Dick Bulter

Steve Dillman · 06-01-2007, 12:48 PM

I don't know if you were at Norwalk Div. Race but whoever is their marketing person, he or she did a great job at promoting that race. It was the first time in years that I saw people in the stands and it was at least 1/2 full. Most race tracks could take a look at how they run a first class operation. We need to help in someway promoting our issues and someone to hear us. I felt like you were slamming us, the super racers. I really don't know what the answer is, but would like to sit in on any discussion that might help. Steve

Steve Dillman

Michael Beard · 06-01-2007, 01:21 PM

One thing I noticed right off -- they didn't advertise it as a Divisional race or a Sportsman race... it was the "Cavalcade of Stars". Advertise it like the show that it is, and reap the rewards! Kudos to Norwalk.

Michael Beard
Staging Light Graphic Design & Printing
Duck Tape/Loctite Racing
H - I - J/CM '80 Volare 360 Magnum

Lynn A McCarty · 06-01-2007, 01:24 PM

Steve,

Agree!

The Baders know how to sell. The also know how to treat a customer. There was a "Customer Service" window with a lady and a radio out front helping people.

Most of us had electrical plug ins and ours didnt work, they apologized for taking 30 minutes to repair it. Hell we offered them food and pop as we were so grateful. You know how nice it is to be amongst racers talking and no generators running?

Other than the car wiping out a converter, the only thing negative we had to report was losing our buddy Ron Stewart to the ice cream stand many times. This was definitely an enhanced racing experience.

Lynn

Amy Niceswanger · 06-01-2007, 01:58 PM

Lynn,

We too, were on the same electric box as you and the gentleman knocked on the motorhome door to apologize and said it would be repaired soon, which it was. I agree with Michael that they certainly know how to fill the stands!

P.S. As far as the ice cream goes, this was the first race I EVER attended where O'Malley bought something cold other than beer!!!

Dick Butler · 06-01-2007, 02:11 PM

Marketing is ONE component. Site is another, History of treatment of fans and racers is another. I heard this was excellent event. Wish I could have been there as I have not ever been to Norwalk.

Dick Butler 3529

RichBiebel · 06-01-2007, 03:00 PM

Maple Grove's Lucas race last weekend had a lot of spectators. Stands were filled with people on the spectator side. They ran a special deal something like $20 a carload and before the race began on sunday they offered free crossover entry to the pitside. That was done courtesy of Gary Richards...owner of the P.C. Richards chain of appliance stores. He obviously loves racing himself as he has a number of cars that he races and his company sponsors our open series as well as other races and various events. Maple Grove must have done a good job advertising before the event to get that many people in the stands.

chebby2 · 06-01-2007, 05:44 PM

Steve, Mr. Butler apparently thinks super racers don't belong, just only on a local level.He's going to bring new life to sportsman racers with his populated top stock.
So did he slam us? Yep , What's new....

C Root

Dick Butler · 06-01-2007, 07:14 PM

Chebby2, Steve
Not sure where I appeared to slam you guys. Sorry if it seems I did. Not intentional.
Persons dont make the rules they run by. They make choices of the things offered to them. Percieved cheaper racing, shoe polish, studdering to delay the racing and get an advantage. etc. are methods of racing allowed by the rules. Fine. Good for the sport overall or individuals?
With time NHRA has added more and more classes. They advertise less and less because they must think they dont have a product to sell to the spectators when it comes to Sportsman racing.
I happen to think Sportsman racing is a good product also. Enthusiasm in announcing, advertising and production of the events is crucial. Class Nationals was fantastic.
I happen to also believe some rules currently used are losing us spectator appeal. Too much Dial in racing in S and SS, too little Class easily understanable racing.
Too much electronic dependence,Too much visible delays in racing for a couple of examples.
Just because these things are "allowed" today doesnt mean they are right for long term Drag Racing by Sportsman. Just my opinion.Again I am not slamming anyone, but some of the rules or methods could be improved.

Dick Butler 3529

06-01-2007, 12:48 PM	#1
Steve Dillman Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Greenwood, In. Posts: 25 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dick Bulter I don't know if you were at Norwalk Div. Race but whoever is their marketing person, he or she did a great job at promoting that race. It was the first time in years that I saw people in the stands and it was at least 1/2 full. Most race tracks could take a look at how they run a first class operation. We need to help in someway promoting our issues and someone to hear us. I felt like you were slamming us, the super racers. I really don't know what the answer is, but would like to sit in on any discussion that might help. Steve Steve Dillman

06-01-2007, 01:21 PM	#2
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	One thing I noticed right off -- they didn't advertise it as a Divisional race or a Sportsman race... it was the "Cavalcade of Stars". Advertise it like the show that it is, and reap the rewards! Kudos to Norwalk. Michael Beard Staging Light Graphic Design & Printing Duck Tape/Loctite Racing H - I - J/CM '80 Volare 360 Magnum __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

06-01-2007, 01:24 PM	#3
Lynn A McCarty Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Plainfield (INDY) Indiana Posts: 468 Likes: 1 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Steve, Agree! The Baders know how to sell. The also know how to treat a customer. There was a "Customer Service" window with a lady and a radio out front helping people. Most of us had electrical plug ins and ours didnt work, they apologized for taking 30 minutes to repair it. Hell we offered them food and pop as we were so grateful. You know how nice it is to be amongst racers talking and no generators running? Other than the car wiping out a converter, the only thing negative we had to report was losing our buddy Ron Stewart to the ice cream stand many times. This was definitely an enhanced racing experience. Lynn __________________ Lynn A McCarty 3470 SS

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06-01-2007, 01:58 PM	#4
Amy Niceswanger Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Zanesville, Ohio Posts: 94 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lynn, We too, were on the same electric box as you and the gentleman knocked on the motorhome door to apologize and said it would be repaired soon, which it was. I agree with Michael that they certainly know how to fill the stands! P.S. As far as the ice cream goes, this was the first race I EVER attended where O'Malley bought something cold other than beer!!!

06-01-2007, 02:11 PM	#5
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Marketing is ONE component. Site is another, History of treatment of fans and racers is another. I heard this was excellent event. Wish I could have been there as I have not ever been to Norwalk. Dick Butler 3529

06-01-2007, 03:00 PM	#6
RichBiebel Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NewJersey Posts: 36 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Maple Grove's Lucas race last weekend had a lot of spectators. Stands were filled with people on the spectator side. They ran a special deal something like $20 a carload and before the race began on sunday they offered free crossover entry to the pitside. That was done courtesy of Gary Richards...owner of the P.C. Richards chain of appliance stores. He obviously loves racing himself as he has a number of cars that he races and his company sponsors our open series as well as other races and various events. Maple Grove must have done a good job advertising before the event to get that many people in the stands.

06-01-2007, 05:44 PM	#7
chebby2 Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 256 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Steve, Mr. Butler apparently thinks super racers don't belong, just only on a local level.He's going to bring new life to sportsman racers with his populated top stock. So did he slam us? Yep , What's new.... C Root

06-01-2007, 07:14 PM	#8
Dick Butler VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Indiana Posts: 1,196 Likes: 5 Liked 32 Times in 19 Posts	Chebby2, Steve Not sure where I appeared to slam you guys. Sorry if it seems I did. Not intentional. Persons dont make the rules they run by. They make choices of the things offered to them. Percieved cheaper racing, shoe polish, studdering to delay the racing and get an advantage. etc. are methods of racing allowed by the rules. Fine. Good for the sport overall or individuals? With time NHRA has added more and more classes. They advertise less and less because they must think they dont have a product to sell to the spectators when it comes to Sportsman racing. I happen to think Sportsman racing is a good product also. Enthusiasm in announcing, advertising and production of the events is crucial. Class Nationals was fantastic. I happen to also believe some rules currently used are losing us spectator appeal. Too much Dial in racing in S and SS, too little Class easily understanable racing. Too much electronic dependence,Too much visible delays in racing for a couple of examples. Just because these things are "allowed" today doesnt mean they are right for long term Drag Racing by Sportsman. Just my opinion.Again I am not slamming anyone, but some of the rules or methods could be improved. Dick Butler 3529