Strange Engineering/NHRA dispute

[Jim Craig]

Originally Posted by GUMP

Clueless!

The decal is everything. I am sure that your parts purchase makes the manufacturer happy. But, do you really think that your purchase warrants a contingency?

Tim has it right. The car show sells parts. Thats the bottom line. If we represent the parts in a positive manner the manufacturer has the potential to sell to the masses. Every time a fan walks into your pit space and asks about your car your positive feedback sells parts.

From my (a manufacturer) standpoint....the decal is not "everything". While it is located in that sea of decals you have on your car and the customer sort of sees it, that's great.....but what's "everything" is that you the racer, or builder offer that positive feedback to the inquiring spectator on what components make you successful -- hopefully the ones used on your vehicle and you do have that decal displayed. Word of mouth is what sells components, you being successful results in other racers looking to you for guidance / advice, I doubt that other racers even look at your decals.......

[Chuck Beach]

Decals can enhance a car or ruin the looks of a great paint job. Racers, chassis builders and engine builders know which products work, are reliable, last and help us go fast.

[GUMP]

Originally Posted by Jim Craig

From my (a manufacturer) standpoint....the decal is not "everything". While it is located in that sea of decals you have on your car and the customer sort of sees it, that's great.....but what's "everything" is that you the racer, or builder offer that positive feedback to the inquiring spectator on what components make you successful -- hopefully the ones used on your vehicle and you do have that decal displayed. Word of mouth is what sells components, you being successful results in other racers looking to you for guidance / advice, I doubt that other racers even look at your decals.......

Maybe the word "everything" was too strong. But basically you just repeated the rest of my post.

I have had manufacturers that don't post with the NHRA but know that I run their product ask me to display their decals. So, I know that the decal is VERY important to some. I also know that a lot of companies love to see their logo on TV and in print. I am also sure that they don't give me logo T-shirts just because they feel sorry for me!

Do you guys pay if the decal isn't present?

[njk53]

Don't kid yourself, decals, banners, T shirts, etc. play a significant part of the advertising dollar spent for a manufacturers product. It is all about name/logo and product recognition. When a customer is searching for a product, the name of a manufacturer that the customer recognizes from advertising is more than likely considered.
Do you think Budweiser would give the NFL, NHL and MLB long dollar and not display their banners and electronic displays? I think not.