Ah, magazine articles! VDCA sent a rep to Barber before anyone in the vintage
community had raced
there. Our rep was given a nice tour, photos were taken and we had a nice
article published in
Victory Lane. Then, when we arrived, our racers were treated like they were
trying to steal or
damage something.
After the event we had another article published, which ignored the bad things
and talked about the
wonderfulness of the place. It's business you know. Even Burt Levy's articles
about race tracks
dont have a section for rating how the mgmt treats entrants, organizers and
spectators.
Same thing with MO. No magazine is going to publish a whining article. It
doesnt encourage racers
to go to events, which doesnt help the bottom line of race organizers, who are
the ones paying for
the ads that publish the magazine.
Only communication among entrants shows what is happening to everyday entrants.
I look forward to a report of how things go at SVRA Mid-Ohio next month. MO is
my favorite track
and I'll miss it this year to go to Mosport on the same weekend.
Mike Jackson
N197TR4@cs.com wrote:
> FoT,
>
> There have been some exchanges back and forth on the Mid-Ohio issues with
> assurances given that there is a "New Mid-Ohio" and that the 'gestapo tactics'
> problem has been taken care of.
>
> We know that the real problem resides at the highest level. I suspect that
> the "top level" has recognized this. And it isnt just the security issue....
>
> But the horror stories will continue to circulate until there is good news to
> displace it. Human nature.
>
> Public Relations Time.
>
> A couple of well placed, well written articles (GRM/Vintage
> Motorsports/Victory Lane) might work quickly and with little pain. Word of
>mouth will take over
> from there, if there is substance.
>
> Although the situation is likely different for the non spectator VSCDA event
> in October, PR work done now might have a positive impact on that particular
> event. I dont think a personalized form letter and a couple of gratuitous
> spectator tickets will do it.
>
> Mid-Ohio's success is good for everyone. I am looking forward to a 'user
> friendly' Mid-Ohio instead of the "Mongrels of Mid-Ohio", as one west coaster
> described them.
>
> I am anxious to hear what Mid-Ohio Management has planned for us. A Win/Win
> would be good.
>
> Joe (A)
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