Ladies and Gentlemen,
This note is to address some administrative items for NSSR in regard to staying on budget.
It is still difficult to maintain a high level of sponsorship to cover the operating costs of this race organization.
While we are making positive strides and the good winter is helping all snow and ice related economic activity, some of our great supporters are still catching up on their budgets.
That being said, NSSR is doing well, but we still need the members to work to bring in sponsorships more than ever.
These $500 sponsors add up fast and can be easier to obtain.
At the same time, we will develop a sponsorship committee to add to these opportunities and also look for a larger Series Sponsor for NSSR.
This will allow NSSR to increase payouts, add contingency’s, and provide additional member benefits.
This will tighten the belt some on expenditures, but still allow us to maintain the budget for the organization.
Stacy and I, along with other folks, will continue to donate our time and vacation usage from our jobs.
We do need to work also to get some new equipment to replace what we have for trailers and timing systems.
We are introducing these cost saving measures that are effective immediately:
1. The insurance fee will now be $5 per entry for both the Pros and the Radar Run Track, not $ 5 per driver (Insurance costs are rising, and we have seen a 40% increase)
2. The Top Speed Payout will be reduced to $200 (is currently $500) along with receiving the 48 inch tall Top Speed Trophy
3. Paybacks on the Pros will only be paid to classes that have Three (3) or more entries at the 50% level as previously done. This will be for all payouts in 2014 on the Pro Classes
including Menomonie Race.
4. Points plaques for the Season will be given to the Champion in all classes and then Runner Up Plaques to those who have more than 2 in their class.
It will have a minor impact to each driver or race team, while having a nice impact overall to the positive side for NSSR.
It is exciting that we are finding some great supporters and the racer entries are growing with new members coming on board.
Let’s keep the momentum.
Remember, this organization is for you and let’s work together as a team to make it better!
Let me know if you have any questions or comments on this.
Thanks!
Ron and Stacy Bray
Folks,
NSSR is doing fine and there is a lot of excitment.
The Crew still has great energy and they have stood up to the challenge to be back in Fairmont this weekend.
It was unfortunate that the weather took the race out of play on Saturday the 25th.
We will try again to get this done and the forecast looks more favorable.
I understand that the racers have concerns on this and they have good concerns. Bottom line is that these can be temporary and and we can talk about a reasonable solution to the program as a whole. In fact, we can make it better.
Let's look at this perspective.
1. An entry at $40 and a single sled gets to race for Class points and a chance at a World Record.
The tracks are pretty good for the most part, we get the permits, etc.
The old payback did give the racer $20 back each race, so in essence we are saying the racer is now racing for $40 per race instead of $20 per race, or for four races, an extra $80.
2. The same weekend in Menomonie, Ron and Stacy spend $3100 of personal funds to have the race break even, I would say the racer is getting the better deal.
Ron makes some adjustments, but is not complaining:) I can take PAYPAL if anyone wants to do this one.
3. If it was me, I would choose the $20 option and then work to bring in one sponsor, imagine if each racer brought in just one $500 sponsor, that would add $30,000 to the budget with 60 members. That would be fantastic!
Rather than focusing on the $20 for each race by the racer with one or two sleds in that class, we can focus on the bigger picture by:
1. Go out and spend the same amount of energy getting sponsors for NSSR that you are using to get the $20 back.
2. Talk more racers into racing in these classes and get the payout.
3. Raise money for your class! I am fine taking money from a racer to sponsor a class and make payback adjustments for that class specifically.
There are some easy solutions and actually these can make the payouts even bigger!
I have had a number of calls complaining about the loss of payback, but none saying I found a sponsor or we are working on a sponsor.
The point is getting missed.
I am open to other solutions, and I know there are more positive results to be gained.
Just some thoughts! I know there are some smarter people than me to figure the money end of this out.
Thanks!
