Quote:
Originally Posted by Floyd Gomez
Gary,
I still dont see the support mechanism. sponsors will not spend advertising dollars on cars that may or may not make the field. they want a car and driver that has a chance of winning as much as possible to give their product as much exposure as possible. Sponsors know that losing or not qualifying doesn't help the general public rush out to buy their product. They also know what it cost for advertisement and they are not willing to waste one penny on a program that their investment has less than a ten percent chance of getting in the show much less winning. As far as attracting support for our categories It is NOT possible under the current PINKS format. The fans don't care what class your car is neither is it advertised. You also mention electronics but a ton of cars on pinks use them. Most of the cars in the actual race atleast have a trans brake. Here in the Carolinas and back in Louisiana the bracket racing is getting bigger and bigger. I think some areas just have suffered more over the economy. Anyway my point is PINKS is a heads up competition run what you brung. Way to many class racers will be left out in the cold and have paid 60 bucks for 2 time trials unless you can figure out how to handicap it. Otherwise build a 10 second street car with nitorous and go have fun.
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Floyd you might think I fell off the turnip truck but I've been around drag racing and other forms of motorsports since the '60s. I also know what's involved with running a business and advertising as we were a track sponsor for almost 20 years. Sponsors/supporters look at one thing only..return on investment. There are class racers out there who go really fast, win class, but get little press coverage. That equates to little exposure that I wouldn't waste time or money on. But someone who could guarantee exposure, whether it be tv time, magazines, web, or what ever, that's who I want. Furthermore the compensation would be relative to the market. I'm not talking John Force sponsorship, but something better than what we have now.
If it weren't for my last minute decision to make the event, I would have easily obtained local support as I had some stuff lined up. So you're wrong about not being able to attract support under the PINKS format. Fact is when talking to several local automotive businesses in our area, just mentioning PINKS practically sold itself. Not so for the stocker. They don't know L/Stock from a dune buggy. And you're right, the average fans don't give a hoot about classes, but they will once we have a way to make class racing palatable again.
Bracket racing may be growing there and Louisiana, but have you followed the trends the last few years? Tracks across the country are scaling back their weekly bracket programs in favor of imports, grudge racing, and heads up events, with some dropping brackets all together. My statement on electronics was about the effect it's had on bracket racer participation at a local level and nothing to do with PINKS. Again, your preaching to the choir.
Sticker sponsors began pulling the plug well before the economy tanked as a result of racers taking advantage of programs and fraudulent claims instead of being true product representatives. Racers trying to collect like they are under contract forced others to reconsider too. That's sad because it makes us look like money siphons. Years ago my father wrote Champion about trying certain plugs. They sent him stickers and a couple sets of plugs. He put the stickers on the car, took pictures, and wrote them back thanking them along with the photos. He also gave them a briefing on the product. This resulted in a 4 year deal with shipments of various heat range plugs every month. That's how we should think.
And what's wrong with spending $60 dollar entry fee? You get at least 4 runs, not 2. You pay $250 or more for NHRA and lucky to get 2 runs before first round. What's the difference? Many bitch about how they're treated, about time slots or being filler, complaining we don't get adequate exposure. But when something like PINKS comes along everyone's quick to tear it apart. NHRA glory days are OVER. We're riding the coat tails of the pros, and we're stuck paying the bill. Pretty soon that bill won't cover our welcome and we'll be replaced with something more practical. Jeggie, Garlits, and others won't be enough to save class racing. We need to roll with the changes, or the changes will roll over us.
To every Stock and Super Stock racer reading this, I've elected to search for a solution to the complaints we've all made instead of whining about what I don't like. But I'm only going to waste so much time looking for a way to make a difference with this, then I'm going to move on. The decision rests with everyone.
See my other post with Rich's request to us.
(p.s...to those trash talking Rich Christensen...go to his website
www.richchristensen.com and learn a little about the guy before you pass judgement.)