KeyWest & Carbonell/SBI Article
#11
Registered
I actually enjoy the races. Been to Clearwater for nationals and had a blast. I think if moving the worlds to somewhere like that is more feasible then overall it is smart. This sport could use all the exposure it can get. Exposure=fans=sponsors=more teams. NASCAR anyone? It all starts somewhere. NASCAR from bootleggers, offshore racers from smuggling. Doesn't mean this sport can't get big if it can get better exposure.
bad analogy........TV coverage is the key, NASCAR has coverage everywhere from the drivers seat to the roof of the grandstand. NASCAR also is one set of rules (one class) whereas offshore has way too many classes (like if NASCAR had Indy Cars, Formula One, Midgets, Baja type trucks all racing together!). Geico is tossing huge money into the sponsorship side of racing but after that only Citron and Stihl come to mind as a national brands (powertools/chainsaws right?). The rest of the sponsors are local or regional businesses.
Jupiter had an offshore race last year and it was a great day at the beach. It cost me nothing but some beer in a buddy's cooler and 3 couples joined us at the beach. It was a nice time but exciting? No. If the weather was bad or there was something else going on the crowd surely would have been smaller. The Honda Classic (golf) draws tens of thousands of spectators over the course of the week and they pay for everything from parking to gate admissions. I couldn't imagine blowing $100 to WATCH someone play golf but others love it.
Offshore racing needs paying spectators before it will ever be a big money sport like NASCAR.
#12
Registered
As far as the KW races and the article......It is a fluff piece and there is NO WAY that guy is putting on the races for only a $2700 profit/ I suspect there are management fees that are truly expenses on the balance sheet but they are also profits in his pocket as well. I would be aggravated if I was a Monroe county resident getting killed with property taxes and they are giving away 120K to promote the races (now just 100K). Times are tough, that would be instantly crossed off the budget!
#13
Registered
bad analogy........TV coverage is the key, NASCAR has coverage everywhere from the drivers seat to the roof of the grandstand. NASCAR also is one set of rules (one class) whereas offshore has way too many classes (like if NASCAR had Indy Cars, Formula One, Midgets, Baja type trucks all racing together!). Geico is tossing huge money into the sponsorship side of racing but after that only Citron and Stihl come to mind as a national brands (powertools/chainsaws right?). The rest of the sponsors are local or regional businesses.
Jupiter had an offshore race last year and it was a great day at the beach. It cost me nothing but some beer in a buddy's cooler and 3 couples joined us at the beach. It was a nice time but exciting? No. If the weather was bad or there was something else going on the crowd surely would have been smaller. The Honda Classic (golf) draws tens of thousands of spectators over the course of the week and they pay for everything from parking to gate admissions. I couldn't imagine blowing $100 to WATCH someone play golf but others love it.
Offshore racing needs paying spectators before it will ever be a big money sport like NASCAR.
Jupiter had an offshore race last year and it was a great day at the beach. It cost me nothing but some beer in a buddy's cooler and 3 couples joined us at the beach. It was a nice time but exciting? No. If the weather was bad or there was something else going on the crowd surely would have been smaller. The Honda Classic (golf) draws tens of thousands of spectators over the course of the week and they pay for everything from parking to gate admissions. I couldn't imagine blowing $100 to WATCH someone play golf but others love it.
Offshore racing needs paying spectators before it will ever be a big money sport like NASCAR.