Waikaraka Park Rides Again (Read 5,646 times)

[eddiek]

Spot on, Aaron.

Money is what it's all about. But the track is sponsored by the Rock - and as Z pointed out, they play the ads - I think the smoke and sparks theme has been with us all for almost 20 years now would that be right? and people have become oblivious to it. They know its there in as much as they know Rangitoto Island is there - it isn't going away and isn't going to explode; and its just become part of the scenery.

What Bernie is shooting for is for another image - it seems like he is also trying to break from the Smoke And Sparks image as well. Of course he's looking in the wrong places as most posters have already pointed out.

But back to sponsorship and Z's comments- why cant the profile of speedway be lifted on the radio forum when the radio stations are already sponsoring the tracks? Additional sponsors stumping up cash for prizes in exchange for exposure? Is there anyone out there really seeking sponsors for that purpose?

We see dribs and drabs of it on radio, TV (example a recent looking pop video shot in and around WP, not a stockie to be seen however), the occasional mention from Marty Rostenberg on his friday slot (One in the last 12 months that I recall and that was for Huntly) or a speedway regular suggesting making teams racing a national sport on Hauraki- advertising on Radio Live for the Superstock Nationals, its been the same old thing for years and it doesnt grab peoples attention like it used to.

What can we, as fans, supporters and in a way promoters of the sport do about this?

What can related industries (read: potential sponsors) also do about this?

[jamo91]

Dec 2, 2008 22:39:44 GMT 12 Aaron Drever said:

Dec 2, 2008 21:55:26 GMT 12 @zitadel said:

G'day, I think trying out new things is ok but WP need to spread their wings further when it comes to the advertising of the place and its regular events. I believe it comes down to the marketing department, something WP obviously doesn't have. Thats not a criticism its simply a fact. Take a look at the sponsorship first, you have a radio station that never goes live to the track pre first race to ask the commentary team how its stacking up on the night. Theres not a single bit of interest on their behalf in whats going on at the track named after them. Sure they will run adverts at a cut rate or for free but after that your on your own buddy. Its not hard, I did radio in the Republic of Ireland on an FM station , we used to cross to the grey hound racing for a quick report from the track before racing started etc, so simple, very effective in raising awareness of whats going on there. Then take a look at your printed marketing if there is any, pick an area you have never advertised in and hit it in the local papers, most of the regionals or locals are owned by one group and are always looking for a new customer.make the people aware of the fact there is a park, and then where it is and when it runs. It amazes me as a speedway lover that so many hundreds of thousands of people dont know Waikaraka park exists. All the new NZers British and jaapies, offer them a taste of kiwi evening motorsport! Spread the advertising round various stations, round various areas and pick up the passive market, those who are not looking but could be enticed! There needs to be more presence in the media, whens the last time you heard about stocks or saloons on talk back radio sport shows? Really what WP needs other than wind netting, advertising hoardings and the infield wet down so we dont get covered in dust is a proper marketing campaign, get an expert in and get some guidance. There's a million people here, surely we can get more than 3 or 4 hundred through the gate. End of Bleat.

- Agree in what you are saying 100% but it comes down to money. Perhaps if prize money that was paid was halved and that spent on marketing WP the crowd would come, but would the drivers?

Prize money is hardly ever an issue for the drivers.

Huntly Speedway, full fields. . . .no prize money ,

W.Ps woes stem from nothing other than the management, I say that any one wondering why they are lacking cars should ask the drivers themselves why they dont run there, in all the cases it will have nothing to do with prizemoney or even track surface

Work on getting the cars back so at least you can offer a show to the punters.

[brettp]

Hi all, I agree with the comments made here, but as i was talking to a competator on Monday and he still has not been paid prize money from the Auckland Superstock Champs meeting. So i guess there is no money to try other things.

BP

[chairman]

Wow, WP is running against Christmas In The Park on Dec 13 ! I thought that was traditionally a rain date because most of the public and competitors will be at the domain ?

Gary

[acorn]

Brettp
W/P prize money for the AKLD Superstock champs arrived on Monday always been about aweek and a bit before it arrives.

Jamo91
Took your advice went to see full fields of all classes at Huntly on Saturday night, I think you must of been hanging around some of your ex Auckland buddies to long, Talk about them over sizing there numbers 4 mods, both classes of supers numbers up due to champs (to be expected) 3/4 field of std stocks, saloons and production's, fullish field of mini stocks and of course a full field of tractor races for the first hour and 1/2 high light of the meeting.

All in all numbers racing reminded me of W/P and a couple of other northern tracks we have been to this year, so it looks like most tracks numbers are pretty much the same.
Well I might go over the other side (Western Springs) this week end to see some Megga dollar demolition races. ;D

[Ricoshea]

chairman, you are correct, traditionaly competing against christmas in the park has resulted in low numbers at wp.

[kwikchange]

Honestly surprised that that Wacky Pack is running against Xmas in the Park.

Even more surprised that Irvine is letting it happen as he was always a big advocate for not running against Xmas in the Park and thus the reason it became a rain out date in the past few seasons.

The couple of times it did run against it was a loss for the Club.

The Wacky Parks website is currently advertising
Stockcars, Saloons, Ministocks, Modifieds, Minisprints, Superstocks.

For the 13th yet Huntly are running the Waikato Minisprint Champs along with the NI Midget Title so bit of a clash there. No doubt the A.S.S.C.C. will update the Website soon enough.

[Action-Man]

I must clear up a couple of points regarding my post re the drifters.
I though they were a waste of time, the reason made comment that there efforts were appreciated was simply that. as I appreciate anyone who is willing to give up their time etc.

I said it recently in a NZDTR Question & Answer piece a few months ago that I believe that to get bums back on seats as a promoter I would create a show within a show.
Although ASSCC are making an effort in this direction I believe they are way off base, Comparing Drifters on pad at waikaraka park to Elvis's first single maybe stretching the expectations a bit ;D ;D. I would use a proven crowd puller for the next attempt.
Big Foot car crush, fireworks, demo derby, V8 v's rice burner burn out comp 4 cars per side crowd votes. Stunt show. all start at 9 & run for half an hour except the demo derby.
Stop trying to reinvent the wheel & just use what's been proven as crowd pulling entertainment.
Put some more money in the stirrers pool, 300 per race 3 cars 100 each announced after each race to the crowd and see if they agree.
Good luck ASSCC, nice to see the place not getting torn to shreds. ( Speaking of shreads..) the flags on the fence could do with a remove or replace..

[DTM1]

Over time i have been a vocal critic of Waikaraka Park and have rightly or wrongly been challenged by ASSCC members on my thoughts,which is what open discussion is really all about.

As far as the direction the club is taking and what they have on the schedule in so far as non speedway classes,can be debated endlessly with little if any results.

It is a simple fact that WP can never move forward regardless of resolve,due to the personality clashes that invariably rear there heads when ever WP is the topic of conversation.

While Mr Irvine has a huge role in what has been and in what will follow,many of the people who post on this board are just as guilty of bringing WP into disrepute.If people have been "shafted" either in there minds,or literally by the ASSCC and its various incarnations personal wise,then make it history and move on.The constant attack by those who have moved to "greener" pastures is past the point of being worthwhile and is at the detriment to all parties.

Speedway as we all know gets in the blood and stays there,constant sniping dosent make the blood flow any more smoothly but causes clots that make life difficult.

WP has definately got to pick its act up and to that end the evidence in the positive in so far as attempting to move forward is there for all to see for those who want to see it.Those who are blind will never see it unfortunately and that is there right,but bombing those who are endeavouring to better the place says more about those dropping the bombs,than it does about those working to get the job done.

I personally hope WP can get it right and the success or failure of what is scheduled for this season will only become known after the final show.

[Aaron Drever]

Moving foward - WP is trying new things and for me it will give and take. I am happy to support the new things that they try as what they doing is realising that unless you are running a Springs Type Show on a Springs Type Budget, you are not going to get 10,000 through the gate on Sat Night just with Speedway week in week out.
In NZ the entertainment dollar can only go so far - what I understand is that by entering different things into the program they may attract a different crowd or they may attract a family or two more who feel they are getting more for their money in terms of the whole package.
I see nothing wrong with the added drift cars if the ASSCC can provide full feilds in the "normal" show. To me its all about numbers on the track which in their type of racing creates action. If there were 25 StreetStocks, 30 Stockcars, 30 Saloons, 20 Modifieds, 20 Minisprints 30 Ministrocks, and 15-18 Super Saloons, adding in the "drifters" too me is nothing more than adding a Bouncy Castle or Face Painting to the show or even a fireworks display.
Hindsight might see that perhaps the drifters would have had more support if they were placed in between racings with a big countdown clock and an explaination in the program of what they were doing for those who don't know, or perhaps they should of have more old school cars drifting against the newer Jap style cars.

For me WP and any speedway comes down to how much money they are willing to through into Marketing - as you know Marketing is Everything

[Deleted]

Dec 3, 2008 19:10:11 GMT 12 Aaron Drever said:

I see nothing wrong with the added drift cars if the ASSCC can provide full feilds in the "normal" show. To me its all about numbers on the track which in their type of racing creates action. If there were 25 StreetStocks, 30 Stockcars, 30 Saloons, 20 Modifieds, 20 Minisprints 30 Ministrocks, and 15-18 Super Saloons, adding in the "drifters" too me is nothing more than adding a Bouncy Castle or Face Painting to the show or even a fireworks display.

As someone who will never again attend Wai Prk I try and refrain from commenting on the joint but............

If they could get the sort of numbers quoted above to a "Normal" meeting then they wouldn't need all these stupid sideshows that seem to only succeed in giving speedway people another reason not to attend, and confirms what they already believe about the way the place is run.

Instead of finding somthing to replace what they have already chased , how about they swallow their dumb pride and find out why those people wont/don't go back. Change what is perceived to be wrong or just do us all a favor and run black.

[tuftef]

As someone who will never again attend Wai Prk I try and refrain from commenting on the joint but............

If they could get the sort of numbers quoted above to a "Normal" meeting then they wouldn't need all these stupid sideshows that seem to only succeed in giving speedway people another reason not to attend, and confirms what they already believe about the way the place is run.

Instead of finding somthing to replace what they have already chased , how about they swallow their dumb pride and find out why those people wont/don't go back. Change what is perceived to be wrong or just do us all a favor and run black.[/quote]
RAMJAM why dont you build a bridge & get over what ever it is that you hold against W/P. The club is there for speedway first & formost. Granted there have been decisions made that where wrong BUT the club & new committee are there to try & make things work. I to personelly beleive that some of the decisions they have made in the past (& some this year) where wrong BUT give them a chance for SPEEDWAYS sake

[Deleted]

Dec 3, 2008 20:23:14 GMT 12 tuftef said:

RAMJAM why dont you build a bridge & get over what ever it is that you hold against W/P. The club is there for speedway first & formost.

I have seen very little that would indicate what you say is the truth.

As for building a bridge, I have, infact I have built several and they have all been burned as far as Wai Park goes.

Beleive me I miss not going to the place when I'm in Auckland far more than they will ever miss me, but a man can only put up with so much B/S in his lesuire time and hobby before he says No More

[Cheque Book]

well said ramjam,

I'm sure there are many people on here who agree with you.

[jamo91]

Dec 3, 2008 12:34:49 GMT 12 acorn said:

Brettp
W/P prize money for the AKLD Superstock champs arrived on Monday always been about aweek and a bit before it arrives.

Jamo91
Took your advice went to see full fields of all classes at Huntly on Saturday night, I think you must of been hanging around some of your ex Auckland buddies to long, Talk about them over sizing there numbers 4 mods, both classes of supers numbers up due to champs (to be expected) 3/4 field of std stocks, saloons and production's, fullish field of mini stocks and of course a full field of tractor races for the first hour and 1/2 high light of the meeting.

All in all numbers racing reminded me of W/P and a couple of other northern tracks we have been to this year, so it looks like most tracks numbers are pretty much the same.

Maybe you would have had a better night sitting with the other 950 people watchin the 6 car burnout comp, a hand full of stockcars, and Mr Dreavers "Winged Warriors" powered by the twin carb ministock motors.
I guess then at least the queue for your hotdog would have been shorter

Love as always Acorn

Jamo91

[rose]

Jamo, You missed the Datsun Saturday night,

Build a bridge! ........................... So much could be added to that statement,

[jamo91]

Dec 3, 2008 23:08:00 GMT 12 rose said:

Jamo, You missed the Datsun Saturday night,

Build a bridge! ........................... So much could be added to that statement,

Its got nothing to do with building a bridge. . . . . .the bottom line is if you S##t in a plate and call it custard week in and week out, sooner or later the punters will stop visiting.

Maybe you have noticed it already, are the bar takings up on last year, same as last year, or down on last year, im just guessing but I say they are down

[rose]

I guess one would have to wait til the season is over and wait for the yearly financials to find out

[Aaron Drever]

This Thred should be locked. It is not going anywhere and gone off topic and become personal.

[Deleted]

Dec 3, 2008 23:26:33 GMT 12 Aaron Drever said:

This Thred should be locked. It is not going anywhere and gone off topic and become personal.

No it shouldn't and no it hasn't