The word from Miami from multiple public and private sources is that promotion for the penultimate IndyCar race of 2009 has been surprisingly 
aggressive. Positive reviews regarding outdoor boards, direct mail, phone calls and emails are scattered throughout the Internet.Several promotions have been mentioned in this space, although I have been critical of what seems to be an overabundance of free tickets. Distributing a few freebies can enhance event promotions, but distributing too many free tickets can also further devalue the product.
Sarah Fisher will make an appearance from 5pm until 7pm this evening at TGI Friday's in Miami. She, too, is giving away tickets. However, I shall not criticise in this instance because the beneficiary is Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Furthermore, I encourage that you give generously if you are so inclined.
Danica Patrick's recent soiree with NASCAR teams has provided additional intrigue.
Increased television ratings would be much more economically beneficial than increased attendance at race tracks. Nevertheless, if what we are hearing from South Florida is true, then I think that we should commend the IRL, Homestead-Miami Speedway, the participating teams and drivers, and, of course, APEX Brasil. Promotion does cost money, after all.
Roggespierre
All that promotion is great.
ReplyDeleteBut for me (and many others) because we have Direct TV, we won't be watching this weekend.
Plus once football season starts, all of racing gets put on the backburner. Most folks check out on racing for the year, come Labor Day.
If the IRL was smart (insert joke here), they'd look at running more races in February, March and April, and get out of September and October all together.
And if they really had a competitive bone in their body (and a product worth a salt) they'd start their season one week BEFORE the Daytona 500, to steal some thunder from NASCAR and get their season underway in a dead part of the sports year.
Mr. Dickle,
ReplyDeleteThose are very good ideas, in my opinion.
Frankly, I would like to see the IRL run every week from some point in the late winter or early spring through the Sunday of Labor Day Weekend, one week before the NFL regular season begins.
Preempting Daytona is a nice thought, but I would be happy with a compact schedule of high-impact events. Why IndyCar teams need so many weeks off when NASCAR and NFL teams do not is beyond me.
The IRL's own television ratings are at their best - no, that's not saying much - in the three or four weeks following the 500.
And get rid of Motegi, for cryin' out loud! It has very few fans, it kills the schedule, and it's a gift to an engine supplier that is extracting much needed cash from the teams.
Best Regards,
Roggespierre
Mr. Dickle,
ReplyDeleteSPOT ON!!
You can't build a fan base against football, but you sure can against basketball.
Better product, better management, fan friendly, and find a way to attract the young fan. Your idea is a great start!
I want more ovals; say 4 to 1 ovals over road courses---but!!
Mid-Ohio provides a great week-end for families; non-stop racing, camping, and access to the teams. Sure Penske gave away a lot of tickets to smokers---but the non-sponsor--wink, wink--got a lot for their money. We had a ball, and bought a bunch of stuff for the kids, and they each got an autograph and pictures with their favorite drivers.
Indy is a "happening", but if races were held in warm climates in February, March, and April, and promoted using some "out of the box" ideas--to get people there for not just a race--but a week-end, who knows what might happen?
People actually take a week's vacation to attend both the Knoxville Nationals and The Prelude to the Dream at Eldora. These are people who if properly energized could become IRL fans--they aren't---- I've asked them at the races--they think the IRL "sucks"--to give a generalization!
But they are racing fans!!!
Again, great idea!!
osca
Osca,
ReplyDeleteI wish that the track at Mid-Ohio was more racy, but I agree with you about the fan experience. I've been there several times and have always had great fun.
Question - what was the general make-up of the fans Mid-Ohio this year? Were you in the majority - was it primarily families? If so, then good.
I'm not a fan of the Swinging Singles segment of the market. They cost a lot to acquire as customers and they don't provide many ancillary benefits - TV viewership, kids who become young fans, etc. I want families. If you get the parents, then you get the kids. This has always been true.
Louis Meyer won the first race that my grandfather attended in 1933. For my dad it was Sam Hanks in '57. Me? Al Unser in '78. My son turns six years old in January. He's ready to go - one more young fan!
Best Regards,
Roggespierre
Roggespierre,
ReplyDeleteThe people I saw were mostly family groupings, of course sprinkled with younger people who were very race oriented. My older grandsons are from 30-21 and they brought friends with them---some who have never been to a race before, and all are going to come to Indy now!
An aside: I was a "gopher" for Sam Hanks and Duke Nalon when they came to Fort Miami in Ohio, and started when I was 11 before WWII and again after the war. (This was with Sam driving midgets). I was in Sam's garage during the month of May at Indy when he won in the Belond Special. George Robson won in 1946 my first 500, but I cheered for Ted Horne.
osca
Will they be serving a buffet at this event??? If so, let the media know!!!
ReplyDeleteOsca,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Fort Miami story. As a child, I met Duke Nalon purely by chance. My dad had a 72 Cutlass convertible (orange with a black racing stripe). There was a mechanic on East 42nd Street in Indy who could work magic with that car.
I went with Dad to get something repaired. That's when the mechanic introduced us to Duke. I was pretty young and didn't know who he was, but Dad was all smiles. As it turns out, Duke hung out at the 42nd Street shop all the time.
I have since learned a lot about him.
Also, a friend just bought Sam Hanks' 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser Pace Car. My buddy confirmed with Alice Hanks that it was the one that Sam won. He took me for a ride in it on Spring Mill Road the afternoon before the race this year. Unbelievably cool - and HUGE!
Great stuff.
Best Regards,
Roggespierre