Spectator Fees, opinions?

USA
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USA
What do you guys think about spectator fees on open practice days?

I get it on race days, pay for the show. Practice days - what’s the point? Is there any other reason than track operators trying to make more money?
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RonSkj
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RonSkj 6/17/2019 5:32pm
6/17/2019 5:32pm
I would guess, trying to make money is one of the goals in owning a track.
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crusher773
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crusher773 6/17/2019 5:35pm
6/17/2019 5:35pm Edited Date/Time 6/17/2019 5:37pm
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that guy. even if 1 rider brings girlfriend or wife or just someone to get them home if they had a crash, no charge. now if 1 guy comes to ride and all his buddies and chicks came out to watch. $2 a piece. now what I get sick of is a late fee on top of a practice fee. I see that and we are going somewhere else. typically even if a gate fee for practice days just for spectators also.
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USA
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USA 6/17/2019 5:45pm
6/17/2019 5:45pm
crusher773 wrote:
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that...
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that guy. even if 1 rider brings girlfriend or wife or just someone to get them home if they had a crash, no charge. now if 1 guy comes to ride and all his buddies and chicks came out to watch. $2 a piece. now what I get sick of is a late fee on top of a practice fee. I see that and we are going somewhere else. typically even if a gate fee for practice days just for spectators also.
Interesting, thanks for your explanation. I’ve never seen a ‘late fee’ before, is that for showing up around noon?
sumdood
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sumdood 6/17/2019 6:06pm
6/17/2019 6:06pm
crusher773 wrote:
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that...
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that guy. even if 1 rider brings girlfriend or wife or just someone to get them home if they had a crash, no charge. now if 1 guy comes to ride and all his buddies and chicks came out to watch. $2 a piece. now what I get sick of is a late fee on top of a practice fee. I see that and we are going somewhere else. typically even if a gate fee for practice days just for spectators also.
USA wrote:
Interesting, thanks for your explanation. I’ve never seen a ‘late fee’ before, is that for showing up around noon?
Lost me at "when we still had our track"

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dmm698
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dmm698 6/17/2019 6:36pm
6/17/2019 6:36pm
I don’t really care. Yeah, they charge me an extra 10 bucks for my gf to come along, but 9x out of 10 I’m racing next day so I’d be paying it anyways. The few times I only ride sat yeah it sucks to pay 20$ in gate fees for 2 people on top of paying for practice.

The bigger problem is all the practice warriors. You have 500 riders pay to ride Open prac Saturday. Then 200 racers the following day on Sunday. Tracks not refunding the gate fee if you only prac and leave so it’s whatever, wish more practice hero’s would line up. Small gates suck.
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AngryBear
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AngryBear 6/17/2019 6:40pm
6/17/2019 6:40pm
crusher773 wrote:
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that...
when we still had our track open took it almost case by case. so if dad was bringing kids and dad didn't ride, not charging that guy. even if 1 rider brings girlfriend or wife or just someone to get them home if they had a crash, no charge. now if 1 guy comes to ride and all his buddies and chicks came out to watch. $2 a piece. now what I get sick of is a late fee on top of a practice fee. I see that and we are going somewhere else. typically even if a gate fee for practice days just for spectators also.
USA wrote:
Interesting, thanks for your explanation. I’ve never seen a ‘late fee’ before, is that for showing up around noon?
likely gate fee. i'd need to sell my bike to pay for all the late fee's i'd rack up.
SLAPAHO
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SLAPAHO 6/17/2019 6:42pm
6/17/2019 6:42pm
keeps the riff-raff out
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mh226
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mh226 6/17/2019 6:47pm
6/17/2019 6:47pm
Likely Insurance related...
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cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 6/17/2019 7:05pm
6/17/2019 7:05pm
USA wrote:
What do you guys think about spectator fees on open practice days? I get it on race days, pay for the show. Practice days - what’s...
What do you guys think about spectator fees on open practice days?

I get it on race days, pay for the show. Practice days - what’s the point? Is there any other reason than track operators trying to make more money?
If mom or dad brings little Johnny to the track, they should just be charged for the rider.
On race days, I don't have a problem with charging spectators.

Some potential reasons track operators decide to charge spectators:

There's an insurance policy on most tracks, so spectators need to contribute to that cost.

Spectators help fill up the shitters and trash cans, adding to the operating cost.

This isn't a problem up here in the NW, but in places like Southern California, you occasionally have guys just cruise through the pits at some tracks and steal stuff right out of people's trucks. The tracks that have some kind of spectator fee, or bracelet serve as a gate guard to keep those thieves out.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 6/17/2019 7:46pm
6/17/2019 7:46pm
When I see a bunch of Mega-Rich Track Owners...?

Well, that is when I'll start bitching.

Until then? I'll gladly pay my $30 for a prepped and watered track complete with flaggers (Example: Pala)
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mikec265
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mikec265 6/17/2019 9:23pm
6/17/2019 9:23pm
Considering all the time and money I have in my own little private track, those fees are still a bargain. I just don't have time to go to far away tracks all the time. So I consider my track at home a bargain because time is money.
Texas Built
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Texas Built 6/17/2019 9:55pm
6/17/2019 9:55pm
USA wrote:
What do you guys think about spectator fees on open practice days? I get it on race days, pay for the show. Practice days - what’s...
What do you guys think about spectator fees on open practice days?

I get it on race days, pay for the show. Practice days - what’s the point? Is there any other reason than track operators trying to make more money?
That property does not pay for itself. If you want to pay the bills for the track owners so we can watch for free, I would be cool with that.
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Texas Built
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Texas Built 6/17/2019 9:56pm
6/17/2019 9:56pm
RonSkj wrote:
I would guess, trying to make money is one of the goals in owning a track.
If you're a millennial, making a profit is considered "greedy".
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RexEasely
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RexEasely 6/17/2019 10:17pm
6/17/2019 10:17pm
Deters the wheelie boy types
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KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 6/18/2019 2:20am
6/18/2019 2:20am
I think they SHOULD charge SOME fee. For around here, keep it small. Good points by most on here!
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kb228
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kb228 6/18/2019 2:50am
6/18/2019 2:50am
Id be pissed if there was a spectator fee. No track around here charges for spectators.
Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 6/18/2019 5:43am
6/18/2019 5:43am
No tracks around me charge a spectator fee to get in on practice days. But on race day they will charge spectators and the rider $10 to get in, then another fee for the rider to race. YOU PAY TO WATCH THE RACE YOU ARE IN!!!!

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mxtech1
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mxtech1 6/18/2019 5:46am
6/18/2019 5:46am
It costs money to rent porat-shitters, concessions, EMS, insurance, etc.

Nothing wrong with a $5-$10 gate fee for non-riding adults.

Children and veterans should be free.
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zippytech
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zippytech 6/18/2019 5:54am
6/18/2019 5:54am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2019 5:55am
One local track to me changed me 20 to ride and 20 for the wife to watch and she did not show up till after 6 pm. He did this twice to me and I won't go back.
lumpy790
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lumpy790 6/18/2019 6:14am
6/18/2019 6:14am
I have never questioned having to pay to get into a practice track. Without $ to pay bills they close the gate for good.
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Steve125
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Steve125 6/18/2019 6:22am
6/18/2019 6:22am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2019 7:16am
We go to open practices the day before race day. Both my girlfriend and I pay a gate fee but its good for the whole weekend. Then of course I pay to ride practice...then also pay to race the next day

Edit: The only place we ever paid a spectator fee for open practice was at Budds Creek.. but we didn't mind. Their unfortunate money woes are well known.
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dirtbikemike 6/18/2019 6:40am
6/18/2019 6:40am
Zesiger 112 wrote:
No tracks around me charge a spectator fee to get in on practice days. But on race day they will charge spectators and the rider $10...
No tracks around me charge a spectator fee to get in on practice days. But on race day they will charge spectators and the rider $10 to get in, then another fee for the rider to race. YOU PAY TO WATCH THE RACE YOU ARE IN!!!!
What are you doing the rest of the day after your race? You are a spectator.
Mr. Info
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Mr. Info 6/18/2019 6:44am
6/18/2019 6:44am
All the tracks I know charge per bike. If you bring 2 and ride them both it makes sense
danman
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danman 6/18/2019 7:26am
6/18/2019 7:26am
Fees for spectators on a practice day are garbage. I wouldn't go to a track like that if I actually had someone going along just to watch. Next thing you know, there will be a damn quarter machine on the porta potty as a pay per use.
dickjackson170 6/18/2019 8:56am
6/18/2019 8:56am Edited Date/Time 6/18/2019 9:03am
There's a couple fairly simple solutions to this problem.
A.) If you don't like it, don't go. Track days are for people physically riding the track
B.) If you don't like it, open your own track and let any Jabroni you want in for free to potentially get "injured" and sue you
Problem solved
1
Eddieg15
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Eddieg15 6/18/2019 10:27am
6/18/2019 10:27am
danman wrote:
Fees for spectators on a practice day are garbage. I wouldn't go to a track like that if I actually had someone going along just to...
Fees for spectators on a practice day are garbage. I wouldn't go to a track like that if I actually had someone going along just to watch. Next thing you know, there will be a damn quarter machine on the porta potty as a pay per use.
That is a great idea

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