Talking of Ascar...
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From: Richard John Neil <ovaltrack@cableinet.co.uk>
A radical new all-American race series for Britain is being launched at
the Autosport International show with the promoters promising a whole
new concept in motor sport entertainment.
The ASCAR series will use imported ASA (American Speed Association)
specification cars produced by top U.S. car builder Chas Howe. Powered
by small block Chevrolet V8 race engines producing an estimated 500 bhp
the stock cars will come in three body styles, Pontiac Grand Prix,
Chevrolet Monte Carlo and Ford Taurus.
ASCAR's managing director, Mike Schmidt explains the thinking behind the
choice of machinery, "The whole project was inspired by the launch of
Rockingham Speedway. What we are about is simply bringing race fans top
class pure bred American style race action with an emphasis on
entertaining all the family"
Rockingham's Marketing Director, Christopher Tate, has welcomed the
unveiling of the new series. "The ASCAR series will certainly provide
British fans with a truly American flavour of powerful racing. Together
with our partners from the BARC we expect to see ASCAR running highly
competitive races on the Rockingham Oval as part of our opening season
in 2001."
ASCAR has opted for a high specification on the cars but competitors
will be able to buy one for the surprisingly low price of £32,500 plus
vat. Mike explains. "The reason for such great value for money is that
we are a motor sport promotion company and as such we are not looking to
make money out of the sale of machinery. We are working with some of
America¹s top motor sport suppliers and any deals we have negotiated
with our suppliers will be passed straight on to the drivers."
Top racer Mike Jordan says the cars have 'the right specification'. He
will be employing his wide racing experience to play a key role in
developing the cars for the UK circuits. But his involvement will extend
beyond that. 'We plan to be in the series and when these cars get to
race on an oval I want to be behind the wheel of one.'
The keen pricing is only part of the unique package on offer to
competitors with ASCAR not only promising free entries along with
appearance money and prize money for every race. In addition, an
exciting innovation is that anyone buying a car will also be given
shares in the ASCAR company ensuring that the competitors who help build
up the series will profit from its success.
As a marketing company ASCAR are also anxious to ensure that their race
package has maximum appeal for sponsors and race fans alike. With two
events planned for next season before a full programme of 10 races in
2001 ASCAR has already negotiated a deal to ensure that each of those
races will benefit from an impressive two hours of television coverage
on Sky Sports.
But ASCAR haven¹t neglected the live show either and ASCAR are promising
to introduce a total entertainment package to attract families back to
race circuits. "It is sad but true", says Mike, "that much of British
motor racing today is geared exclusively towards competitors with fans
and ultimately sponsors being ignored. As you can see, we are not
ignoring the competitor but we intend to place fans and sponsors firmly
at the top of the list of priorities. By doing this we believe the
drivers will benefit even further."
Working together with top British motor sport club the BARC, ASCAR is
mapping out a programme of racing that will take in most of the other
major circuits in addition to Rockingham. BARC Chief Executive, Dennis
Carter, comments "I believe this is exactly the type of series
Rockingham needs. But beyond that it is the sort of exciting initiative
for British motor sport that we as a club are pleased to be involved
with."
ASCAR are expected to unveil a major sponsor at the forthcoming show and
their strategy is very much a long term one, as Mike Schmidt explains.
"The deal we will be unveiling will be a multi-season one and that sums
up our philosophy. We are here to stay. In the short term, we intend
ASCAR to become a major feature of the British motor sport scene and a
model of how motor racing should be promoted and presented."
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