Originally Posted by v8j I am trying to put some foward thinking in to what is needed.I do not have the answers.So I am looking to my collegues for some guidance and thoughts in these issues.I want to put a list list to gether and approach all sanctioning bodys,to discuss the issues that face the Sport of Open Wheel Racing.I work in the entertanment businss.I have 20 years of experience in show productions.PLUS I have sound,stagging,lighting, and pyro. This is entertanment show we should treat it as such.

Go for it, V8. Not a bad idea at all. One word of advice --
Approach each group wisely...
Most would agree that a great many of them at best (?), have huge egos and, at worst, have very questionable ethics.

GOOD LUCK, MAN!! Knock 'em dead!!
Jimmy B.

I'd like to think that we contribute to the sport on a regular basis, if only in a small way.

1) We get our cars in front of the public as often as possible. We have a float in the Noblesville, IN Holiday and 4th of July parades, our cars have been at the "Gathering Before the Green Flag" at the Indiana State Museum for the past two years, we have had cars on display at the "World of Wheels" car show for the past two years, etc. The most important part of this is that our cars are ALWAYS available for people to sit in and get a close up look. I think this is good for the sport, but it is also a "value-add" for our sponsors.

2) We have brought kids to the track to watch our boys race on several occassions, most of which have never been to a race. Each time we've been asked, "can I come to the track with you again sometime?"

3) We've made our cars available for kids to get up close and personal with after the races in the pits.

4) We've contributed time and money to help young kids get started in racing themselves. I've volunteered as the training director at our local quarter midget track, I've met families at the track and have let their son or daughter driver our cars, etc. We've conducted chassis setup clinics at our shop to help new families become more comfortable with the prospect of getting involved in the sport. If you can help a kid get started in the sport they may or may not end up a lifetime racer, but it's pretty likely they will end up a lifetime race fan.

One of the things we've talked about trying to do more next year is to transport the cars on an open trailer from time to time. I've heard others say it, and I have to agree, that the advent of the enclosed trailer has hurt the sport. I remember as a young boy seeing race cars on trailers going down the highway or at the local gas station. It was exciting to see them.

Now, I'll be the first to admit that we have several motives. One, like all of you, we absolutely love racing and want to see our sport thrive. Second, we use these opportunities to strengthen our sponsor relationships. Like I said in the first paragraph, it's a value-add that a lot of teams don't offer their sponsors. Third, we promote our business. The fact that we have a racing related business may make this type of stuff more of a priority for us as it's part of our marketing plan for people to see our cars; however, we had cars in the parades and the car shows before we started the business.

Just a few thoughts.

[FishBurger]

Great post by IndyQMDad above. It would be my guess that were all parties to weigh in here, we would find that most racing entities, be they sanctioning body, track owner/promoter, car owner, driver, sponsor, fan, whatever....is of the belief that they are pretty much already doing all they can....it's up to the other folks to make the necessary changes.

[v8j]

thanks for that bit of reality I still want to work towards a better open wheel racing.I know that we all have to be a part of the answer. and not just pushing it off on some body ells

Racing is something that just gets in your blood and it does't go away. My first race was the beginning of a life long craving for that green flag. My Dad was the guy who took me to that first one and I'll always be thankful. Every kid in my neighborhood went with us at one time or another because we went as a family. I've been doing this for about fifty some years now, and nothing has changed for me. I take every kid who has ever ask and always enjoy taking them down to meet the Drivers and see the cars up close. A lot of people on this forum know my hero, Dandy Don Klein, and know the kind of person he is. Well that is how I see racing in general. Take you neighbor and their kids. Take them down to the pits and let them see for themselves. I haven't had a kid yet who didn't enjoy what they saw, and very few adults. But if the adults had gone as kids, that might be different too. I wear my racing attire, carry racing photos with me at all times and tell everyone I meet about our sport and the rewards of having a Champion Racecar Driver in the family. This year we are going to have bus trips to various tracks and see how many people we can bring to the party. Racing will not Die, it just needs a little help from everyone involved. Just my own thoughts.

sgtone28
lil don klein's daddy

[v8j]

racefan20 what are you going to do to fix or help the sport of open wheel racing

[Jerry Spencer]

[QUOTE=v8j;144331]racefan20 what are you going to do to fix or help the sport of open wheel racing[/QUOt


Are you a member of H.A.R.F. How many race tracks have you attended this year, do you know the work behind the Rich Vogler scholarship? I think Race fan 20's work behind the scenes speaks for its self. As for me I am going to sell out and go fishing.

Jerry #66

---------- Post added at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------

[QUOTE=Jerry Spencer;144360][QUOTE=v8j;144331]racefan20 what are you going to do to fix or help the sport of open wheel racing[/QUOt


Are you a member of H.A.R.F. How many race tracks have you attended this year, do you know the work behind the Rich Vogler scholarship? I think Race fan 20's work behind the scenes speaks for its self. As for me I am going to sell out and go fishing.

Truck trailer and my half of team is for sale, make an offer.

Jerry #66

[FishBurger]

Originally Posted by Jerry Spencer Truck trailer and my half of team is for sale, make an offer. Jerry #66

Say it ain't so Jerry.

[racefan20]

[QUOTE=Jerry Spencer;144360][QUOTE=v8j;144331]racefan20 what are you going to do to fix or help the sport of open wheel racing[/QUOt


Are you a member of H.A.R.F. How many race tracks have you attended this year, do you know the work behind the Rich Vogler scholarship? I think Race fan 20's work behind the scenes speaks for its self. As for me I am going to sell out and go fishing.

Jerry #66

---------- Post added at 09:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:41 PM ----------

[QUOTE=Jerry Spencer;144360]

Originally Posted by v8j racefan20 what are you going to do to fix or help the sport of open wheel racing[/QUOt Are you a member of H.A.R.F. How many race tracks have you attended this year, do you know the work behind the Rich Vogler scholarship? I think Race fan 20's work behind the scenes speaks for its self. As for me I am going to sell out and go fishing. Truck trailer and my half of team is for sale, make an offer. Jerry #66

Thanks Jerry, and I dont think anyone can doubt that your team does its part. I know there has been quite a few times that you guys have rolled out of bed to take the car to some public event when you would have rather stayed in bed or sat around the house drinking (warm) beer. And Josh has a couple of awards hanging on his wall recognizing that very thing. Hope you have a change of heart on selling out.