re-brand sprint car racing

[Boneman]

One of the primary responsibilities of a promoter has got to be building a relationship with the local news media: the paper, the TV sports editors and a variety of radio on-air personalities. Yes, this would be a full-time job at the beginning. Yes, it would take some skill and great persistance to overcome whatever happened in the past.

Over the years I've heard lots of reasons why this can't be done. Reasons like the paper only publishes if you advertise with them, etc.. I bet these reasons are true, BUT you can't give up. Its time to find a new way to penetrate and get on the same team with them.

Just because it didn't work in the past, or at least hasn't worked lately, does not mean that it can't work at all. Apply persistance and creativity over and over and over.

There it is from the arm-chair quarterback. No, I am not volunteering to do it, but I am certain it can be done, and must be done by whomever is supposed to be building attendance at the gate (assuming there is a show worth seeing).

[andre]

Here some things that I have learn through personnal experiences:

Mr Everyday Joe DO NOT read newspaper ads, unless he is looking for it. So Joe Blo, unless he is looking to go to a race, or a race fan himself, he will not read your ad in newspaper.

An ad in a newspaper is very very expensive, here in Québec Journal, a 4X4 inches add, in sports section(not prime place) will easily run you 500$, Journal of Montreal... 2 to three time that much. A good publication in Fl probably burst into the thousands real quick. Way too much for what they bring.

And no, newspaper do not talk more of the ones that buy ads in their journal, 2 completes differents departements that have nothing to do with each others. Tried that many times, always to be sent my way. Which finally led me to the real way.......

Here's the real way to go: make friend(brown envelope$$$) with the sports writer of the journal you wanna be in. A very good & colorfull article , WITH PICTURE, in Thursday morning edition, will really help you with the fans count. The Thursday deal is the day supposedly people decide what they do in coming w/e.

Another thing, for your announcer, pick one that works in a well known radio station. Somehow, sometimes, he will inevitably talk about your racing events on air.

It's a good thing too to invite journalist at your events, have a special place for them, with some food and drinks, always help and very cheap compare to ads. Make them feel welcome and like kinda king of the night. Always remember they can help you a lot if they decide so.

And make sure you have an entertaining and well run event, bcuz all this stuff is worthless with 4 cars feature or an event that run forever into the night.

[legendofauto]

I do think you are mistaken about rebranding the clubs. It won't make a bit of difference. Just my opinion...

[Boneman]

I've made my case, so what is your idea?

The status quo has worked in the past, but is not working at the moment. Who knows what the future holds? TBARA has a single Florida race scheduled, CFWSCA has two, Checker Flag has none.

[legendofauto]

Competition can somestimes be a painful thing. There are too many clubs, that are cutting each others throats. Two of them should just die off. The owners would have to sit while things consolidate. The demand isn't there. There are too many winternational races too, IMHO but that's another topic. The fans wallet has to have time to recover for the regular season too! There should be fewer races. That should improve the car counts and the competition. Consolidation my friend. Right now there are only X amount of people that want to watch sprint cars. Make the shows fewer and special and the demand should grow, not overnight but right now there isn't much choice but to ride it out. If demand doesn't grow, well that's what you have to work with. Remember this is a hobby...run it like a hobby, not a business. Maybe the clubs should take some surveys at the tracks and see what the fans want???

The original (and best ) club (TBARA) should open up to both dirt and asphalt like it used to be with rules to keep engines together and tire cost at a minimum. If you slow the cars down a second a lap nobody would notice but it would be cheaper to operate. If you choose to run in just one group fine your choice, but you will hurt yourself on points. The other clubs really popped up because there are a few individuals that thought they could do a better job...well have they? Concentrate on a few centralized locations to make it easier on the car owners and make the fans come to you. I bet many folks drive 50-100 miles to see a sprint car race in the midwest. Traveling out of state for a team is just crazy for the purses that are paid. Lower travel expenses are like an increase in the purse! Cut operating costs and you can live better with todays purses.

Also change the rules and make the cars look like sprint cars again rather than modifieds. Ditch the big side panels on the chassis so you can see the driver. That was one of the original appeals of open wheel racing. I am not being nostalgic but I think there is alot of truth there.