Nuckles, Promoters of the Year
Transcription
Nuckles, Promoters of the Year
Issue40.02 The Idea Newsletter For Auto Racing Promoters Nuckles, Promoters of the Year; Speedweek Workshop Report The first time we stepped to the Workshops podium nearly 20 years ago, the regional nominees included the preeminent names in race promotion since the Second World War, many considerably overdue for recognition. Still waiting for their turn as Auto Racing Promoters of the Year were the biggest names in our sport: Earl Baltes, Robert Lawton, C-Ray Hall, Ralph Capitani, Lanny Edwards, Tom Curley, John Padjen, and more, the creators of the biggest events in short track racing, events that endure today. These men promoted tracks by which racing measured success in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Eventually, each became Promoter of the Year. Next came what one might call the “new” generation, promoters who established themselves in the '90s as industry leaders, promoters like Charles Cathell, Charles Powell, Steve York, Larry Kemp, Andy Vertrees, Chuck Deery, and ladies like Jody Deery, and Nadine Strauss. These were the students of the earlier generation, learning much of what they knew at the Workshops. They became leaders in their own right in their own time. Now in a new decade, we see yet another generation taking over, promoters of the generation of Regional Promoters of the Year ORVILLE CHENOWETH, RODNEY WING, STEVE BEITLER, AL VARNADORE, TODD HUTTO, AND ANDY HARPELL. As the world changes, and the sport of short track racing changes; these promoters will chart the course for promoters in the mid-21st Century, (See Promoters, P6) We Support Our Troops A Service to Promoters Sponsored by The Promoters’ Voice And Forum Since 1971 Archive this newsletter for la ter reference D o w n l o a d y o u r c o p y f r o m : h t t p : // p u b l i c . m e . c o m / r p m n e w s l e t t e r Brea ki n g News & Notes BALTES VISITS WORKSHOPS: It was a pleasant surprise when EARL and BERNIECE BALTES visited the Speedweek Workshop Tuesday, accompanied by son and daughter-in-law TERRY and XXXX Baltes. It is their first visit to RPM in four years. When we introduced the only promoter that ever paid $1 million in cash to a race winner to the assembled promoters, they received a standing ovation. Earl and Berniece looked well, and they enjoyed the many well wishes of promoters, many of whom met them for the first time... IN APPRECIATION: It was also our pleasure to introduce New Smyrna Speedway owner ROBERT HART, accompanied by old friend JOE LEWANDOSKI to promoters as well Tuesday morning. Hart cannot often attend the Workshop because he and staff are in the midst of their allconsuming World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Hart graciously hosts promoters as his guests during series events during the Workshop... RPM ECONOMIC IMPACT: According to estimates by the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Daytona Beach RPM Promoters Workshop contributed $415,000 dollars in economic impact to the Daytona Beach-area economy... UNITED WAY DONATION: To show RPM and promoters’ appreciation for the assistance of the Daytona Beach community in returning the Workshop to Daytona, promoters donated $800 to the United Way of Volusia/Flagler Counties. RPM matched the promoters’ funds, bringing the donation to $1,600... THIRTY-EIGHTH WORKSHOP SERIES DATES: Next winter’s promoters gatherings will convene in Reno at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, December 2-4, 2010, and at the Hilton Daytona Beach, February 14-16, 2011. (Note that the Speedweek dates published here are different from earlier dates published)... ADD RPM TO YOUR PR LIST, SEND PICTURES TO RPM: Instruct your PR person to add RPM to your news release list. We receive news releases by e-mail at rpmeditor@ verizon.net. Use your smart phone to send RPM pictures. Since photographers rarely send the pictures promoters ask them to send us, we encourage promoters to “go direct.” Use your smart phone to take pictures of big crowds, promotions, how-to tips, then e-mail them to RPM right from your phone on the spot. Smart phones are now good enough for publication. Enter RPM in your smart phone contacts at [email protected]. If you are reading RPM for the first time, we welcome you. RPM was created as a resource for promoters 39 years ago. It is the monthly embodiment of the RPM slogan--Learn-Share-Profit--in which promoters share expertise and experience to help each other produce better entertainment and increase ticket sales and profit. The ideas discussed in RPM come from readers. We invite new readers to join longtime readers. Share your ideas as well. Read and enjoy RPM. Keep us in touch with what you do at your track. We look forward to meeting at the next Workshop. Proud Sponsor of Racing Promotion Monthly & RPM Promoters Workshops Close The Coverage Gaps Certificates of Insurance confirm policy limits, identify the insurer, and specify the term. Requiring certificates and being named an additional insured should be standard practice. But certificates do not mean you are covered. Coverage gaps are commonplace. Read policies and event contracts. Understand where gaps occur. Pay attention to "exclusions." Your insurance agent will help you understand what's covered and who’s responsible. Insuring the World’s Fun. Protecting Your Business. 1712 Magnavox Way, PO Box 2338, Fort Wayne, IN 46801-2338 Cal #0334819 K&K Insurance Group Canada, #101-5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5K9,, F: 905-602-9141, 4002. 2 1.800.348.1839 In Canada 1.800.753.2632 http://www.kandkinsurance.com http://www.kandkcanada.com h t t p : // w w w. r a c i n g p r o m o t i o n m o n t h l y. n e t Ohio Court Backs Track A recent Ohio Appellate Court Decision gave TONY and MELISSA BOETCHER’S 35 Raceway a positive outcome that can offer other promoters guidance in how to handle lawsuits about noise. The Boetchers built their 1/5-mile dirt, mini-sprint track 35 Raceway in 2005 on unzoned land near Frankfort, OH. Surrounded by neighbors, they understood they would have to be proactive and good neighbors, so they voluntarily built sound abatement into the track, muffled race cars and limited their number of race days and hours of operation. Despite these efforts 18 neighbors sought an injunction to shutter the track, primarily on grounds that its noise was a “private nuisance.” A local court found for the Boetchers based on their noise abatement measures, their willingness to work with the court to minimize noise and other nuisance factors, the economic impact of the facility and its value as a recreational asset in the community. The neighbors appealed the initial court decision, but on February 12, the Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision while remanding the proceeding back to the lower court for clarification of a few ambiguous technical points, specifics about decibel limits, curfews, and race nights permitted. Whether the neighbors will appeal, the Appellate Court’s decision to the Ohio Supreme Court remains to be seen. According to DON ANSPAUGH attorney for the Boetchers, the value in the Appellate Court’s decision is the acknowledgement that race track businesses are significant contributors to the community having positive economic impact, contributing jobs to the community and offering a positive recreational asset to the community. The turning point in the case, Anspaugh said, was the fact that the court was persuaded the track was an asset to the community in addition to the Boetchers’ goodneighborly conduct in construction and operation. DISCLAIMER: While these legal questions have been researched, we do not represent this as legal advice. Laws vary. Readers should consult with local counsel in all matters. RPM assumes no responsibility for actions taken because of, or despite, answers appearing herein. YOU CAN HELP! If you’re are involved in a legal challenge of any kind, or if you know of, or hear of, any challenges involving racing operations, or challenges to other sports or attractions that could threaten motorsports, call or write RPM editorial offices. As you read RPM, you will sometimes see reference to the “ARPY Awards.” ARPY is the acronym for Auto Racing Promoter of the Year--awards established by RPM in 1977 to recognize outstanding promoters. Each fall, readers nominate Regional Promoters of the Year in eight regions of the U.S. One becomes the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year at the Speedweek RPM Promoters Workshop. RPM also presents “Achievement Awards,” recognizing the accomplishments of promoters throughout the U.S. Plan now to attend the Workshops and help recognize your colleagues. Proud Sponsor of Racing Promotion Monthly & RPM Promoters Workshops Tires Designed For Champions CANADA Ontario, Canada 905-685-3148 CANADA-NY Niagara Falls, NY 716-285-7502 EAST Manchester, CT 860-646-9646 MID-ATLANTIC Finksburg, MD 410-833-2061 MIDWEST Springfield, IL 217-522-1955 MIDWEST INDY Brownsburg, IN 317-858-1234 NORTH Rogers, MN 763-428-8780 OHIO VALLEY Parkersburg, WV 800-430-7223 SOUTH ASPHALT Welcome, NC 336-731-6100 SOUTH DIRT OVAL Clinton, TN 865-457-9888 CANADA WEST Alberta, Canada 780-986-7223 SOUTHWEST Mesquite, TX 972-289-7223 GREAT PLAINS Wichita, KS 316-945-4000 WEST Fresno, CA 559-485-4612 Contact The Nearest Hoosier Distributor 65465 US Highway 31 South Lakeville, IN 46536 574-784-3152 FAX 574-784-2385 http://www.hoosiertire.com 4002. 3 h t t p : // w w w. r p m p ro m o t e r s wo r k s h o p s. c o m John McKarns, 1944-2010 JOHN MC KARNS, an Ohio farm boy turned promoter, who first attended races with his father as a reward for a good day’s work on the farm, died February 9, 2010, from complications of bladder cancer. He was 65 years old. John McKarns His influence was widespread and changes he brought about will be felt for years to come. (Hedlund Photo) With ART FRIGO, in the late ‘70s, he created the ARTGO Challenge Series, which quickly became the dominant force in Midwestern late model racing the last two decades, finally becoming the NASCAR Midwest Series. He promoted short tracks, the track now known as Madison (WI) Speaking at his memorial service International Speedway which he managed February 12, former business associate TOM in the early ‘80s and LaCrosse Fairgrounds DEERY said. “His influence on short track Speedway where he was co-leaseholder racing was widespread and will be felt for with JODY DEERY for more than 20 years years to come, not only for the reputation until his death. In his “retirement” years, of his series but also for the changes he he traveled the country, seeing races brought to racing, such as the ABC body everywhere, served as a valuable expert and [other rule innovations].” witness in the defense of short track racing Promoters respected his and consulted with promoters. accomplishments, but also acknowledge McKarns is survived by his wife and that few understand the race fan as well as lifelong business partner SUE, his sons John McKarns did. We have yet to meet GREGG (who is carrying on his father’s another promoter as astute as John was tradition and fast becoming a talented observing the sport to the most minute promoter in his own right) and GEOFFREY, detail. All who knew him admired his note their spouses and grandchildren. We offer taking, and marveled at his ability to our condolences to the McKarns family. catalog promotional, technical, and track operation ideas he had seen and recall them easily, either from memory or from his files. 4002. 4 4002. 5 Workshop Report: Old Home Week It’s been five long years for promoters, and it was great to be back in Daytona Beach. Pushed out of town by the perfect storm of management changes at our former Daytona Beach host hotel, NASCAR Cup growth, which consumed available hotel space, and the hurricanes of 2004, RPM was fortunate to find a temporary home down the road at Lake Mary, but tradition was calling us back to Daytona always. trackers at VSP (and Robert Hart’s folks at New Smyrna Speedway, who raced at 4:30 p.m. in an effort to finish up before the game) persevered. New Smyrna hosted what they said was a “fair” crowd (to be sure painting the rosiest picture they could) and experienced one of their toughest Speedweek’s on record because of the weather. The Outlaws told promoters that they drew 4,000 people (counting pits and stands) against the game, a number some found hard to believe, but some When we began our effort to return in witnesses said was impossible. The teams also early 2009, it was uncertain whether we could raced by prior agreement for a reduced purse succeed. The business surrounding NASCAR’s because of the game, so the night might have Great American Race is formidable competition, been the high point of their Speedweek after but after considerable effort by LINDA MC all was said and done. MAHON of the Daytona Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, and ED KENNEDY, ARCA racer, The weather for our week in Daytona, like friend of our sponsor Hoosier Tire, and the weather much of this winter in Florida, was proprietor of the Daytona Beach Lagoon, the nothing to write home about. Chilly and with mission was accomplished. the threat of rain but for one day, several short track races were cancelled, and others suffered Speedweek began with us on the from unseasonably cold nighttime temps. sidelines with other promoters watching a Promoters who were in Florida for the meeting battle of the titans; The World of Outlaws at spent as much or more time worrying about Volusia Speedway Park versus Super Bowl 44. how their track buildings were fairing under Promoters anxiously waited to see whether the severe snow loads as they did our agenda. World Racing Group’s decision to race against Many promoters were conspicuous in their the biggest game in all ball sports--a game that absence, electing to stay home, and ride out even NASCAR decided to avoid head-to-head the storms, fearing the worst. So far, competition with--was foolhardy or fruitful. fortunately, we hear few reports of damage. It (NASCAR kept DIS dark Super Bowl Sunday.) almost seemed fitting that the The weather was marginal, at best, for a Florida outdoor event (in the high 40s) but the dirt (See Speedweek, P8) Remarks by Sirius NASCAR Radio host DAVE MOODY, who urged promoters to scrutinize the work of their announcers, proved as popular during Speedweek as at Reno. (Lukens Photo) Read RPM On Computer Join the scores of other subscribers Latest Issue” button, also found on the that read RPM on their computers. Use the login page. “Read Online” link on the RPM website to Keep this RPM Read Online login access our login page. Enter the login and password where its handy: and password shown at the right and set Login: rpmeletter up an account. It’s easy. It’s convenient. It’s no cost, courtesy of RPM sponsors. If Password: 2rEadRpm you prefer to download a complete copy of the newsletter, click on the “Download 4002. 6 4002. 7 Auto Racing Promoters of Year Rewarded at last... The Nuckles family, (above L to R), standing, JERRY, JOHN, seated, JEFF, JAMES, the late BARBARA, were honored by RPM readers as 34th Auto Racing Promoters of the Year. The Nuckles received eight regional nominations over a span of 11 years. At right, SEAMUS CURLEY, (R) Charlotte Motor Speedway, presents the family with their commemorative Speedway Club Membership. (Lukens Photos) (Promoters, from P1) These are the men and women who will figure out where participatory outdoor entertainment fits in the greater scheme of things in a virtual and digital age. But as happens each decade, there is unfinished business; promoters not yet recognized in “their time.” Short track racing is populated by scores of “quiet” promoters, at best late to be recognized, if not completely overlooked. Some deliberately stay out of the limelight. Some are focused locally, ignoring the national stage, missing out on national recognition. Some, seemingly without ego or a hunger for the spotlight, exhibit a quiet passion for race promotion and enjoy making a living. The Nuckles family, the Thirty-Fourth Auto Racing Promoters of the Year, fit in this overlooked 4002. 8 category. Indeed, one reason it took eight nominations over an 11-year span before they became promoters of the year was because they operate quietly--even modestly--and were not as widely appreciated for what they have accomplished as some predecessors. Hopefully, this award will bring them some of the recognition they deserve, even if they do not seek it. The Nuckles, led by 81-year-old JIM NUCKLES and his late wife BARBARA for 63 years, used what RPM calls “the steady-handed approach,” electing not to participate in many short track industry fads and so-called “trends,” instead just doing what was right for fans and entrants at their suburban Columbus, Ohio paved oval. (See Promoters, P7) (Promoters, from P6) Jim Nuckles, sons JOHN, JERRY, JEFF, and spouses and family members take a quiet pride in the fact that they have built a profitable, popular, track that promoters can learn from. Columbus Motor Speedway commands considerable respect in its market, for its longevity, stability, clean family environment, and solid racing programs that avoided many pitfalls that plague other facilities. Moreover, the family is appreciated for its passion for the sport. From the track’s beginnings as a motorcycle track, the Nuckles paid as much attention to the wellbeing of racing sports as they did their facility. Jerry and Jeff raced midgets with USAC in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. The family ardently supports quarter midget racing, for more than three decades hosting the local club at a track on CMS property. (Jim and Barb Nuckles were inducted into the Quarter Midgets of America Hall of Fame in 2006.) Jeff’s son Tyler races late models. Jerry’s son Bryan also races. Like other Promoters of the Year, the Nuckles are remarkable because their passion survives despite factors that burned colleagues out. We often describe the race promotion business as a “family business,” and indeed it is. Many tracks would not succeed without the contribution of an extended family on race night. Most often, it is a business where the spotlight recognizes rugged individuals-the front persons who persevere with family in the wings. In the Nuckles, we have our first example where all the family is reluctant to enter the spotlight, but equally deserving of the honor bestowed. So the saying goes, “Better late than never.” We have only on regret about the timing of the award. It is unfortunate the honor came too late for BARBARA NUCKLES to enjoy. She was one of the great ladies of race promotion and she passed away in 2008. We congratulate the Nuckles family on this overdue award, and congratulate all the Regional Promoters of the Year for their dedication, perseverance and service to short track racing. Regional Promoters of the Year... (Top, L to R) TODD HUTTO and AL VARNADORE, East Bay (FL) Raceway Park; RODNEY and CASSIE WING, Whynot (MS) Speedway. (Center, L to R) BOB WATSON and “RED” MAC DONALD, Lee USA Speedway (NH); ANDREW HARPELL, Five-Mile Point (NY) Speedway; ORVILLE CHENOWETH, Dakota State Fair (SD) Speedway. (Bottom, L to R) STEVE BEITLER, Skagit (WA) Speedway, also received the National Speed Sport News Award for Outstanding Short Track Event, presented for NSSN by ROGER SLACK, recognizing the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup at his Washington short track. C-RAY HALL, Eighty-One (KS) Speedway. (Lukens Photos) 4002. 9 Stay & Play At The Best of Reno Reservations 800-648-5966 www.eldoradoreno.com 4002. 10 (Speedweek, From P5) the week ended with Duels that were yawners and the Pothole 500. Promoters, above all, know, every event can’t be a winner. Friends RPM turns first to its readers as it selects topics. We value the advice of promoters we confer with, and encourage promoters to share business management and promotion ideas. FRED COGSDILL Laurens County Speedway Here is a partial list. DAVID DEERY Rockford Speedway LYNN PHILLIPS ALFRED GURLEY Talladega Short Track C.J. ROBINSON Riverside Speedway EARL BENSON Casino Speedway TERRY VOELTZ WISSOTA Promoters Association ALAN KREITZER Pennsylvania ORVILLE CHENOWETH State Fair Speedway DAN MANN Electric City Speedway. JOHN PADJEN Silver Dollar Speedway CHARLES CATHELL U.S. 13 Dragway KENT PORENTA Delaware Intl. Spwy. Sweetwater Speedway HOWARD COMMANDER Lebanon Valley Speedway JODY DEERY Rockford Speedway. C-RAY HALL Eighty-One Speedway & NCRA CHARLES POWELL Florence Speedway ROBERT LAWTON Boone Speedway LARRY, KATHLEEN KEMP Eldora Speedway BOB SARGENT Track Ent. (IL) TED AUSTAD Atlanta Motor Speedway EARL BALTES Ohio ANDY STONE Oglethorpe Speedway CHUCK DEERY LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway STEVE BEITLER Skagit Speedway TOM CURLEY Thunder Road Intl. Speedbowl BASSUENER FAMILY Golden Sands Speedway NADINE & BOB STRAUSS California B.J. PARKER Southern All Stars Racing EMMETT HAHN Chilibowl Midget Nationals JIM NAYLOR Ventura Raceway LANNY & BEV DENNIS & BARB EDWARDS MOORE Devil’s Bowl Speedway Park Jefferson Speedway TOMMY SIMONS Texas JOE & WALT DOELLEFELD RON FLINN Stateline Speedway Crystal Speedway BILLY THOMAS JACK DEERY East Alabama Motor Cayuga County Speedway Speedway ROBERT HART PAUL FASCAR, New Smyrna ZIMMERMAN Speedway Spartan Speedway DON NERONE C.J. RICHARDS New Smyrna BRUCE RICHARDS Speedway Devil’s Bowl & Albany Saratoga Speedways MICK TRIER State Fair Speedway JOE & PHYLLIS DAVIDSON-LOVEN JIM WILSON Volunteer Speedway World Dirt Racing League Even doing our best to factor out the effect bad weather had on attendance and attitudes, our overriding observation about the week is that--even for the Daytona 500--there is not the excitement there once was, and but for the days of the big races, Daytona was strangely quiet with few haulers along the beach and fewer “Welcome Race Fans” banners. Either much changed while we were away or Obamanomics is having a much greater effect than we realized it would. On the bright side, our attendance was up a tick from the last several years with 587 people, representing 137 tracks from the US and four Canadian provinces and promoters expressed optimism about the 2010 season just as they had at Reno. Promoters were more attentive than they have been during past Speedweek Workshops, with larger than usual audiences throughout the Workshop. This is partially attributable to the less-than-inviting weather outside, but also a sign of the times, as we see increased seriousness among promoters who are looking for answers to the challenges they face. want to be bothered with problems that beset other attendance-driven businesses. Each year, despite our inherent optimism and all the good work we see being done by promoters, we wonder whether the sport will ever grow up. It remains today, as it was 40 years ago when STEW REAMER typed the first issue of RPM, an adolescent sport, not yet acclimated to the adult workaday world, where racers race for fun, and many promoters promote for fun, and are committed only as long as it is fun. Because of this “for-fun” attitude, they do not involve themselves with cumbersome aspects of promotion (such as the marketing of tickets)--an activity that often is not fun. We wonder whether this doesn’t become more exaggerated each year when more eager-to-bequickly-gratified, gen-whateverers enter the sport. We must compliment the promoters who spoke at the meeting and served as panelists and also the hotel staff, who produced a topnotch event that came off smoothly despite their inexperience with us. We hosted 54 companies in the exhibit area, more than any Speedweek Workshop since 2004, including Ford Racing, new to our forum, who were on hand to talk with promoters about their sealed spec racing engines. We’ll leave readers with this closing thought from our Workshop comments, which we will elaborate on in these pages in coming months. BRAND YOUR RACING AND SELL YOUR BRAND. In 2010, make your brand of racing unique among others and other entertainment. Focus on fan experience more than racing. Make sure you give fans their entertainment money’s Promoters seemed more receptive to the worth, cold soda, and beer, fresh hot Workshops “new media message” carried hamburgers and clean appealing rest rooms. through from past Workshops, but we are still Make every race night SPECIAL and invite them left with the overarching impression that too each week to come back next week. It will pay many promoters still just want to race and don’t off in these times family frugality. The Hilton seemed to agree with promoters, as we frequently saw them networking and in restaurants and lounges. Our Lunch & Laps, affected by the weather, was not the rousing success we hoped it would be, but was reasonably popular and added a dimension of fun to the Workshop. Websites Undergo Change www.racingpromotionmonthly.com In mid-December, RPM launched a new Web portal at the address above. Bookmark the page for the shortest route to RPM online information. The all-encompassing, everything-onthe-front-page (almost) Website links to RacingPromotionMonthly.Net and the other related RPM and Workshops Websites. We continue to optimize our web presence and will announce further changes in coming issues. 4002. 11 Produced with additional support From... Thank You. We Appreciate Your Support 4002. 12 Sinclair Joins K&K At the Western Workshop at Reno, K&K Insurance announced that STEVE SINCLAIR had joined the firm as a field underwriter. Sinclair will handle six Midwestern states, much of the same territory served by the late LARRY RICE. Sinclair has been involved in racing, race promotion and the insurance business for over 25 years. Steve Sinclair, field underwriter, K&K Insurance Group, Inc. Sinclair is a natural fit to carry on after Rice. He began his career in motorsports as an employee of sprint car racers HOWIE GLEASON and FRANK FILSKOV and later became the president of the Interstate Racing Association (IRA) sprint car organization, which he has served since 1994. He was also a partner until three years ago in SLS Promotions with SCOTT BOYD and LARRY HILLERUD, prominent promoters of World of Outlaws race events. He also serves as a consultant to the Kenosha County Fairboard in its operation of the Wilmot Speedway. With his SLS partners, he was the first recipient of the Ted Johnson Award, given annually by the World of Outlaws to outstanding promoters. He is also a threetime co-recipient of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame’s North American 410 Sprint Car Poll Award for Promoter of the Year. Sinclair can be reached through the K&K switchboard at 800-348-1839, extension 5714, locally at 260-459-5714, or by email at steve_sinclair@ kandkinsurance.com. Call Steve today if you have questions about your race track, series, sanctioning body, or club liability, medical or property insurance. Friends SUSAN & BOB ALLEN Arlington Raceway. BCRA Bay Cities Racing Association California RAY MARLER KEN SCHRADER I-55 Raceway RUSTY ALLEN Fairbury Speedway JOEL & BILL COHEN Indianapolis Speedrome MARVIN RAGAN EDDIE MAC DONALD Watermelon Capital Speedway ANDY VERTREES Kentucky RALPH CAPITANI Knoxville Raceway JIM NUCKLES Columbus Motor Speedway DONNIE WATSON Crawford County Speedway $ # " ! # !" This month: Ten Fan Turn-Offs the Web-based eLetter login You Can Fix. page. Set up an account, and you are good to go. It’s easy. Look online for more of It’s convenient. You can read what you expect from RPM. and then download a complete The RPM eLetter, Web edition, copy of the RPM eLetter, the promoters’ newsletter for including Webxtra pages, all the digital age, features by clicking the “Download includes more pages than the Latest Issue” button. “ink & paper” edition. Each month, Webxtra features Use this login and stories, tips and pictures from password to set up you online our archives and from account: Login: rpmeletter, promoters everywhere. Password: 2rEadRpm The “Read Online” link on the RPM website takes you to 4002. 13 DICK POE Angola Motor Speedway JOHN E. DAVIS JOHN POTTS Corbin Speedway TODD SALAZAR Barona Speedway HARRIETT & COWBOY CHANCELLOR MLRA RON DRAGER Flat Rock & Toledo Speedways BILL DESMOND Alabama DR. JEFF JARVIS Limaland Motorsports Park TOM & LORIS HELFRICH TriState Speedway THE GRIFFINS Merced Speedway RICH & LINDA OLSON Redwood Acres Speedway KEVIN RUIC Ohio More Ideas & Info Online RON BRUTT Roaring Knob Mtrspts. Complex MIKE & RITA WITTE Ephrata Raceway Park CHRYSLER FAMILY KilKare Speedway LES MC BURNEY Angell Park Speedway JOHN TRUSSLER Motorsports Enterprises DOUG STANGE Mid-Nebraska Speedway DAN REDKEY Arizona JAY RUTHERFORD ASA Speed Truck Challenge GAYE & TONY OTTO Dynamic Dezigns BILL POSEY National Race Track Clearinghouse STEVE EARWOOD Rockingham Dragway PLATO FAMILY Boyd Raceway HAROLD CROOK Lonesome Pine Speedway ROD ANCEL Merritt Speedway RED MAC DONALD Lee USA Speedway To join this list, telephone, FAX or Email RPM requesting inclusion and we’ll add your name... Speedweek Workshop In Photos a r t x b we While the sun shown, Monday, promoters enjoyed Lunch & Laps at the Lagoon. (Hedlund Photos) Across from Ocean Center, one block from the pier, the Hilton is centrally located on America’s most famous beach. (Hedlund Photo) 4002. 14 AUSTIN MC ALLISTER, stalwart RPM exhibitor returned to join 53 other companies offering products and services for promoters. Promoters gathered Monday to hear Dr. Roger Marsh pay tribute to RPM founder Stew Reamer. (Lukins Photo) Ten Fan Turn Offs You Can Fix a r t x b we REPRINTED FROM RPM 3503, March 2005 them hard-earned $10-$20-$50 dollar bills, and the ticket sellers are the first people they see. Make sure Workshops panelists remind promoters, "If you your ticket sellers and stubbers say, "Good evening. keep doing the same thing you've always done; you'll Welcome to our speedway. How may I help you? have the same results you've always had." And while Thank you for coming tonight. Enjoy the races. If you we hope readers will not count us among the scores of need anything, you can find the customer service promoter bashers out there, we studied our notes from window located..." Make sure they give your fans their last season’s races and gathered these tips for undivided attention. Too often we see them ignoring promoters. Each new season offers the opportunity to customers while swapping lies with cronies. put right things that might not have turned out as you hoped last season. Take advantage of the chance to CUT UNMOWN GRASS, PAINT BUILDINGS... Mowing make your track all it can be in 2005. Here are some grass is a never ending pain in the tractor seat--and it ideas how you might do so. costs big-time money nowadays. But, nothing impresses people like a manicured campus. Countless FIX YOUR TRACK’S PR... Too many promoters, in long-in-the-tooth tracks have been made to look frustration, seem to have given up on PR, relying almost country club-like by careful attention to parking areas entirely on the World Wide Web. But, just shy of half of and lawns. Freshly mown grass says we take pride in all households in the country still are without a our business and your comfort as our customers. Clean, computer, so “old” media should still be half of the newly-painted buildings impress as well. One only marketing plan. Sure, it’s impossible to measure results, gets one chance to make a first impression. Like tractor and stick and ball reporters are tiresome, but it's an fuel, paint isn't cheap these days, but if no other essential part of promotion. Make sure that if you did improvements are in the budget this year, we guarantee not send pre-and post-race news releases last year, you that a coat of paint on the buildings and well groomed do so this year. Get them to the race and mainstream grounds will give the appearance of big new papers, TV and radio stations in a timely manner--and investments. in the form they prefer. Hire an intern or a student to do it. The cost will be minimal, but you’ll have to BUY ‘EM NEW UNIFORMS... Faded and worn mentor them. Meet weekly and review their work. employee or officials’ uniforms are worse than no uniform at all. What condition are yours in? Imagine FIX DIRTY BATHROOMS... Take a good look at your how nice it would look if your food stand employees all restrooms. They don't have to be worthy of a Kohler ad, wore white jeans, white aprons, and white shirts as but they should be newly painted, graffiti-free and they do in a pizza parlor we frequent. At the very least, clean, with ample mirrors and wastebaskets and plenty require your race officials to wear white jeans, available of paper supplies--and we shouldn't forget those babyat the local farm store. Yes they'll need several pairs a changing tables. Some promoters are victims of other season and a bottle of bleach, but a professional people's restrooms, often at fairgrounds, but even when appearance will be worth it. Some even think white dirty or shabby restrooms are someone else's jeans are more visible and therefore offer the officials responsibility, they turn off YOUR fans. Public greater safety on the job. Do a trade-out for colorful restrooms are no fun for anyone, but spotless restrooms embroidered officials' shirts. Your crew and food service make a lasting first impression, especially on the employees should look like Marines on parade. mothers and girlfriends. Even if you must go outside your lease responsibilities, give fans a restroom they FIX THAT LAME WEBSITE... Is your website up can be comfortable in, that they will tell friends about. dated quickly enough? More and more tracks rely It will pay off. primarily on their website to inform fans. (It’s an unwise decision, but that’s for another newsletter.) If REPLACE UNFRIENDLY TICKET TAKERS... Is your your website is your main marketing tool, make it the track fan-friendly? We've lost count of the tracks we've best it can be--especially if you want it to attract young seen where promoters pat themselves on the back, fans. At the very least, update the home page after telling us they have "fan-friendly" operations, but their each race with summary information on last night's race surly, bored or indifferent, ticket sellers’ and stubbers’ (See WebXtra, Next Page) actions tell another story. Remember, fans are giving 4002. 15 Webxtra Continued a r t x b we (WebXtra, From Previous Page) and with details of next week's race. Make sure last night's race and updated points are in the news and points sections before noon, if not sunrise, the following day. The Internet is about immediacy! Fans-especially teenagers--expect track websites to move at the speed of their life, not at the speed of a part-time web guy who has a day job and a family. NEVER RUN LATE... We don't care how you do it, but this year present a show no more than three hours long, preferable 2-1/2, and get it done by 10:00. Move time trials forward in the day, before fans arrive, or do away with them. Shorten heat races. Last year we kept notes. Most heats we saw were over (for all practical purposes) after 1/2 to 3/4s of the scheduled laps-usually half. Features were the same. Use a no-stop rule like Robert Lawton's. C-Ray Hall reduced his spinouts by three quarters last season with such a rule. One race night, he shortened his show by more than an hour. When you finish at 10 p.m., enforce a hauler "nomove rule" in the pits after the races as CHUCK DEERY did, forcing drivers to stay and sign autographs and greet fans after the races. Remember, to make the most of our "accessible" stars they must greet fans while the fans are awake. Watch your fans. They'll tell you when you’re done, even when you aren't. The time when young parents leave with sleeping kids on their shoulders is the latest your show should finish. FIX A DUSTY DIRT TRACK... If you have a dirt track and it gets dusty; you are driving away fans. That’s all there is to it. Fans who bring goggles and face masks, though an amusing novelty, bless their hearts, are not numerous enough to pay the light bill. Some airborne grit these days is practically unavoidable, but dust is an unacceptable business killer. If you’re racing 100 or more cars, as most tracks do, you know it's usually impossible make the track hold up all night. Prepare the track better. Get more water in it. Get it to hold more moisture. But also, shorten the night. Shorten or eliminate hot laps. Eliminate time trials. Shorten race events. Start later and finish earlier. Get your soil analyzed by ED DAVIS, and improve its composition or use additives to reduce dust. But most important, cater to today’s health conscious fans who will not tolerate excess dust. If, after your races, you can see dirt going down your shower drain, fans are seeing the same thing, and they won’t be back. 4002. 16 MAKE FANS AND DRIVERS MINGLE... Make the most of stars. We've all watched the kids shadow drivers as they return to the stands to spend time with spouses and girlfriends. Make the most of your drivers. Move your winner's circle to an area accessible to fans like the winner’s circle at VICKI EMIG'S Mercer Raceway Park. Have pre-race autograph/meet & greet sessions this week with last week's winners. Have announcers encourage fans to go to the pits after the races end to chat with their favorite driver. Help your drivers make themselves hero cards. Coach them on the niceties of meeting the public. Encourage your drivers to bring candy for the kids and put it on their trunk lids after the races. Make mingling a top priority. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY... Do you know your town board, city council, town chairman, county executive, chamber president? Callers frequently tell RPM they confront new ordinances or ornery neighbors and are unprepared to defend themselves. Do an economic impact study this season. (We have KENT PORENTA's easy-to-use kit available in PDF format.) Be forearmed. But meantime, this season, join one service club, the Jaycees, the Lions, wherever the movers and shakers in your community hang out, and begin to get acquainted. It may be next week, it may be five years on, but eventually you'll face a challenge and you'll not regret the time spent getting connected with community leaders. We know you've already got plenty on your plate. It's a challenge enough just to get open on time. We don't expect you to shoot for the moon on these 10 ideas, but we do encourage you to take one positive step in each area this season. It will pay off in ticket sales. Directory Of Services/Products ATTRACTIONS AWARDS & TROPHIES FUEL, LUBE, ADDITIVES PREMIER PYROTECHNICS http://www.premierpyro.com 25255 Hwy K, Richland, MO 65556 614-402-2375 Display fireworks custom-made for your event. No display too big or too small. Multimedia shows, lasers & fireworks combined. 888-647-6863 APPAREL CLASSIC TROPHY CO. http://www.indclassictrophy.com 260-483-1161 [email protected] Fax: 260-483-4797 PO Box 5487, Ft. Wayne, IN 46895 Factory-direct wholesale motorsports awards. Exclusive checkered pattern. Plaques and trophies custom-designed to fit your budget. BEARDEN OIL CO. http://www.beardenoil.com 800-342-5505 PO Box 1059, Eastman, GA 31023. Serving the Southeastern U.S. racing industry with quality racing fuels and traction compound since 1981. Distributor of race fuels, STC Traction Compound, methanol, jugs, pumps, and fuel additives. UNLIMITED T-SHIRTS [email protected] 334-298-7204 PO Box 715, Phoenix City, AL 36868 Your unlimited resource for screen printed and embroidered apparel, providing caps, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, and staff shirts for regular and special events. COMPUTER SOFTWARE MOTORSTATS.COM http://www.motorstats.com 919-401-4940 5010 Garrett Rd, #906, Durham, NC 27707 Automatically publish race stats online. Free. No software to install. 100% Web-based. You make money using professional ad management tools. LUCAS OIL PRODUCTS http://www.lucasoil.com.. 800-342-2512 302 N. Sheridan St., Corona, CA 92880 Nationally known manufacturer and marketer of lubricants and additives for fleets and automobiles, owner of Lucas Oil I-10 and Lucas Oil (MO) Speedways, and the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series SUNOCO RACING FUELS http://www.racegas.com 800-RACEGAS PO Box 1226, Linwood, PA 19061 The largest refiner of racing gasoline. National distribution of quality brands. SUNOCO, Turbo Blue, and Trick. ADVERTISING EDGE http://www.advertisingedge.com 800-258-9774 9840 Prospect Ave., Santee, CA 92071 Maker of pit crew uniform shirts & jackets, plus all types of screen-printed and embroidered shirts, hats and fanwear. ART, AUDIO & PRINTING AMI GRAPHICS http://www.ami-graphics.com 603-664-7171 PO Box 157, Center Strafford, NH 03815 An industry leader in design, print and production of wholesale direct track signage including billboards, banners, mounted prints and trackside graphics. SIMES GRAPHIC DESIGNS http://www.simesgraphicdesigns.com 414 Main St.. Mandan, ND 58554 888-457-4637 Simes Graphic Designs is an art studio that services the short track racing community. Designer and producer of brochures, posters, promotional materials. MOFFETT PRODUCTIONS http://www.moffett.com 800-HOTT ADS 16140 Kuykendahl St., #126, Houston, TX 77068 Professional audio production. Radio spots, TV ads, Tracks Trax race track audio CDs. Great creative, fast service, reasonable prices. SPEEDWAY OPERATIONS SYSTEMS http://www.rbf-solutions.com [email protected] 1720 Terrace Dr., St. Paul, MN 55113 651-633-9601 Vinyl billboard wraps printed in any size, other printed products, including schedules, programs, newsletters, mailings, business cards, letterhead, envelopes, apparel and ad specialties. SPEEDNET DIRECT http://www.speednetdirect.com [email protected] 866-2SPEED4 PO Box 1441, Crystal River, FL 34423 The leader in race management software! Stand alone or combined with transponders, SpeedNet will VP RACING FUELS http://www.vpracingfuels.com make your life easier. Why wait? [email protected] 210-635-7744 RACECEIVER RACE MANAGEMENT PO Box 47878, San Antonio, TX 78265 Racing http://www.raceceiver.com fuels-leaded and unleaded gas, nitromethane, [email protected] 866-301-7223 methanol, traction compounds, performance 742 Main St., Gainesville, GA 30501 chemicals, accessories. Raceceiver race communications. Raceceiver race GAMING DESTINATIONS management timing and scoring system. CRATE ENGINES ELDORADO HOTEL/CASINO http://www.eldoradoreno.com 800-648-5966 GM PERFORMANCE PARTS PO Box 3920, Reno, NV 89505 Superb dining in http:www.gmgoodwrench.com five themed restaurants, 800 gorgeous rooms and [email protected]. 810-606-3655 6200 Grand suites, 81,000 sq. ft. of fun and gaming, world Pointe Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48349 Circle track crate class entertainment. Sponsor of Workshops. engines. Engine, chassis, and other racing/highperformance accessories available at your local GM INSURANCE/RISK MANAGEMENT dealer. For more information contact Bill Martens. ALLIED SPECIALTY INSURANCE SCHWANKE ENGINES http://www.alliedspecialty.com http://www.schwankeshortblocks.com 10451 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL 33706 [email protected] We have experience meeting the broadest range 321 Rock St., Springfield, MN 800-423-6571 of specialized insurance needs. Contact us to Circle track engine packages, engine sealing obtain a quote for your racing facility. programs, engine upbuilding, LS1 EFI engine 800-237-3355 programs, short blocks, spec cylinder heads. AMERICAN SPECIALTY INSURANCE http://www.amerspec.com 260-672-8800 142 North Main St., Roanoke, IN 46783 Insurance and risk management services for the racing industry including tracks, promoters, events, schools and teams. The RPM E-Letter and Racing Promotion Monthly are digests of ideas provided to the operators of auto racing facilities. Published material is informational in nature and is adapted from many sources. The editor, publisher, parent corporation, the publication's sponsors and all their heirs and assigns, assume no responsibility for the practicality of the ideas and information appearing herein. Persons using or adapting ideas or procedures from the E-Letter and RPM do so of their own freewill, and assume all risk for incidents which may occur because of, or despite, the 4002. 17 adaptation or use of such ideas and procedures. Editorial content and views expressed are those of the editors, and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the newsletter's sponsors. EDITOR: Stewart Doty FOUNDER: Stew Reamer PHONE 715-536-1067 FAX 715-536-3616 ADDRESS MAIL TO: PO Box 195, Edgar, WI 54426-0195 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] Copyright 2010, RPM Services, Inc. JONES BROWN INSURANCE http://www.jonesbrown.com [email protected] 888-379-6821 5B-100 United Dr., Versailles, KY 40383 Utilize our experst for your motorsports operation. Providing insurance coverage for all classes in the USA and Canada. PUBLICATIONS RACING ELECTRONICS http://www.racingelectronics.com 800-321-5111 NATIONAL SPEED SPORT NEWS 840 Derita Road., Concord, NC 28027 Two-way http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com. communication equipment for race teams and 866-455-2531 P.O. Box 1210, Harrisburg, NC 28075 tracks. Scanners and accessories for fans. OneSince 1934, National Speed Sport News has cover- way communication for tracks and teams. ed it all. Every Series, Every Track, Every Week! Help your fans keep up with the world of racing by RH2WAY K&K INSURANCE GROUP selling “America’s Weekly Motorsports Authority.” http://www.rh2way.com, 877-357-7223 http://www.kandkinsurance.com 800-348-1839 [email protected] NATIONAL SPEEDWAY DIRECTORY 1712 Magnavox Way, Ft. Wayne, IN 46804 5500 North NC Hwy. 150, Lexington, NC 27295 http://www.speedwaysonline.com http://www.kandkcanada.com 800-753-2632 Two-way radios, headsets, track fire suits, officials POB 448, Comstock Pk, MI 49321 616-785-0340 K&K Insurance Group Canada, #101-5800 Explorer shirts, printing. Leading directory of race tracks updated every year. Drive, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5K9, The industry's Over 1300 tracks listed with pertinent information RISK MANAGEMENT largest provider of racing insurance. More than 40 years of underwriting and risk management on each. Great seller for souvenir stands. Over 20 MAH CONSULTING experience. Motorsport's most experienced in- years in the business. http://www.mahconsulting.com 352-297-9292 house claims staff. International service 178 Mariner Hill Blvd. #258, Spring Hill, FL 34609 MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS capability. Proud sponsors of RPM and the RPM Safety consultancy: motorsports safety solutions Promoters Workshops. TXTWIRE COMMUNICATIONS for tracks, teams, shops, sponsorship exhibits. http://www.txtwire.com 877-652-0030, 2265 East Service to clients and patrons through inspection MOTORSPORTS INSURANCE ALLIANCE 25th St, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 Text "dan" to 29222. and education. http://www.motorsportsia.com txtwire's innovative products provide help you SE: Bruce Blazej, JD Specialty Ins. 800-314-8310; establish and maintain unique connections with RAINPROTECTION.NET E&W: Jim Bannon, Bannon Assoc., 800-949-1489; drivers/fans through text messaging. SMS http://www.rainprotection.net. 516-650-0600 MW: Steve Cannon, Cannon Ins., 800-711-9416; SW: messaging for promotion and communication. [email protected] 39 Ryder Ave, Dix Hills, Marvin Loyd, Comm. Risk Grp, 800-523-0241 NY 11746. A weather risk management firm. Our Nationwide racing insurance for racing events at RACING TIRES clients custom design a contract that pays them ovals, dragstrips, drag boats, sand drags, motorcycle when weather events occur. Use our product to GOODYEAR TIRE and mud racing. get paid on rainy days or use our product to offer http://www.racegoodyear.com NAUGHTON INSURANCE, INC. [email protected] 1376 Techway Dr., D716, rain insurance to your customers. http://www.naughtoninsurance.com 4th SE., Akron, OH 44309 .Goodyear Racing Eagles. SANCTIONING GROUPS East of the Mississippi: ST Racing Tires, West of the [email protected] 401-433-4000 365 Wampanoag Trail, E. Providence, RI 02915 One Mississippi: Penney Racing Supply, Canada: Comp- AMERICAN SPEED ASSOCIATION (ASA) http://www.asa-racing.com [email protected] of America’s largest and oldest insurance specialists etition Tire Canada. U.S. orders: 561-333-0082. 457 S. Ridgewood, #101, Daytona Beach, FL 32114 for the motorsports industry. We provide service in HOOSIER RACING TIRE 386-258-2221 A leading sanctioning body for all 50 states. www.hoosiertire.com 574-784-3152 weekly tracks and regional series throughout the RAND SPORTS & ENT. INSURANCE 65465 US 31 South, Lakeville, IN 46536 U.S.--comprehensive, flexible and professional. http://www.randse.com 888-815-8765 Complete line of custom-manufactured spec [email protected], [email protected], racing tires for oval tracks, drag racing and road IMCA-INTL. MOTOR CONTEST ASSOC. http://www.imca.com [email protected] 400 S. Atlantic, Ste. 101, Ormond Beach, FL 32176 racing. The only company exclusively Insurance and risk management for the motorsports manufacturing racing tires. Proud sponsor of RPM PO Box 921, Vinton, IA 52349 319-472-2201 industry, including spectator liability, participant and the RPM Promoters Workshops. Track, competitor and fan friendly--and liability, accident and other coverages. affordable--where America comes to race! Now RACE TIRES AMERICA more than ever. http://www.americanraceronline.com 1545 WashWSIB MOTORSPORTS INSURANCE http://www.wsibinsurance.com 866-904-9742 Ext ington St., Indiana, PA 15701 800-662-2168 INEX 2505. 950 West Monroe, Jackson, MI 49202 [email protected] Our primary focus is on making http://www.600racing.com 704-455-3906 Insurance and risk management service for the competitive cost-effective race tires so that you can 5245 NC 49 South, Harrisburg, NC 28075 Spec racing industry. Providing liability, property, auto increase car counts and exciting shows. Developer racing with INEX. Entry classes that attract new participants. Strict rules enforcement alleviates and other insurance products to tracks, events and & pioneer of spec tire rules. sanctioning bodies. rules problems. Complete car manufacturing, TOWEL CITY RETREADING promotion and rules enforcement. WELLS FARGO MOTORSPORTS http://www.towelcityracingtires.com 704-933-2143 NASCAR 1601 N. Ridge Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28083 http://www.wellsfargo.com/wfis 800-364-9476 [email protected] http://www.nascar.com 386-239-2600 Forty-six years experience manufacturing 24 Greenway Plaza, Ste 1100, Houston, TX 77046, economical, long-wearing retreaded racing tires, 7 1801 W. Intl. Spwy Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL Sanctioning the NASCAR Whelen All American Wells Fargo Motorsports is America’s largest provider to 13” widths, dirt or asphalt. Track tire plans Series of insurance and risk management services to race available. teams sanctioning bodies, sanctioned dragstrips, WISSOTA PROMOTERS ASSOCIATION owners, sponsors, drivers of competition vehicles RADIOS, COMMUNICATIONS http://www.wissota.org 320-275-9922 during racing events. AMERICAN ELECTRONICS, INC. PO Box 297, Dassel, MN 55325 A member-driven [email protected] 800-872-1373 promoters association and dirt track sanction in LIGHTING SYSTEMS PO Box 301, Greenwood, IN 46142 Exclusive the Upper Midwest featuring six divisions of race supplier of the Freedom two-way radio and the MUSCO LIGHTING, INC. cars: Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest BOSS and EARS noise-cancelling headsets to http://www.musco.com 800-825-6020 Modifieds, Street Stocks and Mod Fours. As a America’s speedways. 100 First Avenue W., Oskaloosa, IA 52577 member of WISSOTA, you vote on policies and Manufacturer of race track lighting systems for short rules and help guide YOUR organization. New tracks, dragstrips and superspeedways. Featuring RACECEIVER RACE COMMUNICATIONS promoters and tracks welcomed every year! Click the Light Structure Green System and S.C. 2 Retrofit http://www.raceceiver.com [email protected] on "Promoter Center" at wissota.org 742 Main St, Gainesville, GA 30501 866-301-7223 systems. Raceceiver race communications. One of the highlights of the Workshops is the trade show. More than 50 suppliers exhibit products and services. These companies support weekly track promoters, Racing Promotion Monthly and the RPM Promoters Workshops. This directory is a one-stop shopping center. We encourage readers to turn to these companies first whenever they need products or services. Review this listing today. Buy here. Buy now, before you look elsewhere. 4002. 18 First Class Mail US Postage Paid Oshkosh, WI Permit No. 90 PO Box 195 Edgar WI 54426 First Class Mail A Service to Promoters Sponsored by... WORLD RACING GROUP/DIRTCAR http://www.dirtmotorsports.com 7575B West Winds Blvd., Concord, NC 28027 704-795-7223 Think DIRT. Thirty years history. $15 million in purses and point funds. Eight series. 3000 events. 250 member tracks. 175 hours of national broadcast coverage. One company, endless opportunities. 704-795-7229 Fax. SCOREBOARDS & TIMING TRACK SERVICES, INC. (TSI TIMERS) [email protected] 859-887-3290 137 MacArthur Ct., Nicholasville, KY 40356. Timing, scoreboards and public address systems for dragstrips and oval tracks. TSI RaceNet System and Westhold Transponder System. Thirty years of satisfied customers. SEATING & SUITES TICKETS & PASSES NATIONAL TICKET http://www.nationalticket.com 800-829-0829 [email protected] PO Box 547, Shamokin, PA 17872 Manufacturer of tickets and wristbands of all types. In business since 1907. Knowledgeable, courteous, and ready T&B EQUIPMENT CO., INC. to assist in your admission and identification http://www.tbequipment.com 804-798-2000 needs. [email protected] 11065 Leadbetter Road, TICKETFORCE AMB TIMING & SCORING Ashland, VA 23005 Temporary bleachers, suites, http://www.amb-it.com 877-4-AMB-it-US skyboxes, ADA platforms and ramps,ADA lifts, crowd http://www.ticketforce.com 3200 Highlands Pkwy., Smyrna, GA 30082 4858 Baseline Rd., Suite 103, Mesa, AZ 85206 control barricades, double-deck suites, tip-up Over 100 American oval tracks rely on AMB 480-726-3581, FAX 480-840-0459 chairs, used bleachers, renovations. Customized online ticketing solutions featuring Laptiming and Scoring Systems. AMB timing online seat selection, membership and fan club systems provide instant restart lineups after SOUVENIRS & NOVELTIES cautions, live data to scoreboards, and each racer’s sales to increase your ticketing revenue. MJB SCREENPRINT results on your Website. Financing available. WELDON, WILLIAMS & LICK http://www.racecals.com 800-336-7601 http://www.wwlinc.com [email protected], DAKTRONICS 24215 SE Green Valley Rd., Auburn, WA 98092 http://www.daktronics.com/motorsports Makers of RaceCals--America's favorite racing PO Box 168, Fort Smith, AR 72902 800-242-4995 stickers. Custom printed decals and souvenirs. 331 32nd Ave., Brookings, SD 57006 WW&L, Inc. specializes in roll tickets and fast 888-325-8766 Daktronics is recognized worldwide Complete display packages for tracks. Hot sellers! turnaround event tickets. We also sell the automated KIS G2 (TM) Ticket System. as the leading designer and manufacturer of scoring and timing systems, electronic message SPONSORSHIP & CONTINGENCIES WEB DESIGN & HOSTING centers, and large screen video systems. CONTINGENCY CONNECTION FIRETHORN MARKETING http://www.contingencyconnection.com PROFESSIONAL MOTORSPORTS SOLUTIONS http://www.professionalmotorsportssolutions.com 276-466-1001 21585 Campground Rd. Bristol, VA http://www.firethornmarketing.com 24202 Contingency Connection guarantees a track [email protected] 304-481-9807 [email protected] 926 Haley Street, Kannapolis, NC 28081. Solution $50,000 in contingencies. Weekly tracks connect 3518 Firethorn Dr., Whitestown, IN 46075 provider to tracks and series for events, purchases. with national manufacturers offering bonus awards, Developer of custom e-mail marketing campaigns Timing & scoring, Raceceivers, officials, anything. making it affordable for racers to run more often! and custom website design. E-commerce specialists. 4002. 19