Race Day in NH

[dpg]

Driving home down rte 93 yesterday I got to wondering who pays for all the NH DOT employees up and down rte 93 configuring the roadway for the anticipated race traffic? I assume that's what they were doing anyway, wondering if the track pays for their possible double-time pay on Sunday? That must amount to a few bucks their were a lot of DOT trucks up and down the highway.

[boat_guy64]

Traditionally, the speedway has been paying the costs. In recent years, they have complained about the high overtime costs of 83 officers at $45 per hour. But, you need to think about the overall economic impact. I have not gone to a race for a few years but the money spent is really unbelievable. All the local stores are stocked up and have a hard time staying stocked.

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"According to a 2011 Southern New Hampshire University study, the economic impact of the two Sprint Cup races at NHMS adds $179 million in spending, $103 million in income, and generates 2,500 jobs – including 1,500 part-time jobs at NHMS."

[SIKSUKR]

And attendence is way down. They use to sell out easy as did most tracks across the country. Looked like about 1/3 empty seats.

[JPC]

And attendance is way down.

I watched the early part of the race while having lunch at the Holy Grail and noticed at lot of empty seats on the flat screen. At first I thought that people were down at the concession stands.

[Resident 2B]

I had four tickets. I had planned to go, but being in my lat 60's, the weather was too hot for me. My sons used three of the tickets and I kept one as a souvenir.

My guess is others also decided to watch at home in A/C comfort. That said, overall ticket sales are down at NHMS and at mostly all the other NASCAR tracks. The second race at NHMS usually has better attendance.

R2B

[Scott's Yott]

there were almost as many people under the stands as in them...I would guess 70 -75 thousand in attendance

[Mr. V]

The popularity of NASCAR is fading across this fair land of ours.

Motorsports in general are not doing well in the new millenium.

[SIKSUKR]

The popularity of NASCAR is fading across this fair land of ours.

Motorsports in general are not doing well in the new millenium.

It is clear to see if you watch any race now on tv. Almost all the track have huge blocks of seats with advertising stretched over them. Doesn't look as empty as it really is and at least they fill the seat with some ad money. NHMS had at least 3 of these on the back stretch.

[Scott's Yott]

Still twice as many as football or baseball

[noreast]

Still twice as many as football or baseball

Not really, consider football has 15 games a week, there stadiums each hold well over 50,000 people & always sold out. nascar is a weekly regional event since it's always moving. TV ratings aren't in the same stratosphere.

[Scott's Yott]

If you look at it that way then don't forget theres more to NASCAR...arca,trucks,xfinity,sprint,...At least a dozen series running every week with large crowds:liplick:

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

If you look at it that way then don't forget theres more to NASCAR...arca,trucks,xfinity,sprint,...At least a dozen series running every week with large crowds:liplick:

MLB and the NFL draw close to 100 million fans each year. NASCAR, less than 5 million. It's not even close. Add every race circuit you want. Even the NHL and NBA have much higher attendance compared to NASCAR.
Crowds at Loudon are lower each year, as goes the overall attendance for NASCAR.
MLB averages ~30,000 fans each game (2,426 games each year) 74 million
The NFL averages ~70,000 fans each game (256 games each year) 17 million
NASCAR averages ~100,000 (36 races) 3.5 million
Even the lowly NHL averages over 17,000,000 in attendance each year. Same with the NBA.

Attendance for this year's race with beautiful weather was only about 60%.

I like NASCAR, but comparing attendance or revenue to the NFL is crazy. The NFL may see similar problems if they don't figure out a way to prevent concussions. It may take a while, but for now, the NFL is thriving. Golf is seeing similar problems since Tiger Woods' decline.

[nhboat61]

I volunteered at the race this past weekend . Had a great time, looking forward to Septembers race .

[That Guy]

I volunteered at the race this past weekend . Had a great time, looking forward to Septembers race .

Any input on working there for the weekend? If I could make a few quick bucks hocking crap to people with small blocks roaring in the background I'd do it for sure. :coolsm:

[Airedale1]

And attendence is way down. They use to sell out easy as did most tracks across the country. Looked like about 1/3 empty seats.

What would you attribute that to?

[That Guy]

What would you attribute that to?

I'll take problems with our economy for $800, Alex.

[noreast]

Any input on working there for the weekend? If I could make a few quick bucks hocking crap to people with small blocks roaring in the background I'd do it for sure. :coolsm:

I don't know the specifics so I won't bash it yet,but they get hundreds of high school athletes that basically are forced to volunteer. In fact if the kids can't do it they expect a parent to fill in. not sure if the track saves the thousands in payroll or the state. I'm sure someone here knows more about this than I do.

[upthesaukee]

I don't know the specifics so I won't bash it yet,but they get hundreds of high school athletes that basically are forced to volunteer. In fact if the kids can't do it they expect a parent to fill in. not sure if the track saves the thousands in payroll or the state. I'm sure someone here knows more about this than I do.

I have friends who are members of non - profit organizations and they volunteer their time doing a variety of jobs at the track. The track then cuts a check to the organization. I don't know exactly how much they make, but it does depend on how many volunteers work the race. The more workers, the more money you make.

I live here... I am always Upthesaukee.

[noreast]

That makes sense. I should have considered before my post that there's no way they could possibly hire so many people for a few huge events a year. Some youth sports groups must get a nice chunk of change, they keep going back every year.

[dpg]

Any input on working there for the weekend? If I could make a few quick bucks hocking crap to people with small blocks roaring in the background I'd do it for sure. :coolsm:

You make it sound so pleasant hope you never wait on me. :eek:

[That Guy]

You make it sound so pleasant hope you never wait on me. :eek:

:Dadd content

[SPT13]

What would you attribute that to?

I am a race fan, & have been to just about every July race & have seen the attendance decline. I think it is a number of things.
First off, it is a boring race. The track set up allows for very little passing & the race becomes single file with very little action. That, along with the heat of July, and the work/traffic of getting in and out make for a very long day.
The hardcore Nascar fans will always be there, but those factors wear on the people traveling from all over NE, NY, & Canada

[Mr. V]

The popularity of motor vehicle racing seems to be fading, world wide.

Formula 1 doesn't seem to be as popular as it once was, either.

Indy car is way down, and drag racing is in the toilet.

With the increase in personal entertainment options such as video games, people need not go to a track to see a race: they can "race" at home playing games such as Grand Theft Auto.

[SIKSUKR]

What would you attribute that to?

I remember not too long ago you kind of needed to buy tickets a year in advance. This year the Brickyard 400 was by my estimate 1/2 empty. The first year they had 250,000. It seemed to start dropping when the economy went south about 8 years ago.

[That Guy]

I remember not too long ago you kind of needed to buy tickets a year in advance. This year the Brickyard 400 was by my estimate 1/2 empty. The first year they had 250,000. It seemed to start dropping when the economy went south about 8 years ago.

http://advrider.com/styles/advrider_smilies/sip.gif

[Scott's Yott]

Hope you saw the crowds the past 2 weeks..Watkins Glen SOLD out the grandstands 94,000 peeps , and Michigan was packed with 125,000 +-:cool:

[Resident 2B]

Sitting up here at the lake enjoying the Bristol race and listening to the local loon. Another full house! :)

R2B