Pro Sportsman Association - Do you want it to continue?/rant

If you care enough to read this post, that means you have an interest in Top Alcohol racing and helping it thrive.

I'm out of the industry now, but I can tell you I didn't change career paths because I hate racing or all you bastards.. well, most of you anyway. I'd kind of like to have a thriving alcohol community when I get to the point in the next 5-10 years to run my own.

EVERYONE in Top Alcohol has had some sort of benefit due to the PSA in the last two years. Either an autograph session, or getting your name in print when you win, hero cards, whether you're a member or not. These benefits have been due to the volunteer work of 5-6 people and of course, everyone who financially contributed.

That being said, there has been some criticism of the way the PSA has been run, or who was running it. I resigned my spot quite some time ago, but I still helped organize some autograph sessions with Lucas, NHRA and of course drivers. NOBODY ELSE wants to step up to the plate. So I ask the question.. Why are Top Alcohol racers so apathetic towards the popularity of their class? Almost everyone here has bitched at one point about how payouts suck, how you feel treated like a red-headed step child, how there aren't enough races, how much money you get charged for what you consider shit you shouldn't have to pay. So you know how you're treated, yet you expect someone else or NHRA to just magically change that for you? Most of you are successful business owners, executives or living life on your terms. How did you get there? It wasn't by letting other people dictate your future for you, and if it was, well shit, teach me how to do it!

The PSA is a means to build more leverage with your sanctioning body. The problem is it takes work and organization. It doesn't take a Top 10 driver to be an organizer, someone who contacts tracks, NHRA, Lucas to work on promotions. You don't even have to be at 15 races a year. You could be at no races and still do this. In fact, if you're a racer who isn't racing, this shit takes a fraction of a fraction of time to accomplish compared to working on your car. A good way to stay involved without spending a shitload of money. It does take some time, and can be trying at times. But if more people stepped up to the plate, it would take each person less time. And for the teams who are the solo PR Juggernauts, the more popular the whole class is, the better you're going to look too.

I'm sure you've all seen or heard that Lucas has killed the Lucas sponsored TF car. What's next? If they pull out of NHRA, Cody Perkins better be ready to go nationwide with his deal, and he'll need sponsors too. We can bitch that NHRA has made rules and schedules to kill the classes, but in reality, racers are killing the class. Most racers only care about rules and schedules that affect them directly, if it really hasn't had an effect on you, then you're not bitching. Notice that every rule they've amended or added is followed by a thread on here "This is going to kill the class." The economy and people's ability to be competitive is what's killing car counts. It doesn't take millions a year, but it does take a significant amount of "real world" money to field a competitive car every year. When shit is blowing up for no apparent reason to you, or the car just won't respond and run like you think it should, all of a sudden you realize how much you're spending on the shitbox and it gets parked until you can fix it or sell it. Your class just lost a car. When 10 cars roll in at a National or 4 cars at a Divisional, NHRA see a "Lack of interest" and will adjust their schedule accordingly.

This isn't socialism. The government, or in this case, NHRA, isn't going to do this shit for you. They need your help. And as much as you'd like to think your dues and fees line their pockets and they owe you, they don't even make back their Top Alcohol payouts at Nationals on all your annual fees, including crew passes. Financially, pretty much all of sportsman racing could go away and NHRA could still exist. Get off your asses and make yourselves a little bigger piece on their income pie chart by becoming more popular.

Or, you can keep sitting around, making excuses as to why you would be no good for this when EVERYONE is good for this and let any forward progress we've made in the last year die. The fact that we've only had a small minority of teams actually pay in to the PSA tells us everyone is willing to let it die. Maybe I'm just being pissy and stubborn and don't want to see all the time and effort I(as well as my co-conspirators) have put in the last two years be for nothing. What forward progress? Contact Charlie Nielson at NHRA or one of the Lucas execs and ask them how they feel about our classes and working with us.

It's getting to a point where a decision needs to be made.

 

alky is great!

no comment other than I did see for the first time in memory that nhra left the big screens and cameras on at pamona for the alky q3, which I cannot ever remember ever happening. I liked it, and it seemed like the stands were
fuller than normal. just a observation. there were many alky fc and tad there for a great show. dan

 

Justin i can appreciate your rant. Everyone who reads it can appreciate it. But until there is a fundamental change in how NHRA does business with member tracks and the media, i hate to say it your pissing up a pole. Sure im not advocating just throwing your hands up and walking away...absolutely not! But the reality on the ground don't match the rhetoric. NHRA is not a democracy, its a business and money talks.

You are 100% correct we need to thank Forrest and now Morgan Lucas everyday for giving us the opportunity to showcase the class and it talents. To be honest if you look at NHRA and its track record in its totality, i strongly believe they could give two shits less about the alcohol classes. The emergence of Promod right around the Alcohol class is a prime example of it.

Right now im plugging the necessary $$ amount into my addiction to run an a/fuel car next year. Im going into this eyes wide open. I could be pissing a couple hundred and some thousand up a pole for no place to run. That is always a possibility. If i had a stupid comp car i wouldn't worry for a minute. But understand your playing 5 card stud against NHRA with you showing a pair of 2's.

NHRA needs to fundamentally look at its media/marketing packages and adjust its portfolio accordingly. ESPN is quite frankly not the answer if this is what it is with them. When the marketing supports the sportsmen ranks then it will be a tenable situation. Why would any sponsor of real value want to sponsor me when they get fundamentally "0" TV coverage and where were the first to get whacked when the wind blows? How do i knock on sponsors doors and sell an unmarketable product because of no media exposure. Or do i need to buy a reality show for myself also?

This is how it works: They "NHRA" negotiate a viable TV package with one network or multiple networks with the same caveats NASCAR has...Friday qualifying for the big boys. Up an comers "Alcohol Class's" on Saturday with a few of the big boys stepping down and getting in them for the sponsor money themselves. Sunday is for the big boys and the sportsmen finals. Then i can go to business and present a package and guarantee exposure for their goods and services ....not just at the track to that limited audience where im buried in the back row.

Wouldn't it be a scarey proposition if NHRA stepped up in the glam capitol of America and had their own network just like every other respectable sport does??? We were immensely better represented on Diamond P than we are now.

Understand if you don't already know this..... there are company's that track literally how many seconds during each race a sponsors logo is exposed during the race on TV, and with that a formula is calculated for the dollar value of that exposure. That's what you drop in sponsors hands at the next sponsorship meeting. Not alot of empty promises.

So in closing unless we can become a part of those conversations and negotiations. The rest of this is academic. How they treat member tracks i will save for another rant.

Email me if you need help with this project.

Dave
d7958@hotmail.com

 

Dave,
I can appreciate your struggles, but you are expecting a lot out of NHRA that they just can't fix without our help. NHRA can absolutely do a better job, but they need ideas and legwork. If I can compare to something everyone here can relate to, what NHRA gives us is a roller. It's up to us to put a motor between the rails and make it kick ass.

The sport doesn't become popular because it's on TV, it becomes popular because fans can relate to and identify with their driver heroes. We need to give them something to sell. You need to market yourselves to bring in money for your own operation. The more professional we can make the classes look, typically, the easier the job is convincing someone that you will meet their marketing dollar expectations. NHRA is even known to people for two reasons: legacy/family traditions and the biggest names, mostly that of Force.

These are some of the baddest ass machines on the planet, but unfortunately that alone isn't enough to sell. Our counterparts in other forms of racing have different event formats, but I'll tell you the major difference. Most of the drivers in F1, Indy and NASCAR are trained from a very young age how to deal with sponsors and publicity, like a Force daughter. Most have to be groomed and come up through Jr. Type series before the big show. We play it off that way, but a vast majority of drag racers are just successful people in life who want to go racing. If a person has enough cash, they can hop right in a top fuel or top alcohol car without so much as ever driven a street car with a clutch.

NHRA drivers overall are lazier on the PR front than most other forms of racing because many can just flat afford to be. Press releases go to drag racing websites. How are you going to engage more fans and open viewership by publicizing only to the people you've already snagged as fans of the sport?

 

Just thinking out loud, I think it would be nice to be able to look at NHRA's website and see who is pre entered for a regional, just like for nationals. I think it would help teams make informed decisions about travel and if one event is way over booked and another event, only a few hours further way is short on car count, maybe this could help even things out. I also think it would be nice if there was a place to go on their website to follow alcohol racing as a whole. This way fans do not have to check one website for National event coverage and then have to go to the sportsman website to see the regional results. Another thing that I thought was really cool and I would like to see more of is that Vegas streams video from their regionals. As far as sponsorship, we have spoken to several potential sponsers already involved in motorsports marketing and the bottom line is we don't get enough exposure time. A few seconds and the run is over while in other forms of motorsports the sponsor justifies his money as well spent because they get to see their name on national TV for 5 hours every Sunday. The problem with the alcohol classes is we are too close to the big show, while this is a great stepping stone for up and coming drivers, to the average fan we are just another dragster or funny car. The reason pro mod has become so popular in recent years is the diversity of body styles and the diversity of the power plants. While going fast is cool we need something else to distinguish us as a class to the average fan. I still think that a regional should be marketed as a mini national with Pro Sportsman classes headlining the show.

 

Justin:

I understand what your saying it is an argument that has been tossed around in the business world for many many years. Its called letting the product speak for itself. And you are correct the product has to be quality. Or in our case the delivery mechanism of our customers product has to be quality. But i will explain a fact i have proven and proven to my partners in my businesses many many times. Now keep in mind this is in the aspect of a business.....

If i have a product i want to sell and i tell 50 of my friends about it 5 or 10 of them are going to come to me and check it out. If i go on social media and conventional media i get the word out to 50 million friends then 5 or 10 million of them check out my product. So what im saying here is if i have a classy car and classy operation and win every race in TAD im going to expose my customers products to the 50 friends.

If when my car won an event and my driver stands at the scales and rants for hours and throw the words like Castrol and Ford in the middle of it. I would reach 0 million potential customers. When JF is at the scales the camera crew is waiting with open arms. He reaches the 50 million potential customers. When TAD runs i get greeted by the 90 year old super sexy woman "LOL" at the timeslip shack. And i can guarantee she don't want to hear about my rant with my sponsors thrown in the middle of it.

How do we create the next Joey Logano when he has to come with 5 million to the table to be seen at NHRA? He was seen for 1/5th of that on TV many many times before he ever climbed in a cup car.

NHRA as an organization has no obligation to us to expand our visibility and given copyright laws we are limited in what we can do for ourselves. I personally believe what the guys at Bangshift are doing at the CHRR is great grassroots work and NHRA needs to take a serious look at what they are doing no matter how "grassroots" it looks or feels. They are on to something there.

If NHRA is smart they evaluate why things are going in the direction it is going and take bold steps to correct the ship. If JFR and DSR and Kalitta closed there doors today and liquidated what would the pit area look like and how much would ESPN pay then?

But if that happened i could appreciate 50 less apparel trailers and more trailers selling Smoked Turkey legs!

Dave

 

Dave, your ideas are exactly why the PSA exists. Its a communication vessel to NHRA from Alky Racers. For everyone to put their heads together, come up with ideas, present them to NHRA and work with them to put them in action. Everyone has all these different and some similar ideas as far as what can be done.

What people failed to understand is PSA isn't a send your check in and forget about it type deal. You get out what you put in. If every racer spent even 20-30 minutes a week working on ideas or events in support, think of how much could be accomplished.

 

Thanks

Justin,
You have a priceless ability to put thoughts and feelings into words that I envy. I know alot of us feel this way about the PSA and the Alky classes. You convey it to others like we can't. Thanks for your post.
To all,
Obviously if the current and future alky racers don't care, or don't want us promoting the classes in the fashion we are trying to, then we don't want to keep spending our own money and time just to get bashed on.
I've been watching this thread, and wish there everyone would share their opinion. (In a polite manner, of course)
We are still looking for nomination for board members, so that we may have elections December 9th week. It's your chance to get yourself, or your choice, onto the PSA to help . If everyone doesn't want this effort to continue, or won't support it, then we can cancel the elections and pull the plug.
Speak now or forever hold your peace,
Marty Thacker
PSA Board Member & TA/D Team Owner/Operator

 

Psa

Marty
I think you should have a poll or ballot section where people can vote on the continuance of the PSA. I think it should be where you can vote YES or No in Private without them having to voice their opinion for all to see and then criticize their feelings. I also think you should post the number of members for 2014 so people can see if there are only a few members or enough to make a difference but not the names. Also I think people should be able to submit some of there ideas in private so they also won't be criticized by those who disagree. Then the board could bring these ideas to membership. I spoke to a Manufacturer who I won't name but one who we all know in Vegas and he was not very positive on the direction of the PSA but he did not want to comment as it could hurt his business. He also said he would not join. I think the PSA is a great idea but does need some direction. Whether some of Cody Perkins ideas are viable or not is for everyone to decide.

With the Holidays upon us I would also like to ask that we all pray for the Family's and Friends that have lost Loved ones this past year. We have all lost some of the racing community this past year. May God comfort them in these times
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Geno

PS. Regardless of whether the PSA continues or not I want to say I think Todd Veney has done a GREAT JOB for the PSA and all alcohol racers and for that I wish to Thank Him as well as all the board members and others for their efforts.

 

Marty is correct, like i said in my first rant i am available by the email stated in my first post in this thread.

 

If you haven't had much response on whether or not to keep the PSA going, you may post a list of positive things that have been done and a basic breakdown of financials

I think y'all have done a good job. If you keep going I'll gladly send you a check.

I only really have one thought and some people won't like it. Could you organize with tracks that we pay extra entry fee, they match it, and they spend it all on advertising. Fliers in parts stores/convenience stores, possible radio, whatever. You could have a pre-designed poster and just change the track logo, dates, times. For $100ea a race it will at the very least make us look like we're trying to help.

 

Doesn't it make you wonder Why

Doesn't it make you wonder Why there has been very few responses about whether to continue the PSA or not? You get pages of responses from posts about rule changes, safety issues and even things like Evan Knoll or other trivia BS when nobody asks for a response. Marty has asked about if the PSA should continue or not and very few people have responded. Just wondering WHY very few people have responded to his question. I suggested that a survey should be taken in private so people would not criticize peoples choices. Is everyone just not wanting to express there feelings on the internet or what? It sure would be nice to know how most people feel about the PSA continuing or not, even if it meant by a private poll. If only a few people join they are probably going to feel like, Why did I join when most people did not . If a lot of people join then there are those that will say I wish I would have joined as well to show my support. I think there should definitely be some type of defining answer as to continue or not. To decide because nobody responded I think would be a mistake. It really would be nice to see what the majority of people think about the PSA, not just the thoughts of a few people. 1,700+ views and only 8 responses

 

Psa

I am kind of the new kid on the block since I have only raced this class for 2 years (and not very competitively I might add), I know most of the alcohol guys have been at this for years and before that there dad or family did it,
So I figure I haven't earned a right to speak up, but I love these cars always have, the tad/tafc class is the best and hardest class to run bar none in my opinion. with that being said I would like to see the pro-sportsman association continue and grow and whatever I can do to help just let me know.
Don Nolan
tad #392

 

I really appreciate all the input and opinions posted on the site regarding PSA and other alternatives. As an alcohol racer for nearly 20 years, I can honestly say I have met some of the best people and made some great friendships along the way. As has been said, the alcohol classes have some of the baddest cars and most competitive racing out there. Over the years I have had varying levels of money and time to race, but always love to get back to the track.
I would say that without a doubt the PSA is a worthwhile endeavor and worth supporting. Todd Veney's write-ups have been outstanding, and I think every racer mentioned in them appreciated it. The autograph signing events have been a lot of fun...just give a signed picture to a smiling kid for his one big race a year and you would be hooked too.
Getting folks aligned and to agree on a course of action is tough....but that does not say it's not worth it. We will never please everyone, but if we get the 80% and achieve the goals Will mentioned when we started this thing we are much better than we were before. It's a hell of a privilege to be a part of something like alcohol racing, let's do what we can to keep it.
Buy a sticker, get on a conference call, participate in an autograph session, or be a good representative of the class, but take action.
Be a part of something bigger than yourself.

 

Mark, I think you missed your calling as a motivational speaker

 

We'd like to see it continue. Unfortunately, since we've been on a forced racing vacation, we are not privey to the info that gets shared at the track. Everyone is busy and it's hard to distribute info, but if there is something I can do to help, I'd be more than happy to.

Happy Holidays everyone,
Nancy

 

Hello this is Coby Jones and I am moving up to TAD this coming season. I am new to all of this and was wondering if there is a website for this PSA organization?

 

website

PSA Website
http://www.prosportsmanassociation.com/

 

thanks for the info!