I did not read everybody's post but I will address the gate fee in general. This has been addressed previously and has not changed in operation over the last decade. First, Every venue is set up differently in its contract. Secondly, The percentage STT receives differs from venue to venue. The percentage STT receives ranges from 0 to 50% of the gate fee. Third, some venues charge fees for "grounds use" (bathroom supplies etc). I refer to it as the "toilet paper fee". The gate fee covers that cost. Finally, the contracts entered years ago are difficult to alter without it opening a can of worms (costs). Also consider all that comes with STT. Top end staff, a main line you call and an actual human answers, a safe environment, classes for all groups, top AMA racers sitting in and coaching, top local racers doing the same, vendors galore for every need imaginable, tires sold below any org or retailer in the nation trackside with mount and balance, and on and on. We know track days arent cheap by any means, but we have weathered numerous rate increases at every venue year after year. We found ways to absord costs with out it affecting our customers (if possible). The gate fee is at this point a means to cover expenses and/or make an ever so slight income (venue dependent).
That settles that! Thanks Nick. I want STT to be profitable because I want them to be around FOREVER.
well on the STT website it states gate fees $5 at all events. Pricing Info: Gate Fees â– All Sportbike Track Time events have a $5.00 per day gate fee for all persons 16 years of age and up including all track day riders. so do i bring $5 or $10 this weekend?
I would expect to pay $20 depending how early you get there Friday... I never know, just bring a wad of cash to cover yourself.
So just going to bring this back to light. I get Gunshow Nicks answer. But where does the fees stop? The problem is I paid into a service and now I have to pay to utilize that service. I get the traack has things that are being utilized but charge the spectators instead. I could be bringing along future trackdayers. but most will prob shy away if they know its gonna cost them another $60-75 on top of the $300 for the track bundle they just bought. Sounds like I might as well start putting people in the trunk of the car andneak them in.
They ARE charging the spectators by charging a gate fee. Make no mistake, anyone not riding is a spectator, even if they are not old enough to ride. The most efficient way of collecting on that is by way of a gate fee. Further, yes, the rider could be covered by way of an additional amount put on the sign up, but this would lead to problems at the track and slow things down. The track does not get a list of riders, and has no way of verifying who is, and is not a rider. Thus, if everyone said "I am a rider" the "toilet paper fees" collected would go down, and then overall, the cost of the day would rise. Even if there was some type of check on the system such as a form to show, there would still be fraud. The most effective and efficient way to charge everyone evenly is to collect that money at the gate rather than at any time prior. Yes, its a pain, yes it is an additional cost, but it pales in comparison the to the increase in rider fees if that is the only money collected.
The point of this post wasnt that their shouldnt be a gate cost but how much the gate cost is. I hate that I have to pay twice but its more of how much Im having to pay.
I don't disagree that its surprising to see that the price doubled this year, but in an attempt to put a positive spin on things, think about all the things you AREN'T charged extra for that still must be paid: Corner workers and medical staff for example. Those are NOT included with the track contract in most places and could easily be placed on the bottom line as an additional fee. I hate being nickel and dimed as well, but this truly is the "cost of doing business".
"extra"? Those costs must be factored into the track rental contract fees else the track would loose money.
Bottom line we pay STT to ride on the track, we pay the track to use their facilities. It's that simple. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hey guys, I wanted to let you all know that since this came about I have been working to see if we can resolve the problem, but I'm afraid to say that the gate fees at Grattan will remain at $10/day, or $15/weekend, per person entering the property. I tried my best to get it reversed. And to clarify - at any track we go to, the gate fee is up to the track - we don't have a say. Every track is different... at one track in northern Florida even the staff pays a gate fee... including myself and the owner of the company. The one time I tried to suggest otherwise I almost got myself 86'd for the weekend on Friday night before the event even started. Again - my apologies for not posting up something sooner - I didn't want to say anything until I knew for sure how it was going to work out. best, t
...and here I thought all the chat about new bathrooms was sarcasm. It really wasn't! The well/sulphur water was awfully smelly though!
ound: nope I used to go there and use the motorhome shower to avoid the Grattan ones. Now my motorhome shower is clean but cramped so being able to use a full size one is nice. However I will choose cramped over the ones at TGP, RA or the old Grattan ones. Never investigated at Miller or Putnam as I was doing the hotel thing (I imagine Miller's were awesome though) But in the end only Barber has Gojo dispensors :rawk:
Granted, anyone hates to pay extra when they feel they have already paid, but when you look at the big picture, STT provides a lot in my limited experience. I am not ready to start my own track day organization. Until that day, I will pay the gate fee and then go riding, free from worrying about all the other stuff that I am sure goes into organizing these track days. :wheel: