[GRAH1]

Just came back from running a slot event at our local village hall,Superb turn out 34 new slot racers turned up to compete in the first ever Dunsop Bridge GP ,Kids Dads and Mums all turned out to compete on Pendles portable 4lane sport track .36 hard fought races finaly gave us an overall winner in Richard Wells who did a magnificent 39 laps .Every one enjoyed the event ,perhaps this is a good way to promote our hobby if the racers wont come to the club take the club to the racers.Thanks to Sean at Pendle for the loan of the track Barry ,Simon,Shirley and Debbie for arranging the event and a special thanks to Mark Robinson(Difflock )for helping me to bring some sort of sense to the carnage and cocofony Ill post some pics when me head gets better

 

[jonny s]

It certainly is and it works to build numbers at the club. Even better if you can get the event held at the club. You will need a variable PSU, take it from me. On average I run five events like this a week. Also have a portable circuit and I know what hard work that can be. Works do`s, family functions parties, cubs,etc. all help to build numbers up. On average from every group of thirty that attend a function my hit rate of members joining from that activity is two.

 

[GRAH1]

Ran twin mag carreras at 9 volts and it was still too quick for some .They couldnt believe the speed of my falcon powered viper when I ran it round as a demo and then when I turned it up to 16v and demo'd again ,murmers of disbelief went round the room.But it was amazing how many turned out well have to investigate this further.

 

[jonny s]

A well intentioned word of caution here that may not be relevant to your aims. If you are aiming to recruit club members you have to make them feel that they can compete at club level otherwise they wiil take this singular experience as fun but decide that the club scene is not for them if they are going to get thrashed! I mean this in a very narrow context of aiming to build club membership and realise that was not the sole aim of this event.

Hard work though aint it mate! welcome to the Slot valium takers club Grah

 

[Fergy]

QUOTE hit rate of members joining from that activity is two

Might get more if you stop hitting them...

We used to take my HO track to car shows and whatnot, putting on club races right there in front of the crowds. Different approach, but it got us new members. No matter how you do it, exposure never hurts.

 

[McLaren]

I can think of one kind of exposure that can harm your membership...

 

[Intergrali]

lets just not go there, it's far too below the belt!

 

[jonny s]

The figure of two is the number of long term members that stay at the club. Sure when everyone is still frothing at the end of an event they swear they`ll be racing every week but in the cold reality of a Winters night,only those truly smitten or mad turn up on a race night.

Fergy, shame on you I`ma gentle soul really

 

[Fergy]

Just yanking your chain, of course!

2 out of 30 is a very good percentage indeed. It's often easy to get people to show up once or twice - much more difficult to keep them long-term.

Lotus - speaking from personal experience?

 

[VOA]

er,um,..ah...lets see here....

Could we see a picture of pendle's 4 lane portable , spindible, mutilatable track for intoducing newbies to slot cars? Maybe some of us could talk a local retailer(thats shoplist)into sponsoring one.

Can I hear an Halellulia? Brothers and Sisters?

I agree, speed can impress, maybe you hook a few, let's see how many you reel in.

It's a numbers game, if y'er spredin' the gospil and lookin for converts. Johnny's observation (hookin' 2 out of 30, and gettin em in the creel) is optimistic.

lot's of folk like racin', spending the money and buying track, joining a club, buying cars and controllers is different. We are a breed. Have an extra chromosome or something. There is a smorgasboard of choices out there for your leisure time, all we can do is put slots on the steam table, and hope some folk choose our entre'.

Anyhow, we all need to evangelize all the unknowing as much as we can. If we throw the seed on a stone, it won't grow. If we happen to hit fertile soil, well......

 

[GRAH1]

Pendles portable

Its about 16ft x6ft

 

[jonny s]

VOA the numbers are not optimistic , they are accurate numbers based on doing this for the last three years and building our membership up from 20 to 235. Looks good Grah. Fergy ya chain yanker!! You didn`t need to explain mate

 

[Difflock]

Thanks for the mention Graham

It was indeed quite hectic. I think the event started out as summat different for t' village 'all to put on

rather than slot evangelism, but if we get a couple more people in the clubs (Slot Tech or Pendle - we share!) then all well and good.

Mark.

 

[Intergrali]

sharings good, but our club runner didnt like the competitiveness at t'other club