Business idea

kaspar139 · July 1, 2002

Hey guys, I am kicking around this business idea, and wanted ya'lls input on whether you think it will be successful, what I could include, and any other ideas/thoughts you may have.

:exclaim: I am thinking about purchasing around 300 acres, and building an offroad park for 4x4s. A place where you can pay to drive offroad. There will be advanced and beginner trails all over the land, as well as a small atv track of some sort. Then, in the front of the land, there will be a mud bog pit, and a sand pit. Just some thoughts I have been kicking around. I live in Houston, TX, and it seems to me that there would be enough business in the area to keep me afloat (to help pay for 300 acres ). And, as time progresses, I can buy more land, and expand the park.

Let me know ya'lls thoughts on this, it may just be a reality soon!

Needless to say, I am starting to get chlostrophobic working downtown, and need to get out of this office!

chane · July 1, 2002

Sounds like an awesome idea! Not sure what kind of insurance you would have to keep in case someone was hurt or killed on your land though. There are some idiots around that would do something really stupid and blame you/your setup for it.

kaspar139 · July 1, 2002

Very, very good point. I guess some sort of liability waiver would need to be signed before they are free to trail ride.

What about what about lodging facilities for travelers? Maybe even just a few campsites or something?

DuckhunterInTN · July 2, 2002

Yeah, liability would be your biggest concern. Some drunk idiot comes up a hill and creams somebody and you would be screwed without insurance. It would be a good idea, though, because of the amount of people with 4x4s and no place to use them.

CMNTMXR81 · July 2, 2002

It would probably be pretty much the same as opening a drag strip or other race track. Perhaps it would be a good idea to talk to the owner of such facility to find out what they had to do. But insurance is the HUGE item!

Another thought, seeing as though you will have off-road machines out there, I'd be pretty sure some "environmental activist whacko" group will be paying you a visit or protest you. So be sure to stock the legal representation coffers to battle them as they seem to have an endless supply of government backed subsidation due to local representative's that are sympathetic to their cause in order to stay elected.

Timmys88Z · July 2, 2002

Interesting idea...

Get in touch with a lawyer or two and figure out the legality of it and the liability issues.

And I would definitely make a business plan and do a lot of research and studying on the demand.

TheScaryGuy · July 2, 2002

Make sure you do it next to an area of large interest. (big city) Maybe do some polls of guys at local autoparts stores n such. You've got to remember guuys will prolly want you to have extraction equipment for people who get big headed. I don't think mud is the way to go down in TX though. More like a baja track with whoops and a rockcrawling course. I think mud pits would be to high maintence there. Besides you can't make gumbo like in MI and wisconsin! I'll post more as I think of it.

MarkD · July 3, 2002

Sounds like a cool idea. Some points to ponder, some already mentioned...

insurance/liability

massive disclaimer

charge for everything

tech inspection (fluid containment)

extraction procedures

rules/qualifications

pacodiablo · July 3, 2002

use good fencing as well, someone WILL try to break in

have a food/drink stand if possible

sell some inexpesive things like cheap tow straps in the event that someone comes unprepaired (that WILL happen as well)

have a good beater tow/recovery vehicle (or two) that is easy to maintain

get good insurance

have a mile long disclaimer (think of EVERYTING)

maybe set up some cookout/camp sites (maybe even cabins)

have celebration (party, b-day, etc...) facilities if possible

have special events on holidays

get sponsors to help with costs

get a good logo for your signs/trucks/ads

make money!

kaspar139 · July 3, 2002

You guys rock, this is all good information.

I had definitely thought of the fencing concern, but I was thinking about it in terms of people trying to go out, not break in! Definitely need to think about that as well.

And, I agree with theScaryGuy about the mud, I just know that to have SOME mud is better than all sand and red clay. Red clay can be naaaaaasssssty!

Keep it comin fellas! Thanx!

Jen · July 3, 2002

You know what kaspar? I have thought about doing the same thing! My problem is I have no money...it would be awesome if you put a park like that around Houston (I live in College Station). Goodluck!

Gig'em Ags!

Timmys88Z · July 3, 2002

Also (which would be included in the business plan) you need to run some numbers...

How much can you and would you charge for useage? What will be your expenses? How much for the land? And how much revenue will you bring in? Will it pay for all your costs?

You need lots of research and lots of planning.