88 replies to this topic

[rvec]

While in the Sacramento area, I had the opportunity to visit Sidewinder Raceway. The shop is located in a strip mall in Rancho Cordova. The business is family owned and staffed by father and sons. Although this is the first commercial slot car related venture for the family, they are not at all new to the hobby. Dad has been racing slot cars as far back as the '60s. I could relate to his experiences of running everything from womps to group 12 to group 27. Like many avid slot heads, he has been in and out of the hobby for decades. Before opening Sidewinder, he was an avid participant in a 1/32 club similar to Arizona Garage Racing where participants race at several home tracks on a regular basis. Even his two sons and his wife joined the fun. His recent experience got him to thinking about opening a commercial facility. It was his wife that ultimately convinced him to take the plunge. It seems that the format has been well received. A recent Trans-Am race attracted seventeen participants! I believe that with exemplary customer service combined with a new business model and wide consumer appeal, Sidewinder may be the template for the future successful commercial facility. 

The owners son summed it up when he said, We're a business and we obviously want to make money, but we also want to open the door of this great hobby to those that have never had the enjoyment of picking up a controller. What a great attitude. Best of luck!
 
As one who spent the better part of my career analyzing the economics of multimillion dollar projects and billion dollar acquisition targets, I understand, from a financial viewpoint, what it takes to make a successful business. I also, had the opportunity to assist a well-known track builder and shop owner in developing a business plan and associated financials to pitch to a potential partner in the business.  At the risk of stating the obvious, I will recount some of the issues.

A multi-track commercial facility that includes a Blue King or similar requires lots of space read high fixed costs for the lease and utilities. In addition, track builders are few and far between and large tracks cost big bucks!

Inventory of cars, controllers, tools and parts can tie up scores of thousands of dollars.

Large tracks tend to require a focus on powerful and as a consequence expensive motors. I recall purchasing a score of armatures trying to find one that was superior to others. Also, motor building is an art form that requires a great deal of time and effort.

Commercial tracks typically focus on non-scale Lexan bodies, some of which resemble flying door stops.

Entry level classes are typically based upon production, stamped steel chassis which constantly need attention.

Some classes require scratchbuilt chassis or very expensive production chassis to be competitive. Again, scratchbuilding requires a great deal of time and effort to master.

In summary the problems with typical commercial operations are that fixed costs are relatively high and that potential revenue is based upon selling high margin products to relatively few customers. In addition, the widespread internet sale of high-priced slot car components limits the pricing power of the commercial shop. All this is a recipe for disaster.

I believe that Sidewinder Raceway has turned the economics of traditional commercial facilities on its head. Below are my observations.

Customer service is exemplary. The owner and his family are very knowledgeable and more than willing to spend time with the customer, not only to sell the product but to assist the customer in set-up. I spent more than an hour talking to the owner about the business, the track, the cars, etc. He was even kind enough to allow me to try out a few of his cars.  This kind of attitude keeps customers coming back.

The track is a wood, custom build, 84 foot road course characterized by changes in elevation and relatively tight corners. Lane spacing is a tight four inches. In order to keep costs down and to eliminate the variables associated with magnets, traditional wire braid was used. The track was constructed as a family project.  A second, smaller track is currently under construction. The goal was to provide for close competition and for an atmosphere of real racing for the participant and spectator as well. The scenery, undulating terrain, and custom wall hangings all add to the ambiance of the facility and create excitement and enthusiasm. The nature of the layout with its tight corners emphasizes driving skill. Result realism, atmosphere, and close competition achieved with a relatively small capital outlay.

Smaller tracks allow the footprint of the facility to be relatively small. Although I didnt take measurements, I believe that the facility is in the neighborhood of 2,000 square feet. Result relatively small lease and utility expenses.

The focus is on scale, ready to run (RTR) 1/32 scale racing (although there is a BRM 1/24 class). Very few simple modifications are allowed. Races are held on Wednesday evenings after normal store hours. In order to keep it interesting, classes of cars rotate week to week.

The focus on RTR cars allows novice racers to get up to speed in a hurry and eliminates the frustrations, steep learning curves and time involved in scratch chassis and/or motor building.

The plastic chassis 1/32 scale cars are modestly priced. Result cost is not a barrier to entry into the hobby. In addition, the scale appearance of the cars appeals to a wider audience and the hobby can become a family-oriented activity without breaking the bank. Although not an expert in pricing, it seems that the owner has chosen to price his inventory to be competitive with internet sales. The patron is much more likely to purchase a product he can see and feel from a local vendor than to buy over the internet if prices are competitive.

The shop carries a limited number of brands but a wide variety of cars in each brand. Result this limits the number of spare parts and associated inventory carrying costs.

Manufacturers of 1/32 cars are constantly releasing new models and paint schemes. Result there is an incentive for racers to keep on spending money on new rides. This leads to higher sales volumes and more potential profit for the store owner.

Several years ago I tried out a passel of RTR 1/32 cars and was frankly disappointed in their performance.  Great strides have been made since then. I was impressed with how well these cars handled. The owner allowed me to run a couple of his rides; a Ford Mark IV and a Trans Am Mustang. These were great fun to drive. Result much wider appeal and the potential for higher sales.

Unfortunately, many commercial facilities are frequented by a small core of speed freaks who are not interested in promoting the hobby, helping others or even acting in a civil manner. In my opinion, this alone drives more potential customers away from slot racing than anything else. I would guess that the Sidewinder Raceway format of RTR, scale 1/32 cars would not appeal to the hardcore speed freaks.  Result we may be entering a new era in slot racing, one that appeals to a much wider, family-oriented audience and one that can be sustained by a more economic business model.

Good luck, Sidewinder Raceway. Ill check in from time to time to see how you are doing. Perhaps, Ill plan our next trip down to the Sacramento area to coincide with a Wednesday evening race and have a car to participate.
 

[Dennis David]

Rich,

 

Check this out! Billy, the son, we're proud to have him as a member of our club. Come race with us in June!

 

[rvec]

Hey Dennis,

 

We travel from Oregon south from time to time. I'd love to visit next time we are in the area. 

 

I'll be in touch.

 

Rich

[Dennis David]

Please do. The more warning the better.

 

Check out our calendar:
 

[Pablo]

That is all really cool.

 

But I disagree with one sentence:

 

"Entry level classes are typically based upon production, stamped steel chassis which constantly need attention."

 

A Champion TurboFlex chassis, with either a Deathstar motor for beginners or a FK style motor for advanced beginners, will take a lickin' and keep on tickin' for a LONG time with mucho abuse and very little maintenance.

 

In order to WIN, yes, I agree, they need attention.

 

But beginners shouldn't be too focused on winning. Once they learn to drive, then they can start searching for more speed, which will require more work. Just like real cars.   

 

[rvec]

Pablo,

 

Sorry, it has been many years since my focus has been on stamped steel chassis. In Oregon we have several clubs that race hard body 1/24 scale models mostly with either Deathstar or Falcon 7 motors.  Most chassis are scratch but our Group C class uses the Scholer production chassis.

 

Below are a few of my favorite rides.

 

Ferrari 512

 

Daytona Prototype

 

Group C (and other sports car) Grid at a recent race. My ride is the 962.

 

[macman]

So are you trying to say that 1/32 plastic cars are more reasonably priced that entry level 1/24 cars? While they are good-looking, they are slow in comparison to the 1/24 entry level alternate. 

 

Isn't the Scholer chassis one of those Euro nuts and bolts things??? Aren't they prone to fall apart without proper assembly??

[Dennis David]

Depends on what type of tracks you run on. For club tracks the Slot.it and NSRs are plenty fast. Actually faster than you may think. We don't race them on blue Kings.

[macman]

I guess its just a case of apples and oranges...

 

 

BTW This 1/32 Pro Slot Demon, Falcon7 motor, 80 pitch gears would very probably leave your little plastic things quivering in the dust. Its a real slot car, not a pretty toy.

 

Body is Betta Mercedes C111 which had entirely enclosed wheelwells... I just had to cut out the rears to get tire clearance due to chassis movement.

[Dennis David]

Macman,

What's your point? A rental wing car would leave your car in the dust. Please don't post on other people's thread unless you have something constructive to post.

Oh and BTW these are all toys.

[idare2bdul]

This is a blog where opinions are expressed. If you don't want negative opinions or any other input you may be posting in the wrong place.

 

I expect that most people that open a commercial raceway expect that they have the correct answer to be successful and that most of us wish them well.

 

The chances that this one will be open 18 months from now...

[911GT3]

Rich,

 

It's good to see someone making a business case for a slot car track. Good luck to Sidewinder Raceway. All I keep think about, it one more track to visit if I'm in their neighborhood.

[Dennis David]

A post that relates to the original topic is fine. One that just bashes another segment of the hobby serves no purpose. It's like me saying your wife is ugly. I guess that's OK since this is a blog and I'm free to express my opinion.

[havlicek]

Please don't post on other people's thread unless you have something constructive to post.

 
Glad to see that another track is doing business, but the above seems a little strange in a public forum. Basically, the thread here is sort of an "ad" for the track, but more than that... it expresses opinion (and a LOT of it) that there's something new/different/interesting going on that other tracks have missed. As such, it doesn't seem unreasonable at all for others to post their thoughts. Whether those thoughts are seen as "constructive" (meaning I suppose "agreement?) or not is besides the point.  

In any case, Greg's call is the only one that matters when it comes to these sorts of things.
 
-john

[rvec]

It occurred to me that I neglected to post some images of the raceway and a few links.

 

Website: http://www.sidewinderslotcars.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook...cewayAndHobbies

 

Main Track

 

New Track under construction

 

[rvec]

Opinions, Opinions
 
My opinion: Slot racing is a niche hobby - very popular in the '60s, now, not so much. There has always been the "conflict" between all-out speed and realism. My preference over the last 15 years has been for realism at the expense of all out speed. I also believe that scale models may appeal to a wider audience and hence be good for the hobby. A business owner's creed is "build it and they will come (I hope)". I wish any new business owner luck because he will need it to survive and prosper. In the end, it is the customer who will decide if the value proposition of the business is correct or not. I think Sidewinder Raceway is on to something. 

Again - Good luck Sidewinder Raceway.

[Dennis David]

Actually I like it all. My point is that the home racer dwarfs the commercial racer in numbers and we should all be more respectful of this segment of the hobby. Especially when they set foot In the commercial raceway. Since I mostly race on home tracks I would love to take my cars to a commercial track and be able to race them. The question is does the raceway owner really want us there?

I'm not saying Sidewinder has all the answers, just that there might be some things to consider. Maybe a dedicated 1/32 scale wood track.

[SlotStox#53]

Neat looking tracks! Having raced the supposed shiny toys "not real slot cars" for a long time and having raced scratch built cars using stamped steel chassis & 16d motors , can say that the scale toys are every bit as fast as the lexan & brass counterparts.

Yeah they aren't going to compete with wing cars but they are very quick ,that's not even talking about the playfit ,scholor and other bolt together ones.

The plastic ones require just as much setting up with gear ratio,mesh, tire & hub size, tire compound, braid , getting the body to float "just right" . The rest is up to driver ability & feel.

Big advantage no acid flux or soldering irons, so easier for non engineering types to be able to buy all the different goodies and get a good car .

Instead of bashing on the plastic ones try them sometime ,you may just change your mind.

I personally love all types of slot cars and would race whatever was/is available in my local area as it is afterall a niche hobby so certain types aren't available for you to race.

[Dennis David]

In our club NCSRA we have one series, Can-Am and two invitationals, Resinfest and Half Tonner GP that are open to brass chassis. We also run analog AND digital on wood and plastic tracks. We have road trips planned for Sidewinder and SCR raceway in Rohnert Park.

Are there differences of opinion, sure but we are trying to cross those gaps.

[CruzinBob]

I guess its just a case of apples & oranges...
C111SilverArrow.jpg
BTW This 1/32 ProSlot Demon, Falcon7 motor, 80 pitch gears would very probably leave your little plastic things quivering in the dust. Its a real slotcar, not a pretty toy.
Body is Betta Mercedes C-111 which had entirely enclosed wheelwells... I just had to cut out the rears to get tire clearance due to chassis movement.

Apples 'n Oranges indeed.   Where's the strawberries?!
 
Rich is a very good friend so I am biased.   I've also been on both ends of the stick ~ Slot car racing for ultimate speed and the slower version called appropriately model car racing. 
 
And I do love a man who calls me an institution ~ David.
 
To jump into a thread promoting model slot car racing saying you'd wup a$$ with an interesting looking car... is plain silly.
 
I'm too busy right now to post my comments about the state of this art so...

Later,

[Tim Neja]

Looks like an interesting raceway!! And certainly a "home" track style concept!! Should be able to pull in NEW racers with 1/32 cars---good luck with it!! All the best!! And you're right about "customer service" being paramount!! That will help bring people back and spread great word of mouth growth.  I'll have to stop in when I get in that area.

[EdC]

I'm trying to compose a response to this and be tactful and thoughtful at the same time...

I'm not finding it very easy to do since I like to drive fast and race faster, but I do like to play fair and finish the race at the same time. \

Just a reminder I am never politically correct either!

As a hobby I took up slot cars years ago and enjoyed building them as my model collection sat on the shelf and collected dust.

I liked driving the slot cars which soon brought me into racing slot cars which brought me into the sides of other slot cars in the lanes next to me.

Soon I realized that I would never win a race if my car was wedged into another slot car or in pieces scattered on the track.

The skill in racing is to finish a race and to be fast at the same time, anyone can use another car as a berm to bounce off, the skill is to be able to pass cleanly and have fun at the art of passing.

 

Anyway I have raced with all kinds of racers, old ones new ones and skilled ones... any age can have the skill and any age can pretend to be a racer.

 

And there is a class for all racers.

 

The C-111 was a very cool car, saw it at the NY auto show in the 70s'.. rotary engine I think?

 

http://upload.wikime...nz_C111-III.JPG

 

What's my point?? hmmm to race and have fun and enjoy it.

[Dennis David]

A little disclosure about myself. I first learned about slot cars when my uncle took me to a track in San Carlos in the 60s. I've also raced (for fun) on tracks in Southern California, the East Cost (Elmsford) mid-west, Australia, etc, etc. I will always have a soft spot for a commercial raceway, always. This track in Rancho Cordova is just trying to bridge the gap between rug racing and a commercial raceway by offering the racer a chance to race their cars on a larger track than most would ever have a chance to against others. 

 

This is the lure of a commercial raceway, a larger wood track and a chance to meet and race with other people. Seems that's what Slotblog is all about. I might do some things different than Billy but I support his efforts 110%

 

And our club, NCSRA will be there on the 9th of June for a race and BBQ and I challenge (friendly) everyone who can make it to raise a controller in friendship to the hobby we all love. These cars will surprise you and from what I heard this track will humble you. 

[Mbloes]

And THIS is the only thing I disagree with. NONE of my slot cars are toys.
 
My N scale model trains aren't toys, my bicycles aren't toys, and my slot cars aren't toys.

[W. J. Dougherty]

And I guess you don't race for bowling trophies either...