4/11/06
THINKING INSIDE THE BOX
I was intrigued with your blurb on the NHRA building sky boxes at several of their tracks. At the end of the story you posed the question how this would benefit Pro and Sportsman Racers. Agent, I am surprised that you didn't recognize the net benefits to all racers in such an investment. I will give you an example.
I race in the Real Street class in the National Mustang Racers Association. Last year we had 9 races at various tracks. I also attended the World Ford Challenge in St Louis. I work for Degussa Corp. I am a regional sales manager in a division primarily involved in Construction Chemicals. For the past 4 years I have had a golf outing in the Chicago area. We would invite Architects, Engineers, and Contractors. The outing would generally cost between 7 and 10 thousand dollars. Typically we would get between 50 to 70 participants. We would serve lunch and be done by 2 PM. With the proliferation of Golf outings our numbers have declined. My boss suggested that we look for an alternative to the Golf outing. He asked about bringing clients to one of my NMRA Races. Of all the tracks on the NMRA tour Joliet was the only one capable of holding that type of function.
We invited the same type of customers as we would for our golf outing. In addition we extended the invitation to wives, children and friends. As I was racing I was not in the suite all the time. My boss flew in from New Jersey to be there for the weekend. Over the 2 days we had 123 people in our suite. My rep and boss commented that the look of relief on the women's faces when they entered the suite was priceless.
We have to remember there are a lot of people that are not as passionate about drag racing as we are. Also remember that many people who work in the industry are also not passionate about drag racing. To them it‚s just a job. It's unfortunate but that is a fact of life. When we have comfortable accommodations it makes for a much more pleasant experience.
Our event at Joliet was a huge success. We have many customers who after 7 months are still talking about how much fun they had. We have other customers who have heard about
the event and asked not to be forgotten when we send out invitations for this year's event.
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In all it cost us about 7 thousand dollars with suite rental, food and drinks. I was able to spend time in the suite between rounds explaining the cars, classes and the dreaded handicapping in bracket racing.
Also NMRA announcer Dr. Jamie Meyer was kind enough to stop by and give a talk about the series, racers and classes.
We made a lot of new drag racing fans that day. That, Mr. Agent 1320, is good for all the racers, sponsors, series and tracks.
Don't just look at the NHRA events for the advantage to sky boxes. Unless they are racing, most racers do not attend national events as spectators. I think that we need the ability to entertain in a comfortable setting. It's good for everyone.
BTW, I have signed the contract with Joliet to have 90 people per day at the NMRA/NMCA super race at the end of July. I will extend an invitation to the Agent should you wish to join us in the suite.
Robin Lawrence
