why does daytona not promote FUSA races

[r6_philly]

Ok, first, why send anyone to the organizations' website?  You're the product.  Sell yourself.

I'm not selling CCS or Daytona...I'm selling "Super Dave"...  If FUSA or Daytona get you to me, then good.  If "Super Dave" gets you to the other websites...even better, because that makes me better at advertising...I have power.

If you relied on getting people in the door only on price, then no one would ever go to opening day of new movies.  They do.  You've got to sell the sizzle.  

We're not selling volume here to a distributor based on a bid.  We should be selling quality.  NASCAR Nextel Cup has 37 exclusive races around the country.  45 cars are on the grid for the Daytona 500 now all within 106%.  It is the only 2004 season opener.  Discounts?  Why?  There are only so many seats available.  You've got to pay to see it all live.

well I can sell my program all I want, but would anyone come just to see me? is me the only part of the show that shines?

It would be easier if I win every race or come close, then I can get people to come see my program because I am the star of the show.

I mean I can promote myself so far. But when people do come, and they don't get a show comparable to what I advertised, would they stick around? If I am the only team in the pits wearing uniforms and having a professional set up, would it be enough?

If the show itself is not good enough, it end up disvaluing my program.

The Ducati guy had the right show, right truck, right crew, right bike, and won AM races. All racers had something to say about the guy, but he did draw most spectators. His set up was 10 times more impressive than the real good teams.

Ok so we are back to the racers putting on a show. If all the top racers who finish infront of me put on a good show, then I would have less doubts.

But what about the org? I can't even direct people to see who else is in the show because its not in there.

the org having the right web presence validate my program to the unknowing public. If FUSA site does not list there is a race this weekend, or that I won a race, would people believe me based on the site?

its one thing to have no website, its another to have an defunct, or out of date website. It makes me look like a fraud.

and yes this ALREADY happened this year. A potential sponsor questioning the accuracy of information I submitted because the FUSA site is not up to date.

[the_weggie_man]

I must agree with R6 about the organization. They have to be the head of the show, make it all real to the potential fan. If they don't have their facts and figures correct it throws a shadow on the racer. You can bust your ass all you want promoting yourself but if the org. doesn't support it what's the use?

But think of this ....why does Clear Channel put all this money and glitz behind MX, SX, Freestyle and not road racing? Because they know the fans are out there for that stuff and not for roadracing. If they even thought they could get those kind of crowds for roadracing don't you think they would be trying?

How about if we do wheelies or smoky burnouts out of every corner, brakies going into every corner and whatever other stunt thing you can think of, then the weirdos that want to see that rather than good racing will show up. Look at what MX, SX riders do to wow the crowds.

Those MX, SX riders get their following by putting on a show, being the most flashy guy out there. How do we do that and race safely?  It's two different programs, two different shows and ours is the boring one to watch unless you are in the sport, and I don't mean a street rider on a new R6 trying to be the brakie king.

[r6_philly]

well we can't even wheelie on the cool down lap :p

I guess what frustrate me is the people running the show doesn't deem there to be any potential in the series beyond what is already in place. therefor no real effort is put into promoting the program TO spectators. I know they are doing a lot to the racers. 3 full page ad in RRW is a great thing. That is always the first thing I read. But thats for racers. I guess FUSA has decided to take a club racing identity and will just leave at that.

I guess I will have to wait til I get to AMA to spend more marketing efforts. sure I want to do my part, and promote myself, but I also don't want people to think that I am just for show... a small fish in a small pond trying to act like a shark :D

[Super Dave]

well I can sell my program all I want, but would anyone come just to see me? is me the only part of the show that shines?

It would be easier if I win every race or come close, then I can get people to come see my program because I am the star of the show.

Sure, you might not win every race...

Did Colin Edwards do well in MotoGP?  I'm sure people went to see him.

Regardless, the FIM doesn't pay him.  His team pays him because they know that people come to see HIM.  

I mean I can promote myself so far. But when people do come, and they don't get a show comparable to what I advertised, would they stick around? If I am the only team in the pits wearing uniforms and having a professional set up, would it be enough?

If the show itself is not good enough, it end up disvaluing my program.

What would you be advertising?  YOU are racing, YOU are trying, YOU are working.  Rossi wants to win, he feels that he can win, but he still probably doesn't boast that he's gonna win.  

If he wins by 20 seconds, it's boring.  No show in that.  Does winning by too big of a margin disvalue your show?

The Ducati guy had the right show, right truck...

Focus on the task at hand...you.  Who cares about the Ducati guy.  Everyone still makes a whole lot more money than I do.  I still do this.  

But what about the org? I can't even direct people to see who else is in the show because its not in there.

the org having the right web presence validate my program to the unknowing public. If FUSA site does not list there is a race this weekend, or that I won a race, would people believe me based on the site?

Two things there.  First, most racers don't set up sites or promotional programs.  So, where would the org direct the people?  Pretty much into no where.

Second, has anyone bothered updating the organization with information?

http://www.formulausa.com/news/news_040119.asp

Again, the orgs site may help a lot, but wouldn't you rather get them to yours?

Back to Arenacross, etc...

Teams...the teams work to create an image, etc.  Arenacross didn't happen overnight, but it certainly looked a lot like club racing when it started in the mid 80's.  But the riders realized that there was something to be done.  Now, it's its own stand alone program.  

Even road racing has changed dramatically since then.  

[r6_philly]

ok before I making a laughing stock out of myself ... would anyone take me seriously? at least among my peers?

I don't have any problems at all marketing to general public, sportbike riders, anyone outside of racing. Marketing is my business, and I can put together an attractive package in time. But would the people in the business take me seriously?

if I send press releases to RRW or even FUSA, without a unique program (like your race against cancer) would they bother with it? If I just want to promote myself and my team, would they help? well I did try to contact ken abbott regarding putting my info and my team info on the FUSA website, but heard no reply yet.

I guess I can always try. But until I am proven to be a top guy, I don't get the feeling that anyone is going to take me seriously, or much resources are open to me, the racer to promote myself. At least not in the industry. most things have to be done myself.

I would love to get my bio and info and pic on to the FUSA website, but I don't know how that could happen if they do not get around to answer me or update the site.

[Super Dave]

Well, the question is then also...should all first year experts be taken seriously?  

Honestly, until you've proven that you can do something at a certain level, or someone believes enough in you that they put up the money, what can be said.

Can you imagine the amount of information that pours into RRW and FUSA over time?  Then can you back it up?  

Really...I heard that a guy that I know is supposed to get two free Arai helmets...he's a second year amateur coming from a very small bike and is up grading to an SV.  Amateur also.  

Guess that's part of the sickness too.

As for Super Dave's Race Against Childhood Cancer...well, yeah, it's unique.  But I don't have to get anywhere.  I'm 36 and I raced AMA Pro long before many of you had anything to do with this sport (not you Gordy.... ;D...but I did ride your KZ650).  My goals revolve around my program and making money for the MACC Fund.  I'm able to use my experiences and my relationships with my sponsors and the motorcycle industry to help.  I need more help, but I've developed myself and my program to do it over many years.  Organizations only gave me an outlet for my program.  At this time, FUSA is the best bang for my buck that I have to spend.  I can't rely on them, but if I do well and my program is successful, that will go back into promoting the series.

So, if you'd all like to make the series better...support me.  I try to make my "advertising" go a long way... ;D

[r6_philly]

I see your point. Then if unproven's are not to be taken seriously until we prove something, then how much promoting can we do to better the series?

Right now, my sponsors are mostly coming by way of personally connections, or finding untapped sources. I don't expect anyone to put up any money into my program but myself. I do appreciate all the support I have received/will receive in the future, no matter how small. and I will do what I can to try to market myself, and in turn, my supporters. A program is coming together.

I wish you all the luck in your program, dave! and I have set goals for myself to achieve a few things this year and build my program step at a time. I have faith it will get where I want it to go. Maybe others will too...

what race events will you take your program to? I will try to market it a bit too

[Super Dave]

You're not promoting to make the series better.  If you promote yourself, though, the series will be better.

You prove yourself by making commitments and following through.  I cannot tell you how many people I know or have heard of that say they will do the "whole AMA series", yet I'm one of those few people that I know of that have actually done it.  And saying it and doing it are two different things.  Ask some of the people that have tried to do the whole series.

Where will I work my program?  Anywhere I can, all the time.  Specifically, my racing program looks like this...

http://www.team-visionsports.com/images/2004Schedule.pdf

But I also have five VRS Skills & Thrills programs, three Visionsports' Racer Universities, and four one on one programs already scheduled.  The elementary school that my kids go do has already asked me to come in for "career day", and I'm working on setting up a Daytona 200 party at my sponsoring dealership, http://www.sportsmanspark.net

Really, it doesn't end.  I've got other things I'm working on, and I've dropped trying to supply everyone with Power Mist Racing Fuel to make room...I'm still a user, but I'm not going to stock it for everyone, but I will place orders.

It never ends.    ;D

[WebCrush]

I promote myself pretty heavily just short of press releases--AND I'm the laughing stock of my peers.  I take flack on every level, flamed on every board, etc.

At the same time, believe it or not, kids DO come up to me and ask for autographs and stuff.   They don't know who I am, just that I'm a racer with a flashy program.  They were actually hunting me down last October at Daytona, which surprised me.

At the Loudon national, one for which I think the most 'professional show' was put on, likely due to big show experience, there was an autograph session for which I was invited too.  Me and my g/f wearing nice pitshirts (and matching bright red hair dye) showed up, and rather than just signing the event program like the other top guys there (hooter, arclight, etc) we brough our own mini-posters.

Again, people I knew ragged on me, cuz i'm a joke--but ya know what--I put on the 'show', and many many kids (and adults) seemed to appreciate my showing and I created numerous smiles.  Many of them came by my pits later on (also what I like to consider a bigger 'show' area with dual canopies, big trailer, etc) to ask questions about the bike(s), the team, the event, etc.  I gladly spoke with each and every person that came over.

Check out some pics of the event I'm talking about

http://racing.webcrush.com/photos/track_photos/2003/2003_season_photos.htm#national

[Steviebee]

At least we wont have to worry about you getting rear ended with 200 gallons of race fuel in the trailer !!

[MZGirl]

I just do every little thing that I can.  I'm not a top racer or anything (neither is my husband).  Last year was our first full season.  But we named our team, and chose a consistent logo that's on our trailer, stationery, race reports, website, and my leathers.  I try to keep our website updated as much as possible.  Right now, rather than focus on everything, I try to spread time & effort out on a few small things and then really focus on one major thing.  For me, that's our race reports.  After every race weekend (or 2), I write up all of the race reports and team happenings in our newsletter, The Bullseye.  I do everything myself, including the writing, layout, photos, etc.  It then gets posted on our website, with the link sent out all over message boards, groups that are interested, friends, and family.  Hard copies go to the sponsors.  It is a TON of work just to put out one issue of The Bullseye.  But I think it's worth it, and it's one of the highest quality newsletters put out by a racer at my level.

We've got quite a following because people enjoyed reading the reports.  They're written such that you don't have to be a racer to enjoy the reports.  Enjoying writing and being a good writer helps.  I had a non-bike industry sponsor last year (Tucson Readymix donated cash) and I wasn't sure if they were interested in sponsoring me again for this year.  Sure enough, they were, and it was because they were kept up to date and enjoyed the newsletters.  It certainly wasn't because I was increasing sales of readymix.

This year I'm going to increase the visibility of The Bullseye by leaving copies in motorcycle shops, bookstores, libraries, etc. around town, and have copies on our info table in the pits.  Gotta start somewhere.  This is where I'm starting.

http://members.cox.net/strikeracing/bullseye03/bullseye_octnov03.pdf

[Steviebee]

I liked reading your reports too !!

And Im making a web site.  

Now i need to make up some graphics !!

If only i had about double the race budget, i could do more schools, more races, more horse power !

Hey its only my second year