2011 Race season/2012 Race Season

[kingdaddy]

Anyone have any thoughts on the 2011 race season and what you would like to see in 2012?

[REALLY2]

Less races, less categories and longer races with better prize money and bigger fields

[Big Keith]

Yes, fees for additional races should be much less, like 10-15 bucks. this would increase revenue and field sizes. i would love to do two-three races, but there is NO WAY that i would pay 30-40 bucks a pop to do each. i think that this would be easy to do and encourage people to stick around and race more..

[ProBikeFitter]

Agreed. 2nd race should be $15 or less.

AB

[kingdaddy]

Taking in consideration all the entry fees (receivables) for our two day event last year and TopView's fees (payable), TopView gave me a check for $1,630.00.
NOW, deduct law enforcement costs, port-a-let costs, gas for vehicles and other ESSENTIAL costs needed just to put on the race, it resulted in a loss
I don't think reduced fees will happen. It's economically not feasible.
I think the answer is less events. Just my two cents...

[ProBikeFitter]

How many riders did you have at your event(s)? I only had 89, which is probably the lowest attendance on record for a single day FPS event, and I only lost $400. Granted, my event was a bit simpler to run. However, at $15 for a second race, it would've only taken 26 double ups to break even.

[REALLY2]

Well less races in the Spring isn't going to happen. Hearing this may be the most packed Spring for races. Reduce cat's that don't attend the race. If they don't support it then why bother to hold a race for them. Extend some of the races that feel short and might make people feel like a drive from Miami or J-ville are worth it. On a side note most races lost money this year.

[Big Keith]

All the race organizors would have to do is see how many people raced more than once in one day. If the number is very very few, i do not see how it would be anything but a positive financial result to reduce same day entry fees for more than one race. If lots of people are already doubling up, then i could understand the possible financial impact. But i cant imagine too many people are doubling up on races on the same day if it is like 35 bucks a race....just food for thought

[karesz3]

It seems like a lot of talented and passionate event organizers are barely breaking even or losing money. I think road cycling is limited to a very small segment of the active community in Florida.
This may partially be due to the economy, the sport’s bad reputation (or limited exposure), difficult logistics and topology (or lack of real road racing terrain). Some of these factors are especially true to South Florida where we only had parking lot type races before the BB Pro events. Pat and company did a fantastic job with that series, but it’s very difficult to draw real numbers.
What FL does best is multisport racing. Triathlons, duathlons, Xterra (Oleta and Ameila) have real potential, and those events sell out at a very high price. A simple sprint triathlon entry fee is around $80, and they have hundreds of participants. The best strategy would be to get into the multisport event organization business and combine them with some longer road races. Everyone would benefit from this. Triathlons would become more affordable, cyclist could participate in more challenging events, and the sport in general could gain some positive exposure.
I’d like to see far fewer road races but much improved quality. I’d rather save my time and money and do 6 Gaps or Blood Sweat and Gears (Leadville or Mt Mitchell) than doing 45 minute crits in a parking lot bumping elbows with some angry dudes.
Cheers

[kingdaddy]

There have been a lot of negotiations going on this week and I can say I'm pleasantly surprised at the direction they're headed. Enough said for now...