Advertising

[rossignoll]

How much effort or money have the Jayhuskers put into advertising this year? This is my first year racing with the Jayhuskers and it was cut short due to back surgery, so I get to keep up with your racing on this site and hopefully I will be back for the last couple of races. Their seems to be a lot of controversery about payouts and track costs.
Milking the teams or tracks for more money is not the answer. I showed up at the Fairbury race with my family and three soldiers from Fort Riley. Normally I pay $60.00 for my family to get into the pits. My 6 year old and 4 yr old get in free due to their age. The track wanted me to pay $100.00 for my family in addition to the $60.00 for the soldiers to get in. Fairbury is a two hour drive for me and I can only budget $100.00 a race for fees, fuel, snacks, and traveling so we didn't have enough to stay and race. The Jayhuskers lost $120.00 in payout money and the track lost fees and sales since soldiers have money to spend and will eat you out of house and home.
I have not seen any advertising on the cars, the trailers, in papers, or in any businesses around the larger towns about the Jayhuskers. If you ever get to see sprintcars racing in Florida, every car that is a member has floridaminisprint.com advertised on their car and trailers that comes in a kit they get with their membership dues. You find race schedules in a lot of shops with maps and info sheets about the drivers for the taking. Each driver pays about $250.00 for little hand out cards for the kids with their pictures and cars on the front and their sponsors information on the back. Someone mentioned how big the Minneapolis track is. You can get their race schedules from a lot of businesses in Junction City and Manhattan. I know half of my winter bowling league goes to some of their races. Manhattan is a college town with bored students looking for something to do on Saturday nights and Junction City has Fort Riley, a post full of bored families looking for something to do. Each race I went to I had military families show up to watch. They had a good time. Two cities with money to spend and nothing to do.
Most race teams know they are not going to get rich. We race for fun and spending time with our families and friends. If you need money for racing, put together a promotional packet and find some local businesses to sponsor you. In one ministrip mall visit in Junction City I found about 8 stores willing to sponsor me (first timer) and they asked about how to advertise at the tracks.

Small town racing is great but you need money coming in to grow. With little to do on weekends, a major college and a army base near by, the money is there, you just have to advertise.

Just something to think about.

[dirttracker2]

Amen brother somebody else agrees. I do have to give Jayhuskers their do at least they pay all there drivers. I know of a couple of tracks in Neb that have no payout. I don't want to beat a dead horse but it is time for the tracks to put up some money to get the racers there. I have heard time and time again how expensive it is to run a track. Hog wash I may be wrong but I bet 90% of the workers are free. I have been ragging on a few tracks in the Jayhuskers and this will be my final thought on this matter. If these tracks are having such a hard time making money why don't they make changes. I can't believe that Beloit can't make bigger purses they are runninng the big cars there and don't mind paying them the big bucks. Last I heard SVR was built for Jayhuskers to run on if Jayhuskers are going to pay their bills why do we not get a bigger piece of the pie. With rising fuel prices making it hard on all I would like to see a Boycott on one track this year just to prove they do need us. I know that won't happen but it would open up some eyes. Ok I am done on this topic what should we bitch about next.

[Brooke]

I agree that advertising is key. I haven't even seen any racing schedules posted around Clay Center. Perhaps a fresh insight like yours Chris is what those in charge this year need to see.

In conjunction with this discussion...
It was decided at the end of last year to sell advertising spots on this website, but to make that work someone has to take charge and pursue it further (which I am not sure is happening...since there are no meeting minutes being sent to the webmaster for posting this year).

[dirtfreak36]

Beloit's track was built to add another track to the Jayhusker series. But Jayhuskers do not pay the bills the people with their name on the loan do. Grant you a portion of the pit money is used, but it's to pay the insurance so we can have you (Jahuskers) that is race there. The big shows are out of the tracks pocket. Just my opionion. But you are right if every track would advertise there might be better turnouts at the races. I know Beloit puts it on as many radio stations as possible and in the paper. So what i guess i'm saying is that if the people running these tracks would take the effort and spend some money on advertising like beloit does maybe we could get more people in the stands.

[Brooke]

The tracks should promote their track whether for a Jayhusker function or any other event that they decide to hold, but I don't think promoting this organization should solely be held on the shoulders of the tracks. I think that the organization should be contributing in the overall promotion of the club, such as having schedules made and posted in businesses. I know their are alot of people out there that don't realize that we even exist. Perhaps sending flyers/schedules with people that work out of town to post would be a start. Remember, there is always room for improvement in everything that we do in life. We just need to know when to put forth the effort.

On a side note...Dave (webmaster) has done job with all the changes made to this website this year, which definately makes the club look more professional. Thank you, Dave!

[minisprinter413]

one thing jayhusker could do is advertise in the waconda trader it goes out to almost everyone in north central kansas and south central nebraska. i dont know how far east it goes but i know it goes as far as hays west. that would be one easy way to reach a bunch of homes because it gets sent to every house around free of charge to the people getting it. just something i thought i would post for and idea for somebody.

[soundofffairbur.com]

Here is an idea, use your email lists to send out links to the 3 Jayhusker video's I made and get the word out that way.

Here is a link to the site. http://www.soundofffairbury.com/
I know many of you have already been there, but what better advertising than showing the drivers and the cars in action as well as one of the drivers (Neill Lucking)

I have never been to a race until the day Scott and Keith let me on the track to make that video and now I am a fan.

Use your email lists and ask everyone to forward the links and videos to everyone on their lists.... Make it a viral video and it is free.

Keith Trimm
SOF

[soundofffairbur.com]

Frank Jordon has Midcontinent advertising and sells ads for folks. He is in Fairbury and could probably sell ads for cars, and stuff. He does menu's and other stuff. He is probably connected to some folks with advertising money.

He takes a cut and you take a cut.

[soundofffairbur.com]

Back in my band days, I used to ask my friends to come to my gigs, but there were usually the first one's to leave.... The folks that want to come are the ones that stick around so general advertising might not work.

It may be a better idea to educate the public as to what exactly you do. For most folks, you guys are that annoying bee noise that won't shut up till 9 or 10 pm all over town.

Clip art of a race car in the local paper is great for getting the folks who already show up to show up. They probably would have shown up in the first place.

Back to my band analogy. It took 6 months but we were finally packing the place on word of mouth advertising. We couldn't drive to every small town and hang posters and the bar owners would usually put up one or two in the bar. It took a lot of leg work and hob knobbing with the patrons, but it finally paid off....

So what am I getting at?

How about the drivers hanging out with the fans after the show?
How about a fan appreciation night?
How about special fan tickets to get into the pits?
How about treating the spectators like real people instead of those people in the stands who paid $10 to see you crash?

Read the book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Win_Friends_and_Influence_People

It may sound like a corny idea, but it works. It's all about getting interested in people and they get interested in you....

Vroooom Vrooooom

[soundofffairbur.com]

And yet another thing again...

Get your cars out of the pits and on main street of what ever town you are racing in. People see you drive down the street with your trailers and some have open trailers with tire racks on them and they look interesting but once you drive away you are gone and so is your opportunity to get someone interested in racing...

Here is the idea,

Get a hold of the city council of each town you drive in and ask them for a special race parade or car show on the main square of the town. Not at the track where no one can get to you unless they drive down into the pits.

Become accessible to the public and be near your car to talk to people and potential new fans. Press the flesh and show them what you have and how you did it and how fun it is.

Get one of your cars displayed at a local dealer lot and keep the image in everyone's mind. Clip art won't cut it baby....

[dirtfreak36]

I agree with keith alot of people go to car shows. Alot of younger children will drive there parents mad to go. I know my two kids do and they love racing. In september the race at beloit is in conjunction with the eagles car show. So my idea would be come in the morning put it in the show and meet the public talk to the youth they are there and will listen.

[soundofffairbur.com]

I saw the Jayhusker "sandwich board sign" at the corner of hwy 15 and 136 next to the Subway sign. Maybe a 600 parked next to it would have been a good idea.

[soundofffairbur.com]

I placed an ad for you on SOF http://krt65.tripod.com/jayad.jpg

Next time you make t-shirts, I want one. x large please.

[dirttracker2]

I would like to see the people on the loan pay it off with out the cars showing up. The way SVR has been paying all the big cars the big money and don't even attempt to pay Jayhuskers anymore than their pit money. I would think the Jayhusker racers would get sick of paying the bills for SVR.I just can't believe that anybody would think that the people with their name on the note is paying the bill. Just don't have any cars show up and we will see who pays what.

[soundofffairbur.com]

I don't know if you all saw the Jefferson Co. Fair demo derby video I posted, but Leon the promoter said that if they don't have a better turnout next year, this may be the last demo derby they have.

10 cars showed up. Back in the 80's when my brother drove in the derby (I used to paint his cars) they would have 10 cars per heat, not 10 cars total.

They had to stretch the event out for as long as they could to put on a show. The fairboard lost money and had to dip into fairboard money to pay off the cars by the end of the night...

I asked one of the officials what was up with the low car count and he said some derby's have been cancelled due to low turnout out. He mentioned one where 3 cars showed up and they pulled the plug. I don't know where that was.

Seems pulling a crowd and general interest is down and has been a trend over the last 20 years. It is going to take some major effort to bring the interest back to where it was and start turning things around.

You can put blame on whoever you want for the payouts, but if you are doing as little as you can just to expect the crowd to show up and pay the bills, you are responsible as much as the track owner.

Things are a changing and you can't sit back like the old days and watch the stands fill and the cars show up.

[Brian Williams]

I see both side of this problem. I understand the tracks are struggling to make money but that is not the fault of the racers. I realize the tracks have out of pocket expenses like insurance, track prep, food, and beer. The racers are the one with biggest expense. Last I checked it cost my sponsor just as much or more to own and operate my little car as it does the " big cars". Everbody knows that if you are in racing to get rich you will be broke quick. I think what the biggest problem is that the Jayhusker bring just as many fans to the track as the "bigger cars" and the drivers are starting to see these big payout and they want to know why. On the other hand if the tracks don't make money there will not be any places to race next year. I bet it would shock some of the Jayhuskers race tracks to know what these other tracks make on having to day shows. If the people are going to spend 2 days in your town it will also boost the economy and then more business may donate to the track. I think it would be good for the racers,track official, and Jayhusker powers to be have a meeting about the problem and get it worked out.

[Webmaster]

Who is to do this job anyway?
It is none of my business yet I am compelled to put in a couple of thoughts. After being associated with the Jayhuskers for sometime now yet not in the owner/driver/track part of things I see from what communications that happens or does not happen what I think is a large part of the problem. Lets first start by breaking down what is or is not going on.

The Jayhusker Drivers have a service to sell that they enjoy doing.
The car/truck owners have of course the vehicles they want out there for various reasons.
Which they either sell ad space on the cars/trucks/trailers.
Or they support because they need a tax write off.
Or they just enjoy the sport of racing.
The Tracks have the space to support the show and this type of activity.
They obtain sponsors (in some cases).
They sell advertisements for an event.
On the side they sell various items, drinks food and so on.
And of course the gate is an income.
The cities/towns have an interest from the added sales that happen.
Now with that each one wants their piece of the pie yet none can survive without the other.

The Drivers:
Are on their own or are part of a “Team” so any of the obtained winnings may or may not be of any value.
They may just simply love to drive and as long as they find a ride they do not care about the money issue as long as someone else is paying the tab.
They may be the owner/driver all wrapped into one.
The owners would like to break even on the overall costs.
Car/Truck, trailer, parts, fuel, travel, pit costs, motels (if used) and so on.
They need to make a buck in order to continue updating and repairing what is needed to be competitive.
The Tracks want to break even on all associated costs and hopefully make a buck to enhance improvements so to continue growth.
The cities/towns through various means, fair boards and such support the function and by all means do not want to loose money to impact the taxpayer. The Chamber you would think would be all over this to support the business members of that group. Their advertising processes could be of great value.
Now with all this overview let me ask you as a owner do you work on the cars/trucks and get them race ready? Do you do this as a driver?
The tracks are busy with the track setup and other activities to get ready.
The cities/towns fair boards are there for base support the overall outcome is on someone else yet if it looses money over and over the plug is pulled.
So who has time for the proper advertising and communication that is needed to make this “BUSINESS” work? This is a business you know, and if not treated as one you will have what you have now.
The officers and representatives of each class are doing the “racing” business that has to do with racing and not the running of a business.

Here is what I suggest. Re structure your top level to allow for a MANAGER that has the charge to do the things needed. He would be working for an “executive committee” which is made up of:
1.Jayhusker VP, who would be the chairman of the committee.
2.The class reps would be members.
a.All matters concerning the Managers job/function would be run through that committee with voting powers as below:
i.Class reps have a vote
ii.The Chairman votes only in the case of a tie.
This would allow the Manager to work non stop on issues like, Advertising, Communications, coordinating efforts with Track officials, Fair Boards, Chamber of Commerce, local businesses for support. While the owners, drivers and track reps are doing their jobs. This manager would always be out there with the public driving interest and communicating with the public and people that are in contact with the fans to drive interest up. It seems to me with the job of racing and support each Teams cars, sponsors and all it takes for each Jayhusker Member to do what they love they are very busy with what they see as important to their car and driver to make the races. Not always doing the business of sales and marketing which this proposed manager would do. All the time this person would be out there promoting all classes and all races on all tracks that the Jayhusker are running at. Get the Jayhusker SERIES out there in everyone’s face. Make it competitive for your fans in terms of “I got to go see what happens”. So they can keep up on who done what, how it was done and what the point spreads are. Who is ahead, who won the heat and who had mishaps? Make them want to see you run.
This manager’s charge would be to PORMOTE the Jayhusker Series non-stop. To sell what you people have. You must as a group MARKET YOURSELVES or the product will not sell.

Ok I will get off of my soapbox and shut up.
That is my twenty-two cents worth. Just some observations and thoughts.

Now you can tell me I am nuts. . .

Dave

[soundofffairbur.com]

Dave,
I agree with almost everything you said. It sounds like a lot of bureaucracy to get a job done that everyone should be doing.

If you elect one guy to do all the promo, you get one guy's approach. If the guy who does the advertising has no knack for promotion, it will be a waste. What usually happens is that there is one guy out there who has real talent and is just waiting for someone to ask him or her to help.

Also, promotion is everyone's responsibity, not just the manager. Dave, can you embed the 3 jayhusker video's I made onto this site? It is simple to do and you can get the code off of youtube.

There are sooooo many ways to get people interested and if all you want to do is drive and leave all that "advertising crap" to someone else, don't complain when the track shuts down or your payout is small...

Never leave to the other guy what you can do yourself.

SOF

[Webmaster]

Taking a look at what the individual does in promoting their own car/truck leaves the bulk out in the wind when looking at the Jayhusker as a group. That would be a main function of a manager/promoter. Not to take away from what each owner and or driver has done for his or her own advertising and support structure but to enhance the overall support of the Jayhusker’s as a group. Working hand in hand with what the directives that were given from the executive board and the other “powers” from the tracks and community entities to get the ads out and promote each race function so to raise the fan base support.
Point being that each member has an interest in their very own support from sponsors and that does not always nor would I expect it to in today’s busy world with people not always going off a beaten path to try something new and different from their normal schedule. That is what is needed to open the eyes of new fans. Then communicate in all aforementioned areas and entities to get information out about the group and the fun that can be had when going to these events. None of that can be done with out some one person driving the overall look of the Jayhusker group. A single focus on ones cars support is not what this person would be doing. So yes everyone member does do a given amount of work yet not all do the same amount and how many of them approach the local entities and attempt to communicate on a personal level with the business to see if they obtained any financial impact from people stopping in before or after the races. Some of the businesses may be supporting a racer, yet some may never had been approached. Who has time, if they are working on their car/trailer or attempting to spend a little time with the family between job, car repair nights and races on weekends? When is the get out and communicate happen?
I just think a there is a better approach to this process than what is being done. A single promoter communicating, doing even a radio show if they can to get the word out. Take the top 2 points guys in with them if they can get away. Take a rookie in there are a million things yet I do not think for the most part each driver has an interest in promoting much past their own circumstances. This is what it appears the tracks are attempting to do and everything is going different directions. Some conductor needs to orchestrate what the Jayhusker’s have to sell, which is a good race with an abundance of cars. Thus promoting good payouts due to a large fan base and a special case of sponsors for a given race nights.
Speaking to a voting issue. With this being for the record I would think each class would like to know what his or her rep. agreed to do. So I would think some record of meetings and process should be used. Such as the “Roberts Rule of Order”
Which brings up another issue, meetings I have nothing on any that have gone on. No communications to post for people/members to know what’s up. So everything is word of mouth and guess by gosh.
I will have to look into youtube at a different location access is not an option here.

Got-a-run I will let you know about the connection/linkup later.

Dave :D

[soundofffairbur.com]

http://krt65.tripod.com/tshirt1.jpg