Racing Promotion MonthlyPage 6 RPM@Indy: Schedule of Sessions Page 12 RPM@Indy Pre-Register For ......

Season Recap:

Are We Turning The Sport Around?

Page 6RPM@Indy:

Schedule of Sessions

2RPM@Indy

Pre-Register ForDallara Tour Clearance

Page 21TechSpec

NeSmith “Metric”Chassis

Page 25ARPY BallotNominate Now!

Page 22Workshop

CredentialsFAXable App

Racing Promotion MonthlyThe Idea Newsletter For Auto Racing PromotersProducer Of The Annual RPM Promoters Workshops

Vegas, Indy, Daytona, Hotels P8, App P22, Ballot P25, Download Schedules, P12

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P5 Season Recap: Are We Turning The Sport Around?P6 Welcome New ReadersP6 RPM@Indy Session ScheduleP8 Workshops Dates, Places, HotelsP9 Questions On The Editor’s MindP9 Workshops Session Preview, Building Big EventsP10 Daring To Differ With Conventional WisdomP10 Workshops Session Preview: Adapting To The New FacebookP11 Workshops Session Preview: Annual Case Law SummaryP11 Workshops Session Preview: Digital Timing & ScoringP11 Workshops Preview, Partnering With Sponsors For ProfitP12 Legalert: Drug and Alcohol Policy P12 INEX Updates, Session Added @Vegas, @DaytonaP13 Profile, John “Red” MacDonald, Regional Promoter of the YearP15 Profile, Charles Powell, Auto Racing Promoter of the YearP16 Exhibitors: Directory Of Services For PromotersP21 NeSmith XYG “Metric” ChassisP22 FAXable Credential Application, Vegas, Indy, DaytonaP24 The History of the ARPY Award, Honor Roll of ARPYs, P25 FAX Ballot, Regional Auto Racing Promoter of the Year

Racing Promotion Monthly The Idea Newsletter For Auto Racing Promoters

Presenter of theAuto Racing Promoter of the Year Awards Sponsored ByCharlotte Motor Speedway...

Producer of the AnnualRPM Promoters Workshops

Issue 45.10Volume 45, Number 10

On The Cover...

Dean Malone provided this aerial of Boone Speedway during the IMCA Super Nationals.

(Track Photo)

The voice of short track owners and promoters, fostering cooperation, communication and the exchange of expertise.

This Month In RPM

EDITOR: Stewart Doty FOUNDER: Stew ReamerPHONE 715-536-1067 FAX 715-536-3616 MAIL: PO Box 406, Merrill, WI 54452E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

Copyright 2015, Racing Promotion Monthly.

EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: The RPM E-Letter, Racing Promotion Monthly, InsideGroove, and Websites are digests of ideas provided to the operators of auto racing facilities. Published material is informational in nature and is adapted from many sources. The editor, publisher, parent corporation, the publication's sponsors and all their heirs and assigns, assume no responsibility for the practicality of the ideas and information appearing herein. Persons using or adapting ideas or procedures from the E-Letter and RPM do so of their own freewill, and assume all risk for incidents which may occur because of, or despite, the adaptation or use of such ideas and procedures. Editorial content and views

expressed are those of the editors, and do not necessarily reflect opinions of the newsletter's sponsors.

PRIVACY POLICY: RPM does not sell subscriber information. When promoters and other readers provide RPM with their mailing address, telephone numbers, cell phone numbers, or e-mail addresses, for any reason, they are used only by RPM for communicating with subscribers. Data are not sold or distributed to third parties. RPM does, however, provide exhibitors with a list of mailing addresses and phone numbers for tracks registered for the Workshops, a service offered as part of commercial registration for more than 20 years.

Contact:[email protected]: 715.536.1067F: 715-536-3616

Season Recap: Are We Turning This Sport Around? Questions On Our Mind As We Go To Las Vegas

The Promoters’ Front PageMore Ideas, More Cars, More Fans

Above The Yard Of Bricks: The third RPM@Indy Workshop will convene December 9, 2015, in the Media Center at Indianapolis

Motor Speedway, on the fourth floor of the Tower Terrace Building just northward of the Pagoda. A schedule of sessions can be

found on page 6. Plan now, add a day to your trade show trip in December, and then plan to join colleagues on May 29, 2016,

when the Speedway celebrates the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500, a milestone no other race or race track, can

make. (RPM Photo)

5

This is time of year when big board companies report earnings and give Wall Street their projections for 2016. It’s a mix as usual. Caterpillar is preparing for a difficult period, but others are more optimistic. One reads of big layoffs, even at high-tech and Web companies, plant closures, and new smokestack industry contracts such as Fiat Chrysler’s with the auto workers that reveal that the Dodge Viper sold 28% fewer cars this year than in 2014 and will disappear after 2017.

These stories coincide with the run up to the Las Vegas and Indianapolis Workshops when we talk with many of you by phone, and you offer your thoughts on the season. As we pack for our western trip, we ponder these conversations, think about our agenda for the meetings, consider the gossip, the year’s promoter squabbles, and factor in the hard news about who’s going where and doing what next year. As we do so, we ask ourselves, “Are we really turning this sport around, or just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic?”

Heard It Through The Grapevine So far, there’s a variety of reports. Among them, a track that ran the table without a

rain out (surprising but true, in a year with much rain). Many tracks completed schedules with the expected number of rain outs. Strong special event attendance was reported, but only occasionally stronger weekly attendance. Growing individual race classes were reported, but few reports of strong overall car count growth. Mostly, car counts just held their own, often with worrisome car count trends in the background. The sponsor market was firmer, but flat. As we have for a decade or more, we hear that fans are more choosy, more fickle, less regular-- oh, and lest we overlook it, growing grayer many places.

What We Don’t HearWhen it comes to next year, we most often heard about plans to add new booked-in tour shows, about schedules being massaged to place dates better, about plans to create or morph to crate-engined classes, about dropped classes, and the anticipation of increased point funds to better care for drivers. It’s what we don’t hear about that troubles us most. We hear few plans to take better care of

(See Questions, P6)

Welcome Readers

Welcome to the Racing Promotion Monthly promoters’ community. As an RPM reader, you benefit from more than 40 seasons of experience, expertise, and ideas, proven by successful short track people. This newsletter and the RPM Promoters Workshops produced by Racing Promotion Monthly are the point of contact for any promoter looking for ideas, advice, feedback, or a gateway to tap into the resources and collected experience of more than 1,000 promoters, from 107 Workshops, and a 45-year knowledge base of over 500 issues of this newsletter. If you are a newcomer just getting your feet wet in the complex business of track operation and race event promotion, looking for others you can bounce ideas off, trying to sift fact from myth, we are available to talk with you seven days a week and will facilitate or answer every inquiry. Plan to attend one of the three RPM Promoters Workshops next winter. The Workshops and this newsletter are time well-spent that will boost your attendance and strengthen your bottom line. Enjoy this newsletter and the others that follow. Follow RPM on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Subscribe to the RPM Newsletter RSS feed, and you’ll not miss a single update. Thank you for reading and best of luck with your endeavors!

The Ultra-Modern Media Center: You’ll feel the history and tradition. The Speedway and its staff

looks forward to hosting promoters. (RPM Photo)

6

(Questions, From P5)

the tracks themselves or promoters. One caller said he’d spend more on his trip to RPM@Vegas than he made this year at the track. (Let’s see... $275 for the airfare, about $230 for the hotel, a coupla hundred to eat in restaurants and pick up a tab or two, a coupla hundred dollars for the casino...) Methinks he works too hard for such a small return on his time, never mind the money invested. This is a widespread problem right now being swept under the industry’s rug. His loyalty to RPM is appreciated, and we welcome the opportunity to help him make next season better, but still it’s a troubling admission.

A Widespread ProblemPeople helping RPM with its ground game before RPM@Vegas are too often told,

“Well, I’d be there, but I have a conflict and cannot be.” This, unfortunately, is public speak for, “I just cannot afford to go this year.” (BTW: there’s no shame in that. Small business can be a struggle even in good times, and we accept that. That’s why we admire so much the promoters who find a way despite all adversity.)

But, we digress... Everyone’s working to buy better, but few mention concession menu changes--for reasons of healthy eating (ugh), for variety, to create higher margin signature items, or to increase profits. Few mention they have a new promotion plan, a plan to harness new media, to harness TV, to do whatever it takes to put the opportunity for an entertaining Saturday night in front of

(See Questions, P9)

RPM@Indy Session ScheduleDecember 9, 2015

7:30 Workshops Guest Services Desk Opens

9:00 a.m. Workshop Convenes, Workshops, sponsors’s and community welcomes, followed by...

2015 Season Recap: Panel & Forum Discussion, capsulizing the 2015 season.

11:00 a.m. The View From The Chigger Patch: Auto racing journalist Joyce Standridge. Standridge will talk with promoters about the issues faced by low-buck racing families and the meaning they have for the sport as a whole.

12:00 p.m. Lunch Break, complimentary lunch on premises

1:00 p.m. Partnering With Sponsors, Mark Gundrum, ARCA Mark Gundrum, VP Business Development, and Corporate Partnerships, ARCA Racing Series, returns to share with promoters practical partnering strategies proven in business relationships between ARCA and its

sponsors. Bring a pen and notebook, a tape recorder, or your tablet, or smartphone for this one.

1:45 p.m. Gary Howe, 39th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year. His path to ARPY is a testament to the culture of the Workshops. Howe admits he knew it all, he did things his way, made the mistakes new promoters make, and created years of hardship, but now credits the promoters and the Workshops for his success.

2:30 p.m. Through The Eyes Of An Expert Witness: Promoter of the Year and frequent expert witness Larry Kemp talks with promoters about the many depositions he’s read offering risk management advice for short track operators.

3:15 p.m. The Crate Nation, Bill Martens, Chevrolet Performance reviews 12 years of sealed-engine and discusses the lessons learned and answers questions, about Chevrolet Performance 602, 604, and CT525 engines for street stock, modified, late model and sprint classes.

4:00p.m. New Facebook Strategies: Kristin Swartzlander, DirtyMouth Communications, sums up changes taking place on the Facebook platform and their

effect on promoters. She’ll explain how promoters can increase engagement despite the changes.

4:45 p.m. Looking To 2016: An Open Forum Discussion: Promoters and Workshops moderators compare and share thinking and plans for the 2016 season. After analyzing 2015, what will stay the same and what will change? What worked in 2015? What will be kept in 2016?

6:30 p.m. RPM After Hours, tour the “The Dallara IndyCar Factory,” the U.S. headquarters and manufacturing base of Dallara Automobili S.p.A., the designer and builder of the cars competing Verizon IndyCar Series, and the Indy Lights Series, followed by a social hour at Lino’s Coffee in the Dallara facility.

56-H Loomis StreetManchester, CT 06042Phone: (860) 646-9646Email: [email protected]

Baltimore2931 Industrial Park Drive Finksburg, MD 21048Phone: (410) 833-2061Email: [email protected]

Pittsburgh110 South Pike Road, #207Sarver, PA 16055Phone: (724) 360-8000Email: [email protected]

1933 Staunton TurnpikeParkersburg, WV 26104Phone: (304) 428-5000Email: [email protected]

Springfield3886 E. State Route 54Springfield, IL 62707Phone: (217) 522-1955Email: [email protected]

Indianapolis4155 N. 1000 E., Ste A, Wally Parks Dr.Brownsburg, IN 46112Phone: (317) 858-1234Email: [email protected]

Plymouth1801 Jim Neu Drive Plymouth, IN 46563Phone: (574) 936-8344Email: [email protected]

21601 John Deere LaneRogers, MN 55374Phone: (763) 428-8780Email: [email protected] www.hoosiertirenorth.com

AsphaltP.O. Box 537Welcome, NC 27374Phone: (336) 731-6100Email: [email protected]

Dirt OvalP.O. Box 1437Clinton, TN 37717Phone: (865) 457-9888Email: [email protected]

Road & DragP.O. Box 6080Maryville, TN 37802Phone: (865) 984-3232Email: road&[email protected]

3801 W. Pawnee, Suite 200 Wichita, KS 67213Phone: (316) 945-4000Email: [email protected]

Nebraska12252 N 153rd CircleBennington, NE 68007Phone: (402) 281-9700 [email protected]

103 Gross Road, Bldg. AMesquite, TX 75149Phone: (972) 289-RACE (7223)Email: [email protected]

2608 E. CaliforniaFresno, CA 93721Phone: (559) 485-4512Email: [email protected]

117-119 Cushman RoadSt. Catherines, Ontario, Canada L2M 6S9Phone: (905) 685-3184Email: [email protected]

1733 Maryland AvenueNiagara Falls, NY 14305Phone: (716) 285-7502Email: usasales@bicknellracingproducts.comwww.bicknellracingproducts.com

5601-45 ST Leduc, Alberta, Canada T9E 7B1Phone: (780) 986-7223Email: [email protected]

“TIRES DESIGNED FOR CHAMPIONS” ®

65465 SR 931, Lakeville, IN 46536 (574) 784-3152 www.hoosiertire.com

14

43rd Annual RPM Promoters Workshops Series

RPM@Daytona February 14-16, 2016

RPM@Indy December 9, 2015

RPM@VegasNovember 11-13, 2015

RPM@Vegas Official Hotel: PALACE STATION HOTEL & CASINO, 2411 West Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV. Standard Tower Rooms, $34.99 Monday-Thursday, $84.99 Friday, Saturday; and standard Courtyard Rooms $24.99 Monday-Thursday, $54.99 Friday, Saturday, triple or quad occupancy rates are higher. Rates are subject to a $9.99 service fee per night and local room tax at prevailing rate. Reservation cutoff is 10/17/2015, or upon block sellout. Reservations: (800) 634-3101, and ask for offer code “PCIRPM” to receive the RPM Promoters Workshops room rate.

RPM@Indy Official Hotels: MICROTEL INN & SUITES, Indianapolis Airport, 5815 Rockville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46224. Hotel direct reservations: 317-247-9703. Special Workshops Group Rate: $59.95/night, plus tax, Reference “RPM Promoters Workshop” when calling.

SLEEP INN & SUITES, Downtown Indianapolis 1244 West 16th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 Hotel direct reservations: 317-653-1854, Web: www.sleepinnindy.com/hotel/in312 Special Group Rate: $89.95/night. Reference “RPM Promoters Workshop” when calling.

RPM@Daytona Official Hotel: HILTON DAYTONA BEACH OCEAN WALK VILLAGE Official Workshops hotel and meeting site: 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL, Hilton Hotels reservations: 866-536-8477, Hotel direct reservations: 386-254-8200 (9a-5p weekdays). Special Group Rate: $139/night, Saturday-Tuesday, Reference “RPM Promoters Workshops” when calling. www.daytonahilton.com

Event SchedulePre-Registration, Exhibit Set-Up, Welcome Reception,

November 11, 2015, 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Sessions: November 12, 2015, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sessions: November 13, 2015, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.


February 14, 2016, 4:30-9:30 p.m.

Sessions: February 15, 2016, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Sessions: February 16, 2016, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.


December 9, 2015, 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Sessions: December 9, 2015, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

9


people who don’t know about it. Everyone talked about cars and classes, but none about new race formats that might better entertain fans. We qualify that. Several have talked about adding more longer races, 75 or 100 laps to the schedule. (Hmm...)

Everyone talked about looking for ways to boost car counts, but just one about adding a no-purse entry level class. No one spoke of adding a kart track, an ATV track, or a rallycross track, and class. None so far talked about how they’ll entertain with funnier announcers, video and music, social media contests, fantasy sports, crazy intermission activities, greater access and interaction between fans and drivers. Everyone talked about promoting harder, but none about how they’ll not run later than 10 p.m., or eliminate dust and yellow flags.

Figuring Out What It Means Figuring out why we hear what we hear isn’t hard. But, for promoters and the sport’s suppliers, figuring out how to turn the sport around continues as a intractable challenge.

The Blue Chips reporting to Wall Street are public companies operated in the harshest light of day. Management is paid to sell the best possible product and make money. When management doesn’t do this or doesn’t adapt to changing conditions, profits, share prices and dividends decrease. Then, shareholders demand they fix the problems, make cuts, sell or abandon products that underperform, even chop up and sell off the company, as is happening to a prominent business where we live.

Heart Over Head Racing however, is a sport of myth, and passion, for entrants, promoters, and many

suppliers to promoters and drivers. Decisions are often made with the heart, not the head. There are good business people in the community of promoters, people like Tom Curley, Howard Commander, Bob Sargent, Ron Drager, Billy Thomas, the Queensland family, The Nuckles family, Jim Naylor, and others. (Notice most of them are ARPYs, coincidence? I doubt it.) The list goes on and is too lengthy to name all of them here. These folks who found the way to make a living in racing, and not surprisingly a weekly profit, to keep the gates open. Many of their neighbors however, instead of business people, are fans, and racers who happen to possess keys to the gates.

In It For The Wrong ReasonPromoters who were (are) racers usually possess the means from other businesses to acquire and operate of a track. Many however are committed to the perpetuation of the racing classes in which they made their name as drivers, although the classes, in their present form, are locally unsustainable. Others are endeavoring to prove that the predecessor was as crooked or inept as everyone thought or they simply enjoy oversized egos or the giddiness of racing Kool Aid. Some of these newcomers regard promotional losses as profit, because, as one said to us, “I feel like I’m making money because I’m losing less with the track than I did keeping the racing team going.” (We respect all of them. They earned the money and are free to spend it as they wish. The sport is fortunate to have there enthusiasm, and it is our privilege to know them all.) The noblest among them became promoters to preserve a valuable local recreational asset for the enjoyment of friends and neighbors and to give young

(See, Questions, P10)

Questions On Our Mind...

The IndyCar Factory: After RPM@Indy, promoters are invited to tour the North American headquarters and factory of Dallara Automobili S.p.A, builder of IndyCars, and FIA championship cars of all kinds. (RPM Photo)

The View From The Chigger Patch

Joyce Standridge joins us at all three Workshops. Joyce is an auto racing journalist, driver’s wife, car owner, pit crew member, track employee, and primarily racing fan. She is an accomplished author, collaborating with Ken Shrader and Kenny Wallace on autobiographies. Joyce is a national award winning writer for Speedway Illustrated. In her “The View From the Chigger Patch,” she’ll talk with promoters about the issues faced by low-buck racing families and the meaning they have for the sport as a whole.

RPM@Vegas, RPM@IndyRPM@Daytona

Session Preview

RPM@Vegas, RPM@DaytonaBuilding Your Own Marquee Events

Alabama track owner/promoter Billy Thomas joins us to share lessons he’s learned building big events at East Alabama Motor Speedway, the 37-year-old Alabama State Championships, the 41-year-old National 100, the Bama Bash and the Jimmy Thomas Memorial. Thomas is a believer in profitable, risk-averse, self-promoted special events and one of the best at increasing event-related revenue streams of all kinds. This promises to be some of the best practical advice ever heard at the Workshops.

Adapting To The New Facebook

Kristin Swartzlander, DirtyMouth Communications, sums up changes taking place on the Facebook platform and their effect on promoters. Swartzlander who has worked with pro sports, as well as tracks and teams, will explain how Facebook is changing and how the bottom has fallen out on the 'old way' of using it. She’ll explain how promoters can increase engagement despite the changes, and build an audience they own, so that the ever-evolving Facebook cannot continue to block you from the audience you have built.

RPM@Vegas, RPM@Indy, RPM@Daytona

Session Preview

10


people in their communities a gathering place, a laudable civic contribution.

Daring To Differ We dare to suggest here however that the sport now needs less heart and more head. Motorsports (from international Formula 1 to our grassroots), faces strong head winds, economically, socially, and operationally. None have control of runaway technology. Never mind the Artificial Intelligence that worries techies, nor the hybrid-electric or self-driving cars that promoters will eventually see at pit gates, promoters can barely control what we have. With the runaway technology, come the battles in the shadows for the hearts and minds and control of the sport. Cost must be contained, and the most recent examples are Larry Kemp’s DIRTcar 602 Pro-Sprints and Roger Hadan’s strong implementation of Racesaver Sprint rules.

The sport’s struggles with demographic and generational change and changing recreational preferences, the substitution of virtual reality for “being there” continues. Grassroots racing shares these challenges with every activity that requires folks to leave the den, but this is little consolation. Promoters must find new ways to make “being there” essential and so far the solutions--dressing up the same old race event with before-race bands, after-race parties, social media contests, and giant LED displays--have proved to be little more than Band Aids, helping keep race events in the black, but offering little boost in ticket sales. Promoters are learning, but at the weekly racing level more promoters must risk experiments. The more ideas tried, the faster the learning curve.

Back To The Future, Not EnoughThe most recent innovation with the greatest positive potential at short tracks is Mike Vaughn’s domestically-fabricated NeSmith Series replica GM Metric frames. What does this say about the sport when innovation (as necessary and potentially beneficial as Vaughn’s is), is the replication of 30-year old technology? Vaughn’s frame will keep entrants active in present classes and their families and fans buying tickets, but is of little help in developing new followings for the weekly racing.

As necessary and timely as NeSmith’s frame is, we think it is more important that the sport quickly find a way to put the cars young people drive on the same plane as the Metric cars of their grandparents. When we advocate this, we get no takers whatsoever. Companies like Proctor & Gamble spend as much time and money on “new product development” as on repositioning and repackaging of existing brands, this to keep pace with the demands of a consumer base with an insatiable need for the “new.” What repositioning, repackaging, and new product development, has oval racing done lately, another $10,000-to-win show?

New Cars, New FansRallycross is trying to establish itself in North America, drifting, after much excitement, seems to have become a regional cliquish phenomena, traditional autocrossing is seeing some underground popularity, import drag racing is strong as ever, all of these dominated by high-perf compact cars ignored by ovals, except for the obligatory Hornet classes. (Cars promoters contemptuously refer to as “Fart Can” cars.) Oval racing is built on “Racing the cars we drive.” Does anyone drive a IMCA

(See Questions, P11)

Daring To Differ

High-Tech Manufacturing: Our Dallara tour will include a walk through of the production area

where Dallara manufactures and assembles IndyCar and sport car chassis. form carbon

fiber composite and other materials. (RPM Photo)

Communicating To The Thick Slice

Communicator Mike Lysakowski will share samples he’s accumulated as he coaches promoters to sell racing to what he calls the “thick slice,” of the pie chart--potential ticket buyers not now regular fans. He’ll explain "What NOT to do" in print ads, schedule brochures, websites, and Facebook pages, and talk with promoters about the importance of understanding the viewpoint of the target audience showing where promoters often target the wrong audience with the wrong message.

RPM@Vegas, RPM@Daytona

11


Modified to school? Only the top-level “silhouette” classes of pavement racing remotely resemble a family grocery getter.

Why Not New Race Formats? And what of new youth-oriented race formats? Fifteen years ago, at US 30 Speedway in Nebraska, we watched street stocks race on what could be best described as a rough equivalent of a rallycross track. No one knew what rallycross was then. We have no idea whether they still do, and we are aware of no other similar current experiments except for Kevin Dawson’s still infant gambit with UTVs and ATVs in the north woods of Wisconsin at Eagle River Speedway. Why do we not see more small cars and innovative formats such as left and right turning enduros? Why not a class similar to the UK’s National Hot Rods or more ATVs and UTVs that are all the rage, and a growing segment of off road racing. Short track infields are now emptied of haulers, so why not a rallycross track for small cars or off road toys. With new entrants would come new fans, at very least back gate revenue at modest cost. We are simply too set in baby boom oval racing-oriented ways.

We know. “I have too many cars,” you say, “There’s no room in the pits and no time in the program.” But how’s that working out when there are fewer people every season willing to tender a ten spot and watch?

Money For Product Dev, MarketingBig companies like Proctor & Gamble spend a large percentage of gross sales on marketing and advertising. They understand that it must be done to stay ahead of the curve. We know you’re thinking, “We’re not P&G, we’re a mom & pop small business, and we just don’t have that kind of cash to throw around on investments of dubious return.” We’re there with you, but as the business pundits say, “If you stand still, you fall behind.”

What did you spend on new product development, or repackaging, rebranding, advertising in 2015? What will you spend in 2016? Short tracks must do as P&G does, finding ways to ensure the spread between costs and revenue allows product development and marketing. While P&G accomplishes it, what do many short tracks do? They post bigger purses (which is an increase in costs) and brag about it, and mistake the added expense for product development. Contrast this with Tom Curley who will do whatever it takes to make sure his purses do not exceed a set percentage of revenue.

Where Have Tracks Gone Wrong? Last year, we reported that a discouraging number of race tracks no longer budget to pay a PR person, no longer pay the expenses of a volunteer PR person, buy little or no advertising, send no news releases, and have let lapse their relationships with local radio and TV. The reasons are simple. These endeavors cost money the tracks presently don’t have, or they believe in mythic marketing, “All I have to do is pay the star drivers what they deserve and the fans will come.” When we came to this desk some 20 years ago (eek, has it been that long already), nearly every track had a PR person and a sponsorship person. Last year’s survey discovered that in two states studied, fewer than half of tracks had a PR person and half of those who did not have a PR person, didn’t know what a news release was. We know. Times have changed, and tracks have Facebook and Twitter, but social media are not the marketing be all and end all. If they were, the seats everywhere would already be full. Presuming last year’s small sample represents the sport, it exposes the fact that the diminishment of attendance is not entirely because of demographic and social change, and is most likely made worse by many track’s near complete withdrawal from marketing, advertising, and PR.

(See Questions, P12)

How Are Your Deck Chairs?

39th Auto Racing Promoter of the Year

RPM readers selected Gary Howe, Kalamazoo Speedway, as 39th ARPY. His path to ARPY is a testament to the culture of the Workshops. Howe admits that when he attended his first Workshop, he thought he knew it all, and the speakers at our podiums were all wet. He returned home, did things his way, made the mistakes new promoters make, and created years of hardship for himself, but now credits the promoters and the Workshops for enabling him to become the success he is now. Howe will share pearls of wisdom gathered along the way.



Session Preview

Session Preview

Latest From Our Legal Eagles

Cary Agajanian, Paul Tetreault, and Don Ornelas of the law firm Agajanian, McFall, Weiss, Tetreault, & Crist, will summarize significant case law and regulation events from the year and answer promoters’ questions on matters of law, regulations, ordinances, corporate structure, and more. An hour or more of pro-bono legal advice essential to all promoters.

Partner With Sponsors For Profit

Mark Gundrum, VP Business Development, and Corporate Partnerships, ARCA Racing Series, returns to share with promoters practical partnering strategies proven in business relationships between ARCA and its sponsors. Gundrum began his career working at short tracks and later worked for Rex Robbins at ASA. He accumulated a wealth of practical experience and street smarts. Bring a pen and notebook, a tape recorder, or your tablet, or smartphone for this one. You’ll never remember everything he’ll cover if you don’t.

RPM@Indy, RPM@Daytona

Digital Timing & Scoring Pitfalls

Liz Fredrickson, Chief Scorer, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, anchors our electronic timing & scoring session. Now commonplace, the high-tech systems, like all technology, come with advantages but are not without challenges and Fredrickson has dealt with all of them--as they say, in real time, during events. She and colleagues will share a few war stories but also wisdom and experience that will help you make your towers run more smoothly.

RPM@Vegas, RPM@Daytona

LegalertDrug & Alcohol Policy

DISCLAIMER: While these legal questions have been researched, we do not represent this as legal advice. Laws vary. Readers should consult with local counsel in all matters. RPM assumes no responsibility for actions taken because of, or despite, answers appearing herein.

YOU CAN HELP! If you’re are involved in a legal challenge of any kind, or if you know of, or hear of, any challenges involving racing operations, or challenges to other sports or attractions that could threaten motorsports, call or write RPM editorial offices.

We hear some tracks have a drug and alcohol policy. How do we establish one?

Legal experts speaking at the Workshops recommend that tracks begin with good general rules and recommend that tracks license their drivers. This is the first step. Any well-written license agreement is a contract between the license holder and the track in which the holder agrees to abide by track rules, among which is a drug/alcohol policy. (RPM can provide sample license and drug policy language upon request.) Post warning signs saying “No alcohol may be consumed in the pit area.” You might even consider posting signs declaring your premises a drug free zone. Your drug and alcohol policy should address seven areas: prohibited drugs and a general prohibition, definition of a participant, violations and penalties, reinstatement, appeal and hearing, and prescribed drugs. Your rules should include a general clause stating the track is private property and that guests are invitees at the owner’s discretion. If your officials witness drug trade or use, they can summon police. If they witness alcohol consumption, they can summon track security. Some tracks own their own breathalyzer. Any enforcement should be documented in a written report completed before the race event is over. A final point: those who serve alcohol at the track should complete accredited training.

12


What Can Be Done Before Opening?We believe the sport is turning the corner, but the sparse grandstands and pits many places last summer show there’s a long way to go. How can RPM persuade promoters to start with the basics, re-dedicating and re-equipping themselves to advertise, and publicize? Obviously, in the end it will take much more, but tracks have just over 120 days to prepare, so we must be realistic and ask what can be done in that time? These are the questions we are asking ourselves as we pack totes for Las Vegas. These are questions we’ll explore with promoters at Las Vegas and at Indy. Are we turning the sport around or do we continue to rearrange the deck chairs on our luxury liner? Let’s grade ourselves. In a mere four months, promoters will have another go at it, and see if they can make more progress and add to the sport’s product development and marketing knowledge base. Meantime, we hope you’ll join us at a Workshop and join in the discussion.

Plan Now To Tour Dallara

A tour of the Dallara IndyCar Factory will cap off the 3rd Annual RPM@Indy, RPM Promoters Workshop, December 9. The Indianapolis facility on Main Street Speedway, IN, is the U.S. headquarters and manufacturing base of Dallara Automobili S.p.A., the designer and builder of the cars competing Verizon IndyCar Series, and the Indy Lights Series, FIA Formula 1, open wheel and sports car categories, and USCC road racing. The Dallara IndyCar Factory features manufacturing and assembly

areas, and interactive and hands-on exhibits centered around the engineering and technology of the world's fastest sport, IndyCar racing. The tour will be followed by a social hour at Lino’s Coffee in the Dallara facility.

Pre-register for the TourIf you will join colleagues at Dallara for our exclusive tour December 9, we ask you to please pre-register with RPM. Clearance for the tour may not be possible day of the Workshop. This is because as an ITAR (International Traffic In Arms Regulations)-certified international manufacturer, Dallara is required to process the identity and citizenship of all visitors through its database prior to granting access to its facility. The U.S. Government requires all manufacturers, exporters, and brokers of defense articles, defense services or related technical data to be ITAR compliant. We will be Dallara’s guests so we encourage you to help us prevent inconvenience by applying for credentials with the form on page 22 and providing your full legal first, middle, and last name, as well as your country of citizenship, so we can clear our group with Dallara, doing so while causing them minimal inconvenience. Please cooperate with RPM and apply for credentials as early as possible using the form in this newsletter (not others published earlier or elsewhere) enabling us to provide Dallara a list of guests that meets their requirements in a timely manner. We look forward to seeing you at RPM@Indy.

@Indy, Dallara Tour Caps Workshop

UpdatesWorkshops Session Added, RPM@Vegas, RPM@Daytona: Creating Concrete Car Counts: Gregg McKarns, of Madison International Speedway, and the ACRA Midwest Tour, gathers ideas from across the nation, discussing how to reduce competitor costs, reduce barriers to entry, boost participation, how to create a fun competition environment and increase entrant satisfaction. He’ll include ideas for awards, parties, mentoring programs, non traditional championship formats, rewards programs, ticket blitzes, and more. It’s a challenge facing tracks, impacting revenues at both gates. “We can all do a better job of building back car counts at our weekly facilities,” McKarns said and his aim is help promoters do so. RPM@Indy Room Blocks Still Open: RPM’s blocks at the Sleep Inn & Suites Indy Downtown and Microtel Indy Airport remain open, but will close imminently. The Sleep Inn will close out its block November 7, the Microtel will remain open until late November. Make reservations now. See page 8 for details. Don’t miss some great rates. The Sleep Inn & Suites offers a complimentary shuttle to the Indiana Convention Center for the trade show.

Workshops Session Schedules:

Download RPM@Vegas Schedule HERE

Download RPM@Indy Schedule HERE

13

IntroducingRegional Auto Racing Promoters of The Year

Red MacDonaldLee USA (NH) Speedway

Northeastern readers nominated John “Red” MacDonald and his general manager Bob Watson as Regional Auto Racing Promoter of the Year in 2009. MacDonald owns, and operates the 51-year old 3/8-mile, banked, paved, Lee USA Speedway in southern New Hampshire, a member of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. MacDonald acquired the track in 1986 and he is assisted by general manager Bill Callen. Lee also hosts touring series including the ISMA Supermodifieds, the Granite State Pro Stock Series, the NEMA Midgets, PASS, the ACT, and more.

www.kandkinsurance.com

David Laber 816-295-1855Donna Dinius260-459-5551David Laber 816-295-1855Bianca Bird260-459-5738

Steve Sinclair260-459-5714Kathy Rhoades260-459-5168Steve Sinclair260-459-5714Toni Fries260-459-5126

Kevin Cismowski260-459-5679Kerri Hamilton260-459-5773Kevin Cismowski260-459-5679Lori Tschantz260-459-5739

Two Popular Workshops Forums

2015 Season Recap, An Open Forum Discussion: Promoters and Workshops moderators capsulize 2015 and share their analysis of the 2015 season, discussing tech, car class dynamics, car counts, successful and unsuccessful promotions, ticket sales peaks and valleys, and more, attempting to sum up an overall picture of the 2015 season. How was your season? Looking for benchmarks? Was it just your track, or are there others like yours? Want to compare results? Here’s your chance.

Do You Want More Cars, More Fans, In 2016? Promoters and Workshops moderators compare and share thinking and plans for the 2016 season. After analyzing 2015, what will stay the same and what will change? What worked in 2015? What will be kept in 2016? They’ll talk class trends, tech issues, whether schedules and race nights will change, promotions they’ll implement, or abandon, new or renewed ticket promotions, and more. Especially at Vegas which gives you 12 extra weeks to prepare for the new session this session can help you make the choices you contemplate.


Session Preview

THE RPM PROMOTERS WORKSHOPHAS A NEW DATE AND LOCATION!

15

www.kandkinsurance.com

Racing Promotion Monthly readers selected the South Carolinian as 1996 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year. Powell and his wife at the time, Zonda, operated Summerville (SC) Speedway, a NASCAR-sanctioned, 4/10-mile, high-banked, paved oval. Powell sold Summerville in 2004 for development and now independently operates Florence (SC) Speedway (Timmonsville, SC), near historic Darlington Raceway, also a 4/10-mile, paved track. Florence also hosts weekly karting on its 1/5-mile clay karting oval. Before becoming a promoter, Powell was among the winningest drivers on dirt in the southeast U.S.

Charles PowellARPY 1996

Third Workshop, The 100th Running

When we convene at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for our third RPM@Indy Workshop, the historic running of the 100th Indianapolis 500--the longest continuously presented race meet in motorsports will be six months away Doug Boles, president of the Speedway, the Hulman George family, and the staff of Indianapolis Motor Speedway want to make you welcome, and help you to get to know their tradition. They’ve invited us to help them celebrate the 100th running of “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing.” As you are seated at the Workshop, you’ll look out at the front straight away below, and on the yard of bricks. You’ll feel the tradition. You’ll be surrounded by the history. And if RPM does its job well, you’ll share and compare with colleagues, and depart at day’s end with valuable practical ideas that will increase your car counts and sell more tickets in 2016. What could be better!

Session Preview

16

ADMISSION CONTROL, TICKETS

DIAMOND TICKETING SYSTEMSwww.diamondticketing.com845 E. 4800 South, Murray, UT, 84107, 866-323-5411, ext 107Diamond Ticketing Systems provides customized snd cost-effective ticketing solutions focused on helping motorsports organizations build revenue and increase marketing exposure.

TICKETFORCEwww.ticketforce.com4858 E. Baseline Rd, Ste 103, Mesa, AZ 85206 877-726-3581TicketForce utilizes a powerful web-based ticketing system to provide the racing industry a fully customizable solution to ticketing online, mobile, and Facebook ticketing.

WELDON, WILLIAMS & LICKwww.wwlinc.com [email protected] North A St., Fort Smith, AR 72901, 800-242-4995WW&L, Inc. specializes in roll tickets and fast turnaround event tickets. We also sell the automated KIS Ticket System.

APPAREL, SOUVENIRS, NOVELTIES

ADVERTISING EDGEwww.advertisingedge.com9840 Prospect Ave., Santee, CA 92071, 800-258-9774In-house manufacturer of and for embroidery, screen printing, direct to garment printing, full-color sublimation, promo products.

RACE TRACK WHOLESALEwww.racetrackwholesale.com817 Delaware, Independence, MO 64050, 816-718-2231 FAX 866-365-2231Wholesale distributor of racing souvenirs, t-shirts, and promotional products serving the grassroots racing industry since 2008.

ADVERTISING DESIGN

SIMES GRAPHIC DESIGNSwww.simesgraphicdesigns.com414 Main St., Mandan, ND 58554, 888-457-4637 Simes Graphic is full service art studio that services short track racing. They design and print all types of brochures, posters, promotional materials.

AUDIO, VIDEO PRODUCTION

MOFFETT PRODUCTIONSwww.moffett.com, 16140 Kuykendahl St., #126, Houston, TX 77068, 800-HOTT ADSProfessional audio production. Radio spots, TV ads, Tracks Trax race track audio CDs. Great creative, fast service, reasonable prices.

AWARDS & TROPHIES

SIMES GRAPHIC DESIGNSwww.simesgraphicdesigns.com414 Main St., Mandan, ND 58554,, 888-457-4637 Simes Graphic is full service art studio that services short track racing. They manufacture high-end custom cast aluminum trophies.

BANNERS & SIGNAGE

TOTAL TRACK SOLUTIONSwww.totaltracksolutions.com7613 Hamilton Avenue, Mt. Healthy, OH 45231 513-521-7446Wholesale pricing. Banners, billboards, mesh, flags, car wraps, decals, installation, signage consultation,marketing plans, a division of GCI Digital Imaging.

BLEACHERS AND SEATING

BLEACHER BUILDERS INCORPORATEDwww.bleacherbuilders.com2710 South Blaine Street, Muncie, IN 47302, 765-716-5767Specializing in grandstands and suites for speedways, engineering, design/build, used bleachers, suites, press boxes, buying used seating from major speedways.

COMPUTER TIMING & SCORING, SCOREBOARDSDAKTRONICSwww.daktronics.com [email protected] Daktronics Drive, Brookings, SD 57006, 800-325-8766Daktronics is recognized worldwide as the leading designer and manufacturer of electronic scoreboards, message centers, and large LED video displays.

MYLAPS TIMING & SCORING www.mylaps.com 2030 Powers Ferry Rd SE, Ste. 110, Atlanta, GA 30339, 678-816-4000 MyLaps offers the best in class sports timing systems to measure, publish, and analyze race and participant results for all sports and specifically auto racing.

Directory Of ServicesFor Promoters

Supporting Sponsor of the RPM Promoters Workshops

5245 NC 49 South, Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-455-3906 www.uslegendcars.com

Spec racing with INEX. Legends Cars, Bandoleros, Thunder Roadsters and the new U.S. Legends Modified. Entry classes that attract new

participants. Strict rules enforcement alleviates rules problems. Complete car manufacturing, promotion and rules enforcement.


Circle track crate engines. Engine, chassis and other racing/high performance accessories

available at your local GM dealer.

For more information, contact Bill Martens: [email protected] Grand Pointe Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48349 800-GM USE US (468-7387)

www.chevroletperformance.com/circletrack/


One-Way RadiosRace Management System

Raceceiver is the world’s smallest radio receiver, used for one-way communications to drivers. Raceceiver Race Management System by

Westhold, transponder scoring for short tracks.

www.raceceiver.com872 Main Street SW Ste D2., Gainesville, GA 30501 866-301-7223

FIRETHORN MARKETINGCustom website design, and developer of custom e-mail

marketing campaigns. E-commerce specialists.

www.firethornmarketing.com11550 Indian Hill Way., Zionsville, IN 46077, 304-481-9807


RACECEIVER RACE MANAGEMENTwww.raceceiver.com,872 Main St. SW, Unit D2, Gainesville, GA 30501, 866-301-7223Raceceiver race communications. Raceceiver race management timing and scoring system.

WESTHOLD CORPORATIONwww.westhold.com [email protected] Charcot Avenue, Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131, 408-533-0050Westhold is a leading seller and manufacturer of race timing and scoring systems, scoreboards, message centers, video displays, and software.CRATE ENGINES/PERFORMANCE PARTS

CHEVROLET PERFORMANCEwww.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines.html6200 Grand Pointe Dr., Grand Blanc, MI 48349, 810-606-3655 Circle track crate engines. Engine, chassis, and other racing/high-performance accessories available at your local GM dealer. For information, contact Bill Martens.

FORD RACINGwww.fordracingparts.com24796 Davenport Ave., Novi, MI 48374, 800-367-3788Sealed racing engines and engine components

FUEL, LUBE, ADDITIVES

LUCAS OIL PRODUCTSwww.lucasoil.com302 N. Sheridan St., Corona, CA 92880, 800-342-2512Nationally known manufacturer and marketer of lubricants and additives for fleets and automobiles, owner or sponsor of Lucas

Oil I-10 and Lucas Oil (MO) Speedways, drag racing, drag boat racing, pulling, motocross, off-road racing, ASCS Sprint Car Series, Lucas Oil MLRA Series, the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, and MAV TV American Real.

SUNOCO RACING FUELSwww.racegas.comPO Box 1226, Linwood, PA 19061, 800-722-3427The largest refiner of racing gasoline. National distribution of quality brands. SUNOCO, Turbo Blue, and Trick.

GAMING DESTINATIONS

ELDORADO HOTEL/CASINOwww.eldoradoreno.com345 North Virginia Street, Reno, NV 8950, 800-648-5966Superb dining in five themed restaurants, 800 gorgeous rooms, and suites, 81,000 sq. ft. of fun and gaming, world class entertainment. Sponsor of Workshops.

INSURANCE, RISK MANAGEMENT

ALLIED SPECIALTY INSURANCEwww.alliedspecialty.com [email protected] Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL 33706, 800-237-3355Allied Specialty Insurance is a leader in the Motorsports industry since 1983. Call us for a speedy quote!

JONES BIRDSONG MOTORSPORT INSURANCE www.jonesbirdsong.com8935 South Pecos Road, Unit 22B, Henderson, NV 89074, 866-998-3804Jones Birdsong Motorsports offers the widest range of products designed to protect motorsports associations, facilities, teams, and special events.

K&K INSURANCE GROUPwww.kandkinsurance.com1712 Magnavox Way, Ft. Wayne, IN 46804, 800-348-1839www.kandkcanada.comK&K Insurance Group Canada,#101-5800 Explorer Drive, Mississauga, ON, L4W 5K9, 800-753-2632The industry’s largest provider of racing insurance. More than 40 years of underwriting and risk management experience. Motorsport’s most experienced in-house claims staff. International service capability. Proud sponsors of RPM and the RPM Promoters Workshops.

NAUGHTON INSURANCE, INC.www.naughtoninsurance.com [email protected] Wampanoag Trail, East Providence, RI 02915, 401-433-4000Motorsports insurance programs for race tracks, teams, sanctioning groups, and drivers since 1947. Programs available in all 50 states.

SPORTS INSURANCE SPECIALISTSwww.sportsinsurancespecialists.com4115 Clubview Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, 855-969-0305 Sports Insurance Specialists offers a complete motorsports portfolio of participant and spectator insurance. A proven industry leader. “Let’s kick some risk.”


18

LIGHTING SYSTEMS

MUSCO LIGHTING, INC.www.musco.com100 First Avenue W., Oskaloosa, IA 52577, 800-825-6020Manufacturer of race track lighting systems for short tracks, dragstrips and superspeedways. Featuring the Light Structure Green System and S.C. 2 Retrofit systems.

MARKETING & MEDIA CONSULTATION

DIRTYMOUTH COMMUNICATIONSwww.dirtymouthcommunications.com170 Morehead Road, Sarver, PA 16055 724-448-5120Helping tracks, sanctioning bodies and entrepreneurs build profitable racing programs by integrating marketing, social media, public relations and sponsorship activation.RACING TIRES

HOOSIER RACING TIREwww.hoosiertire.com65465 US 31 South, Lakeville, IN 46536, 574-784-3152Complete line of custom-manufactured spec racing tires for oval tracks, drag racing and road racing. The only company exclusively manufacturing racing tires. Proud sponsor of RPM and the RPM Promoters Workshops.

RACE TIRES AMERICAwww.americanraceronline.com1545 Washington St., Indiana, PA 15701, 800-662-2168Making competitive, cost-effective race tires, so that you can focus on increased car counts and exciting shows.

TOWEL CITY RETREADINGwww.towelcityracingtires.com1601 N. Ridge Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28083, 704-933-2143Forty-six years experience manufacturing economical long-wearing retreaded racing tires, 7 to 13‚ widths, dirt or asphalt. Track tire plans available.

RADIOS, COMMUNICATIONS

AMERICAN ELECTRONICS, INC.www.americanelectronicsinc.comPO Box 301, Greenwood, IN 46142, 800-872-1373Two-way radios, noise-canceling headsets, and accessories designed for speedways, and dragstrips. Exclusive home of the FREEDOM radio and the BOSS II and EARS headsets.

RACECEIVER RACE COMMUNICATIONSwww.raceceiver.com872 Main St. SW, Unit D2, Gainesville, GA 30501, 866-301-7223Raceceiver one-way radios and race communications.

SANCTIONING GROUPS

IMCA-INTERNATIONAL MOTOR CONTEST ASSOCIATIONwww.imca.com1800 West D Street, Vinton, IA 52349, 319-472-2201The nation’s oldest, largest, and leading sanctioning body. We focus on affordable divisions to assist the profitability of our sanctioned facilities and events.

INEXwww.uslegendcars.com5245 NC 49 South, Harrisburg, NC 28075, 704-455-3906Spec racing with INEX. Legends Cars, Bandoleros, Thunder Roadsters, Modifieds. Entry classes that attract new participants.

Strict rules enforcement alleviates rules problems. Complete car manufacturing, promotion and rules enforcement.

NASCARwww.nascar.comOne Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, 386-310-6272The NASCAR Home Tracks Program offers sanctioning opportunities for weekly racing and touring series events across North America and Europe.

WISSOTA PROMOTERS ASSOC.www.wissota.orgPO Box 297, Dassel, MN 55325, 320-275-9922A member-driven sanction in the Upper Midwest featuring six divisions of race cars: Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stocks and Mod Fours. As a member of WISSOTA, you vote on policies and rules and help guide YOUR organization. Click on Promoter Center at wissota.org.

SPONSORSHIP

SPEEDWAY BENEFITSwww.speedwaybenefits.comSpeedway Benefits unites the best ideas from the most knowledgable in the industry, to help promoters innovate, improve, and maximize profits.

WEB DESIGN & HOSTING

FIRETHORN MARKETINGwww.firethornmarketing.com11550 Indian Hill Way., Zionsville, IN 46077, 304-481-9807Developer of custom e-mail marketing campaigns and custom website design. E-commerce specialists.


20

TRY SOMETHING NEW... E-FLYERS

MARKET YOUR BIG RACE WITH POSTER OR FLYERS!

WHY NOT THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX...

PROMOTE YOUR NEXT BIG EVENT WITH A E-FLYER OR PRINTED POSTER/FLYER!

F R O M S I M E S G R A P H I C D E S I G N S

WHAT’S AN E-FLYER? An e-flyer is the same great artwork we use in all our printed materials, but in a digital form that is used

in e-mails. A super way to promote upcoming events and to keep everyone up to date on what is important at your track. We even give you a pdf that is usable in printing flyers for handout at the

track, all for one reasonable price. Special price for readers of the RPM newsletter $75.00 per flyer... That includes a print ready pdf

file and a jpg made for your website.

NEED A TRACK & EVENT POSTERS & FLYERS? A colorful poster or flyer is still one of the best ways to attract attention to your next big event. A powerful poster is great for store windows,

restaurants, and other visible locations. We’ll custom-design the perfect one. IN A HURRY? Full-color posters or flyers in quantities

as low as 50 to 250 that ship the same day of approval.TO ORDER OR LEARN MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL OR CALL

[email protected] or 888-457-4637

.com


IMCA-INTERNATIONAL MOTOR CONTEST ASSOCIATIONThe nation’s oldest, largest, and leading sanctioning body. We focus on affordable divisions to assist the profitability of our sanctioned facilities and events.

1800 West D Street, Vinton, IA 52349, 319-472-2201

www.imca.com

Supporting Sponsor of the RPM Promoters Workshops NeSmith Intros “Metric” Chassis“What we needed is something equal not better,” Mike Vaughn, NeSmith Racing, told A.J. Johnson of Johnson chassis, Mooresville, NC. Vaughn, looking to secure the future of his successful NeSmith Racing 602 crate-engined street stock class, wanted a hedge against the end of life prospects for ’88 Chevrolet Monte Carlo chassis, the most common, but 27-year old, no-longer manufactured chassis in his entry level class. “I know a few people at GM, Vaughn said, “And I’m pretty sure they aren’t going to be making anymore 1988 Monte Carlos.” His new chassis weighs the same as its original GM counterpart and uses all the same pick up points. It’s a fabricated replica of the production frame that racers and builders presently scrounge in wrecking yards for, or build piece-by-piece from imported stampings. Built from 2x3 and 3x4 tubing, the frame is available from NeSmith certified street stock builders at a retail price of $1795.00 and is intended

as a replacement, not a means to gain an advantage within his rules. The frames are not mandatory, they are meant to offer an alternative to those replacing older equipment without making obsolete or putting at a disadvantage the cars presently in competition. NeSmith also offers front and rear clips and a cage kit specially engineered for the frame. The cage kit is not mandatory under the class rules. Vaughn doesn’t want to discourage home builders. All the chassis and clips are serial numbered and plated and recorded in the NeSmith database. Promoters asked Vaughn to assist them with the life cycle problems of the GM metric chassis. “I’m the new guy on the block,” said Vaughn. “I was waiting for somebody else to do it, but finally did it myself to protect what we have invested in a healthy class.”

Equal, Not Better: Mike Vaughn and A.J.Johnson put their heads together and now build replica ’88 Monte

Carlo frames for NeSmith Street Stocks. (NeSmith Racing Photos)

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND: Admission to the RPM Promoters Workshops is limited to authorized members of the motorsports industry. This registration is offered only to weekly-schedule oval track and dragstrip promoters (and owners, lessees, managers, etc.) and their designated staff members, officers of racing associations and touring series and their designated staff members, promoters of specialty motorsports events and their designated staff members and the motorsports press. Decisions regarding eligibility to register and attend are solely within the discretion of Workshops management. Workshops management reserves the exclusive right to offer registration to other individuals. Workshops management, in all instances, reserves the right to decline registration and admission at these private meetings. Receipt or possession of this application does not imply or constitute a right of admission or a right to participate in the Workshops. The registration fees here are offered to race facility owners, lessees, promoters, managers, association officers and their staff. Participation by commercial

firms shall be through commercial registration only, as detailed in the solicitation of such firms.

REFUNDS AND DEADLINES: Registrations after deadline dates are void. Fee refunds are made upon written request, following the Speedweek Workshop. Fees may also be credited toward registration at subsequent Workshops. If a registrant attends any meeting session, he or she is ineligible for refund. All refunds are subject to 10% handling charge. Substitutions accepted only prior to registration deadlines. Substitutions are not accepted at the door. All at-the-door registrations, new or substitute, will be charged at-the-door registration fees.

REGISTER IN ADVANCE, PLEASE: Fees shown on this application are for PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY. Pre-registering saves you money (at-the-door registrants will be admitted at the flat rate of $295.00 per person).

____________________________________________________Name On Card ____________________________________________________Card Number

____________________________________________________Expiration Date Security Code

SIGNATURE: I hereby agree to terms & condition at the right, registration fees, and charges to my credit card.

______________________________________________________________Signature Date

Terms/Conditions & Refund Policy

Applications by mail, FAX, e-mail, after deadlines are void. Late entries welcome at Workshop. No late entry up charge.

Workshop Dates & TimesRPM@Vegas, Nov. 11-13, 2015 Pre-Registration, Wed. Evening, 11/11/15, Sessions, Nov 12-13, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.RPM@Indy, Open at 7:30 a.m., Sessions, 9-5:30 p.m. Weds., Dec. 9, 2015RPM@Daytona, Feb. 14-16, 2016 Pre-Registration, Sun. Evening, 02/14/16Sessions, Feb. 15-16, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

More InformationCall/Email Stewart Doty, 715.536.1067, [email protected]

Entered _____________

Charged _____________

Check Amt. _____________

Confirmed ______________

ForOfficialUse Only

_________________________________________________________________Track/Series/Club/Firm

_________________________________________________________________Contact Name

_________________________________________________________________Mailing Address

_________________________________________________________________City, State, Zip

_________________________________________________________________Telephone FAX

_________________________________________________________________E-Mail Address

Only applications with e-mail receive confirmation.

________________________________________________________________Owner/Promoter/First Registrant $295.00

________________________________________________________________2nd Registrant Advanced Discount $270.00

________________________________________________________________3rd Registrant Advanced Discount $270.00

________________________________________________________________4th Registrant Advanced Discount $270.00

________________________________________________________________5th Registrant Advanced Discount $270.00

Total Fees (US Dollars Only Please)..........................

RPM@Vegas RPM@DaytonaFax/Postal/E-Mail Advanced Application Deadline for RPM@Vegas, October 26, 2015. For RPM@Daytona, February 6, 2016

Track or Organization

Credentials Requested For...

Please Print Legibly All Information

Credential Discount Void After Deadline. All Late Entries, $295.00

Credential Application 43rd RPM Promoters WorkshopsRPM@Vegas, Nov. 11-13, 2015; RPM@Daytona, Feb. 14-16, 2016

Credential Application, RPM@Indy 2015RPM@Indy, Dec. 9, 2015

RPM@IndyFax/Postal/E-Mail Advanced Application, Deadline, November 27, 2015

Credentials Requested For...

______________________________________________________________Owner/Promoter/First Registrant Citizen of Country $195.00

______________________________________________________________2nd Registrant Citizen of Country $195.00

______________________________________________________________3rd Registrant Citizen of Country $195.00

______________________________________________________________4th Registrant Citizen of Country $195.00

______________________________________________________________5th Registrant Citizen of Country $195.00

Total Fees (US Dollars Only Please).......................

Reserve Your “Player’s Card” Now! Claim it When You Arrive.

_____________________________________________________Full Name As Shown On ID (Print Legibly, Please)

_____________________________________________________Complete Address as Shown on ID

_____________________________________________________

Date of Birth ___________________________________________

FAX app to 715.536.3616Mail to: RPM Workshops, PO Box 406, Merrill, WI 54452Email to: [email protected]

Send This Application To...

Reserve Your Palace Station “Boarding Pass”

Enquire upon arrival at hotel registration (the hotel Front Desk) to claim your Boarding Pass.

Special Requirement To Attend Dallara Tour!Dallara is ITAR Compliant and RPM must furnish the complete legal name (first, middle, last name) and nation of citizenship of all visitors. Please provide them below.

Mark Your Calendar, December 9, 2015The RPM Promoters Workshops

Return To Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayRooms Still Available, See Page 8Pre-register For Dallara Tour, Page 12

What Is The ARPY Award?The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year is short track racing’s most prestigious award. It is awarded each year after voting by promoters. The award was originated in 1976 by the editors of Racing Promotion Monthly. Voting is conducted in two phases: the present preliminary ballot on the next page that nominates candidates in six regions. The six candidates become Regional Promoters of the Year and then appear on a second ballot published in Issue 45.12 at year’s end.

Honor Roll of Promoters of the YearPrevious recipients of the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award, the “ARPY Award,” are: Hugh Deery, 1976 and 1984 posthumously; J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart, 1980; Dick O'Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983; Glenn Donnelly, 1985; Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991; Robert Lawton; 1992; Earl Baltes, 1993; Jody Deery, 1994; Andy Vertrees, 1995; Charles Powell, 1996; C-Ray Hall, 1997; Larry Kemp, 1998; Charles Cathell, 1999; Charles Deery, 2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny

Edwards, 2002; Bob Nadine Strauss, 2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006; Lynn Phillips, 2007, Joe Walt Doellefeld, 2008, the Nuckles Family, 2009, the Queensland family, 2010, Robert Sargent, 2011, Ron Drager Scott Schultz, 2012, Roger Hadan, 2013, Gary Donna Howe, 2014.

Honor Roll, Regional Auto Racing Promoters of the YearBob Barkhimer, Ned Jarrett, Harvey Tattersall, John Marcum, Ed Bloom, Bob Slack, Dick Tobias, Roger Holdeman, Ken Clapp, Marshall Wilkings, Keith Hall, Stan Durrett, Darwin Hentz, Jim Corcoran, LeeRoy Nelson, Jim Raper, Doug Fort, Dan Jones, John Stiles, George Butland, Gary Cressey, Sharon Craig Kelley, Marty Jones, Dave Manes, Bill Leesch, Roger Van Daalwyk, Frank Plessinger, Bill Lipkey, Mason Day, the Meals Family, the Beacham Family, Benny Yount, Rick Farren, Mick Beadle, the Rubin Brothers, John Bandimere, Lee Baumgarten, the Cook Brothers, Marion Collins, Tom Helfrich, Russell Hackett, Bob Fredrickson, Mike Lamm, the Chrysler Family, Mark Chewning, Alan Kreitzer, Dale Johnnie Pinelis, the Stone Family with Ted Austad, Bob Allen, Craig Cormack, Mooney Starr, Joe Clay, John Hellendrung, Ray Marler Ken Schrader, Les McBurney, Harvey Fink, Don Hoenig, Andy Cusack, Terry Eames, C.J. Richards, Alex Freisen, Ben Dodge, Mark Arute, Red MacDonald, Bill Ryan, Andrew Harpell, Sylvia Shirley Porter, Gary Donna Howe, James Griffin, Adam Nelson, Roger

Hadan, Steve Beitler, Wayne Anderson/Linus Don Mack/Darren Evavold, Bruce Rogers, Todd Fisher, Fritz Roehrig, Al Varnadore Todd Hutto, Jim Doran, Paul Zimmerman, the Bassuener Family, Orville Chenoweth, Toby Kruse, Rodney Wing, Redd Griffin, Dan Robinson, Kurt Beeksma and the Ashland Bayfield County Racing Association, Harold Crook, Joe Phyliss Loven, Rich Farmer, Doug Traci Hobbs, Ron Scott Wimmer, Tim Pat Bryant, and Dan Robinson.

Celebrating 40 years of Promotional Excellence

Who Will You Nominate For Promoter of the Year?

The Best of The Best: Pictured here on the occasion of the 30th ARPY Award: (Back) Bob Daniels, C-Ray Hall, Glenn Donnelly, Cary Agajanian, Tom Curley, Howard Commander, Robert Lawton, (Center) Chuck Deery, Ralph Capitani, Andy Vertrees, Steve York, Charles Cathell, Paul Kuhl, Larry Kemp, (Bottom) Jody Deery, Earl Baltes, Berniece Baltes, Beverly Edwards, Lanny Edwards, Zonda Powell, Charles Powell. (Lukens Photo)

Nominate 40th Auto Racing Promoter of the YearVote By FAX-Back or E-mail

STEP ONE: Determine and indicate your region REGION 1--EASTERN REGION: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey. REGION 2--SOUTHEASTERN REGION: Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina. REGION 3--CENTRAL REGION: West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois. REGION 4--NORTHERN REGION: Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin. REGION 5--GREAT PLAINS REGION: Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado. REGION 6--GREAT PLAINS AND WEST REGION: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Hawaii, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, California.

My Region is: ___________________________________ (enter number and name, please)

STEP FIVE: Nominate annual award for outstanding annual short track event...List one special event as your nominee for Outstanding Annual Short Track Event. Eligible are special events of one day or more, presented each year at weekly schedule oval tracks of 5/8 mile or less, or at dragstrips. Events must have been presented for three consecutive years or longer. Typical eligible events would be: Chili Bowl, National Short Track Championship, Gold Cup, Snowball Derby, etc. NOMINATED EVENTS MAY BE FROM ANY REGION.

__________________________________________________________________________________Event name, race track, state, please...

STEP THREE: Nominate candidates... (Please type first name, last name, track name, and state)

Enter the names of up to four individuals, FROM YOUR REGION ONLY, whom you believe are qualified as nominees for Auto Racing Promoter of the Year. If nominees are not from correct region, ballot is void. AUTO RACING PROMOTER OFTHE YEAR NOMINEES--nominate up to four from within your region, (see guide to states below)

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________Name, race track, state please... Name, race track, state please...

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________Name, race track, state please... Name, race track, state please...

STEP TWO: Read nominee qualifications and balloting guidelines.NOMINEE QUALIFICATIONS: Nominees shall be promoters (individuals who present and manage auto racing) at North American oval tracks of 5/8 miles or less, and dragstrips, presenting at least six events each calendar year. Consider these criteria as you nominate. SUCCESS LONGEVITY: The nominee's operation should be a successful, profitable track or strip, in continuing operation. IMAGE:The nominee's operation should be well- known in the industry, through continuing favorable publicity and advertising for the facility and its events. NOMINEE’S REPUTATION: The nominee's character and reputation within the industry, as well as in other businesses or endeavors, should be beyond reproach... BETTERMENT OF THE INDUSTRY: Nominee's interest in and involvement with the problems facing the industry, his/her participation in industry meetings, and his/her willingness to share ideas and help others, should all be considered in your selection. BALLOT GUIDELINES: Cast only one ballot, please. We do this on the honor system. Multiple or duplicate ballots from any e-mail or FAX number are not counted.

STEP FOUR: Wild card nomination (optional)...Enter the name of one promoter, FROM ANY REGION, whom you believe is qualified as a nominee for Auto Racing Promoter of the Year. You must nominate at least one promoter from within your own region to qualify for the privilege of nominating a wild card candidate. (Please type first name, last name, track name, state, region)

____________________________________________________________________ Region ________Name, race track, state, please...

Honor Roll,Auto Racing Promoters of the YearBob Sargent, Macon (IL) Speedway, received the award last year. Previous winners are: Hugh Deery, 1976/1984; J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart, 1980; Dick O'Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983; Glenn Donnelly, 1985; Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991; Robert Lawton; 1992; Earl Baltes, 1993; Jody Deery, 1994; Andy Vertrees, 1995; Charles Powell, 1996; C-Ray Hall, 1997; Larry Kemp, 1998; Charles Cathell, 1999; Charles Deery, 2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny Edwards, 2002; Nadine Bob Strauss, 2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006; Lynn Phillips Alfred Gurley, 2007; Joe Walt Doellefeld, 2008; and the Nuckles family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, 2009, The Queensland Family, 2010; Bob Sargent, 2011; Ron Drager and Scott Schultz, 2012; Roger Michelle Hadan, 2013; Gary Donna Howe.

Past Regional Auto Racing Promoters of the Year:

Bob Barkhimer, Ned Jarrett, Harvey Tattersall, John Marcum, Ed Bloom, Bob Slack, Dick Tobias, Roger Holdeman, Ken Clapp, Marshall Wilkings, Keith Hall, Stan Durrett, Darwin Hentz, Jim Corcoran, Leroy Nelson, Jim Raper, Doug Fort, Dan Jones, John Stiles, George Butland, Gary Cressey, Sharon Craig Kelley, Marty Jones, Dave Manes, Bill Leesch, Roger Van Daalwyk, Frank Plessinger, Bill Lipkey, Mason Day, the Meals Family, the Beacham Family, Benny Yount, Rick Farren, Mick Beadle, the Rubin Brothers, John Bandimere, Lee Baumgarten, the Cook Brothers, Marion Collins, Tom Helfrich, Russell Hackett, Bob Fredrickson, Mike Lamm, the Chrysler Family, Mark Chewning, Alan Kreitzer, Dale Johnnie Pinelis, the Stone Family Ted Austad, Bob Allen, Craig Cormack, Mooney Starr, Joe Clay, John Hellendrung, Ray Marler Ken Schrader, Les McBurney, Harvey Fink, Don Hoenig, Andy Cusack, Terry Eames, C.J. Richards, Alex Freisen, Ben Dodge, Mark Arute, Red MacDonald, Bill Ryan, Andrew Harpell, Sylvia Shirley Porter, Gary Donna Howe, James Griffin, Adam Nelson, Roger Hadan, Steve Beitler, Wayne Anderson/Linus Don Mack/Darren Evavold, Bruce Rogers, Todd Fisher, Fritz Roehrig, Al Varnadore/Todd Hutto, Jim Doran, Paul Zimmerman, the Bassuener Family, Orville Chenoweth, Toby Kruse, Rodney Wing, Redd Griffin, Roger Hadan, Dan Robinson, Kurt Beeksma and the Ashland Bayfield County Racing Association, Harold Crook, Joe Phyliss Loven, Rich Farmer, Doug Traci Hobbs, Ron Scott Wimmer, Tim Pat Bryant, Dan Robinson.

Supported by Charlotte Motor Speedway, Recognizing Excellence In Promotion!Deadline December 18, 2015.Racing Promotion Monthly and Charlotte Motor Speedway team up again to recognize excellence in race promotion through the Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award. We appreciate the commitment of MARCUS SMITH and the employees of Charlotte Motor Speedway as they assist us in calling attention to the work of the men and women who lead the short track industry.

Send ballot by FAX to715.536.3616or e-mail [email protected]

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