Survey: Grassroots Racing Industry Identifies its Biggest Challenges

The United States Motorsports Association (USMA) has revealed results from a survey it issued to its membership. The group asked just one question in the survey: What is the biggest challenge facing grassroots racing?

USMA membership is made up of racers, participants, track owners, promoters, industry professionals, manufacturers, small business owners and fans representing just about every form of racing across America.

“For days after the survey was sent out our email system was slammed with responses that came flooding in,” USMA stated in a news release. “It was quickly clear we’re a passionate group when it comes to the present and future of grassroots motorsports.

“Our team read through every response. Some were long and some replied with just one word statements. Each response was cataloged and analyzed.”

The top five response categories from the survey were:

1. Rising costs, affordable racing and money in general, 37-percent response
2. Declining youth interest in racing and automotive industry, 23-percent response
3. Governmental regulations & restrictions, housing and land development, 18-percent response
4. Lack of good promotion and organization, 14-percent response
5. Consistency in racing formats and rules, 8-percent response

Some survey responders elaborated further with comments like:

• “Complacency is killing our sport.”
• “The problem comes down to management from track owners, promoters, to car owners.”
• “I look in the Grandstands and everyone has gray hair.”
• “The inability of most facilities to be modernized enough to be comfortable and inviting to potential customers.”
• “Housing developments encroaching on race tracks then complaining about noise.”
• “Getting us all organized and on the same page like other sports and industries have done.”