SCOTIA ON TRACK ATTENDANCE.

Good morning to the CLAN and sorry about the trouble I am having with my emails, I have been sending in batches, however the names have been showing, still trying to resolve and get back on track with the Bcc circulation.

The topic I want to discuss today is Track Attendance, not sure if you remember initially when I took ABC "the voice of the punter" to a meeting with Phumelela it was item 1 on the agenda and this was not a contentious issue as all parties wanted to find a solution to the best way of bringing punters back to the track.

Much has been documented on this subject and I am sure the RA also has a sub-working committee working on the concern?

As you are aware, I go racing every week and often get asked the question "is it busy"?

I can only reply with a gut feel, that "yes we have a good crowd".

So my question is "are we monitoring the attendance? I am sure we are not!

In addition to my many skills [hehe], I specialise in productivity improvements and can assure you that you cannot make progress unless you have MEASURABLES in place and cannot establish if you are doing something better today than you did yesterday unless you measure it.

I am sure we are aware how many people eat in the Furious and Elevation due to ticket sales, but how many people are coming to the track?
We can also measure the on track tote turnover plus bookies turnover, but this can be a distortion if you have a table of high flyers at the track.

We are not using a turnstile at either of the entrances' and would suggest we put a monitoring system at the gates, not suggesting we charge entrance, but it is essential that we need to establish if we are having an upswing in bringing punters back to the track and a confirmation on what we have done to achieve this with an on-going action plan to be monitored actions vs attendance.

If any stats are available, I feel its in the interest of the racing public to publish the results, would appreciate you inputs on the subject.

At the very least would suggest we start on Sunday 15th June how many people went racing? I can tell you that 17,528 were at Musselburgh last Sunday.

Good punting.

SCOTIA.

Scotia, one of the positive reasons why so many people go to the track over here is because children are allowed. Many parents would not go if they could not take the kids with. At most venues there is ample place for parking your car inside the course. Also most tracks are easy to access via public transport. If the train station is say 2 miles away from the course then they would put on a bus service beside the regular bus service route that would on any day run past the track. At some venues the entrance fees are a bit steep although if you just want to go along and punt with your mates without the funfair of serviced lunch and bars it is a lot cheaper. Because there is so much racing on TV and there are 60 racecourses dotted around the UK interest is very high. So for example if you lived in Dorset you have 4 courses which are not too far to go to.Many people in the UK work flexi hours and thats why you see that during the week the courses are also pretty busy.

Morning Mori

As I mentioned, we have put many ideas on the Forum and its a long story and its hard to find a solution to the problem?
.
I was at Kempton on boxing day and at Musselburgh, both tracks packed, it would have cost me a fortune in Rands to attend, but was a lucky guest on both occasions.

Here we have world class facilities, its FREE entrance and it costs R100 for a 5 star meal, this includes plasma on the table, view of racetrack etc,etc, and we cant get people to the track???

Next stage is to go back to the numerous suggestions on the site, and if I remember it included making transport available etc,

p.s. what racing is in Scotland in the first week of Sept? you can include the dogs if any?

Scotia,I am afraid there is only the one meeting at Hamilton which is on Monday the 1st. On the 15th there is a meeting at Musselbrough and on the 18th thru 20th its the Ayr Gold Cup meeting. Depending how far you are from Hexham, Carlise or Newcastle I presume that there would be meetings on those tracks at that time of the year.

TS

Again, with you,I have no idea where you are coming from?

I go to the track, because I can and my wife allows me to, I go to the track as I can use my computer to punt on local and overseas races, I go to the track because I can watch the International channel, plus watch the horses live and also have a nice meal and a good day out.

whats your story or problem?

Mori, I'm not sure if it's different in Phumelela country, but here in KZN children are allowed at the track and have been for a number of years now.

Sabre, do you get big crowds in KZN? I would think that you would get big crowds over the season.

my attendance at turfs has dwindled to once a month maybe- i prefer the Vaal - no conspiracy just more laid back there -

Mori, I haven't been to track for some time, so can't really say for sure. As I recall, the tracks weren't empty the last few times I went. Clairwood had a kids play area, Greyville got some crowds with the night meetings too.

I agree with Scotia. Monitoring and publishing attendance figures would seem a logical step if there are any plans to actually get people back to the tracks.

trouble i have come to a conclusion ,u cant get laid so in all your frustration you take it out on our good friend Dve Scott a man who loves racing hides nothing

tbl i suggest you sek anger management and stop fighting you are getting as bad as barry irwin looking to fight with me.

the diffrence is like B I shit and reply confidently i dontthink Dave likes your attacks on him.

Stop looking to fight because you never made the ra board life goes on.


this is not personal you are also good for racing but i suggest you start a political career instead of trying to run the ra.

tbl go get laid kits better

Henny...watch the football