Persistant problems with all LMS races for spectators - Page 4

henk4 · 1 Sep 2006, 19:33 (Ref:1699490)

Sponsors are looking for exposure. The best exposure is found via live TV and secondly via media like magazines and to a lesser (but increasing) extent internet. (like for instance in this specific case Daily Sportscar). The amount of spectators might not be a great concern. Why otherwise organise FIA GT races at Paul Ricard that does not even allow access for the public and there are absolutely no facilities.

The only relationship with the actual event that sponsors (in general) have is when they are invited for specific races (and get the VIP treatment). That should be organised pretty well.

**Adam43** · 1 Sep 2006, 19:42 (Ref:1699502)

Exposure on DSC, that reminds me time for a whisky...

Graham Goodwin · 1 Sep 2006, 21:06 (Ref:1699561)

By no means all sponsors are looking for media exposure - although they'll take it if they can get it!

Very many do it to give them the opportunity for corporate hospitality, "Come racing with us and see 'our' car win!" It works too - Anyone at Donington would have seen RML doing exactly this - And doing it very well too.

**Adam43** · 1 Sep 2006, 21:27 (Ref:1699577)

Oh yeah, part and parcel. The Audi hospitality at Le Mans is extemely good I hear. They want and need people writing about them.

I would be interested how the different sponsors rank the importance of track, TV, press and specialist press exposure. There is also the chance to wine and dine at race meetings - this is very important to many sponsors. They aren't in it so that people see he name on the car, they just want a good corporate day out. Of course if you are trying to impress potential customers or suppliers it would be nice if the spectator areas were full.

Graham Goodwin · 2 Sep 2006, 00:20 (Ref:1699642)

Couldn't agree more Adam

henk4 · 2 Sep 2006, 05:41 (Ref:1699824)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

It works too - Anyone at Donington would have seen RML doing exactly this - And doing it very well too.

I enjoyed their breakfast....

rdjones · 2 Sep 2006, 20:37 (Ref:1700224)

Quote:

Originally Posted by henk4

I enjoyed their breakfast....

You where not the only one.

TheNewBob · 3 Sep 2006, 05:41 (Ref:1700377)

There were people with RML merchandise everywhere at Donington, I had wondered on the day if a sponsor of theirs had invited lots of guests (like John Guest did a while back).

For Henk4 - Yes, Britain is an expensive place these days and not everyone is going to want to travel there, but that reason alone is not surely enough to take it's race away? The country has so much racing heritage (and heritage was one of the reasons the original LMES plan sighted for it's 1,000km races - same goes with Monza and Nurburgring for that one, not just the UK), many teams and sponsors and many knowledgable and enthusiastic fans. Not to mention good circuits with decent spectating points - how many people have ever complained so far about the viewpoints at Donington?

If your not a press/media member and you love the racing so much, then cost isn't really an issue - you'll still do all you can to make the effort. Look at the lengths people go to in order to enjoy Le Mans so much afterall. Plus look how much F1 fans are prepared to be completely ripped off in order to get a decent ticket for race day.

So for a country with a reknowned motorsports history and following, then I don't agree that the race should ever be pulled purely because some people (certainly not all) don't particularly want to travel there because they find the journey tedious and the experience to be expensive. For example I have no intentions of visiting Belgium as a country but I'm more than happy to be making the journey to see the Spa 24 hours next year.

This all said in conjunction with my previous comment regarding the number of teams, and the drivers enjoying the tracks.

henk4 · 3 Sep 2006, 07:37 (Ref:1700418)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNewBob

For Henk4 - Yes, Britain is an expensive place these days and not everyone is going to want to travel there, but that reason alone is not surely enough to take it's race away?

By adding a smiley to my suggestion I made it clear that I was supposing the insupposable

1969MGCGTdriver · 4 Sep 2006, 02:11 (Ref:1701141)

Quote:

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Talk is cheap.

If you love ALMS GT, ELMS GT or FIA GT races, how far would you travel to watch a live race?? and how much entry fee would you pay to specatate ??

Or would you watch all the races on TV?

Well let's see.....
I live in the suburbs of Orlando. EVERY year I go to Sebring (100+ miles). This year I will go to PLM in Atlanta (long f'n trip). Family of 4, get expensive, but we love it. The next closest race to me is Houston. There is no way in hell I'm gooing to travel that far for a stupid street race. Now if only ALMS were to go to Daytona.......

As for live tv. I watch every single race.

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