the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters ralph ...sheheen’s resume includes hosting...

Racing Promotion Monthly

The Idea Newsletter For Auto Racing Promoters

The Promoters’ Voice & Forum Since 1972

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Issue 46.01

Ralph Sheheen To Speak At Daytona;2016 Supplier Introduction Issue;The ARPY@40, A Retrospective

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Issue 46.01

P5 Ralph Sheheen Added To RPM@Daytona Lineup

P6 Updated RPM@Daytona Session Schedule

P8 The ARPY@40: A Retrospective

P9 Not Just An Award, A Tribute To All Promoters

P9 Session Preview, Building Big Events

P9 Session Preview: Adapting To The New Facebook

P9 Session Preview: Communicating To The Thick Slice

P10 2015 Regional ARPYs Revisited

P10 Workshops Session Preview: Annual Case Law Summary

P10 Workshops Preview, Partnering With Sponsors For Profit

P11 Legalert: Social Media Behavior

P11 INEX Updates, Fires, Floods, Track Closures, Naming Rights

P12 Session Preview, Workshops Open Forums

P13 Honor Roll of ARPYs, 40 years In Pictures

P14 Honor Roll of Regional ARPYs: 114 Of The Best

P16 Introduction of Suppliers 2016, Companies Supporting Short Tracks

P24 RPM@Daytona Credential Application

This Month In RPM

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

EDITOR: Stewart Doty FOUNDER: Stew ReamerPHONE 715-536-1067 FAX 715-536-3616

MAIL: PO Box 406, Merrill, WI 54452

E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected]

Copyright 2016, 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]

P: 715.536.1067

F: 715-536-3616

Broadcaster Sheheen Added To Daytona LineupRetrospective: The ARPY@40

More Ideas Mean More Cars, More Fans. More Sponsors

Short Track TV Innovator: Ralph Sheheen, the voice of the first live TV broadcasts of the Knoxville Nationals,

U.S. Nationals and AMA Supercross joins us at Daytona Beach.

(NSSN Photo)

5

Sheheen, A Late Addition

Motorsports commentator Ralph Sheheen will be the featured speaker Tuesday morning, February 16, at the RPM@Daytona Promoters Workshop. Sheheen’s resume includes hosting broadcasts of Formula One, World Rally, Supercross, and MotoGP events. He hosted the first live TV broadcasts of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, the World of Outlaws Knoxville Nationals, and the AMA Supercross Series. He is the co-owner of Turn 3 Media, which publishes the monthly National Speed Sport News Magazine, the National Speed Sport News web site, and the Speed Sport radio and TV programs and he will talk with promoters about the changes he’s seen in the presentation and broadcasting of motorsports entertainment.

Retrospective: ARPY@40

The industry is changing with more

promoter turnover than ever. Many

readers are new subscribers in the last

year, even a dozen or so in the last 30

days, so some time talking about the

tradition of the ARPY Award is beneficial

for those who might not know what the

40-year milestone means to the

community of promoters.

We were a new and enthusiastic cub

reporter contributing our first articles to

Stock Car Racing Magazine with Rich

Benyo and Dick Berggren and recall

reading about the early ARPYs in the

“yellow sheet” RPMs of the ‘70s,

especially JC Agajanian. We subscribed

to RPM at the urging of Berggren as

Agajanian was revealed as the Promoter

of the Year, and remember reading

Stew Reamer’s report on the event. At

that time, we were completely taken

with drivers and the competition, and

like so many fans and entrants even

today, took the events for granted and

barely asked ourselves”Who are these

guys who present that races?” Drivers,

as they are prone to do still, tried to

convince us that all promoters were

felons who somehow, so far, escaped

prosecution. We didn’t buy it then, but

we also didn’t pay promoters much

attention, focusing instead on the

competition and the culture of short

track racing. We knew of nearby

Wisconsin promoters Larry Wehrs, Phil

Bickley, Joe Van Daalwyk, Rollie Hodge,

and especially the late Sam Bartus,

(See ARPY, P8)


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!

6

Sunday, February 14, 20164:30-6:30 p.m. Claim Credentials, RPM Workshops Guest Services Desk, Credentials available for track personnel guests, VIPs and commercial registrants. Convention Center, Adjacent South Lobby, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

4:30-6:30 p.m. Exhibit Setup (No Credential Required), Grand Ballroom, Atlantic Avenue Pre-Function Area and Crystal & Tamoka Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

Welcome Reception (Tentative): Exhibit Area

RPM After Hours: Enjoy the races at New Smyrna Speedway; World of Outlaws Sprints, UMP Modifieds, Volusia Speedway Park, East Bay Raceway, Bubba Raceway Park, or the many fine eating establishments in Daytona Beach.

Monday, February 15, 20167:30 a.m. Claim Credentials, RPM Workshops Guest Services Desk, Credentials available for track personnel guests, VIPs, and commercial registrants. Network, shop and buy.

7:30 a.m. Exhibit Setup, Grand Ballroom, Crystal & Tamoka Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Crystal & Tamoka Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

9:00 a.m. Call To Order, Sponsor And Community Welcomes, Chairman’s Remarks, Grand Ballroom, St. Johns & Halifax Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village. followed by...

10:15 a.m. Promoters Prime Panel, An Open Forum Discussion, 2015 Season Recap: Promoters and Workshops moderators capsulize 2015 and share their analysis of the 2015 season, discussing tech, car class dynamics, car counts, promotions, ticket sales, and more, summing up an overall picture of the 2015 season. How was your season? Want to compare results? Here’s your chance. (Panelists TBA)

11:00 a.m. Presentation of Regional Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Awards. Recipients: The Leiby Brothers and Alan Kreitzer, Lincoln (PA) Speedway; Gray Garrison and the Hawkins family, Bowman Gray (NC) Stadium; Rich Farmer, Fremont (OH) Speedway; Dan and Scott Ratajczak, and Toby Kruse, 141 (WI) Speedway; Dan Robinson, Lucas Oil (MO) Speedway; Steve Beitler, Skagit, Gray’s Harbor (WA) Speedways.

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Noon Break, Enjoy the fine restaurants of the Hilton Daytona Beach and nearby Ocean Walk Village. Shop the over 30 exhibitors with services and products for short track promoters.

1:15 p.m. Workshop Reconvenes, St. Johns & Halifax Rooms, Grand Ballroom, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

1:30 p.m. Partnering With Sponsors, Mark Gundrum, ARCA, The ARCA VP Business Development, and Corporate Partnerships, returns to the Workshops to share practical partnering strategies proven in business relationships between ARCA and its sponsors. Gundrum has accumulated a wealth of practical experience and street smarts. The strategies he’ll share will work at any short track.

2:15 p.m. Exhibit Tour: Network, shop, and buy in an hour for promoters to get to know Workshops sponsors and exhibitors and demonstrate appreciation for their loyalty and support.

3:00 p.m. The View From The Chigger Patch, Auto racing journalist, driver’s wife, car owner, pit crew member, track employee, and racing fan Joyce 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.

3:45 p.m. Workshops’ Case Law Summary, RPM’s annual summary of case law for promoters presented by CARY AGAJANIAN and PAUL TETREAULT, partners at Agajanian, McFall, Weiss, Tetreault & Crist, Las Angeles, CA. Accomplished motorsports attorneys review for promoters the implications of recent case law decisions in RPM’s annual legal briefing.

4:30 p.m. Risk Management Q&A: Pro bono legal advice for promoters with attorneys Agajanian, Tetreault, DON ORNELAS, and RON BENNETT, Bennett, DiFilippo & Kurtzhalts Law Firm. Widely recognized as the most experienced racing legal experts, they will answer questions about the waiver, minor waivers, kids in the pits, zoning and regulation, sound issues, tech and confiscation, more.

5:15 p.m. Closing Remarks

5:30 p.m. Adjourn

6:30 p.m. Evening Event For Credential Holders TBA

RPM After Hours: UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Volusia Speedway Park, East Bay Raceway, or the many fine eating establishments in Daytona Beach.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:00 a.m. Workshops Guest Services Desk, Credentials available for track personnel, guests, VIPs and commercial registrants. Network, shop and buy.

8:00 a.m. Exhibit Area Open, Grand Ballroom, Crystal & Tamoka Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

8:30-9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast, Crystal & Tamoka Rooms, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

9:00 a.m. Call To Order, Chairman’s Remarks: Grand Ballroom, St. Johns & Halifax Rooms, Opening Remarks, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

9:15 a.m. Thirty-Ninth Auto Racing Promoter of the Year, Gary Howe: Howe’s path to ARPY is a testament to the culture of the Workshops. Howe admits that when he attended, he thought he knew it all. 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.

10:25 a.m. Featured Speaker, Ralph Sheheen, broadcaster, producer, co-owner of the Speed Sport franchise. Thoughts on the evolution and presentation of live motorsports.

11:00 a.m. 31st Annual Workshops Award Ceremonies. Presentation of RPM Promoters Workshops Outstanding Annual Event Award and the 40th Annual Racing Promotion Monthly, Auto Racing Promoter of the Year Award.

12:00 Lunch Break, Enjoy the fine restaurants of the Hilton Daytona Beach and nearby Ocean Walk Village. Shop the over 30 exhibitors with services and products for short track promoters.

1:30 p.m. Workshop Reconvenes, Chairman’s Remarks, St. Johns & Halifax Rooms, Grand Ballroom, Convention Center, Hilton Daytona Beach Resort Ocean Walk Village.

1:35 p.m. The Crate Nation, Bill Martens, Chevrolet Performance reviews 12 years of sealed-engine experience in a session subtitled, “Is It Time To Rewind?” A discussion summarizing the lessons learned and the present path to success with sealed spec engines. Martens will update promoters on Chevrolet Performance’s program, answer questions, and field suggestions from those using or looking to use Chevrolet Performance 602, 604, and CT525 engines for street stock, modified, late model and sprint classes.

3:00 p.m. Build Your Own Marquee Events: Popular RPM@Vegas presenter Billy Thomas, East Alabama Motor Speedway, will share his experience building big events--the Alabama State Championships, the National 100, the Bama Bash and the Jimmy Thomas Memorial. Thomas is a believer in self-promoted special events, and he’ll show promoters how they can leverage big races to increase revenue streams of all kinds.

3:45 p.m. New Facebook Strategies: Kristin Swartzlander, DirtyMouth Communications, sums up changes taking place on the Facebook platform and their effect on promoters. Swartzlander 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.

4:30 p.m. Communicating To The Thick Slice: Marketing communicator Mike Lysakowski, coaches promoters urging them to sell to what he calls the “thick slice” (of the pie chart), the pool of potential ticket buyers not established as regular fans. He’ll explain how promoters frequently present the wrong message to the wrong audience crippling the success of marketing efforts.

5:15 p.m. Promoters Prime Panel, Do You Want More Cars, More Fans, In 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? They’ll talk class trends, tech issues, whether schedules and race nights will change, promotions they’ll implement, or abandon, and more, helping you prepare for the new season. (Panelists TBA)

5:45 p.m. Closing Remarks: Summing up the 43rd Workshops Series. Sponsor farewells.

6:00 p.m. Adjourn

RPM After Hours: New Smyrna Speedway; UMP Late Models, Modifieds, Volusia Speedway Park, East Bay Raceway, and Bubba Raceway Park, or the many fine eating establishments in Daytona Beach.

Revised RPM@Daytona, Schedule (Updated 01/25/16)

56-H Loomis Street

Manchester, 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) 360-8000

Email: [email protected]

1933 Staunton Turnpike

Parkersburg, 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) 858-1234


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

21601 John Deere Lane

Rogers, 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) 457-9888


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]

www.smileysracing.com

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

117-119 Cushman Road

St. 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

8

(ARPY, From P5)

without whom it is

certain central

WIsconsin wouldn’t

have enjoyed the robust

racing of the day, nor

would there have been

the drivers’ ribald

accounts of the

occasional

abscondences with

purses. As we became

more experienced in

our business, we began

to understand the complexities of the

racing business, and the difficulties

promoters faced weekly, if not daily. Later

in covering a controversial Bill Donoho

promotion of the fall Nashville race, in

which questions arose whether he was

being cavalier with the names of popular

drivers and allegedly misleading fans, we

became slightly more closely acquainted

with promoters and

complexities of event

promotion. It was not

until we had the

privilege to share a few

extended conversations

with Rex Robbins (who

unfortunately passed

away the night before

we wrote this), Tom

Curley and the late

John McKarns, that we

gained at least a

superficial

understanding of the

realities of the short

track business.

Fast forward to our first visit to

the RPM promoters Workshops

in the very late ‘80s, where we

spent three days listening to

sessions that germinated our

admiration for the colorful

characters that operate

America’s short tracks, for their

broad shoulders, business

acumen, resourcefulness, and

persistence. The lifetime of the

ARPY Award is a continuum we

share, and we regret that we did

not have the privilege of

knowing the early greats like Agajanian,

Deery, Venditti, Martin, Gunn and the

others, and are left to know them

vicariously through Reamer and the

Newsletter. But, we consider it an honor to

be entrusted with the great tradition of the

award and on the occasion of its 40th

year, decided to devote this issue to

reminiscing with longtime readers and

familiarizing new readers with

what is the only award of its

kind--an honor bestowed by

peers annually.

As a touchstone, readers

selected Hugh Deery as the first

ARPY, and here’s an excerpt

from RPM in March of 1976.

The original award is shown at

left.

“DEERY IS FIRST "ARPY" WINNER... a standing ovation by the 270 persons in the Daytona Hilton's Ambassador Room greeted the announcement on February 16 that Rockford

Speedway's HUGH DEERY had been selected "Auto Racing

(See ARPY, P9)

The ARPY At Forty

The Original: Weighing 26 lbs., the original ARPY award was handbuilt by Stew Reamer and sponsored by Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its then president John Cooper. (RPMPhoto)

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@Daytona

Building 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.

Hugh Deery, The first ARPY, 1976 (File Photo)

J.C. Agajanian, The second ARPY, 1977 (File Photo)

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

9

(ARPY, From P8)

Promoter of the Year" by his fellow track operators. ...the announcement caught Deery completely by surprise. He later said he had thought the award would go to J.C. AGAJANIAN. With tears in his eyes, Deery told the Promoters Workshop audience, "We're in the greatest business in the world, but it is not an easy business. You and I share the same problems, and occasional triumphs. This moment is a triumph for me. I love every one of you, and thank you for this honor. It is the highlight of my 20 years' association with racing..."

...The "ARPY" award was presented to Deery by V.W. (Billy) Snyder, executive vice president for marketing of the Thermo King Corporation, sponsors of the [award]. ..Also at the Daytona Workshop for the award presentation were ARPY nominees JACK GUNN, NED JARRETT, JOHN MARCUM, DICK O'BRIEN and HARVEY TATTERSALL, JR. Each received a plaque commemorating their selection as one of racing promotion's "top ten" of 1976. Nominees J.C. AGAJANIAN, BOB BARKHIMER, GLENN DONNELLY and LINDY VICAR1 were unable to be on hand, but will also receive plaques.”

Deery’s selection resulted according to

Reamer’s recollection, from the

convergence of two things. His high profile

and early leadership in the formative years

of the Workshops and his persistent

preaching that promoters “...are in the

entertainment business,” not the racing

business. Something RPM implores readers

to understand even today.

The following year was all Agajanian’s, and

Reamer wrote this in RPM at the time:

“J.C. "Aggie" Agajanian, 40-year veteran of race promoting and dean of Indianapolis car owners, was named 1977 Auto Racing Promoter of the Year at the second annual

presentation of the award in Daytona Beach on February 15...

A standing ovation greeted the 64-year-old Agajanian, who reminisced briefly about his early experiences as a promoter, and ...accepted the impressive ARPY trophy from 1976 winner Hugh Deery.

Although he has promoted more than 260 USAC races at various locations, Agajanian's principal operation is Ascot Park Speedway in suburban Los Angeles. It is one of the nation's busiest metropolitan tracks, with 150 shows scheduled this year, including USAC, CRA, NASCAR and AMA-sanctioned events, as well as open competition for stock cars, figure-eights, motocross and speedway cycles. Among Agajanian's unique contributions to motorsports entertainment was the celebrity new-car demolition derby, originally staged in the L.A. Coliseum and televised nationwide.

We congratulate Aggie on this much deserved and long overdue recognition of his considerable contributions to racing promotion. He is a true gentleman whose operations have always reflected a positive image of our business.”

Agajanian was colorful and charismatic,

borne of the time when racing was racing

and racing was entertainment enough. He

was a promoters‘ promoter in his day, and

is always remembered as such.

Our dearth of space prevents us from

spending more lineage on the 37

gentlemen, ladies, families, partners that

make up the cadre of promoters of the year

since Agajanian, but we will sum up what it

means to us this way.

Sometime in the ‘90s, as we revealed the

name of Racing Promotion Monthly readers’

(See ARPY, P10)

A Tribute To All Promoters

Practical Advice, Profitable Ideas: At RPM@Vegas, promoters singled out second-the

session of Billy Thomas, East Alabama Motor Speedway, as a highlight after he shared details and numbers helping them to increase profit by organically building their own big events. He’s

on the docket again at RPM@Daytona. (Lysakowski 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

10

(ARPY, From P9)

ARPY recipient for the year, we can recall

sharing with the audience the fact that we

regard the award a tribute to an individual’s

work, but also the occasion of the award as a

tribute to the work of all promoters. To think

that motorsports in the United States, the

Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500, the US

Nationals in drag racing, and the huge and

under-appreciated industry that underlies them,

all are reliant upon the passion and

commitment of roughly 1,000 people who are

principals in its facilities is remarkable. Every

year as we stand on our stage, unwrap and

present plaques and the award, we look over

the audience and see many seated in the room

that also deserve such an honor, and envision

the many more, not present but also deserving,

and wish we could give everyone a plaque. To

a man and woman, all of you deserve it. It’s a

thankless, mind-numbingly complex business

too often governed by emotion and passion

instead of reason, and somehow you all persist,

and surmount challenges from every direction

then arrive at the workshops with a smile and

great anticipation for the next season. While

we understand you all do it for yourselves, for

the challenge, for the personal satisfaction, and

that’s what drives you each race night. It irks us

that your entrants do not appreciate it, and that

your fans, spoiled by your good work week in

and week out, take it for granted and nit-pick it,

and that the sport’s big leagues too often seem

indifferent to the battles you endure each

season, from which they derive most of their

ticket buyers.

On the occasion of the Fortieth ARPY Award, we

want to say thank you for all you do, and we

will again consider it the highest honor to be

entrusted with the revealing the peer you select

as the historic 40th Auto Racing Promoter of the

Year.

Voting Under Way

There has been some confusion over voting. Some readers called the RPM offices looking for an e-ballot. This year, we return to a traditional postal-mailed ballot for simplicity and control. Ballots were mailed to readers in early January and by now they have arrived in everyone’s mailbox. Be sure to return yours and do your part to sustain the great Auto Racing Promoter of the Year tradition. For the benefit of new readers and those too busy to read last month’s newsletter we’ll review the nominees again. Here’s your slate. It features five multi-time nominees and one first time nominee. Three operate paved tracks, and three dirt tracks. Your nominees are:

REGION ONE, EASTERN REGION: LEIBY BROTHERS AND ALAN KREITZER, LINCOLN (PA) SPEEDWAY: The promotional trio of this this 3/8-mile, semi-banked, clay, oval is long overdue for readers’ recognition. Second-generation promoter, and 2003 Regional Promoter of the Year, Alan Kreitzer (for his Silver Spring (PA) Speedway, now

closed) teamed up with the Leibys in 2003 to acquire the speedway and they have established themselves as one of the nation’s premier sprint car tracks. The Leibys began as sponsors and owners of sprint cars before becoming partners with Kreitzer. Lincoln is known for its iffy but headline grabbing tradition of beginning the season as early as possible, often in late February and for its “doggone it, we’re gonna run, rain or shine, warm or cold,” philosophy of operation.

(See ARPY, P11)

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

Don Leiby, Alan Kreitzer, Bob Leiby (Photo courtesy Hanover Magazine)

Six Excellent Nominees

LegalertSocial Media Behavior

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.

Q: Negative social media are hurting our track, and drivers say we can’t tell them what they can’t say because of the first amendment. Are they right? Can we penalize drivers for negative postings?

A: Social media behavior seems more difficult

to control each season. It’s difficult to prevent drivers from posting derogatory remarks, but you can establish a positive social media culture and also consequences for misbehavior. The first amendment offers them no protection and has no bearing on your actions. It prevents the government from abridging speech, and has nothing to do with citizens’ speech. Just as you have sportsmanship rules about bad behavior, and standards of fan conduct in the

stands, you can also have social media conduct standards. This means, just as you have procedures and penalties in your rules, and provide for appeals, and reinstatement, and codify how you suspend participants for actions “detrimental to stock car racing,” you can also establish penalties for those who diss the track in social media. Big league sports have social media rules that players and teams must follow during games and off the field. So does

Indycar. The bottom line is drivers and other participants, and fans for that matter, are business invitees who compete or spectate on your private property. You have the right to refuse the entry of any participant, and if their social media behavior is damaging or distasteful, you can deny access or suspend privileges.

11

(ARPY, From P10)

Lincoln races just two classes on a weekly basis, 410 and 358 Sprint cars on Saturday nights.

REGION TWO, SOUTHEASTERN REGION; GRAY GARRISON, HAWKINS FAMILY, BOWMAN GRAY STADIUM: This is an overdue third nomination for the most enduring promotional family operation in

the industry--the multi-generational Hawkins family, who have operated the 1/4-mile, flat, paved oval, built around a college football field in the downtown Winston Salem Sports and Entertainment Complex. The Hawkins, promoted their first NASCAR race in 1949 when Alvin

and Eloise Hawkins partnered with Bill France, Sr. The operation inexplicably endured a wait of 13 years for their third nomination, following nominations in 2001 and 2002. The Hawkins family has promoted Bowman Gray Stadium for its entire 66-year history. “The Madhouse,”as it has become known, is unique in our industry because of its obsessive fans, its tradition, and its tie with NASCAR. Hawkins’ grandchildren GRAY GARRISON and JONATHAN HAWKINS are promoter and track manager. Father and son Dale and Loren Pinelis handle marketing and PR for the track and Garrison’s wife Pam is ticket manager. As was the case when last nominated and throughout the history of Bowman Gray, the family tradition of doing what works best for BGS continues. In a region dominated by late model stock cars, Bowman Gray features NASCAR Tour Modifieds, the only track outside the Northeast to do so weekly.

REGION THREE, CENTRAL REGION; RICH FARMER, FREMONT (OH) SPEEDWAY: This is a second nomination for Ohioan Farmer who completed his ninth year as promoter at the 1/3-mile, dirt, northwestern Ohio, Sandusky County Fairgrounds, track. The 65-year-old track races

weekly with 410 and 305 sprints, a truck class, and supporting classes, and presents special events for the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprints and the FAST Series. Farmer, a Fremont businessman and car owner, three years ago extended his lease with the

fair, persuading the fairboard to continue with racing instead of selling part of the fairgrounds for commercial development. At the same time, he assumed control of the FAST Series (the Fremont Attica Sprint Title), the series for sprints that alternates between Fremont and its sister northwestern Ohio track. These accomplishments led to his first nomination as Regional ARPY in 2013. In the last two years, Farmer played a key roll in the development of DIRTcar’s ProSprint Class, the 602-Crate Engined class debuting in 2016.

REGION FOUR, DAN & SCOTT RATAJCZAK, TOBY KRUSE, 141 (WI) SPEEDWAY: This newly formed promotional trio is made up of 2008 nominee Toby Kruse partnered with a duo of

promotional newcomers. The Ratajczak brothers, long-time IMCA racers sold their primary business and joined with the Marshalltown (IA) Speedway promoter and former IMCA Director of Track Relations, to undertake promotion of the high-banked, clay, 1/3-mile south of Green Bay, WI in 2014. Entrants‘ high regard for Kruse, combined with the Ratajczak brothers business experience and family-centered approach to accommodating

(See ARPY, P12)

Six Candidates, Tough Choice

UpdatesFires, Flood, Tornados, Lawsuits, And

Closing Race Tracks: You just can’t keep

a good promoter down! Barely a week

before his annual January IceBowl multi-

day race, the tower and concessions

stand at Talladega Short Track burned in

a fire, but Lynn Phillips reported that

despite cold weather and the fire the

IceBowl came off well with over 230 cars

and excellent racing. New tower

equipment was purchased and installed

temporarily in another structure,

concession trailers on loan from nearby a

track helped fulfill food & beverage needs

and persistence paid off... The Mighty

Mississippi and Marler: Good news!

The flood waters of the great river came

nearly to the door at I-55 (MO) Raceways,

but Sue Marler reported minimal damage

as equipment was moved to high ground

and the waters receded quickly...

Michigan Muddle: In a somewhat

unusual variation on a common industry

theme, Michigan’s Cherry Speedway sold

recently, the buyer announcing he would

redevelop the land for another purpose

removing the race track. Almost

immediately a proposal was put forth for a

new track nearby... Naming Rights

Wrangle: The Minnesota Vikings football

team is suing Wells Fargo Bank. Seems

the Vikings take a dim view of lighted

signs on neighboring buildings that they

say “photo bomb” their USBank-named

stadium, and do not conform to the terms

of their agreement with Wells Fargo about

the signs.

Toby Kruse, Scott & Dan Ratajczak,

Rich Farmer

Gray Garrison

12

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

Watch For Your Ballot. Return It By Mail

(ARPY, From P11)

fans and entrants, and the basis of improvements built by their predecessors Bruce & Renee Conard, made for a successful debut season in 2014. In 2015, the trio continued to carry on their predecessor’s events while establishing their own identity at the facility. 141 hosts weekly racing for IMCA classes, special events for the IRA Sprint Series, professional and vintage snowmobile racing, and tractor and semi truck pulling, as well as its own marquee 10G-to-win “Clash at the Crick.” The track features its Left Turn Lounge, a sports bar operational year around.

REGION FIVE, GREAT PLAINS REGION; DAN

ROBINSON, LUCAS OIL (MO) SPEEDWAY: As a promotional newcomer Robinson was the envy of many promoters, managing FORREST LUCAS’ “Diamond of Dirt Tracks,” the multi-purpose facility in Wheatland, MO. Some consider the track the ultimate dirt track with plentiful

amenities for fans and drivers. Lucas, it was said, originally planned to spend “A couple of hundred thousand to fix the place up,” when he bought it in 2004, but instead rebuilt the track into today’s incredible facility. Robinson came to

racing as a fan, worked for NASCAR champ LARRY PHILLIPS,and the MITTLER BROTHERS NASCAR Truck Team. He benefits from the financial horsepower of Lucas Oil, but was mentored in the track operation business by the late BILL WILLARD at I-44 Speedway. He’s an engineer by training, but is now an accomplished promoter presenting some of the premier events in short track racing including the nationally televised Show Me 100, the Diamond Nationals, and the Jesse Hockett/ Dan McMillin Memorial. The speedway also hosts or hosted the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, drag boat racing on Lake

(See ARPY, P14)

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

Dan Robinson

13

Forty Years Of Promotional Excellence

Auto Racing Promoter of the Year

1976-2014:Left to right row one: Hugh Deery, 1976;

J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart,

1980; Dick O'Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983;

Left to right row two: Hugh Deery 1984, (posthumously); Glenn Donnelly, 1985;

Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard

Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991;

Left to right, Row three: 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;Left to right, row four: Charles Deery,

2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny Edwards, 2002; Nadine & Bob Strauss,

2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006; Lynn Phillips,

2007;Left to right, row five: Alfred Gurley,

2007; Joe Doellefeld, 2008; Walt Doellefeld, 2008; Jeff Nuckles, Nuckles

family, 2009, The Queensland Family, 2010; Bob Sargent, 2011; Ron Drager

2012; Left to right, row six: Scott Schultz,

2012; Roger and Michelle Hadan, 2013; Gary and Donna Howe, 2014.

Honor Roll,Auto Racing Promotersof the Year

14

www.kandkinsurance.com

Honor Roll, Regional ARPYs

There have been 114 Regional Auto Racing

Promoter of the Year nominees over forty years. 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 & Loris 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 & Michelle Hadan, Steve Beitler, Wayne Anderson/Linus & Don

Mack/Darren Evavold, Bruce & Theresa 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.

(ARPY, From P12)

Lucas at the speedway, and the U.S. Formula 1 race boat series.

REGION SIX, SOUTHWEST & WESTERN REGION; STEVE BEITLER, SKAGIT (WA) SPEEDWAY: This is the fourth nomination for this World of Outlaws sprint driver-turned-promoter, the owner/operator of Skagit, a 3/10-mile, high-banked, clay, oval that will host racing under Beitler’s direction for its 15th season in 2016. In 2014, Beitler also began promoting Gray’s Harbor, a nearby 3/8-mile dirt track presenting weekly racing for 360 Sprints, Modifieds and supporting classes. Beitler is testament to the fact that a man can remove his

helmet and become a businessman, an entertainer, and a promoter. Beitler transformed himself better than most ex-drivers and is a frequent contributor and participant at the RPM Promoters Workshops. He is more open-minded than many former drivers and

he’s a diligent student of promotion of any kind, eager to learn from the best, learn from other sports and businesses, yet unembarrassed to learn from his own mistakes. Skagit hosts weekly

410 and 360 sprint car racing and the World of Outlaws and is home of the Jim Raper Memorial Dirt Cup, annual event now over 40 years old, honoring the name of the past Skagit promoter and 1984 Regional Promoter of the Year, and the most successful and nationally-known operator of the speedway prior to the Beitler era.

Ballots must reach our offices no later than February 4, 2016, so get your ballot in the mail quickly. We’ll see you in Daytona Beach!

Steve Beitler

Thank YouIndianapolis Motor

Speedway!

The 100thRunning Of

The Indianapolis 500

RPM Returns To Indy December 2016.Watch For Details Here.

If You Missed Out, Make Plans Now!RPM@Indy 2016 Is Just Ten Months Away

May 29, 2016Get Your Tickets Today

Brickyard.Com

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 MARKETING

Custom 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


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


RPM Promoters Workshops

RPM@VegasRPM@Indy

RPM@Daytona

Mid-November 2016December 7, 2016February 12-14, 2017

ADMISSION CONTROL, TICKETS

TICKETFORCE

www.ticketforce.com

4858 E. Baseline Rd, Ste 103, Mesa, AZ 85206

877-726-3581

TicketForce utilizes a powerful web-based ticketing system

to provide the racing industry a fully customizable solution to

ticketing online, mobile, and Facebook ticketing.

BANNERS & SIGNAGE

TOTAL TRACK SOLUTIONS

www.totaltracksolutions.com

7613 Hamilton Avenue, Mt. Healthy, OH 45231

513-521-7446

Wholesale pricing. Banners, billboards, mesh, flags, car

wraps, decals, installation, signage consultation,marketing

plans, a division of GCI Digital Imaging.

BLEACHERS AND SEATING

BLEACHER BUILDERS INCORPORATED

www.bleacherbuilders.com

2710 South Blaine Street, Muncie, IN 47302,

765-716-5767

Specializing in grandstands and suites for speedways,

engineering, design/build, used bleachers, suites, press

boxes, buying used seating from major speedways.

CRATE ENGINES

FORD RACING

www.fordracingparts.com

24796 Davenport Ave., Novi, MI 48374, 800-367-3788

Sealed racing engines and engine components

Providing motorsports marketing tools for drivers, teams, and promoters. MyRacePass is not just "The Ultimate Racing Resource,” It brings all motorsports media into one location, making management simple

and less time consuming.

www.myracepass.com

FuelTix is the hottest ticketing system in the racing world. Join the FuelTix family and get a partner that truly cares about growing your business. Most ticketing companies want to help you sell tickets. We want to help you BUILD REVENUE. Let us show you how!

845 E. 4800 S., Ste 100, Murray, UT 84107866-323-5411 Ext 107

www.fueltix.com

Max DTR - by Screaming GamesMax DTR- an authentic dirt track racing game for

mobile phones/hand-held devices. Max DTR

integrates the sport's vast social network of

tracks, drivers, car classes, sanctioning bodies,

racing series, sponsors and fans. Contact us to

"Get in the Game".

11051 Mobberly Circle, Orlando, FL 32832,407-601-6075

www.screaminggames.com

We educate motorsports competitors with the knowledge they need to participate for a lifetime.

468 Southpoint Circle Unit 700Brownsburg, IN 46112Phone: (317) 956-7803

www.motorsportssafety.org

19

One of America’s largest and oldest insurance specialists for the motorsports industry. We service all 50 states.

P.O. Box 6192Providence, RI 02940-6192

401-433-4000

www.naughtoninsurance.com

Westhold is a leading seller and manufacturer of race timing and scoring systems,

scoreboards, message centers, video displays, and software.

PO Box 29, Santa Clara, CA 95052 800-346-3633

www.westhold.com

Daktronics is recognized worldwide as the leading designer and manufacturer of

electronic scoreboards, message centers, and large LED video displays.

201 Daktronics Dr., Brookings, SD 57006 800-325-8766

www.daktronics.com

Race Tires America is dedicated to the supply of safe, competitive and affordable race tires. We constantly look for ways to make rules easily

RACE TIRES AMERICA

Race tires forged in the highlands of Western Pennsylvania for racing around the world.

1545 Washington St., Indiana, PA 15701, 800-662-2168

www.americanraceronline.com

Dirt and asphalt racing tires, seven to eleven inch, track tire programs, since 1935.

www.towelcityracingtires.com

16o1 N. Risge Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28083704-933-2143 FAX 704-933-7223

Trophies, awards, apparel, promotional products, same or next day shipping.

210 Marciel Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46895 260-483-1161

www.indclassictrophy.com

20

WISSOTA PROMOTERS ASSOCIATION

A member-driven sanction in the Upper Midwest featuring eight divisions of race cars: Late Models, Modifieds, Super Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Street Stocks and Mod Fours, Pure Stocks and Hornets. As a member of WISSOTA, you vote on policies and rules and help guide YOUR organization. Click on Promoter Center at wissota.org.

PO Box 297, Dassel, MN 55325 320-275-9922

www.wissota.org

ALLIED SPECIALTY INSURANCE

Allied Specialty Insurance is a leader in the Motorsports industry since 1983. Call us for a speedy quote! Email:

[email protected]

10451 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, FL 33706, 800-237-3355

www.alliedspecialty.com

Musco specializes in the design and manufacture of sports and large-area lighting.

100 First Avenue W., Oskaloosa, IA 52577 800-825-6020

www.musco.com

Sports Insurance Specialists offers a complete motorsports portfolio of participant and spectator

insurance. A proven industry leader. “Let’s kick some risk.”

4115 Clubview Drive, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, 855-969-0305

www.sportsinsurancespecialists.com

Two-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. headsets, and Freedom Radios.

800-872-1373PO Box 301 Greenwood, IN 46142

www.americanelectronicsinc.com

DIRTYMOUTH COMMUNICATIONS

Helping tracks, sanctioning bodies and entrepreneurs build profitable racing programs by

integrating marketing, social media, public relations and sponsorship activation.

170 Morehead Road, Sarver, PA 16055 724-448-5120

www.dirtymouthcommunications.com

21

JONES BIRDSONG MOTORSPORTS INSURANCEJB Motorsports offers the widest range of products

designed to protect motorsports associations, facilities,

teams, and special events.

8935 S Pecos Road, Unit 22B, Henderson, NV 89074

866-998-3864

www.jonesbirdsong.com

WELDON, WILLIAMS & LICK

WW&L, Inc. specializes in roll tickets and fast turnaround event tickets. We also sell the automated

KIS G2 (tm) Ticket System.P.O. Box 168, Fort Smith, AR 72902

[email protected]

800-242-4995

SPEED SPORT has been America's Motorsports Authority since 1934 covering all forms of racing

through its monthly magazine, digital platforms and television productions.

Turn 3 Media, LLC, SPEED SPORT142 F South Cardigan Way, Mooresville, NC 28117

704-790-0136

nationalspeedsportnews.com

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.

2030 Powers Ferry Rd SE, Ste. 110, Atlanta, GA 30339, 678-816-4000

www.mylaps.com

RACE TRACK WHOLESALE

Wholesale distributor of racing souvenirs, imprinted promotional items, apparel, and track supplies. Serving short track racing since 2008.

817 Delaware, Independence, MO 64050, 816-718-2231 FAX 866-365-2231

www.racetrackwholesale.com

The NASCAR Home Tracks Program offers sanctioning opportunities for weekly racing and touring series events across North America and

Europe.

One Daytona Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114, 386-310-6272

www.nascar.com

22

w w w . r a c i n g p r o m o t i o n m o n t h l y . c o m



RPM Promoters Workshops

The Networking Place For Short Track Promoters


FosteringCommunication,

Cooperation, And The Exchange Of Expertise

Services to promoters

sponsored by

[email protected]

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 CodeSIGNATURE: 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 & Times

RPM@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, 2015

RPM@Daytona, Feb. 14-16, 2016 Pre-Registration, Sun. Evening, 02/14/16Sessions, Feb. 15-16, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

More Information

Call/Email Stewart Doty, 715.536.1067, [email protected] _____________

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).......................

FAX app to 715.536.3616

Mail to: RPM Workshops, PO Box 406, Merrill, WI 54452

Email to: [email protected]

Send This Application To...

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.

Advanced Application Deadline, RPM@Daytona,

February 6, 2016 OFFICIAL HOTEL: HILTON DAYTONA BEACH

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

the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters ralph ...sheheen’s resume includes hosting...

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