| Author | Message | ||
     Outrider |
Could be done, but would have to be a "Pay to Play" event open to all comers like AutoCross. Need to cover the operating costs (insurance being the big nut to crack) and show a little profit. | ||
| Bomber |
yeah, I'm not too worried about profit, but the last thing I need in my life is an event like that to coordinate . . . if only the SCCA would let us play with them! | ||
| Outrider |
If there is any long term interest and money in it, it would make a great little business that can be franchised. Remember me? I do business start ups for folks among other things. Not to mention that if it was a private business, not sponsored by a manufacturer, you can run it any way you wish. Then again, that may result in it being classified as a race and have warranty implications for those unlucky enough to get caught participating. LMAO | ||
| Bomber |
ok, ,brer bill . . . .contact the man . . . . . he may be willing to talk! | ||
| Two_buells |
Reg here… BattleTrax has been—and continues to be—quite an interesting experience for me Sounds like some of you might want to try it out… from the promoter's standpoint. OK, here's some info you may want to start with. First (let's get the nasty part out of the way) You can't use the term "BattleTrax", or obvious variants, without meeting me in court. To date, it's been a slam dunk for my side, and cost two woud-be promoters a bit of coin. On the other hand, if you'd like to start up the concept under another name, that's cool! ——BTX is not a company (Buell or anyone else) backed program. It is a soley California full corporation owned by my wife and myself. I stage events for whomever hires and pays. KTM is my second largest customer. Under their banner we call it "SuperTrax" ——Don't do ANYTHING like this unless you're shielded by a corporation. Otherwise, you're putting your personal assests at risk. If you believe nothing else I say, believe that. ——Course layout is much more difficult than it appears: Do it wrong, and you're going to hurt someone. ——Insurance is very difficult to get, and expensive. A $1m policy is $700 a day, a $2m is $750. ——An increasing number of venues are requesting a $5M policy… almost impossible to get. NOTE: Several different organizations have tried to bullshit me about being covered, they've even showed me policy's indicating "Kittrelle Inc." (my company) as "additionally însured." For new customers, I always check with their agent. Often I find that he was unaware that the motorcycles would be moving… the policy gets cancelled immediately. If you try and fake it, lie, or otherwise try and outsmart insurance, you will get bit in the ••• like never before. Be smart about this. We live in a society that refuses to accept personal responsibility for its actions. And if you're thinking, "Hell, a fellow rider wouldn't sue me!" You might be correct, however, a fellow rider's family will. ——BTX is expensive to stage and has never made any real money. If you do it, do it under the idea it's fun, you're going to lose money, and put up with a lot of ••••. ——There is no longer a WI series because attendance was terrible and the dealers could not justify it. Uke's is the exception. Dave may get something going at Suburban ——Mike Y. (TwoBuells)has worked for years to give the PA folks the best series out there. ——ahh, the website (cobweb site). A huge pain in the •••, continual problems, been avoiding dealing with the horror of it. Long story. ——Franchising? Remember everyone out there that stages one for you holds your vital parts in the palm of their hands. ——Timing equipment=expensive (but cheaper than it used to be). Figure on spending 2-3k for the basics. ——Questions? Ask away. Rkittrelle@affinitygroup.com | ||
| Mikej |
Oh well, it was fun. Thanks for the update. | ||
| Outrider |
Reg...Thank you for your response. Rest assured everyone that commented on this thread knows and respects you. We are not about to become your competition. What you read were grumblings about not having a Wisconsin Series this year. Obviously, these grumblings should have been directed to the dealers that contract you for the events. With the investment you have in equipment and personnel I am confident that you can handle significantly more events than you currently have scheduled. Additionally, that you are in the best position (from and incremental cost perspective) to expand your organization to handle increased demand. Concerning attendance/participation at the Wisconsin events, I agree that the numbers were underwhelming and this was not your fault. The responsibility to promote the event locally lies with the organization/dealer that contracted your service. Traditionally, at least here, these have been BRAG Club events with only word of mouth promotion. If I were to make any suggestion at all, it would be to encourage the folks that contract you to promote the event as Dave Stueve does. Quite simply, he is open to all brands and uses the event to develop his market awareness and penetration with the Buell Brand. Reg, thanks again for your response to this thread. I trust this will help put your mind at ease concerning the grumblings. Rest assured collectively we would rather support your organization than anyone else's as you are truly "One of Us." Best regards, Bill Neveling | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
The first year we had great attendance at B-trax, but the last 2 years have been dismal at best. The dealers didnt promote it very well at all, & when & if they did it seemed like they werent really into it very much. At least hals gave us free shirts & Ukes fed us. | ||
| Outrider |
At least hals gave us free shirts & Ukes fed us. Waste of promotional money for the dealer if they don't get any recruitment and retention out of the deal. Might as well spend a lot less money on snacks and gifts for the BRAG Club meetings and parties. Considering the close proximity of all the HD/BMC Dealers in SE Wisconsin, Doc's to Sauk to Uke's, the dealers can unify and contract a series. My thoughts are that they hold the events on neutral turf (different locations throughout the area), advertise them, supply product displays, sales personnel and run demo's. Sure there will be friendly competition there among the dealers but the Buell image, acceptance and sales will increase significantly. Have to admit for the HomeTown Brand, I don't see too many of them on the road. Doing the math, I count 16 potential dealers in that area. Almost all sell Buell's, some even intentionally. Yet only a small number have BRAG Clubs. If you took half of those dealers (8) and held a 4 or 5 event series that was well promoted locally, I should think that it would be a promotional expense that would have a decent return for all involved. Might be worth a try for next year. The trick will be selling the dealers on the concept. Remember, the more the merrier! | ||
| Outrider |
I guess my point is why grumble about something you had and lost when you can make it bigger and better. It just takes a little thinking after the problem is defined. Apparently the folks at Uke's and their BRAG Club did some thinking as their membership is both bonding and growing. I would even be willing to bet that in time Dave in Appleton will exceed those numbers with his creativity. There really is no magic formula as each group is different. However, BattleTrax is one of those events that can unify the Clubs and help BMC and the dealers in the process. Quite simply, there is strength in numbers and increasing the number of events and participants is the easiest way to increase the number of Buell's on the road. Heck, it can even positively effect the resale value of our existing bikes. | ||
| Bomber |
I imade a point of trying to purchase at least a t-shirt from every one of the dealers that sponsored a Btrax -- but was entirely unsuccessful . . . . . several had absoluelty nothing Buell-related in their stores (with the exception of a bike or two), and, truth to tell, was pretty confused why a dealer would front the dough and go to the trouble of hosting an event (both considerable investments) if they had nothing to sell to the visiting firemen . . . but, I am also not a marketing guru, motorcycle dealership owner, or particularly bright, so I'm sure there's all sorts of reasons of which I'm not aware {smile} in any event, I've always enjoyed the heck outa myself at B'trax, would would love to run more . . . .thanks for the big fun, Reg (and your supporting cast) | ||
| Outrider |
Bomber...When in doubt, a quart of oil or some detailing supplies will ease your guilt complex.  | ||
| Outrider |
Hey Bomber...You just hit on something! The BattleTrax events are usually on a Saturday when the store is open. Could result in a scheduling conflict for those that either work or have other obligations on Saturday's. Especially, here in the "Economic Dead Zone." Hmmm...that poses a whole new set of questions. | ||
| Bomber |
Bill -- al;though I know you're at least joking, it ain't guilt at all . . . . .it's a recognition of the symbiotic relationship that exists between a business and it's customers . . . . since I wanted dealer X to stay around, and have a btrax the next year, I wanted to show my support -- since these businesses were clearly not interested in earning my business, as evidenced by the fine selection of 4 year old dust and remainders HD bowie knifes, but no spark plugs for a Buell, I passed on the opportunity . . .. timing is key, no doubt . . . . . . | ||
| Mikej |
Catch-22: If you don't have what the customers want then the customers won't return. If the customers don't return you don't need to stock what they want. One of the local shops that sponsored one of the B-Trax events I still don't go to even though I'm in their neighborhood at least weekly. Just little there to get my interest, seems more like a lightly stocked expansion location instead of their main store of two. Nice folks, but not much stuff. Maybe I'll have to stop in there again one of these weeks and see if things have changed in the last year or so. | ||
| Outrider |
Bomber...Just teasing, but I do at least get something at each of the sponsoring dealers regardless of the event they put on. Granted it isn't much but at least it is a token of my appreciation. | ||
| Outrider |
Mike...Like your Catch 22 analogy. For me, visiting a dealer at least once a year is interesting. I enjoy seeing how folks perceive their business and position themselves in the market place. Then I spent my entire career selling to major retail chains and studying the stores was a major part of the fact finding for the presentations. | ||
| Bomber |
Catch 22 is an apt analogy I'm no retail guru, like Bill (I recognized the teasing ;-} ), but I am a fairly thoughtful consumer . . . . .I figure, these days, the simbyotic relationship between the consumer and the seller is up to the seller to initiate . . . . . as a consumer, I have more choices than ever, and some of those choices really want my business -- and they get it | ||
| Outrider |
simbyotic relationship Isn't that one of those social clubs Patty Hearst belonged to?  | ||
| Reepicheep |
There is a significant goodwill effect. The second battletrax I did here in Ohio was done at a dealer that had gone out of their way to earn my wrath. Running the event, watching them hand out t-shirts, watching the owner of the franchies ride the hell out of an S1, and just meeting and talking to the dealer employees more then made up for the grief they caused me. | ||
| Two_buells |
Results from the last Pa BattleTrax are posted on the web site. new pictures also http://pabattletrax.home.att.net/ | ||
| Outrider |
Mike...Great website! Glad to see your program is going strong in PA. | ||
| Bbuell |
Hey Reg, Do you think your ever coming back to Phoenix,AZ Would love to BTX again. I really think that if we premoted it and had a pre registation we could make it sucsessful. Bill regional BTX winner | ||
| 99buellx1 |
BattleTrax in Waterloo Aug 22nd Download the BattleTrax Flyer Fun for all and prizes. Craig Buell Cycle Center 800-342-7539 ext.213 | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Bill, Come on out to Yuma in October. I got tired of seeing all the posts for BTX on the east coast and really wanted one here. I'm a jarhead so I stopped into my safety office and what do you know, Scott (safety guy) ran with the idea! BTX is coming to Yuma! If we have a good turnout, we're going to try and sell the idea to the USMC and have a regional competition between the bases. Pendleton, Yuma, San Diego, Miramar, and possibly Fort Hauchuca... Everyone in the area, please support this event! http://www.vsiyuma.com/ | ||
| Trevxb12 |
Charlieboy dont forget about us wingnuts(airforce), if you wanna try to come to idaho, ill help with the leg work. we have a lot of flightline that needs a buell rippin it up. im not sure how many bikes would make a "worth while" turn out but i could get 10-15 bikes to show without any big advertising. if it sounds like a possible idea lemme know. trevor.bridges@mountainhome.af.mil | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Charlie: Man, I am going to be in Scottsdale that week. My wife is being admitted to the Mayo clinic there. If they let her out in time, and if she feels up to it we might have to come over and say howdy. On another note: Has BTX ever been to Vegas?? Has anyone here ever expressed an interest? If not I may use this as another tool when we head to the dealership to work on them about sponsoring our Brag chapter. Nick | ||
| Mikej |
Vegas, A year or two ago Buell held the national series there in Vegas, so yes B'Trax has seen the lights of the city. There's actually apparently a lot of stuff that happens there in  | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Thanks Mike! Unfortunately, There hasn't been a lot of advertising or information distributed where anyone gets it. A lot of us are now becoming a little more pro active in the Buell community, even if we didn'y buy our bikes there.  Maybe we can convince them to bring BTX back to Vegas again. And hey.. things that happen in Vegas make for some pretty good stories!  | ||
| Mikej |
Here's the link to the 2003 Los Vegas B'Trax results: http://www.battletrax.com/Results_Vegas03.html Reg, active over on SacBORG, might be able to fill you in on BattleTRAX scheduling, costs, contacts, concerns, whatnot. |
