Re: Racer's input.....
 

Smitty and I have been saying this for years. We race where we want against whomever, it doesn't matter as long as we're all together and having fun with the rest of the teams, and I feel if other teams kinda get into that frame of mind and we all figure out where we want to race things could really open up. We have the tools to do all this and keep in touch with each other (OSO), come on, Sarasota with APBA & SBI was great! The Worlds with everybody was FANTASTIC. Think about everybody seeing each other down on Duvale St., every night and the $hit that went on, The Muscle Party, That's what it's about, everybody together.

Re: Racer's input.....
 

While I agree with you Augie that it needs to be fun, there is a great divergence from "fun" and "professional" sports. I venture a guess that Earnhardt isnt having fun on press day, sponsor obligations, press meetings, etc. The problem appears to be that in order to be a legit "professional" motorsport the competitors need to treat it as such. The fact is that if racers really want a "Nascar" style sport they are going to need to change the way they present themselves. Bottom line is that if we want to all get together in a Key West style setting and race 90 boats where fun is the focus then lets do it!! If we want to get REAL sponsorship, real money, and a level of legitimacy then tough decisions need to be made and alot of critical examination of the way we present ourselves needs to happen. I am not talking about telling the other guy what he is doing wrong, but looking at ourselves and being truly critical of our contributions. It would mean that OSS, APBA, SBI would have to take a very tough stance on racer conduct and presentation, that teams would have to commit to public appearances (not partying), that sponsors would be able to peruse the forum and not be uncomfortable about what they read, etc.... you know what I am saying.

Re: Racer's input.....
 

well brett,if SBI or APBA would promote us on the streets then we wouldn't have to,we could all confine ourselves to our own personal fun elsewhere,but they don't,so if you think were all going to keywest and letting the promoters promote themselves instead of us at our expense!I don't know about everyone else,but our sponsor directed us to the streets bearing gifts for the public,and if a racing fan wants to buy me a draft,he's more than welcome to!after the race of course!

Re: Racer's input.....
 

not at all mark,brett stated that we aren't presenting ourselves properly by being on the streets,our sponsors directed us out there!and what do you mean leave oss out of this,nascar has how many stores that sell what?TEAM LOGOS!I don't know about you,but I sure would stop by the oss camp for some shirts or just general stuff from bob bull,or billy mauf!(don't know if I spelled that right)in fact I'd go out of my way,wouldn't you!
do you know how many OSS teams donate stuff to me to be directed to the kids in the school district by my house,how many of them take the time to autograph this stuff knowing that there going to make some kids heart skip a beat while smilingfrom ear to ear!

Re: Racer's input.....
 

the funny thing is mark,after eight years of racing,I finally got toasted enough at my local pub to talk the owner into letting me put freeze frames videos up on the big screen,all the people loved it and couldn't take there eyes off it,couldn't even take ther eyes off it long enough to say something,no commercials,just racing!I turned off ESPN to do that,and they loved it!these people pay large amounts of money to nascar indirectly,between tickets and general logo'd items,and basically other than conversating with me,they don't even know we exist!

Re: Racer's input.....
 

Hey Al, your 100% correct and I agree with you. I think I'd like to be a little pi$$ed off on press days, meetings ect., as I'm sure Dale is but when I think of the $$$ that comes from it I'd probly put a smile on my mug. I would love to make money on this sport and Smitty, Pop-Pop, Louise and I are working on some crazy Ideas. I don't judge anybody (I don't have that kind of power ) nor do I say who's right and wrong, there is none as of yet. I just feel we had a hell of a time in Key West, all the Bodies know that as well as the fans and teams...What's so hard about keeping it going. It's right there in front of us, we make it complicated. I'm game for just about anything and will push the hell out of it and you all know that. I think we can have loads of fun and still keep it a professional sport...no? Look what we've done as The Jersey Boyz in 3 years, I never thought in a millon years we would get this kind of press but they like us nuts. We had a misson, a goal and we stood by it as anyone can do but we did it TOGETHER. Unity is strength.This is how we are gonna make this a paying sport,with unity and being spectator friendly. The sponsors will come. Al, am I in left field with a hockey stick?

Re: Racer's input.....
 

augie,your shirts are piled with the rest for the kids,I push and push no matter what.the pucks on the way to ya,and I tell you and everybody else,theres a small pub near my house I've been going to for 14 years,I finally got them interested,a showing of a few professionals as yourself would help us all out,not us as individuals!

Re: Racer's input.....
 

Al , I think you should also mention that your favorite watering hole, recently went out of business. :eek: :eek:

Re: Racer's input.....
 

Mons Venus went out of buisiness? :eek:

Re: Racer's input.....
 

I didnt say that we are presenting ourselves properly, I said that if we are serious about getting real sponsors we will need to get in line with the way that corporate america wants to be represented. Keep in mind Corporations do a straight cost/benefit analysis to pouring money in a sport. If the numbers dont work then the $$ doesnt flow, period. If this is going to be club racing, then fine. Lets go have fun!! If you are really ineterested in being a professional sport then it takes more than talking the talk, we need to walk the walk. It appears that many are unwilling to do that. The number of organizations is not as important as the outward appearance to the corporate world.