Spectator interest

[Bentley03]

With just two days to go until we get the first sight of the new Peugeot 908 (the real one!), my mind turned to some of the discussions on this 'epic' thread. In terms of sportscar racing, this is a big news item. In terms of motorsport in general, this is a big news item. We're talking about the first glimpse of a car that will bring a major manufacturer back to sportscar racing (and in particular, Le Mans), going head to head with the might of Audi who have ruled the roost in this area of motorsport for so many years.

But will the press/media coverage reflect the magnitude of this event? The unveiling of the 908, the reveal of Peugeot's driver line-up and presumably a clarification of their intended 2007 race programme. This is big news for our sport. Let's hope (in light of so much that's been said on this thread) that it's treated as such......

[Asa]

Something tells me that the Ferrari launch that will happen without the car will actually get more media coverage than the Peugeot 908.

That's because Ferrari has Kimi who is one of the world's top athlete/celebrity and he's going to appear in Ferrari's colours officialy for the first time.

[old man]

Excellent post Bentley03, Sir, it will certainly be interesting to see who covers it. Autosport will be there perhaps but it may be difficult to fit the story in, what with the Show an' all! Now if they had decided to launch it at the show the worlds media are certain to be at this event!!

Of course coming to the Midlands for a big launch this week would not have been a major PR occasion for Peugeot as there is an ironic co-incidence with the last car coming out of Ryton. Perhaps some of the British media might link up the two stories.

The event does have major "Green" credentials, two low consumption cars competing in one of the worlds top 3 motor races improving technology for the motorist etc. Top Gear could have a good story out of it but I bet we see little on TV, Greenlight will film it so the satelite system will get it eventually. It all depends how good the Peugeot PR people are, plenty to go at

[Bentley03]

Originally Posted by old man

Excellent post Bentley03, Sir, it will certainly be interesting to see who covers it. Autosport will be there perhaps but it may be difficult to fit the story in, what with the Show an' all! Now if they had decided to launch it at the show the worlds media are certain to be at this event!!

Of course coming to the Midlands for a big launch this week would not have been a major PR occasion for Peugeot as there is an ironic co-incidence with the last car coming out of Ryton. Perhaps some of the British media might link up the two stories.

The event does have major "Green" credentials, two low consumption cars competing in one of the worlds top 3 motor races improving technology for the motorist etc. Top Gear could have a good story out of it but I bet we see little on TV, Greenlight will film it so the satelite system will get it eventually. It all depends how good the Peugeot PR people are, plenty to go at

You're right, the timing (in the UK at least) is unfortunate. Too many get out clauses for those in the media who may choose to 'prioritise'. I'm not hopeful of what I would consider to be appropriate coverage (as you may have gleaned from my last post )..........

[isynge]

Peugeot's timing/choice of locations has often been a touch strange. I seem to remember they announced the programme during Le Mans week 2005, but chose to do so in Paris when all the expert media was in, you guessed it, Le Mans.

Either way it'll be monumentally interesting to compare it with the R10 launch last year, which I think comfortably ticked all the boxes in terms of slick presentation.

Mainstream media coverage? I'd say forget it, in a world where F1 gets to be honest marginal billing in overall sports coverage I'd be amazed if the rollout of a Peugeot sportscar attracted any interest at all. Coverage in Autosport etc? Possibly a bit more - Le Mans seems to have quite a billing at the show, and they've upped their sportscar coverage a bit in the last few months.

[old man]

Originally Posted by isynge

Peugeot's timing/choice of locations has often been a touch strange. I seem to remember they announced the programme during Le Mans week 2005, but chose to do so in Paris when all the expert media was in, you guessed it, Le Mans.

Either way it'll be monumentally interesting to compare it with the R10 launch last year, which I think comfortably ticked all the boxes in terms of slick presentation.

Mainstream media coverage? I'd say forget it, in a world where F1 gets to be honest marginal billing in overall sports coverage I'd be amazed if the rollout of a Peugeot sportscar attracted any interest at all. Coverage in Autosport etc? Possibly a bit more - Le Mans seems to have quite a billing at the show, and they've upped their sportscar coverage a bit in the last few months.

Not much, still lousy slow and ill informed

[The Badger]

[QUOTE=Bentley03]But will the press/media coverage reflect the magnitude of this event? QUOTE]

Ive got a sneaking feeling that the TV coverage that has not been with the LMS before , will certainly be there come mid season . Its a french managed series with a hugh french car manufacturer about to jump on board .

I presume (hope) that Herr Ulrich will be well pleased come this time next year .

[isynge]

Originally Posted by old man

Not much, still lousy slow and ill informed

Completely agree on all three points here - although interestingly I had occasion to dig out my slightly random collection of Autosports from the '80s and '90s over the Christmas break and one of the things that struck me was that their sportscar coverage, when it was good was very very good (the race reports really told you what happened when and there was a reasonable density of sportscars on the cover) but there were many weeks when there'd be absolutely nothing in there at all.

Once you got into the really dark days of the mid '90s (and let's remind ourselves, that even although there are problems in sportscars now it's been a lot lot worse not all that long ago) outside Le Mans the news pages of Autosport were pretty much a sportscar free zone.

At least these days I'd back there to be something, however limited, in there.

[old man]

So all those who go to the show, call in at the main Autosport stand and tell them what we think

[JAG]

A small point, but I did notice the Peugeot and Porsche challenge to Audi was mentioned on the TV and radio ad's for the Autsosport Show, with had second billing only to F1.

I've also just recieved the LMS newsletter and in it they say the websites been revamped, there's a new LMS DVD and book review, and teams will be encouraged to put a second seat in their cars so they can take guests on hot laps the Saturday before a race.

[JAG]

[QUOTE=The Badger]

Originally Posted by Bentley03

But will the press/media coverage reflect the magnitude of this event? QUOTE]

Ive got a sneaking feeling that the TV coverage that has not been with the LMS before , will certainly be there come mid season . Its a french managed series with a hugh french car manufacturer about to jump on board .

I presume (hope) that Herr Ulrich will be well pleased come this time next year .

We've already seen Motors TV commit to a 20+ part 'Endurance' show this year.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by JAG

A small point, but I did notice the Peugeot and Porsche challenge to Audi was mentioned on the TV and radio ad's for the Autsosport Show, with had second billing only to F1.

I've also just recieved the LMS newsletter and in it they say the websites been revamped, there's a new LMS DVD and book review, and teams will be encouraged to put a second seat in their cars so they can take guests on hot laps the Saturday before a race.

I think it should be mandated that all cars have two seats as it is implied in the rules by design standards. And I think it would go a long way to improving coverage/popularity if the uninitiated got their nickers wadded up in the jump seat!

L.P.

[JAG]

'Another novelty for 2007: from now onwards, it will be possible for the teams to install a second bucket seat in their cars.
This measure will delight all the teams involved as it will allow them to share their passion for motorsport in the most thrilling manner.

Furthermore, in welcoming the possibility to do track laps with sponsors, journalists or VIPs on the Saturday of each of the six race week ends, the competitors and the organisers will have the oppurtunity to give them an unforgettable week end with this track experience.



The competitors are in VIP on the net !

Competitors in the Le Mans series come from throughout the world, but the strength of the Le Mans Series has always been the closeness of the teams with the organisers of the series.

In reserving them a special area on the website, we will give them not only the chance to instantly see the latest news, but also to download important documents. Entry forms, Sporting and Technical regulations, entry lists… they are now at their disposal 7 days a week, 24 hours a day !

An important point to remember is that the entry forms must be returned by the 26th of January at the latest. '

[HORNDAWG]

L.P.

[JAG]

http://www.lemans-series.com/2007/uk/medias/medias.asp

Website now online.

Info about car clubs etc. wishing to go to events.

[HORNDAWG]

I think that is a stellar move. To actually get the press( mainstream) in favor of the Series should go a long way to improving coverage.

L.P.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by JAG

http://www.lemans-series.com/2007/uk/medias/medias.asp

Website now online.

Info about car clubs etc. wishing to go to events.

On the left at "Our sponsors" besides Michelin and Rolex also Peugeot. But that's not really a surprise for me.

[old man]

Just looked at the new website for LMS and seen the motor clubs idea. This is just a hospitality package really like the SRO one, 520 Euro for the VIP weekend pass is a bit steep don't you think? For the cheapest I wonder what is in the Gourmet lunch basket? It's a start but I would like to see more emphasis on the family passes

I wonder if they will invite car clubs to display as happens at ALMS, some concessionarry rates for an owners club would get more people in. No news yet on the TV package

[old man]

I just spent a week in Canada and just one evening (Friday) watched some Speed TV to see what they show in the OFF season, turned out to be a three hour programme Live from a car auction and as usual they did it very well. Our specialist TV stations have a lot learn from Speed and it would be great if that level of production could be brought over to Europe for our LMS and FIA GT series.

PS, Some beautiful cars were sold as well, the Barker Jarrett auction or something like that (?)

[Truckosaurus]

The Barrett-Jackson auctions are shown in the UK, on the Men&Motors channel.

[JAG]

Talking of increased media coverage for sportscars I've just watched part 1 of the Autosport Show review and in an hour program covering F1 and Sportscars, Sportscars recieved 35m-40m coverage!

Hindy was presenting so he may have had a say in what was covered.

In fact Motors TV seems to have a lot of sportscar fans on both the French and English sides of the station, from commentators to behind the scenes staff. Let's make the most of the coverage and praise them when they deserve it.

[old man]

I missed that whilst away, is it repeated does anyone know, suppose I'de better check schedules

[old man]

GG's interview with SRO on DSC is very interesting and I suspect Graham was prompted in some questions by comments on 10/10ths. Of particular interest to our German freinds was talk of live FIA cover on DSF covering I think it said 90% of German housholds, is that right? The worry was that it seemed we may lose the live coverage in the UK as there was no mention of it, just highlights on Motors, it was said that negotiations were still going on with Sky but I suppose not enough watched on Bravo. No mention of any improved spectator information and he did not really answer Graham's question on radio networks or circuit radio.

Did you feel he had any real desire to improve the service to the spectator Graham? Very well done overall I thought

[JAG]

Glad to see Ratels not directly involved in the LMS any longer.

Better to keep LMS and FIA GT seperate.

[chrisdhall]

Hey guys, my ffirst post here (though have always read forum with interest )

Just to let you know that MSA have launched an R&D survey into improving British Motorsports - they are trying to work out a 5 year plan an are taking the opinions of racers, fans, marshalls and reporters for 2 & 4 wheel racing.

I've taken part in the survey and expressed that there was nowhere nearly enough TV coverage, the sport is too expensive; when trackside there's no facilities for people to actually follow the racing (i.e timing screens, AM radios for commentary) and the fact they don't actually explain to people how a series in run (if someone was a new fan to BGT there is nowhere for them to get 'a beginners guide' to the series, explaining limitations of the cars and classes, the rules on driver changes)

Hopefully they'll get enough people participating in the survey, that MSA/SRO might actually listen.