ricky brown
Active Member
I wasn't talking about a cars show /cruise night I was talking about displaying the cars on Saturday about two hours before the race
Federated auto parts raceway @ i-55
- Thread starter ricky brown
- Start date
ricky brown
Active Member
Jimmy I wasn't harping on here that the track didn't do anything or I wasn't alluding to the idea that i-55 doesn't do anything for the fans.
Mystic Missile
Member
Right-but you're correlating people being able to see the cars in person to more butts in the seats, etc. People driving by the parking lot of I-55 are probably attending the races already-it's not like it's on a main drag (yes, you can see the track from the highway but no way to tell that you could see the cars in person).
Sure, no issue with fans having something extra to do if they get there early and nice if you want to talk to the driver/crew especially if someone doesn't go into the pits at the end of the night. Unless the track is doing advertising (and this is not a dig at the track-I hardly ever go to Pevely) to tell people that don't normally go that they can come see the cars in person it isn't going to attract new fans.
Dan Nelson
ricky brown
Active Member
Ok dan message received
mudface
Active Member
If you look back to when the fans started to thin out was about the same time every racer had to have an enclosed trailer to transport there race car... I remember hauling both of ours to the races Friday Saturday and Sunday and had A lot of people ask us when fueling our pickups if they could follow us there or ask for directions because they never thought about going until they seen our Race Cars on our open trailers...I'm not hating on enclosed trailers but wouldn't hurt to let people know that your not hauling furniture... We was proud of what we had behind our pick up trucks back then...just saying not enough advertising for the sport by the tracks or racers !
I agree. I'm 50 and still get excited when I see an open trailer, and so do my kids.
t.nie
Patience Tester
There was another thread about this in the last couple months and I agree with you. If you want to see your track stay open, you might want to start giving it your best shot to draw fans instead of just complaining about the promoters not doing enough. And promoters should start realizing that their best ally in this is the racers themeselves, because they both have an interest in keeping the place thriving.
If it were me, I would be trying to figure out which two racers in each division I could approach who would wear the white hat and the black hat and have a good rivalry/feud going on. Nothing like controversy and confrontations to get people in the gates. Just look at The Madhouse, Bowman Gray Stadium. That place is packed every race night.
ricky brown
Active Member
Good idea T.nie
Good idea T.nie I totally agree that just might work am not a P.R. person for sure but their's got to be something can be done to cause the attendance to go back up at least some anyway well we'll see what happens later in the year everyone have a good Evening
moonflow
BIRKY!!!
Ah, to relish the days of Dixon v. Gundaker, Weber v. Griffaw or Bittle......man, those use to be some races!!!
ricky brown
Active Member
Oh man wish we could see races like that again Dixon v Gundaker seen them two go side by side the whole 25 laps those were the (racing) Days
Swappin Paint
Active Member
Always said 3 things bring the fans to their feet. A real close race. A helluva crash and a lil controversy between racers. lol
Clarksville once had a different class each night on the track while allowing fans to come see and get a close look at the cars. Thought this was a cool idea. No local tracks do this to my knowledge. Overall I55 needs to get some new ideas or they will continue to lose fans. jMO
Swappin Paint
Active Member
I agree things can be done to make the existing fans experience better. But I think there needs to be things to strike up a possible connection to those not already coming to the track.
I55 is well known obviously in the Jeff Co. area. But we all know a lot of folks have never been to the track. Yeah they drive by on the interstate but unless it on a Saturday night during the season, all they see are grandstands and a dirt circle.
I think getting the product out visible to the public could possibly help with getting newbies to come out. Definitely worth a try.
My suggestion is if you're a racer at i55 and have a sponsor in a high traffic area with a facility capable of having a couple cars from each class come out on a Saturday late morning till early afternoon. to show off what races at I55 that to me would be one possibility. For instance Texas Road House??? I see them on several cars?? If racers would be willing to do such a thing. I would think the I55 promoter could/would chip in a few Free passes to hand out. Just a thought.
I55 is well known obviously in the Jeff Co. area. But we all know a lot of folks have never been to the track. Yeah they drive by on the interstate but unless it on a Saturday night during the season, all they see are grandstands and a dirt circle.
I think getting the product out visible to the public could possibly help with getting newbies to come out. Definitely worth a try.
My suggestion is if you're a racer at i55 and have a sponsor in a high traffic area with a facility capable of having a couple cars from each class come out on a Saturday late morning till early afternoon. to show off what races at I55 that to me would be one possibility. For instance Texas Road House??? I see them on several cars?? If racers would be willing to do such a thing. I would think the I55 promoter could/would chip in a few Free passes to hand out. Just a thought.
rvincent21
rvincent21
The benefit for the Frankel family drew a decent crowd for a rainy day. Im sure Imperial Bowl would be happy to host other events, as would pretty much any entertainment based business.
Cars at the gate wont do much for boosting attendance. But what it will do is give those that are arriving at the track a chance to see the cars up close before they go to battle. Years ago we put Stu Springers sportsman car behind the Imperial Bowl tent at the Strawberry fest, and it was a huge hit the entire day. You dont see race cars everywhere, so when you do they do tend to grab attention. Ppl love looking at them up close, and kids go bonkers for them. Yeah it may not boost total fans, but it will go a long way towards connecting with those fans that you do still have, which is equally important as expansion. But yes we do also need to do more to get fans in the gates.
Funding will play a role in this, but i plan to put an offer out on facebook as much as i can afford to pay someones way in that either hasnt been to a racetrack before, or someone that hasnt been in awhile. We can help ourselves in this manner as it literally cost as much as i have in pocket change at the end of most weeks. Yes promoters need to promote, but we know what were working with at pevely. The old dog isnt gonna learn any new tricks, so we might as well stop pissing up that rope. We can and should help our own sport instead of expecting someone else to do it for us.
Before I get accused of "bashing," I want to remind everyone that the good beer and soda will be back this season. I said for years that it seemed the powers that be dont listen. Well i gladly ate those words when that announcement was made. I hope theres more to come, but kudos to the track on making that change. Now if we can do something about that crater in the middle of 3 and 4....
Cars at the gate wont do much for boosting attendance. But what it will do is give those that are arriving at the track a chance to see the cars up close before they go to battle. Years ago we put Stu Springers sportsman car behind the Imperial Bowl tent at the Strawberry fest, and it was a huge hit the entire day. You dont see race cars everywhere, so when you do they do tend to grab attention. Ppl love looking at them up close, and kids go bonkers for them. Yeah it may not boost total fans, but it will go a long way towards connecting with those fans that you do still have, which is equally important as expansion. But yes we do also need to do more to get fans in the gates.
Funding will play a role in this, but i plan to put an offer out on facebook as much as i can afford to pay someones way in that either hasnt been to a racetrack before, or someone that hasnt been in awhile. We can help ourselves in this manner as it literally cost as much as i have in pocket change at the end of most weeks. Yes promoters need to promote, but we know what were working with at pevely. The old dog isnt gonna learn any new tricks, so we might as well stop pissing up that rope. We can and should help our own sport instead of expecting someone else to do it for us.
Before I get accused of "bashing," I want to remind everyone that the good beer and soda will be back this season. I said for years that it seemed the powers that be dont listen. Well i gladly ate those words when that announcement was made. I hope theres more to come, but kudos to the track on making that change. Now if we can do something about that crater in the middle of 3 and 4....
Its not just showing cars and talking. Ever notice when a Lucas or a World, Summer Nat'l. race are in town the grandstands are pack full. Local race fans have gotten tired of watching the same people win all the time. Rivalries used to be exciting to watch, but not to much of that anymore. Years ago the b- cars at Bellclaire and St. Charles were just as exciting to watch as the A's. Racing just not the same, money pits have ruined racing for the average low budget racer.
Swappin Paint
Active Member
Well for a die hard race fan or a casual beer drinker it probably isn't. But for a casual fan or a serious beer drinker it is. Its all part of the whole experience. Some people wanna come watch the races and have some beers with their buddies or whomever. AB is the most popular product in the STL area. To only offer a product from Colorado wasn't wise. People wanna minimize what effect that had. But I ask what do you think the effect would be if that was done at a Cardinals or Blues game?
Times have changed and so have the people. Racing used to be affordable both for the drivers and fans. There once was a saying that going to the races was a place to go drink and they also had racing that night. People don't bring their kids because of drunks, fighting, cussing and smoking. All of these are a part of racing, but not so much now. I also enjoy watching a good race, and a beer or two. I been going to the races for a long long time, but my priorities have also changed. To all the drivers who spend their money on putting on a show, I salute you and have fun while you can. And to all the fans, support your tracks while you can.
