I know its only May 2008, but face it, 5 of the 10 NOPI races are already over, and 2 of the 9 Battle races are over

this leaves 3 NOPI races and 2 BOTI races out here on the east coast until season's end. Yes there are a few races around too, but we as racers need to be thinking about next season.

This year for the Pure Street class in NOPI, we had to fight to get a sponsor just so we could have a class to compete in. Thankfully SCTuned stepped up and we are racing! Unfortunately payouts suck! I do understand we were a last minute addittion so we should be thankful we have something, but we want to look foward to winning. Yes we have contingencies, but they take months to get. I know I would rather walk out of the event with $1000 to use for gas money for the next event next week than to get $1200 in 2 months.

I don't know what SCTuned has planned for next season, but hopefully they will stay on board. I know i am going to talk to some companies and see if they are interested in sponsoring some other classes.

I do think we need some reassuring from the sanctioning bodies that if we do this, the racer payout will go up. Nothing against drifters or show cars, but if i'm putting in my time and effort and putting my neck on the line to persuade these companies to make an investment in us, I want to reap the benefits.

So NOPI and BOTI:

-what can we as racers do to get more sponsors for the classes.
-how can we be sure you will not take this money and either put it in your pocket or elsewhere bestides the racers?

Racers:
-What do you want to see from the bodies for next year? (2 day events? 3 sat quals w/1 sun qual? Live web coverage? more tech inspectors, etc.)
-send letters to your local tracks asking them to consider having an Import event there. If we can get them to keep us in mind all season, when it comes down to 2009 season time, it might help.

-Francisco


Modified by RPRacing at 10:20 PM 5/20/2008

 

It would be pretty cool if the sanc. bodies would start the season on different coasts then swap in summer time. It would be nice to be able to be part of the action all season long without traveling 3000 miles.

 

Nice post.

Here are things I see from a sponsors side of things.
I hate to open with this one but it is fresh on my mind from the last event in Etown.

For one the race cars can't oil down the track every other pass out there. This causes lost time the event can't make up. I was watching the race from the big end and I could see a good bit of people in the stands when qualifying started and when the oil downs started the fans hung in there for the first one then after that they started leaving the stands and going over to the drifting. I think in total the MOD class had 4 oil downs and all motor had 3 that is actually when i lost interest in watching and went over to the pits. This stuff takes time to clean up and the fans don't have much to watch other than the Zamboni machines going up and down the track. At that point I was thinking I needed to sponsor one of those machines since they were on the track the most. So one thing I know will help is less oil downs to keep the people that show up in the stands. Racing is what they are here to see not clean ups.

Without spectators there are no reasons for sponsors to be there.

Next we all need to get together and go bring people to the track. What I mean by this is to go to Radio stations and TV stations to do interviews and let people know we are in town. Maybe show up a day early and show all the cars off at a central location to spark some interest in the kick *** cars you all have built. Hanging with the kids and other enthusiasts around town makes people feel that we are there for them in a direct way.

NOPI and NHRA can only do so much and if we bring them good racing and go get the fans/crowd grass roots style it will be easy for them to get sponsors more involved. I would not expect much from them over the next year until they get the bugs worked out.

I am not sure if this is what you wanted to here but it is what i see as a thorn in our side that is holding us back. We are a young sport and are going to have some growing pains so we need to Analise what is holding us back and make adjustments.

I know one thing that is working for ADRL is free admission for all. In the last 2 events in Texas the fire Marshall had to come close the gate because there were to many people at the track. WOW what a problem to have. Maybe NOPI should do that for a while to get butts in the seats.

Bullseye Power is here for the long haul and is willing to do more for the sport but we all need to work together to make this happen

 

with gas being so high and no cars showing up how can you ask for more???? they cant be making money?????

 

i know the money has to come from somewhere BUT the admission prices are turning people away.


its kind of a double edge sword. spectators want to see fast cars. as young as the sport is, there needs to be slower entry level class's.

 

The gas prices are another story. I think we all should march on Washington to protest the high gas prices that are killing our economy.

Our government is screwing us and they think we can't see it. They are wrong wake up people and smell the roses.

 

I think catchpans and fuel sample valves keep alot of racers away that would only race in 1 or 2 races. I dont understand how a fuel sample is needed every pass yet you can go a whole season without ever having a turbo measured.

 

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

My dad and I were talking about this today, I would love to see a small turbo, no dogbox, slower version of both T/S and Power Street if you see what I'm getting at. A SOLID 11.5-12.5 class where daily drivers can come out and have a blast, and feel like they too can go rounds.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Butts in the stands is what makes NOPI/BOTI money. If there were more fans, there would be more sponsors, then racers would get more sponsors/higher payouts/contingency, and then there would be more racers. Mother nature hasnt been helping this year.

 

look it comes down to this if you don't show up your not going to have your national series!!!! you can say its this and that but if there not making money that's that

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boner_Ben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think catchpans and fuel sample valves keep alot of racers away that would only race in 1 or 2 races. </TD></TR></TABLE>

This one is true, catch pans scare the new people all the time.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo-charged &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i know the money has to come from somewhere BUT the admission prices are turning people away.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yea this weekend at NOPI it was $50 for just watching the race. Another $15 and you can race. And if you do the math have a friend be crew and you race for $5 more then if you just get two gen admins.
Race and crew -- 65+40=105
2 gen admins -- 50+50=100

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

I like the idea of switching coasts mid season as well, I'll chime in some more when I'm not trying to make some money to pay for that gas </TD></TR></TABLE>

This would work if NOPI / BOTI stay so same coast with each other, other wise pros are going back and forth or picking only one to run


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Boner_Ben &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Mother nature hasnt been helping this year. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Biggest issue for this season so far

 

the problem with that is daily drivers are going faster than that haha.


i think the big problem is that people think they are going to take a brand new car out and win every event even though they have never been to the track. thats clearly not the case! people dont understand you have to go to the track in order to learn how to go fast!

 

i am sorry guys but there not here for the love of the sport

 

All I know is something needs to change, this season has been disappointing. I hope its gets better when the races come out here. Sfwd and street all motor cars have been packed but pro class turnouts have been weak at local events. I hope more cars are ready by Vegas.

 

i cannot comment about what the series wants or needs, but only answer these valid questions from my experience with both.

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

For one the race cars can't oil down the track every other pass out there. This causes lost time the event can't make up.

this is purely a tech issue, and poor judgment on parts being used to contain oil ie: catch can. some people dont even run them on race cars. imo, oil down once a warning, oil down twice dq'd

Without spectators there are no reasons for sponsors to be there.

i agree to disagree. the way i look at it, you have to fix the source in order to put people in the stands. this is a form of entertainment, which im ashamed to say, is become way too plain jane these days....drama is what makes interest in sponsors because thats what interests spectators.

Next we all need to get together and go bring people to the track. What I mean by this is to go to Radio stations and TV stations to do interviews and let people know we are in town.

this has been going on for a very long time. tv and radio are strong tools for marketing, but it will never come close to print and people interaction (shops, schools, people with ms interest etc etc. )

Maybe show up a day early and show all the cars off at a central location to spark some interest in the kick *** cars you all have built. Hanging with the kids and other enthusiasts around town makes people feel that we are there for them in a direct way.
this is a start. but then again it comes down to personal agenda, some dont like to do this, and others dont have the time to spare.

I would not expect much from them over the next year until they get the bugs worked out.

.....

We are a young sport and are going to have some growing pains so we need to Analise what is holding us back and make adjustments.

this is not a young sport. its alittle deeper then that..
yes, restriction is a major factor in this topic.


I know one thing that is working for ADRL is free admission for all.

giving away tickets for 4 second door slammers is alittle different then sport compact, but the major factor in getting people there is how much you willing to go out of your own way to do so....

Bullseye Power is here for the long haul and is willing to do more for the sport but we all need to work together to make this happen

personal agenda is what makes sc drag racing hurt.....</TD></TR></TABLE>


Modified by MrParks at 1:13 AM 5/21/2008

 

i think you'll get more racers out there with less rules. some of the rules are pointless. e.g. interior req'd, headlights operational, fuel sample valve, blah blah all that unnecessary garbage. you gotta have a huge demand for racers before enforcing rules like this.

2. spectators should not be paying $50. i can pay that much and get into a POWERADE series which is much more entertaining. at most it should be $20.

3. have some contingency prizes like: perfect reaction time in any class gets $500. this gives people some incentive to race if they are on the fence about racing.

4. get hot topless women starters.

 

I didn't realize it was 50 bucks to get in the gate. No wonder people don't show up and watch us race. That is insane. I think the general admission at the Bristol NHRA race was $55.00.

 

Its good to see people posting some of their feelings, hopefully this thread will help NOPI/NHRA/BOTI for next season.

I agree with you guys about the admission and some other things, I know i have a few more things that i want to see too:

1- Admission: I agree about it being too much. You have to realize who the target demographic is. Their income isn't 100k+ a year. Although they do have some money, $50 is a lot of money for them.

2-Entertainment: We don't offer near the entertainment in the pits, vendor midway or on the track that Powerade does. Although the series is a drag racing series and we want butts physically in the stands, you cannot expect a spectator to be in the stands for 6+ hours watching sport compact racing. You need to find vendors to come in and have stuff to do. Go to a HIN show or Powerade race, look at all the cool thing people have to do there. Give these people something to do now. (I think NOPI and BOTI higher ups rely on too few staff when it comes to marketing. When you have a full plate and it just gets more full, you need to be able to hire someone else who can devote all of their energy into making the series better. Hire someone who works the marketing side all week long building relationships. They can build you a relationship, then you can talk to the perspective sponsor and seal the deal.)

3- Area exposure. Contact racers ahead of time and see who will be in town a day early. Hell, maybe even agree to let a couple crew in for free or pay the race fee for them if they agreee to come 1 day early. Then you can take a couple cars out to a central location and walk around, do signings, do what it takes to get people who normally wouldn't go to the track. I think last year with the best buy signings, it brought some good exposure for our sport.

4- Catch Pan/Sample Valve- I agree with others that this is scaring racers away. I have a very simple solution.
----NOPI allows local racers who will only run 1 event this season to not run a pan/valve.
----BUT, before they get their tech card signed off, they need to go to the tower (NOPI trailer or wherever) to make a $250 deposit.
----They will get back this deposit as long as they do not oil down the track.
----If they do oil down the track, NOPI keeps the deposit because a catch pan would have prevented such a big mess.
I think this is very easy to regulate. All NOPI has to do to keep track of it, is right down DL #s, car year/make/model and maybe snap a digi pic to make sure other people are not teching same car at different events.

Just some of the ideas I have in my head right now.

-Francisco

 

i can pretty much promise you nobody would leave a 250 dollar deposit for that.

here is a good one... DONT HAVE THE GOD DAMN BIKINI CONTEST DURING RACING. there is a ton of down time between rounds. they do the bikini contest during the racing and then wonder why it looks like there is 7 people in the stands in all of the event photo's.


leave the trash at the gate. i think everybody who was at nopi maryland this weekend could have caught an STD just from being there. i think if any serious, potential sponsors would have been at the nopi MIR race this weekend, they would have left with no intentions of helping out our sport...and then would have went to the doctor.

 

I think that the two remaining series should work togehter, Maybe have battle be the west coast swing and then nopi be the east coast swing. Then they could have the finals in the Middle.. That would be huge!!! That way sponsors could get coverage all over

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo-charged &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i can pretty much promise you nobody would leave a 250 dollar deposit for that.

here is a good one... DONT HAVE THE GOD DAMN BIKINI CONTEST DURING RACING. there is a ton of down time between rounds. they do the bikini contest during the racing and then wonder why it looks like there is 7 people in the stands in all of the event photo's.


leave the trash at the gate. i think everybody who was at nopi maryland this weekend could have caught an STD just from being there. i think if any serious, potential sponsors would have been at the nopi MIR race this weekend, they would have left with no intentions of helping out our sport...and then would have went to the doctor.</TD></TR></TABLE>

AGREED on all of the above.
and get rid of the burnout contest.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Turbo-charged &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i can pretty much promise you nobody would leave a 250 dollar deposit for that.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
how much would you pay then?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rota92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">50 dollars!!!??</TD></TR></TABLE>
but $50 wont cover anything. the purpose of a security deposit is to make people actually care about getting it back. Anything less than $100 will not work. Also, a credit card could be used to get this deposit so no actual cash had to be put out.

 

For me, I didn't make it to Nopi MIR this year cause it was just too expensive. If you think about it its 65$ to race, then god knows how much if your coming from far away for gas, then food for the weekend. I used to stay in a hotel but thats too much money too.

I mean I was never had a really fast car or anything, but I enjoy coming out. And being a broke college kid I just can't afford to pay 150$.

I think if they could cut prices in half, that would make alot more people show up. Because for me if addmission was only like 30 for the weekend it would make it easier on the wallet.

If nopi needs to make more money, charge more for car show people, and cut back the prices of the racers, I mean I never like the car show anyway your at a racetrack take it to a parking garage. That way you will have better racer turnout.

I would rather see the lanes packed with racers, then the stands packed with people.

 

as far as catch pans go i dont think it hurts the class turnout as much as people think. for the most part you arent dealing with the casual test and tune type person. anyone who has gone the great lengths of building a car for one of these classes should have no problem spending the few extra bucks or little bit of time to make a pan of thier own. i cant really see what has been the problem this season but i can say at every single event last year these pans save ALOT of down time and there was always at least one person that said this was a good decision. one person was even kept off the wall because of it.

lets keep some good positive realistic discussion. hopefully something good can come of it. im a big fan of frans idea of talking to your local track and getting them to do sport compact races. build up the sport in your area and little by little it can show the sanctioning bodies and sponsors this sport is still strong.
-Roger

 

The pricing this year has been absolutely ridiculous. Last year at NHRA fall nationals at E Town I think i paid $15 or $20 on sat and for another 10 I got a sunday pass also, so for $25 or $30 I got to go for both days. This year it was $30 each day. I still ended up going both days for E town but my friends said that they would only go one day because of the price. I couldnt imagine what it would be like for the families of racers that come out to watch them race. I think the first thing they need to do is lower admission price.