For several years our entry fee has been $20 for SCCA members and $25 for
non-members. We DO allow people who sign up for SCCA membership at the
site to run for free that day. As a result we had a HUGE number of
Speadfreaks memberships because they could pay $25 to run as a non-member
or pay $25 to join the club, cost the same and get a future discount on
events.
Frankly, $20 is a bargain in any book. Besides, the entry fee is
miniscule in the grand scheme of autocrossing costs. Even $80 to run
nationals is a tiny portion of the overall autocross budget.
As a Solo II co-chair, I'm lobbying to raise our entry fees another $5
across the board for entries done at the event. We are considering
selling season passes that works out to $20 per event (for members only)
and to be able to pre-register, pre-pay (on-line or otherwise) for $22
members and $27 non-members.
There are several reasons for wanting to do this.
1. We want to have the paperwork of registration limited on event day. We
had a nightmare at one event this year when 130 drivers wanted to
register for the morning session, alone (another 70 registered for the
afternoon). A financial incentive to get entry fees to us BEFORE the
event should drastically reduce the lines at the event. Since we have a
paperless entry system, now, for drivers who have run with us before and
have pre-paid, they will only have to go to Tech on event day.
2. We run in downtown Atlanta and would like to limit the amount of cash
on hand during the event.
3. We are getting so many entries that we need more equipment and
resources to cope with the huge turnouts. A slightly higher fee might
limit the entry list a little. However, even $25-30 isn't much money.
Ben Thatcher
Apex Benefit Services & Motorsports
Stockbridge, GA
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