204 replies to this topic

[slotcarone]

In the early 90s The ho nationals were in jackson mi at the ice arena that was then shut down in the summers . The fans could sit in the seats and watch the event and they had the consession stands open for the event . the racers and the tracks were on the rink with seats all around them. This sounds like to me of what needs to happen Im sure there is a arena in chicago that could be used or rented at a decent price for use in downtime. The saftey walls seperated the fans and the racers . The fans could then purchase a pit pass to go down on the main floor to get a closer look if they wanted.

Good thought Jeremy but there is a big difference in setting up a King track VS an HO track and that makes this scenario much harder to do.

[Jeremy Wyant]

Good thought Jeremy but there is a big difference in setting up a King track VS an HO track and that makes this scenario much harder to do.

Yes i know that I have moved and set up king tracks no less than 5-6 times over the years but the work would be worth it for that kind of event.

[NJ Racer]

Personally, I would like to see such an event take place in the State of Florida being able to combine it with a vacation

[Larry Mattingly]

Not really that big of a deal to set-up a track in a temp[orary location...

Lou Pirro is setting up a flat track for the ISRA Nats this week at a motel in Philadelphia...

King would involve a little more work...

Bigger issue is who has a King in storage, or who would be willing to take one down?

If not, the OBVIOUS choice is to hald the race at the venue that can accomodate the most people.



LM

[Jeremy Wyant]

Not really that big of a deal to set-up a track in a temp[orary location...

Lou Pirro is setting up a flat track for the ISRA Nats this week at a motel in Philadelphia...

King would involve a little more work...

Bigger issue is who has a King in storage, or who would be willing to take one down?

If not, the OBVIOUS choice is to hald the race at the venue that can accomodate the most people.



LM

Larry,

They could have a new one built for the event and then raffle it off after . Sell tickets at the event and here on slot blog Im sure there are 150 people that would pay $100 for a ticket and a chance to win a new king track I think a new gerding king is about 15g or so just a thought if no one wanted to use their track.

[flem1959]

What about the 220?

That`s as old school as they get.

Attached Images

• 

[MSwiss]

Larry,

They could have a new one built for the event and then raffle it off after . Sell tickets at the event and here on slot blog Im sure there are 150 people that would pay $100 for a ticket and a chance to win a new king track I think a new gerding king is about 15g or so just a thought if no one wanted to use their track.

Jeremy,
That's a novel idea.

Just my opinion but I think you're possibly a little enthusiastic/optimistic over how many people want a King track.

$100 for a 150 to 1 chance to win it,and if you do, what do you do with it?
There's a nice Gerding in NJ, that for $3,500 your odds improve to 1 to 1, and no one has "bought a ticket" so far.

But I might be wrong.
I suggest you start a poll.
Seriously.

[MSwiss]

What about the 220?

That`s as old school as they get.

A cool idea.

A race that none of the hot shots have run on (Retro cars anyway)

No home field advantage.

[flem1959]

Exactly Mike- That place might be big enough too.

[Jeremy Wyant]

Jeremy,
That's a novel idea.

Just my opinion but I think you're possibly a little enthusiastic/optimistic over how many people want a King track.

$100 for a 150 to 1 chance to win it,and if you do, what do you do with it?
There's a nice Gerding in NJ, that for $3,500 your odds improve to 1 to 1, and no one has "bought a ticket" so far.

But I might be wrong.
I suggest you start a poll.
Seriously.

If you didnt want the track and won sell it for 1/2 price move it and make some quick cash ! A used track is probably a better way to go better odds and less investment other than one more haul and move involved

[Terry]

Just curious, why does it have to be televised? I don't believe this particular part of the idea/plan will be feasible.

JP, are your bigger races televised and have grandstand seating for 400+ spectators? Just wondering.

Thank you,

Terry Watson

[Dominator]

A cool idea.

A race that none of the hot shots have run on (Retro cars anyway)

No home field advantage.

Advantage for me as that's my home track LOL!

[MSwiss]

Advantage for me as that's my home track LOL!

Dominic,
At the "No One Gets a Home Track Advantage Retro Worlds" in order for
you to enter, you would have to sign a agreement you promise not to practice anymore.

PS-Did I hear you are involved in Five Guys?
If so, a very fine product.
Excellent burgers and possibly the best fries I've ever had.

[Mike Patterson]

NO!!!!

This is NOT a good idea. Retro racing was/is about racing toy cars with your buds, and enjoying yourself. This race, to me, speaks to the RACER, someone who will race anything, anytime, anywhere, and will spend whatever is necessary in time/money to be competitive. If that is the direction retro racing is heading, then count me out. Been there, done that 25 years ago.

I hope you all enjoy further splintering our little hobby/group.

[Rick]

This could be real or could be imagined. JP has stated he wants the race in Chi Town, central in the USA. This could be a tremendous shot in the arm for slot cars and retro racing. Would it not be better for everyone to get on board and try to support this endeavor instead of shooting barbs and trying to harpoon it?

Everyone involved in retro has something to gain, in some way. Although some may be very short sighted, the big picture is good for the hobby and retro slot cars. Everyone stands to gain, the racers, the manufacturers, the tracks.

I don't know for sure but I think slot car racing may be larger in Europe than the US? This stands to expose retro to another continent, there is a retro race coming up next weekend. The top retro racers in the US and in Europe get a FREE plane ride to Chicago. Doesn't get much better than that.

How about everyone showing support and positive suggestions and input instead of dissing the entire event. Jeremy is on board, WTG dood! JP is trying to secure sponsorship monies for about every aspect, even T-shirt design. We don't need to find a facility, Chicago has the very best in the country, already in place.

Let's use the resources we have here in the US to help this event come to fruitation.......

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

Just curious, why does it have to be televised? I don't believe this particular part of the idea/plan will be feasible.

JP, are your bigger races televised and have grandstand seating for 400+ spectators? Just wondering.

Thank you,

Terry Watson

Why TV? Quite simple: without TV no sponsoring at all!
In 2002 we organised a major race at a marquee in Ostend (next to the Wellington race track for horses). We installed grand stands in the marquee. We got 30 minutes of TV coverage on 3 national networkls. The grandstands (going in the hight) don't take that much space. It was 15 % of the space in the marquee.

[68Caddy]

JP you are so right about the media it is very essential indeed, but here is some thing that makes me wonder how come you don't have
John Cukras in the line up?


Nesta

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

Hi guys,

Let's be a bit more practical and decide:

(1) Who are the five persons of the ORGANISATION COMMITTEE

(2) Who are the three RACE DIRECTORS (none of them can be a racer)

(3) Who are the persons who'll try to CONTACT A NATIONAL TV NETWORK

(4) At WHAT DATE will we organise the event?

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

What to think about Larry Mattingy as a member of the organisation committee? He has 35 years experience in promoting of slot-racing.

[Jean Pierre van Rossem]

JP you are so right about the media it is very essential indeed, but here is some thing that makes me wonder how come you don't have
John Cukras in the line up?

There will always be a place among the 24 should John Cukras, Mike Steube, Sandy Gross or PdL show. In the overall ranking of retro racers none of them is ranked in the top-12 of American racers.

JPVR

[split]

Hiya JP
Remember in 2001(i think) we had the IMCA worlds at depenbeck.That had a grand stand and TV came.That was a exellent time with the people in the stands reacting to what was happeing in the race.Hopefully you can get that atmosphere going again at the retro's in the USA
Regards Split

[tonyp]

The difference between forms of model racing either RC or slot is in Europe they are looked at as a form of motor racing. In the USA unfortunately they are looked at. As people playing with toys.... This will make any tv coverage hard to do other then possibly a minute or 2 on a local news channel. Unfortunately that is the way it is here. We tried many times to get coverage even on the news for the rc ants and worlds and it was never possible. I believe now on speed some of those " off" shows actually pay for the air time..

[Jacob Shiplet]

I think the only way we could get any covg would be on a channel like versus. They used to have a weekly RC show on. I havent seen it in a while though. Theyre trying to become a "legit" network, so im not sure how well that would work out either.

[Larry Mattingly]

One can get 'ANYTHING' on television with a time-buy...

Many of the 1:1 short-track events shown on SPEED are time-buys. Even major series have used the concept (IRL).

All it takes is sponsorship dollars.

LM

[Hipsticker]

Larry is very correct on the "money buys tv" I have seen racing first hand fall to the who has money and who dont,we need a MAJOR sponsor to pull this off,or a few smaller ones together ...an energy drink? ROCKSTAR?AMP? also some slot parts companies.......all stopping this is money, The place ,people comming,all the details are moot without thousands of dollars.
Anyway a couple weeks ago after YEARS of trying to get national tv coverage,the LUCAS OIL SERIES got CBS to tape a major race and air it 2 weeks later,,,,,LUCAS OIL made that happen ,cubic dollars ..and it was at LUCAS SPEEDWAY owned by Forrest Lucas...get the tie in?Jeremy and others brought up other tv sources that i totally didnt think about in an earlier post ,,heck i guess theres more than ESPN for sports..lol sorry bout that quip.In reality a major touring series ,World of Outlaws,has been after tv coverage for years and just now getting some air time because the money is there ,nuthing else.
Im not being a Molly Whiner and brigging everyone down ,belive me i want this to happen bad!, BUT its going to take a LOT of money to pull this off.Larry Matingly has been a promoter and ambassador of real race cars probly forever,, he should be on the commitee for sure .I guess mayby someone should ask him? He may not want to.
Rick made a good statement ..'lets all get onboard with postives and not negatives" everyone pull together once.....i read this board and its like the democrats and republicans sometimes ..

I will be first in line to buy a hundred dollar ticket for a king track..ill figure out what to do with it later