44 replies to this topic

[Hworth08]

As for getting the national Boy Scouts of America to acknowledge slot racing as a recommended activity, I don't feel this has much traction. The BSA only supports squeaky-clean activities and the slot racing industry taken as whole won't qualify based both on the industry's past and its present state. I know of a couple of folks who have approached the national BSA about tie-ins and have some direct knowledge of how such outside suggestions are almost always rebuffed. Raceway owners will (and do) have more success dealing with Scouters at the local troop level.

Hi Greg,

OK, next item. Does slot racing as a whole have the true desire to be on a national level? What if a TV network actually agreed to televise (taped and edited) a portion of a slot race. How many drivers would agree to arrive three days before the event so the TV personel could tell them how to dress, cut their hair, stand, walk, and then decide which drivers had enough "looks" and then could converse well enough to be interviewed.

When a Nextel team picks a driver, the driver's racing ability is only a small part. Sales far outweigh driving ability.

[markdshark]

Guys, I have to agree with you. Before we can promote on a national level, we fisrt have to promote locally. The idea of a NSRD was to give some focus to the cause. Heck, just the fact that there is a NSRD might help you get your foot in a door or two.
Face it, we're gonna have to count on ingenuity, rather than money, promotion. I can tell you the secret of Radio station tie-ins. You need a charity, it's got to make the station look good and most of all, not cost the station little, or no, money!!! For TV, it's much the same, except you have to serve food.

Seriously, we have to look at automotive events. Hot Rod Shows, Criuses, even Races. These are people, who already have an automotive hobby bend, and who might not be able to affords the cars of their youth. But, might say, "Hey, I used to race slot cars". "Maybe I'll check out the local raceway"?

[Hworth08]

Good points Mark.

I'll give an real-life example of how tough obtaining coverage can be. My son is the sports editor and writer for a small newspaper close to Cleveland, TN. I suggested (asked) he cover the SERRA race this Saturday and perhaps get a photo in his paper to help promote slot racing within "driving distance." He replied that without some paid ads his editor wouldn't allow coverage. It's high school football season and he has already had to limit his football preview section because the ad department was sitting on their cans and not getting enough ads sold to cover his pages.

Cruel world? Well, not really. Ads are the newspaper's sourse of revenue. Without revenues the newspaper will close. All promotion is forming alliances that benefit both parties, either with money or goodwill.

[Larry Mattingly]

Even advertising will not guarantee coverage in a big daily... trust me.

My wife is a sportswriter, and I used to be a 'stringer'. You can't believe the amount of professionally prepared releases, and fringe sports that vie for space in a mid-sized paper on a daily basis.

One area slot tracks can crack is the newspaper agate pages. I was joking with a sports editor one day about running results from a slot car track, and he said he would use the stuff... no different than a dart league, or beer league softball. Better than nothing.

Rather than the Sports section, I would probably aim for the entertainment, leisure time section of the paper. A feature story on 'baby boomers' returning to their youth to race slot cars after 40-years would be an easy sell. Papers love doing stories about boomers, because they are the ones who can read and still buy newspapers!

I received good coverage from ALL media when I managed Jennerstown Speedway. But, I worked at it 24-7. Yet, I still didn't receive as much publicity as the local ECHL hockey team. And, they didn't spend a penny on advertising in the newspaper. Hockey coverage was deemed to be 'important', because it was a 'professional' sport.

Please go back and reread everything Cheater has posted.

No one, and I mean no one, is going to take slot racing seriously. First, there are no documented 'numbers' of any kind at the commercial racing level. We don't even know how many commercial racing centers there are, let alone how many people participate.

Before trying to organize an ill-fated National Slot Racing Day, I think we would be better served trying to build a true national slot racing organization.

From my view, if we can't even get the 'choir' organized, why should anyone take us seriously.

One only has to look at the Slotblog's track listing link. How many postings have come from raceway owners? The people that have the most to gain/lose (tracks, manufacturers) should be the ones spearheading the effort.

If they don't care....

LM

[Hudson Valley Raceway]

I like the idea of a nationally agreed day. I have signmaking equipent and could make banners promoting it, and could hold special pricing and car hand-outs during the period. I agreed with time periods, and think should be Mid-November for holiday shopping. The time would also show here in the northeast what a busy season looks like.

[Cheater]

No one, and I mean no one, is going to take slot racing seriously. First, there are no documented 'numbers' of any kind at the commercial racing level. We don't even know how many commercial racing centers there are, let alone how many people participate.

Before trying to organize an ill-fated National Slot Racing Day, I think we would be better served trying to build a true national slot racing organization.

From my view, if we can't even get the 'choir' organized, why should anyone take us seriously?

One only has to look at the Slotblog's track listing link. How many postings have come from raceway owners? The people that have the most to gain/lose (tracks, manufacturers) should be the ones spearheading the effort.

If they don't care....

Larry,

Your comments futher support my long-held belief that commercial slot racing needs a well-supported industry association to take on such tasks as defining the hobby by the numbers. I sometimes refer to it as a "hobby advocacy association", which is a more accurate label for what is desperately needed. This isn't an idea that is original to me: virtually all other successful leisure-time activities have such advocacy groups supporting them.

Don, not all publications have such direct ties between the advertising and editorial departments. And newspapers are sort of a special case right now, as that industry is basically going through a serious shake-out, and many will not survive. Even the large and well-financed Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reduced page size and number of sections, and increased prices (from 50 cents to 75 cents for the weekday paper!) in recent months.

In tune with Larry's remarks, I'll say it again: no one is going to take slot racing seriously until the hobby takes itself seriously. And, as I have posted in this thread, before trying to promote a NSRD, some organizational groundwork will be necessary to ensure the level of impact that we all want to see.

[Hworth08]

Larry,

Several good points that come from experience!

I suspect/hope this subject is being covered in the "other" section of Slotblog where only those directly involved with slots are allowed.

[Cheater]

Don,

I'm sorry to have to dash your hopes, but the most recent post in Slotblog's private Industry forum was made on May 20, 2008.

[markdshark]

It's true, that to get things done, you need to be organized. Do you know why,there are more radio frequencies assigned to R/C airplanes, even though there are far more boats and cars? Simple, they had an advocacy association, the AMA.

[Hworth08]

Don,

I'm sorry to have to dash your hopes, but the most recent post in Slotblog's private Industry forum was made on May 20, 2008.

Hum, well... I thought maybe there would be more interest there.

A teenage caller was just on Rush's radio show talking about a new book he had just written and asking Rush about the cost of advertising on his show. It was pretty clear that Rush was "arranging" an ad and in fact did. At the end Rush told the caller he had just received a $35 thousand ad. Then the subject of the book being on Amozon arose, Rush said that was another $10,000.

Don't guess that's where the NSRD will run their first ads??

[gonegonzo]

What happened to this post ??????????????????????????????????????????

I haven't been a regular on this web site until recently. I have a slot car off season " summer " and am now in the process of reading what I've missed durring that time. This post is one of them and a very interesting and I'd say an important one at that.

I too have thought of this idea and even posted it on other BB's. The idea held very little interest I hate to admit. However, this post holds some very good ideas both pro and con.

As with any post a few went off on repetitive ideas and woudn't let up making those ideas dominate the post. When this happens the good ideas or I should say, the constructive and desicive ideas are washed out and the participants wind down to those who insist on repeating themselves. Finally, everyone is exhauted and the post dies. In this case a very good idea dies which could save or at least promote our hobby.

I've been racing slot cars since 1963 on both commercial and home tracks. In the beginning , the 60's , every town had a slot car track. I know that's ahrd to imagine but it's true. It lasted maybe 3/4 years and the hobby died. It gasped for breath for several years and made a few attempts of remission if you will, The past few years has seen a new growth for the hobby but that growth is very slow and struggeling to see tha next day. Who knows what this economy will bring to the hobby as far as commercial racing goes.

My suggestion here would be for those who seriously believe in the NationalSlot Car Week/Day should get back on board and run the ball. Plan the Week/ Day. My choice would be the Week.

I read someones remark that it will start out being locally supported and reviewed. This is very true but everything has to satrt somewhere and grow from there. My belief is , if we garn only one slot car enthusiast on a local level, it's a success. That means as the event continues , it will catch the interest of even more enthusiasts and become a national success.

The next year and the years following, many ideas will be pesented to be included and omitted from the program and the most constructive points that catch the publics eye should be kept. I think the event would just keep getting better and better. But without getting on it's feet, we'll never know.

Besides the commercial raceway owners, of course they are important, we are overlooking the small racing clubs that excist because of the commercial void or the fact that some prefer the garage type racing. There's nothing wrong about that format either. Getting to this point, it would benifit these garage track racing clubs too.

On the club end of the National Slot Car Week/Day, the clubs could set up a portable track at the local Mall, Auto Zone, Hobby Shop, YMCA, Auotmobile Dealership or even the lobby of your local Supermarket. Anywhere you can get permission to set up and catch the publics eye. That's prmotion.

Have loner cars that people can test drive. Have pictures, displays, use all of your resourses.

Now, in retrospect, we could pull this off this year, 2009. It would be a flegiling attempt but my fellow racers, if we let anymore grass grow under our feet, with this economy, we could loose the hobby all together. Any attempt at this point is better than none at all.

One more point I can attest to is this. Winter months are the best to have this event. I know myself when good weather comes, I'm outside doing things and all my hobbies inside take second place. So let's get those prspevtive racers involved durring peek season and get them established so that next season they see that race box and say, Wow, it's cold and miserable outside, I think Ill go slot car racing.

Let's bring this post back to life and keep it a priority.

Ron Hershman, I'd like to see you respond to this reply. I seen several good points from you prvious relies.

Gone Gonzo

[Pappy]

As head of the Ohio Valley Retro Racing organization, I James T. (Butch) Dunaway Jr. hereby proclaim January 29th of each and every year "National Slot Car Racing Day". And the week in which it falls in as "National Slot Car Racing Week".

Do I hear a second?

[gonegonzo]

Hey Pappy /James,

How did you pick Jan. 29th or did you pick a date just to shut me up ?

As far as a date yor correct, one should be set but don't you think first we need to have some support here and at all slot car levels ?

Think about it now, what can you do to promote slot cars on Jan 29th or any other day ? I don't know, that's why I asked you. I will take my portable T-Jet track to a public location and set it up for promotion with loaner cars etc..

Do you race on home tracks or commercil ? Where is Oxford , Ohio anyway.

I don't have a problem with the date but just wondered if your that serious about the cause ?

I'd like to see more support before seeing a second put forth that fast.

Glad to have you on our side anyway.

Respectfully, Gonzo

[Pappy]

My suggestion here would be for those who seriously believe in the NationalSlot Car Week/Day should get back on board and run the ball. Plan the Week/ Day. My choice would be the Week.

Tom, just taking your suggestion and running with it. January 29th is in the middle of the winter and it's as good a day as any. That plus the fact that it's my "Birthday" and would be easy for me to remember, not to mention a great honor. All kidding aside, I'm for anything that will promote slot car racing.

I race on commercial tracks and Oxford, Ohio is about 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati.

[gonegonzo]

Tom, just taking your suggestion and running with it. January 29th is in the middle of the winter and it's as good a day as any. That plus the fact that it's my "Birthday" and would be easy for me to remember, not to mention a great honor. All kidding aside, I'm for anything that will promote slot car racing.

I race on commercial tracks and Oxford, Ohio is about 30 miles northwest of Cincinnati.

Hi Butch,

Good to hear back from you.

Happy birthday by the way , It's comming fast.

If we make the NSCD Jan 29th, we won't have much time to organize even one on one promotions in our local areas. I think that's the only option for this year. We could hit all the slotcar BB's hard and urge everyone to do what they can for that day. Next year we could be loaded for bear so to speek.

I thought too that there would be more replies to this after the initial postings responce. Might need to re-group with a new posting.

By the way, thanks for running the ball. being your the one that did and your willing to help promote, what would you think of teaming up and help me get this ball rolling again ? I'd be honored if you accepted, aloong with the others that had a lot of good ideas.

I race T-Jets with the VASCRA group and we have people in the Dayton area we race with. I'm in Wellsville, Ohio on the eastern siude on the Ohio river. I race at Mark's Model World in Canton, Ohio at times. If you've never been there , your missing a real treat. Mark has an all out slot car eporium and he's a good guy at that.

Butch, think about helping me out here. Put on your thinking cap and give some input and get some ideas rolling. I'll do the same and we'll confirm here on this post.

Till next time , Tom DeLauder aka/ GoneGonzo

[markdshark]

I started this thread, quite a while ago. It's nice to see that there are some people enthusiastic about the idea. As I suggested, locally, you can contact scouting troops and invite them out to the local track. Make sure there's sombody to show them what it's all about, and have some cars, for them to run. You might just pick up some new racers. Maybe you can contact a local media outlet and get the event listed in thier "Community Calendar". Hand out flyers, at local Car events (Car Shows, Cruise Nights, etc.). These people are already leaning towards an automotive type hobby. Maybe, you can talk a local reporter into doing a story comparing the slot car industry and the automotive industry, or maybe a "Remember When" type of story.

What ever you do, above all, have fun with it!!!

[gonegonzo]

I started this thread, quite a while ago. It's nice to see that there are some people enthusiastic about the idea. As I suggested, locally, you can contact scouting troops and invite them out to the local track. Make sure there's sombody to show them what it's all about, and have some cars, for them to run. You might just pick up some new racers. Maybe you can contact a local media outlet and get the event listed in thier "Community Calendar". Hand out flyers, at local Car events (Car Shows, Cruise Nights, etc.). These people are already leaning towards an automotive type hobby. Maybe, you can talk a local reporter into doing a story comparing the slot car industry and the automotive industry, or maybe a "Remember When" type of story.

What ever you do, above all, have fun with it!!!

Hi Mark,

I've been enthusiastic about ways to promote slot car racing for some time now. I've posted similar postings such as you have here with far less responce.

It's true, we're in this hobby to race. We depend on the raceway owners to promote it and we show up to race. The raceay owner is more interested in running the rcae and collecting the revenue from it. Who does this leave to promot e the hobby ? ZZZZZZZZip , so we run the course until the raceway owner folds for the lack of promotion and suddenly, we have a box full of toys and parts and nowhere to play with-em.

I've seen the hobby go bust before. It's not pretty , especially now with the economy as such . If one goes down now, it's a duster as far as one to replace it.

Like you said in your e-mail, we're not looking to but advertizing durrring the Super Bowl, we're just looking for the racers, raceway owners, garage clubs and cellar dwellars to come forth on a specified day and promote "slotcar racing" in some form. Let it build year to year and let the hobby become more recognizable.

Enthusiasts, get back on the wagon here. Stop telling us why we shouldn't do this and tell us how we can and will do it. Tell us what your individuale part in it will be. Be positive and optimistic. Post your thoughts.

Tom D

[gonegonzo]

Giving this post a bump before posting anew one.

tom d

[Dooner]

You know how GOOGLE has a special picture for holidays and famous people. Someone should come up with a picture for INTERNATIONAL SLOT CAR RACING DAY and contact GOOGLE. Every year on that date Google's homepage will have that pic above the search engine white rectangle. If you hold the mouse over the pic, it will say INTERNATIONAL SLOT CAR RACING DAY.

[markdshark]

Just yesterday, a Cub Scout troop came by my place of work. I suggested, that for another outing, they might visit a local Raceway. Some of the fathers had fond memories of their time at the raceways, and were suprised to find that raceways still exist. I went to an area raceway website and gave the scout leader all the info. He was glad to get the info, and said that they would stop by.
That's all it takes, to get started promoting the hobby! Pass the word!!!