Where are the fans of motorsports?

Racing has changed for everyone!

This world of racing has changed in every aspect of the game. Just because a major racing series is coming to town, doesn’t mean that the stands are going to be full of fans. That used to be the case many years ago. Well let me think, maybe 10 years ago, these major racing series might of gotten away with that; while local tracks have gain the respect of the crowds. The major racing series have not. The major racing series have focused only on national sponsors for their event and forgot about the supporting local business that a short track had gain full speed ahead. Yes where the local consumer shops or appears once a week like a grocery store, or gas stations, even drug stores. These places are the new heart beat of America in promotions. The consumer has no choice but to visit every week in these great locally own stores. Radio and TV is just not enough anymore in today’s times. You can hear how a major racing series explain how the economy is the reason why the ticket sales are down. That is just a phase to the public, I am sorry fans we have lost touch with you one more time again (Is what they are really saying to you). These major racing series have only focused on the challenge of getting a national brand to support this race and the series will say, "man we have something here." Look this is nowhere in the truth, of the sponsorship game at all. Ask me why I know this? Well I know this because I see that the stands are empty. They have been empty for years. National brands do not sell tickets. They do pay for TV time. Yes they might move a few thousand tickets for that race. A national racing series might say this to me, “Jim it is really up to the promoters to promote the race, and generate the ticket sales. We only bring the drivers and the race teams.” Yes they do have a factual statement there in what they would say. The promoters and race track owners pay a sanctioning fee to have the right to that particular race. Well; fans of motorsports; why would you come to a race that has no other incentive but just to watch a race? Fans; I know your very intelligent and can watch this race right in your living room on your flat screen TV, with all the fixings that you want right from your grocery store. Now no traffic, drunken fools, people screaming that they are the best fan of a certain driver you just can’t stand. Oh, my Lord I forgot to tell you about the parking nightmare. Now wait a minute; I want you to experience all of this wonderful action that I am explaining once or twice in your life time. Their is nothing in the world like the start of the Indy 500 with 33 cars coming down the main straight a way. These track owners have had a whole year to plan for this event. You think that these promoters would get a car dealer involved in giving away a free car to one of these diehard fans by just showing up in a contest all year. Or do you think for one lucky fan by filling out a form as these fans come in the gate might get there name drawled out of a hat box and wins $50,000.00. Seeing the fans name; on the jumbo tram live at the event, tied in with some sort of excitement. Fans winning the best deal yet; free pit passes by just coming to the race. I mean just the fans that come to the race. Fans can win by just coming to the race itself. What has happened to that kind of contest period? ( I know Indy is giving a car away this year, but where are the rest of the race track promotions from other races?) What happened to the local companies that want to support these fans and these local companies want to be known as a supporter of this grand race. Look no one will call these companies because racing has lost its focus on taking care of the fans. These race track owners have hired the new employee to tackle this action. It is called the college intern that might have been to a race with their dad or grandfather. Even worse than that a promotions department that had been told you have to focus on national accounts and leave the local accounts alone. When will the fans have had enough? Hello race track promoter’s families are spending more money on the local move house than you’re event? It is just easier watching that race on TV than going to your race. You have lost the atmosphere of great fan experience on all levels. The fans need something to get them out of the chair in the living room, and onto the race track. Yes race tracks throughout America that holds a national event will get the diehard fans that love to travel. Now the awakening comes now. The local people will come if you have something to offer them. The support of the local owned businesses; and the customers that these business owners have. These customers visit that business every week. Yes, hello; promoters of the racing world these small business owners do have a co-op advertising budget. Plus these co-op groups have very large advertising budgets. Plan your attack on the community with the big bang of a circus show. Get everyone involved, and now we will see the stands get full of wonderful supportive fans. Why do I care? I do love this sport, and feel it slipping away to people that don’t know how to relate to the people buying the tickets. Somehow these racing venues have forgotten about the local fans. I am not mad at anyone, I just want to state what I have seen over the last few years.

By;Jim Gandolf