WE'VE MOVED!!!

**UREZ2PASS** · 04-22-2013, 12:00 PM

I was looking for anything about OSW. Did they race or get rained out ?

**Matt Albee** · 04-22-2013, 12:24 PM

SpeedNet and Speed 51, the homes of untalented PR persons. If you only have to post race results to one internet site, you don't have to stay up late on race night to get results out to all of the various web sites. It's also the perfect excuse for not bothering to post the results in the local newspapers.
Then, when fans complain that they can't find race results, track personnel can roll their eyes and chime in with the usual rhetoric, " it's on SpeedNet/Speed51 like it always is, or local papers don't care to print our race results, or I work hard and don't have time to post this stuff to satisfy everyone, or if you were that interested you would have been at the track".
I'm not sure if the track PR people don't know, or don't care about how to promote their track. But I do know that just relying on one or two national web sites isn't doing the job. Plus, not everyone who's interested in the results even has a computer.

**flvideo** · 04-22-2013, 12:41 PM

Yes Dave, Linda Jerica will report on Full Throttle. She can write a pretty good story. I will talk to Robert and see if we can send you pictures. I will have "Turn Five Racing" out on Sunday night and I will try to get that to your Email or where ever you'd like it.

**ancrdave** · 04-22-2013, 12:46 PM

I actually posted the story on the OSW rainout about 10 pm Friday night... Scroll down the front page articles and you'll see it... Anybody can still send me their e-mail and I'll put you on our mailing list... send to announcerdave@usa.net

**UREZ2PASS** · 04-22-2013, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by ancrdave View Post

I actually posted the story on the OSW rainout about 10 pm Friday night... Scroll down the front page articles and you'll see it... Anybody can still send me their e-mail and I'll put you on our mailing list... send to announcerdave@usa.net

Thanks, I did not know where to look. I looked on the track website and the KARNAC messageboard. I don't think you can update the track website but I hope you can in the future.

**ancrdave** · 04-22-2013, 01:54 PM

Only if they pay me extra LOL... No more doing websites for free... takes up too much of my time (at least to do it right)...

**Mark Keeler** · 04-22-2013, 05:10 PM

Dave - you may want to pass along to the powers that be, that Orlando does have a RainedOut.com account already set up. Not sure if they removed the link from the Website but that account is exclusive to OSW and I would be happy to send the Login/Password info for whoever needs it.

It is one of the half-dozen tools I use at NSS in case of a rainout and to me the biggest benefit is it sends an instant Text Message to whoever is signed up so if someone is headed to the track, or stuck in traffic they don't have to get all the way there to find out, and/or blow up the phone system trying to see if there's an announcement.

As for the comments about Speednet/Speed51 vs. local Newdpapers, I challenge anyone to get results or a story printed in the Newspaper unless it is written by their in-house reporter... Or contains some sort of fatality or serious injury. We have submitted results for years to the Orlando Sentinel and gotten every excuse imagineable as to why they can't/won't print them.

Speednet is primarily used by tracks as a Database program which automatically tracks Points, Payouts, prints 1099's and does a lot of the behind the scenes work. I'm not sure of too many who use it as a source for getting their results out.

Speed51 is an extremely valuable TOOL for getting National coverage especially with events such as the Governors Cup and World Series. I GUARANTEE we would not be continuing to add out-of-town drivers back to the Governors Cup in increasing numbers every year without the HELP of Speed51. That said, I agree that more has to be done then just using one of the MANY tools available.

I will end by saying I don't know any track that would turn away anyone willing to volunteer their time to assist in PR, writing, website upkeep, etc. I can assure anyone who has never done it, and I'm sure Dave can back me up here, it can become a full-time job all on its own.

**zerofor** · 04-23-2013, 12:54 AM

To the voice of NSS

But what you fail to see is why would another business(or newspaper in this case)want to help you when you won't even put in the effort to help yourself? At the end of the day the track still belongs to the Hart family and if they or other promoters at other tracks won't go the extra mile to help themself why would you thinksomeone else is going to jump up and do it?It's your business and jobs on the line not theirs.When I go to a local track and even think about approaching the staff/owner etc with a question comment or concern I'm generally met with apathy and bs and blown off like last weeks news.I really don't get it because NOBODY has overflowing stands.I have been to New Smyrna twice,neither time was there a crowd I would describe as very good.Once for the Governors Cup two years ago and last for the final night of the World Series this year.It is up to the TRACK to fill those seats and until they do they ALL need to work harder and LONGER.Banker's hours are fine IF YOUR A BANKER.

**Matt Albee** · 04-23-2013, 06:53 AM

I agree that local newspapers won't just print whatever shows up in their in basket, but I know for a fact that they'll happily print short, well written race results. And they never turn down simple box scores like Ancrdave posted at the top of this thread.
One other observation about Speed51 bringing in out of state drivers. I've been following Speedweeks for many years, and the number of out of state drivers racing at NSS during Speedweeks and the Governors Cup has dropped dramatically SINCE the inception of Speed51 and it's clones. So there are obviously other issues at play.
Lastly, and I don't understand why this concept seems to completely mystify race track owners, PR people ( good ones anyway ) are probably the most valuable employees at any business. You hire your own, or use outside companies. What you don't do is give volunteers or part time people your PR duties. They'll try hard, but successful PR is done by full time pros who get paid. Even local baseball teams know that that. But race tracks still think free PR works best. Tracks don't have the money to pay PR people ( good ones )? They can't afford not to if they plan to survive.

**Mark Keeler** · 04-23-2013, 10:27 AM

As for Speed51 and Out-of-State drivers, your facts are way skewed. GOVERNOR"S CUP FACTS...

in 2007 there were 2 out of state Drivers. Ryan Sieg (driving a Wayne Anderson prepared car) and Jerry Artuso.

in 2008 there was 1. Dennis Schoenfeld.

in 2009 (this was the time we started to really push the exposure and coverage on Speed51. I should know as it was myself and Kim Brown that started making the push in '09 to 'rebuild' the Gov Cup) there were NONE.

in 2010 Jimmy Weller and Ryan Lawler sat on the front row for the Cup which also had Mallory Harvey (GA), Rebecca Kasten (WI) and Aaron Pierce (IN) bringing that year's total to 5.

in 2011 of course Erik Jones (MI) won the thing. Also in the field were Donnie Wilson (OK) Rebecca Kasten (WI) Matt Tifft (OH) Scott Heckert (CT) Ladon Cling (AZ), Colt James (TX) and Jimmy Weller (OH) making 8.

Pre-Speed51
2007 - 2
2008 - 1
2009 - 0
Post-Speed51
2010 - 5
2011 - 8
2012 - 13

Say what you want but numbers and facts don't lie.

Not to mention this past year had the biggest (and broadest ranging) Late Model fields for World Series that I have seen since starting here in 2007.

AGAIN, I view Speed51.com as a TOOL and just ONE of MANY that need to be utilized and that is why we utilize it. We have NEVER solely relied on it as the only source for information and/or results. That assertion TOO is false.

**Mark Keeler** · 04-23-2013, 10:30 AM

As for Newspapers printing stuff, AGAIN, we have been submitting it for years. We have spoken with the head of the Sports Dept. and done EVERYTHING they have asked. They have given every excuse in the book. When they gave a time deadline, we made sure we beat it. Then they came back with another excuse, and another and another. Say what you want, but unless someone is killed, Orlando Sentinel wants nothing to do with it. They cater to the Major sports and to their advertisers. And, FACT, Orlando Sentinel is one of the most expensive Newspapers in the Country to advertise in. There are no shortage of Theme Parks and other huge companies with unlimited advertising budgets willing to spend their money to keep the prices high.

I would LOVE to find a racetrack that offers Bankers Hours... As i stated earlier, I don't know of ANY track that would turn away volunteers to help out with ANYTHING. I can say for myself, working at a racetrack is a 7 day/week job. As I told my ex (not a race fan) shortly before we split up... Working in racing is NOT a 9-5 job... It is a lifestyle... 24/7.

**ancrdave** · 04-23-2013, 10:45 AM

Hey Mark... could you e-mail me updated contact info for Speed51... What I have is outdated... announcerdave@usa.net

**Mark Keeler** · 04-23-2013, 10:47 AM

Dave - Your best bet is to start with Elgin Traylor. He is the Ops Manager and pretty much is the one to get the ball rolling with everything. His email is elgin@51sports.net

**Matt Albee** · 04-23-2013, 11:37 AM

Originally posted by Voice of NSS View Post

As for Speed51 and Out-of-State drivers, your facts are way skewed. GOVERNOR"S CUP FACTS...

in 2007 there were 2 out of state Drivers. Ryan Sieg (driving a Wayne Anderson prepared car) and Jerry Artuso.

in 2008 there was 1. Dennis Schoenfeld.

in 2009 (this was the time we started to really push the exposure and coverage on Speed51. I should know as it was myself and Kim Brown that started making the push in '09 to 'rebuild' the Gov Cup) there were NONE.

in 2010 Jimmy Weller and Ryan Lawler sat on the front row for the Cup which also had Mallory Harvey (GA), Rebecca Kasten (WI) and Aaron Pierce (IN) bringing that year's total to 5.

in 2011 of course Erik Jones (MI) won the thing. Also in the field were Donnie Wilson (OK) Rebecca Kasten (WI) Matt Tifft (OH) Scott Heckert (CT) Ladon Cling (AZ), Colt James (TX) and Jimmy Weller (OH) making 8.

Pre-Speed51
2007 - 2
2008 - 1
2009 - 0
Post-Speed51
2010 - 5
2011 - 8
2012 - 13

Say what you want but numbers and facts don't lie.

Not to mention this past year had the biggest (and broadest ranging) Late Model fields for World Series that I have seen since starting here in 2007.

AGAIN, I view Speed51.com as a TOOL and just ONE of MANY that need to be utilized and that is why we utilize it. We have NEVER solely relied on it as the only source for information and/or results. That assertion TOO is false.

My facts aren't skewed at all, i wasn't talking about the last few years of the Governors Cup. I'm talking about 10 or 15 years ago vs today. And the same numbers would apply to Speedweeks as well.
But the fact remains that race tracks ( not just NSS ) seem to have tunnel vision when it comes to promoting their product. Pro PR makes a big difference, volunteer PR usually doesn't. Does NASCAR, or for that matter any of the NASCAR CUP tracks rely on volunteer PR? Need local examples? Look at Desoto during the Margi King days as well as the Stimus days.
The lack of pro PR people at short tracks in Florida is a serious problem for fans and racers who want to see the sport grow again. And instead of coming up with excuses, the track owners should come up with a decent budget to hire qualified, full time PR people.

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