Random WHEELZ UP RADIO thoughts

barnca2010 · 06-05-2014, 05:42 PM

Well here we are almost 5 months into the never ending adventure that is WHEELZ UP RADIO. And a year into Wheelz Up Pics. To say its been a learning experience would be an understatement.. The photo side of stuff is a little slow due to work commitments and the fact that I am an independent.. The sanctioning bodies and some tracks don't take to well to it.. Its next to impossible to get media credentials without being associated with some type of national outlet.
The other side of my lil venture, the Radio show. I started this with the intention of helping to promote Class type racing.. I grew up in this sport, and granted I never really raced.. It always was a part of me.. I read a lot of what people were saying and what there main complaint was... We don't get any promotion. So I did some thinking and decided with the encouragement of a good friend and my wife to take the plunge.. The focus would be on again, Class style racing.. I asked a lot of people if they would be interested in coming on... Initially many said yes.. SO I would contact them again with dates and, guess what.. No replies back... We have been lucjky that we have had many people return e mails and phone calls and have been very excited to come on and talk about what is going on in the sport.. But I would like to say to the masses...
If you want promotion and for the sport to be recognized you need to help it out.. I read an article over the winter and the one thing that stuck in my head was a racer saying, Its not the racers job to promote the sport.. Its the tracks and the sanctioning bodies job... Well, I hate to tell you. But as a person involved with racing and a fan.. You are wrong.. It is a group effort.. In order for things to grow each part has to work together... We are here to help and do our part. But in order for that to happen... You need to be an active participant... I will be honest and say that, more than once I have considered pulling the plug on the show... But we have a great bunch of supporters and the encouragement I get from my Co Host mike and my wife Tanya, plus the simple fact that I hate to be defeated keeps us going... We have many great things in the pipeline and will keep on going... But always remember folks.. We need you to make it work...
Thanks

Bob Bender · 06-05-2014, 06:53 PM

Well said !!!

Lew Silverman · 06-05-2014, 07:55 PM

Interesting observations, Chris! Good, bad or indifferent we are all ambassadors of the sport of Drag Racing. What little notice we get from "main-stream" America is usually something we don't need, like being confused with spoiled rich-kids crashing their Ferrari's and Lamborghini's.

I think the NHRA had a good idea when they started having PR events associated with that weeks race at non-automotive themed venues in the area. Letting everyone know how awesome drag racing is can only help bring more folks to the track, again and again. Maybe the sanctioning bodies (or your local tracks) can help us by developing some sort of program where "we" can go out and show the public what Sportsman Racing is all about! Would you be willing to donate an afternoon to the cause? Is there a local car show that we could set-up a display to invite other car folks to an event or Combo Race? Is there a local charity that has a program that we could leverage to make more folks aware?

It would take some effort, but I think it would be worth it! What do you think?

Dan Fahey · 06-06-2014, 09:21 AM

Good post:
Do you have a list of the top 10 things you want us to help you do?

For example can write about my experience running a Pure Stocker.
What it takes to set it up to drive on the street and race it legally.
In fact can get others to describe their rides and post.
Have about 50 Pure Stocker Pictures.

I think we can double the Pure Stock participation if we can get PureStockDrags.com to participate using their own rules and fitting them into Pure Stock.

Got a lot of wonderful feedback at the Class Nationals...
I am at your service. Just ask.

D

06-05-2014, 05:42 PM	#1
barnca2010 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 621 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Random WHEELZ UP RADIO thoughts Well here we are almost 5 months into the never ending adventure that is WHEELZ UP RADIO. And a year into Wheelz Up Pics. To say its been a learning experience would be an understatement.. The photo side of stuff is a little slow due to work commitments and the fact that I am an independent.. The sanctioning bodies and some tracks don't take to well to it.. Its next to impossible to get media credentials without being associated with some type of national outlet. The other side of my lil venture, the Radio show. I started this with the intention of helping to promote Class type racing.. I grew up in this sport, and granted I never really raced.. It always was a part of me.. I read a lot of what people were saying and what there main complaint was... We don't get any promotion. So I did some thinking and decided with the encouragement of a good friend and my wife to take the plunge.. The focus would be on again, Class style racing.. I asked a lot of people if they would be interested in coming on... Initially many said yes.. SO I would contact them again with dates and, guess what.. No replies back... We have been lucjky that we have had many people return e mails and phone calls and have been very excited to come on and talk about what is going on in the sport.. But I would like to say to the masses... If you want promotion and for the sport to be recognized you need to help it out.. I read an article over the winter and the one thing that stuck in my head was a racer saying, Its not the racers job to promote the sport.. Its the tracks and the sanctioning bodies job... Well, I hate to tell you. But as a person involved with racing and a fan.. You are wrong.. It is a group effort.. In order for things to grow each part has to work together... We are here to help and do our part. But in order for that to happen... You need to be an active participant... I will be honest and say that, more than once I have considered pulling the plug on the show... But we have a great bunch of supporters and the encouragement I get from my Co Host mike and my wife Tanya, plus the simple fact that I hate to be defeated keeps us going... We have many great things in the pipeline and will keep on going... But always remember folks.. We need you to make it work... Thanks __________________ I take pictures. And shoot arrows. https://www.facebook.com/WHEELZUPRADIO

06-05-2014, 06:53 PM	#2
Bob Bender VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,735 Likes: 1,601 Liked 460 Times in 91 Posts	Re: Random WHEELZ UP RADIO thoughts Well said !!! __________________ Bob Bender 144 O/SA 2010-2012 National Record Holder

06-05-2014, 07:55 PM	#3
Lew Silverman VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 1,435 Likes: 371 Liked 129 Times in 59 Posts	Re: Random WHEELZ UP RADIO thoughts Interesting observations, Chris! Good, bad or indifferent we are all ambassadors of the sport of Drag Racing. What little notice we get from "main-stream" America is usually something we don't need, like being confused with spoiled rich-kids crashing their Ferrari's and Lamborghini's. I think the NHRA had a good idea when they started having PR events associated with that weeks race at non-automotive themed venues in the area. Letting everyone know how awesome drag racing is can only help bring more folks to the track, again and again. Maybe the sanctioning bodies (or your local tracks) can help us by developing some sort of program where "we" can go out and show the public what Sportsman Racing is all about! Would you be willing to donate an afternoon to the cause? Is there a local car show that we could set-up a display to invite other car folks to an event or Combo Race? Is there a local charity that has a program that we could leverage to make more folks aware? It would take some effort, but I think it would be worth it! What do you think? __________________ Lew Silverman #2070 "The Wagon Master" N/SA

06-06-2014, 09:21 AM	#4
Dan Fahey VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 2,128 Likes: 1,084 Liked 184 Times in 113 Posts	Re: Random WHEELZ UP RADIO thoughts Good post: Do you have a list of the top 10 things you want us to help you do? For example can write about my experience running a Pure Stocker. What it takes to set it up to drive on the street and race it legally. In fact can get others to describe their rides and post. Have about 50 Pure Stocker Pictures. I think we can double the Pure Stock participation if we can get PureStockDrags.com to participate using their own rules and fitting them into Pure Stock. Got a lot of wonderful feedback at the Class Nationals... I am at your service. Just ask. D