Anyone else read this? I just read on Dragracingonline.com that Torco Race Fuels has pulled sponsorship from all of it's sponsored teams. You had to wonder how they could keep going, I mean, they sponsored damn near every car that was out there. Everyone knows, there is almost no return in drag racing. Below is what was posted on the site.

Quote:

KNOLL, TORCO EXITING DRAG RACING?
By Jeff Burk

At 2:38 CST DRO received a press release from the Mike Ashley organization which contained the following industry shaking sentence:
"This morning, (Mike) Ashley received a telephone call from his longtime sponsor Torco Racing Fuels, indicating that they would be taking the year off of drag racing.”

A call to the Mike Ashley organization got us the information that a representative of Torco contacted Mike Ashley and informed him that Torco was taking a year off from Drag Racing. Who called from Torco to inform Ashley of the news is unknown and an Ashley representative said the press release was written verbatim per Mike Ashley.

As soon as the press release broke the phones started ringing at the DRO offices. At this moment the only official information we have is the Mike Ashley press release, but calls to several of the teams backed by Torco confirmed that indeed Torco has informed them that they will not be sponsored for the coming season.

Assuming that the information is correct for the moment and indeed Torco and Evan Knoll have pulled out of drag racing the implications for the sport of drag racing are massive. Cars that Torco sponsored off of the top of my head include: J.R. Todd, Mike Ashley, Bruce Litton, Rickie Smith, NHRA Pro Stock Champ Matt Smith, IHRA Pro Mod World Champ Scott Cannon, and his dad Scotty, IHRA World Champ Fuel Funny car driver Dale Creasy Jr, Melanie Troxel who actually works for Evan Knoll and many others.

I had been told late in 2007 this year by a source at Torco Racing Fuels that they were probably not going to renew their contracts with the IHRA Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock programs. Nothing has been officially confirmed but reliable sources who don’t wish to be quoted because it could put their jobs at risk confirmed that the IHRA was having meetings regarding the Torco/Evan Knoll situation late Tuesday afternoon. More official news will undoubtedly surface regarding this situation with official news releases but for the time being there will continue to be some very, very concerned racers, race series and both the NHRA and the IHRA especially the IHRA. [1/8/2008]

ASHLEY'S TEAM SEEKS SPONSORSHIP FOR 2008
MELVILLE, New York (January 8, 2008) -- Mike Ashley is no stranger to adversity or crisis in business. This morning, Ashley received a telephone call from his longtime sponsor Torco Racing Fuels, indicating that they would be taking the year off of drag racing. That leaves the opportunity wide open for new sponsors to step in and become a part of Ashley's winning team.

"While I'm shocked and surprised, first I want to say that Evan Knoll is a friend and a first class guy, I appreciate everything he's ever done for me, and I maintain the utmost respect for him," Ashley said.

"Although Torco was not specific in the conversation with me, I certainly understand based on the current state of the world economy and fuel and oil price instability why this would be an intelligent business move the them to take a break from racing in 2008.

"This leaves an incredible opportunity for entertaining new sponsorships, partnerships or mergers in order to continue operations," Ashley said.

Ashley said his company, Lend America, will temporarily take on the roll of primary sponsorship while new marketing sponsorship is secured. He also said his Gotham City Racing team expects to retain Melanie Troxel to drive, and any interested parties can contact him directly at mashley@lendamerica.com to explore opportunities. [1/8/2008]

 

wow
icks jaw up from the floor:

 

wow, that is nuts -- Torco seemed to have their hand in helping the majority of the racers so to pull their involvement hurts a ton of people

 

I heard they pulled out so they could sponsor their own Sport Compact series that will have every single event in california complete with trucks and trailers to bring all the racers to the track...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jay Dirt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I heard they pulled out so they could sponsor their own Sport Compact series that will have every single event in california complete with trucks and trailers to bring all the racers to the track...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hahaha That was funny

 

this was in the books along time ago in another interview with many motorsports sponsors.... i have to find it...

 

Uh oh and Justin Humphreys is sponsored by them too! I thought Evan was a baller and could afford all that. But this shocking news. I wonder what he'll post on his myspace. To many Grey Goose for him...

 

How could you possibly sponsor that many teams, and expect to survive? I know Lisa Kubo was working for either Evan Knoll or Mike Ahsley, so I wonder what this does to her? There are so many teams that just got handed the high hard one. I mean, why not wait til the day before the first race to screw them. I wonder how many won't be able to race at all this year, due to this.?

 

It still just shows that drag racing is more dead than ever before... and its so financially draining.

Oh Well.... Ill still be out there racing and tryin to support

 

Wow that's big news! Torco is on alot of cars. I remember hearing that Knoll owns Dave Connolly's car. What will happen with that?

 

i always wondered how these guys and lucas oil do it, sponsoring a car in everything out there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jared &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i always wondered how these guys and lucas oil do it, sponsoring a car in everything out there.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Lucas Oil is the title sponsor for the new Indianapolis Colts stadium.

 

wasnt bisi sponsored by torco too?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rota92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


I think NHRA re-signing with powerade may have been a bad move but eh thats another thread</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah that was a bad deal...i remember posting a link to a thread on that issue.

im sure those who torco was their title sponsor will feel the pinch, but most were contingency sponsors...i dont think torco was kicking out cash to all these racers...products yes, but cash to everyone...that would be tough on the bottom line. but hey, what do i know....maybe thats why they are stepping away for a minute.

 

Wow, that is tough news. I hope this isn't a forcast for the future. They definately have been involved deeply with the pros ffor a while. Maybe they're about to release/start some new programs/lines/products which they will want press for and bringing back sponsorship then will help.

We can only hope


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rota92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yea, Fran had some help too I think. Well at least he rocked their vinyl </TD></TR></TABLE>

Different Torco. One is Torco Racing Fuels as talked about in this thread. also, here http://www.torcoracefuels.com/

The Torco that is involved with our industry is Torco Racing Oils. They help many of the racers out in our sport. Their website is here http://www.torcoracingoils.com
And i must say, their products are awesome. I'm still using their Penetrating lubricant, Assembly Lube, and MPZ that i got from 06 Season. They hooked it up

 

that's no bueno

Hope Bisi finds a new sponsor in time for the race season!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rota92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ummm...Thats why Chris Con is always smiling lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whoa whoa whoa. Im the guy hitting on and getting the NOPI chicks, must have me confused with another ChrisCon. hahaha.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Slapshotnerd &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that's no bueno

Hope Bisi finds a new sponsor in time for the race season!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bisi races for Torco Oil, diffrent company

Marc P

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MARC P &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Bisi races for Torco Oil, different company

Marc P</TD></TR></TABLE>



BTW, it is not a waste of resources to invest in drag racing...many companies do change strategies from time to time.

 

Does this mean we can put bigger dragon sticker on the car?

 

Dang. That is big.

NFJohn you did mention that everyone knows there is no return on investment in drag racing sponsorship. That may be true for some, but not for all. Some companies complain about the ROI, while others think drag racing is the best value in motorsports marketing. The success of their sponsorship program is directly related to their involvment in the program. You can't give someone money and expect it to grow itself. Sponsors need to stay involved, much like Winston did with NHRA and Cup many years ago. The companies that are successful in motorsports marketing have that success because of their internal marketing abilities and not the success of the team.

The whole industry is suffering right now, not just drag racing. I had lunch with a friend yesterday who is one of those guys that brings up and coming sprint drivers to Nascar and Indy Car. His name is Charlie Patterson...look him up and you will find a few articles He is a great guy and has brought a lot of big names up through the ranks...and he is a pretty important guy here in our neighborhood. I think he developed this little street here we call Gasoline Alley, which most of the big teams have moved out of in favor of these mega facilities a few miles away on Nitro Alley and in Park 100. But anyway...he told me that to obtain major corporate sponsorship right now you have to prove to the company that you can return $12 on their $1 investment.

The fact is that most teams aren't capable of putting that down on paper, even if they could generate that kind of ROI. I have sponsorship proposals from some of the top teams in motorsports from the big 3 organizations, and a lot of them are actually pretty bad. If you look at a proposal from 5 years ago vs. one today, there are major differences. The days of writing a proposal saying you will do this and do that are over. If you want sponsorship, you have to write a detailed business plan, so warm up those Business Management, Marketing, and Accounting degrees...because you will need them.

I still can't believe Evan Knoll is out of drag racing this year They will be back once whatever they are doing is sorted out.

 

It makes me think, where is Torco heading? Going back to focus on where they were before investing in IHRA, then later, the major jump to NHRA? Maybe going to push Stealth or Knoll Gas and get away from the Torco branding/name?

Looking into it...





Modified by billyVR6 at 1:02 AM 1/12/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 4piston &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The success of their sponsorship program is directly related to their involvment in the program. You can't give someone money and expect it to grow itself. Sponsors need to stay involved, much like Winston did with NHRA and Cup many years ago. The companies that are successful in motorsports marketing have that success because of their internal marketing abilities and not the success of the team..</TD></TR></TABLE>

This couldn't be more true. I always tried to be brutally honest with anyone we worked with that sponsored our car in the past and make sure that they know a simple sticker on our car is not going to do anything for them in the long run. What will do something for them is to use us a marketing tool for their product away from the race track. That is how the sponsorships become valuable for the sponsoring companies.

the sponsoring companies need to stay immediately involved in the program and use other avenues than simple vinyl decals to to make sure they get their ROI

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by scott@kinsler &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Does this mean we can put bigger dragon sticker on the car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Sure, I'll give you a call about that!! I am not, however, sponsored by Torco Fuels.

Team Torco Oil~

 

I dont know if you guys read earlier articles of Dragracingonline.com

In there they talk about Evan Knolls interest in buying the controling shares of IHRA This is something that is supposedly going down now.

I think this is why he jumped out of sponsorship. 1 to gain capitol for the move and 2 avoid conflict of interest.