Posts
1863
Joined
9/12/2010
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
4/9/2016 3:37pm
Ok, I am one of the lucky ones here in SoCal that have the opportunity to attend quite a few Supercross events each year. With all the discussions about the “chase”, entertainment vs sport, tv coverage, stadiums and tracks having an impact on attendance, I tried to figure out why I actually attend vs watch the events from home. I probably attend about 6 of the races (roughly 1/3 of the season), mostly in SoCal but also in adjoining states and the Finals in Vegas. So here is my list, I am wondering if others are similar:
Factors that cause me to attend.
1. The racing
2. Seeing what I want to see, not just what television wants to show me
3. Attending practice to watch and photograph
4. The excitement and overall flavor of being at the event
5. Meeting friends at the event
6. Seeing the pits (applies to A1 race only)
7. Talking to the Riders – usually in the privateer pits - the others are too busy)
Factors that cause me to watch
1. Dealing with Parking &Traffic
2. Dealing with Ridiculous People
3. Ticket Prices (Cost of club seats got excessive for what you get, just moved up a level)
4. Concession prices – I didn’t realize that hot dogs and drinks could cost that much.
5. The full body cavity search to get in the doors – yeah, this annoys me at all types of events and personally I think offers little additional security against a determined or competent criminal/terrorist
There have been a few times that I went and wished I hadn’t. Usually when there is a poor track design that affects the racing. This seems to have been the biggest single factor on whether or not I was glad I went. A poor track design has much less effect when watching on TV. The producer can always find something somewhat interesting to show. I think that the overall point standing/has the championship been decided really figured very little into whether or not I attended an event. I went to see the racing on that evening. Most the time the series has been decided before the finals occur, yet, I still attend. IMHO, to boost attendance at the stadium, focusing on the quality of the product and cost are the biggest factors. I'd pay more for a great product and don't want to leave thinking, damn, that was a waste of time and money.
Factors that cause me to attend.
1. The racing
2. Seeing what I want to see, not just what television wants to show me
3. Attending practice to watch and photograph
4. The excitement and overall flavor of being at the event
5. Meeting friends at the event
6. Seeing the pits (applies to A1 race only)
7. Talking to the Riders – usually in the privateer pits - the others are too busy)
Factors that cause me to watch
1. Dealing with Parking &Traffic
2. Dealing with Ridiculous People
3. Ticket Prices (Cost of club seats got excessive for what you get, just moved up a level)
4. Concession prices – I didn’t realize that hot dogs and drinks could cost that much.
5. The full body cavity search to get in the doors – yeah, this annoys me at all types of events and personally I think offers little additional security against a determined or competent criminal/terrorist
There have been a few times that I went and wished I hadn’t. Usually when there is a poor track design that affects the racing. This seems to have been the biggest single factor on whether or not I was glad I went. A poor track design has much less effect when watching on TV. The producer can always find something somewhat interesting to show. I think that the overall point standing/has the championship been decided really figured very little into whether or not I attended an event. I went to see the racing on that evening. Most the time the series has been decided before the finals occur, yet, I still attend. IMHO, to boost attendance at the stadium, focusing on the quality of the product and cost are the biggest factors. I'd pay more for a great product and don't want to leave thinking, damn, that was a waste of time and money.
Too many casual fans go to the Atlanta round. People who are there to party and don't give a crap about the race.
The show is stale. Period.
Lurch screaming at the top of his lungs is beyond annoying. Why? Who thinks this brings anything to the show?
Inconvenience: It took an hour to get out of the parking deck this year.
Cost.
The racing just hasn't been good this season.
Cause me to attend:
I've only missed one Atlanta SX since 1977.
I've been going with my son since he was 6. He's 18 now.
The smells, the excitement as you walk in and hear the bikes echoing off of the stadium walls the first time.
Catching subtle things throughout the night that you don't see on the TV broadcast.
parking
hotels/motels
$
sno-cone supercross plastic mugs/cup=$20.00
but.....going to a outdoor national has much better perks...
The Shop
That being said I plan to attend High Point, Red Bud & maybe Indiana... Moto on...
I wouldn't walk across the street to watch a Supercross Race... I have attended, in the past, Pittsburgh, Orlando,
Jax, Daytona & I was at Tampa stadium when Mike Craig got his win...
Traffic can be avoided by arriving early and staying late so that is never an issue.
Cavity searches r just a part of any live event thanks to the fuckheads of the world.
Concession prices are not an issue if you're not pounding beers. I usually Bbq n the parking lot and go in full.
Ticket prices have never been a issue for me. Shit it cost $28 for me and my wife to get into a movie nowadays. For the level of entertainment it's a deal.
I only attend the first half of the series and have never made a trip to Vegas unless there was a title on the line...which usually happens once every 10 years if that.
I can't fathom anyone within an hours drive, not going to watch, for the sake of an hours drive and parking.
7) smell
1. Im on the wrong fucking continent
Pit Row
The cute signs to cover regular signage at the concession stands, a moto dude plus the updated prices. I wonder who gets the extra cash?
Which brings me to not ONE DOLLAR paid in overage. I believe Ascot paid overage 50 years ago and speedway in the 70's and 80's certainly paid overage. The bigger the gate the bigger the purse.
The screaming announcer is in a league all his own to me but does remind me of the commercials from long ago, 30 seconds mostly showing crashes.
I have made it to about 40 races. First was at the Coliseum in 1976, Anaheim every year from 1983 to 2006
That said, the closest SX I have to me is New York (Jersey in actuality) and I went to the first one 2 years ago, it was great.
I guess they realized with the number of people that went, they should raise the ticket prices, and they did...alot. Priced me out of it as I take the whole family when we can go.
What do I win?
I was at the Super Bowl of Motocross in '72, and have been to hundreds SX races since.
Haven't been to one for several years.
I'd much rather sit on my comfy couch, in my heated living room, eat reasonably priced food, and drink reasonably priced beer.
REAL MX, on the other hand...
I camp at the track and eat reasonably priced food and drink reasonably priced beer.
I'll see you guys at GH.
Now outdoor moto is an entirely different story.........thats still a good experience to go and watch n person. TV does not do the raw speed of outdoors any justice, kind of like supercross obstacles.
You can watch the battles you choose, rather than being at the whim of the TV coverage.
The sound is incredible.
It's like a frikken circus, action everywhere you look.
My boy LOVES it! (on TV he's bored halfway thru the moto)
We always meet some good moto people.
My first SX was in the Pontiac Silverdome in 77' and I still get an adrenalin rush when they're on the gate (don't happen when I'm watching on the TV)
It is expensive, but we pack some food to "tailgait" and save some $$
I prefer MX over SX, but for my money both of them are far superior to any stick/ball sports.
That said, I'd gladly pay per view for races I can't get to. WTF is that not an option?
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