Indianapolis and the word sports stand together; as the meaning of time. Time to reflect on what sports means to the United States of America. Can you imagined Carl Fisher; (one of the four founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway) sitting at his dinner table over 100 some odd years ago, with a dream to bring a major sporting event to Indianapolis, Indiana. Carl Fisher’s dream: to make Indianapolis the center of motorsports. Really think about the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. I know now the city has and had so much to offer in its wonderful history. How many people of the world would ever know this city at all, if Carl Fisher would not of had such a wonderful thought over one hundred some odd years ago? What a vision and thought to make this city in the center of Indiana such a power house in sports. This man’s dream became a reality when in 1911 the shock ran throughout the world when the first Indianapolis 500 race started. Man and machine standing the test of time. I will never forget my first Indianapolis 500 mile race as a spectator back in 1978. The city of Indianapolis was blessed with the City that hosted the Pan American Games back in 1987; that opening ceremony at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is also a day I will never forget. I was so proud of the city to where I was born. I remember the tears running down my cheek as seeing the American team walking down the main straightaway at that great race track in 1987. Because of Carl Fisher’s dream the city of Indianapolis has built a wonderful experience in hospitality, and main event exposure. I was in the big dome that the city of Indianapolis built without even having a NFL football team. I was there in 1984 when the Indianapolis Colts had their first exposure to its new set of sports fans on that fine day. This Super Bowl in the year of 2012 in Indianapolis was a great experience added to my life. The hospitality parties: that led up to the main event. The people of the State of Indiana; knows how to be a great host to the world. The State of Indiana has been a great host to the world because of this one man sitting down and making his dream a reality(Carl Fisher). I went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway the evening before the Super Bowl; to pray to the Lord for one more safe and wonderful experience for all the great sports fans of the National Football League. For the world did get to see a great and safe Super Bowl. The 46th Super Bowl was in this great city on February, 5 2012. The game itself as extremely close to the last second; the New York Giants won this great match up. I feel that in the end of this great experience that everyone had a great time. There is a lesson to be learned from the NFL; IndyCar. The fans; are the most important supporters of any sports association. If you can learn from anything, this week long of wonderful set of events IndyCar. The NFL tackles its fans with the love and admiration of wanting the best for everyone at an event. Even the people that we had watch the Super Bowl on television enjoyed this major event, with the thought that it would be hard to plan a motorsport event with this much enthusiasm for the fans that do not have a race ticket and keep them happy at home while they can watch the race on TV. The fan experiences were amazing with excitement, in Indianapolis. The funniest action that got the most weight for the fans: the zip line! I want us in open wheel race to bring it back to the fans in a major way. Retail contest: all year. Cars: given a way. Cash: given to fans, and fan experience to every city, that the IndyCar teams race in. This kind of action can’t be thrown together at all; real sponsors and consumers see this, because no one will be sitting in the stands on race day. If a promoter pays a fee to have an IndyCar race should make it a mission to get that community involved the whole year. Grocery stores; and other major local businesses, in that community throughout that area to be a part of that race barring the name of an IndyCar scheduled race. Those promoters should make sure that the fans that do attend are treated like royalty and never forget that experience. I remember as a kid getting an autograph from an Indy Car Driver was the greatest experience in the world to me. I love and support IndyCar racing and know that IndyCar needs to build a stronger foundation of support of its fans. I have seen the good times and the dark ages of open wheel motorsports. It is a time to have a meeting of the minds in this sport of open wheel racing, and help it along, and help it grow to what we did see in the center of Indiana this weekend. Racing to me is very important in all aspects of the spectrum of moving a product, and setting the pace of a development project to see the success of a great product campaign. Their needs to be a convention; every year, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway: for the sponsors to work together to grow the sport. This convention should involve the fans as the most important out put on the sport. Product category implement for success on all level of retail interaction. Getting a chance for the fans to understand the products, which support this great sport. Getting major retailers to support these products; with a solid product placement interaction program for more sales numbers. Yes; IndyCar you will need a strong profitable balance sheet for all parties involved. The fans will need to be a part of this transition in a major on setting project. Outside the race track and inside the race track: Promoting brands that support this great sport throughout the world. I have messed up before in this sport by promotion to fast a brand. There should be different levels of support of sponsors. This can bring our sport back to the top of motorsports excitement for the world to see in every action of every race in the world of IndyCar. Yes IndyCar; let’s look at this weekend to bring the fans back into the picture of how special our motorsports can be in all levels of support. Look how great this Super Bowl experience was for this great city of Indianapolis and the United States of America. Then check out the balance sheet of the NFL; after this experience in Indianapolis. Let’s build a better experience for the sponsors, and the fans of IndyCar, with real excitement for each motorsports community across the world in open wheel racing. I know the right team will be assembled for these kinds of consumer interactions. This was a great experience for me, all the way around.
Jim Gandolf
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