And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

[supercub]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

My 2 cents !!! I first attended the races in the 60's.....seems back then, that if you mentioned Reno, everyone knew you were talking about Air Racing......The big casinos were sponsors and I heard it several times back then, that the Air Races were the biggest money making event for the Reno Area.........I think that has changed now, but it still pulls in a lot of $$ for the area. I certainly don't have the answer, but I'm surprised that the big casino's aren't tapped for more involment with the Air Races. Red Bull races are well known, because they obviously have a major world wide sponsor, and unlike Reno.they take the races to the masses unlike the masses having to travel to Reno. How many more people to you think would attend a pylon race if it could be held over San Diego Bay rather then in the desert north of Reno? Seems like Budweiser has there name on anything and everything that races.....and I know they've been on some racers in the past..........but what about now, and that's only one of many beer companies..and what about Pepsi, coke, or for that matter Red Bull themselves. How bout the casinos, let's get them more involved. Years, ago, the air races were on ABC's Wide World of Sports.....more TV exposure is something that needs to be looked at.......more TV exposure equals more sponsers. Reno has survived 50 years, I don't see why it can't keep going for looooooooong time yet. What's it cost to put on the Races? 10 million, 20 million $$.....I don't have any idea........that's a ton of money to you and me.......but in todays economy for a major event, that is really not a lot of money..heck that wouldn't support some of the big corporations flight departments out there for a few months.
Brian

[LoveOldPlanes]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

Well...just a rant here but it seems silly to me that when I tell people that I race a plane at Reno they always say you fly in between those inflatable pylons ......red bull .....and I always give the same response " no those pussies run one at a time we "RACE" 8 at a time." So my real problem is this, why is it that my race has been going 50 years strong and I have to explain to people that don't know about it....it's like red bull and they understand, red bull is only like 10 years old WTF....we need to market younger crowds , find more sponsors and get someone to run this **** like they know what there doing.then we wouldn't need to have our hands out like a bunch of obamas . Then take better care of the people that are making it happen ,pilots,crews,mx instead of us getting there and getting the your lucky we let you race here bs.

Great! What a wonderful way to invite people to become interested in the racing you take part in...insult the only thing they happen to know. All the other things you mention won't happen because far too many Reno fans have a huge chip on their shoulders towards Red Bull series. EVERY time I have heard the response you quoted given to a person, that person holds their tongue until the rude responder leaves and then says, "I don't know, its some sort of old man thing like a bunch of NASCAR hicks in airplanes or something." Score one more for a person that will never, ever again consider checking the Races out.

This year at the bar in the Grand Sierra, I had a fair number of younger folks (early 20's) in the casino and bar ask about the races because of the team shirt I was wearing. ALL of them started by asking if it was Red Bull. I took the time to compare the two, explain what was different and then INVITE them to come see something they never considered before. I actually ran into a few of them later in the week and they made sure to say hello to me.

Face it, Reno is no longer the Big Kid On The Block. There are plenty of things waiting in the wings to replace it, and the majority of the world will never even know it existed once it dies. For some reason, too many Reno fans see Red Bull as "The Enemy". It's probably the only Allies Reno has. The "Enemy" are the NFL, NBA, Baseball, video games, computers, social media, hip/hop, etc, etc, etc. or all the other things so easy for people to spend their money on.

EVERY question from an uninformed person is a chance to interest them and get them to fill the empty seats. Every rude response will travel much farther than you can imagine. Pepsi did a study decades ago that found for every customer who had a bad experience with a product/ person...that bad experience ended up traveling through to over 700 people. Every person that had a good experience spread the word to less than 15. Given the way the world talks through social media these days, the numbers are surely higher than that today. No amount of new marketing company money spent can ever counter that kind of attitude and save the Races.

[f1-69]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

It is a good way usually gets a good laugh and then I explain what it is I do after that, you are right about the chip though, and I don't see red bull as the enemy but as the savior ,they have got it figured out, sometimes my words don't come out right, but there is no question about if I'm trying to do good for our sport

[GRNDP51]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

Plain and simple, the Air Races ARE THE SH!T NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!!! It just sucks that we are the only ones that care about it The people that piss me off are the ones that say oh a plane crashed into the crowd I'm going to die I don't want to do that. Like somebody said earlier in the thread GROW A PAIR! This is the REAL MAN'S SPORT and everyone else is sitting around watching Tiger Woods swing a golf club. YEAH THAT'S WHAT REAL FUN IS NOWADAYS!!!!!

[al baby]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

It is a good way usually gets a good laugh and then I explain what it is I do after that, you are right about the chip though, and I don't see red bull as the enemy but as the savior ,they have got it figured out, sometimes my words don't come out right, but there is no question about if I'm trying to do good for our sport

Interesting discussion. The Red Bull comparison is an excellent place to begin. What have they done all along that RARA has not. Marketing, publicity, sponsorship, marketing, marketing and marketing.

And the "biggest fan club" of RARA is AAFO? And you're bragging about it? Before you jump on me hear me out. This has become a niche market and not a global market. You are THE market. YOU, the posters here, by your own admission, are the only ones who know about, care about and support RARA. Not the way to make a global event happen.

We have to believe RARA knows what to do to fix their dismal marketing and fan following. But, the question is -- do they have time before the lights get turned out for good.

[flyingjibus]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

Glad to see there are some clear thinkers in this thread.

I have been going to the races for 30 years and I am absolutely entitled to my opinion. RARA is the one begging and threatening here.

The idea that negative press on this website will have some dramatic effect on the longevity of the races is noble, but a bit of a stretch.

[toldjaso]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

[
The idea that negative press on this website will have some dramatic effect on the longevity of the races is noble, but a bit of a stretch.[/QUOTE]




Edzakery!

[f1-69]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

We will start it here, brietling has been a very very very good sponsor for Reno and I hope to win one soon, but let's be serious how many of you went into the tent shopping to buy one, or better yet who can afford one I know the only way I'll have one is to win one, it's just not a sponsor that most can relate to, next how many 18-30 year olds did you see there, not many , we need to attract new young people , thank god for Steve jr for putting a young face in the race, we need rock stars in all of our classes, and this is my biggest beef with rara/most race fans , there are six classes of racing at Reno and they all should be promoted equally , of coarse the unlimiteds are the stars and the should be but there is a lot of awesome races that go on all week long.
The top of the f1s go over 260 mph on 100hp
Tom aberles phantom is a bipe that does over 260 mph
Jeff lavelle 400 mph in a glassair3 WTF
The t6 race is always close
Promote the whole race , get a younger sponsor, and old guys nurture some new talent

[Idaho_cowpony]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

In regards to the above..

It was great to see the workings of team Wasabi this last year! Wow, those guys have put out some effort. I see a lot of promise in their design. Was also great to see a new Gold winner in the Formula's, and that being of a Swiss team! Excellent!

Sport class is shaping up well for next year..

Would like to see more one-off works in the Biplane class. (Not that the Pitts folks aren't creative...) I do see a lot of little tricks going on. Anxious to see what will come of this new Bipe design..

Love the '6's. And those guys really pay attention to every 10th of a second. Many have increased speeds over the last few years, which is awesome givin' the limitations!

Here's to a big +1 for the Warbird guys, including other(s) in Florida..hint...hint... To get involved in the races.

Maybe it's time for a cross-country gig of some kind? What kind of hurdles might need to be conquered with the FAA to bring these back?

- Joseph

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

In regards to the above..

It was great to see the workings of team Wasabi this last year! Wow, those guys have put out some effort. I see a lot of promise in their design. Was also great to see a new Gold winner in the Formula's, and that being of a Swiss team! Excellent!

Sport class is shaping up well for next year..

Would like to see more one-off works in the Biplane class. (Not that the Pitts folks aren't creative...) I do see a lot of little tricks going on. Anxious to see what will come of this new Bipe design..

Love the '6's. And those guys really pay attention to every 10th of a second. Many have increased speeds over the last few years, which is awesome givin' the limitations!

Here's to a big +1 for the Warbird guys, including other(s) in Florida..hint...hint... To get involved in the races.

Maybe it's time for a cross-country gig of some kind? What kind of hurdles might need to be conquered with the FAA to bring these back?

- Joseph

I keep joking with Thom to do some sort of coast to coast record on the way home. LA to Miami perhaps. What I really would like to see is Strega, Rare Bear, Voodoo, and PM do a record challenge. All four airplane go for a different record each day. 3km, 15km, time to climb. Each airplane does an attempt at a different record each day over three days.

[boomtown]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

I keep joking with Thom to do some sort of coast to coast record on the way home. LA to Miami perhaps. What I really would like to see is Strega, Rare Bear, Voodoo, and PM do a record challenge. All four airplane go for a different record each day. 3km, 15km, time to climb. Each airplane does an attempt at a different record each day over three days.

I would pay to see that.

[Leo]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

I think this past year he set a record just making it here, considering all of the hurdles placed in front of him!

[Desertdawg]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

I think this past year he set a record just making it here, considering all of the hurdles placed in front of him!

I'll say. When he landed in Reno his new paint job was half peeled off.

[Leo]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....



We sat out on the street listening to radio calls hoping he would make it. Once we knew he was inbound (radio calls were very garbled) we chased all around the field in car and on foot trying to catch a glimpse.
Just like the old days!
Thanks PM for that!

[wyhdah]

Re: And the crowd funding campaign begins.....

I'll say. When he landed in Reno his new paint job was half peeled off.

Hmmmm.......Must have been that thunderstorm outside of KPHX. We left without it dried.