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...and Matt
You're still comin' in at a 10 and we need you around a 4.
Howsabout a New Year's Resolution that we tone down a little bit on the boards to a PG-13 level and keep everyone's 'tude in check?
Al and Glenn are excitable boys as well as many on the forum.
We can get a lot more done if we aren't ALL CAPPING AT EACH OTHER!!! :wink:
-=- T
As far as I am concerned, we can push AI/CMC at TWSMSC and post flyers, etc. at TWS year round. I'll need a decent supply, though, because some of the other groups are very protective of their "turf" and will rip things off the walls if they consider them a conflict. The bike groups probably won't mind and I wouldn't think the once a year track events that some of the car clubs run would mind the extra info.
College sports car clubs are other good places to troll for recruits. I've gotten really good numbers from the TAMSCC. Admittedly, I came up with a way for them to drive for free in exchange for working, but 95% of those that come out once, come back and admit to the addiction. These guys are going to be the racers of tomorrrow and while not all of them have a lot of spare money at this point in their lives for entry fees, cages, etc., they will soon and the interest is already there.
Using student car clubs as workers in exchange for some seat time is a good deal I think. I used to go to A&M and was a member of TAMSCC. When I was there we used to work Porsche club weekends in exchange for track time during lunches. Like you say, money is the issue so it was hard to pass up the chance. I think UT has has a growing student car club. Probably the trick is hit up the schools close the track being run that weekend since time and commute are also an issue.
Jeff
- class of '95 Whoop!
I give them a day of driving in exchange for a day of working. The group on corners Sat. goes on track Sun. and vice versa. My work/drive list fills up a few days after I post the opportunity with some people as alternates. So far, I've been able to man 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, & 13 every weekend at TWS with a few doubled up for training. And they do a fantastic job!
Todd, I can tone it down but I need to ask this question one more time. Why are WE the racers appearing to be the only ones coming up with the ideas or the MONEY to promote NASA TX and AI/CMC...? Time after time we hear support from "management" about OUR great ideas, but more often than not, see little or weak execution.
Granted, we are all here to have fun and do what we can to lure folks into the addiction we all have....but let's look at the models from other regions and other sanctioning bodies and ACTUALLY do something BETTER than what we have done in the past!!
From what I can tell, NASA TX has been around since 2003, NASA in general has been around a little longer....and it appears the same arguments amongst racers in this group have NOT changed. We are still taking baby steps while trying to reinvent the wheel. Maybe what needs to happen isn't a local regional leadership team but a national level team that compares notes and turns this into a Sanctioning body nationally that attracts TV, print ads and ADVERTISERS to our group. Then the rest is partially on cruise control. It's not rocket science and the SCCA has already laid the ground work for something like this so we can fasttrack instead of taking 15 years.
The problem I see is that the Region has grown to a point where asking the racers to promote, run and police the series they are racing in is taking too much time of those asked to step in which totally prevents any logical and real progress. If you are asking yourself should I change tires between rounds or work on developing the newsletter notes for post weekend recaps, maybe you need to focus on torquing your lugnuts...(I know what my decision needs to be! :wink: ). It's time we have dedicated, NON-racers taking the reins and letting us do what we do best which is bringing the cars, the excitement and fun for the crowds.
Honestly, what I would rather see instead of the AI/CMC state of the union address would be one from NASA TX... I guess that happens at the first event? Might be a better idea to publish it in a manner where EVERYONE gets to hear it and not just those fortuneate enough to attend?!
Is that better for tone?....you also have editing powers and haven't restrained from using them in the past so feel free...within reason! :wink:
Todd,Quote:
Originally Posted by Todd Covini
I don't understand the thought process here. Why should the racers use their own money? NASA corp or Tx needs to promote their series. The racers need to focus on being safe, clean and having a great time with friends. The racers pay a large fee to race already.
I believe everyone goes above and beyond for this series, well at one time or another. I believe the racers will continue to help when needed, including having a few fleyer in truck or car and hand out as they see fit.
I can say that working the event and racing is a choice and I believe comes with some sacrifrice. That usually mean either your well being as in eating and drinking properly or maintenance with the car. When I was instructing this was an issue and I was lucky enough to have my cousin at the track.
Not everyone has this help.
John is right Todd. We can offer up time, rides and answering questions but AI/CMC is still OWNED by NASA whether it be TX or National. When I start getting paid for my marketing services either by reduced entry fees or cash, then that may change and I will print up flyers...
There is a lot of good ideas out there on the table but what I see has failed is that NO ONE has written them down, collected them, found the best ones, set goals and timeframes to meet them and then Execute......yet. Given this is out of our "circle of influence" as racers, I guess our only choice is to choose amongst the "sandboxes"...
So, who's got the best sandbox?! :roll:
Matt, could you [lease post a resume of your marketing experience?Quote:
Originally Posted by AI#97
If you're gonna be compensated from monies I "donate", I want to see the qualifications of those being compensated.
The more important question mitch might be to ask for the resume of those currently in the "circle of influence"! :wink:Quote:
Originally Posted by mitchntx
All good stuff, guys...and Matt...I do appreciate you toning it down and coming in at a 5 again. Thank you!!
The "marketing" we're talking about for AI/CMC simply entails word of mouth, some internet time and maybe some toner/printer ink. That's it.
Many of us who are in the series now are here because of someone we met or someone we know and I think the group is awesome! I look around at other series and it's a bunch of guys who show up, try to talk/share as least as they can...do the best in standings they can and then go home! Come on...we're so much more than that.
You guys are right...NASA can, has and likely will market the organization. They have some pretty cool ads in GRM and the Nationals were a real hoot, as well.
I can't worry about NASA Texas or NASA in general....they are out of my... (now popular term), "circle of influence". But contrary to what some of you guys think, I believe we, in Texas AI/CMC have done a kick-ass job of marketing ourselves and bringing the group together.
Eric Varner and David Donovan haven't asked for a red cent for their countless hours of video editing and producing.
Jeff Brooks hasn't said boo about payment for this website that he (WE) put together outside of the NASA realm.
...and the list goes on of folks giving into the series. THAT'S what I'm talkin' about. NASA has been really good to help out but if we stand around waiting for someone to do all of this stuff for us...we'll be waiting for a while.
Anyway...I think we're all saying the same thing. We all have different thresholds of pain as to what we're willing to do. I appreciate what all you guys do, whether it's nothing...or hundreds of hours to help out.
1 week to go until track time and banquet time!!! WooHoo...you guys will see the fruits of many hours of labor there...and a couple peaches as well! :wink:
-=- T