ATLANTIC CITY, NJ September 7, 2007 . . . If you want to know what is
wrong with local short track auto racing, just ask a fan. However be ready
to listen to a long list of problems and the list will vary according who is
answering, the diehard or the fringe fan. Fortunately for the sport of short
track auto racing the diehard fan puts up with just about anything. That is
the good news. The bad news is that the diehard fans are getting harder to
find.
The fringe fan, the one that comes out to the local
short track once in a while, is what the sport needs to survive. And to
prosper it needs new fans. Unfortunately the industry is not doing a very
good job of attracting new fans and it is not doing a good enough job to
please the diehards and the fringe fans. The result has been dwindling
attendance figures and short track racing, in many areas, has turned into a
back gate driven sport.
“Don’t get me wrong. There are a lot of very successful
weekly short track operations around the nation,” said Ernie Saxton who is
organizing a Promoter’s Summit which will be part of the 23rd annual
Motorsports 2008 presented by VP Racing Fuels Race Car Show at Atlantic
City, NJ’s Convention Center. The show takes place January 18-20th, 2008.
“Those who have put a lot of attention to promotion, group ticket sales,
sponsorship and controlling costs are successful. We hope to be able to show
how they are doing that as part of the Promoter’s Summit.”
All of this and more will be addressed when the first
Promoter’s Summit is presented by Len Sammons Productions. Sammons has a
long history of successful promotions including the Motor sports show and
the indoor auto racing events in Atlantic City.
“We have invited more than 250 promoters and their key
people to be part of the Summit and early response has been very strong,”
said Sammons. “The promoters and a guest are invited at no cost and will be
our guest at the Gambler’s Classic Indoor Auto Racing events and Motorsports
2008 as well as a couple of networking opportunities.”
Making this event unique for businesses involved in
motorsports is that participating in the show will give exposure to three
different audiences; the fan, the racer and the promoter. Exhibit space is
now more than seventy percent full. Details are available from Joe Pratt at
609.888.3618
Diehard fans, for the most part, will tell you that
things are pretty good at their local short track. They are the fans that
show up for just about every event and complain very little. However some of
those diehard fans will tell you that all those midweek special shows don’t
seem to be so special any more and not worth the increased ticket price.
The fringe fan wants to see cheaper tickets, less
divisions of racing, shorter shows, better concession food, better seating,
and the list goes on.
And the new fan, who most promoters rarely get to come
out, may never say anything if they are not satisfied. They just don’t come
back. Promoters will usually only get one chance make the new fan happy.
Dirty restrooms, uncomfortable seats, confusing shows, and poor quality food
will keep the new fan from returning.
Several key figures in the industry, successful
promoters and marketers along with media relations experts will be part of
the Promoter’s Summit that will take place January 18th and 19th as part of
Motorsports 2008.
More information on the Promoter’s Summit is available
from Ernie Saxton at 215.752.7797 or email him at
Esaxton144@aol.com.
Complete information on Motorsports 2008 presented by
VP Racing Fuels and the Gambler’s Classic Indoor Auto Racing events can be
had at www.AARN.com or telephone 609.888.3618
Source: Ernie
Saxton/Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.
Posted:
September 7, 2007
