Delimma (good one), what would you do?

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

Okay, so here is one of those good/better delimma's...

I got a call from one of the racing groups I participate in, they are having a reporter from an Illinois newspaper at an event in 3 weeks and have asked me to take him out for a practice session in the race car so they can do an article in the paper. Mostly about the org. I suspect (just got a voicemail yet) but probably 2 seconds of fame for moi.

Prollum is that I have already paid for a big event (SVRA GT Challenge) at another track on that same weekend that doesn't allow refunds, only credits.

So... Do I forge on with the original plan, or try and finagle a refund or a credit to get the bit of exposure.

I'm torn really. The SVRA GT Challenge at Road America is a great event, 3 days long, but a writeup might be cool... Any thoughts?

5axis · 04-27-2003, 09:40 PM

Sponsors would dig the write up. At the race track, your preaching to the choir. And that's my $.002

MotoSook · 04-27-2003, 09:43 PM

Refund=great!

Credit=good, use credit next year.

Press=fame=sponsor!

keitho64 · keitho64's Garage

Go for the press - I can say I know someone famous. Not only Johnny Lightning, but a REAL racer!

Bill Douglas · 04-27-2003, 09:48 PM

Nothing like a bit of fame. Streit Racing might keep you on a bit longer Mr. Streit

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

If it isn't in print, it didn't happen. Get credit and make the writer pee his pants.

Zeke · 04-27-2003, 10:24 PM

I'd be at Road America in a heartbeat. Go where your heart tells you to go.

RoninLB · 04-27-2003, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nostatic

If it isn't in print, it didn't happen.

that's words of wisdom............Ron

Kevin Stewart · 04-27-2003, 11:30 PM

If the three day event is for points or ? I would do that, the 15 minutes of fame will doughtfully get you any sponsors, unless of course your last name is unser or something, if its going in the local paper it will not get a big write up, instead take the guy with you to the three day event and let him see the real thing, only the guys that truely dig racing cover it so it would probably be way cooler for him to do a big event, then take him to gingermen or something for an open track day, I think i would just try and talk to the guy personaly and see where you think it will end up, Kevin

Milu · 04-27-2003, 11:36 PM

Contact the journalist and reschedule his tracktime with you.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

I like Milu or Kevin's ideas. Take the reporter to the BIG event or try and get him out at another time.

rdane · rdane's Garage

I live in a media house. Go drive (you'll regret it other wise) and let him reschedule or tag along but i wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to impress 'um

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Fame is over-rated, racing a big event is not...

-Wayne

Jim Richards · 04-28-2003, 04:28 AM

Come on Chris, it's Road America.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Go for the write-up. There are lots of events at RA (one of the awsome tracks I'd love to drive one day!), but very few opportunities for free press time. The trick is that you need to be prepared to take advantage of it. If you expect to just take him for a ride and sponsorships to pour it, don't bother.

Make sure that your sponsorship decals are presented well, think up about 4 ways to highlight each sponsor within the context of a normal conversation about the sport. Do the press event. Make sure that you can make and distribute copies freely (with acknowlegement).

Then include as part of your sponsorship portfolio to keep your existing sponsors and get new ones. Give copies to existing sponsors. Get a box of copies and put some out whenever the car is visible to the public.

I once made up a simple "show and tell" flyer for the bodyshop that sponsored me (payment in kind) on my IT car. It featured a picture of the car and details about the shops capabilities. I used to stick them on every windshield during events. One of the Showstock guys rolled his car and took it down to Gordon's to be fixed. In addition to the free work that they did on my car up front, I can always go there for a favor. Too bad I'm not in their neighborhood any more.

Paul Thomas · 04-28-2003, 04:50 AM

Thats not a choice, RACE!

Paul

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

They would both be races.. One at Blackhawk, one at Road America. I think I'm going to try and meet with the reported another weekend if possible. It's not my gig per se, the Midwest Council called me and asked me to take him out in a practice session for a race...