How do we promote sportsman type racing? - Page 5

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

X-TECH MAN · 10-19-2011, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

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

Wade....your last paragraph is spot on IF you can get NHRA/IHRA and the track management to do this. Most old retired farts or "Proffesional Sportsman Racers" are getting to a race about a week before the gates even open. Make your time count for getting there early for the good of the sport !

Wade Mahaffey · 10-19-2011, 11:48 AM

Terry, When I was a kid, my dad told me something that I have used through out my life. I have had great success in racing, fabrication, and my career as a Firefighter. The phrase is
"YOU ONLY GET OUT OF SOMETHING, WHAT YOU PUT INTO SOMETHING" and boy was he right......IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EFFORT! DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN....MAKE IT HAPPEN YOURSELF!

Wade Mahaffey

ALMACK · 10-19-2011, 12:48 PM

I liked the one idea a member here posted about letting a fan sit in the pass. seat during the warm up.

I will never forget the impact that had on me as a young man when I got to sit in a fast (and loud) car. It made me even more hooked !

SSDA Hemi · 10-20-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN....MAKE IT HAPPEN YOURSELF!

Wade Mahaffey

OK Wade, you realized there was a problem in February, what have you done?

This is the problem, there are alot of good ideas here and this thread will slowly die and none be implemented. If you look at the new thread on the current state of the NHRA, something needs to be done.

On Sunday in the water box is when I realized there is a BIG problem. My season is now officially over, but I will do something for next year. And I will refer to this thread for notes. Thanks to ALL who had ideas and posted.

And Almack, that is what officially hooked me, except it was a stab on the return road, I was 11 or 12 years old. Still remember my head being pinned back and trying to watch the tach, while he shifted. Hook, line and sinker! Thanks Don Eckel!!

Mile High · 10-20-2011, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

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

Great post. Unfortunately I think most tracks are happy with the captive audience (crew people, spouses, girl or boy friends, etc.). They get their $15 entry and don't need to promote the racing. This is a problem not just NHRA or IHRA sportsman racing but bracket racing in general.

Bracket racing isn't that hard to understand. We understand it don't we? Racers put a number on the window what the car will run (dial in) and if they run their dial in and lose their reaction time to green was worse than the other racer.( simple version ) People need to know the rules like any sport to understand it.

Jeff

skills · 10-21-2011, 09:48 AM

I know I am going to get killed for this but how would be feel about a street legal class? I don't mean the mustang street legal with all the nitrous. Tracks have the friday night street races so what about a street legal class run on the division level and national opens. Not much tech just has to be insured and with inspection and tag. If ran bracket style than anybody can race then you add a new batch of people at the track and possible have the chance of adding new juice into classracing too.

Harry 6674 · 10-21-2011, 11:04 AM

We can't draw fans with shoe polish on the windows. Never has never will. With so many on this forum alone scared to death of a heads up race that they would not go if they were sure of heads up races, we are doomed. We either get rid of shoe polish and bring the fans back and probably lower car counts or leave the writing on the windows and continue down this same path.

10-19-2011, 10:15 AM	#42
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	#43
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

10-19-2011, 11:48 AM	#45
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? Terry, When I was a kid, my dad told me something that I have used through out my life. I have had great success in racing, fabrication, and my career as a Firefighter. The phrase is "YOU ONLY GET OUT OF SOMETHING, WHAT YOU PUT INTO SOMETHING" and boy was he right......IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EFFORT! DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN....MAKE IT HAPPEN YOURSELF! Wade Mahaffey

10-19-2011, 12:48 PM	#46
ALMACK VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 1,941 Likes: 132 Liked 372 Times in 130 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? I liked the one idea a member here posted about letting a fan sit in the pass. seat during the warm up. I will never forget the impact that had on me as a young man when I got to sit in a fast (and loud) car. It made me even more hooked ! __________________ Alan Mackin Stock 3777/ SS 3377 P/SA & SS/PA Fox Thunderbird I/PS '95 Mustang GT

10-21-2011, 09:48 AM	#49
skills Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hershey,pa Posts: 187 Likes: 0 Liked 8 Times in 1 Post	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? I know I am going to get killed for this but how would be feel about a street legal class? I don't mean the mustang street legal with all the nitrous. Tracks have the friday night street races so what about a street legal class run on the division level and national opens. Not much tech just has to be insured and with inspection and tag. If ran bracket style than anybody can race then you add a new batch of people at the track and possible have the chance of adding new juice into classracing too.

10-21-2011, 11:04 AM	#50
Harry 6674 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 589 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing? We can't draw fans with shoe polish on the windows. Never has never will. With so many on this forum alone scared to death of a heads up race that they would not go if they were sure of heads up races, we are doomed. We either get rid of shoe polish and bring the fans back and probably lower car counts or leave the writing on the windows and continue down this same path.