119 replies to this topic

[MSwiss]

Of course, there are seasonal businesses, but on the 6(?) months they operate, are they only open 20 days?

Of course, there are raceways that own their own commercial building, but they are paying a mortgage on that commercial building, or if paid off, are paying taxes, have to pass safety inspections,have a business license associated with what they are actually doing, carry business insurance associated with they are actually doing.

Just curious, in your case, since you put up your building, how much have your taxes gone up?

[Pappy]

Of course, there are seasonal businesses, but on the 6(?) months they operate, are they only open 20 days?

Of course, there are raceways that own their own commercial building, but they are paying a mortgage on that commercial building, or if paid off, are paying taxes, have to pass safety inspections,have a business license associated with what they are actually doing, carry business insurance associated with they are actually doing.

Just curious, in your case, since you put up your building, how much have your taxes gone up?

What difference does it make how many days a year you are open for business, that's your own business. 

 

Here in Ohio a business license in a lot of cases is just a permit/obligation to collect sales tax. Seems like I read where OMS is in a commercial location with another commercial business operating out of the same location. So it looks like he is legit.

 

My property taxes went up a little but I am neither a commercial raceway or a slot car club. When I want to have a race I contact my friends, we get together, drink a little beer and have a great time racing. I can also just have the people I want to be around come over, I don't have to cringe when certain people walk through the door.

 

Since we're into asking personal questions I have one for you. 

 

I have heard through the grapevine that you inherited a lot of money and that you don't make your living from the profits of your raceway. So my question to you is, does your raceway support itself or do you subsidize it as your hobby? 

 

I've tried the commercial raceway business three times and I know you have to sell a lot of parts and a lot of track time to just pay the overhead. In the summer time it's almost impossible to make overhead if all you have is road course racing and no other source of income like a hobby shop to go with it. I'll never open another commercial raceway.

 

Seems to me that the gentleman from OMS was nice enough to tell us how he operates and how it's been successful for him. He's not telling you or anyone else to copy his business plan. So I don't see any reason why anyone would even criticize him, what he's doing is great for slot car racing. Anything anyone does to promote slot car racing is great in my opinion.

[OMS]

After sitting back and getting some good laughs at the statements from some of these simpleminded guys that my father has now decided to stop arguing with. I want to thank you Pappy for your kind words and statements towards OMS.

By the way I wouldn't expect a solid answer from Mike. If I've learned anything from watching him argue with you, my father and mayberryman. I've learned that he's as good at making a statement and then dancing around the statement when someone questions its authenticity. As Obama is at dancing around the subject when someone questions his birth certificate!

[Samiam]

Holy Crap!

 

You know a thread has run it's course when someone drags Obama into a slot car forum!   A sure sign of being locked down soon.

 

This all started when apples were used to compare tastes with oranges. Both are fruit and taste sweet. I like them both. But they are different fruit. Some buy both. Some only like one or the other. 

 

Brent only mentioned some of the things that were going on at OMS to demonstrate the outside the box success. He was not comparing the business side since there is NO comparison. This has now taken a course where name calling and politics has entered the fray. Time for the padlock.

[jimht]

Blah, blah, blah and everything you read on the Internet or in the papers, hear on the radio or watch on Fox news is the gospel truth and don't forget all the eyewitness accounts of flying saucers and Bigfoot.

 

If someone says it and someone believes it, it must be true.

 

Life is short but keyboard racing is forever.

[Samiam]

Hold on there Jim.......

 

If it is on the InterWeb it MUST be true.

 

And lay off FOX. University studies have shown them to be accurate 17 percent of the time.

[JimF]

Good point!! I forgot completely about drag racing. I'm not a fan BUT slot drag racing is a BIG draw for most raceways that have them. A drag strip needs to be added to your store.

 

Just an additional thought on the drag racing thing. I'm not a fan either and never have been (going all the way back to the late 60's) but......there's a following. As an example, I'll cite Motown Raceway in Modesto Ca. They have two normal commercial tracks and a strip. When I go there to practice, test etc, with my Retro cars, there is always action on the drag strip. I often go on Sundays when the other tracks are dead but the strip has 6-10 guys racing. Many of them come from a goodly distance. These guys are serious and their cars are mostly exceptionally well done models. Some of them are highly accomplished road racers too but drags are "just what they do now".

 

Much of this success is due to the track owner, Gene Braham who embraces all sorts of racing and races himself. By racing it.....he understands it and I personally think that this is a key factor. Enthusiasm and also knowledge from behind the counter translates to enthusiasm on the floor. I think this is one of the key aspects of a successful raceway. Some diversity and an owner who understands the playing field, can be one of the keys to success.

[Gator Bob]

 when someone questions his birth certificate!

 

What about his Death Certificate?

 

.... someone drags Obama into a slot car forum!  

 

This all started when apples were used to compare tastes with oranges. Both are fruit and taste sweet. I like them both. But they are different fruit. Some buy both. Some only like one or the other. 

 

 Time for the padlock.

 Who's gonna drag him out?

 

Don't get too sweet and fruity on us ....

 

Padlocks = good

 

 

Life is short but keyboard racing is forever.

 That could leave an impression....

 

 

And lay off FOX. University studies have shown them to be accurate 17 percent of the time.

 

School of Hard Knocks has them at 87%

 

And those legs ... 100%

[Samiam]

Have to agree with Jim on the Drag Strip. Any raceway that has room should explore the option of a Drag Strip.

 

Almost any night I go to SAL to race or test there are racers on the strip. And they bring newbies with them. These guys spend money. Just wish we had a better source for car models. They never stay on the shelf long.

[Arne Saknussem]

This conversation was going along just fine until Mr. Brent Hottle got a bug in his bonnet and jumped Spencer Wilkinson and Mike Swiss for no good reason.  That pretty much set the tone for this extended lack of intelligence.

 

To the Hottles I say "well done" and offer my best wishes for continued success.  I would point out that dirt track oval racing may be the rage where you live but it's generally regarded as poop where I grew up.  No offense intended, just stating fact.

 

To Mike Swiss I say the same and wish he'd been in operation when I lived in Chicago.  I would encourage you to proceed with a drag program as I think you will be surprised by the revenues generated.  Bracket racing saved 1:1 drags and they make slot drags a mass appeal hobby.  And choose your software carefully.

 

And to all I say take the political horsecrap elsewhere.

[Gator Bob]

 That pretty much set the tone for this extended lack of intelligence.

 

 

Thanks for bringing it back.

[jimht]

Drag racing, I couldn't agree more. I've had one in the past and if I had the room I'd have one now.

I never did grasp the draw until I realized racing is racing...getting beat on a drag strip (or winning) is just like getting beat anywhere.

 

The really neat thing about drag racers is that since they have to wait so long to race they occupy their time waiting by building another car so they have more cars to enter and more chances to win.

To have a bunch of guys building with parts they just bought while 2 are racing is a pleasant sight to behold from behind the retail counter.    

[OMS]

This conversation was going along just fine until Mr. Brent Hottle got a bug in his bonnet and jumped Spencer Wilkinson and Mike Swiss for no good reason.  That pretty much set the tone for this extended lack of intelligence.

Not sure where I jumped Spencer for no reason?! I never said one bad word towards him. I merely stated how Mike danced around his questions also. As for jumping Mike, he sure jumped in with negativity towards me long before I did him.

[Matt Sheldon]

Actually Brent you made the initial engagement in post #48. Prior to that Mike was talking drag strips and then his slot sense kicked in when he realized you were home based.

[MSwiss]

Matt,
Of course, I never bad-mouthed the size of his track or the cars they run.


Just that it was a club, that you already mentioned, operates under a different set of rules.

[OMS]

You guys might want to take some reading lessons! I never attacked first! I was asked to talk about our track and explain how it works! Then I responded to the ignorance that was asked. End of story, it's clear that you guys only read and see what you want and ignore the rest. So there's no need to continue with either of you. have a good day!

[jimht]

You know, well meaning folks that are attempting to communicate with each other verbally may use sarcasm or jokes or even ask questions to try to correct a misunderstanding.

 

They have developed proper social skills so they rarely terminate the conversation by saying:

 

"I responded to the ignorance that was asked. End of story, it's clear that you guys only read and see what you want and ignore the rest. So there's no need to continue with either of you. have a good day!"

 

Such statements appear on Internet Forums because words without context are easily misconstrued.

If the quoted statement was made to someone's face they might respond physically instead of verbally. See smiley face:   

 

Do you really think you should just jump into this Forum and say such things to members that have been involved for many years and that all have slot cars as a common interest?

 

Lighten up and understand that being questioned here is not the same as being interrogated.

You're not being driven away; you're going of your own free will, why?

 

 

[PCH Parts Express]

Pappy said:

 

"I've tried the commercial raceway business three times."

 

That is very cool that he did all that work. Thank you Pappy.

[OMS]

I'm leaving on my free will because it's obvious that there are only a handful of people on here that truly read the posts before responding. I didn't jump on here. I was asked to post on here by the administrator. The issue with Internet forums begins with people who will run their mouths behind their computer. I myself will never type something I wouldn't say face to face. If everyone typed that way things wouldn't be so easily misconstrued. I also have years of experience in slot cars! I don't care who I speak to. If someone comes at me with negativity I will come back at them in the same way.

[Cheater]

I'm going to close this thread down, but I'll be back later to make a few comments of my own.

 

Geez, I go out of town for a few days and the inmates start rioting...