More on Road America and CART

[MolsonBoy]

An article from a writer at champweb.net...
For the entire article click here.

The Road Not Taken, Revisited

Since rumors first sprang up about CART parting ways with Road America, a lot has happened. First CART sues Road America, complaining that Road America did not pay the last installment of the sanctioning fee from last season and the first installment of this year's fee. Road America responded that they had met their obligations. But, most people felt that things would be worked out, including CART and Road America themselves! Then, CART dropped the bombshell, canceling this year's event, citing non-payment and breach of contract by Road America. Road America responded that they felt betrayed, but were reportedly still quietly preparing for the race. The CART fan community and the press alternated between attacking CART and attacking Road America. But, with litigation still pending, no one knew what was really going on, because no one could really talk. So, what is behind all the madness and just who is to blame?

[Snrub]

Good article, thanks.

"sources did state that trouble has been brewing for some time over the promotion of the Grand Prix of Road America. Simply put, there was a lack of promotion of the event in the major local urban markets, including Chicago. There was no leveraging of the venue's sponsors beyond putting their names on signage around the track. The kind of event promotion that has historically gone into events such as Long Beach, where sponsor related events are continually building the type of buzz that Chris Pook is famous for, simply did not happen. The event was put on the schedule and tickets were collected. And to veteran and successful promoters such as Chris Pook and company, this is not promotion particularly in light of the events that surrounded the inaugural races in such cities as St. Petersburg, Mexico City, Miami, and Denver. Nor is Road America alone in simply ticket taking."

Hmmm... RA not getting what they deserve, but on the same token CART is right to utilize their limited promo budget on the city races.

[Tailwind]

It will be interesting to see what happens at the Road America stock holders meeting. I'll bet there will be some unhappy investors.

[Lee Janotta]

The end of the article suggests Mario would take over promoting the Road America event?

Could there be hope?! Could Mario be the series _true_ savior?!?!

[Barbarosa]

Word from a couple of Stockholders is that nothing will happen. The meeting rules state that all questions must be submitted in writing sixty days before hand. Unless a board member brings it up, and I believe the Carl Haas might be on the board, it won't be discussed. However, considering RA just lost its largest race on a game of chicken, I can't see it not being mentioned, if only to be ignored since it wasn't in writing 60 days ago.

[indycool]

Throughout CART's history, any time an event is not well-attended, CART has blamed the promoter for lack of effort. That particular element of the story is getting rather old.

[KC]

There are a few problems with RoadAmerica, some they can change and some they cannot. The track is located too far away from amenities. When CART or a team wants to entertain a corporate sponsor, the track does not offer what many of these corporate types want. There is no major city within 30 miles. Most of these people are not race fans, they just want their arse kissed up to. Thats not the fault of RoadAmerica, they have no choice in where the track is located. I have also heard a few members of this site that lve in the area say that there is no advertising for the event. None. That does not help either. Witht he economy depressed, especially in that part of the country, its not easy for the locals to come in droves.

[Tiresmoke]

Originally posted by indycool
Throughout CART's history, any time an event is not well-attended, CART has blamed the promoter for lack of effort. That particular element of the story is getting rather old.

Somewhat true. But it IS the responsibility of the promoter to do the PROMOTIONS!! RA's publicity of their CART race in the last few years has been humiliating. Not even so much more than a one-time run 1/4 pg bw ad in the Tribune. They might as well have taken out a classified ad in the garage sale section. RA relied on their mailing list to get fans in the gates. No one in the surrounding area knows of the race other than by the checkered banners outside a few bars that say "welcome race fans". Truth is, they're a small time operation and by the looks of it, they like AMA better than champ cars. They did no sponsorship acquisitions and everything culminates to making CART look bad. Pook was right to cancel the race, we need less bad partners.

[Russfeld]

There wont be a race this year *shrug*