Congratulations Luc, but does this mean that the price of 92 Thunderhill pump gas will go from $5 to $6?

 

I hear you, I will not worry too much about the price of gas because if too expensive, drivers will go to town, and they know it, but the price fixing lawsuit can cost TH a huge amount of money ( we're suing under a statute that mandate treeble damages and reiumbursment of legal fees if we win) and there is no doubt that TH will try to recoup some or all of this money by raising their fees to clubs and clubs to drivers.

BUT, I think that you're overlooking 1 key element which is NCRC moderating factor on prices.
In another words, by winning the lawsuit and the right to put a lot of events at TH, our pricing structure will force other clubs to keep their prices in check or even lower them ( why do you think that Trackmasters came up with a formula for lower entry fee or that TH is putting their own cheap track days?)
It's basic economics, without us competiting agressively on prices in the market, our competitors prices would be higher.
Also, since our lawsuit is also a class action, some of the money, if we win, will go back directly to you, the drivers in form of rebates,discount or others.

Frankly we did everything we could to avoid this lawsuit but we were not given any choice and bending over + paying for the vaseline is not our style

 

Your right Luc; prices have come down from many organizations based on your pricing structure and it is benefiting everyone as a result.

 

Im pleased to hear that things are going well. I went to speed ventures recently and was astonished how expensive it is or maybe how nicely price NCRC is , your definitely right about ncrc having a lower price to stabilize everything as price goes. good luck with everything else.

 

NCRC is definitely my top pick for an open track day Other groups' fees make me go

Good luck Luc and Dave!

 

Hey Z, if I had your $ I wouldn't worry about such minor things.

 

Sounds like Thunderhill tried to bluff and scare you guys off. Backfire much? Problem is they screwed up and didn't want to admit it. I don't want track rates to go up because of this, but NCRC is doing the right thing by keeping the track day market open, competitive, and legal. Price fixing and attempts to eliminate fair competition is against the law plain and simple. As long as NCRC pays the rental fee and adheres to the safety rules of the track, they should be able to charge whatever they want to their customers. If I were running T-hill, I would fire my lawyer, offer a hefty settlement to ncrc, and kiss their asses to make this go away. And stop listening to the whining of the other track day owners charging $300 per day instead of $99 per day who started all this in the first place. There are apparently plenty of people who prefer to pay more for a perceived (or actual) better day of driving and coaching. There's nothing wrong with charging over $300 per day either as long as you can get people to pay for it. Maybe they feel it will keep away the riff-raff and lower their chances of being hit in their ferrari by some kid driving "flat-out" in a 700 hp 99 camaro. That's fine. I don't think NCRC is asking track owners to limit the prices other organizations can charge their customers . Free market .

 

Dennis you must mistakenly think I'm loaded... besides you know us Asians are cheap no matter what

 

That's great news, Luc.

Luckily, I've never been the victim of a lawsuit, so I don't know how they work. You said the court requires Thunderhill to pay all your legal fees, then you say you're expecting another large check from them. Isn't your lawyer getting paid by receiving a percentage of the large check? So does THill have to pay your legal fees twice, or are those "legal fees" for your defense against their lawsuit?


Don't post an answer for the next question. You said before that you don't really want to damage Thunderhill financially. You said that the point of this legal matter was to stop THill's "price fixing" practices, and it looks like you're close to succeeding there. Have you thought about, maybe a few month after this is all over, giving most of the large check back to THill? You will have made your point with the THill management by showing them what could happen when they violate the law. Giving some of the money back would do a lot toward mending fences between you and the track.

 

Bob:

The " large check" IS to pay/reimburse us for the legal expenses that we had fighthing their extortion lawsuit, not additional money or "profit"

A few month ago ( after we had filed our lawsuit) we had a meeting with TH and made them a settlement proposition that only asked for a long term contract to make sure that we will have dates and not be discriminated against.
In another word, we were willing to take a financial loss ( legal fees, loss of income for 2010, etc) but they refused it and in response filed their extortion lawsuit.

Last week, after the court rendered it's decision on their lawsuit, we again made a settlement proposition based on them reimbusing us and the drivers for our loss ( legal fee on the price fixing, loss of income for 2010, extra expenses for our members having to run with other clubs instead of with us,etc) and a long term contract/ mechanism to insure that we will be treated fairly in the future as to dates.
We are waiting for their answer

 

I hope it works out this time so this can be settled fast so You can pick up the great job you guys are doing at Thunderhill as well !

Cheers, Hakan

 

See Post #58

 

See post #58

 

So, HOD got a break on pricing, but has the highest fees

John

 

Reading thru Luc's post again, the original lawsuit brought by NCRC seeking damages for price-fixing and unfair business practices continues(i.e. no judgement) but the court ruled for NCRC on a summary judgement for the coutersuit brought by Thunderhill for extortion.

 

I completely agree. Talk about taking advantage of the people that participate in their events.

Just shows another reason why NCRC was a good choice and so well liked. They paid a higher fee for the use of the track, but still charge their customers a cheaper fee.

 

Apparently some of us can read and we got that, but others want to spout off for no reason.

 

Always more than one side to disagreements.
Not a big fan of airing dirty laundry in public

 

I've been doing HPDE's for 5 years now. In that time I've tried all the driving groups. HOD (1 event in 3 yrs), SpeedVentures, Coastal Driving School, TrackMasters, NASA (1 event) and NCRC.

In the last 2 years, about 5-6 NCRC events per year and 1 or 2 events per year with TrackMasters. I think it's obvious what I have found with my experiences.

... and btw, I'm registered with NCRC for Thunderhill this friday and Laguna on 11-1

Keep up the good work Dave & Luc

 

I deserved that, and thanks. I was not spouting off for no reason, but you would be very correct in that I misunderstood. Dave and Luc have been emailing me, and Dave has really helped me to see the light. Thanks all for correcting me in my misunderstanding.

If any of us is perfect, let them present themselves now. And if you stand up for that, we'll all know you are full of it.