How will the economic downturn effect Drivers Ed's
11-11-2008, 12:17 PM
#31
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Right. I know DE can contribute to underwriting other events, but I didn't think it was deliberately run to make a "profit" more along the lines of benefit to the membership. I am a numbers guy by trade, but I don't know the economics of DE vs AX vs other events from a club's perspective. I have hear tales of $15,000 a weekend for the track rental. Don't know what flaggers cost, but it I know at Summit they use rank amatuers. I once went to the Turn 9 flagging tub to take some photos. The girls working the tub didn't know whether they were watching a race or what the event was. Really! And we depend on these folks for safety. I wonder if things got dire, could we have club members take a turn in the tubs ( but not at tracks like VIR for instance)?
That's what I'm talking about. If you constantly hear that the sky is falling and people are out of work it hard to think of dropping $250 to load of the car and spend another $200 in gas for a weekend of shredding a spare set of tires on a spare set of rims....in a spare car. However, nothing about my economics have changed, except the price of gas.
Regarding gas prices...in my area the prices are below what they were for the past couple of years ($2.09 for 87 octane that my truck burns). Not so elsewhere?
11-11-2008, 02:30 PM
#32
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Aaron
11-11-2008, 05:40 PM
#33
Still plays with cars.
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VaSteve,
As Driver8 points out, DE usually funds other club activities since PCA regions are all non-profit. IF DE loses money, there is no other source of funds for most regions. The profits we're talking about are small, a few percent of the total expense.
Regards,
As Driver8 points out, DE usually funds other club activities since PCA regions are all non-profit. IF DE loses money, there is no other source of funds for most regions. The profits we're talking about are small, a few percent of the total expense.
Regards,
11-11-2008, 06:00 PM
#34
I know Zone 1 has DE events of their own, do other Zones have their own events?
Do any of the Zone reps assist in scheduling DE events to avoid competition for participants between regions?
Do any of the Zone reps assist in scheduling DE events to avoid competition for participants between regions?
11-11-2008, 08:35 PM
#35
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I am likewise concerned. My racing budget has eroded and coupled with a crash this year, things don't look good for racing. Fortunately, my GT3 is alive and well and track prepared and I have enough tires to last me quite some time doing time trials...
can't wait for that tax increase for those of a certain household income...
can't wait for that tax increase for those of a certain household income...
11-11-2008, 08:57 PM
#36
I know Zone 1 has DE events of their own, do other Zones have their own events?
Do any of the Zone reps assist in scheduling DE events to avoid competition for participants between regions?
Do any of the Zone reps assist in scheduling DE events to avoid competition for participants between regions?
Our region has seen the income from DE drop this year and although DE has not run at a loss it does require some re-thinking about how the region funds all its events and publication in the up comming year. In past years many non DE members have enjoyed the benifits of DE income at numerious social and special events. With the decline in DE enrollment it is a challenge to continue on this path.
11-11-2008, 09:06 PM
#37
Three Wheelin'
When I was on the board a couple of years ago, the $15k weekends were history in our area. Recently, it has been more like $25k - $35k, depending on 2or 3 days, etc. We did our own flagging years ago, but that ended due to safety concerns (most pros are experienced and good, with some exceptions), insurance concerns and track requirements in some cases.
....
Regarding gas prices...in my area the prices are below what they were for the past couple of years ($2.09 for 87 octane that my truck burns). Not so elsewhere?
....
Regarding gas prices...in my area the prices are below what they were for the past couple of years ($2.09 for 87 octane that my truck burns). Not so elsewhere?
Yeah gas is down here. I think <$2 for 87 near me. Of course this happens AFTER track season.
VaSteve,
As Driver8 points out, DE usually funds other club activities since PCA regions are all non-profit. IF DE loses money, there is no other source of funds for most regions. The profits we're talking about are small, a few percent of the total expense.
Regards,
As Driver8 points out, DE usually funds other club activities since PCA regions are all non-profit. IF DE loses money, there is no other source of funds for most regions. The profits we're talking about are small, a few percent of the total expense.
Regards,
I would suspect that DE-less region people are reading here, but I know not every region does events....how do they bring in $$$$??
11-11-2008, 09:32 PM
#38
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it appears to me that for Nor Cal, PCA golden gate region, the participants are not dropping off much.
but most other local clubs do see drop in participation.
there are two types of DE ppl.
type 1 are addicts. they would sell house, wife, kids so they can continue. those ppl i still see on track every time i am out there.
type 2 are recreational users. they definitely dropped in volume.
but most other local clubs do see drop in participation.
there are two types of DE ppl.
type 1 are addicts. they would sell house, wife, kids so they can continue. those ppl i still see on track every time i am out there.
type 2 are recreational users. they definitely dropped in volume.
11-11-2008, 10:12 PM
#39
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So with the general consensus that DE participation, what chages are PCA regions making to their DE programs?
To start this off I think we need to review PCA DE's from different areas of the country. Being from Ohio, I know that the majority of the regions in Ohio, Western PA, Indiana and the state up north do rely on DE to be profitable. Particularly the small regions doing a DE requires a great deal of their budget. If it is not profitable they can not do the charitable or other events they would like to do.
With this premise, what changes do you see Regions doing to minimize the economic effect? Any cost containment measures, promotional ideas, etc?
To start this off I think we need to review PCA DE's from different areas of the country. Being from Ohio, I know that the majority of the regions in Ohio, Western PA, Indiana and the state up north do rely on DE to be profitable. Particularly the small regions doing a DE requires a great deal of their budget. If it is not profitable they can not do the charitable or other events they would like to do.
With this premise, what changes do you see Regions doing to minimize the economic effect? Any cost containment measures, promotional ideas, etc?
11-11-2008, 10:40 PM
#40
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I would say the Ohio area De's are down in numbers this year. Used to be I could go and instruct many times over the summer. This year I instructed one maybe two weekends tops. I tried with several other regions but no go. They were hurting for paying customers and I wasn't high enough on the instructor list I guess.
11-11-2008, 10:55 PM
#41
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In Region 5
Lone Star Region 7 DEs this season, 1 canceled so far due to Hurricane Ike normal participation is 175 to 190 drivers
Hill Country Region 1 DE this season, 165
Maverick Region 6 DEs
At present our local economy is not in too bad a shape. We will see if this keeps up. Normally we lag the rest of the nation. We support charities with what ever is remaining at the end of the year.
Lone Star Region 7 DEs this season, 1 canceled so far due to Hurricane Ike normal participation is 175 to 190 drivers
Hill Country Region 1 DE this season, 165
Maverick Region 6 DEs
At present our local economy is not in too bad a shape. We will see if this keeps up. Normally we lag the rest of the nation. We support charities with what ever is remaining at the end of the year.
11-11-2008, 10:57 PM
#42
I bought my 1st Porsche just over 1 year ago. I attended 2 DEs in the last few months. I'm now in search of a dedicated track car. I plan to go to every DE I can.
I'm lower middle-class, single, female, and just stupid enough to do what I love despite what Wall Street tells me to do.
Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be a few more like me... and DE will stay alive and well.
Who's with me??!!!!
I'm lower middle-class, single, female, and just stupid enough to do what I love despite what Wall Street tells me to do.
Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be a few more like me... and DE will stay alive and well.
Who's with me??!!!!
11-11-2008, 11:05 PM
#43
I bought my 1st Porsche just over 1 year ago. I attended 2 DEs in the last few months. I'm now in search of a dedicated track car. I plan to go to every DE I can.
I'm lower middle-class, single, female, and just stupid enough to do what I love despite what Wall Street tells me to do.
Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be a few more like me... and DE will stay alive and well.
Who's with me??!!!!
I'm lower middle-class, single, female, and just stupid enough to do what I love despite what Wall Street tells me to do.
Maybe we'll get lucky and there will be a few more like me... and DE will stay alive and well.
Who's with me??!!!!
You go girl!
11-11-2008, 11:28 PM
#44
Three Wheelin'
Was PCA really the pioneer? I'm new to Porsche ownership (well 5 years this month) and I didn't even know about this stuff when I bought the car. Really. Sad isn't it.
Anyhow, I like to do PCA event since that's where my friends are. And they have spare parts.
