Regarding Jay Rathman’s post it’s important to keep one of his key points in mind when discussing or thinking about this subject: He acknowledges never having seen the POWERade documents personally.

Because Mr. Rathman has not personally seen the contractual agreement between NHRA and POWERade his financial outline simply has no veracity. Simply put, he’s merely reporting something someone else told him. That does not make it factual, and again, I mean no personal insult to Mr. Rathman.

This is too important an issue to allow speculation to become “fact.”

The only people who really know the numbers are those who signed the agreement, but in my view that isn’t the primary issue here. The issue is the lack of support the sponsor has shown the series since signing that agreement.

Look at it this way. A web site recently “reported” that the Pro Stock Truck settlement was $7.5 million without providing anything in the way of proof other than having “heard it” from someone. That does not make that number the right one (and it isn’t, believe me).

“Hearing” that a deal is worth X amount has no validity whatsoever. If you can’t back it up with facts it’s nothing more than an unsubstantiated rumor.

Regarding P.J. Sapienza’s comments about O’Reilly’s, I was merely pointing out that NHRA had found it remarkably convenient to ignore one of their own marketing department “rules” when it was in their best interests to do so regardless of how that might impact the competitors.

Regarding Wayne Darlington’s post, it’s the sanctioning organization’s responsibility to FIND and SIGN a sponsor. If, and this is a big IF, the POWERade deal wasn’t a good one, then NHRA should have followed the lead of Mr. Compton when he said NHRA would proceed without a series sponsor if they couldn’t sign a “good one.”

As far as handing out free POWERade to a few fans at the end of a national event goes, that is indeed a very small point. While Winston never suggested that anyone start smoking, they did provide free product to the competitors. POWERade does not. The racers are expected to buy the product so that they can be seen using it, and therefore promote its “value” to the fans, who it’s then expected will buy it when they get home.

Why would a series sponsor desirous of promoting its product be asking those they want to do that promoting to buy it?

Maybe because they don’t have a real belief in the value of being involved with NHRA drag racing?

IF POWERade were solidly behind NHRA drag racing, and IF they believed NHRA drag racing was an exceptionally good promotional tool (which it very definitely is if utilized properly), giving product away by the truckload would be an obvious and extremely inexpensive way of expanding the public’s awareness of the product.

“Product” is the least expensive item any company has to offer. These are absolutely NOT real prices, I’m just throwing them out there for comparison purposes. So, IF a bottle of POWERade costs Coca-Cola fifty cents to produce, package, ship and market, and they retail that bottle for $2.00, the profit-per-bottle is obviously $1.50. So, each bottle that POWERade gives away only “costs” Coca-Cola $.50, yet they’re unwilling to even invest that small amount in support of the sport. On the contrary, they expect the racers to BUY the product for (remember, these aren’t “real” numbers) maybe $1.10, so no matter what, on every bottle of product the company is making at least something.

Dave Murphy, get real. NHRA and IHRA are competitors for the spectator’s dollars. The only area in which there’s even a modicum of cooperation is in national event scheduling. They do try to avoid scheduling conflicts with events are too close to one another geographically, and even then it’s not always successful.

Jon Asher

The 2 threads on this have now been combined


Jon I understand that the guideline has been in place regarding sponsoring pro teams and yes more money should get to the teams. But should a sponsor be turned away if all they want to do is sponsor a race? Englishtown recently had a sponsor that I beleive was new to the sport. I would think thats a good thing to get new money in for 3 reasons. First and I may be naive on this but isn't that race sponsorship money used at least in part to run the event? Secondly, could this not be a good entry way for a business to see if they want to become further involved? Lastly if the company is a local or regional business then the pull of a nationwide team sponsorship may not suit their needs but sponsoring a race or two in their market may be best for them.

I just hate the idea of turning sponsorship money away.

__________________
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Tact is for those not witty enough for sarcasm

Agreed Lance, John does tend to ruffle the feathers of those in charge at the NHRA and often is quite negative. It has often been said, don't stand too close to John at a NHRA national event for fear that the sniper may miss.

To some extent I can understand why John does not offer constructive criticism. When presented with constructive criticism, the elite management types simply blow you off. Or, as John stated, when Compton was questioned about the money behind the Powerade deal, Compton gave a quick blow off then turned his back and walked away. It's like the only media the NHRA wants to talk to are those that they can control. And, in John's case, they cannot control him. Lance, I'm sure you will agree, John is more of a racer's media guy than a NHRA media guy.

If you read some of John's earlier writings, you will see that at one time he did offer criticism and then solutions. I guess with age he got tired of hitting himself in the head with the NHRA hammer.

Pat

Has Powerade ever been on a car sponsorwise, NOT the Logo mandate either. Winston sponsored a TF Dragster and FC for what 10 years? I'm not sure but between Smokin Joe's and the Winston deals, Winston was really behind the Sport of Drag racing. I do believ O'Reilly was on Scott Palmer's Dragster a couple of years ago for a few races, but that's it.

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Shift for Brains!!!!

Jon, while I do like your reporting and your investigation efforts to get as many facts as you can, I do think that most of your editorials do not promote the sport in general. Maybe that is your niche or BB's mandate to you, I don't know.
Thank being said, life is really too short to look at the negative side of things all the time.
With your ability, brains and contacts in the sport you could become a very rich man soliciting sponsors and telling said sponsors, what they need to do for the sport that you seem to have so much passion for. Maybe journalism should not be where you make your mark.
Not that I am saying NHRA would walk up to you and hire you as their marketing guru,
If you spent as much time looking to improve the sport as you do finding things wrong with it, you might become the next Tom Compton (The new boss under HD)
I do feel you are passionate for the sport, and are as knowledgeable as any journalist out there. But find something positive to right about or send a letter to the hierarchy with positive suggestions to fix the issues instead of just lambasting their inadequacies.
Again this post is not meant to be anything more than an observation from a guy as passionate about the sport as you are.
But I am getting to the age where the all negatives do not help your own self worth.

Sorry if this comes across redundent.

Dean Murdoch, editor,
SPEEDZONE MAGAZINE ONLINE

Let the bashing begin

OK guys, I have a novel idea....LET'S SHOOT THE MESSENGER!!! Let's not pick apart the messenger, let's pick apart the message. BTW, who else is going to tell you what Jon has told you??? Geiger? Ya' right!

Pat

I think Winston sponsored Angelle on too

__________________
Click here for NHRA Points Petition
Tact is for those not witty enough for sarcasm

I have to disagree with you Jon, although it freaks me out a bit to do so. I love your columns and all you do for the sport and respect you immensely.

NHRA and IHRA are in the business of drag racing, yes they're competitors but its in both their interest to grow the sport is it not? I just think that to grow the sport you need to market it in a way that piques some interest to newcomers. Whether it be the hype with Ashley, Driving Force on A&E or IHRA going to Western Canada or NHRA looking at Mexico. Whatever they do, they need to get newcomers curious and wanting to come out to a national event. We all know that once you experience an event live, you're most likely hooked.

That is where I think the two sanctioning bodies should work a little closer with each other. The more national events available between the two, the more opportunity for new fans. Instead of scheduling conflicting events, competing for teams and tracks, ect I can't help but think with a little
co-operation between the two, they're in a win/win position.

IHRA coming to Edmonton for example. They draw 40,000+ for the weekend, in a market NHRA didn't want. There's now new drag racing fans that weren't there before. Some of them are going to start following NHRA are they not?

Sorry for getting off-topic, and I suppose in the business world this isn't realistic. I subscribe to the "Why can't everyone just get along" theory and sometimes, wish it applied here.

Post of the day,
Thank you Dean.

What has led you to believe that NHRA will listen to any suggestions that those reporting on the sport might make?

From my persepctive, experience has proven just the opposite.

Unless reporters like Asher uncover all the dirt and point out NHRA's short comings, who else is going to cast the glare and force NHRA to step up and actually improve?

REAL POST OF THE DAY! I really like the last comment

Jon is doing what most reporters dont have the BALLS to do. I have read some of Jon's work where he has made suggestions so its not all negative. It really makes you think while making some VERY OBVIOUS POINTS. NHRA is like the government we could vote till we are blue in the face and they would still do what they want.

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If NHRA can throw away tradition then I can throw away my tickets.

I say "do away with multi-car teams"

I don't understand some of the posts suggesting POWERADE should promote the sport (per se). NHRA should be promoting the sport and I don't think they've done the best possible job.
While I understand NHRA was desperate when Winston went away (not that they didn't have SEVERAL YEAR'S advance notice) and, maybe, wasn't clear with <mutual> expectations, recent renewal of the arrangement - with no apparent change in the level of mutual comittment - seems like bad business.

Other than the few dollars income to Glendora, didn't the parties agree to a marketing partnership with a PLAN?

FWIW: I'm very favorably disposed toward Coca Cola. They support my sport and, more important, I've done business with them!
I've attended events at Pomona, Englishtown, and Maple Grove and have never sampled Powerade. NEVER! You would think NHRA would suggest the promotion? You'd think Powerade would want to do it? I can't imagine the marketing people in Atlanta are THAT brain dead.

I personally think Jon is waking some people up and suggesting we all get our heads out of the sand. I have always wondered why I never see PowerADE commercials about drag racing (or rarely) and about the only marketing or advertising effort that I see is geared towards the existing fan-base which already knows they are the series sponsor. As others have stated, to hit new fans they need to run commercials during OTHER sporting events to create some curiosity for non-fans of drag racing. Drag racing fans already know when the shows are on, and know who the series sponsor is, so running anything PowerADE related during a NHRA show is a waste of advertising dollars.

If in fact NHRA accepted a low-ball extended years contract for the naming rights to the NHRA drag racing series, then I don't see the problem with exposing that. We all have wondered why PowerADE and it's officials have been so low-key and I guess now we know. And if all the teams are EXPECTED to purchase PowerADE drinks, then I think that stinks! Who pays for all those bottles that are thrust in the hands of the winning drive during those top-end interviews? I would hope that THOSE bottles were provided free of charge to the competitors since they are plugging PowerADE not only by drinking the product on the air, but also when they lift up the trophy at the end of the race to show the PowerADE logo on the bottom.

Yes, Jon is stirring the pot and getting the fan-base upset or riled up with some of what he writes (not rights!) but for Dean Murdoch to criticize Jon and suggest we would be better served by Jon beating the bushes to find sponsors for teams rather than pointing out where NHRA has failed the fans (and the racers) is basically suggesting he silence himself if he doesn't have anything good to say. Well, sometimes the truth hurts and people are entitled to know some of this stuff. Personally the drag racing fan base should have long ago started a campaign to request that Coca Cola put their money where their mouth is (since NHRA won't or can't) and anty up some REAL serious money for payouts. I realize threats don't work in most cases, and the last thing drag racers and fans want to do is drive a big company like Coca Cola/PowerAde away, but someone needs to make them aware of the ridiculousness of the paltry amount of money they pay vs. the costs the teams and their sponsors layout week-in and week-out. And the payout has NOT increased in years yet expenses have. NHRA has locked in an extension with PowerADE/Coca Cola with no pay increases even mentioned?? What's wrong with this picture? No wonder Tom Compton turned and walked away as he had no answer to that very important question.

So what is the honest reason for printing this story? Is it to embarress the sanctioning body in public? Is it to rile up the competitors and have them build a bigger wall between the sanctioning body? Is it to get people thinking about what can be done to bring our Series Sponsor around to promoting our sport? If the latter was the purpose of it, then we all need to get to working on this and come up with solutions. If not, then as Mr. Murdoch pointed out, the story is not doing anything to promote the sport, only working on tearing it apart.

Journalism = Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.


You simply cannot say that Jon Asher is negative. He's a reporter, reporting on a situation that is by it's nature, is not good. He's the man. He's provided the inspiration for the guys like Bobby Bennet, Brian Wood and the other people that bust their ass to get us the inside scoop on the sport we all know and love.

If you want nothing but good news about the NHRA, there is a place to get it. NHRA.com



Brian