[BrentTFunk]

Originally Posted by robert gatten when i say i'm interested in better coverage for the good of the sport that's what i mean. one race, or several races, losing live feed is not good when your dealing with a large racing organization like USAC. I'm a fan yes, but i also have an investment in the sport. When i read of tracks cutting races and purses it bothers me. And, when i see an opportunity to promote one of the biggest races of the year and it goes down that bothers me, and hurts the sport. Lets say you own a team that has run some races over the years and you tell a sponsor that you would like more money next year because your going to run alot more USAC shows. And one of the benies he will get is his company will receive exposure on live feeds from all over the country. He clicks on to watch and gets the problems we all had, think he will want to spend the extra money ? Same thing with prospective sponsors you have been working with. And we all know if we don't attract new fans then tracks will close. It all ties together for" the good of the sport". If you would take the time to think about how it's more than just not being able to see a race, you might understand it's not bullcrap at all.

I understand where you are coming with this as far as sponsor concerns. The question I have is how does this attract even one new fan? If they do not know anything about it how would the stumble across the USAC site. I can see the convienece to fans who follow the sport already, but do not see it creating new fans. Not trying to upset you. I just do not see it.

[robert gatten]

i agree with you about the fan aspect. Maybe there should be some interest in promoting live feed coverage. If its going to be available then advertise it a little. Word of mouth might happen. When there's an opportunity to showcase a big race it might help a little if it's done right. i am passionate about this sport and just hate to see any opportunity to advance missed.

[Hclarke]

Originally Posted by BrentTFunk I understand where you are coming with this as far as sponsor concerns. The question I have is how does this attract even one new fan? If they do not know anything about it how would the stumble across the USAC site. I can see the convienece to fans who follow the sport already, but do not see it creating new fans. Not trying to upset you. I just do not see it.

A good question. We saw during multiple broadcasts across the Ustream network that when the audience got to a certain point the event would make it to one of the first positions on the Ustream site, a featured event.

Simple process with ustream - depending on what other events are streaming - if you hit a certain level - the page gets a placed on the ustream home page. The regular sprint/midget audience drives the number of viewers up very quickly and then you start seeing the new faces from that home page position. New people have shown a tendency to login to chat and ask questions of the group.

The effect of making it to a top spot on ustream was a lot of new people taking a look at the "show." The numbers were solid earlier this season but I've not seen any data for a few months.

The equation remains the same: highspeed connection, multiple cameras, audio and video production equipement, PRIOR notice. When quality hits a certain level bring on the paid ads and pay per view.

If I could live in Indy and travel to the races each week, make a living producing dirt track racing shows - I'd be there doing it. You don't have the full support of all the folks involved so you end up with the present situation.

It will take a small production company with the blessings of USAC, the track promoters, and others to be able to build a business case for regular live streams at multiple tracks. With that type of commitment you can start working on high speed connections to as many tracks as possible. Then build your pay per front end and get after it. Promote via social networks, boards, run ads on related racing sites etc., etc.

Unless the cost is offset by someone or the production of the show is generating some $'s your cell based streams will continue to be the norm. But...we definately showed the audience picked up with a good position on the Ustream site. It does work.