Building a new RC track - insight needed

[Nitroaddict]

I am planning on bulding an offroad / onroad race facility on some property I have east of Orlando, FL. I have some questions. Because I will not be onsite all of the time, it would only be open on Summer evenings, and weekends.
Would this schedule be a problem?
What would you want to pay? 15.00 a day?
Off road or On road? Which would bring in more clientle?

This would not be designed as a money maker - just a place to help the local enthusiasts have a good time. Please give me some feedback on how to make it the best possible, as I would like to have it up and running by the end of July. Thanks.

 

[007kel]

15.00 a day? I'd like it if it was $10.00. As for on road or off road, I like them both equally. Out here in Sunland, CA. there's a track called KZ speedway. I've only gone out there on the weekdays. Guys mostly use the onroad course with 1/10th, 1/8th, and 1/5th cars. And there's just a few running on the off road track. I would say the ratio is 6 (on road) to 2 (off road) at one time.

 

[Nitroaddict]

I doubt the onroad track will be big enough for 1/5. Tenetive plans are to use a track design with 200ft straights on the oval, and about 800 feet of road course in the center with a design similar to Daytona Intl Speedway. Another idea I was throwing about was no oval, and just a road course.

More touring cars than off road,eh? I was thinking it would be the opposite.

 

[mjime714]

You kinda got to feel out the location. go to lhs's and ask what kits are popular. i assume that an offroad track will be easier and cheaper to build than an onroad track. Also, both need to be maintained. I think the onroad more than the off road. The onroad needs to be swept, treated with sugar water regularly. $10.00 is the price it is out here for a full day of running. $5.00 if you pay a $50/year membership.

 

[007kel]

Originally posted by nitronewbie
I Tenetive plans are to use a track design with 200ft straights on the oval, and about 800 feet of road course in the center with a design similar to Daytona Intl Speedway.

A track designed similar to Daytona sounds pretty sweet. Is Daytona a trioval, I can't recall? I'm not too into oval racing. But I like cars running in tracks like Daytona and Talladega. I remember seeing the 24 hours at Daytona, a course like that for onroad would be cool.

 

[Nitroaddict]

I have sheets at all the LHS's for people to put there input on - I was just trying to get a national input as well. I have about 10K to spend on this, so I am not too concerned about cost of the facility - as it isnt going to be a world class track. Just a place for people to have fun. I own the and, and have a small trailer on it, so upkeep of the facility wont be a problem either.

oo7 - yes, the onroad track design I am considering is a tri-oval like daytona, with an infield road course like they use for the 24hrs. The only difference will be some adjustments, to allow for course alterations, that way the drivers wont get bored running on the same track.

 

[007kel]

Originally posted by nitronewbie
IThe only difference will be some adjustments, to allow for course alterations, that way the drivers wont get bored running on the same track.

I wouldn't get bored. If I lived out in Orlando I'd be there every other day (provided you give membership w/discount fees)

 

[Nitroaddict]

I've noticed that you are the second person to mention membership fees - does everyone think that this would be a good idea?

 

[007kel]

Well at the track that we run at, most of the guys have membership fees. They pay the membership fee, a yearly payment (I forgot the cost), then they pay $5.00 every time they come to race. I guess it's to cover costs like maintenance and cover for some days where no one shows up.

check out KZ Speedway http://www.zenoahspeedway.com/racepage.htm

 

[NCNitro]

The closest track to me has a high banked tri-oval just like daytona, with a road course in the center, but will only accomodate 1:10 scale. Thay also have a nice dirt track with doubles, tripples and a tabletop. They have a 10' elevated covered drivers stand as well. They only charge $5 a day, but you can buy a year round membership for $25 for the year. They have covered pit tables with electric. It is a really nice facility. They also have a huge hobby shop on site.

Setting up an offroad course will be much less expensive to build and maintain.

Like mjime714 mentioned it would also be a very good idea to check with your local hobby shops and see what kits are selling well in that area, then decide.

Good luck in your venture.

 

[Nitroaddict]

I was originally thinking of building an off road facility first, as it would be less expensive, and quicker to build. Then slowly adding on a roadcourse within the first year. But several of my LHS's are telling me that because it has been so many years since an off road track has been open - that alot of those racers have been switching to on road. More input if you have it please - as I am really trying to make an educated decision. Thanks guys for all of your help.

 

[mjime714]

Maybe if there is a track for them to run on, there will be a resurgance of off road in your area. I say go to it and possibly to support the track, you could get lhs sponsors or maybe even manufacturers to sponsor. Anything that will promote their product and the hobby will get these people on board. Plus, I know people who will drive quite a ways to run on a nice track.... People in this hobby, especially the hardcores, will not hesitate to support a local track and pay for membership. Just as long as its not too much money.

Do you need permits? Safty permits and stuff?

 

[Nitroaddict]

mjime - luckly, due to the fact that the property is in unincorporated orange county - I do not need any permits except for the driver stand, as it is a permenant structure. But that is a peice of cake, and very inexpensive. Liability concerns are another matter. Florida has the highest liablity insurance premiums in the country. Were talkin 5 figures a year here. However, due to the fact that it is on private property, liabilty insurance is not legally required. So I will just have the clientle sign a release when they use the track.

 

[nitro dave]

Originally posted by nitronewbie
Florida has the highest liablity insurance premiums in the country. Were talkin 5 figures a year here.

Someone has to pay when all the old farts trip and fall into the pool!

 

[RobH]

nitronewbie, I can't express how much admire you going for this. I mean takes big ones that klank to take on something like this. I think all of us have thought about building a track.

If you have the land and the guts to do it, more power to you. You are very wise to research and talk to the local shops first. I love off-road because it just seems more fun to play in the dirt, but if the guys around you run on-road, then build an on-road track. You need to make a return on your investment right away. You can't wait for the locals to buy off-roads to run on your track.

Best of luck.

-rob

 

[Nitroaddict]

UPDATE

WOW!!!! Have had some forms posted up at the LHS's for 3 days now and have already had 37 people email me with ideas. Most were even willing to contribute a few bucks to get it up and running. I am waiting for a call back to get some estimates on raizing the land, as well as cost for the clay I am going to need.

I am going to start a new thread to get some of the readers ideas.

If all goes well, should break ground on the 1st.

"Motto of a dog: At first smell it, and if you can't eat it or screw it - piss on it"

.

 

[mjime714]

Congrats dude! Anyway I could get a banner up there when you open? I am pretty poor right now, but I will contribute to your track once I get back on my feet.

Anyway, Man, you are killing me. I would love to open a track. I wish I had the capital and space to do it. My family does have like a 5 achre lot in Palmdale, (the local desert, well not really, but pretty close to it), but that is way too far. Unless I live on that land and maintain a hobby/track. Hmmmmmm. you give me all kinds of insparation! Thanks

 

[007kel]

Originally posted by mjime714
Unless I live on that land and maintain a hobby/track. Hmmmmmm. you give me all kinds of insparation! Thanks

Yes the ultimate in RC Zen! Build your own RC temple. Trailer, tent, or four plywoods with a tarp. Yes, I feel it!

 

[Nitroaddict]

mjime - once the track is up and running i would welcome any advertising for the first few months free of charge from the members here, just to promote local advertising. that goes for all the RCNT admin crew also, i would be more than happy to place any type of promotional material there for free. PM me with any requests.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

Oh Man - Looks like I need to get a banner made!