Regarding commercial potential of Club Racing.
We recently had a Winston Cup at Atl. motor speedway that attracted so many
100,000's of people that traffic through Atlanta was stopped 30 miles away.
The fact that this interest in racing can be tapped so at least an overflow
comes into club racing is apparent. But to do so requires the talents of a
real promoter.
Although I have only been racing (vintage and SCCA) for one year, I have
worked in , and owned a marketing firm for 25 years. I agree with the comments
said earlier and would like to point out the following additional needs to
have successfull public interest in our sport. 1. Pesonalities are needed for
the draw, not necessarily big names like Redman or Hill, Anyone with a gimick
can do.IE: look at other sports that have marketed their wares and you will
see what I mean. Rodman, The San diego chicken, Jordan. Professional
wrestling was built on this. In stock car racing the fans come to see Their
driver or Their car. They are more interested in the car or the driver than
the sport. This may be tough for the purist in Historic racing to accept, but
the public will not show up in response to an ad touting "beautifull historic
old cars". They may show up in response to an ad such as " can the Mustangs
stampeed the Corvetts, into brutal humiliation again!!!. Or " Will Jeremy B
and his team from down under capitalize on their age and treachary to defeat
the yanks."
Also, something has to be done to allow the fans to follow a race. Now , with
many classes running together the normal spectator doesnt know who is winning
or loosing.
And of course, there is this thing about crashes. At first I thought SCCA
with their crash and burn reputation would have more spectator potential. But
I have seen enough crashes at Vintage to where I think it too would qualify.
And if the races got publicity, the crowds would come, and then you would find
drivers driving harder, and more crashes would come also.
I for one would like to see the sport promoted. It would mean more excitement,
and probably less cost to the drivers. Even price money. But everone should
know the trade offs and remember the old saying "Be carefull for what you
wish, you may get it."
Frank (the ruptured duck).
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