Back in 2003 at Highland park, I went into town for something and I seen fliers all over for a "Dirt Track" event and noticed that it too was a clear channel event.
Why didn't this flier mention CCS? Why don't they put CCS fliers out?
So, I decide to go to this "little half time" event in the evening and the GRAND STANDS were FULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe that was just a one time oopps. NOPE! In fact every day on my way to work I get to drive past this giant billboard promoting the clear channel "Freestyle MX" event that was way back in february!!
That was Formula USA Dirt Track. Was a good success, but they paid out too much money so it kind of fell apart.
It's not that it hates CCS, but if you threw a lot of money at CCS, it still wouldn't change a lot of the results of riders and their work to bring in spectators.
Kind of like this.
If you could pay $20,000 for a car, and you could pay $40,000 for the exact same car, you'd buy the one for $20,000, right?
One can actually give away tickets to a road race, but people won't show up.
Personally, most of the problems relate to poor promotion of riders by organizations/teams/individuals...
If you go to an AMA event, you'd want to go see Mladin or someone...
Same per MotoGP...you want to see Rossi...
It's about personalities.
Perfect example...
In the latest Road Racing World, CCS had a little spread about a rider...it was about Eric Keltcher, no less, someone that works on the side for CCS/CCE...Honestly, it was nice to have a face, but it certainly doesn't do anything to highlight any up and coming racers or any FUSA racers, CCS's "pro" class.
You've got a short amount of time for racing and promotion, and that's what happens...
Ahem, KELCHER. We were close to a deadline, and if anyone is dedicated to the series in more ways than just racing, it's Eric.
Ryan plans on using a different rider for each issue. I think it's a cool feature--maybe one of you will be next!
Pick me! J/k
QuoteAhem, KELCHER. We were close to a deadline, and if anyone is dedicated to the series in more ways than just racing, it's Eric.
Ryan plans on using a different rider for each issue. I think it's a cool feature--maybe one of you will be next!
Sorry, Tiff...
I've been without sleep for about a month.
I agree that Eric is dedicated...
But...
There are a lot of us "in" road racing that already know him. I know it always comes down to a dead line, but the excuse is that it always comes down to a dead line. At some point, someone NEEDS to step up to the plate and have it done a day or two or a week or two or a month in advance.
I've already been featured in something before. I could come up with a short list or a long list of people that would be valuable to CCS's marketing, and that the opportunity would be valuable to the individual.
QuoteAhem, KELCHER...
Wait, can you even pronounce my name correctly? Spelling is one thing...that's a matter of key strokes, but...
Ryan of CCS jumped through hoops for me. When I called to tell him I'd been invited to speak to a group of motorcyclists, he had two boxes of promotional stuff on my doorstep in about 18 hours. I was totally shocked!
Hey, I got to promote our sport to about 150 street riders who didn't even know CCS existed before I told them. Expect to see at least a few at the track eventually, judging by their enthusiasm.
we have some CCE owned radio stations here in DC and I've been trying for years to get them to come to a bike weekend at Summit. U'd think since both are owned by the same parent company that they'd do all they could to promote the event....shrug...
I just don't understand CCE sometimes...
I don't see how it is that clear channel has the money to waste to keep a "expired!" billboard on the side of a major highway for 3 monthes after the event is over and NOT be able to promote CCS?
i think that CCE bought them because of the name...
it's easy to go from Championship Cup Series to Clear Channel Sports...lol
1st: ROSE-NO
2nd: Ryan started here the week of Daytona. He took over RRW right then. He had about 24 hours to put together his first layout. The only picture we had right that second that we could get the rider involved in was Eric. Geez, who freakin cares who was in the picture? Yes, everyone has deadlines. But Ryan had just started. Give it a rest.
3rd: I am capable of knowing who would be an asset to place in RRW, I can make a list myself. We have some very talented people in the upcoming issues.
4th: You guys don't realize that RRW pages are due two months in advance. To get something in for May, it has to be finished in March.
5th: You need to understand that just because CCE owns a lot of divisions that doesn't mean that money and things float back and forth. We have to buy spots just like anyone else, and frankly, I think the projects Ryan is working on this season (which I've only heard rave reviews about) will work and are working better than a 30 second ad on a radio.
Politics suck! :o
Can we get back to racing already!!!!!!! 8)
The best thing about racing is the fans! Maybe, roadracers have forgotten that? I miss hearing the roar of the crowd!!
QuotePolitics suck! :o
Can we get back to racing already!!!!!!! 8)
Thank you! ;)
Doesn't CCE OWN those billboards and the real estate they sit on?
I know that some of the billboards out here in the west have their name at the bottom.
I don't think CCE hates CCS; CCS is just not the $$ mill that the other investments are.
My friend works in a completely different division of CCE and she told me, "CCS is the redheaded stepchild of CCE." Take what you want from that.
Heather
!00% AGREED!
QuoteMy friend works in a completely different division of CCE and she told me, "CCS is the redheaded stepchild of CCE." Take what you want from that.
Heather
as I said....
Welcome Clear Channel Sports....
QuoteThe best thing about racing is the fans! Maybe, roadracers have forgotten that? I miss hearing the roar of the crowd!!
Which came first?
People that provide the entertainment...racers racing...
Or people watching...
This is strictly my opinion, so take it as such.
CCS has little to attract fans to the track.
While the racing maybe good... or great...
CCS doesn't present it.
Take Black Hawk Farms.
This track is very spectator unfriendly. Turn 3-4 is the only area where you can see a little bit more then one turn of action.
Even if you could see more, in road racing there is only a few tracks where you can see the whole track (Like Gingerman).
So even if you could see the whole track, all you have is the sight of events. There is no presentation of the race. An active announcer can make the race more spectator friendly.
When line of sight is limited, an announcer can fill in the voids. I know a gentleman that makes RC car races entertaining. Yeah he is corny and loud, but he makes it entertaining.
At BHFs, the best viewing area don't have speaker anywhere near them.
If we had announcers that where entertaining and offered info about more then just the race, maybe we would start to attract more spectators. For example, not only calling out the race leaders at each lap, they could call out positions for points leaders and bikes that are off coarse.
This of course would require effort on CCS's behalf and the racers to show up put on a show worth watching. Not to mention finding announcers that truly have a heart for their job.
Go to a circle track race, where you can see the whole track, motorcycle, car or what not.
They have a presentation... Not just random comments here and there.
Why would CCS want to do this?
Well they wouldn't. They are a racing league.
I agree spectators are needed to make this sport grow, but to even begin to make a dent would take a lot of work on everyones parts.
How many of the people reading this, actually make an effort to bring in new fans?
XIII
QuoteIf we had announcers that where entertaining and offered info about more then just the race, maybe we would start to attract more spectators. For example, not only calling out the race leaders at each lap, they could call out positions for points leaders and bikes that are off coarse.
Here in the SW we have one of those announcers that does that and more. Our announcer is top notch, providing all of the important info, but still makes it entertaining. It's not just some voice droning over the microphone listing the top five riders and the race calls. So we have one of those exceptional announcers, but it's not enough to draw more spectators.
QuoteHow many of the people reading this, actually make an effort to bring in new fans?
Tried, but that $25/person gate fee stops them. Especially at tracks where there's no place for them to sit or even see any of the action well (and under some shade).
QuoteMy friend works in a completely different division of CCE and she told me, "CCS is the redheaded stepchild of CCE." Take what you want from that.
Heather
OMG! CCS is the Kevin Clark of CCE! :o
QuoteOMG! CCS is the Kevin Clark of CCE! :o
WAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
QuoteIf we had announcers that where entertaining and offered info about more then just the race, maybe we would start to attract more spectators. For example, not only calling out the race leaders at each lap, they could call out positions for points leaders and bikes that are off coarse.
Griff (I think he goes by 'homewrecker' on here) sometimes is there announcing.
I do agree that BHF needs a better PA system.
QuoteI do agree that BHF needs a better PA system.
Why stop with Blackhawk. Almost every track needs a better PA system. Some tracks (such as Barber) broadcast over FM, works great (as long as you have a radio).
QuoteThis is strictly my opinion, so take it as such.
CCS has little to attract fans to the track.
While the racing maybe good... or great...
CCS doesn't present it.
How many of the people reading this, actually make an effort to bring in new fans?
XIII
Why would it be CCS's responsibility to attract fans? Would people like to watch registration or tech?
Those are CCS responsibilities.
How about track negotiations?
Again, CCS.
Racers race. Racers, if they feel that they have a product, should do what they can to attract something to their program.
CCS
IS sportsman racing. Really, it's racing for racers. Not racing for spectators. However, if a racer racing CCS can do something to attract spectators or sponsors, the game changes
for that person or team.
As that team or individual, your investment changes. However, for most riders and "teams", and I place teams in quotes because most "teams" are loose commitments made by racers with little in the way of experience or understanding about what it might actually take to make an impact in racing or even the reasonable commitment, emotionally, physically, or financially, to complete nearly what they said they would, the investment is only in the form of entry fees.
And then some expect that the sponsorship should flow to them because they have a "racing license".
Redheaded step child?
Well, yeah. Some sections of CCE were actually entertainment businesses that had decent profits. CCS was a profitable program in the sportsman racing world. It makes just a little bit of money, and that's about it. You could double the amount of money that CCS has without making any kind of difference in the numbers of racers, race entries, etc.
What do you want?