12 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

Here's what I think is a very good commercial for RPM Raceway in Australia. It would be interesting to know how well it has worked for them.

 

[stoo23]

Hey Greg,

 

Kinda' hard to say Just how well it's working for them, as it is the newest raceway to be opened in Australia, realistically only opening and beginning to function in the latter half of last year... BUT... saying that, there were a number of very keen youngsters racing in a number of the classes run over the recent Australia Day weekend in the annual "Australia Day Classic" race, that has run for many years now at various raceways on the East coast... like these "grinning winners" in the Junior Flexi DTM Sedan class. 

 

 

L to Right: Chance, Katy & JJ

 

I might be wrong but I think 'Chubby', gifted JJ his Flexi DTM after the race, as JJ was 'over the moon' that he had done so well, .... this being his first serious race.

 

Ryan (the owner) and his staff seem very keen and committed and one can only wish them the best, in their endeavours to have a successful raceway and to promote interest with the younger generations

 

You can check out the RPM Facebook Page: https://www.facebook...=61557080544084

Or check out the Pics and Race details of the ADC event on the ASCRA Forum: https://ascra.au/viewforum.php?f=61

 

Whilst Sydney is currently lacking any 1/24t commercial raceway, there are a number of very well run and extremely popular 'Regional' newer raceways in New South Wales and Queensland.

 

In fact, I am heading north to "Show Us Ya Slots" in beautiful Lemon Tree Passage (slightly further north of Newcastle) tomorrow for the 'Mid-America Cup,' an event running cars provided by Roger, who is also attending.

 

[Dave Crevie]

Looks to be professionally done. I doubt that the videographer was a slot racer. What I see is a lot of the flash shots so popular in advertising videos, not enough extended shots of the guys actually racing. And no good looks at the tracks. If I were the casual observer, after seeing this I would come away wondering what a typical day at the track would be like. What kind of race events they promote. I can't agree that promotional video is as good as it needs to be.   

[mreibman]

So that definitely is professionally produced. The video included has to be from VERY recently as both Chubby and Brad Freisner are shown in several parts and they were just there last week.

 

The point of a commercial, like a movie trailer, is to whet the appetite of the viewer to make them want to see or get the whole experience. There are things in the video that, as a slot racer, I find a bit dishonest (smoking tires on a slot car, and actual race car engine noises) but if I saw this I'd say, "Wow - Great job! I want to go there!"

 

We need MORE of this for all the raceways out there.

[Wizard Of Iz]

I think the commercial is very well done.  It should appeal to most people that are interested in motorsports in general

 

The challenge for US-based raceways is having the money to buy the airtime to show the commercial.  Even in a mid-sized city like Jacksonville, it would take thousands of dollars per month to air that commercial on mainstream TV often enough that it would have the frequency necessary to be remembered.  

 

HOWEVER ... a raceway could use that commercial - or parts of it - in a Digital advertising campaign for quite a bit less.  The digital campaign could be targeted geographically and/or targeted to a specific audience based upon demographic information or even personal interest in motorsports.  Presuming you can find a media salesperson that would take the time to do that research and not just try to cram the raceway into one of their pre-fab, one-size-fits-none packages.  And to do that knowing that they're probably not going to get too many repeat orders from the raceway.

[stoo23]

I think one also has to consider, that ALL the people involved in this NEW facility are realistically, Also New to Serious Slot racing !!

 

They have spent quite a bit on stock, making sure they had appropriate equipment for first-timers and affordable class Local and National classes of racing.

The 'King' was rescued from storage, from an old Sydney raceway of many years ago and required quite a bit of work with a Brand New Flat track, that arrived in the week before the ADC event.

 

The ADC, also had Considerable Prize Money, $8,000.00 Aus, spread across all the classes.. something I can Only remember from my youth LOL

 

Perhaps there are some things, in the video, that us OLD 'Hard-Nosed' Slot racing Curmudgeons may find to be 'Stretching the reality' but, I really don't think that is such a Crime, as I'd venture Few would believe that Slot Cars made Real Car noises OR Smoked the Tires LOL

 

I think they have done a Great Job, in a very Short time and, with the 'Physical' help of some very capable Local racers and successful track owners, such as Kim Axton and Wayne Bramble, (amongst quite a few others), I think they have 'Hit the Ground Running' as it were, in a fashion, few others have done !!

 

OH and talking of 'Chubby', he Took Out the Big Prize, winning the ADC Trophy, ably assisted by Brad as Pit Crew.

 

Ryan (the RPM Owner, Jo 'Chubby' Salzman and Jay (RPM staff member)

 

 

Some pics of the tracks;

 

 

[Dave Crevie]

I'm not sure that slot racers need a promo as much as the general public. Put yourself in the shoes of the observer who knows little, if anything, about slot racing. What information is he/she getting from this ad. Regular customers at a track don't need a promo to bring them in, and they are going to hear about other tracks in the area from other regular patrons. You need a hook. Longer bites of actual events with narration to explain what is going on. Show them the action, and how the racers are having a really good time. 

[stoo23]

Well considering they only opened in July '24 : https://www.facebook...e/p/18GFoeAraV/ I'm prepared to give them some time

 

They are also considering a kind of Pro'- Am' concept, similar to the program Kim Axton runs at his very successful Seaguls raceway and have a Junior Program running on the weekends.

I believe they are also considering some Sponsorship programs for the future.

 

I have not heard anything 'Negative' about the Raceway, staff or the recent event and the club racing seems to be developing well

 

[Bill Breck]

Really nice raceway. I'll have to visit this place if I ever get to Oz.

[Brian Czeiner]

HOWEVER ... a raceway could use that commercial - or parts of it - in a Digital advertising campaign for quite a bit less.  The digital campaign could be targeted geographically and/or targeted to a specific audience based upon demographic information or even personal interest in motorsports.  Presuming you can find a media salesperson that would take the time to do that research and not just try to cram the raceway into one of their pre-fab, one-size-fits-none packages.  And to do that knowing that they're probably not going to get too many repeat orders from the raceway.

 

Agreed. Having an understanding of the hobby and it's niche goes a long way to effective advertising. I often get "website counselors" sending emails to improve my position, for a fee of course, but with no guarantees of improved sales except, well you have to throw more money at it.

 

I can't say for other digital formats, but the Facebook boost is both inexpensive and can be easily targeted in both region and likely future customers. Hopefully the track has complete rights to the video. If professionally produced, they may not. Everybody wants an extra cut in the fine print after already being paid for the job. 

[Martin]

Is the 2 second clip style enjoyable to anyone else?    Maybe the kids will like it? 

[Dave Crevie]

Stewart said, "They are also considering a kind of Pro'- Am' concept, similar to the program Kim Axton runs at his very successful Seaguls raceway and have a Junior Program running on the weekends.

I believe they are also considering some Sponsorship programs for the future."

 

 I see the junior program as an absolute necessity. Kids are the future of the world, and I wish there was more of it stateside. With kids more into technology, this may be the place for brushless racing. Plus the kids have more money than us old grumps. 

 

And again, I think the tracks have to concentrate on ready-to-race spec cars. Instant gratification is the rule in the hobby industry now. People want to enjoy their toy right away, not spend hours putting it together.

 

 

 

Agreed. Having an understanding of the hobby and it's niche goes a long way to effective advertising. I often get "website counselors" sending emails to improve my position, for a fee of course, but with no guarantees of improved sales except, well you have to throw more money at it.

 

I can't say for other digital formats, but the Facebook boost is both inexpensive and can be easily targeted in both region and likely future customers. Hopefully the track has complete rights to the video. If professionally produced, they may not. Everybody wants an extra cut in the fine print after already being paid for the job. 

 

Boy, did you hit the nail on the head. I'm sure this video cost money. And the money spent has to be realized in increased business. To do that, the ad agency needs to know your target audience. This type of advertizing sent to slot racers is a waste of money. They are already involved in the hobby/sport. Social media formats have proven to have effective advertising programs, and will hit a more varied base of viewer than those sites frequented by persons already involve in the hobby. 

[Paul Menkens]

If TV spots are too much money I would think that spots during the morning drive time on local country music radio stations would work, the diff in price between the top station in the market and the lower rated ones can be huge. One things for sure, if you don't advertise a funny thing happens, nothing.