The word is affordable!
By TMX Archives on 19th Mar 08
LAST week, my closing few words on page 5 were regarding the ever-rising costs of attending major MX events as a spectator, with the obvious implication that attendances in general could be better. These words were fuelled by a plethora of communications from readers, and typified by the reader's letter that showed how the cost of a family of five, two parents and three kids, stretched beyond 250 for a day at the Hawkstone International (175 for tickets alone). That was event-only costs and did not even take into account outside costs such as fuel for the car. LAST week, my closing few words on page 5 were regarding the ever-rising costs of attending major MX events as a spectator, with the obvious implication that attendances in general could be better. These words were fuelled by a plethora of communications from readers, and typified by the reader's letter that showed how the cost of a family of five, two parents and three kids, stretched beyond £250 for a day at the Hawkstone International (£175 for tickets alone). That was event-only costs and did not even take into account outside costs such as fuel for the car.The accent here was very much pointed towards the family. Singles tend not to worry too much about the cost of things, whether it is a bike, a holiday, tickets to a gig, etc, etc. One times £35 or whatever is no big deal in the great scheme of things. It's usually not the end of the world when it comes to taking your wife/ girlfriend either. But when it comes to self, wife and two/ three kids – with very likely only one wage-
earner shelling out for the lot – then it is a very different story.
And so it was something of a coincidence that RHL Leisure unveiled their pricing for the British MXGP which will be stage at Mallory Park on June 1.
Gareth Hockey at RHL is very much aware that motocross is a family sport. This is because Gareth has extensive first-hand experience of both families and motocross! And one of the main issues he wished to address when he landed the rights to run the British MXGP was to make it affordable for families. Not only affordable, but also to ensure it is a genuinely pleasurable and exciting experience at a really good venue. One that they will want to return to year after year!
And so, eventually, we get round to the advance family ticket for two night's camping and entry to the race track for two adults and two children for – pause for fanfare – £100. Come on – that has to be the best MX deal for years! And that is also on a special separate family campsite which, in theory, shouldn't be full of noisy, booze-fuelled clowns keeping everyone awake all night. They will of course be on the campsite specially designated for noisy, booze-fuelled clowns who can keep themselves awake all night. Result. Everybody happy.
You have got to admire Gareth, he is doing his level best to give the sport back to those who have traditionally supported it through thick and thin – the families – but who have been increasingly priced out of top level motocross.
Oh, I understand how it works, believe me. I have been instructed many times by organisers exactly how much it costs to put on an event, the minimum number expected through the gates and the number of people divided into how much you need to recoup equals the ticket price.
This is fine when, at risk of repeating myself, the country/ economy is going well. But as we all know by the simple method of studying the contents of our wallets, or lack of contents, that we are not exactly
enjoying a great time of it.
With fewer crowds apparent so far this year, you really can't continue to square the circle by charging those who continue to turn-up more and more money. It's all well and good raking in a huge wedge from the caterers as well. But when Mr Caterer has to charge Joe Bloggs £6 for a bread-bun plus a dollop of reconstituted meat it is still Joe Bloggs ultimately paying the bills.
Remember how MX started as scrambling? It blossomed out of World War 2
(history books out kids!) and was practised by folks with not much money but loads of enthusiasm. And the spectators were in the same boat. I won't bang on about how competitors rode their bikes to events, removed the lights and got stuck in. Nor will I remind everyone how Jeff Smith won his World MX Championship by such exploits as driving to Russia with his factory BSA in an Austin A55 pick-up (although legend records it as a Morris 1000!).
Well, there comes a time when you have to cut your suit according to your cloth. I don't actually forsee a return to WW2 practises but I do leave it to you to decide how costs can be cut! Because they are going to have to be.
Anyone read a newspaper lately?