Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Saw this on Hosehead's

"Hoffman Racing is announcing today that the 10 year marketing partnership we have had with Kroger and Procter&Gamble is coming to an end on 6/30/09. We want to thank Kroger and P&G for their support over the past 10 years. It has been one of the most successful and long lasting marketing partnerships in USAC over these years."

I guess a sign of the hard times we're all enduring.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Damn, if in fact this is true,this sucks. Maybe Rob can enlighten us?:15:

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Wow, they've said many times that if not for the sponsors, They might not be racing. I hope they find a way to continue.

Chuck

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

This will truly be weird for me. I've never been to a USAC sprint car race without the Kroger, P&G sponsored car competing. I knew the day was coming, but kept hoping it would continue a little longer. But they were winning races before the sponsors came about, and they'll continue winning races after the sponsors. Best of luck to Richard, Rob, Dan and the rest of the Hoffman team back at the farm. I look forward to seeing you next week.

Jake.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Here's the whole press release.

THEY SAY “ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END”

Loveland, OH (June 29, 2009) -- Hoffman Racing is announcing today that the 10 year marketing partnership we have had with Kroger and Procter&Gamble is coming to an end on 6/30/09.

We want to thank Kroger and P&G for their support over the past 10 years. It has been one of the most successful and long lasting marketing partnerships in USAC over these years.

HAR is aggressively seeking new marketing partners. Anyone interesting in partnering with the winningest Team in the history of USAC Sprint car racing, and the defending National Champs should contact either Richard Hoffman at 513-575-4500 or 513-520-8950, richard@resultsplusmilford.com

or Tim Waechter at 513-284-1519 , twaechter@zoomtown.com .

We can customize a marketing program for anyone.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

It will definitely be very strange to not see Kroger, Tide, Pringles, Bounty on the car. A moment we still laugh about was at Bloomington last sprint week. There was a young boy probably 5 sitting in front of my parents and I. As they were lining up for the feature I heard his dad ask him who he wanted to win. He said, "The grocery car daddy! That grocery guy is my friend!" Hey, the kid got his way!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

I guess I won't have to go shop at Kroger and buy P & G products anymore...for real. I support sponsors that are IN racing.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

You need to tell the sponsors that!!!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

gonna miss my favorite paint scheme.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Wow, that is sad. I like the paint scheme on the car, but bringing back the old paint scheme wouldn't be all that bad either. Funny how something that was normal for several years, goes away for ten years, and now maybe comes back as a retro look.

Good luck HAR, I hope something works out for you guys!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Seadog, you will have to add Fry's to your list of places not to shop at on your next trip west, Fry's grocery is also owned by Kroger.

Of course with Manzy gone, talk of the USAC pavement sprints gone maybe SC running at PIR will also go away, I don't know what grocery stores are in Cali.

As far as paint scheme's go, I don't think the Hoffman's will be the only one chnaging before next year. I see more and more sponsors pulling out of all forms of auto racing.

Patti

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Seadog:
I guess I won't have to go shop at Kroger and buy P & G products anymore...for real. I support sponsors that are IN racing.

I'm wondering where, in the Cincinnati area, you're going to get your groceries Gregg. :11: I haven't seen Wal-Mart, Biggs, Meier, IGA, Aldi's or any others than I know of on any of the sprint cars I've been watching. I guess the Pay Less stores up in Anderson, Lafayette, etc. are out as well since they merged with Krogers some time ago. Better get that garden spot tilled up my friend. ;)

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by FishBurger:
I'm wondering where, in the Cincinnati area, you're going to get your groceries Gregg. :11: I haven't seen Wal-Mart, Biggs, Meier, IGA, Aldi's or any others than I know of on any of the sprint cars I've been watching. I guess the Pay Less stores up in Anderson, Lafayette, etc. are out as well since they merged with Krogers some time ago. Better get that garden spot tilled up my friend. ;)

Valid point, but...There are two Bigg's within a mile of Kroger in my 'hood. I'll go there instead just to spite Kroger for dumping the Hoffmans. And a new Super Walmart is being built. We have two of those fancy-shmancy natural food stores in the area. And a Meijer. Well, maybe I'll do the Meijer thing. I was in there last week and they had a big Marco banner hanging up.:17::3:

---------- Post added at 04:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:01 PM ----------

Originally Posted by IndyBound:
Seadog, you will have to add Fry's to your list of places not to shop at on your next trip west, Fry's grocery is also owned by Kroger.

Of course with Manzy gone, talk of the USAC pavement sprints gone maybe SC running at PIR will also go away, I don't know what grocery stores are in Cali.

As far as paint scheme's go, I don't think the Hoffman's will be the only one chnaging before next year. I see more and more sponsors pulling out of all forms of auto racing.

Patti

Yeah Patti, Fry's was one I saw on their website when I got on there and e-mailed them. Maybe we should all do that.

From the Kroger website - Fry's: http://www.frysfood.com/Pages/default.aspx

The bad part is Kroger throws considerable money at Nascar. Why can't they take a bit of that and give it to the Hoffmans?

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Thanks for all the kind words of support from everyone! :9: I would just like to say that we had a good run with Kroger and the various Procter & Gamble (P&G) brands (Tide, Bounty, Pringles, Folgers and Sunny Delight) and I thank them for all the support they have given us over the past 10 years. Like many companies in this economy, P&G has cut expenses to position themselves better to survive this downturn. Unfortunately we made the cut list.

Greg, don't feel that you have to stop shopping at Kroger's. There were people inside the Kroger Company actively looking for other partners (brands) to continue the co-sponsoring our team but as of now none have been signed. The decals will still be on the pavement car this weekend but we will debut the new paint schemes at Lawrenceburg for the start of Indiana Sprintweek.

We are actively and aggressively seeking sponsorship for the rest of the season and the following years. We can tailor a program to fit just about any sponsorship level. We are proud to have delivered tangible value for the monies received over the past 10 years and hope we can again enjoy a long term successful partnership with another great company like a Kroger or P&G.

If anyone has any suggestions or leads that they believe may be helpful feel free to email us at team@hoffmanracing.com. In the meantime, with the support of our many volunteers, our team will continue with the family tradition and work toward a 10th USAC National Sprint Car Championship.

Rob Hoffman

RIP "The Tide Ride" and "The World's Fastest Grocery Cart"
:69:

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

In the immortal words of Red Foreman:

"AH, CRAP!"

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Kind of ironic considering this just came across the Associated Press wire earlier this evening. Nothing against women's professional basketball, but I'll see a hundred dirt shows with the Hoffman car before I'll end up seeing an Indiana Fever game in person. Just sayin'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Kroger Co. grocery giant has announced a five-year deal to be an official sponsor for the financially struggling Indiana Fever of the WNBA.
Kroger and Pacers Sports and Entertainment made a joint announcement on Wednesday. The deal includes advertising on television, radio, print, billboards and the Internet. Kroger also has a deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Fever co-owner Herb Simon told the Indianapolis Star in March that he is committed to the Fever for just one more year. He has refused to comment since.
Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris has said the Fever have not turned a profit the past nine years. He called the Kroger sponsorship a good step.
Kroger is based in Cincinnati.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Redwood17257:
Kind of ironic considering this just came across the Associated Press wire earlier this evening. Nothing against women's professional basketball, but I'll see a hundred dirt shows with the Hoffman car before I'll end up seeing an Indiana Fever game in person. Just sayin'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Kroger Co. grocery giant has announced a five-year deal to be an official sponsor for the financially struggling Indiana Fever of the WNBA.
Kroger and Pacers Sports and Entertainment made a joint announcement on Wednesday. The deal includes advertising on television, radio, print, billboards and the Internet. Kroger also has a deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Fever co-owner Herb Simon told the Indianapolis Star in March that he is committed to the Fever for just one more year. He has refused to comment since.
Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris has said the Fever have not turned a profit the past nine years. He called the Kroger sponsorship a good step.
Kroger is based in Cincinnati.

WNBA. Talk about throwing money down a hole. Some sports marketers need to be strictly disciplined.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Racerrob:
Thanks for all the kind words of support from everyone! :9: I would just like to say that we had a good run with Kroger and the various Procter & Gamble (P&G) brands (Tide, Bounty, Pringles, Folgers and Sunny Delight) and I thank them for all the support they have given us over the past 10 years. Like many companies in this economy, P&G has cut expenses to position themselves better to survive this downturn. Unfortunately we made the cut list.

Greg, don't feel that you have to stop shopping at Kroger's. There were people inside the Kroger Company actively looking for other partners (brands) to continue the co-sponsoring our team but as of now none have been signed. The decals will still be on the pavement car this weekend but we will debut the new paint schemes at Lawrenceburg for the start of Indiana Sprintweek.

We are actively and aggressively seeking sponsorship for the rest of the season and the following years. We can tailor a program to fit just about any sponsorship level. We are proud to have delivered tangible value for the monies received over the past 10 years and hope we can again enjoy a long term successful partnership with another great company like a Kroger or P&G.

If anyone has any suggestions or leads that they believe may be helpful feel free to email us at team@hoffmanracing.com. In the meantime, with the support of our many volunteers, our team will continue with the family tradition and work toward a 10th USAC National Sprint Car Championship.

Rob Hoffman

RIP "The Tide Ride" and "The World's Fastest Grocery Cart"
:69:

I can only think of one word to describe this post - CLASS

Thanks, Hoffman Team, for giving us a prime example of how to treat sponsors, even when they're forced into moving a different direction.

Tim Simmons

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Damn...And we don't even get to hear Rob Klepper fire off these words one final time:

"...driver of the Hoffman Auto Racing, Kroger, Bounty, Tide, Pringles #69, from Tuscon, Arizona, Jerry Coooooooooons, Jr...."

Since Rob won't be around this weekend, this small, but enjoyable part of USAC history is now gone, sad to say. I just always got a small kick out of the way he says that.

Best of luck to the Hoffman's in finding new marketing partners.

DM

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Racerrob:
Thanks for all the kind words of support from everyone! :9: I would just like to say that we had a good run with Kroger and the various Procter & Gamble (P&G) brands (Tide, Bounty, Pringles, Folgers and Sunny Delight) and I thank them for all the support they have given us over the past 10 years. Like many companies in this economy, P&G has cut expenses to position themselves better to survive this downturn. Unfortunately we made the cut list.

Greg, don't feel that you have to stop shopping at Kroger's. There were people inside the Kroger Company actively looking for other partners (brands) to continue the co-sponsoring our team but as of now none have been signed. The decals will still be on the pavement car this weekend but we will debut the new paint schemes at Lawrenceburg for the start of Indiana Sprintweek.

We are actively and aggressively seeking sponsorship for the rest of the season and the following years. We can tailor a program to fit just about any sponsorship level. We are proud to have delivered tangible value for the monies received over the past 10 years and hope we can again enjoy a long term successful partnership with another great company like a Kroger or P&G.
If anyone has any suggestions or leads that they believe may be helpful feel free to email us at team@hoffmanracing.com. In the meantime, with the support of our many volunteers, our team will continue with the family tradition and work toward a 10th USAC National Sprint Car Championship.

Rob Hoffman

RIP "The Tide Ride" and "The World's Fastest Grocery Cart"
:69:

Rob, as always, thanks for the classy comments.

It's just that over these 55 years as a HAR fan, you guys almost seem like family to me. And when somebody leaves my "family" in the lurch, it hurts all of us in that family. I've always heard that when business times are tough, you should market more aggresively, not less. But what do I know, I'm not a marketing guy.

Good luck in the sponsor search and in all the racing endeavors!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Redwood17257:
Kind of ironic considering this just came across the Associated Press wire earlier this evening. Nothing against women's professional basketball, but I'll see a hundred dirt shows with the Hoffman car before I'll end up seeing an Indiana Fever game in person. Just sayin'

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Kroger Co. grocery giant has announced a five-year deal to be an official sponsor for the financially struggling Indiana Fever of the WNBA.
Kroger and Pacers Sports and Entertainment made a joint announcement on Wednesday. The deal includes advertising on television, radio, print, billboards and the Internet. Kroger also has a deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Fever co-owner Herb Simon told the Indianapolis Star in March that he is committed to the Fever for just one more year. He has refused to comment since.
Pacers Sports and Entertainment president Jim Morris has said the Fever have not turned a profit the past nine years. He called the Kroger sponsorship a good step.
Kroger is based in Cincinnati.

TV exposure is my guess

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

I will have my Hoffman/Kroger T shirt on tomorrow at Toledo! Dont know if we will make it in the pits to say hello but good luck and hopefully you can pull of a win tomorrow..
Dave Colliau
Jackson , Michigan

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Doesn't Rob say Kroger and then Tide? Then Bounty and Pringles? haha
Yeah, Rob, I had to think about how you announce that car for a while....you're right, Dean, it's gonna be strange not hearing that!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Thanks Rob for the classy reply.

As a fan, I now have no store to shop, No snack, dirty and stiff clothes Whats a man to do? :(

I said over a year ago that the big sponsors would dissipate as quick as they appear unless bigger marketing was made available. Honestly they need TV, Exposure on racing organizations websites ect. Without it a billboard gives almost the same returns.

Im not taking a shot a Kroger P&G at all. I thank them for the great run and patronized them because of it.

Darn it!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

sponsor the WNBA? :5::5::5:
'tis a sad day for all of racing.

I am sure that Hoffmans will find another quality sponsor as they are definately a quality team.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Onlydirt:
TV exposure is my guess

What exposure? Nobody around here watches those games. My employer gives away tickets all the time, but they always have leftovers because very few if any people want them. WASTE of sposor money. They will be gone soon...huge money looser for Pacers, Inc.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by wbr:
sponsor the WNBA? :5::5::5:
'tis a sad day for all of racing.

I am sure that Hoffmans will find another quality sponsor as they are definately a quality team.

And what I don't get is that the WNBA gets far more media attention than local racing. I just don't feel that there is a bigger draw. Are there any of those teams making money? I don't even think that Houston still has a team, but I seem to remember that they won the championship more than once.

I guess I am just clueless as ever. . . . . .

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

My son tried to give away tickets to his SUITE at a Pacer game last winter after he gave a speech to some 100 or so realtors. NO TAKERS!

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Sorry to hear they lost their sponsorship. However, they own or used to own a bank so I'm pretty sure there not hurting for money.

Re: Hoffman Auto Racing
 

Originally Posted by Seadog:
I guess I won't have to go shop at Kroger and buy P & G products anymore...for real. I support sponsors that are IN racing.

Agreed.