[formerf1champ]

Originally Posted by Oldtony

In 1964 for the Lakeside ATCC I don't know if the word marketing had even been invented.
Of course one reason for the big crowds was no TV. If you wanted to see the race you had to be there and unless there was a crash you wouldnt get more than a 30sec newsclip on TV that night.

Less TV/promotion = Bigger crowds? Interesting.

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Motor racing coverage was almost non existant outside the specialist magazines. Newspaper sports journalists didn't consider that motor racing was a sport. Promotion of the event was through those magazines, by sponsors, particularly oil companies, advertising that their teams would be there and by posters and flyers around service stations.
Some radio stations did lead up interviews etc but almost no TV news coverage and probably a bit of a write up in the local papers on the day before or the morning of the event.

Who would've thought, promoting an event through specialist press, to people who actually like the sport, as opposed to begging/expecting a % of people who don't like racing, would work?

Originally Posted by Oldtony

Touring car racing was in a huge growth spurt at the time and this was I think the last time the title was decided at a single event. From then on it was a series, and started to get more publicity. I think the turn out that day surprised everyone, and certainly was way beyond the capability of the facilities.

I think the "less is more" phrase applies to current day Australian motorsport. Back in those days, even when it turned into a series, It was only about 6 rounds or so. Adelaide, Townsville, Sydney, wherever street race/rock concert. Same poo, different town.

Originally Posted by Oldtony

What you say about it being a local feature event was probably a factor. Lakeside had attracted big crowds for Tasman series events as it was the only opportunity to see the Grand Prix stars each year, but that was a crowd who were motor sport fans. The ATCC seemed to be the breakthrough to a much larger group of people. And being a one off it probably attracted people from much further afield. I drove up from Tamworth for it.
Surfers was well promoted by the standards of the day. Kieth new his business. Being on the Gold Coast a lot of people would time a holiday break to be here for an ATCC or Tasman round. Brisbane was very much in the cachement area and the local media on the Coast were right behind publicising events. Early on of course there was no TV, later TV but not live, usually edited highlights late at night.
At that stage people like Brock, Moffat, Johnson etc were becoming superstars among a car mad youth group. Remember the motor car was a much bigger status symbol, an extension of personality and demonstration of individuality than it is now.

You mean, in those days, people had an attachment to cars, as opposed to being entertained? Radical thinking right there, me thinks

Originally Posted by Oldtony

I think the difference in raceday attendance can mainly be put down to the fact that there was no live TV,

Less TV/promotion = Bigger crowds? There is a theme developing here.

Originally Posted by Oldtony

but given the growth in population and the very significant levels of spending on promotion, the cross promotion on TV and the provision of support entertainment, I am surprised attendances are not greater.

Based on previous quotes does that mean, More TV/promotion = Less crowds? This notion would be confronting to a number of people responsible/involved in such matters.

Originally Posted by Oldtony

My mention of the core product is the V8SC racing itself. It is close, plenty of contact etc but it is developing an air of "sameness" at an alarming rate. Other than the paint jobs the cars all look the same, sound the same and in general perform the same. Parity has succeeded and turned round to bite its protaganists in the bum.

Interesting, I would've thought the core product was a concert, buying a ticket for the last 20 laps and watching half the race being led by the safety car. I would say, even with the paint jobs, the cars look the same! Back in the days of Formula Sierra, it was much easier to distinguish who was who.

Originally Posted by Oldtony

The current group of top drivers, with the possible exceptions of Lowndes and Ingall, are bland and to top it off many people are starting to get a bit fed up with seeing taxpayer money dealt out in not very transparent deals.

Not sure if I agree with you about the drivers personality part. I reckon Craig talks the corporate line as much as anyone, he just does it with a smile! Ingall? Someone should've puched his head in a long time ago! As far as the bolded is concerned, it's people, who don't have a passion for motorsport, are getting involved in motorsport and making it look bad! Bloody hell this was a big post!