08 Laguna GP Group Buy Idea - Feedback?

[Dana Swenson]

Hello,

I was bored at work today, so I came up with a brilliant idea. Why don't we put together a group buy for a camping + parking package at the July Redbull GP at Laguna? I want to hear your feedback before trying to bring any of this to the next level.

I was thinking about a special package for VFR Groups in the low $200 range (which will be approx 20%-30% discount) that includes parking, your own large canvas tent already set up on location (so you don't have to lug your own), closed circuit TV, food + bev and general admission to the whole race.

I spoke with the Events Director at Laguna today about it. She told me that the July race is very close to being full, and the "off the shelf" hospitality packages are pretty much sold out. She was very receptive to my idea and is willing to get creative. We talked about carving out a separate camping section so the 10-20 VFR Group members who get on the group buy can all camp, party and enjoy the race together. As a kicker, I might try to get them to throw in a VFR Group parade lap so we could we can all hit the track and show the haters what VFRs can really do!! She is circling back with the Ticketing department and we are going to follow up later this week.

How many of you would be interested?
How many already have bought tickets/camping?
Is there anything you would add or subtract to make the perfect package?
What else?

If we could pull this off and it goes well, we could do it again for the September race, and it would keep getting bigger and bigger every year.

FYI - I also have this posted over on VFRD.com... For this to really work, we will need all hands on deck!

[Puma Cat]

If I were spectating, I think it would be a great idea, Dana. I will be there covering the event as one of the track photographers.

[reg71]

sounds like a cool idea to me. I haven't bought tix yet so I am down if it can happen... is that $200 each for the whole weekend or just one night? would that include a camp site or just a parking site at the race? My wife is interested also. So that's a probable 1 and a maybe 2. I think Tori and Brian might be intersted, too. If they don't chime in soon, I'll forward them a link to this message...

[SLOVFR]

Im interested let me know the details...

[R.W.]

Can't make it this year but I'd be very interested in 2009

[Dana Swenson]

Great, it sounds like a ton of people are interested both here and at VFRD...

The $200 (ish) price point will cover the whole weekend of admission and I think two nights campaign. Food, bev, closed circuit tv, parking etc. all included. I'm not sure how it works if a couple is sharing a tent, but ill be sure to ask when the Director from Laguna calls me back.

FYI - feel free to shoot this over to non VFR people as well, as long as they aren't Hells Angels...

[scramblerracer]

I would be interested in this for the Indy Moto GP weekend

[RVFR]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

If I were spectating, I think it would be a great idea, Dana. I will be there covering the event as one of the track photographers.

Foo on you........................ best way to see the race IMO

[Tori]

im intested

[Dana Swenson]

Quick Update - I got in touch with the person who handles Group Packages yesterday. He is sending me some example group packages and we will work out a few options by mid next week.

FYI - I am a moron... haha. The hospitality tents are only for enjoying the race, not for logding/camping in. I thought they were more like the pre set camping tents you see at some national parks, etc. So we would need to lug tents, but at least the food and bev would be taken care of. We can also try to work out a discounted room block at a near by hotel...

Keep the feedback coming!

[Tori]

im perfectly okay with a discount rate at a hotel

[NeverlosT]

id sell a kidney to do some laps at Laguna, but alas, I live in Rhode Island.... land of salted sandy roads and maniac drivers....

I wanna move!

[Dana Swenson]

Originally Posted by NeverlosT

id sell a kidney to do some laps at Laguna, but alas, I live in Rhode Island.... land of salted sandy roads and maniac drivers....

I wanna move!

I hear you, brotha. I just moved from Boston to San Fran on Jan 1st. Sold the truck, kept the VFR! Couldnt be better for carving through the downtown traffic...

[reg71]

I'm with Tori as far as prefer hotel over luggin a tent. Plus, my wife expressed interest in coming and she is NOT a camper. She might pop without indoor plumbing.

[Dana Swenson]

Please look for the new thread, we are all ready to go!

FYI - the Hospitality is still sold out for the moment, but I got some great discounts on ticket + camping packages.

Laguna had some ideas of a few add ons depending how many we get rid of. I'm not allowed to say, but tell all your friends who havent bought tickets yet and we will all get hooked up!