Race track attendance?

I have sent emails to "P" to try and establish what our attendance at the tracks and to establish what trend we have? I am not sure if anyone can supply data on this?

Here is stats for the U.K.

Last year's attendance lowest since 2002


FEWER people went racing in Britain in 2008 for the fourth year in a row - but the figures were not as bad as they appeared on the surface.

The statistics, released on Monday by the Racecourse Association, reveal that total attendance, at 5,820,569 the lowest since 2002, was 1.8 per cent down on 2007, and the average daily crowd of 4,017 was 8.2 per cent below the previous year's level.

However, had the Cheltenham Festival not been interrupted by the storm-lashed abandonment of Wednesday's card, and had York been able to stage its first four-day Ebor meeting, the total shortfall of 103,913 over 2007 would have been comfortably made up, and more added.

In addition, the figure for average daily attendance was dragged down by the inclusion of a record number of fixtures - 93 more than in 2007, when 1,330 meetings were the previous highest staged - of which 59 were on all-weather tracks, in customer-unfriendly slots geared to evening opening of betting shops.

Taking into account the two factors, RCA analyst John Phillips estimated that the average crowd figure would have been down by around 2.7 per cent, not 8.2 per cent.

BHA spokesman Paul Struthers said: "To be only marginally down was pretty good going, especially given the worsening economic situation."

RCA chief executive Stephen Atkin added: "The second-half figures were worse than the first, and those for October and December definitely illustrated a downward trend.

Good point cat, but surely in any business you have to have measurements in place, to establish if your goals and targets are being met?
I am sure they know how many tickets are issued in the Furious and Elevation rooms.
All it would need is a turnstile at the gate, which is already there.
I am sure that "bringing people to the track" is one of the action plans?
If this is the case, its essential that a measurable is in place.

imvho

Am I the only person in South Africa who believes the 'authorities' attach no particular importance in 'bringing people back to the course'when selling tote tickets is what it is actually all about?

As a former hardcore racegoer I very seldom attend racemeetings - the only exceptions being ( possibly ) 'big' meetings or when I have a runner. Even in the latter instance I do not always go.

Why is this ? Well - I now have pretty much all the conveniences at my fingertips in the form of technology and viewing. I don't have to drive many miles to the venue. I can supply my own food and drink. Most importantly - I can switch to other offerings if the fare is poor or if there is a long time lag before the race in which I wish to participate. Lastly - I find my punting decisions are better when made in isolation whilst something I 'heard' from fellow racegoers seldom turns a profit for me.

For me horseracing shares a number of similarities with F1 and motorcycle racing - quite pleasant to watch but not necessarily that attractive to attend. Having said all that I'm beginning to feel the same about going to rugby - where I have sat in the same seat at Newlands since 1957 when my Dad took me there for the first time aged 5. These days I pay my renewal 'met lang tande' as I prefer watching in the home theatre.

And apparently if you do go to course you gotta wear a f..king suit and tie..what a lot of kak.

Having attended Turffontein on Saturday, excluding RA officials, parking attendants, umbrella handlers and Phumelela guests who park in the shady parking behind the trees, there must have been around 100 cars present. If all cars have max 4 occupants that must be getting on for 400 people tops present. This average would likely to be reduced by Vaal attendance if Highveld meetings are combined. And that is with free entrance, riff raff et al.