09 Site Idea

[ROLLIFAHRER]

Has the possiblity of holding a rally at a motor-speedway ever been discussed?

Since BMW Mottorrad is targeting younger riders and riders who want faster bikes, would it make sense to hold a future rally at a motor-speedway? I was at an AMA sanctioned event at the one in St. Louis a few years ago, I think it's called Gateway.

What would a motor-speedway offer: limited infield camping, more than enough paved parking, more than adequate concession and toilet facilities, a race track, a closed road course, room for training courses, stunt riding demo area, could bring in dirt for a moto course, lots of hotels nearby...traffic/crowd control devices, lighting for night events, effective PA system...

What might one not offer: indoor vendor space, enough grass for camping, seminar rooms...

Who might attend: all the regulars, members who mainly want to get on a track or road course, locals riders who just want to check out the action and/or test ride a beemer...

I'm not saying St Louis is the ideal location, but there are a lot of such facilities all through NASCAR country, and several elsewhere.

Just an idea.

[HiFiGuy]

Not a bad idea but seems like the difference between creating an event for the club and creating an event to attract outside attention. A fine line to walk for the club.

[tessler]

Has the possiblity of hold a rally at a motor-speedway ever been discussed?

Since BMW Mottorrad is targeting younger riders and riders who want faster bikes, would it make sense to hold a future rally at a motor-speedway? I was at an AMA sanctioned event at the one in St. Louis a few years ago, I think it's called Gateway.

What would a motor-speedway offer: limited infield camping, more than enough paved parking, more than adequate concession and toilet facilities, a race track, a closed road course, room for training courses, stunt riding demo area, could bring in dirt for a moto course, lots of hotels nearby...traffic/crowd control devices, lighting for night events, effective PA system...

What might one not offer: indoor vendor space, enough grass for camping, seminar rooms...

Who might attend: all the regulars, members who mainly want to get on a track or road course, locals riders who just want to check out the action and/or test ride a beemer...

I'm not saying St Louis is the ideal location, but there are a lot of such facilities all through NASCAR country, and several elsewhere.

Just an idea.

Hi, Rick. That's an interesting idea, however, as in the other threads concerning the complex diversity of members' interests, it seems partial to riders and participants who might be inclined towards track events and speedway-based sports in the first place.

Not that there is absolutely *anything* wrong with it, but I personally have no interest in that form of motor sports and would be as hard pressed to show up at a track-side rally as I would at a rally that was canted towards off-roading or another area of special interest within the broader world of BMW motorcycling.

I believe one of the attractive features of the current MOA rally format is it's appeal to a broad and diverse group of admirers and owners of the marque who simply want a temporary, secure and private venue in which to meet, greet, catchup and hangout with each other.

[kbasa]

I'd like to see a site with access to a track. Not necessarily on site, but nearby.

Think of how much fun it would be take a track school during the rally.

[osbornk]

Some of us suggested a NASCAR track previously and were greeted with silence. I thought the garages would make good places for vendors and seminars. I thought a large track would have plenty of room for camping in the infield with excellent security. There would be plenty of motels and restaurants nearby. The stands would mnake an excellent place to have closing ceremonies with the hugh screens so everyone could easily see the ceremonies. I thought it would be a good place to have one without using the track for anything. Many are now near large population centers with good road access. I think the track owners would be agreeable to working out something to attract more attention to their tracks and have a use for them for the majority of time they are not in use. There are even some tracks that have closed or do not have a NASCAR event that would work. Isn't there a track in Kentucky that wants a NASCAR race and needs the positive publicity?

[Rapid_Roy]

I think it's a cool idea, but I also have no interest in racing on a track. I have been coming to Nationals for 25 years. If it was based on a track and racing, I would go elsewhere. I wouldn't complain, others may have a major interest in doing that.

[Rapid_Roy]

I'd like to see a site with access to a track. Not necessarily on site, but nearby.

Think of how much fun it would be take a track school during the rally.

That also wouldn't stop me from going. We can still see everybody and socialize at night. That might get more members attending. Once they find out how freakin' fun Nationals are, they might not even complain about where they are at.

[smilingcouple]

That also wouldn't stop me from going. We can still see everybody and socialize at night. That might get more members attending. Once they find out how freakin' fun Nationals are, they might not even complain about where they are at.

More wives would be comming to the event because you could plug up the camper or motorhome. Just schedule a ride each day of the rally and all would be happy.

[ROLLIFAHRER]

I didn't mean track based as much as track available.

The Rally Committe would dictate how much time and effort would go into managing the track events, and of course the hours permitted. (Gotta wonder if that's a potential marketing medium BMW NA might embrace and fund/manage.)

It may well detract from some aspects of the rally or alter their form(the price of change and growth), but I'm not suggesting any be eliminated.

If it happened in the Carolinas, think about side trips to the factory...too much like Honda Homecoming?

[tkpinsc]

The RA already did it at Barber Motersports Park in Alabama in a spectactular manner!

[osbornk]

The RA already did it at Barber Motersports Park in Alabama in a spectactular manner!

I was there and thought it was great. I had no desire to get on the track and make a fool of myself but I really enjoyed sitting on the hill at my camper and watching others do so. The race track made sure the track participants were properly equipped and could handle their track time. It was the most enjoyable rally I have ever been to.

While there, we rode over to the Talledega NASCAR track and took a tour. On the way, we stopped at one of the little backwoods restaurants and had a wonderful locally grown catfish meal. One of my riding buddies drove in the first NASCAR race ever at the track (The regular drivers boycotted the race because they felt the tires were unsafe). The drivers of what is now known as the Busch series were invited to race to fill the field.

[Holly]

Didn't we have a track day at the Trenton National about 5 years ago?

Holly

[jasontdi]

Some of us suggested a NASCAR track previously and were greeted with silence. I thought the garages would make good places for vendors and seminars. I thought a large track would have plenty of room for camping in the infield with excellent security. There would be plenty of motels and restaurants nearby. The stands would mnake an excellent place to have closing ceremonies with the hugh screens so everyone could easily see the ceremonies. I thought it would be a good place to have one without using the track for anything. Many are now near large population centers with good road access. I think the track owners would be agreeable to working out something to attract more attention to their tracks and have a use for them for the majority of time they are not in use. There are even some tracks that have closed or do not have a NASCAR event that would work. Isn't there a track in Kentucky that wants a NASCAR race and needs the positive publicity?

A close friend is a paramedic at that track. They Are booked almost every weekend.

Plus tracks are extremely expensive to rent and the insurance is SILLY!

[BUBBAZANETTI]

Plus tracks are extremely expensive to rent and the insurance is SILLY!

this was my first though, exorbitant rental rates. i like the idea of riding a track at a rally. i've stayed away from track days thusfar due to expense. if there were some way to rent one with free access for rally goers without an insane expenses incurred, i think it's a pretty good idea. i'd even pay more to attend the rally for sure.

[ROLLIFAHRER]

Maybe the added cost could be covered by charging an extra fee to participate in track events (not just go-fast, could also use closed road course at some tracks, and offer training). What if BMW NA was involved? Bring in Nate Kern or other team members, watch him/them run a few hot laps, sign autographs, kick back at the beer tent later. There has got to be marketing value there somewhere. And if it matches up with any of their marketing objectives, they might be willing to pay.

What does a normal facility cost? Consider the difference, not the total. I don't think members who enjoy the rally as is should have to pay more for changes they wouldn't use.

No need to trample* tradition to embrace the future. If MOA takes positive steps to include BMW's "new" target demograhpic, won't that incease MOA's "cred" with BMW brass and a build stronger realationship?

(Trample and thoughtfully alter are two different things)

Are there any speedways that have adjacent camping for rally and foot or shuttle access to track?



Just thinking out loud...so to speak.