State of Sport Compact Drag Racing
04-01-2005, 11:33 AM
#126
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Re: (JP@NOPI)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JP@NOPI »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Though we aren't scheduled for Bandimere, any particular reason we're not welcome?</TD></TR></TABLE>
This is what I have been told by the people that make the decsions at Bandimere. The track is run by the Bandimere family who are also pretty religious. Because of the extra things that go on at NOPI events they told me they didn't want it happening at their track. This was the same reasoning the NHRA didn't come here for several years. The Bandimere family wants to put on family friendly events and they feel that bikini contests and jello wrestling is not. I am not sure what changed their minds about the NHRA but I did hear that Bandimere asked if they wouldn't do the bikini contest. My feeling was they picked the least of the two evils, in their minds.
This was about 2 years ago when we tried to push to get both NOPI and the NHRA here to help support a failing IDRC series that was pulling out. We made a hard push to have both series come and that it would be good for the track and the sport as a whole. Bandimere is known to be SC friendly and we thought they would like to see both major series come here.
Modified by CDR at 1:45 PM 4/1/2005
This is what I have been told by the people that make the decsions at Bandimere. The track is run by the Bandimere family who are also pretty religious. Because of the extra things that go on at NOPI events they told me they didn't want it happening at their track. This was the same reasoning the NHRA didn't come here for several years. The Bandimere family wants to put on family friendly events and they feel that bikini contests and jello wrestling is not. I am not sure what changed their minds about the NHRA but I did hear that Bandimere asked if they wouldn't do the bikini contest. My feeling was they picked the least of the two evils, in their minds.
This was about 2 years ago when we tried to push to get both NOPI and the NHRA here to help support a failing IDRC series that was pulling out. We made a hard push to have both series come and that it would be good for the track and the sport as a whole. Bandimere is known to be SC friendly and we thought they would like to see both major series come here.
Modified by CDR at 1:45 PM 4/1/2005
04-01-2005, 11:53 AM
#127
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Re: (CDR)
Thats funny, because they still contact us every winter about coming there.
We have discussed it with them and they make no mention of the swimsuit competition or anything like that.
What's the sons name Sporty or something like that?
We have discussed it with them and they make no mention of the swimsuit competition or anything like that.
What's the sons name Sporty or something like that?
04-01-2005, 11:59 AM
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Re: (NDRATECH)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NDRATECH »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thats funny, because they still contact us every winter about coming there.
We have discussed it with them and they make no mention of the swimsuit competition or anything like that.
What's the sons name Sporty or something like that?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sounds like they have had a change of heart, which would be nice. As I said, this was two years ago when we made the push and I was only saying what we had been told. They said they never wanted it at the track, but as it goes with Bandimere they change when there is enough money on the table.
Yes, Sporty handles most of the marketing and event planning. His dad John has the final say.
We have discussed it with them and they make no mention of the swimsuit competition or anything like that.
What's the sons name Sporty or something like that?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Sounds like they have had a change of heart, which would be nice. As I said, this was two years ago when we made the push and I was only saying what we had been told. They said they never wanted it at the track, but as it goes with Bandimere they change when there is enough money on the table.
Yes, Sporty handles most of the marketing and event planning. His dad John has the final say.
04-01-2005, 12:52 PM
#129
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We dont like NOPI becasue the event got rained out last year and NOPI made no payouts even thought some people did make passes.
On top of that the only money refunded was Bandi's stard bullshit 50% of next event.
As far as I am concered NOPI can shove it. The only thing their events attracted was ******, ricers, and APG
On top of that the only money refunded was Bandi's stard bullshit 50% of next event.
As far as I am concered NOPI can shove it. The only thing their events attracted was ******, ricers, and APG
04-01-2005, 01:10 PM
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Re: (sbiggi)
So, what event did you attend that was rained out?
Why would we do pay outs if there was not a race completed?
If you are talking about the Maple Grove race, then you are wrong, because everyone that was there competing, got in for free at ATCO.
Why would we do pay outs if there was not a race completed?
If you are talking about the Maple Grove race, then you are wrong, because everyone that was there competing, got in for free at ATCO.
04-01-2005, 01:11 PM
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<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sbiggi »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">We dont like NOPI becasue the event got rained out last year and NOPI made no payouts even thought some people did make passes.
On top of that the only money refunded was Bandi's stard bullshit 50% of next event.
As far as I am concered NOPI can shove it. The only thing their events attracted was ******, ricers, and APG</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well now, let me clear it up because you are very confused.
The IDRC event got rained out two years ago and they didn't offer any refunds. They did send out coupons to some people who gave their information but they knew the IDRC was not going to race in Denver again.
Then the NHRA came to town last year and everyone thought they should get a discount because of the rain the year before. Most of you didn't understand there was two different series and there was zero reason for the NHRA to honor IDRC's screw up.
Bandimere held their own event in Sept and I think honered the coupons but don't hold me to that.
So don't jump on NOPI, they have never held an event in this state.
On top of that the only money refunded was Bandi's stard bullshit 50% of next event.
As far as I am concered NOPI can shove it. The only thing their events attracted was ******, ricers, and APG</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well now, let me clear it up because you are very confused.
The IDRC event got rained out two years ago and they didn't offer any refunds. They did send out coupons to some people who gave their information but they knew the IDRC was not going to race in Denver again.
Then the NHRA came to town last year and everyone thought they should get a discount because of the rain the year before. Most of you didn't understand there was two different series and there was zero reason for the NHRA to honor IDRC's screw up.
Bandimere held their own event in Sept and I think honered the coupons but don't hold me to that.
So don't jump on NOPI, they have never held an event in this state.
04-01-2005, 01:23 PM
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Re: (CDR)
I thought this discussion would stay on track and continue to be constructive for everybody involved.
Well guys, heres one way to look at it.
There is a dumba** in every crowd, I guess SBIGGI gets to be it on here.
Listen to what is being said, CDR even layed most of the info out on the table about NOPI not ever being at Bandimere.
Well guys, heres one way to look at it.
There is a dumba** in every crowd, I guess SBIGGI gets to be it on here.
Listen to what is being said, CDR even layed most of the info out on the table about NOPI not ever being at Bandimere.
04-01-2005, 01:28 PM
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Since I help take this off track, I will help bring it back on.
I think that sbiggi's statement is a prime example of one of the problems. Most people don't realize there are different series with different racers that go to different cities. How good can the marketing be if people don't even know an IDRC event from an NHRA event to an NOPI event. It is good that people are attending but we have established that not enough are. Better, clearer marketing would help.
I still believe that some blame should go with the local tracks and the local racers. I think that is where you could see a bigger marketing improvement and push. That is how the IDRC did it here in Denver for several years and our events were always the biggest and the best for any series.
I think that sbiggi's statement is a prime example of one of the problems. Most people don't realize there are different series with different racers that go to different cities. How good can the marketing be if people don't even know an IDRC event from an NHRA event to an NOPI event. It is good that people are attending but we have established that not enough are. Better, clearer marketing would help.
I still believe that some blame should go with the local tracks and the local racers. I think that is where you could see a bigger marketing improvement and push. That is how the IDRC did it here in Denver for several years and our events were always the biggest and the best for any series.
04-01-2005, 02:33 PM
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Re: (CDR)
Definatly Chris. When we ran in the SR-1 team challenge thing that IDRC put on, the stands were packed at Bandimere on the West side, and the bleachers on the east side we're 50% I'd say.
I can't speak for any other market, but in Denver it's still pretty big. I think higher spectator ticket prices have some-what chased a certain demographic away. This leaves only friends/family of those who are racing that come, and the stands reflect that. Little Johnny who was 16-18yr/old no longer wants to pay $40 to bracket race, so you not only lose out on him attending, but also his cousins, his girlfriend and her friends, etc. There's always a +/- to that as well because in turn there's not as long a wait between elimination rounds waiting for the 500 bracket racers to learn how to drag race.
Denver had a much larger turn out when IDRC ran 2 events here per year (June and September). It keeps the races a lot fresher in the spectator's mind. Now, the problem with that was we had no pro's taking our races seriously, and pro driver attendance was down.
I think NOPI would definatly have a market out here for a late-season calendar event... if you can find sponcers for it.
I can't speak for any other market, but in Denver it's still pretty big. I think higher spectator ticket prices have some-what chased a certain demographic away. This leaves only friends/family of those who are racing that come, and the stands reflect that. Little Johnny who was 16-18yr/old no longer wants to pay $40 to bracket race, so you not only lose out on him attending, but also his cousins, his girlfriend and her friends, etc. There's always a +/- to that as well because in turn there's not as long a wait between elimination rounds waiting for the 500 bracket racers to learn how to drag race.
Denver had a much larger turn out when IDRC ran 2 events here per year (June and September). It keeps the races a lot fresher in the spectator's mind. Now, the problem with that was we had no pro's taking our races seriously, and pro driver attendance was down.
I think NOPI would definatly have a market out here for a late-season calendar event... if you can find sponcers for it.
04-01-2005, 02:35 PM
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Re: (S13Sean)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by S13Sean »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well you have a point there are just too many racing series for the sport right now.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I disagree.
The problem isn't too many sanctioning bodies. The problem is that racers have to make a choice on how to spend their limited time and money. A lot of pros have committments to sponsors to run the full NHRA schedule, because the people who write the checks want the credibility that the NHRA name carries. They might want to run the full NDRA schedule, but because they can't travel coast-to-coast every week, they have to choose which events they can attend. On the flip side, there are guys who are mostly NDRA racers who will go to a few NHRA events because they're close to their home base. The same goes for IDRC and Battle.
If there are too many series, which one(s) would you eliminate or combine? If, in the end, the NHRA business model becomes dominant, it means that the only people who can race at the "pro" level are the independantly wealthy who don't have to hold down full-time jobs and can travel from one coast to the other to hit enough races to have a shot at a championship. If the NDRA model dominates, then it becomes hard for anyone to attract sponsors who are looking for a national spotlight.
I don't have any real answers, but I can tell you from experience that there will always be a successful sanctioning body for regional sportsman events (like the IDRC does), and that there will probably be a continuing demand for one or more regional pro points series (like NDRA was last year, or the NMRA & NMCA are in the domestic world). I'm not 100% sure that a national, pro-level sport compact series is going to be successful in the long-term, at least not as a stand-alone proposition.
I disagree.
The problem isn't too many sanctioning bodies. The problem is that racers have to make a choice on how to spend their limited time and money. A lot of pros have committments to sponsors to run the full NHRA schedule, because the people who write the checks want the credibility that the NHRA name carries. They might want to run the full NDRA schedule, but because they can't travel coast-to-coast every week, they have to choose which events they can attend. On the flip side, there are guys who are mostly NDRA racers who will go to a few NHRA events because they're close to their home base. The same goes for IDRC and Battle.
If there are too many series, which one(s) would you eliminate or combine? If, in the end, the NHRA business model becomes dominant, it means that the only people who can race at the "pro" level are the independantly wealthy who don't have to hold down full-time jobs and can travel from one coast to the other to hit enough races to have a shot at a championship. If the NDRA model dominates, then it becomes hard for anyone to attract sponsors who are looking for a national spotlight.
I don't have any real answers, but I can tell you from experience that there will always be a successful sanctioning body for regional sportsman events (like the IDRC does), and that there will probably be a continuing demand for one or more regional pro points series (like NDRA was last year, or the NMRA & NMCA are in the domestic world). I'm not 100% sure that a national, pro-level sport compact series is going to be successful in the long-term, at least not as a stand-alone proposition.
04-01-2005, 03:14 PM
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Re: (Quik Chris)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Quik Chris »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Definatly Chris. When we ran in the SR-1 team challenge thing that IDRC put on, the stands were packed at Bandimere on the West side, and the bleachers on the east side we're 50% I'd say.
I can't speak for any other market, but in Denver it's still pretty big. I think higher spectator ticket prices have some-what chased a certain demographic away. This leaves only friends/family of those who are racing that come, and the stands reflect that. Little Johnny who was 16-18yr/old no longer wants to pay $40 to bracket race, so you not only lose out on him attending, but also his cousins, his girlfriend and her friends, etc. There's always a +/- to that as well because in turn there's not as long a wait between elimination rounds waiting for the 500 bracket racers to learn how to drag race.
Denver had a much larger turn out when IDRC ran 2 events here per year (June and September). It keeps the races a lot fresher in the spectator's mind. Now, the problem with that was we had no pro's taking our races seriously, and pro driver attendance was down.
I think NOPI would definatly have a market out here for a late-season calendar event... if you can find sponcers for it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
NHRA in June & NOPI in September
from me!
I know that I am going to take a very active roll in promoting the NHRA event in June. I am going to hit the streets because I think that is what is going to bring people out in the end. I used to throw raves and it tooks grassroots marketing and I think that is what is missing today for SC drag racing. People need to hit the streets.
I can't speak for any other market, but in Denver it's still pretty big. I think higher spectator ticket prices have some-what chased a certain demographic away. This leaves only friends/family of those who are racing that come, and the stands reflect that. Little Johnny who was 16-18yr/old no longer wants to pay $40 to bracket race, so you not only lose out on him attending, but also his cousins, his girlfriend and her friends, etc. There's always a +/- to that as well because in turn there's not as long a wait between elimination rounds waiting for the 500 bracket racers to learn how to drag race.
Denver had a much larger turn out when IDRC ran 2 events here per year (June and September). It keeps the races a lot fresher in the spectator's mind. Now, the problem with that was we had no pro's taking our races seriously, and pro driver attendance was down.
I think NOPI would definatly have a market out here for a late-season calendar event... if you can find sponcers for it. </TD></TR></TABLE>
NHRA in June & NOPI in September
from me!I know that I am going to take a very active roll in promoting the NHRA event in June. I am going to hit the streets because I think that is what is going to bring people out in the end. I used to throw raves and it tooks grassroots marketing and I think that is what is missing today for SC drag racing. People need to hit the streets.
04-01-2005, 03:18 PM
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Re: (PNG)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PNG »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I disagree.
The problem isn't too many sanctioning bodies. The problem is that racers have to make a choice on how to spend their limited time and money. A lot of pros have committments to sponsors to run the full NHRA schedule, because the people who write the checks want the credibility that the NHRA name carries. They might want to run the full NDRA schedule, but because they can't travel coast-to-coast every week, they have to choose which events they can attend. On the flip side, there are guys who are mostly NDRA racers who will go to a few NHRA events because they're close to their home base. The same goes for IDRC and Battle.
If there are too many series, which one(s) would you eliminate or combine? If, in the end, the NHRA business model becomes dominant, it means that the only people who can race at the "pro" level are the independantly wealthy who don't have to hold down full-time jobs and can travel from one coast to the other to hit enough races to have a shot at a championship. If the NDRA model dominates, then it becomes hard for anyone to attract sponsors who are looking for a national spotlight.
I don't have any real answers, but I can tell you from experience that there will always be a successful sanctioning body for regional sportsman events (like the IDRC does), and that there will probably be a continuing demand for one or more regional pro points series (like NDRA was last year, or the NMRA & NMCA are in the domestic world). I'm not 100% sure that a national, pro-level sport compact series is going to be successful in the long-term, at least not as a stand-alone proposition. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Here is a dream idea that would never happen but...
NHRA is pretty good in the west coast all the way to around KS. NOPI is good on the east coast to St. Louis. I say that both sides agree, divide the country and everyone will meet in the middle at the end of the year. So it would be a west coast vs east coast battle and no one would have to travel, everyone could battle for a championship and no one would have their toes stepped on. Yes, I know it is a dream but this idea could start to bring the sport back together and draw in more people overtime.
My real idea, who cares how many series there are just as long as people can race and the events have a good crowd and good coverage, who cares how many. The domestic world has a ton of different series and most of them are doing better than Sport Compact and they get less TV and magazine coverage.
The problem isn't too many sanctioning bodies. The problem is that racers have to make a choice on how to spend their limited time and money. A lot of pros have committments to sponsors to run the full NHRA schedule, because the people who write the checks want the credibility that the NHRA name carries. They might want to run the full NDRA schedule, but because they can't travel coast-to-coast every week, they have to choose which events they can attend. On the flip side, there are guys who are mostly NDRA racers who will go to a few NHRA events because they're close to their home base. The same goes for IDRC and Battle.
If there are too many series, which one(s) would you eliminate or combine? If, in the end, the NHRA business model becomes dominant, it means that the only people who can race at the "pro" level are the independantly wealthy who don't have to hold down full-time jobs and can travel from one coast to the other to hit enough races to have a shot at a championship. If the NDRA model dominates, then it becomes hard for anyone to attract sponsors who are looking for a national spotlight.
I don't have any real answers, but I can tell you from experience that there will always be a successful sanctioning body for regional sportsman events (like the IDRC does), and that there will probably be a continuing demand for one or more regional pro points series (like NDRA was last year, or the NMRA & NMCA are in the domestic world). I'm not 100% sure that a national, pro-level sport compact series is going to be successful in the long-term, at least not as a stand-alone proposition. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Here is a dream idea that would never happen but...
NHRA is pretty good in the west coast all the way to around KS. NOPI is good on the east coast to St. Louis. I say that both sides agree, divide the country and everyone will meet in the middle at the end of the year. So it would be a west coast vs east coast battle and no one would have to travel, everyone could battle for a championship and no one would have their toes stepped on. Yes, I know it is a dream but this idea could start to bring the sport back together and draw in more people overtime.
My real idea, who cares how many series there are just as long as people can race and the events have a good crowd and good coverage, who cares how many. The domestic world has a ton of different series and most of them are doing better than Sport Compact and they get less TV and magazine coverage.
04-01-2005, 09:18 PM
#141
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Re: (CDR)
Damn this thread is really rockin and rollin. I really enjoy this Industry and of course it is my livelyhood. I have watched it grow since its birth and into what it is today.
I see alot of Battle was the sh*t back in 98. I think one of the reasons it was so big is there was really nothing like it around. Sure Terminal Isalnd was off the hook back in the day but it was a run what you brung, with a tech of course, saturday night drag race. Anyways, back to Battle, this was the first sanctioned event of its kind. When it came to town everyone knew it and made it to the event. The thing is it was the begining. There was no other events to worry about, or to prep for or to make across country hopefully on that same motor. The competition was thick and so were the stands. and if something did happen you had a couple months to prepare and then get back out there.
Now when things did get a little bigger with IDRC and NIRA, the industry was still in its infancy and unexplored. Mainly Honda/Acura Derived with a few other auto manufacturer stragglers. Racers will still figuring out the industry and how to make power. Parts for these cars were becoming more readily available and records were starting to be broken. The Industry was evolving and going in the right direction or was it.
It took 50 years for NHRA to come around and get as fast as they are, although technology today compared to yesteryear is much more advanced, it still took time.
Did we rush this Industry or did this Industry rush us?
As a manufacturer, I feel todays public is not fully informed on what really created this Industry. It is not, the (no names mentioned)Tawaiin companies that copied the products that layed the foundation for what the Import/Sport Compact Racers use today. It is not, the (no names mentioned)Tawaiin companies that come in and undercut the founding companies that are out there backing the street racers, racers, pro racers any racer, trying to help this industry grow. These companies unfortunately, were not here in our industry backing what so many of us feel is drifting away(no pun intended).
We need to reach out and thank the AEM, DC Sports, STR, Golden Eagles, Greddys, HKS, ApexI and BDL's that helped form and support what we have today. You can always find me at a race, I am more than happy to help any racer on any level, and I'm sure that goes for any of the companies above I have mentioned.
As for marketing, I think all the bodies do a great job. Unfortunately it seems there is prejudice in the way this was done or that was done. Sure Drama is good, just look at wife swap, survivor or any other ridiculous show that takes the pain of others and glorifies it. As I said before I love this Industry and will do anything to support it. Maybe us as manufacturers could have links to upcoming races or if you visit the site have a pop up of the next two races. We could pass that on to our dealers as well, there is free marketing. Now you are actually marketing to the right consumer. As for Radio spots, TV, Flyers, Etc. It all takes money which in turn justifies gate prices, payouts, Event Sponsorship, etc.
Great ideas are worthless without money.....
I realize our dollars don't stretch as far as your Mom and Dads dollar but hey we have all, as Smokeys mom stated in Friday, "make it work" and that is what we have all done in any build up. Look at a Underdrive Pulley kit for a Domestic your around 1500.00-2000.00 thats all show too. I remeber when a set of Cam Gears Retailed at 359.00+ now they are much less, I guess all I am saying is We did back at the First Battle with higher parts cost and less payouts, support what is supporting you, it will just benefit you in the long run.
Sport Compact Racing has gone partially Corporate America, with the racers that are left behind, saying hey wait a minute we haven’t finished this yet. As for the Pro Racers they know their roots but need to survive, they are paid to do what they do best, race. Their support is here but like any job sitting in the break room isn’t going to get you that promotion. Sure you got big companies with big dollar development taking over the scene, that doesn’t mean it is the greatest class. We just need to turn the sponsor dollars to these classes, how you ask……easy. Get out there promote the event be proud of what you do, show up and race. Ok not easy but if we all try, I don’t think this industry is going anywhere but up and out. I feel Companies will be there as long as the dollar is still worth the dollar, Although I do wonder if we should have invested part of our money into the Duct tape Compaines back in the day......haha
Scott
I really could go on and on...welll sh*t I just might but for just check me edits....haha
Modified by BDL IND at 10:37 PM 4/1/2005
Modified by BDL IND at 11:08 PM 4/1/2005
Modified by BDL IND at 11:11 PM 4/1/2005
I see alot of Battle was the sh*t back in 98. I think one of the reasons it was so big is there was really nothing like it around. Sure Terminal Isalnd was off the hook back in the day but it was a run what you brung, with a tech of course, saturday night drag race. Anyways, back to Battle, this was the first sanctioned event of its kind. When it came to town everyone knew it and made it to the event. The thing is it was the begining. There was no other events to worry about, or to prep for or to make across country hopefully on that same motor. The competition was thick and so were the stands. and if something did happen you had a couple months to prepare and then get back out there.
Now when things did get a little bigger with IDRC and NIRA, the industry was still in its infancy and unexplored. Mainly Honda/Acura Derived with a few other auto manufacturer stragglers. Racers will still figuring out the industry and how to make power. Parts for these cars were becoming more readily available and records were starting to be broken. The Industry was evolving and going in the right direction or was it.
It took 50 years for NHRA to come around and get as fast as they are, although technology today compared to yesteryear is much more advanced, it still took time.
Did we rush this Industry or did this Industry rush us?
As a manufacturer, I feel todays public is not fully informed on what really created this Industry. It is not, the (no names mentioned)Tawaiin companies that copied the products that layed the foundation for what the Import/Sport Compact Racers use today. It is not, the (no names mentioned)Tawaiin companies that come in and undercut the founding companies that are out there backing the street racers, racers, pro racers any racer, trying to help this industry grow. These companies unfortunately, were not here in our industry backing what so many of us feel is drifting away(no pun intended).
We need to reach out and thank the AEM, DC Sports, STR, Golden Eagles, Greddys, HKS, ApexI and BDL's that helped form and support what we have today. You can always find me at a race, I am more than happy to help any racer on any level, and I'm sure that goes for any of the companies above I have mentioned.
As for marketing, I think all the bodies do a great job. Unfortunately it seems there is prejudice in the way this was done or that was done. Sure Drama is good, just look at wife swap, survivor or any other ridiculous show that takes the pain of others and glorifies it. As I said before I love this Industry and will do anything to support it. Maybe us as manufacturers could have links to upcoming races or if you visit the site have a pop up of the next two races. We could pass that on to our dealers as well, there is free marketing. Now you are actually marketing to the right consumer. As for Radio spots, TV, Flyers, Etc. It all takes money which in turn justifies gate prices, payouts, Event Sponsorship, etc.
Great ideas are worthless without money.....
I realize our dollars don't stretch as far as your Mom and Dads dollar but hey we have all, as Smokeys mom stated in Friday, "make it work" and that is what we have all done in any build up. Look at a Underdrive Pulley kit for a Domestic your around 1500.00-2000.00 thats all show too. I remeber when a set of Cam Gears Retailed at 359.00+ now they are much less, I guess all I am saying is We did back at the First Battle with higher parts cost and less payouts, support what is supporting you, it will just benefit you in the long run.
Sport Compact Racing has gone partially Corporate America, with the racers that are left behind, saying hey wait a minute we haven’t finished this yet. As for the Pro Racers they know their roots but need to survive, they are paid to do what they do best, race. Their support is here but like any job sitting in the break room isn’t going to get you that promotion. Sure you got big companies with big dollar development taking over the scene, that doesn’t mean it is the greatest class. We just need to turn the sponsor dollars to these classes, how you ask……easy. Get out there promote the event be proud of what you do, show up and race. Ok not easy but if we all try, I don’t think this industry is going anywhere but up and out. I feel Companies will be there as long as the dollar is still worth the dollar, Although I do wonder if we should have invested part of our money into the Duct tape Compaines back in the day......haha
Scott
I really could go on and on...welll sh*t I just might but for just check me edits....haha
Modified by BDL IND at 10:37 PM 4/1/2005
Modified by BDL IND at 11:08 PM 4/1/2005
Modified by BDL IND at 11:11 PM 4/1/2005
04-01-2005, 09:47 PM
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Re: (BDL IND)
how much longer will the companys putting cash into our sport stay around with the stands near empty....i mean really they are putting in there cash expecting to get product sold in return ...return investment is the name of the game..is that why gm has done what it did or was it all just because roush came in abd bought the main team?
i also have seen this grow from wayyy back here in texas and you know i remember alot more people at the battle events compared to the nhra or nopi...now i do remember seeing nopi do a good job getting the word out..i remember seeing signs on the side of the highway on i10 pointing towards the race...
and they had the local shops hand out flyers , hell they went to a few strip clubs with us before the race..really does anyone really think these "BIG" companys will stick around for ever?i dont...once again ill say as many have said, when nhra took away the street tire class i knew the **** was gona hit the fan...it all went down hill from there..
very few people can or will relate to ara and steph's cars....funny cars with a skin on them...i got started with a 95 gst runnin in houston and dallas wayyy back in 98 and would run to the front while my car sat in line to run , i wanted to see the street cars run , or flaco or abel in the little red basterd , or that damn yelllo toyota that was always there...the excitement of "wow thats just like my car, and look how fast its runnin" has past...
are we gonna sit back and let this blow away, or are we gona push nhra and others to do more..screw the foam pits , screw the midget wresteling , screw the dj sound off. lets put the money where the real action is , on the line waiting for that damn second yello to light up so we can drop that freakin clutch and hold the hell on, this sport of ours needs a shot in the arm and fast...put the money saved from all that crap i mentioned into payouts for the "real" crowd pleasers, the rela cars...and lower the freakin entrance fees...
as all good buisness people will tell u , u gotta spend money to make money....spend some money on getting the word out 3 weeks or so in advance, get a few radio spots that play to the correct demographics...this sport will evolve into a much larger sport but only if it is "sold" as a sport that will last that long..right now were being sold as a "trend" and i take offense to that..
wow i can go on and on and on , cant i
james
i also have seen this grow from wayyy back here in texas and you know i remember alot more people at the battle events compared to the nhra or nopi...now i do remember seeing nopi do a good job getting the word out..i remember seeing signs on the side of the highway on i10 pointing towards the race...
and they had the local shops hand out flyers , hell they went to a few strip clubs with us before the race..really does anyone really think these "BIG" companys will stick around for ever?i dont...once again ill say as many have said, when nhra took away the street tire class i knew the **** was gona hit the fan...it all went down hill from there..
very few people can or will relate to ara and steph's cars....funny cars with a skin on them...i got started with a 95 gst runnin in houston and dallas wayyy back in 98 and would run to the front while my car sat in line to run , i wanted to see the street cars run , or flaco or abel in the little red basterd , or that damn yelllo toyota that was always there...the excitement of "wow thats just like my car, and look how fast its runnin" has past...
are we gonna sit back and let this blow away, or are we gona push nhra and others to do more..screw the foam pits , screw the midget wresteling , screw the dj sound off. lets put the money where the real action is , on the line waiting for that damn second yello to light up so we can drop that freakin clutch and hold the hell on, this sport of ours needs a shot in the arm and fast...put the money saved from all that crap i mentioned into payouts for the "real" crowd pleasers, the rela cars...and lower the freakin entrance fees...
as all good buisness people will tell u , u gotta spend money to make money....spend some money on getting the word out 3 weeks or so in advance, get a few radio spots that play to the correct demographics...this sport will evolve into a much larger sport but only if it is "sold" as a sport that will last that long..right now were being sold as a "trend" and i take offense to that..
wow i can go on and on and on , cant i
james
04-01-2005, 10:28 PM
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Re: (james111)
I really do not think it is being labeled so much a trend, but rather an Industry. SEMA classified it as a 4.3 Billion Dollar a year Industry. But you are right james111 trend haha... I really don't think so.
ON a side note: I really do not think Drifting is hurting Drag Racing but just adding a variety to the everexpanding Industry we find ourselves promoting.
Look at the Skate Industry, seems like a good turnout at every event, ESPN 2 coverage, Tony Hawk is on CSI. Those same guys are the Drag Racers we deal with, so where is the miss correlation, Do those sponsors not see the same potential in our sport as they do the Skate Industry? and if so, why?
Modified by BDL IND at 11:48 PM 4/1/2005
ON a side note: I really do not think Drifting is hurting Drag Racing but just adding a variety to the everexpanding Industry we find ourselves promoting.
Look at the Skate Industry, seems like a good turnout at every event, ESPN 2 coverage, Tony Hawk is on CSI. Those same guys are the Drag Racers we deal with, so where is the miss correlation, Do those sponsors not see the same potential in our sport as they do the Skate Industry? and if so, why?
Modified by BDL IND at 11:48 PM 4/1/2005
04-01-2005, 11:39 PM
#144
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I've said this before in previous similar posts.
WHat I predict will end up being are REGIONAL events. IDRC has laid down a good foundation at certain tracks and they may keep those areas in the future. NDRA may downsize and pick certain areas of the South and East Coast. BAttle will be like IDRC in where they may be successful in those tracks that they have been holding evnts at. and NHRA may be the only NATIONAL race series in which PRO racers will follow to travel.
This route will keep all the race series alive and will be stronger in their own regions and may bring in bigger and better crowds.
I dont see it as there are too many sanctioning bodies. We have just enough.
The problem with the whole scene is that we focus too much on NATIONAL exposure. Racers feel they are obligated to go cross country to make a name for themselves. And that lessens the racers willing to dedicate money and time into this sport. If the PRESSURE wasnt there so much, more regional racers will be encouraged to build cars to compete in their area. You'd probably see a full 16 or 32 field of All Motor or Hot Rod cars with regional events.
They can still gain the same coverage by the magazines. and National fame is still possible without going back and forth to both coasts.
Lets say a Sponsor gives a team gets $60K/year to race all over the country. That $60K is actually not much if you are travelling all year long with the costs of the car, food, etc. But with regional sponsorship. A company may give 1 East coast team $30K and another West Coast team the other $30K. They can still get a good amount of exposure on both coasts and with 2 race cars.
And each teams' $30K can go along way since they dont have to spend much of the sponsorship money on travel expenses.
WHat I predict will end up being are REGIONAL events. IDRC has laid down a good foundation at certain tracks and they may keep those areas in the future. NDRA may downsize and pick certain areas of the South and East Coast. BAttle will be like IDRC in where they may be successful in those tracks that they have been holding evnts at. and NHRA may be the only NATIONAL race series in which PRO racers will follow to travel.
This route will keep all the race series alive and will be stronger in their own regions and may bring in bigger and better crowds.
I dont see it as there are too many sanctioning bodies. We have just enough.
The problem with the whole scene is that we focus too much on NATIONAL exposure. Racers feel they are obligated to go cross country to make a name for themselves. And that lessens the racers willing to dedicate money and time into this sport. If the PRESSURE wasnt there so much, more regional racers will be encouraged to build cars to compete in their area. You'd probably see a full 16 or 32 field of All Motor or Hot Rod cars with regional events.
They can still gain the same coverage by the magazines. and National fame is still possible without going back and forth to both coasts.
Lets say a Sponsor gives a team gets $60K/year to race all over the country. That $60K is actually not much if you are travelling all year long with the costs of the car, food, etc. But with regional sponsorship. A company may give 1 East coast team $30K and another West Coast team the other $30K. They can still get a good amount of exposure on both coasts and with 2 race cars.
And each teams' $30K can go along way since they dont have to spend much of the sponsorship money on travel expenses.
04-02-2005, 01:25 AM
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Re: (exospeedAMcrx)
The regional scene does seem like a good idea. The only problem would be there would have to be a "grand finale" race at the end of the season. lol.
Regional sounds like a good idea though.
Regional sounds like a good idea though.
04-02-2005, 01:28 AM
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Re: (stealthmode62)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by stealthmode62 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The regional scene does seem like a good idea. The only problem would be there would have to be a "grand finale" race at the end of the season. lol.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
hehe thats fine. at least grassroots racers arent going back and forth coast to coast every other week.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
hehe thats fine. at least grassroots racers arent going back and forth coast to coast every other week.
04-02-2005, 06:10 AM
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Re: (exospeedAMcrx)
As a fan, i really havent seen a decrease in the amount of people that attend local import events, if anything it has seemed to get bigger every year. I love our sport and try to attend every event that i can even if i have to travel to see the cars run. Not to mention im working on getting my own car to race and look forward to competing next year.
Im leaving in a few hours to go the NHRA event at Moroso and im pretty excited, been looking forward to it since last year
Im leaving in a few hours to go the NHRA event at Moroso and im pretty excited, been looking forward to it since last year
04-02-2005, 07:09 AM
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Re: (BDL IND)
im not saying i see our sport as a 'trend' , but the general public does...and 4.3 billion dollar a year , wonder why "most" after market companys are looking for new ways to bring in the cash because it has declined in sales greatly over the last 2 years..
i in no means am wanting this sport to fail , but this industry needs a shot in the arm..we need nhra to put some of that good old red neck racing marketing in our arm...hell im sure 3 or 4 top races will bust a few teeth out and grow a mullet to bring the domestic crowds.....hell rado has the strangest hair styles i have ever seen, maby thats why he gets all those dollars even if his car cant make it down the 1320.
oh wait i see a trend here , adam swauratari had a alot of weird hair styles and he make mad loot, hell i still see his name on flyers and such...all funny stuff aside, i believe or think a general consensus needs to be made from all the "main" racers pro and non , about there thoughts on how we can make this grow..
this is like a company that its employees are the drivers and there is a problem with the main store...what do most companys do when theres a problem at store level...they have a store meeting...those store employees are the best sounding borad the company has, they are on the front lines every day and know how this "store" needs to be run...i know its a far fetched idea but really how many research companys do u think nhra and nopi have hired to do market research..besides those that give tires or teeshirts away?maby with there pro racer number or there tech number for the bracket racers maby a id number could be used on a blog that nopi or nhra puts up...?????
im sure a few on here have plenty web hosting bandwidth to help out and a few programers here to help with the blog site...there maby the sanctioning bodies could get real ideas from the racers and a general discussion could be help via the blog....??
just a idea...
james
i in no means am wanting this sport to fail , but this industry needs a shot in the arm..we need nhra to put some of that good old red neck racing marketing in our arm...hell im sure 3 or 4 top races will bust a few teeth out and grow a mullet to bring the domestic crowds.....hell rado has the strangest hair styles i have ever seen, maby thats why he gets all those dollars even if his car cant make it down the 1320.
oh wait i see a trend here , adam swauratari had a alot of weird hair styles and he make mad loot, hell i still see his name on flyers and such...all funny stuff aside, i believe or think a general consensus needs to be made from all the "main" racers pro and non , about there thoughts on how we can make this grow..
this is like a company that its employees are the drivers and there is a problem with the main store...what do most companys do when theres a problem at store level...they have a store meeting...those store employees are the best sounding borad the company has, they are on the front lines every day and know how this "store" needs to be run...i know its a far fetched idea but really how many research companys do u think nhra and nopi have hired to do market research..besides those that give tires or teeshirts away?maby with there pro racer number or there tech number for the bracket racers maby a id number could be used on a blog that nopi or nhra puts up...?????
im sure a few on here have plenty web hosting bandwidth to help out and a few programers here to help with the blog site...there maby the sanctioning bodies could get real ideas from the racers and a general discussion could be help via the blog....??
just a idea...
james
04-02-2005, 08:10 AM
#149
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Even though i've noticed the decline of SC drag racing i'm still extremely envious of you guys, whether you're from east of west you still have it better than north. I live in central canada about an hour from ND and we have no SC racing here...only Test and Tunes. we get one event a year.... Fastest Street Car Shootout.
04-02-2005, 08:56 AM
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Re: (1RMDave)
I understand what you were saying just playing a little Devils Advocate.
As for new avenues of capital, I beleive it lies in overall sales. I beleive you support the Companies that built this Industry, that backs this Industry it will flourish.
Why is there such a split in our Industry....Is it due to the Sanctioning Bodies? Let's Look at NHRA, they have 1 series for the big pros. we have 4 Pro Series. Racers and Sponosr Dollars are stretched thin.
On the othersdie of the tracks, 4 Series gives everyone who wants to race a chance to race, basically.
As for new avenues of capital, I beleive it lies in overall sales. I beleive you support the Companies that built this Industry, that backs this Industry it will flourish.
Why is there such a split in our Industry....Is it due to the Sanctioning Bodies? Let's Look at NHRA, they have 1 series for the big pros. we have 4 Pro Series. Racers and Sponosr Dollars are stretched thin.
On the othersdie of the tracks, 4 Series gives everyone who wants to race a chance to race, basically.