Best bang for our buck on getting site recognition and growth

[Iceman]

I spent some time talking with the guy in charge of sports marketing for Turtle Wax (they were on the 15 car at Dega) as well as Bill from MRO talking about this site and the fact we wanted to perhaps get on a car or something of that matter. The fact of the matter is, if we are talking about getting on board with something that is going to get ANY amount of TV time, we could probably never even come close to affording it! After beating this around for a while there are several options out there for us at the track that would gain us a TON of recognition, as well in return gain us possibly thousands of new members, all in a price range we can probably fit into, and then grow our contributing members up to the point we can grow on our charity work and advertising budget and such.

IE: MRO has schedules printed up by the thousands and each of them could have our web address and logo on them.

MRO has trailers set up in both the driver/owner lot, and portable stage traliers that could have our logo onboard!

There are other possibilities with literature and such that gets passed out at the track in all the information booths and at all the track ministry sites.

I think that this would be the best possible scenario for us in both wanting to grow on our commitment to charity work, and growing our site at the same time.

Don't get me wrong, I truly would like to see our name on a car out there too, but it really isn't feesible, unless you want to take the risk on slapping a decal on someone's car that perhaps doesn't even stand a chance at making a race, or getting our logo out there for others to see.
I pull hard for the underfunded teams as well, but I also think we need to look at the common sense factor involved too. Chris can add to this being a strong businessman, and well know philanthropist.

I think that MRO would be our best bet, because they interact with US the fans by the hundreds, and even thousands on race weekends! Just this last weekend alone we had 5 different concert venues set up, 4-5 ambassador sites set up with literature and such, each Raceway Ministry site had MRO's literature to hand out to the fans. They print up 10's of thousands of the NASCAR schedules, and we could possibly see our website on a schedule for '09 by the end of the season if that were the road we chose to go down. We could possibly get our logo on all of their trailers too, which would gain us a TON of recognition both at the track, in the camping areas, as well as while their getting pulled down the road. Over all we are looking at a WHOLE lot more exposure to our site and the main stream that we would be exposed to would be the fans, and the campers just like ourselves!

Bill has joined the site, and we are working on a couple things with Chris. I just think that we are looking at a great opportunity here with that style of marketing, than we would be looking at if we slapped a decal on a car that perhaps even got our logo on tv once. If we can capitalize on gaining more from that source then, we could look at bigger things.

Just my honest opinion, let me know what you all think. I am sure Bill can get us some figures to look at financially as well, and I think you would all see the risk would be worth the reward!

[bigolepig]

Well I am all for it...I would be willing to help supply some of the hand outs (i.e. stickers or magnets...or something else we can come up with)

I agree putting our sticker on a car, is a unique and cool thing to do. But word would spread faster through the MRO.

I am competely up for what ever is best for THIS campsite...even if it means me being chased by the Speed Demons again about my overly aggressive Guerilla Marketing Campaign.

Just let me know what I can do to help...and you know you can count on me!!

M.

[Shirley]

That sounds like a good ideal.

Does your group only do the East coast Races?

[Shirley]

Well I am all for it...I would be willing to help supply some of the hand outs (i.e. stickers or magnets...or something else we can come up with)

I agree putting our sticker on a car, is a unique and cool thing to do. But word would spread faster through the MRO.

I am competely up for what ever is best for THIS campsite...even if it means me being chased by the Speed Demons again about my overly aggressive Guerilla Marketing Campaign.

Just let me know what I can do to help...and you know you can count on me!!

M.

I'm In!!!

[Iceman]

MRO as a whole is at all the tracks. Not only NASCAR's big tracks, but a lot of the smaller tracks throughout the US have MRO Associates that are track chaplains and such at a lot of smaller scale local tracks. They have a presence at many other forms of racing, from Super Bikes to Whelen Modifieds. I appreciate all of you jumping on board with this, we will get some hard figures put together as far as what it would cost to put our logo on some of the literature, and our decal on the rigs.

However, I am looking for other aspects at the track too. We had some great Ambassador sites at Talladega, they set up tables and handed out our literature and were there to answer peoples questions that they had about the track and surrounding area. They had maps of the grandstands, parking lots, rv lots, and such. We could possibly need help in this area at some of the tracks too, as well as others.

I will get more information from Bill as far as what other aspects we may be able to help fill with volunteers from this site, and then we can discuss it further. Just wanted to get everyone up to speed so to speak, and see what kind of response we had.

[Nascar#3]

How much are we talking about and ....I'm in !

[jennyt43fan]

I'm in too. I think MRO would be a great way to go. We've enjoyed several of the MRO bands at Talladega. Half the time the people don't even know they are an MRO band. The one that plays outside of turn 1 comes down from Ohio (or at least they used to) every year - GREAT band!!!

I agree that a car would be awesome, but I agree that the reality is that we wouldn't get much for our $$$ in that scenario.

[chicken legs]

I'm 39 days 7 hrs and 10 min from retirement ( but who's counting ?) and I would love to devote time working at PIR to promote this site and it's goals. Count me in

[Atl_tim]

Is Speedway Ministries tied into MRO? We see them handing out calendars and such at campgrounds and tracks (we were parked pretty close to where they were set up for an afternoon service today).

I'd be more inclined to kick in $$ for something like this than I would be for a one time type deal of geting a decal on a car that "may" get in a race and "may" get some media coverage.

On a side note - Dale Beavers has a NASCAR devotional book called Before the Thunder Rolls. I got through it on the way to Richmond and really enjoyed it. It does a cool job of tying together one of our favorite pastimes to what really matters.

[Iceman]

The National Fellowship of Raceway Ministries oversees all of the track ministry groups. And yes MRO partners with them, and they work in conjunction to help grow upon what else is needed at the track, and away from the track for ministry. Bill and I attended a couple meetings with Dr. Roger Marsh ( I know you Texas people know that name;)) who is the director of the National on putting together some new things at Atlanta as well as other tracks. MRO as a whole is put together to minister to the race community inside the track, fitness center, children's center, etc.). HOWEVER, Bill's job is primarily fan outreach, and putting together the events you all see out in the camping areas and such. They are all trained to deal with any type of emergencies as well, and help out with loved ones dealing with the death of another while at the track and things like that. For example take Talladega last year when the 2 guys unfortunately lost their lives while erecting their flag pole, it was MRO that dealt with the family, the track, and all aspects in between primarily. A lot (not all) of the literature handed out at the track by the race ministries is provided by MRO. It was truly a full time all day gig for us at Talladega, just to keep making rounds to all of the raceway ministry sites, as well as our ambassador sites, as well as our concert sites, to make sure they had all of the handouts, NASCAR Day pins, give-away's, and such. I think I made more laps around that 900 acre piece of ground, than the cars made around the track in total! LOL

Men like Dale Beaver have been the foundation for MRO, and are a great inspiration to us all! I have enjoyed reading his work too!

The biggest and hardest challenge for MRO, just like many other organizations is funding for sure. I get it, and you all get it! What they offer at the tracks is irreplacable! When we can open all the fans eyes like this, then we can get more and more people willing to get on board and help them out with monetary donations and such. Then more and more bigger companies will see what's happening and want to get onboard too I believe!

Thanks for hearing me out, and for wanting to help out on this! It really does make one proud to be a member of a group as giving and faithful as this!

[Bignascarfan]

I think we are still just a very young site, that has grown a great deal. I think that we need to keep our efforts on any free, or close to free advertising that we can get. I think that the money and time that MrNASCARCAMPING and Bigole and Shirley and Everybody…..breath……have put in is enough for the time being.
I am not sure of how many people have joined since we have started with the bumper stickers and flags, but we have grown a great deal already. Bigolepig has already put us on the map at the Texas race between taking one for the team because Speed was unaware of what we are, and the money raised for the walk.
I think our money would do better going to advertising that serves two purposes. Help a good organization (MRO) and give us advertising both at the same time. MrNASCARCAMPING, (correct me if I’m wrong) started this site to do a few things. Help people enjoy something he enjoys, help people share otherwise hard to find info and to help people and charities that need it.
This site does all of these things already on so many levels, that we who are here now, don’t really realize what it is we have and are in the process of doing.
I also think that with all the “Stands” that the MRO has at the tracks, and the locations of them will better advertise our site to the target group who will be interested in it.
If I had realized that the band playing up the road from me in Pocono last year was affiliated with doing charity work, then I probably would have spent more time at it.
I trust in MRNASCARCAMPING’s judgement. If he works something out with the MRO, and we can keep doing what we are doing for the NASCAR Foundation, then I am all for it.



I really need to stay away from Uncle Jack…. You know the uncle from Tennnessee. He makes me ramble on and on and on and on and on…

The race car can come when we have a hundred thousand members.
My old number 7 cents worth……..

[Iceman]

That's just what we're working on putting together. A great fit for our site here, joining forces with an organization as great as MRO that we were already helping in a roundabout way through the NASCAR Foundation. But then we are putting ourselves in the forefront, and keeping our charity work foremost. I think that if you put the NascarCamping.com logo on a couple trailers and on say 10,000 or 100,000 NASCAR schedules, then just imagine the growth of the site, and the number of people willing to contribute to the ongoing charity work of the members of the site.

I am just honored and greatful to belong to a site of fans that all have such a passion to raise money for charity, and pull together to show just how united we truly are!

[Nascarcamping]

Thanks for posting all your thoughts and opinions on this folks, Bill and I have been exchanging some ideas on different things and hopefully can get together later this year at Cayuga or my hometown after the Michigan race.

As you know I am all about helping others and philanthropy, its what drives me as an individual every day.

I would expect us somehow to partner up in the long run, lets keep our fingers crossed on this, I threw an idea by Bill that apparently has never been thought of before, its a very serious item for me, but would no doubt make a lot of people laugh I am sure:)

As you know I am commissioning a book about Cayuga, and am hoping DW will write the forward to it, if that happens then there would be almost a 100% chance we will then hook up with MRO:)

Thanks for sharing:)

Many thanks to Iceman for bringing us together:)

[bigolepig]

I think we are still just a very young site, that has grown a great deal. I think that we need to keep our efforts on any free, or close to free advertising that we can get. I think that the money and time that MrNASCARCAMPING and Bigole and Shirley and Everybody…..breath……have put in is enough for the time being.


Hey Biggie...how'ya feeling today?? Did ya make it into the Gorilla suit last night...ha!! All good points you made!

[Bignascarfan]

It is not often that I "Tie one on" So last night was the night.:oops: I missed the end of the race, it sounds like I missed a good one. :(

I will check the point s after I get my laundry done.

I think this site in just a few years is going to be a big enough that it might be able to start a "Foundation" of its own.

I am all for working with the MRO.
DW and the forward? Nothing to laugh at there. People talk about legends; I believe he is one of them.

I too (While sober this morning) am still proud to be a member of this site.

Iceman, Let me know if there is a "shift" that I can help you with at the Glen on August 10th. I will be camping at the gate 7 area Tuesday until Monday. Since there is no track walk at the glen scheduled, maybe I can help you out instead. :-D