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FW: 2010 MMSHoF inductees announced-----Original Message----- From: Allan Brown <speedways@comcast.net> Sent: Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:44:34 Pacific Daylight T... READMORE |
Paul McMahan takes WoO win at Eldora Paul McMahan had racked up six Top-Five finishes in his last eight starts heading into the finale of Outlaw Thunder by Goodye... READMORE |
New Paris braves cold, Thirteen Feature No doubt about it, the weather was cold with temperatures in the low 40's and a stiff wind swirling through the 1/4 mile spee... READMORE |
Galesburg Speedway Red Flagged The Galesburg Speedway did not open last weekend as scheduled and it’s unlikely the race track will open this Saturday becau... READMORE |
Ron Flinn Hospitalized Reports out of Crystal Motor Speedway this morning are that Ron Flinn has been hospitalized due to a coronary issue. Accordi... READMORE |
Action to begin at Spartan SpeedwayIf the grandstands along the front stretch of Spartan Speedway look a bit higher than normal, well, they are. The speedway p... READMORE |
Auto City postpones due to Cold Although the weather was picture-perfect for testing on Thursday afternoon, Mother Nature brought us cold and windy condition... READMORE |
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With the introduction of fax machines, personal computers and even in-car navigational systems, life has become faster paced. We want things NOW!
The same is true of fans at sporting events. Like our kids, we need to be entertained.
Back in the early 90s, the minor league baseball team based in Grand Rapids, the West Michigan Whitecaps, changed the way Michigan sports fans enjoyed an event. Rather than having fans lull themselves to sleep in between innings staring at players warming up in the infield, the team's ownership realized there were marketing opportunities at every break in the action.
Subsequently, t-shirt and hot dog cannons, racing mascots, giant sumo wrestlers, and even Elvis impersonators (to name a few) began making appearances at every break in the action. Of course, these promotions are sponsored (paid for) by a host of local organizations. In fact, sponsorships at the ball parks covered virtually every formerly empty space.
At Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, fresh fruit carts are sponsored by Sparrow Hospital's Nutrition Services. The Board of Water & Light lends its logo (and money) to the Autograph Section in right field. The Dow Event Center in Saginaw has taken the concept a "step" further. Spaces in between each stair are decorated with sponsorship stickers - Independent Bank, McDonalds and 7-Eleven lead hockey fans to their seats.
And even on the ice between periods of Saginaw Spirit hockey games, foam pucks are tossed at illuminated targets to win Meijer Gift Cards, Bader Brothers utility vehicles carry t-shirt cannons launching the prized clothing to anxiously awaiting fans.
Racing, particularly NASCAR, was an innovator in maximizing sponsorships. Local short tracks have certainly followed the lead of their larger brethren. These same tracks, however, could learn from the minor leaguers and provide entertainment for the crowds during down times on the track.
Frankly, there are few things more boring that staring for 45 minutes at an empty race track. Sure we enjoy the insight of our track announcers, but even the golden tones of Ed Inloes, Gary Lindahl or Matt Prieur could be supplemented with a t-shirt toss or two.
I applaud the specials tracks are introducing this season to attract new fans to their venues. From Church Youth Group nights to Daddy/Daughter events and even a Speed Dating special, creative ways of attracting fans to the ticket window abound. Now, once you have them inside the gate, make sure they're involved.
Assume we all have Attention Deficit Disorder. We need something new happening at every down moment to keep our interest. The racing action is always great. Keeping a five year old (or a 55 year old) entertained means they'll keep coming back.
