The thorny issue of day tickets

Should scooter rallies be ticket-only? Stu Owen reports…

Since the age of the properly organised rally scene began, thousands of scooterists have attended them.

The Nationals led the way and, while they were free — you can’t cordon off an entire seaside resort — there were some parts we had to pay for. Camping and custom shows, for instance, or entry to the official rally site, required an admission fee, and rightly so, because it costs the promoters a lot to put them on.

That format still exists and, in places like the Isle of Wight, with so much going on, it’s up to the individual where they choose to spend their money.

However, the rally scene has changed somewhat from the days of a few Nationals scattered around the country. These days, rallies are congesting the calendar throughout the summer months; more than you can shake a stick at.

That’s a good thing because it gives scooterists plenty of choice about which ones they want to attend, but it also raises another question.

Most of them are inland, away from the coast and in a specific area, making them easy to enclose. That means the promoters can make them ticket-only, where those attending pay up in advance and gain all the benefits of what’s on.

This format has been in place for some time, and I’m pretty sure that everyone reading already knows how it works, so you may wonder what I’m rambling on about.

Recently, a row broke out over refusing day-trippers entry to an event. The argument that ensued had people taking both sides; those who thought it should be allowed and those who didn’t.

The argument continued for some time, with neither side refusing to back down, but it did raise some interesting points that should be mentioned.

So, imagine the scenario where you have put on a rally at considerable expense. You need to sell enough tickets to ensure you get your money back and make a profit; otherwise, what’s the point?

There is, of course, the option for people to pay at the door, which may be slightly more than those who have paid in advance. That is common practice if the weather forecast is bad, for instance, and most promoters know that gate receipts are made up of both advanced and on-the-day or weekend entries.

The problem arises when someone decides they want to attend for a short period, for example, on a Saturday daytime. Okay, so they can pay a smaller cost, but they don’t get the benefits that others do. It sounds good because the promoter can get the extra revenue that can make all the difference in turning a profit.

The problem that arises with this is how to police it all.

The wristband system is fine, but does that mean someone needs to go around and check if you must leave because your time is up? VFM has such a system in place and, therefore, they know how to make it work. However, those hosting smaller events don’t always have the resources to check everyone.

I recall one such event where this happened, and big arguments broke out because many who had only paid for the daytime stayed on and benefited more than those who had paid for the full weekend.

I won’t bore you too much with it, but it almost ended in a full-scale riot as those who had paid more took it upon themselves to eject those who shouldn’t have been there.

Then there are the more inclusive events, such as EuroLambretta, where the tickets are far more expensive. That’s perfectly acceptable due to the great expense of hosting such an event, considering that attendees receive a gala meal, souvenir bag, legshield banner and so on.

These types of events are strictly limited because they can be planned in advance to determine the required resources to cater to everyone, and it’s about covering the costs, not trying to make a huge profit.

Therefore, allowing people in on the day for a reduced price takes the edge off for other attendees who feel like the event is being watered down a little. Remembering also that people travel all over the world to participate in that type of event, depending on the country it is in.

It could be argued that not allowing people in for the day is stopping exposure to the scene, but when an event is ticket-only, it’s being done for a reason.

If you allow a member of the public in, will they then buy a Lambretta at considerable expense and ride it to these types of events across different countries? Probably not.

It is specifically an enthusiasts’ event, where the right to keep close control is perfectly acceptable.

If someone wants to experience a rally and learn more about it, the best way is to attend a National event, allowing them to make an informed decision.

An inland rally is different because, as outlined, you must pay to get in for the weekend. If the promoter allows day-trippers at a reduced price, then that’s fine, so long as they can enforce it appropriately.

If they do, then all is well; if not, then the problems it causes are their responsibility.

Should a rally or scooter event be ticket-only? Yes, if it’s specific like the one highlighted. Nothing is for free; someone must pay for it somewhere, and if rallies run at a loss, they won’t survive.

If you want to attend, pay up like the majority do; they are well worth the cost.