[smbpreformance]

Those "Hollywood" sponsors will bring their money and then maybe car owners can pay their bills and not have to get a "ride buyer" that everyone hates

See USAC as MLB and MSCS as AAA ball and the local tracks is A ball the money and the fans sponsors and money will trickle down if the top is successful

All you have to do is look at the success of the PBR to see that a quality a product that has been around for ever can put their competitiors on a nation spot light by thinking outside the box by bringing on bigger named sponsors

Originally Posted by Moses I think the future of open wheel racing is in the hands of all those young fans. The one thing we cannot control is getting old. With a large portion of the racing's fanbase growing old, it's time to look at new ways of attracting a younger audience. I think sponsors like Oakley, energy drink companies, etc. are a good way to attract that audience. Racing is an extreme sport, and if marketing it that way brings in new fans, new dollars, and more support, obviously it will benefit everyone involved. Someone brought up the NASCAR example of why not to bring in "Hollywood" sponsors. I too dislike NASCAR for what it has become, seemingly "selling out" and compromising the product on the track. They've dumbed-down the racing to appeal to as broad an audience as possible. What needs to happen is embracing our sport's great heritage, while bringing in new people. Never turn our backs on those that helped make the sport what it is today. Celebrate it! Bring in new fans and get them to buy into the traditions. Continue to race at historic venues, and revel in the history that comes with them. Encourage long time sponsors to stay involved, but never be afraid to look at new ways to improve the product, or at new companies interested in starting their involvement. A healthy mix of youthful energy and historic reverence is necessary for a series to be successful. I love open wheel racing. I want to spend my life involved with it, and if that means finding youthful sponsors to ensure that my kids, or my grand kids can see a sprint car race years from now, then youthful sponsors is what we need to go after. Keep in mind, many of those established companies today were at one time youthful, new faces on the race scene. Just my .002 worth.

Moses,

Your opinion is worth a whole lot more than just $.002. Well said...

DM

[Kirk Spridgeon]

Sean-
It's funny you brought up the PBR, because myself and a couple of young drivers went to a PBR event this past weekend, and I was so impressed with the things they do. And what's great to see is that they've brought in new supporters and sponsors without alienating their long-time relationships.

It starts as soon as you walk in the door, and you're barraged with things that make it feel like a big event. They honestly have a product very similar to what we have, and the people involved in it are so similar to racing people....

The biggest thing that impressed me was the showmanship. And it's such a simple deal. I kept mentioning how their presentation reminded me of a Supercross event. I am all for a quick event, but it sometimes seems like the quality of the show is sacrificed to get things done more quickly. Maybe things are more at the mercy of strange variables for sprint car racing, but it just seems like there could be so much more excitement pumped into the event without taking away from the actual racing.

I hate to mention this, but a series that has such substantial involvement from people like Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Jason Leffler, Ryan Newman, Gary Scelzi, Cruz Pedregon, etc., etc. should NOT have a problem with this....I'll be interested to see what happens in the next year or so with this side of the United States Auto Club.

This is a slightly off the cuff and topic remark. But everytime I hear about the lack of youth at races all I can think of is Bloomington every Friday night - the hill is covered with kids and we are seemingly getting more every year - I could expound on reasons why I think this to be true but it is probably irrelevant -- but I will say this - I have been to many supercross shows and the showmanship is great - those shows also (a) start on time and (b) do not take all night -- our events today should not take longer than an average NFL football game -- do we need more kids coming yes - but I think it takes more than playing outdated and loud rock music

[Mud Packer]

Originally Posted by psullivan This is a slightly off the cuff and topic remark. But everytime I hear about the lack of youth at races all I can think of is Bloomington every Friday night - the hill is covered with kids and we are seemingly getting more every year - I could expound on reasons why I think this to be true but it is probably irrelevant -- but I will say this - I have been to many supercross shows and the showmanship is great - those shows also (a) start on time and (b) do not take all night -- our events today should not take longer than an average NFL football game -- do we need more kids coming yes - but I think it takes more than playing outdated and loud rock music

Pat,

You have touched on a critical part of this issue. One of the things that I have seen over and over again in the past 5 years are parents/grandparents bringing kids to the races. Unfortunately, I also have seen them leaving as the hour is late and they still are running heat races because they didn't start on time and somehow the promoter thinks that longer is better. If you announce the starting time at 7:00 PM, then you better be prepared to race at 7:00 PM. One of my biggest complaints is getting to the track prepared to see racing and have to sit through a lengthy track prep session. This is what will drive away casual fans quicker than anything. JMO.

[AlkyMadness]

Now, that I've had more time to think over Dean's comments, I have a few more points to offer.

You shouldn't be surprised that anyone can have bias toward sponsors.

Bias is a natural by-product of all marketing, especially when marketing an image to an extreme niche. The free market lives and dies by consumer bias. As a company, you hope to win the war of bias and it's a trench fight.

Ford/Chevy, Budweiser/Miller, Goodyear/Firestone (or in racing, Hoosier/American; look how many series conflicts there are all forms of dirt racing where that's concerned). I hate to keep using NASCAR as a benchmark, but look how many fans will (or will not) support drivers based on the product they are associated with. In sprint car racing, there are some fans who think Randy Hanagan's Penthouse sponsorship is inappropriate (even NASCAR won't touch that; and if I remember correctly, they sponsored one of Frank Pedregon's team but were pressured to leave).

All companies know going into the game that their product won't apply and be embraced by all.

I, like everybody, have my likes and dislikes. Obviously, I don't care for the overall image of Oakley (but I did say that if it helps pay the bills, it's okay). Personally, I prefer Scott OTG goggles.

Also, using "pop" image to help market your product isn't always all that successful. Again, look at the sell out champions NASCAR. They grew like crazy and went to the glitz to draw the younger crowd. They went to new markets (California, etc) to draw the younger, affluent crowd. It worked in the short term, but look what's happened. The new markets are panning out and the "new" fans are dropping off. A case of "been there, done that" and now it isn't the popular trend. At the same time, the core fanbase was disenfranchised, turned off and have left the sport by the droves. It's pretty easy to see that they are now suffering dropping media ratings and there are more and more empty seats. Now, they've openly admitted the mistake and are wondering how do they get the old, reliable fans back.

Which leads to your other point concerning the "aging" fan base and dropping attendance at events.

I see a lot of young people at races. More so in Indiana than in most other places I travel. When I'm at Kokomo, Bloomington and Lawrenceburg I see this. So, I think there are new fans coming into the sport. And I see that they are drawn by seeing younger talent that they can relate to. The problem there for USAC is that most of these talented youngsters don't stick around to help cultivate their following. They move on.

Another observation: most of us grew up admiring big American iron. Muscle cars, 400 ci motors. Today's youth are into racing that involves what they drive. Small, 4-cyl imports. Look at how popular NOPI is with the young crowd. Add in eye candy and rap music and they are huge with the youth.

But, I think the biggest problem with attendance is the economy. Young people (and older folks) don't have as much expendable income when it costs more and more each month to cover life's expenses. And, good paying jobs aren't readily available. This is putting a pinch on everybody and people have to be more selective in their choices and most CAN'T afford to travel.

This weekend at Volusia is a prime example. Most young people I've talked to are locals. The majority of the crowd are old timers and retirees. They are the ones who can afford to travel.

But, most young people don't forget what they enjoyed. And, when they are older and have the money, they will return. That's what I did. My Dad took me to my first USAC show when I was eight. So, year's later, what do I still follow? Sprints and midgets.

So, back to what USAC needs. In my opinion, it isn't trendy corporate tie ins. Look at the most successful sprint sanction, WoO. There following is built on the star power of names like Kinser, Lasoski, Swindell, etc. That's what USAC needs. We have our stars like Darland, but again, the up and coming stars jump ship. New fans can't rely on knowing that the hot shoe they enjoyed last year will even be around this year.

Also, remember that NASCAR grew as a regional sanction. Their turf was the Southeast. For all their power, they still struggle to gain footing in other regions.

USAC is not a National series. The Indiana area is their turf. They need to focus on that and make their events something that fans will come to see (just like I do year after year). They need to have a "Daytona 500". But it doesn't happen overnight.

Again, this is a problem for all auto racing, not just USAC. And who knows, perhaps there isn't anything any of us can do. All good things eventually come to an end and maybe we are seeing the twilight of auto racing. Too many factors that no one person or organization can control. Not just the economy. Let's face it, there could soon come a day when auto racing isn't even possible. If cars go electric, would we really pay to watch silent race cars? That day is probably on the horizon. How many tracks are being phased out because communities don't cherish them anymore? How many thought we'd see the day where petitions had to be raised to save a jewel like Terre Haute?

Well enough of my 3am ramblings. I don't have the answers, just thoughts. Let's just enjoy what we can while we can.

[openwheelKT]

Originally Posted by AlkyMadness I, like everybody, have my likes and dislikes. Obviously, I don't care for the overall image of Oakley (but I did say that if it helps pay the bills, it's okay). Personally, I prefer Scott OTG goggles.

I'm still trying to understand the whole point of this. I don't understand what the "overall image problem" is. I understand they don't make products you personally would buy, but that doesn't mean there is an image problem.

They make sunglasses and are now into making other gear for active sports. Getting into other sports includes having a pretty big and increasing involvement in racing. They are making more and more gear that I see racers at the top levels wear. They have a pretty big sponsorship involvement as well. I really don't understand how that's an image problem.

[Brolzy]

As long as a company pays thier sponsorship bills and promotes the series in a positive way, I can't see caring who it is if you truly like the series. Unless it's Viagra, then I may have a problem with the "Viva Viagra Series."

[Charles Nungester]

I think some of this is well documented and factual and well placed concerns. But I also see things like "Not much expendable income" which to me is total B.S when that same kid will dump 59 bucks a month on a cell phone (Thats a cheap estimate) 599 on a Nintendo, 49 dollars a game ect. and packages worth more than the car for motor kits and body work. A two grand set of spinny wheels ect.

To get these kids, You gotta market to them. Create the USAC playstation game with a slogan "LIVE IT LIVE!"

Have a scoreboard with running orders and linueps like the WOO has. It's been two years but I still remember seing "BUTLER BUILT and SPEEDWAY MOTORS" flashing on it.

I think marketing and sponsorships are great and a necessary part of our sport. However it can go "WAY TOO FAR" I stopped going to hockey games when they kept shoving comercials down my neck at every stoppage of play. Let me know your there and involved and LET THE SPORT BE THE DRAW. thats the way it should be.

Chuck

It's a fine line between sending out messages and overkill. It's hard to get through an entire NASCAR race (for many reasons) but they run so many commercials, you