How do we promote sportsman type racing?

ALMACK · 10-18-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blown68

Promote is the "KEY" word.
Have you guys seen what happened last weekend @
SGMP: Radial Revolution, "No Mercy" - Oct. 14-16th

This was done by a promoter from Fl.
Make up a set of rules and have a Race!

Just my thoughts

Rob Striegel

I watched that race on the net.

Not only does the promoter "get it" , but the announcers were really getting into the action as well.....heck, it had me pumped up !

I was super impressed with how well the track personnel worked to speed up eliminations and provide a hookin' track.

BTW: the younger gearheads love that style of racing. It is so easy now to make silly amounts of power.
What does it take to attract younger gearheads to class racing ?

Jim Woods · 10-18-2011, 02:42 PM

Terry and Alex, count me in if ever needed

Mike Pearson · 10-18-2011, 02:58 PM

Personally i think we as racers put on a great show right now. If you like cars, trucks trailers or anything mechanical than you would like the drag races. one of the main problems we have right now is the track owners are not promoting their product. It is easier for them to sit back and do nothing to advertise the major events at their facility. What has happened lately is the track operators want to raise the gate fees for the racers so they pay their own way. The promoters need to get the main stream media in the local area of the races to do some radio and TV advertisement. Such as local interest stories of the racers that will be attending the events. Show some footage of previous events on the local news sports section. I dont know when the last time I saw anything on the local TV sports section other than the "Ball sports"and maybe a little NASCAR. Last weekend when indy car racer Dan Weldon was killed it made the head lines in the paper. something is wrong when it takes someone getting killed to get racing into the headlines. First you have to inform the spectators when the event is happening then you have to get the spectator interested in what is happening at the event. 3rd you have to give them good value for the dollar spent. Reasonable gate fees, food and drinks. Then you have to have a really good announcer that knows the racers and the program and is able to entertain the spectators and teach them what is happening on the track.
Drag racing is the most friendly form of racing for the spectator. They can walk through the pits and see the cars up close and talk to the drivers and crew. A day at the drags is a full day of entertainment.

Dwight Southerland · 10-18-2011, 06:27 PM

One angle to promote is that St/SS racing is that it is an active history lesson of American/Detroit hp development. That would take savvy promoter(s), announcers and racers. '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s and current all had exceptional offerings and our racing shows what that is. It also is a venue where each time period can be appreciated and compared. Or you could divide up different eras and/or different manufacturers. There is lots of material to work with. The key is knowledge, action and excitement. The comment that was made above from the fan about still not understanding the Stock/SS racing is a telling point - if you don't know the rules to a football game, it will be hard to appreciate the action. KISS.

It can be done.

Nathan Stinson · 10-18-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALMACK

I watched that race on the net.

Not only does the promoter "get it" , but the announcers were really getting into the action as well.....heck, it had me pumped up !

I was super impressed with how well the track personnel worked to speed up eliminations and provide a hookin' track.

BTW: the younger gearheads love that style of racing. It is so easy now to make silly amounts of power.
What does it take to attract younger gearheads to class racing ?

Yep Al Tucci and Chris were entertaining on the mic for sure. The SGMP track guys worked their butts off all weekend and kept the surface tight. You are right that people like the power but I think the thing that most enjoy is the fact that it is all heads up balls out racing all the time, casual fans get that. No dailing in, no bitching about what the other guy runs under the index or wether the car has a blower or carb on it, its grab a lane and race if you get beat find a way to make your stuff faster and do better next time. That is real heads up racing its that simple.

Ed Fernandez · 10-18-2011, 11:41 PM

Just some food for thought.S/SS has been around how long?
How long have these heads up options been around?
How long do you think it will be till they get stale?
Remember the Nopi srries?
How abouut the recent index classes at national events?
Top Stock/Jr Stock?
See a pattern?

ALMACK · 10-19-2011, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Just some food for thought.S/SS has been around how long?
How long have these heads up options been around?
How long do you think it will be till they get stale?
Remember the Nopi srries?
How abouut the recent index classes at national events?
Top Stock/Jr Stock?
See a pattern?

Good point Ed.
Although I do see Index Racing staying around for awhile. It's just a glorified form of bracket racing.
Yes, all of the heads up racing is all the rage right now. I have seen a surge of popularity in small tire heads up racing even at my local track.

Unfortunately, that type of racing almost always insures that some will be financially burnt-out in a short time. Some racers will even go as far as to get a second mortgage or cash in their 401K just to keep racing once they get the heads-up bug. That's plain crazy!

It's not what I want to do with my retirement fund, but I can understand the addictive nature of heads up racing.

I'll probably never win a heads up race, (even if I pair up with another H/Pure Stocker ) so I'll just keep bracket racing where I have an equal chance of winning.

Blown68 · 10-19-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Just some food for thought.S/SS has been around how long?
How long have these heads up options been around?
How long do you think it will be till they get stale?
Remember the Nopi srries?
How abouut the recent index classes at national events?
Top Stock/Jr Stock?
See a pattern?

Ed

You are right, I just saying use this a model to promote S/SS

Daran Summerton · 10-19-2011, 10:15 AM

After we left Reynolds Sat. we stopped in at SGMP for the Radial tire race. Reynolds had a huge spectator turn out for a divisional race probably 100 - 150 spectators. Those who have been to SGMP know the pit side will hold close to a 1000 we could not get a seat there so we went over to the other side (concrete) and had to squeeze in because there was no room anywhere. Sportsman racing is alive and well!!!! You have to run 4.20 - 4.50 is all - on M/T 275 drag radial

Wade Mahaffey · 10-19-2011, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey
Do you promote drag racing, and if so how? Do you feel that it's someone elses job, and all you have to do is race? Would you like to see the sportsman classes thrive with ten deep at the frence? How about more payout for all the long hours spent on your race operation? Do you feel any obligation and/or responsibility to introduce/promote/sell your product to the general public? Have you noticed the pros in NASCAR and NHRA using plain white trailers? I have'nt, I guess it's because they feel the need to promote and generate interest. They actively court the fan and that sells shirts, hats, toys and oh yea...tickets! I know they have funding in place for these programs, and we struggle just to get there with our entry. But I feel we all could do a better job of promoting the sport that we love. With the low car counts, talk of folks quiting, enhancments, etc etc, what are you doing to keep it alive. I know, you race and you promote on your car. But you promote to folks that are already there at the track....they already bought a ticket! We need to attract new fans and that means everyone working towards that common goal. I'm not saying form a picket line with support sportsman signs, but you could get involved in some community functions ie. local car shows, grand openings, school and church functions, etc. And you guys that arrive a day or two early for an event could roll the cars out at a local shopping center or busniess. You can't sell interest when you hide your product in a plain white box, and then you pull it out forty miles outside of town. What do you do to promote the sport you love?
I posted this on 2/17/11

Another idea to bring new folks into our sport, is to allow racers to bring guest with them at no charge. Bring a few kids from the neighborhood in your tow vehicle and they get in free. They'll spend 15-20$ while they're there, and that's more than an empty seat will spend. The folks involved in the sport (racers & promoters) need to fill the seats.

When you see the bleachers empty, think about it like this: that empty seat brings in 0$ and 0 fans and 0 exposure. Let them in free, fill the stands, sell t-shirts $$$, sell hot dogs and sodas $$$, create a fan base $$$$$$, maximize exposure to more fan potential $$$$$$$$, Do you get it? Wed-Thurs at NHRA Nationals free admission to fill all of those empty seats I saw at INDY. Let them see the pro teams, and they'll pay to watch them actually run on friday....FILL THE SEATS! Guess what, now that the stands are full, you promote the hell out of the sport and each fan will go home and tell ten more. That's how you build a fan base..........that's how you make $$$$.

Racers that arrive early just to sit in line to get a good parking spot, should have a deal with the track. Sign up to promote it goes like this, example: you arrive on Monday, report to the tower to sign in (say your the tenth rig to arrive that wants to take part). you recieve the 10th prime parking spot once parking is started on Wed/Thurs. You are then directed where to set up and display the car locally in town. This way you still get the same spot that you got there early for, plus you promote yourself and the NHRA/IHRA....the sport you don't want to die!

Wade Mahaffey

10-18-2011, 02:42 PM	#2
Jim Woods Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: celina, ohio Posts: 623 Likes: 4 Liked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Terry and Alex, count me in if ever needed __________________ Jim Woods

10-18-2011, 02:58 PM	#3
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,453 Likes: 616 Liked 1,939 Times in 583 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Personally i think we as racers put on a great show right now. If you like cars, trucks trailers or anything mechanical than you would like the drag races. one of the main problems we have right now is the track owners are not promoting their product. It is easier for them to sit back and do nothing to advertise the major events at their facility. What has happened lately is the track operators want to raise the gate fees for the racers so they pay their own way. The promoters need to get the main stream media in the local area of the races to do some radio and TV advertisement. Such as local interest stories of the racers that will be attending the events. Show some footage of previous events on the local news sports section. I dont know when the last time I saw anything on the local TV sports section other than the "Ball sports"and maybe a little NASCAR. Last weekend when indy car racer Dan Weldon was killed it made the head lines in the paper. something is wrong when it takes someone getting killed to get racing into the headlines. First you have to inform the spectators when the event is happening then you have to get the spectator interested in what is happening at the event. 3rd you have to give them good value for the dollar spent. Reasonable gate fees, food and drinks. Then you have to have a really good announcer that knows the racers and the program and is able to entertain the spectators and teach them what is happening on the track. Drag racing is the most friendly form of racing for the spectator. They can walk through the pits and see the cars up close and talk to the drivers and crew. A day at the drags is a full day of entertainment. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

10-18-2011, 06:27 PM	#4
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 2,001 Likes: 64 Liked 780 Times in 194 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? One angle to promote is that St/SS racing is that it is an active history lesson of American/Detroit hp development. That would take savvy promoter(s), announcers and racers. '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s and current all had exceptional offerings and our racing shows what that is. It also is a venue where each time period can be appreciated and compared. Or you could divide up different eras and/or different manufacturers. There is lots of material to work with. The key is knowledge, action and excitement. The comment that was made above from the fan about still not understanding the Stock/SS racing is a telling point - if you don't know the rules to a football game, it will be hard to appreciate the action. KISS. It can be done.

10-18-2011, 11:41 PM	#6
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Just some food for thought.S/SS has been around how long? How long have these heads up options been around? How long do you think it will be till they get stale? Remember the Nopi srries? How abouut the recent index classes at national events? Top Stock/Jr Stock? See a pattern? __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

10-19-2011, 10:15 AM	#9
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? After we left Reynolds Sat. we stopped in at SGMP for the Radial tire race. Reynolds had a huge spectator turn out for a divisional race probably 100 - 150 spectators. Those who have been to SGMP know the pit side will hold close to a 1000 we could not get a seat there so we went over to the other side (concrete) and had to squeeze in because there was no room anywhere. Sportsman racing is alive and well!!!! You have to run 4.20 - 4.50 is all - on M/T 275 drag radial __________________ 72 cutlass

10-19-2011, 11:05 AM	#10
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey Do you promote drag racing, and if so how? Do you feel that it's someone elses job, and all you have to do is race? Would you like to see the sportsman classes thrive with ten deep at the frence? How about more payout for all the long hours spent on your race operation? Do you feel any obligation and/or responsibility to introduce/promote/sell your product to the general public? Have you noticed the pros in NASCAR and NHRA using plain white trailers? I have'nt, I guess it's because they feel the need to promote and generate interest. They actively court the fan and that sells shirts, hats, toys and oh yea...tickets! I know they have funding in place for these programs, and we struggle just to get there with our entry. But I feel we all could do a better job of promoting the sport that we love. With the low car counts, talk of folks quiting, enhancments, etc etc, what are you doing to keep it alive. I know, you race and you promote on your car. But you promote to folks that are already there at the track....they already bought a ticket! We need to attract new fans and that means everyone working towards that common goal. I'm not saying form a picket line with support sportsman signs, but you could get involved in some community functions ie. local car shows, grand openings, school and church functions, etc. And you guys that arrive a day or two early for an event could roll the cars out at a local shopping center or busniess. You can't sell interest when you hide your product in a plain white box, and then you pull it out forty miles outside of town. What do you do to promote the sport you love? I posted this on 2/17/11 Another idea to bring new folks into our sport, is to allow racers to bring guest with them at no charge. Bring a few kids from the neighborhood in your tow vehicle and they get in free. They'll spend 15-20$ while they're there, and that's more than an empty seat will spend. The folks involved in the sport (racers & promoters) need to fill the seats. When you see the bleachers empty, think about it like this: that empty seat brings in 0$ and 0 fans and 0 exposure. Let them in free, fill the stands, sell t-shirts $$$, sell hot dogs and sodas $$$, create a fan base $$$$$$, maximize exposure to more fan potential $$$$$$$$, Do you get it? Wed-Thurs at NHRA Nationals free admission to fill all of those empty seats I saw at INDY. Let them see the pro teams, and they'll pay to watch them actually run on friday....FILL THE SEATS! Guess what, now that the stands are full, you promote the hell out of the sport and each fan will go home and tell ten more. That's how you build a fan base..........that's how you make $$$$. Racers that arrive early just to sit in line to get a good parking spot, should have a deal with the track. Sign up to promote it goes like this, example: you arrive on Monday, report to the tower to sign in (say your the tenth rig to arrive that wants to take part). you recieve the 10th prime parking spot once parking is started on Wed/Thurs. You are then directed where to set up and display the car locally in town. This way you still get the same spot that you got there early for, plus you promote yourself and the NHRA/IHRA....the sport you don't want to die! Wade Mahaffey