Any word on the gate and take?

[marada mx3]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

The word is that the insurance premiums were reduced by having fewer bleacher seats.

My untrained eye told me that the attendance was down this year. Maneuvering in the pits on Saturday was easier than it ever has been, and the food lines were much shorter.
We spent Friday evening in town for my youngest daughter's 21st b-day, and the casinos were ghost towns. We ate at the Silver Legacy's seafood buffet, and the lines are usually about 15 minutes long, but we walked up at about 7:00 and went right in.

This was my first year at the NCAR and I thought, based on many attended airshows through the years, that the attendance was very good. I can't compare to previous Reno years, since I had never been, but the stands I was in on Thurs and Fri were 75% full (Sat & Sun looked full) and the pits reminded me of the Wings Over Houston general admission area - very well attended. At one point on Saturday, while walking through the pits, I felt like it was bordering on too many people to remain enjoyable. Not fond of waiting in long lines for food or merch. Come to think of it, never had to wait in line for a Sani-Hut!

I don't know about friday night, but the Silver Legacy was jam packed on Saturday. Could have been due to the fights in Vegas that were being broadcast (it wasn't due to George Thorogood because there were plenty of tickets left for that show).

Hopefully this year's races were a financial success and we get to return in 2014. It would be a bonus if more Unlimiteds showed up so we get some Bronze races. All in all, I had a great time and hope to do it again.
Tommy

[Race5]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Attendance early in the week was WAY down, and it got better later on, but overall it was still down. The best way I heard it phrased was by a crew member that has been to the last 30 or so races. "This is a great Wednesday crowd. Too bad it's Saturday."

[JMS]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

The bleacher seats were not put up because of the new construction to the terminal.

A "local" commented the reason was because there was no military component to the Air Show. I suppose somewhere in between is the answer.

[John H]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

The worst thing is there seems to be Zero buzz in town about what supposedly generates 80 million a year in tourism revenue. I fly in Friday and there isn't one !!!! piece of advertising regarding the air races in the terminal. Bad. There were no billboards any where that advertised the event. Reno just doesn't seem to give a care about it at all. I'm wearing my Strega shirt, and the clueless taxi driver taking me from the airport to the hotel asked if I lived there ! Yea I do each Sept for three days.

[johnnyrace]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Spent the entire time in the pits, but to me it seemed busy...Saturday in particular seemed very crowded in the pits...Trying to get around in a golf cart was a nightmare as the main traffic area was shoulder to shoulder most of the day...Definitely seemed more crowded than 2012 in the pit...Did not see the grandstands though...Vendor collections said sales were much stronger than last year.

[Sky Critter]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

I spent about 4x over past years. Partially because it was the 50th and the rest just to try and support the races.

Wasn't really paying attention but, did the local schools bring the kids out this year?

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

I spent about 4x over past years. Partially because it was the 50th and the rest just to try and support the races.

Wasn't really paying attention but, did the local schools bring the kids out this year?

Jim, I too spent a lot more than usual, making it a point to try to eat lunch from a vendor every day I was there for lunch. The Philly Steak's behind the GA bleachers were special!

Yes, the kids were there, can't remember which day but I saw a lot of them in the pits, I think, friday, or thursday..

[gordonronco]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

it was busy enough in the pits that i wasnt able to snag one of the VooDoo sunglasses they were selling (he says begrudgingly)

[BaylesScott]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Saturday and Sunday the place was packed! The Gold line-up was Epic and the weather let them race all classes safely. 2014 PRS and NCAR otw..

Attendance will be up!

[GRNDP51]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Jim, I too spent a lot more than usual, making it a point to try to eat lunch from a vendor every day I was there for lunch. The Philly Steak's behind the GA bleachers were special!

Yes, the kids were there, can't remember which day but I saw a lot of them in the pits, I think, friday, or thursday..

I was there on Friday and there were plenty of schools and kids represented for sure.

[ShermB]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

[ Yes, the kids were there, can't remember which day but I saw a lot of them in the pits, I think, friday, or thursday..[/QUOTE]

THe kids were on the field Thursday and Friday. Many homeshoolers and some ROTC's. The local schools did not have transportaion (buses) due to loss of levy. The RARA Foundation does have year round activities for kids. The idea is to steer them toward aviation careers.

[AERRACE]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Back in the 70's and early 80's when one of the casinos conducted fan surveys at the races the favorite part of the event by a wide margin was consistently the military demo teams. I doubt if a like survey was taken today with one of the military teams as part of the show the results would be that much different. WE go for the Races, but in order for RARA to fill the stands they need to attract a considerable number of non-race fanatics who are coming to see an "air show", military participation does that.

Frank

[Air Boss]

Re: Any word on the gate and take?

Even more recent, according to 2012 ICAS (International Council of Airshows) surveys (and make no mistake, Reno is also an air show), military jet demo teams rank #1 in attractions, followed by modern military, then warbirds, military static, warbird static, etc. Civilian aero is around 6th. Granted Reno is a bit different from your average "air show", but....

Fact is those grey A/B jet folks but butts in seats...and $$$ in the till.