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soulfisher
New Member
59 Posts |
 Posted - 09/11/2008 : 07:33:34
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We are enthusiasts, that's why we are here. We are the racers that make up this sport. Without us, it ceases to exist. This post is about what we can do to help out, or at least my opinion. Let's generate some discussion.
But I'm new (2 months), so let me introduce myself. I'm Mark Norton, aka "Soulfisher". I'm 49 and this is the second year I've been racing. and have had moderate success. While I haven't collected my first win sticker, I don't like to lose. I am also a thinker, which probably contributes to my lack of win stickers. 
Anyway, back on topic.
In my short time, I've seen lot's of posts here and other places and heard plenty of track side discussions about the size of the payouts in the face of increasing costs. Yes, it costs us plenty to race, parts get more expensive, fuel is more expensive, everything costs more. Yet, we can't expect the track owners to give us a bigger payout out of a fixed or dwindling pool of entry fees. The track management costs have also risen. They burn fuel as well, they pay staff, they have parts break. If we want larger payouts, there are two sources - we either put more money in as entry fees, and I know that will go over well, or we get more racers and spectators to the track. The economics of drag racing are hard for everyone.
Getting more people to the track is essential to survival. Not only from an economical perspective, but to help address the environmental aspect as well.
We are seeing fewer tracks. People don't want them in their neighborhood due to noise and traffic, even if the track was already there before they moved in. The restrictions will only increase. However, people never mind the "problems" if they find the "what's in it for me" key. We need to get people out enjoying the races.
I challenge you to think about what we can do to help promote more spectators and participation. Are you inviting friends to come as spectators? Are we inviting people we know that have toyed with the idea of racing to a test and tune and walked them through making a pass with their car? I know that is how I got "hooked", so to speak. Can we, as an association, partner with track managers to create promotions?
The Sheepfest / Pig Roast is great, is there more? How about a car show at a track? What are some of the other ideas to make if a family event? What if we set up inflatable playgrounds in a spectator area at MDRA events? How about "Lady's Day" where activities like scrapbooking (everyone loves pictures of their car) are done to get wives to the track. I'm blessed having a wife who is there all the time, but I know others would love to have their wife come out and see what they do and enjoy.
I don't have all the answers, just a lot of the questions. It's been a tough year for track owners and racers alike. It is critical that we get creative and help turn it around.
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Travis Sorokie
Junior Member
USA
326 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 09:19:49
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Great topic soulfisher!
One item you forgot to mention about the tracks however is advertising sponsors. Most tracks have signage promoting various products or businesses. The tracks can increase the payout by getting the sponsors. If they have more $ in the purse (or a guaranteed payout), the racers will show up.
Just like the Lucas Oil Nationals or O'Rilley Nationals---event title sponsors, or series title sponsors.
Spectator entry is just too high in most cases to take a 'family' to a weekend bracket event. Tracks need to take a look at this. Like you stated, run promotions. Kids Free weekend, College ID weekend, Ladies Weekend (great for Mother's Day), Military ID weekend (a couple of tracks I raced at this year had this). Do a little advertising on the local radio, post flyer's around town, etc. BIR does this for the Badd Boyz, Muscle Car and Show & GO, but I've yet to see them promote a Bracket Event...including the ET Finals when it's been here!
As for building MDRA, great things can happen with this club. There is a lot of membership potential. The NDRA out of the Dakota's shut the doors this year. So you have that area to grow, the St. Cloud area where I'm from has a lot of racers, but not a lot of MDRA members---so that can grow. The Iron Range has a lot of potential and so does Wisconsin. We need to work to get those communities involved in sponsorship and members. If you look at the current MDRA sponsors, the majority are from the Cities...which is fine, but I myself don't do a lot of business in the Cities.
I'd love to help MDRA grow---as much as a few members think I'm a royal pain in the backside. If we organize as a club...tell tracks we want to host an MDRA event at their track, and show up as a club with 30-60 cars they won't normally get on a weekend we would have some leverage. If someone from the MDRA board would like to contact me about MDRA sponsorship in the St. Cloud area I'd be happy to do the leg work this winter.
See ya in Staging!!!
2008 Lucas Oil Division 5 Super Stock Champion--BIR
General Trouble Maker
Internet Forum Racer Rehab Room #101 |
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Lenny5160
Junior Member
USA
278 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2008 : 10:14:55
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Mark - great post!
It was nice to meet you at the Rock a few weeks ago, but I wish it hadn't been immediately following your .013 light pushing out my .007!
I think a big problem in the Twin Cities area is the proximity of the tracks to the racers. That hurts sponsorship opportunities for the tracks and racers, and also makes it difficult to bring family/friends along to a race. I don't know how many family/friends have expressed interest in coming to a race, but never want to get up at 5:30 AM to head to the Rock or spend a whole weekend somewhere.
The distance of tracks from the TC also affects the bottom line for the majority of the racers because travel costs are sunk costs that you aren't going to get back no matter how well you do at the track. I used to find someplace to race just about every weekend as long as it was within 6 hours. I'd go all the way to Eddyville to race for $500 on Saturday night and then drive to Tri-State for $400 on Sunday. Now I come out 4-5 times per year. If there was a track in the suburbs somewhere it would be a different deal.
Tony Leonard |
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soulfisher
New Member
59 Posts |
Posted - 09/12/2008 : 05:19:52
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Travis, you are right. Sponsorship is another part of the equation, actually an important part. A sponsor spends the money for two reasons possibly. First, they love the sport and want to see it continue, but an even bigger reason, they expect it to return in additional revenue to them, after all, it's advertising. To be effective then, the sponsor needs people at events to see and hear their sponsorship, and they need racers supporting their business.
Here's a thought, sit down and write a thank you card to the sponsors at the end of the season. Let them know you appreciate their support!
Tony, you are right, proximity is a problem. Yes there are discussions around putting something in Big Lake, but like Pine City, I just don't expect it to happen. We need to find a way to make it worthwhile to drive the 100 or so miles to a track. People don't mind driving up to Hinkley or Mille Lacs to lose money in the casino. Maybe sponsors donating prizes that are given away in drawings to racers and spectators might help.
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The Survival of Drag Racing
