WMRRA $10 gate fee; WTF?

[acy179]

If you race in Washington please go to the WMRRA forums and post up regarding this topic. Go to the Club Talk section and see my post titled "$10 gate fee what do you think?

Here is the bulk of my rant:

Where does the $10 per head gate fee go?

With all the talk about making the pits arranged so that they look more professional and have an appearance that is more appealing to spectators we seem to be forgetting that it is very expensive for ANYBODY to come and watch us race.

If this is a required fee for racing adults, I understand. However, for friends and family who are coming to watch their friends and family for a couple of hours $10 per head seems very high. Is there something we can do to ease the pain for our spectators?

Also, WHY are we charging $10 for children? Can somebody please explain this? WHY ARE WE CHARGING FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 12? Why are we charging for children at all? I have family members under the age of TWO being charged $10 per head so that their parents can come. Personally, I think this is rediculous. It has already turned away spectators in the form of their parents. We have lost gate fees because of the fact that we are charging for CHILDREN!!!!

How about a weekend fee?
How about we STOP CHARGING FOR CHILDREN?????
Can we put up a sign that is much easier to read that says CASH ONLY?
How about a discount if you have four or more paying adults?
How about some language on the WMRRA web site?

Can somebody bring this up at the next meeting? PLEASE? We are LOSING MONEY at the gate!!!!!!!!!! We are losing spectators.

[Hypnotiq]

You know there is a $10 gate fee when you go to Portland too right?

[acy179]

Sure. But I am wondering where the $10 fee at Pacific goes. And my real issue is why we are charging this for children. I'd like to see this fee lowered for paying adults too. One of my suggestions is for a discount if you have four or more paying adults...like the fifth one free?

[sanfret]

not for newborns :)

[Chunke1]

FYI - For OMRRA, the gate fee goes directly to offset the costs of renting the track.

[acy179]

Does OMRRA charge for children too?

the WMRRA e-board has been spending a time lately discussing how to make the WMRRA pits look more professional by arranging where the vendors and big teams pit. Personally, I think this is all worthless unless we address the fact that we are turning parents away by charging $10 for children. One of my main sticking points is that I have family members UNDER THE AGE OF TWO getting charged $10 per head!!!!! WTF? While we are at it how about making the fee a little less painful for friends and family (and let's be honest, these are the ONLY people who come to watch) to come and watch their friends and family race?

[Ed Who?]

OMRRA finds other ways to fucking piss off its members. especially those that GIVE $$$

[kneedragger]

are you sure about the $10 for under 12? Cause when I went to the opener with Little Mario, they didn't charge me for him... Just want to clarify that...but if that is true...a big WTF!!!

[acy179]

are you sure about the $10 for under 12? Cause when I went to the opener with Little Mario, they didn't charge me for him... Just want to clarify that...but if that is true...a big WTF!!!

YES! two kids under the age of three were charged $10 per head!!!!!!!!! Also, how about discounts for multiple paying adults or weekend gate fees since it is really only family and friends coming to watch?

[Hypnotiq]

Acy calm down dude. Seriously. There was probably a mistake made. Getting all bent up in a tizzy isn't solving anything.

[Chunke1]

12 and under are free as well as military in uniform. We also have 2.00 off coupons (after 10 pm) available.

[Chunke1]

Hey Eric,

How did you find my baby pics?

[acy179]

Acy calm down dude. Seriously. There was probably a mistake made. Getting all bent up in a tizzy isn't solving anything.

Dude, don't make me kick you out of my bed permanently!

Seriously, If it was a mistake it happened twice last year and again the first round of this year. I know I make pretty good money but, does my family have to make up for all of the other peeps? All it takes is for this mistake to happen once or twice with other people and we earn a bad rep.
Also, there are other suggestions and questions in my thread. :slap:

[jkaiser]

For the record, I brought three of my kids on Sat and didn't get charged for them at all. The uh... people in the booth looked only slightly older than my kids, it's possible they made a mistake. As to where the $10 goes, one would hope it helps us out in terms of keeping our costs down.

The pill is probably easier to swallow at PIR simply because you see management investing back into the track (ie. Winter 2007 re-pave) and the facilities aren't so ghetto.

[LauraLynne]

I was trying to get WMRRA to do the same $2 coupon/rider contest that OMRRA does but when I resigned, the idea wasn't pursued. I'll take part of the heat for raising the gate fee but I don't think it's right being charged for anyone 12 and under....

[Studio819]

I got charged last year twice when I brought Kiele, though one other time I didn't get charged. Luck of the draw I guess.

[sanfret]

are you sure about the $10 for under 12? Cause when I went to the opener with Little Mario, they didn't charge me for him... Just want to clarify that...but if that is true...a big WTF!!!

When you stuff the kid in the trunk they generally let you through.

[gberger153]

I have always been charged for my daughter..she is 4

[Hypnotiq]

FYI - this was resolved at the last WMRRA E-Board meeting. The policy has always been under 12 free. Over 12, you pay. We will make sure we remind the gate people and apologize for any mistake that may have happened in the past.

-Nico