posted
what are the demographics of dbDRA's membership.
Nothing like male/female, but more like street/superstreet/extreme, and how many members. After all the discussions, and from my perspective many focusing on street class (1-2 specifically) I was wondering how many people, percentage-wise, compete in that class vs the others.
Another reason I ask, is to lead up to the arguement of keeping street at finals. I know it's impossible to get demographics on who's competing in trunk cars vs extended-cab trucks vs hatchbacks vs suvs/minivans with no seats in ... but in general I'd like to know how many street members there are - heck, even how many street competitors took to the lanes this year, members or not.
I know, time consuming task, but it's the marketing part of my brain working this morning on how to grow dbDrag, to see where the bulk of competitive supporters are, and maybe look towards the potential effect on classing and rules in the 2002 season. Even better, I'm willing to volunteer to help put this stuff together if it's not already. In the long run, it could be used as a way to promote the sport, get more advertisers (maybe non-car audio sponsors?) to support major events.
We know basically that the primary demo is male, 18-35, one of the most coveted advertising groups out there. But what other areas aren't being tapped... (slow day at work)
[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: Dragon Lady ]
-------------------- When you find yourself standing in a hole and holding a shovel, stop digging.
Certified IASCA/idbl Judge ** 2002 IASCA SQ Points Champ ** IASCA Pro Street 601+ * USACi Pro 601+ * SLAP Pro Street 601+ ** Team Gates ** dBs
posted
Seriously tho, maybe a 10-question survey to go out to members- anonymous but would include simple stuff: sex (and make it M/F not blank so nitwits don't answer with "yes") age class city/state vehicle # shows attended in 2001 season: # multi-points: if street: box location: if street suv/minivan: compete w/seats in or seats out
This is all theoretical, but based on experience -
It would help not only in the marketing of dbdrag to non-audio entities as sponsors, but would also, IMO help see where the bulk of the competitor base is. Say 50% of registered members are in street class. And of that 50%, 80% are running with their enclosure in a trunk of a 2 or 4-door car, another 10% are in hatches and in extended cab trucks. 5% are running SUVs/Caravans without seats, and 5% with seats. Should perhaps the rules be tailored to those who make the majority of the class- those with seats in?
I know it's a lot of work to get fair rules for street classes, but if street IS the majority of competitors, maybe that's where the focus on changes needs to go first. Think about it- while EX and SS vehicles do fantastic numbers, the average guy going to a show will see that and think "I can't ever hang". But the average guy sees a street-class car, and says "I can do that!". And the average street-class car is the one paying full or near-full retail, so you know the shops and manufacturers get a benefit out of seeing street at major events.
-------------------- When you find yourself standing in a hole and holding a shovel, stop digging.
Certified IASCA/idbl Judge ** 2002 IASCA SQ Points Champ ** IASCA Pro Street 601+ * USACi Pro 601+ * SLAP Pro Street 601+ ** Team Gates ** dBs
34% in Street class (2 classes total) - 16% of the invites 53% in Superstreet class (5 classes total) - 42% of the invites 13% in Extreme class (5 classes total) - 42% of the invites
Again this lists only the people that have logged on to termpro and stated what class they are in (total of 1402). I will be willing to wager that the numbers will be even more shifted towards the street class if you take into account all of the people who haven't stated their class. I'll bet that almost all the extreme cars have registered, and probably most of the superstreet people, but I'm willing to say that HALF of the street competitors haven't.
Then take into consideration that Wayne invites the top 15 for finals, and you can see that those who are extreme only have to be roughly in the top 25%-30% of their class (even less in other classes, as in 9-12, all but 2 could have gotten invites on points, regarless of score), whereas the in street 1-2, if we take 15, that is only the top 5%.
That said, we have the classes with the most people per class, and they have the most rules enforced on them, and subsequently have the fewest percentage of invites to finals per person, so anyone can understand why they are the most heated debate topic.
And I don't think that you can tell 34% of db drag that they won't have a place at finals next year.
[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: Shedluv ]
-------------------- Team Shedluv Team Sweep Team Kicker Team JBL
posted
You also aren't taking into account the brand new competitors ... the ones who aren't members yet, but are doing one or two shows, trying to get a feel for it, with plans to compete and make a run at finals if they think they can do well enough.
By the time the season was halfway through, and I mean no offense to the guys in the caravans who found a gray area, I know guys who were close to making it, coming out of their trunk, and gave up because they knew they couldn't afford caravans, and couldn't compete at 154-156 db to make that top 5% of the class... there were probably some newbie competitors who got their clocks cleaned in that effort and may have said "screw it, I'm going elsewhere".
I know more than one competitor who did get loud out of a trunk, but opted to hold back because they knew they'd get slaughtered at finals if they got their score certified, and have to move up to the costlier bracket. These are the guys who do this for the love of the sport, but do it on a limited budget- street guys who don't own a shop or work for one, don't have sponsorships ...
Of that third who are street competitors, say 20 move up and out of street. That leaves how many with no ultimate goal to compete through the course of the year, other than a show here or there?
-------------------- When you find yourself standing in a hole and holding a shovel, stop digging.
Certified IASCA/idbl Judge ** 2002 IASCA SQ Points Champ ** IASCA Pro Street 601+ * USACi Pro 601+ * SLAP Pro Street 601+ ** Team Gates ** dBs
posted
also it doesnt take into account the people who are in a higher class that have a street car as well, which do they really compete in? This is the major area I would like addressed in this 3 month off season. And like Alma said lets all get on the same page and make sure we do have finals next season.
-------------------- ---JASON SMITH--- Man its been a long time Posts: 906 | From: Ozark, AL | Registered: Mar 2000
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quote:Originally posted by alma gates: Actually, if we don't straighten up our act, there might not be a finals next year for anyone. Just a thought . . . .
Well said. However from the look of this years finals, I think it is more than the competitors who need to work hard to make sure there is a finals next year too.
-------------------- Team Shedluv Team Sweep Team Kicker Team JBL
posted
Nudging this one up so the right guy can see it. I know demographics and the 02 season aren't a priority at this point - but I'd not mind pitching in and helping crunch numbers.
-------------------- When you find yourself standing in a hole and holding a shovel, stop digging.
Certified IASCA/idbl Judge ** 2002 IASCA SQ Points Champ ** IASCA Pro Street 601+ * USACi Pro 601+ * SLAP Pro Street 601+ ** Team Gates ** dBs Posts: 5428 | From: Orlando, Florida | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Looks like I'll have to go Extreme 9-12 next year. Run like 9-6W0s in my truck and 1000 watts of power. Guess I'll have to take out my headliner and put a piece of wood on my dash so that its a mod. I'll compete all year long and never break a 160, but at least I'll be able to go to finals.
-------------------- Team Shedluv Team Sweep Team Kicker Team JBL
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