An interesting thread Mr Davies and one that will develop as we have time to spend on it over the next couple of weeks.
Just a couple of thoughts: Firstly the long term image thing is so very true, one only has to think of the D type as Old Tony has said. For years the reality of Jaguar road cars was unreliability and poor residual value but they still have a brand position born of racing so many years ago. Similarly Porsche have remained true to the racing theme and benefit enormously, I am told that a new 911 derivative is due in the spring and orders have been placed without anyone seeing an actual car, no discount is available from the dealers such is the demand for an iconic and impractical car, the same can be said of Ferrari and others.
As to Brazil and their love of racing you only have to mention F1 to a group of Brazilians to find that they know all about it, obviously to a varying degree, but as someone who has travelled widely on business nowhere else have I found this degree of interest, but it is interest in F1, not motor racing in general.
I do sincerely believe that the influence of motor racing on purchasing decisions is almost subliminal and for that reason I also believe the media interest in sports and GT racing needs to be developed to increase the awareness in boardrooms. If you are trying to sell a concept to the board, be it for investment as a manufacturer or as a sponsor it does not help if you have to explain what the series is. If there is the title "World Championship" you are more likely to get their attention than if the title is, say, "FIA GT Championship" because then you have to explain what FIA is.
Another thought is that front line sales staff for marques that do well in motor sport need to be aware just what is involved and why success is significant. At the time of the DFV and the rallying Escorts the sales manager of a large Ford dealer, as it happens Mr Davies, it was the one on Maningham Lane in Bradford, said to me that nobody bought a Ford because of motor sport. I suggested he said that to his Chairman.
