In answer to Tim, we are looking for help now - we are [ and have] been working on a way of effecting customer feedback for 6 months, how to roll it out, refining and simplifying has taken the time up. We are nearly there.

We are re-examining the whole operation and whilst focusing on new people, their feedback, how to keep them and make a repeat visit, we have also to examine and not take for granted `loyal' race fans.

We have ideas - many very simple for 2010 to `improve' the experience and trying to become detached from the passion of it being a sport I love and enjoy to a much bigger picture of what makes the whole show a better spectacle.

Some things we can improve, some are beyond our control [b]but[code] at least we can pass these back to stadium owners. We want to encourage the silent majority to tell us things, good and bad rather than just not return - a customer we can communicate one is one we can try and turn a negative into an opportunity.

Just answering Ged - BV have relaxed as much as they can on checking food and drink bearing in mind both stadiums have duties under licensing laws and are food and beverage businesses. This area has not been an issue for two years since we had constructive dialogie although I am sure if you are staggering in with cool boxes with the loaves and fishes to feed the 5000, you just might get an enquiry.
Belle Vue management have reacted very well in recent years to your feedback.

Kids Club, trophy presentations, discounted season tickets, reduced beer prices, improvements to the viewing areas and security in the Showcase cinema car park (oh, and FREE parking there too)....

Maybe none of these things is the 'big bang' but they all add up to improve the overall stockcar/banger experience for someone attending a meeting.

A couple of ideas which possibly will not work due to current arangements but..

1. We have a lot of local farmers/butchers around here who visit local argricultural shows (including the Great Yorkshire) and sell cooked hot beef butties, bugers and sausages. This food is produced locally and is far superior to the stuff from the traditional burger van operation you find at most stock car meetings. I know a couple of farmers/butchers who'd be interested in it.

2. On a similar vein, what about inviting local, independent micro breweries to set up a stall selling their wares. In both cases it could be mutually beneficial. Fans get soemthing a bit above the usual food and beverage offering and the vendors get the chance to sell their wares to a closed market environment full of hungry spectators and drivers.

Ged - in America they have what's called 'tailgating parties' at NASCAR races, where fans roll up before the meeting and have mini bar-b-q's, food, drink etc in the car park. A great way to socialise before a race. Usually all out of the back of a car and hence the term 'Tailgating'

Difficult suggestion as the stadium owners garner their income as a foods/beverage business however ironically one thing on an agenda to 'help' boost stadium revenue was to improve food/choice, this may well `fit' if the stadium can also profit, don't expect an immediate answer as we will not raise it until the late Autumn when we meet regarding 2010 but will keep you advised.

I do actually agree that the chocie of food [ ie not just Burgers and chips] adds to the experience together with value for money/pricing, Sheffield in this area is much stronger than Belle Vue.

i for one would also like to see more choice in the food offered. having been made to reduce my weight due to blood pressure problems i would love to "purchase" a salad, sandwiches or the like instead of the + chips items you have now. even the curry(which had rice with it last year(i think) wasnt on sale last meeting(if it was i couldnt find it) . we dont all want chips burgers, etc.
in relation to the overall meeting there isnt much else you could do which you have control over. as earlier advised have you tried sending questionnairs to the drivers with a number of questions asking them why they dont come to b/v or sheffield. they cant all be because of the fence or possible damage. there must be another reason. i know you go to coventry each meeting so why not hand something to the drivers there and ask them to complete. annonymous completion may also help not sure.
i love b/v and sheffield(even the bangers are ok) and hope anything you do only gets more drivers/spectators to attend.

Hi Steve,
On my visit to the last Belle Vue, two things stuck in my mind.
Firstly I took an older friend who has been a fan for 50 years but not visited Belle Vue for years, his observations were all things racing good,but commented on things like the 3ft tall grass on turn 2, the rubbish lying around the stadium, only one toilet block for the stadium, and conggested in field area restricting as we know not ideal viewing. Simple things I know, but first impressions are vital. His son commented that a promotion from the south always had clean and tidy stadia, so these things are noticed and new visitors can get the wrong impression by their first look around.
On a more positive note, just down the road from B/V was a small fun fair, could it be arranged for a fair to be on the ajacent ground for big meetings like the British? It would provide a complete night / afternoon out for families, attract new viewers and re-kindle the memories of everyones long departed friend - hyde road.

I think bm7921's comments about driver attendance is right, there must be a reason ( apart from the fence ) why drivers who live within 20 miles of Sheffield don't race there. more cars = more spectators, might be food for thought?

What about working with the Speedway and greyhounds on production of a very recent speedway programme gives a discount for Stock Cars and visa versa.
A turnstyle for first timers giving info and give aways for kids - hats, pics etc. Free photo with a driver of choice which can be collected at the next meeting.

Tim

There are at least 3 toilets at Belle Vue. Maybe more signs are needed?

As for the infield, both Sheffield and Belle Vue suffer from cluttered infields. Keeping them clear would be a big improvement on the view, and it surely wouldn't be that difficult? All that needs to be on the infield when the racing is on is one tractor for clearing up any racing incidents. All the other tractors, vehicles, trailers, machinery, etc, could be put in the pits out of the way.

Food is part of the overall experience. A chip butty at Sheffield is mandatory as far as me and my bro are concerned. They were a mere 90p each when we first had them, and concluded that it was easier and cheaper to have those than bringing our own sandwiches. Not really cheaper any more, but it's part of our culture now!

A bit more variety in food would be good, although if it's more expensive than a motorway service station then don't expect to sell it by the truckload.

if people were to fill in a paper questionaire given to them at a turnstyle, and they hand it in, if they have name and address then would it be possible to offer say, £1 off [with a voucher] the next startrax meeting they attend? everyone likes a discount and for those first timers it may get them back at least once more...

HIYA!

A question about bringing our sport to the public notice on t'other website prompted me to reply with the following:
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Yep, it's the same with all monority motor sports.

The sport I'm involved with (Autograss) has some 5000 members Nationwide but is deemed "Motor Sport's Best Kept Secret".

As above, many people don't know it exists or mistake it for lawn mower racing!

We had a static autograss display at the recent Tatton Park Classic and Performance Car Show and were amazed how many people seemed really interested when they saw and heard about the cars first hand. Perhaps similar exhibitions could be attended by the stock car fraternity during the season, and not just the NEC.

Probably cheaper than advertising in the papers! Think it cost our autograss club £100 for the stand for the two days and was large enough to erect a marquee and display 6 cars. We had, it is estimated, some 1200 visiting our stand. We handed out info, a free prize draw for a "Win a race day" competition (to win a day's racing in our new Club Car) and DVDs were shown throughout of various classes racing.

Regular comments and questions were, "I didn't know the sport existed", "I knew the sport existed, but didn't realise how near home you raced!", "I didn't realise it was for ladies and juniors too" etc.

As for stock car racing (and Belle Vue in particular), I've been surprised how many people thought F1 stock cars had finished when the old stadium closed! Of course, I've re-educated them accordingly!

GED