Two suggestions to help rebuild Speedworld

[Boneman]

Our car counts are pretty weak, and I know there are a lot of competitors sitting on the side-lines for some reason. We can’t entice them back to action with offers of more money, cheaper tires, cheaper fuel, or for a Wal-Mart style expense roll-back. Hope all you want, but these things are not going to happen. So what to do? I have two ideas.

When my business is down, I call my customers. FASCAR managers should contact racers who have their cars up on stands. Stop by their shops, bring a pizza, bring a few beers, spend some fun time BS’ing about racing and ask them to get back in action. Yes, some racers will bitch non-stop, BUT others could be convinced if they thought someone in authority cared about their presence and listened to what concerned them.

Some racers are hopeless and are always looking for excuses to complain and not to race. Avoid the teams that will just waste time and cause frustration, and spend time instead on the teams that can be reached. If they had a problem in tech, discuss it like adults. Point out that the tech staff has changed, maybe the rule has been rewritten, or they just have to get their equipment right. I think most will listen and even respond if they are assured they will get a fair chance.

Whatever the topic, let them know that it is in the best interest of the track to have them back in action, and that they will get a square deal. I don’t envy the task because there will be some headache drivers and owners that will ask for free passes, special deals, etc. Obviously this is not an option, but if there is contact and communication, I like the chances of getting some more cars out there.

More than anything, we need more racecars. It is entirely possible to add 4 cars a week to the pits, and that is 10% growth at this point.

Next idea: market the track to racers as the best place to get safe seat time. Point out the obvious fact that when there are fewer cars on the track, fewer will get torn up. Coupled with the Friday night schedule, Speedworld is the best place for new cars and new drivers to get up to speed. Did anyone get towed off the track last week? I don’t think a single car got torn up that bad.

[rhinoracing11]

To Fix OSW in one word-- DIRT.Orlando has a chance to take Advantage of the open hole w VCS down.Ocala is doin ok so is Eastbay.
Track with High banks,creats new excitment,a NEW challenge for drivers and mechanics.A-LOT of promotion needed will stir up something NEW
There hasnt been a NEW draw from OSW or NSS to bring in new drivers to keep the line goin.Heck the stritly stock cars sale for 3500 used,come on how does anyone compete w that!!!That might force the drivers there to go to NSS therfor more cars at that track.JMO I have been to NSS this past Nov and Feb there jusy isnt many cars...
Rob

[MOE #15]

Orlando COULD BE THE BEST TRACK IN FLORIDA

Hate to say this but seams to be getting worse. Feel bad for the drivers that do come and have to race with 10 people in the stands it is very sad but there is just no promotion being done and don't see that changing anytime.

[MOE #15]

Calling No One Hello!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Boneman just one group that have not got a call after they left are the Cuddy's and hell they leave down the block.

[UREZ2PASS]

Ya know Boneman, calling or stopping by racers shops is an excellent way to get people back to the track. Not only would it show them that the track wants them there, it would be a good way to find out why they left and can anything be done to remedy the reason they are not racing at FASCAR tracks.

I'm glad somebody finally thought of that ! Great thinking !

[Tommy King]

Ya know who used to do this Bobby Diehl! Love him or loathe him the man was always promoting.

[SeminoleWind]

If I owned a race track, I'd be calling every driver within 100 miles, every week. Costs nothing but time. You have 100+ cars in the pits and an efficient/entertaining show, it will advertise itself.

[Winger]

If I owned a race track, I'd be calling every driver within 100 miles, every week. Costs nothing but time. You have 100+ cars in the pits and an efficient/entertaining show, it will advertise itself.

I know some of these guys like to talk so you'll probably average 15 minutes per call. Let's see 100 calls of 15 minutes each equals 25 hours a week, assuming you get everyone on the first try. Better make this a conference call. LOL
I'm just picking on you. I know what you mean. It's a good idea to keep in contact with all your customers in some way.

[Winger]

Ya know who used to do this Bobby Diehl! Love him or loathe him the man was always promoting.

Heck, he still is. Some may not like the style or format but he does promote.

[Bobby Diehl]

People like talking to people.

People like to talk to people. You could find out a lot if you just listen to what they have to say. Yes Winger your right. It takes hours and hours talking or leave messages than answering them back. BUT!!!! You could possible answer questing about why they aren't coming. Heck a lot of the time it was that they just didn't know. Everyone has a busy, busy schedule. Or may need a part. By talking you get to know who's got what. And everyone wants to race in a bigger show. But if your job or passion is putting people in the stands you need to give them what they paid for, a show. Also some of the BEST ideas came from other opinion or ideas. Sponsors are just a call away as well. Many times talking would led to getting some new business involved. The biggest part about filling the stand is the pits. You must have a show to try the sell a show. And the racers are the show. Promoters biggest job is filling the pits. Not talking only lesson your chance to be successful. The anwsers is in your hands.
Just my 2 cents. Good luck!!!

[dd38]

When the late Steve Peterson(NASCAR) promoted Speed World, when Billy Herndon still owned it, he would get out every week and visit the racers at their shops, garages or if it was o.k. with their employers (whom were probably racers too as in my case at the time). He would take questions, pitch new ideas, listen to the complaints or just chat. He was connected with the drivers and sponsors wether they were car or track sponsors. I think all tracks would benefit from this today, instead of just waiting for everyone to show up on race nite. Times have changed and cultures have changed too. I have taken my car to where I work many times over the last several years and if it's not some sort of import with a BIG muffler or a Turbo, very few are interested. I've got pictures from the 80's where I won a race and the stands in the back ground are slammed packed on a regular nite. What changed? What has gone wrong?

[Winger]

The biggest part about filling the stand is the pits. You must have a show to try the sell a show. And the racers are the show.

That statement is so true. It seems a lot of people are more concerned with filling the stands and that is counter productive if the show isn't good. You must first fill the pits and put on a good show, then the stands will fill on their own. BUT, you should not fill the pits with cars from many classes. You need to fill the pits with cars from only a few classes, so the races are good.

[ancrdave]

If you get a chance or can find it, read Chris Economaki's book "Let 'Em All Go".... It gives you a really great look at how race promotion has changed over the years...
Unfortunately, we have to be more "politically correct" nowadays so that we don't offend some group or individual in any one of a million different ways...
One thing Chris points out in his book is that racing was VERY DANGEROUS in the days when he was first announcing and selling newspapers and the promoters actually used that to their advantage... "See drivers from all over the Southeast defy death at every turn"... Now just try and promote that kind of thing and see how far you get today without some idiot complaining...
Drivers were promoted with all kinds of nicknames that kind of thing just don't exist anymore... There are a few still out there (I really like one's like Joe Dirt does for guys like David Clegg - the "Sod Father") but is there any "Rockledge Rocket," "Mims Maniac," "Cocoa Crazy," "Kissimmee Krusher," or anything else right now... I actually had drivers (or a family member) tell me they did not like having a nickname attached to them... so bland...
Most promoters don't promote anymore, announcers don't spend time getting to know the drivers and get down in the pits early to get the latest info etc. It all goes back to the owner of the business... If he/she doesn't really give a hoot or is more interested in the bottom line rather than doing things to actually improve the bottom line, then the business will either flounder or fail..
I remember Dick Joslin would put up large posters all over Orlando for the old Orlando track... They were done in red & black on a white background with a simple artist drawing of two cars crashing into each other in the middle... all that the poster had on it was: AUTO RACES - ORLANDO RACEWAY - FRIDAY NIGHT - 8:30.... That was it... not even the location... He figured people either knew it already or could find out... Some of the posters I've seen for FASCAR and other tracks are just too "busy" with way more info than is needed... The more somebody has to read, the less likely they are going to pay any attention to it...
Along with the lousy economy, the Orlando area is just not a sports town anymore... You have more residents who follow soccer in Brazil than NASCAR... You have a very lousy local newspaper that has no competition and one of the worst sports sections in the country... Local radio and TV are just plain awful and ad rates are ridiculous... Brevard County, a big draw for SpeedWorld ever since it was built, is on life support right now...
All this means is it is going to take some real WORK and above all CARING to get the track back to near what it once was... It may never happen because we will never again see .50 cent gas, $25 race tires or a $3 admission ticket unless maybe you build a race track in Peru... Hey Boneman! I think I can get NASCAR to lend us a plane and we can rent some llamas to ride while we choose a location for our new track!

[Tommy King]

"Let em All Go" I have a autographed copy.

[EJC Engines]

orlando would be a good dirt track there aint none around there. but I agree with the phone call who cares if it takes 25 hours out of your week you will probally get a few cars back out there and even fine out the problems why they dont want to coe back out and work on it if possible