 8:00 P.M. The fans that wanted to watch the race were in the stands where they could see the race. Also last I knew there are no alcoholic beverages allowed it the infield at any short track. Sorry, Jimmys idea is better.

[fred23]

That may work once or twice a year......what if it was done on a smaller scale.....maybe the remote control cars or simulators down by the concession area's...
Someone on here was selling a remote control track a while back

[Bigbuck]

That may work once or twice a year......what if it was done on a smaller scale.....maybe the remote control cars or simulators down by the concession area's...
Someone on here was selling a remote control track a while back

Fred i bet that would be a good idea, especially the simulator. Of coarse I bet whoever owns the simulator would need some assurance there would be more than 30-40 people in the stands. Also I see a simulator more as something to play with while you're there as opposed to something to draw people to the track. Everything mentioned might help but bottom line, put on a racing show!!