How do YOU..... promote drag racing?

art leong · 02-17-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

Do you promote drag racing, and if so how? Do you feel that it's someone elses job, and all you have to do is race? Would you like to see the sportsman classes thrive with ten deep at the fence? How about more payout for all the long hours spent on your race operation? Do you feel any obligation and/or responsibility to introduce/promote/sell your product to the general public? Have you noticed the pros in NASCAR and NHRA using plain white trailers? I have'nt, I guess it's because they feel the need to promote and generate interest. They actively court the fan and that sells shirts, hats, toys and oh yea...tickets! I know they have funding in place for these programs, and we struggle just to get there with our entry. But I feel we all could do a better job of promoting the sport that we love. With the low car counts, talk of folks quiting, enhancments, etc etc, what are you doing to keep it alive. I know, you race and you promote on your car. But you promote to folks that are already there at the track....they already bought a ticket! We need to attract new fans and that means everyone working towards that common goal. I'm not saying form a picket line with support sportsman signs, but you could get involved in some community functions ie. local car shows, grand openings, school and church functions, etc. And you guys that arrive a day or two early for an event could roll the cars out at a local shopping center or busniess. You can't sell interest when you hide your product in a plain white box, and then you pull it out forty miles outside of town. What do you do to promote the sport you love?

Wade one problem I have with lettering on the trailer is the need for a CDL. That is one of the criteria the cops use. The nascar trailers are commercial vehicles.
When in the pits, I leave my car out as much as possible, I don't put it in the trailer till the end of the day. And when I'm there I leave the hood open so people can see what is in there.

Michael Beard · 02-17-2011, 11:56 AM

I was involved in the "Thunder in the Streets" promotion at Norwalk three times (crowd estimates of 10K each year), and the one time that they did a pre-event show for Milan's national event (only 6-8 of us racers I think, but it was coupled with a regular street rod type show in a park). I believe Thunder in the Streets was a major component in beginning our relationship with Duck Tape.

- open trailer
- open pit area (plus the "gas station shows") - always talk with fans, educate, inform, and entertain
- display opportunities
- baseball card-sized hero cards (I make these. Much more affordable than 8x10's, and kids love them. Easy to carry and distribute)
- t-shirts (designed myself)
- Drag racing resources available online: Guide to Bracket Racing, Track Directory, etc.
- Guest Instructor on ThisIsBracketRacing.com, sharing knowledge with racers from novice to advanced.

Drag racing is quite literally my life - eat, sleep, and breathe.

Mark Yacavone · 02-17-2011, 01:00 PM

Thanks for asking ,Wade.
The simple answer is; By promoting drag racing!

We do three events a year now , and in between , we're at multiple cruise nights, car shows ,and other nostalgic race events.

Every time I stop for gas with the Tempest, I end up handing out fliers and telling someone about our events. It's amazing to me ,how many old timers "used to race at the old Mel Larson's place" , yet don't realize it's still open and running every week as "Speedworld"
We even manage to get a few young guys interested in old cars. That's of course, after you answer the question "What the heck IS that car?"

Gary Smith · 02-18-2011, 10:16 AM

Anywhere and as often as I can without getting in trouble. Carshows play a big part...the opportunities are endless. Many show promoters welcome drag cars with open arms. Why let the car sit in the garage or trailer when you can at least display it between races? And I gain a couple new fans for S/SS at each event. I've even let kids sit in the car, and the parents take pictures...you can imagine the seeds planted into those young kids minds.

Jimi B · 02-18-2011, 04:38 PM

Nearly perfect post Wade.

I think we all need to be proactive and spread the word. It may be a hobby for some and not a biz, but who doesnt want to race in front of more fans? More fans, equal more, money for the track which hopefully translates to more payout.. More fans hopefully equal more sponsorship money. I know that is a perfect world scenario, but trying to be positive and proactive is better than sitting in front of your internet machine and complaining about, NHRA, gas prices, track owners, small purses, the sport not being what it used to be etc... Certainly Class Racers have an uphill battle going on right now with the new cars and technology and the way NHRA seems to be catering to them... I love the cars. Love the technology. I dont think they need a new class... I think they just needed to be factored right out of the box instead of changing the ahfs etc for everyone.. Sorry to stray off topic. Anyways... That might be one of the harder fights, but if you want more payouts etc, I dont think that doing what each and every one of us can to help get folks out to the track is a bad idea or too much to ask. I will admit I never really thought about it that much until recently. As of late I find my self inviting colleagues and customers from the day that have little knowledge about racing or cars.

I am also having a little fun with a side project that I am starting. My blog...

Its not finished, and right now I am just using a blog template but you guys can review it and give me some ribbing if you like hahah. But I do touch on the promotion and advancement of the sport, specifically the sportsman side.

http://jimibracing.com/

Wade Mahaffey · 02-18-2011, 07:11 PM

You know, I was thinking today about something that nobody has mentioned. I think most of us look at an NHRA National Event Win as the ultimate prize. Indy would ofcourse be the top, and a World Championship as well. Either of these would place one in the NHRA history book forever. But what would happen if we did'nt blow our oun horn just a little? What would happen if we just turned the other cheek and accepted the next NHRA beat down? How long will it be before they say "we don't need you anymore"? If you look at the car counts at any track, they all point the wrong way!
Think about the veteran/retired (racers) that have built racing to what it is today. They made major sacrafices in life and paved the way for you and I to race! The past winners and champions deserve to be remembered forever in my opinion. If we let the sport/class die, so will their memory. What good is winning the ultimate prise when nobody cares anyway. Class racers commited most of their life to automotive performance, and it would be a shame to let them be forgotten. It is important that all racers keep in mind that you have a place to race.
USE IT OR LOOSE IT!!......STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

I want to personally say to the veteran and retired racers:
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID !

Wade Mahaffey

Geerhead55 · 02-18-2011, 11:38 PM

The promoting at car shows,,on weekends at car events and so on is the easy part, I think. Its what we do Monday through Friday to reach out to people that has to reap dividends. I drive a 5 ton truck hauling for a steel fabricator,,and I have an NHRA member sticker on my wing window, and it inevitably draws attention in my daily pickups and deliveries. Once someone notices it and mentions it to me, they get the full assault of my best promoting device,,, my mouth, knowledge and experience of over 45 years of drag racing. If they have kids,,all the better,,as I'l tell them about Jr.Dragsters or High School competitions that are held locally, as well as on a national basis.
If they start talking about muscle cars,,I'll steer them towards talking about Stock/Superstock and so forth. If they have a basic knowledge of racing,,I'll try to help them have a deeper understanding of the sport, and of course always mention our local tracks in case they aren't aware of them or have forgotten them.
Its all about trying to get them to come out and enjoy a day at the track,,,no different than what somebody did to me years ago as a teen, and it certainly got me hooked.
Like someone famous said,,,"Never stop selling!",, niether should we ever stop selling.
Danny Durham

02-17-2011, 11:56 AM	#2
Michael Beard VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 4,060 Likes: 0 Liked 13 Times in 9 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? I was involved in the "Thunder in the Streets" promotion at Norwalk three times (crowd estimates of 10K each year), and the one time that they did a pre-event show for Milan's national event (only 6-8 of us racers I think, but it was coupled with a regular street rod type show in a park). I believe Thunder in the Streets was a major component in beginning our relationship with Duck Tape. - open trailer - open pit area (plus the "gas station shows") - always talk with fans, educate, inform, and entertain - display opportunities - baseball card-sized hero cards (I make these. Much more affordable than 8x10's, and kids love them. Easy to carry and distribute) - t-shirts (designed myself) - Drag racing resources available online: Guide to Bracket Racing, Track Directory, etc. - Guest Instructor on ThisIsBracketRacing.com, sharing knowledge with racers from novice to advanced. Drag racing is quite literally my life - eat, sleep, and breathe. __________________ Michael Beard - NHRA/IHRA 3216 S/SS

02-17-2011, 01:00 PM	#3
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,821 Likes: 2,910 Liked 5,133 Times in 1,957 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? Thanks for asking ,Wade. The simple answer is; By promoting drag racing! We do three events a year now , and in between , we're at multiple cruise nights, car shows ,and other nostalgic race events. Every time I stop for gas with the Tempest, I end up handing out fliers and telling someone about our events. It's amazing to me ,how many old timers "used to race at the old Mel Larson's place" , yet don't realize it's still open and running every week as "Speedworld" We even manage to get a few young guys interested in old cars. That's of course, after you answer the question "What the heck IS that car?" __________________ "We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for." Will Rogers Last edited by Mark Yacavone; 02-17-2011 at 01:06 PM.

02-18-2011, 10:16 AM	#4
Gary Smith Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 820 Likes: 9 Liked 132 Times in 30 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? Anywhere and as often as I can without getting in trouble. Carshows play a big part...the opportunities are endless. Many show promoters welcome drag cars with open arms. Why let the car sit in the garage or trailer when you can at least display it between races? And I gain a couple new fans for S/SS at each event. I've even let kids sit in the car, and the parents take pictures...you can imagine the seeds planted into those young kids minds. __________________ Gary Smith "another broke racer spectating" Last edited by Gary Smith; 02-18-2011 at 10:34 AM.

02-18-2011, 04:38 PM	#5
Jimi B Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 226 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? Nearly perfect post Wade. I think we all need to be proactive and spread the word. It may be a hobby for some and not a biz, but who doesnt want to race in front of more fans? More fans, equal more, money for the track which hopefully translates to more payout.. More fans hopefully equal more sponsorship money. I know that is a perfect world scenario, but trying to be positive and proactive is better than sitting in front of your internet machine and complaining about, NHRA, gas prices, track owners, small purses, the sport not being what it used to be etc... Certainly Class Racers have an uphill battle going on right now with the new cars and technology and the way NHRA seems to be catering to them... I love the cars. Love the technology. I dont think they need a new class... I think they just needed to be factored right out of the box instead of changing the ahfs etc for everyone.. Sorry to stray off topic. Anyways... That might be one of the harder fights, but if you want more payouts etc, I dont think that doing what each and every one of us can to help get folks out to the track is a bad idea or too much to ask. I will admit I never really thought about it that much until recently. As of late I find my self inviting colleagues and customers from the day that have little knowledge about racing or cars. I am also having a little fun with a side project that I am starting. My blog... Its not finished, and right now I am just using a blog template but you guys can review it and give me some ribbing if you like hahah. But I do touch on the promotion and advancement of the sport, specifically the sportsman side. http://jimibracing.com/

02-18-2011, 07:11 PM	#6
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 18 Times in 8 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? You know, I was thinking today about something that nobody has mentioned. I think most of us look at an NHRA National Event Win as the ultimate prize. Indy would ofcourse be the top, and a World Championship as well. Either of these would place one in the NHRA history book forever. But what would happen if we did'nt blow our oun horn just a little? What would happen if we just turned the other cheek and accepted the next NHRA beat down? How long will it be before they say "we don't need you anymore"? If you look at the car counts at any track, they all point the wrong way! Think about the veteran/retired (racers) that have built racing to what it is today. They made major sacrafices in life and paved the way for you and I to race! The past winners and champions deserve to be remembered forever in my opinion. If we let the sport/class die, so will their memory. What good is winning the ultimate prise when nobody cares anyway. Class racers commited most of their life to automotive performance, and it would be a shame to let them be forgotten. It is important that all racers keep in mind that you have a place to race. USE IT OR LOOSE IT!!......STRENGTH IN NUMBERS I want to personally say to the veteran and retired racers: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID ! Wade Mahaffey

02-18-2011, 11:38 PM	#7
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: How do YOU..... promote drag racing? The promoting at car shows,,on weekends at car events and so on is the easy part, I think. Its what we do Monday through Friday to reach out to people that has to reap dividends. I drive a 5 ton truck hauling for a steel fabricator,,and I have an NHRA member sticker on my wing window, and it inevitably draws attention in my daily pickups and deliveries. Once someone notices it and mentions it to me, they get the full assault of my best promoting device,,, my mouth, knowledge and experience of over 45 years of drag racing. If they have kids,,all the better,,as I'l tell them about Jr.Dragsters or High School competitions that are held locally, as well as on a national basis. If they start talking about muscle cars,,I'll steer them towards talking about Stock/Superstock and so forth. If they have a basic knowledge of racing,,I'll try to help them have a deeper understanding of the sport, and of course always mention our local tracks in case they aren't aware of them or have forgotten them. Its all about trying to get them to come out and enjoy a day at the track,,,no different than what somebody did to me years ago as a teen, and it certainly got me hooked. Like someone famous said,,,"Never stop selling!",, niether should we ever stop selling. Danny Durham