RENO, NV (DEC. 3) — This week the 49th annual RPM Workshop visited Reno. The annual event brings the short track racing industry to the Biggest Little City for two days of speeches, seminars, a trade show plus interaction between promoters.
Wednesday is when most get signed in or register for a social hour at the Eldorado where the workshop is held.
Starting on Thursday moderator Dennis Guage did a tribute to John Padjen, who used to promote several tracks in Northern California. Sadly he passed away earlier in the week.
First speaker was Ralph Sheheen from Speed Sport News. The Northern California native lives in North Carolina and has a career announcing on TV.
One thing he and others mentioned in the RPM Act. Seems the EPA has buried a provision, if enacted, will probably destroy local racing as it is known.
The act if passed will forbid any engine modification if the vehicle has a VIN number. This will not only apply to cars but probably to motorcycles and UTV’s or side-by-sides.
Sheheen also stressed the importance of having media partners to help build a promoter’s business. He said this comes down to old school type of promoting to get a track’s name out in front of the public.
Next was Bill McAnally, who is also has a NASCAR development business. He went over sponsorship relations, the value of marketing and leveraging a promoter’s brand.
Before lunch Bill Martens from Chevrolet Performance gave a short presentation about crate engines. He went over the supply chain problems and quashed the rumor about GM stopping production.
After lunch Shannon Rush from Hoosier tires explained the challenges they face. While tires are available they aren’t in the quantity most are used to.
Tom Deery, who now works with PRI, also went over the RPM Act. He suggest people check www.sema.org and follow the link that will lead them to an explanation of what EPA is trying to do. He suggested people use the form letter to send their protest to our congressional representatives.
Deery also noted that the customers attending races next year will have very different expectations, especially after possible being away from the sport for the past two years. He emphasized that racing is entertainment and 2022 will be a challenge.
After that, like every afternoon, there are breakout sessions. In this day of social media one was about how to use live stream while another was about trends in the market place.
• Thursday began with the trade show opening first. Here promoters as well as those with displays can interact and learn the latest trends.
One exhibitor is WISOTTA, a sanctioning group from the Midwest. Executive Director Carson Gramm was attending the conference and manning the exhibit.
Asked about being in Reno he said, “To support our race tracks and all race tracks to make the sport better. And hopefully to provide them an opportunity for a place to ask questions if they have about our sanctioning or any sanctioning. As well as what we can do to provide them with the tools they need to be successful.
“We have a couple of new tracks coming on board, still got COVID to worry about a little bit but I think most of our tracks have plans in place to keep fans and drivers safe.”
The meeting got rolling when Joe Tripp, Managing Partner and CEO at Speed Sport News gave a talk about media streaming, electronic, print and publicity. He was with Speed and described how they got National Speed Sport News during the decline of print and emergence of digital content.
He also mentioned that content is king in the digital world as the media has the leverage to help a promoter. He also told the promoters, “Don’t be afraid to spend a little money and in streaming, one size doesn’t fit all so look at the larger picture.”
Next came Steve Beitler, who recently sold Skagit Speedway in Washington, State. He mentioned this past years taught him how to survive on nothing. One point he made was to have fun but remember in the end its to make money.
His suggestions are keeping things simple, think like one’s customers and remember the primary business is selling seats. That and not running late with the show.
One feature of the Workshops is a couple of legal sessions. The presenter was Paul Tetreault from the firm of Agajanian, McFall, Weiss, Tetreault & Christ.
The first session was describing recent case law decisions and how they will affect promoters, plus some advice on how to avoid those situations. After lunch, he was involved in the Pro-Bono Hour where promoters can get free legal advice on a variety of problems they might be facing.
The final break out sessions covered subjects like how tracks survived without and other topics as well as a breakdown of using streaming.
Joe Sktnicki, owner of Racing Promotion Monthly the industry’s trade publication, was asked his thoughts on the Work Shop.
“ It’s funny we’re just talking about the pandemic and I’m from Western New York and we face the Pandemic. It has not gone away in our community.
“So it’s a little different out here because it really seems like it doesn’t exist. Sure there is the mask policy and everything else but its not a focal point so I think in a way that’s a very positive for things west of the Mississippi.”
Overall he seemed pleased with how things have been going.
“As far as the conference I haven’t heard any complaints. I’m pretty happy how things have gone. You know to go from our first one, then getting stopped by the pandemic and coming to the next one and have an almost 40% increase in participation and associations that’s news for the industry.
“There are some things we have to repeat like the legal subjects and stuff but there’s no where else you can go and get free counsel like that for a couple of hours without opening up the check book and spending a lot of money. So those are things we’re going to continue to do. As trends change in the industry we’ll change with them and adapt to give people what they want to see and learn.”
Then he was asked to look into the future and describe what he sees.
“I am optimistic for the industry because I think there’s been a gravitational shift with consumers when they’re going back to mom and pop types of businesses, what ever it is. So I think the entrepreneur type business is at a great opportunity to do well again. Obviously we’ve got to watch the economy as consumption from the manufacturers is an issue of course scheduling but I do think overall that the industry is a positive one. “
• This coming weekend RPM will have a couple of small sessions at the PRI show in Indianapolis. Early in the New Year, during NASCAR Speedweeks, there will be a larger workshop in Daytona Beach.
Next year the RPM Workshop returns to Reno as it celebrates its Golden Anniversary.
REPORTER’S NOTE: Due to the amount of material this report is actually in two parts. Next week, December 13, there are interviews that will be posted, including one regarding the changes with the Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, California. They were just too long to be included here.
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Teresa’s Garage Radio Show is on the air from 2 until 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. In northwest Nevada, it can be heard over the air at 1060 AM.
There is also a Podcast at amm.streamon.fm or it can be seen live on Face Book. The show is focused on all things automotive, trends, new developments and trivia.
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• One sponsor is G.I.S.L Land Services that, while having a global client base it has a Western U.S.A. Focus. Among the services offered are Surface and Mineral Title Reviews and Cartographic Services.
Owner Greg Ekins is a long time off road motorcycle racer competing in the MRANN Series as well as the AMA National Hare and Hound series. The website is www.gislandservices.com.
• Next sponsor is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 2515 Sutro Street in Reno, a few blocks below Hug High School.
The shop services older and new transmissions and now has a section for high performance units and those used in towing. Phone number is 775-786-5888 and the shop’s website is www.generaltransmissionreno.com.
• Racing photographer Melissa Coker is another sponsor. If you raced at Summit in Elko, Battle Mountain, Lovelock, Rattlesnake Raceway or Diamond Mountain Speedway she probably has a photograph of your car on the track.
Besides photos, she produces hero cards and memory books. Her website is www.melissasoutonalimb.smugmug.com.
Two of our sponsors are first class motorcycle shops located in Reno.
• Our first sponsor is Reno Motorsports (RMS). Not only do they have about anything a rider might want or need and the store also has a full service shop.
Their location is at 964 Terminal Way, by the intersection with Mill Street. Store’s phone number is 775-322-1499 and the site is, www.rms-renomotorsports.com.
• The next shop is Moto-Source located at 3180 Mill Street. Once again they are a full service shop plus the showroom has about any thing a rider might need or want.
The phone number is 775-856-3855 and the website is, www.moto-source.com.
• Concours Body Shop, located at 250 Telegraph Street in Reno, is another sponsor. The shop does quality collision repair for cars and trucks.
Owner Brian Saul is a car enthusiast himself and is committed to continuing the shop’s reputation of quality work. Phone number is 775-329-4557 and the website is, www.concoursbodyshop.net.
• Hungry, want a great place to eat, then try PJ&CO for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and it’s a great place to watch your favorite sports. Wednesday evenings, starting around 5 p.m. is Bike Night, good time to meet fellow riders and have a great dinner.
The location is 1590 South Wells Avenue, just north of the round about. Phone number is 775-323-6366 and their website is www.pjandco.net.
Have a business targeted toward motorsports or car enthusiasts? This site is a great way to expose your services to those communities. Sponsorships are very reasonable and one can contact us either through the comment section of this site or on our Face Book page.
