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KDXGarage
1/20/2019 9:16am
1/20/2019 9:16am
Edited Date/Time
1/21/2019 11:27am
I think last night's format made for exciting racing, BUT...
I watched / listened to practice and qualifying yesterday. The top 18 went to the night show, plus four from an LCQ. No one that watched just the night show (TV or app) saw 23rd on back. If you didn't qualify, your sponsors got no TV time. All those 23rd to 40/44th guys would have to tell potential sponsors it is likely your company name would not be on TV.
I don't think that is a positive for the sport, though the format might make good TV.
What are your thoughts on it?
I watched / listened to practice and qualifying yesterday. The top 18 went to the night show, plus four from an LCQ. No one that watched just the night show (TV or app) saw 23rd on back. If you didn't qualify, your sponsors got no TV time. All those 23rd to 40/44th guys would have to tell potential sponsors it is likely your company name would not be on TV.
I don't think that is a positive for the sport, though the format might make good TV.
What are your thoughts on it?
We have 3 tires that last 20 minutes
8 tires that last 10 minutes
10 tires that last 8 minutes
1 tire that won’t finish a race!
Etc.
The Shop
This is better exposure than they would ever get during an LCQ. Can’t see the sponsors on the bike from the camera as they race past and those outside the top 4 in an LCQ get zero mention so that would be irrelevant as an argument to give them air time, imo.
Ive been saying for a while we dont need privateers in 450 SX. This is the premiere, highest level of dirt bike racing in our country, we need to fill the field with Factory riders. You wont see privateers walk on in any other premiere sport.
Make the 250 class a stock class and let Privateers rule the Lites, otherwise just run the 250 class all year long and call it what it is, instead of calling it a feeder series.
You will say it will cost jobs to make the 250 one coast, but those jobs, rides, sponsors, and dollars need to go to the 450 class if the 250 is really a feeder class.
I much prefer to watch Triple Crown over both of the prior formats they have tried.
Just show the LCQ's and try to watch a privateer during the day on the crappy NBC GOLD app if it doesnt crash on you.
Get that "Privateers dont make enough money" story out of here. Every single one of them could be doing something else and not risking it for a highlight real with Ralph.
I can list them but just talk to one and he can certainly tell you what he does for his sponsors.
If sponsors are concerned with being seen on TV then they can step up and sponsor top talent. Obviously how much or how little a rider gets support from his sponsor is based on many things. His relationship with the sponsor, how he promotes the brand at the track and lastly race results. I am sure there are more ways.
A privateer can take some lessons from Dean Wilson who currently is engaging in a brilliant self promotion campaign.
His grandpa Earl bit was featured last night along with a quick view into his life. I can’t overstate the importance of social media for any struggling pro. Self promotion along with getting his sponsors on video is a powerful tool. He doesn’t need to be a big name, just aggressive in his campaign.
In closing there are many ways a privateer can get exposure for their individual sponsors outside making mains. It just comes down to how creative and aggressive they are.
Pit Row
The sport is not a sport.
Hardly any racing IS.
If you look at the trends trickling into amatuers - it's all about money. The families with it, in general - are the ones who have kids who make it. Not totally true of the "champions" but in general you have to have access to means
The 8 year privateers all generally have means of some variety.
Bagget's dad isn't poor...
Tomacs dad did all right....
Bloss's family is loaded
mosimans' family is loaded
dakota alix's family good money
It's a sad reality - but you start with 2 million if you want to end up with 1. People are addicted to racing like any other drug - and for that reason the sport hasn't truly become a sport.
bikes and parts and gear get sold, more sponsors come in and more dollars are freed up to support pros: factory and privateers alike.
May not come at all......
The split 250 series is a joke. Not near enough talent to break it into two series. Hopefully one of these days they will combine it like it should be.
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