04-19-2006, 11:43 AM
I just mentioned SCCA as a reference, but Summit told us that for all spectator events at their track, it is usually handled that way. Their staff handles the gate policy and refunds. They were nice enough to allow us to provide refunds during the day on Saturday rather than having to wait in line on Friday night and Saturday early morning when you first arrive as they do with other groups.
And Summit will not allow a list at the gate since it ties up too much traffic. If the road in front of the track gets backed up, we can be completely shut down by the police.
One year we did a mailing. Didn't work. Racers either said they didn't receive the passes or they received them but couldn't get them to their crew. They wanted to leave passes at the gate for their crew. Gate staff got really angry. Not good.
One year we did a list at the gate. Gate workers (at minimum wage) don't sift through the list very fast and don't want to look through a list. (We have to keep the gate people happy).
Now, we mail out passes to workers, sponsors, media and VIP and everyone else is charged. It makes it easy for the gate staff to say, "we have to charge you unless you have a pass". That way no one can argue with the gate staff like people are prone to do.
If we put people prior to the gate to give out wristbands on Friday evening, it becomes an accounting nightmare because you have to make sure those people that didn't pay don't come up to the refund station to attempt to get a refund. And you can't have a variety of color wristbands......way too confusing for the gate staff.
Believe me, we are up for ANY ideas, but things have to be uncomplicated for the gate staff.
If people know they must come prepared with the cash at the gate and we convince Summit into having more refund staff and possibly longer hours, doesn't that work?
Laura C.
And Summit will not allow a list at the gate since it ties up too much traffic. If the road in front of the track gets backed up, we can be completely shut down by the police.
One year we did a mailing. Didn't work. Racers either said they didn't receive the passes or they received them but couldn't get them to their crew. They wanted to leave passes at the gate for their crew. Gate staff got really angry. Not good.
One year we did a list at the gate. Gate workers (at minimum wage) don't sift through the list very fast and don't want to look through a list. (We have to keep the gate people happy).
Now, we mail out passes to workers, sponsors, media and VIP and everyone else is charged. It makes it easy for the gate staff to say, "we have to charge you unless you have a pass". That way no one can argue with the gate staff like people are prone to do.
If we put people prior to the gate to give out wristbands on Friday evening, it becomes an accounting nightmare because you have to make sure those people that didn't pay don't come up to the refund station to attempt to get a refund. And you can't have a variety of color wristbands......way too confusing for the gate staff.
Believe me, we are up for ANY ideas, but things have to be uncomplicated for the gate staff.
If people know they must come prepared with the cash at the gate and we convince Summit into having more refund staff and possibly longer hours, doesn't that work?
Laura C.