Lap Sponsors / Increased Purse For Governor's Cup

[Mark Keeler]

We are selling Laps for the 44th Annual Florida Governor's Cup 200. Laps are $100.00 ea. and the money will be distributed through the entire field, NOT just to the Lap Leader.

If ALL 200 Laps are sold, that will increase the total purse by $20,000.00.

ALL LAPS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY NOVEMBER 6th. WE WILL ISSUE THE FINAL PAYOUT, INCLUDING LAP MONEY COLLECTED, ON NOVEMBER 7th.

Payment options are Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa or MasterCard.

The base purse has not been changed and is listed below along with the proposed purse which is if ALL 200 LAPS ARE SOLD AND PAID FOR BY NOVEMBER 6th. If all 200 Laps are not sold, we will increase the total purse with the money that IS collected and that will be released on Nov. 7th.

If you are interested in purchasing laps, Please contact Kim Brown at 427-4129 ext. 0 or cell 386-547-2879. ALL LAPS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY NOVEMBER 6th.


Mailing Address for Lap Money is:
PO Box 1500
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32170

>> CLICK HERE to view the Current/Potential Purse Structure.

[Frasson118]

Instead of telling everyone where their money will go, how about telling us what we could expect for our donations. Are there P.A. mentions? A lap sponsor board? A page in the program? How about a free program to the Sponsors (that is, if the sponsors are even mentioned in there)?

I did this more than once... never heard our Company mentioned, never saw it printed anywhere, and never even got a 'Thanks' from either the track or the driver (Choquette being one) who won it (even after I told him I was glad he was the one who got my $100).

"No thanks" on doing it again.

If you want participation in these Lap Sponsor programs, you need to figure out what NSS is willing to do FOR the people who donate... not just taking the credit for a larger purse, even though the track itself paid nothing towards it.

How about a free ticket or two, with a coupon for a Hot Dog and a Coke? Maybe a souvenir T-shirt, of which only 200 are available? A drawing among lap sponsors to select 10 people to sit in the VIP Boxes during the 200?

I've spent over $400 out of MY pocket to help these projects out... and I feel llike I got ZERO for the efforts. And it wasn't just NSS I got that treatment from. Please don't feel like I'm attacking you all at NSS, you're not the only track that has done this. And I also know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Asking for $100 is a lot, especially if all you get in return is ignored and un-appreciated!

[Mark Keeler]

Jerry, you have a lot of good suggestions... our goal with this post was to get the word out as we work closer to November with more details to follow...

I think we can definitely come up with a Sponsor Sign or Two to display in the midway with all the lap sponsors, and with the deadline being at the beginning of November they will definitely be included in the Program... (Plus they will be posted on the Website so everyone can see what laps are taken/left.) I think the P/A spots are a yes also...

Thank you for your constructive input... it is appreciated...

So which laps should we pencil you in for?

P.S. Kim says Hi!

[Frasson118]

Get my $100 back from Choquette, and put it on lap 118!

Also, tell Kim I said HI too. Tell her I will call later in the week, maybe we can work out some pool time and a few cold beers this weekend!

[Jane]

The year that Sandy and I did this and all 200 laps were sold, she had thank you cards for each lap and the lap sponsor's name on it for the drivers for all 200 laps. The cards were given to the drivers to send out and were already pre-addressed for the drivers. Whether or not they did send them out, I honestly don't know but the sponsors were suppose to be thanked by the driver who got their money. All they had to do was sign them and stamp them and mail them. We had a huge board that was displayed with the names of the sponsor on each lap for everyone to see also. Don't remember if we had a program or not with all the sponsors in them to be honest.

But if they do this this far ahead of time, I am sure your name will make the program and be announced. I do remember that the sponsor of that lap was announced during the race also that year.

[RSB]

Hey Jerry

I think I'm up to two new tires now. I've told a couple of friends that if they buy me a tire, I'll let them drive the car for a few sessions during practices(friday nights at Bronson). You interested?? HA HA! My dad(80 years old) says he'll buy me one too but I'm thinking he shouldn't be in a race car at his age!

[Frasson118]

A couple more suggestions Mark:

Put the Sponsor Board up as soon as possible. That way, week by week, fans will see it filling up. Nothing sells quicker than something that is limited, yet almost gone. As weeks go by, you will see sales pick up.

Jane mentioned the Thank You letters. A woman up north (Marilyn Toal) who has organized these Lap Sponsorships for many years (the annual Race of Champions), has a policy that the drivers MUST sign their Appreciation letters before they are handed a check. Everyone that sponsors a lap gets a professionally prepared certificate that is suitable for framing, signed by the driver, and many times accompanied by a team photo or hero card. It makes for a nice, long-lasting souvenir.

As for mentions during the race, unless the caution happens to be out on "your" lap, it will never be heard above the cars. But, you need to try and slide these mentions in without being overbearing to the fans. Nobody wants to listen to 1 list with 200 names! Mention the Sponsors in the weeks leading up to the Cup race... the earlier you buy, the more mentions per dollar spent! Again, it will prompt other people to sign up for laps.

I hope you don't feel like I'm shooting holes in your ideas... they have very good intentions. I'm just giving a personal opinion of what didn't work for me, and some ideas that would have made me (and others) feel more appreciated for our efforts. Hundred dollar bills aren't real easy to let go of right now... try to make it more worthwhile for the people that do open the wallet to help!

[Jane]

RSB - has your 80 year old dad raced before?? I once knew a man who was 83 or 84 and still wheeled a racecar and was respectable when he raced. So you never know really. You could always ask Bronson to let your dad out there alone and go around the track for his tire. At least that way, you give him the chance to do it if he wants to.

My dad tells this tale of being at Daytona one year with the press club and they gave all the press people a ride around the track - said he had never been so scared in his life except when he drove with Bill Posey, who is a racer and was a State Senator then, around Tallasshee in his car. Dad said you could definitely tell Bill was a racer from how he drove.

[RSB]

Jane

My dad raced a few times long ago in a class they called Jalopies. Had a '47 Ford I think. Bronson has practice on friday nights so that's when I was gonna let my "sponsors" drive the car. But I'm starting to rethink my plan. If I have four guys practicing the car, I'll have 100 laps on my new tires by the time they're finished!! I could buy a few more rims and let them practice on the old tires that have been sitting out in the weather for two years or so....hmm...NOW I"M THINKN! Hope the sparks don't catch something on fire.

[Jane]

Like they say, curosity killed the cat but let me know what you end up doing. Whatever it is, have fun and good luck with the race. Let me know what happens.

Have a great weekend.

Jane

[flraceguy]

Hey Mark glad to see that NSS is pushing to make it a go...

Jerry, very good suggestions for that.. positive criticism and comments are always welcomed no matter if people want to hear them or not... especially when so many people bitch and complain...

have a great night all

[Mark Keeler]

Governor's Cup - Lap Sponsorship!

We are selling Laps for the 44th Annual Florida Governor's Cup 200. Laps are $100.00 ea. and the money will be distributed through the entire field, NOT just to the Lap Leader.

If ALL 200 Laps are sold, that will increase the total purse by $20,000.00.

ALL LAPS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY NOVEMBER 6th. WE WILL ISSUE THE FINAL PAYOUT, INCLUDING LAP MONEY COLLECTED, ON NOVEMBER 7th.

Payment options are Cash, Check, Money Order, Visa or MasterCard.

The base purse has not been changed and is listed below along with the proposed purse which is if ALL 200 LAPS ARE SOLD AND PAID FOR BY NOVEMBER 6th. If all 200 Laps are not sold, we will increase the total purse with the money that IS collected and that will be released on Nov. 7th.

LAP SPONSORS WILL RECEIVE: PA Announcement(s)*, Listing in the Souvenir Program, Listing on the Website beginning 9/22/09, Listing on Signage displayed in the Midway and Pit Area beginning 10/3/09.

If you are interested in purchasing laps, Please contact Kim Brown at 427-4129 ext. 0 or cell 386-547-2879 or you can email me at mkeeler@fascar.org. ALL LAPS MUST BE PAID IN FULL BY
NOVEMBER 6th.

Mailing Address for Lap Money is:
PO Box 1500
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32170

>> CLICK HERE to view the Current/Potential Purse Structure.

>> CLICK HERE to view the Lap Sponsor List

* PA Announcements will be done throughout the event during Caution Flags, Intermission, etc. We will NOT be announcing the lap sponsors while the cars are under green. This will ensure that your name is mentioned and heard by all in attendance.