How do we promote sportsman type racing?

[cutta]

I say car shows and promotions in major shopping areas where the masses can see the cars they will see at the track and maybe have a limited number of a free tickets and apparel available as apart of that. Let the kids take pictures in the cars, occasional start ups(if allowed), to expose people to these cars. I see them do the nascar display stuff at Walmarts all the time, why not Stock and Super Stock. Also doing this stuff at local school events might help expose the younger generation to this stuff as well. At least with something like this, you will get major exposure. I would suggest you involve numerous cars from all classes as well, A couple top sportsman/top dragster cars, a few comp cars, a few sg's, stockers, and super stockers. Doing something like this during the week of an event might help the track and you guys.

[SSDA Hemi]

OMG, Some excellent posts so far.

First, to this years true sportsman promoters, Toby Lang, Patsy and Larry Hill, Jack Matayas, Tom Sheehan, David Smith and the countless others who have gone to an event and posted videos, photos and results, THANK YOU!

I think we need to promote the classes amongst ourselves. I would be willing to chip in to hire a videographer to tape SS sessions. I found myself watching Toby's videos this year and realize that it takes too much time to race and tape. It is a job in itself, and THANK YOU Toby for the videos you've posted this year.You outdid yourself, but set the stage for the first neccesity of promotion. We need someone to tape at the races, and not a racer. I found myself watching Division 6 SS races more than once. Better than tv...

I posted pictures of my car as it rolled out of Buckys spray booth on moparts.com and before you knew it the rest of the build followed up until its debut. People wanted to see more pictures of the car and it grew from there. There is not too many tracks I go to that someone doesn't come up to me and say they saw my cars build on the web. They appreciate the effort I put forth building it and I am very thankful for that. The internet is a proven outlet for sportsman promotion.

And I tried to tape a run with a gopro camera this weekend, to add Jack and Toms live MG thread, but buckled in the car for first round the camera shut off, and second round it never shut off and killed the battery without taking a video… I tried!

We have to start somewhere and this thread is a start.

[danny waters sr]

I would say have tech at the wal-mart or shopping centers (malls ) of choice .this way the people at these locations could get some understanding of the do's and don'ts as well as see the cars up close and personal with the curriosity to go see these cars run.
Maybe have a live radio station to broadcast at these locations with ocasionally talking to some of the drivers and possibly some of the tech guys for some insight.and a few ticket give-a-ways

[Rick Leininger Jr.]

Originally Posted by danny waters sr

I would say have tech at the wal-mart or shopping centers (malls ) of choice .this way the people at these locations could get some understanding of the do's and don'ts as well as see the cars up close and personal with the curriosity to go see these cars run.
Maybe have a live radio station to broadcast at these locations with ocasionally talking to some of the drivers and possibly some of the tech guys for some insight.and a few ticket give-a-ways

I vaguely remember having to tech at a shopping center at a race or two out
west (Salt Lake City?) when my dad was running stock in the late 70's. Never thought of it as a promotional tool, great idea Danny!

[Mile High]

Just an idea here. Instead of going to the track days ahead of time to "stack" at the track maybe local racers can arrange for racers (local and out of town) to park at the malls or big stores to show off their rides. I think this would creat an interest from the locals to come and see the person and car they met at the store.

Jeff

[Myron Piatek]

Originally Posted by Mile High

Just an idea here. Instead of going to the track days ahead of time to "stack" at the track maybe local racers can arrange for racers (local and out of town) to park at the malls or big stores to show off their rides. I think this would creat an interest from the locals to come and see the person and car they met at the store.

Jeff

IHRA did that a few times years ago when Norwalk was under their sanction. Main street in Norwalk was blocked off, variety of race cars were on display, food vendors, music & much more....it was great! But I'm sure it wasn't easy to organize.

[SStockDart]

Not a bad idea to tech some cars in somewhere other than the track. The "Off Road, Desert Racers" do not tech in at the racing venue and it creates a lot of action. Big difference between Desert racing and our racing but it could be done. I would recommend that a class rotation for tech somewhere other than the track. In Las vegas, as example, work it out with the downtown casinos to tech there and cars be required to "fire them" to drive to the tech position. That would really be a blast. As example, stage Super Stock cars about a half block away from a tech area, then bring then up one or two at a time. Burn outs and wheel stands allowed? Naw. Too dangerous. The noise alone would draw the crowd. Take it a step further, Ford cheering section and same for GM and Mopar. Would the casinos go for it if you brought 80 cars and crews and another 3,000 spectators, I bet (pun intended) they would. Gary Hansen

[Mile High]

I'm thinking of something relatively simple. The racers can spend a night or 2 parked in the big parking lot and get the car out to clean or just show it off to create interest from the locals. I know I've spent a night at a Walmart before while traveling. You'd be close to resturants and supplies before heading to the track for the weekend. Blocking off a city street would take alot of effort. Racers could "volunteer" using this website and stores or malls listed on here too.

Jeff

[ALMACK]

As posted above, seperating the Pros from the Sportsman ranks might help. Most spectators just don't understand the class racers and the staggered starts and bracket racing style eliminations.

Anyway, I had this wild idea at the NMCA race in August at Beech Bend. I watched a very popular class called Nostalgia Super Stock and it was pretty neat. There were over 70 of those cars at the track. it was a index format but still cool to see those ol' cars.

Wouldn't it be cool if there was an "exhibition" class for all class racers at the NMCA events to allow the spectators who are not familiar with class cars to see these machines up close ? Could be a combo race format or other type elimination.

Anyway, it probably won't happen but it would be neat to combine the 2 types of racers at the same event and get some more exposure for the class racers.

Just my .02c.

[SSGN]

Promoting sportsman racing on it's own as a part if NHRA would help.When s/ss started did it not use to run off the national record or something,before my time?A sportman committee that is voted from within.I love stockers but it is real hard for new fans to grasp the concept(not car people just your average spectator)Just some ideas

Kevin