Pit admission fees?!

[jeff55vDSH]

I stopped by the APBA PRO Nationals in DePue yesterday. I paid my $3 admission just like any other spectator to get onto the grounds. Hey, no problem. Happy to support the event. Then, I needed to get into the pits to see somebody. I finally found the place to get a wristband. I quickly signed the sheet. Then as the guy slid the wristband across the table to me he says: "that's $10." Like I'm buying a burger or something.

SAY WHAT!!!?????
:eek:
I explained, "Oh no...wait, I'm here to pit for Mr. ---- ----. And I'm an APBA member."
The guy behind the counter told me that EVERYBODY in the pits who is not actually getting into a raceboat had to pay the $10. I was later told by someone else that the money went toward prize money for the winners.
I hate to sound like a tightwad, but is this a common practice? If so, I expect, no wait, DEMAND to see my name on that big sign they have hanging in the Men's Club pavillion that lists all the race sponsors!!! (And there's a LOT of race sponsors listed)
I admit, it's been a few years since I've needed to go into the pits at the PRO Nats. How long has this racket been going on?:mad:
For crying out loud!!! What a crock!!!!:mad:
OK... I'm done... Take a few deep breaths Jeff.

[jeff55vDSH]

I went back to DePue today. I was hoping to lend a hand to some folks in 1100 runabout. But, my help wasn't needed.
I was a little suprised that my $10 wristband was still valid. I kinda figured they'd have a different color wristband for each day. Each one costing $10! :eek:
So at least I was somewhat relieved. ;)

I did get a couple good photos from the pit area.

[iwanajohnson]

hey richard, I know this doesen't have anything to do with this thread but I was gonna tell you. the jet boat races are this weekend august 4th. I figured I wild let you know pm me if you need any more info.

[rbengines]

I went to an OPC race and want to get into the pits to talk to old friends that use to race stock and mod, to my surprize $20. I'm a life member of AOF and also an APBA member which santioned the race. The gate charge was free but the sponser of the race required $20 for theirself. Last time for me.

[Tim Chance]

I ran at Depue. I also paid $10 each for my two pit crew, and $10 each for my wife, mother, daughter, sister, nephew, and granddaughter. Thats $80.00 extra dollars. Plus I had three more that came and helped and were happy to pay $10 each just to be there and have a good weekend. If you can't afford it... ...take up golf (you won't have to pay anything if you sneak in at the 2nd hole and sneak out at the 8th).

[Miss BK]

My first boat races were the Havasu OB Championships and the Parker Enduro. My first Havasu was 1968, and NOBODY got into the pits unless you were with a team - no extra passes were sold to anyone else.

Kids couldn't get autographs because there was a big chain link fence between the spectators and the pits, all the way around. But that didn't stop fans from coming - in fact, we usually had to wait in a long line just to get in just to watch from Spectator Point - cars would be backed up all the way to the main road turn off for the Nautical Inn.

Once inside, I would stand above the pits hanging on that fence - hoping to get a "glimpse" of one of the drivers (or perhaps my fav - Cesare Scotti). And that's how it stayed until around the mid 1990's, when the rules started getting more lax, and participation waned.

Only when I started volunteering as a scorer around 1978 did I finally get my chance to be in the pits - no questions asked, ever again! From then on, they were always happy to put a wristband on me. :D

Hey......there's an idea! ;)


Seeing pit passes being sold may actually be a good sign that interest in racing is up like the old days? That's a GOOD thing!



P.S. We went golfing one afternoon, and it cost our family of 4 over $120! Just for 4 hours of swinging a stick and sometimes making a hit. Not to mention the 8 balls we lost! lol

[rbengines]

I don't have a problem with a $10 charge for a pitpass as a spectator all weekend, especially at a National. I think that is a great value. But to have the pit crew of the racers having to pay tells me of the decline of boat racing. You are paying for the show and putting it on yourself. You want to know how well boat racing is doing put that $10 on the gate for spectators also and see how many come. You pay much for equipment and overhead cost as I'm sure you well know. Your pit crew are working and should be able to enter the pits free. I'm not trying to be cheap it's just my opinion. I've spent much in 25 years of racing in the past. Yes I can afford it, but I don't think it's right. Maybe I need to go play golf. All I've got to say about it.

[mercguy]

I don't have a problem with a $10 charge for a pitpass as a spectator all weekend, especially at a National. I think that is a great value. But to have the pit crew of the racers having to pay tells me of the decline of boat racing. You are paying for the show and putting it on yourself. You want to know how well boat racing is doing put that $10 on the gate for spectators also and see how many come. You pay much for equipment and overhead cost as I'm sure you well know. Your pit crew are working and should be able to enter the pits free. I'm not trying to be cheap it's just my opinion. I've spent much in 25 years of racing in the past. Yes I can afford it, but I don't think it's right. Maybe I need to go play golf. All I've got to say about it.


I do not have a problem with wrist ban fees either, as the money does go back to the racers, but I "think" your pit crew (2 or less) should not have to pay, especially how hard it is to get a good crew and how hard they have to work. Even so, the driver should pay for them anyways (along with all the beer and food they can drink/eat!). I have some prety cheap friends and family, so do not think they would shell out the $10 to come watch the race.......:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

but, the USTS puts on one hell of a race and SHOW, so it is their call............just do not bring a dozen of your friends along, or you will go broke..........:p

[racingfan1]

The reason the Mens Club and the USTS agreed to the $10 change for wrist bands is because last year there were 18 pages of people who went in to the registration trailer and signed in for a wrist band , then walked in each day for free. A good number of those people have a right to be in the pits , but it was getting to the point where anybody could get a wrist by walking in and sign the waiver , then every day walk in and say I am on a pit crew and not pay. When you think about it the pass is only $1 because the daily admission is $3. Remember every person who signs in is covered by insurance. You would spend $10 to see a movie nowadays , so $10 for about 15 hours of quality boat races seems like a good deal.

[jeff55vDSH]

then every day walk in and say I am on a pit crew and not pay.

Gee, I wish I'd known that! I walked up to the gate and showed them my wristband. I said: "Do I have to pay again since I was here friday?" The two guys laughed out loud at me and said yes I had to pay again. If I knew that pit crews were allowed in for free I would have pushed the issue. I could have saved $3. Or maybe $6 if I had told the dudes I was gonna be on a pit crew the first time I got there on friday. That could have paid for a couple lemon shake-ups for the kids.

I'm just a local boat racer. I seldom travel far to race or watch a race. I do what I can afford. So, what if I were to race at the PRO nats? What's the entry fee per class at the nationals? $50 per class? Plus I'd have to pay for pit passes for my Wife and three kids? Plus if my two brothers came to help there's another $20. That gets kinda pricey for me when you consider all the other costs I have to cover for my boat and family.
There's gotta be a better way to regulate pit pass administration than just charging for them.
Oh well. Lesson learned. Maybe I should take up golf.
;)

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

The reason the Mens Club and the USTS agreed to the $10 change for wrist bands is because last year there were 18 pages of people who went in to the registration trailer and signed in for a wrist band , then walked in each day for free. A good number of those people have a right to be in the pits , but it was getting to the point where anybody could get a wrist by walking in and sign the waiver , then every day walk in and say I am on a pit crew and not pay. When you think about it the pass is only $1 because the daily admission is $3. Remember every person who signs in is covered by insurance. You would spend $10 to see a movie nowadays , so $10 for about 15 hours of quality boat races seems like a good deal.

Lot of chatter here about the wrist band fee, some fairly accurate, some not.
As the chairman for the recer's reunion, I too originally questioned the fee. It was explained to me by the Depue Men's club president & the USTS president. The $10 fee allowed entrance to the race site as well as the hot pits. One free wrist band went to each driver & one pit crew as well as all officials. $5 of the $10 fee went to the race awards & $5 to the men's club, who were footing the bill for the races. Considering all the related costs to put on a championship of this caliber, this was a good deal. With weather conditions that existed in the past, the men's club actually lot money. Not all men's club members have the historical ties to the pro nationals so have been questioning "why are we doing this"? Making money & paying out awards to the drivers is their goal. I can tell yo that on Saturday I learned that the refreshment stand was making money, and the crowd seemed to double on Sunday. Additionally, the reunion crowd brought 200 people to the event & they as well spent money at the food pavilion & other vendors. Prediction! The nationals will be back in Depue next year.

[Ron Hill]

I paid my $10 for the writst band, at DePue, Illinois, with pride. When , it costs $25 to go to the "Taste of Newport" so you can buy $8.00 beers... I think every arm band should cost $10 at every race, and all $10 goes back to the PRIZE MONEY FUND....or some charity.

Paddle Boats get front page newspaper reports, for support breast cancer...

[Bob Rusnak]

The reason the Mens Club and the USTS agreed to the $10 change for wrist bands is because last year there were 18 pages of people who went in to the registration trailer and signed in for a wrist band , then walked in each day for free. A good number of those people have a right to be in the pits , but it was getting to the point where anybody could get a wrist by walking in and sign the waiver , then every day walk in and say I am on a pit crew and not pay. When you think about it the pass is only $1 because the daily admission is $3. Remember every person who signs in is covered by insurance. You would spend $10 to see a movie nowadays , so $10 for about 15 hours of quality boat races seems like a good deal.

I was really shocked with the $10.00/pit release. We all know it did not go to inshurance as we never paid before at any Title Race. Please remember it is the teams that provide the show for the Mens's Club and the city of Depue. It cost a lot of money for us to attend the race and with the reunion, we bought many more of the family. If it was not for the pit crew, no driver could get on the race course and put on a show. If the money went back to the racers, OK but I do not think so according to the talk. Normally I spend a lot of money at the Men's club but with the $10.00 per pit pass, I spent money somewhere else. My question is where did the money go. Maybe it is time to look for another place for the Nationals.....Bob

[F-12]

These admition fees go toward a great many expenses incurred during the week the Nationals are going on. Kristi can give you a better accounting than I can, but we don't need a better place for the National Championships..........We are there now.

[chicagopaul]

The key, at least for me, is the Suprise factor. I read the sanction and it was very clear. So for me, "No Suprise Factor." I paid $10 and helped in the pits as well as helped with tow boat duty during testing. I was only there 4 hours total. But I knew this ahead of time and so, no suprise.

I was shocked at the OPC Nationals 1st time, got pissed, said screw it, and drove back home without watching. (I'll show them! Yuk, Yuk) 2nd time I knew. Paid my money and had a great time.

Suggestion? A friendly little handout expressing your appreciation for our donation and explaining how this contribution helps to keep the Nationals possible at DePue, and contribues to insurance and the overall success of the event. Without it, it would be difficult to continue to have an event of this magnitude. After all, it is the Nationals. If this could be handed out to folks by the "Volunteers" at the gate, this might help take a little heat off of them too.
Heck, maybe have a tear off stub for a drawing or $2 off a T-shirt or something?

Just a thought.

[Ron Hill]

I come rolling out of Ralph's Super Market.....A CUTE, WELL DRESSED young lady asked if I'd like a chance on a TV? I actually thought I'd rather take a chance on a INDIAN BLANKET, but that wasn't her offer. I asked, "What's the money going for?" She said, "She dances with Orange County Performing Arts and this helps them." $5.00...I gave her the $5.00 and thanked her for asking me..

Paying $10 for a pit pass, it a paper was handed to you that said, "The APBA Nationals cost $50,000, your $10 will help bring the races back to DePue in 2008...Plus you get $5.00 off on a T-Shirt...Id they ain't making more than $5.00 on a T-shirt, they should be...

As I walked off, after giving the young lady $5.00, I thought about my daughter and her friend Karen making about a $1,000 one summer painting curbs....I thought, "You know America is in good hands.."....

[Skoontz]

Not having been ever at Depue, and looking overall at the health of boat racing in comparison to the 50's and 60's articles I read, that $10 is a very small contribution for several reasons. One being overall costs in the new milleniums, everything from insurances, to sites dwindling, to fuel and so fourth. Every year my buddies and I have made a ritual of going to the NHRA Winternationals at Pomona. We pay $150.00 to enter and sit in the pit side with the other 50,000 fans, while the spectator side only costs $75.00 and has less than 2000 people....

And, ever want to eat at a place like that? They doink ya out of $10.00 for a 60% beef, 40% gease cheeseburger. Brats on regular hot dog bread are $\$8.00 a piece, and God forbid you may want a beer....Budweiser, that I can buy all day long at the ramshakle Korean owned liquor store for $8.00 a 24 pack, sells for $8.00 a 16 oz plastic cup.....

Taking all that into consideration, $10 is a pretty good deal, I thought....

[David Weaver]

I was really shocked with the $10.00/pit release. We all know it did not go to inshurance as we never paid before at any Title Race. Please remember it is the teams that provide the show for the Mens's Club and the city of Depue. It cost a lot of money for us to attend the race and with the reunion, we bought many more of the family. If it was not for the pit crew, no driver could get on the race course and put on a show. If the money went back to the racers, OK but I do not think so according to the talk. Normally I spend a lot of money at the Men's club but with the $10.00 per pit pass, I spent money somewhere else. My question is where did the money go. Maybe it is time to look for another place for the Nationals.....Bob

Bob,

As stated earlier, the $10 was split between the prize fund and the Men's Club. This fee was included in the "bid" for the Nationals and accepted. I posted that the fee would charged in several places, as did Kristi. It was on the circular for the Nationals.

Please let us know if you find a competitive bid for the PRO Nationals. For years, only one site has stepped-up!!

David

[Kristi Ellison]

Here is the official word: The Men's Club has been losing money at the gate for years! Why? because everyone and their mother would tell them they would not pay they were with a team. It came to my attention that all those Men's Club members you saw working the food stand and elsewhere pay $3 every day to come and work! I was one of those ignorants who never thought I had to pay to get in after all I am racing and the race director. The Men's Club workers at the gate have no possible way of knowing who is who or who is with who. It is my understanding that at car races you do indeed have to pay to bring in your crew and it can cost teams well over $150 to bring in pit crews.
Where did the money go? Split 50/50 between the Men's Clubs and the prize money. I sat and looked at the books myself with Johnny. Because the checks are written in advance any leftover money brought in on Sunday will be applied to next years prize money. No one ever said this money went to Insurance. The Mens Club pays for the sanction and insurance and officials they easily spend 25,000 on this race and have to recoup that to make a profit. You are welcome to find a sponsor and site who is willing to work as hard as these guys do.....
Who got free armbands? Drivers, officials and kids 12 and under. We tried giving out certain numbers of arm bands to each driver a few years ago and it was a disaster. By paying up front the $10 dollars covers entry to the race each day and $1 for the arm band. ( they are not free...mens club paid for the arm bands also).
If you ever have a question you are free to send me an email personally...I detest mis-information.

Kristi

[Ron Hill]

Is it public knowledge of what the prize money was at DePue? I'm actually nosey!!!!

Is DePue planning on bidding on the 2008 Nationals???

Is the Nationals considered a US Title Series Race?

[John Schubert T*A*R*T]

Here is the official word: The Men's Club has been losing money at the gate for years! Why? because everyone and their mother would tell them they would not pay they were with a team. It came to my attention that all those Men's Club members you saw working the food stand and elsewhere pay $3 every day to come and work! I was one of those ignorants who never thought I had to pay to get in after all I am racing and the race director. The Men's Club workers at the gate have no possible way of knowing who is who or who is with who. It is my understanding that at car races you do indeed have to pay to bring in your crew and it can cost teams well over $150 to bring in pit crews.
Where did the money go? Split 50/50 between the Men's Clubs and the prize money. I sat and looked at the books myself with Johnny. Because the checks are written in advance any leftover money brought in on Sunday will be applied to next years prize money. No one ever said this money went to Insurance. The Mens Club pays for the sanction and insurance and officials they easily spend 25,000 on this race and have to recoup that to make a profit. You are welcome to find a sponsor and site who is willing to work as hard as these guys do.....
Who got free armbands? Drivers, officials and kids 12 and under. We tried giving out certain numbers of arm bands to each driver a few years ago and it was a disaster. By paying up front the $10 dollars covers entry to the race each day and $1 for the arm band. ( they are not free...mens club paid for the arm bands also).
If you ever have a question you are free to send me an email personally...I detest mis-information.

Kristi

Kristi,

Good post. The reunion people couldn't wait to pay their $10, as I had posted earlier that it was a requirement to enter the pits. They knew that it went back to the drivers & the Men's club, which ultimately goes to the drivers. Talking to Steve on Saturday, he said that they were doing OK on the concession stand, so that's a good thing.

I read that you were moving BACK to Texas. I assume that's because that is where your husband will be stationed until his time is up? You can e-mail me at jschubert@wi.rr.com if you would like to respond.

[jeff55vDSH]

By paying up front the $10 dollars covers entry to the race each day and $1 for the arm band. ( they are not free...mens club paid for the arm bands also).

Thank you everyone for informing me about the rational for the pit admission fees. When I arrived at the race, I had no clue whatsoever that I would be charged to enter the pits. Now I am informed.
I went to DePue to help a friend. I had a very limited budget. My money would have been spent anyway (it always gets spent:o ) But, instead of buying refreshments for the whole family, we all shared a lemon shake-up and left shortly therafter. Now I'm informed, now I know. The next time I'm needed in the pits, I'll be sure to ask my buddy in need to pay my admission.

[seacow]

Experiencing the pits and talking to drivers, getting information and seeing the rigs close up is one of the best ways to encourage members of the public to become part of our sport. Not everyone who might become interested after such exposure would be willing to pay the money before they are fully bitten by the bug. I feel that the few shekels gained is offset by the loss of potential prospects is not the way to go on this issue.

Regarding charging pit crews, drivers or club member for pit admission - this is really folly. Its a good way to turn off many people whose support at the margin is really important. Also members should feel that they receive something for their membership, in addition to the opportunity to race

Pit fees are "the pits"!

[Mark75H]

Pit fees are "the pits"!

Have you attended this race?

[seacow]

[QUOTE=Mark75H;61054]Have you attended this race?[/QUOTE
My comments were meant to apply to the idea of charging for pit entrance in general and they are based upon my previous experience as a local club and race official and as a former teacher and practitioner of business.

[seacow]

"Seacow , sorry if i spoke out of turn, my nature lets my lip slip now and then, at any rate love your pics of the bay.
RichardKCMo"

Not at all-in a way you are right. Your comments are always positive and welcome. You are a good guy.

[Mark75H]

My comments were meant to apply to the idea of charging for pit entrance in general and they are based upon my previous experience as a local club and race official and as a former teacher and practitioner of business.

In general I agree with you, but I think Depue may be an exception.

[racingfan1]

Has the USTS ever looked into finding a sponser for the Pro Nat's or would that be the responsibility of the hosting body(DePue Mens Club). While I realize money is getting tighter , I can't believe there isn't somebody that could put the money up. Maybe that would eliminate the need for pit fees.

[David Weaver]

Has the USTS ever looked into finding a sponser for the Pro Nat's or would that be the responsibility of the hosting body(DePue Mens Club). While I realize money is getting tighter , I can't believe there isn't somebody that could put the money up. Maybe that would eliminate the need for pit fees.

The DePue Men's Club is the official host club for this race. If there were a local sponsor available, I am sure that this group would have discovered it by now. And, if the USTS were aware of such a sponsor for the nationals, the Men's Club certainly would be made aware.

We would all love to see a major, regional or national sponsor get involved with the PRO Nationals. We welcome all inquiries!!