I see and hear a lot about attracting newbies to AMA racing. The subject of dropouts rarely comes up. Surely there are a huge number of people who used to race and quit.

I encounter people regularly who say they used to race but don’t anymore. When asked why they quit, there is no common theme. I have been less than successful at getting them back into racing.

Are we ignoring a huge pool of potential racers ?

Anyone been successful at getting people back into racing ?
If yes, how did you do it ?

We have managed to entice several former racers back into action as well as pick up some new ones. We really didn’t do much. Seems like when they found out we were running a full schedule of APRA, 428 and 422 they just drifted back. Our average attendance has increased from the mid 20’s to about 40 over the last four years or so. The last race, Nov. 17th, had 43 entrants spread over 3 classes. All our races have prior day pylon up practice are fully staffed, have plaques to 3rd and fast time plus a cash workers raffle. We charge $25.00 for the 1st class and $20.00 for the second. With this level of funding we have no trouble showing a small net profit for the club even after accruing for system maintenance. I do believe we are more fortunate than most as Los Angeles has a huge population base to pull from as well as being centrally located.

Barry

Interesting problem PJ.

I am a dropout/was a dropout.

Best thought I can come up with is to find why the person quit in the first place. Then figure out if the situation has changed. If it has not, you may not be able to get the old racer back. On the other hand if things have changed, you may be able to get them back. Sometimes you can get 'em back up on the pipe turnin XXK Rpms'

There are millions of reasons people quit. They range from money(lack of), time (lack of), burnout, lack of places to race, lack of people to race with, Changing interests etc.

A couple of other things to consider- Equipment changes over time(signs of progress I guess). My personal example, I have no good legal race motors anymore, everything is antiquated or illegal. I have been lucky enough to have some good friends let me borrow a motor for an event. Same with airframes, radios, etc.
Solution- offer them something to help them try it again for 'one more time around the poles'. Chances are, if they really love the sport, they will be hooked again.

This is a tough sport to quit. Years ago, I tried the PylonPatch, but only ended up quitting after the 3 step program (girls, cars, money!). Now that I have tried it again, I am hooked worse than ever!!!!!

Matchlessaero-Member of Pylonaholics Anonymous

Well, here is how they do it in Sacramento Ca. http://www.sacramento-rc-flyers.org/...aws/index.html
24 pilots racing once a month. There are more planes being built to enter the class as we speak. Because of the great response they are adding a 1/12th scale "Reno" warbird event>> http://www.sacramento-rc-flyers.org/...lonracers.html There are already aircraft being built for this and some manufactures are getting involved.

Any type of popular/growing pylon racing is helping to build a general pylon racing participation base, which is good. I feel the growing popularity of two pole racing is exposure. The Warbird "Triangle Series" held at Sacramento, Lodi, Morgan Hill are very popular two pole pylon racing programs. Why? I believe because the future "go fast turn left" pilots are only exposed to the two pole racing format. If the up and coming pylon racers were exposed to a "Basin Type" AMA 0.40 size 3 pole event they would be hooked and popularity would grow. As a "Newbie" to AMA 0.40 racing the help and mentoring at the event is excellent(Bill V. thanks for the trim setup suggestions and Gale E. thanks for the hardware loan). Some how, us three pole guys, need to spark intrest at the local flying fields. Sport fly a 428. Let the future racers see the speed, turning radius and low-speed handling characterists af these racers. Help people get a AMA 424(APRA) plane setup and drag them to a 3 pole 0.40 race.

Thanks to all the San Fernando Valley Flyers out there who helped make the Nov 17 Basin race such a success

MaxQ.

MaxQ, your very Welcomed!

Although I don t think I ever got back to you to know how you liked your new trim settings,,, Your 2nd place finish tells me it worked

Are you coming to the Winter Fest Race in Jan?

BV