We control our own destiny

[Troy Henderson]

With all the down time at National Events I always thought it would be cool to have a show and shine on Saturday in a designated area to drum up interest. Even group the cars by brand for fun.

[Randall Klein]

I threw this out there a couple of years ago, try to work a deal between track and "in-town" show promotion....you show the race car and rig, have hero cards and free or discounted tickets, and the track reserves a great pit spot in exchange.

Some racers arrive 2-3 days early to assure a great spot anyway.

"in-Town" could be car dealership, Wal-Mart, Shopping Center, local pub & brew, or.... as traffic builder and race promo. Building relationships all around

[HR9121]

Its hard to drum up any interest in our cars because there isn't any. Today's kids could care less unless they happen to just like racing period. 99.5% of them don't grow up the way we did, you know around a family member working on the car on Saturday afternoon, tinkering on it or polishing it up. Nobody does anything like that, heck most people don't even change their own oil, shoot I don't even do that. If we could turn ourself into a video game we might would be on to something.
I agree with the open trailer deal, I can still remember traveling to the track when I was little and seeing people's interest as we would pass by. Yeah that was pretty cool but we know not many would even go back to that if they thought it would help.
The mall sounds like a pretty cool idea also but I think all you will see is a bunch of soccer moms.....well that is a good idea, where do I sign up.
Not trying to bust any bubbles but just my opinions. I do believe in one thing though that might attract some new racers. Well they are not new but some that are already racing. Don't choot me, but take that class car bracket racing occasionally and you might spark some interest from a bracket racer. I still remember the first time I saw a stock/superstock car and just knew that's what I wanted one day. I was around 8 years old and Kinston Dragstrip was having a combo race, there must've been 50 cars there and I was hooked that day.
Maybe, just maybe you could be the one to hook another kid or one that's not so young. I can appreciate your passion Kyle and RJ but I don't believe we can put any new people in the stands but we might can put some in a seat. It took me a little over 30 years but I should be sitting in my new stocker in a couple months. Next time you got some extra time go to a combo race or just go bracket racing at a local track, it may just peak some interest, it sure won't if people don't see it because its sitting in the trailer parked behind a house. Sorry for rambling a little bit but I didn't go to the Beard School of Writing.

[barnca2010]

not quite in town. but if anyone would want to show off there car in concord nh before the divisional in epping. at the concord nh boys and girls club i am pretty sure i could get something together..

[SStockDart]

In 2009, we started an organization called "West Coast Mopar Gang"…..This was a "not for profit" organization designed entirely on the concept of "Pay for Performance" for our Mopar racers.

As contingencies declined, it was our desire to have Mopar racers at a financial advantage by paying our members for: Win or Runner Ups at National, Division, or National Opens. Additionally, we paid our members for setting National Records. We gave out framed pictures to our winners, and they went into our "Hall of Fame".

Each member paid a minimal entry fee, one time only. The idea was to use the initial entry fees to fund the "pay for performance" until we could get sponsors and supporters on board. Then all of the "pay for performance" would be funded from sponsors.

Each member agreed that we could use their picture or likeness for advertising and to promote WCMG.

Additionally, we established a web site with pictures, performance tips, our "Hall of Fame" and advertising space. (since closed).

We presented our advertising/sponsorship opportunity to National Companies. Fifteen of them. We got agreements from our members to "show" our cars, prior to National Events, and sign autographs and hand out pictures. We promised to bring National Event winning cars and National Record Holders. This appeared to be an awesome idea for a Dodge dealership, or a Car Parts grand opening.

From the sponsors/advertising partners, we requested financial support and discounts/complimentary products.

We had a good plan and a "bullet proof" power point presentation……..We were prepared to deal with any objections.

The end result was that we had extreme interest from several large companies (with million dollar advertising budgets), but each indicated that budgets were set, they couldn’t promote Mopar and leave out the other brands, or they already support NHRA and can not justify spending any more.

The end result was that we paid out to our racers every cent that we took in…..via "Pay for Performance" and we folded the organization.

In hind sight……….I can think of nothing that we could have done better that would have gotten the desired results. However, I still think the concept is solid and could work………

It is extremely difficult to convince advertising partners that racing 40-50 year old cars will bring business for them.

[danny waters sr]

Somewhere along the line there was a generation gap for the class racers........May have started along the time cell phones ,computers and wieee- wieee games got started....I hope that my son's son will stay as interested in drag racing as he is now....Some of us are still trying to live in the past (including me ).....I can remember going to the mall and look at a few cars that were racing in our area that weekend.....Also there was a lot more promotion for sportsman cars than there is now.................I would personally like to see more advertisements on tv with superstockers and stockers dragging the back bumper...
The first thing that caught my attention on the Fast and Furious movie ad was that Charger popping the wheelie , Bullet movie smoking the tires and that 4-speed hitting gears........... told you i was old school.