RENO, NV (Dec. 5) — The RPM Workshop, now in its 52nd year, has two workshops. First is at Reno then early next year, in Daytona. These Workshops bring the short track industry together.
Tuesday evening is a time to socialize with other promoters as well as sign in. It’s held in the Novi Lounge of the Eldorado and the casino provides a buffet meal.
• Wednesday opened with a small trade show that is part of the Work Shop. After Dennis Gage got the meeting going he introduced Ron Goodman, the Vice President of Sales for the Eldorado, who welcomed those in attendance.
Next speaker was a Joe Skotnicki, who owns the workshop and publishes Racing Promotion Monthly spoke. The digital magazine is a source of ideas and trade magazine for the industry.
He spoke of the challenges getting to Reno in very early December. Over the past year there has been a search for a possible new venue. In the end however he decided to remain in Reno as the Eldorado wants to keep the Workshop in Reno
The first keynote speaker was Jeff Hachmann, the Executive Direct of Events for the World Racing Group.
He focused on how to get drivers, fans and sponsors to help promote races, which can help a promoter’s budget. Another area is getting a track’s community involved through or participating in parades with cars from the track.
One point he made is that entertainment dollars are at a premium right now and tracks are competing for them. A promoter needs to use the fans to sell the events as well as social media.
In addition a promoter needs a staff that shares this vision. The goal is to create an experience a fan not only enjoys but will bring their friends.
He mentioned the event should be like a party going on where a race breaks out.
The next speaker was Incline Village resident Bryan Robb, who owns Digital Throttle, a new sponsor of the Workshops. He noted how the traditional outlets are getting less time while more are using digital outlets.
As a result he feels digital advertising is not only the best but also cost effective for a promoter. He suggested a track’s site should actively post videos and create a digital community. He also added a promoter needs to monitor their social ads.
After lunch several sponsors were able to welcome the attendees. One was Steve Sinclair from K&K Insurance, the company has been insuring tracks for a long time.
Paul Menting from Hoosier Tires welcomed the attendees. Then it was time for the next speaker, who was from Ticket Spice, a company that is U.S. based and has 60,000 customers..
(Unfortunately I need to apologize to the speaker. I did get one of his cards but misplaced it so don’t have his name.)
It was a very detailed speech showing options, through ticketing that can enhance a track’s revenue. Among the options were including a merchandise item with admission, as well as provide access for multiple days, create a season pass plus onsite ticket upgrades.
After that it was time for breakout sessions. One was “California Dreaming,” for tracks, promoters and series operating over there. Another discussed pricing for Concessions.
Later there was the “Jody Session,” named after Jody Deery. The subject was Women in the Promotional Business and moderated by Nadine Strauss.
The day ended with the attendees being invited to the slot tournament.
The industry is going through changes and Dennis Gage, the promoter at Marysville, California shared his thoughts.
“The short track industry is challenged these days for numerous reasons. One of them being we’re losing facility after facility. We’ve got to protect that and we’re not doing a real good job because we have to have more innovation, do better things and we have to improve our product to keep things sustainable. That hasn’t happened here lately.
Even though everyone is secure in their own little world the bigger world is in trouble and particulary on the west coast. I can’t speak through out but I kind of think it’s a national issue.”
Asked about the digital impact on the industry Gage admitted at first he was negative but now positive about it.
“I’ve gotten wiser but that happens if you look at the big picture. I’m talking more about TV replays and that stuff. The digital market surpassed ticket sales at the national and international level. That includes Formula 1, IMSA and everything.
“So if that happened nationally, why can’t it happen locally. So now I’m a supporter of the digital market age because that’s what’s going on and if we don’t go there, we won’t be here.”
In his breakout session Gage plans to add some things that were out of the box. There were several concurrent sessions during the afternoon.
The evening there was a slot tournament the attendees were invited to.
• Thursday began with the trade show opening so attendees could check those out.
There were booths from Sims Graphic Designs, K&K Insurance as well as SIS or Sports Insurance Specialists.
There was even a booth where a promoter could get weather insurance. As well as one with small things track could sell to the fans that came to see a race.
In addition Ticket Spice, My Race Pass, (another racing source), My Laps and Digital Throttle were on hand.
Once again the meeting started with Dennis Gage welcoming everyone and giving the dates for the next RPM Workshop, which is in Daytona.
The keynote speaker was Tom Deery, who used to involved with the World of Outlaws but now is with the Performance Racing Industry Show (PRI.) that happens the week after Reno.
He also mentioned a Tribute to his father, Hugh Deery, who said ‘We’re in the Entertainment Business, not the Automobile Racing Business.’
He said Covid hurt the industry and it’s still recovering although most promoters are optimistic. He also went over some ways a promoter might use to build their business.
One was a Selfie Spot at the track, having a good front gate experience as well as pointing out that a Facebook post is not advertising. His suggestion is a promoter should hire a Social Media/Digital/Technology person.
A couple other things he suggested was starting on time, not with hot laps, but racing. If there is an intermission the first race should be the top division feature then follow with the other divisions. The goal is to finish the show at around 120 minutes after the anthem.
He ended by stating that 2025 will be a challenge but that entrepreneurship isn’t dead. Creativity and hard work is still rewarded so pat yourself on the back and know nothing is easy in the business.
Next up was lawyer Paul Tetreault, from the firm of Agajanian, McFall, Weiss, Tetreault & Crist LLP. His speech was the annual case law summary.
Among the topics were recent cases and he went over releases. He also covered how releases signed for minors are in some states not enforced. He also explained how Assumption of Risk works in a sport like motor racing.
One thing he emphasized was to give people ample time to read the release before signing them. If a person is rushed or coerced into signing they might not be enforced.
During the lunch break this reporter had time to speak with Bryan Robb about his business Digital Throttle.
“It was founded originally in Southern California but we moved but we moved up here in ’17. Digital advertising is the only cost that continues to go down year over year for small businesses. It’s become a tool for any small business especially for small tracks to advertise their products.
He added that people are getting more content from digital than from more traditional sources like magazines and the like. And it’s even greater with the younger crowd.
As far as streaming goes he suggested You Tube if a client wants to start as those can be seen in different devices but it can be expensive and doesn’t always get the clicks that are desired.
“Most short track operators want to sell tickets. They want you to click to their website and video gets the least amount of clicks. Impacts are positive I think it’s new and its awfully technical. The reason why Digital Throttle does well is that we help any business, especially small businesses or tracks kind of get into the digital world in terms of advertising.
Figuring out yourself if difficult and in that regard it’s scary because you’ve got to figure that out. You can always use a provider like us or you can hire somebody to try and do it for you but it’s a positive impact because people are consuming more content than they ever did. You can reach the sports fan, the racing fan pretty easily through all these different platforms. So it’s a positive and a negative as you’ve got to figure it out.”
After the lunch break one breakout session was the Pro Bono Hour where Mr. Tetreault gives opinions on questions a promoter might have regarding laws. Once again Nadine Strauss was the moderator.
Finally Mr. Skotnicki was back and describing how to approach and find sponsors for a track. He also had several suggestions about the process
Then John Strauss joined him. Stotnicki was upset after learning from an e-mail, that long time sponsor Chevy Performance has ceased to exist. That GM division created the crate motor, which were sealed and as identical as possible.
He and Strauss went over the different models and how to deal with this. Apparently there might be another firm ready to take this up but that still being worked on.
During the final minutes of the Work Shop, Stotnicki took some time and shared his thoughts about the meeting and industry.
“It’s gone well, you always want more people here. I’m not frustrated but people need to look at the industry a little different today than we have in the past.
The fact there are less people representing more things, that’s multiple racetracks, tracks in a series. There’s not a ton of youthful engagement to protect or maintain the industry. There are some of us that are doing more things.”
Using himself as an example of fewer people doing more, Skotnicki said he now only owns the Work Shops but he leases tracks in Western New York and own a series with eight divisions. Now days there fewer people doing more things including a speaker that was unable to attend as the person not only promotes a national series but had to be at a race.
“It’s just like everything else there’s always an evolution to anything. Maybe short tracks are a little behind as it’s always been but the good news is that its growing, still popular nationwide, through multiple countries. There’s not negativity just a different shape and size.
It was a successful Work Shop, new people here, there was obviously not thousands, multiple hundreds but a great representation especially from California and we’ll be back here next year December 3rd and 4th.”
OTHER RACING NEWS:
• Tonight, starting at 6:30 p.m. Trucks & Tacos of Northern Nevada meets at Mexcal. Location is 5t16 S. Virginia Street.
• For those that race in the MRANN series now is the time to request your number and renew your membership for 2025. Further information at www.racemrann.com.
• Davey’s American Racing is found on Face Book. His focus is on western oval tracks as well as national series.
He recently started his broadcasts so check Face Book around 6 p.m. Wednesday. He also posts during the week.
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SPONSOR LIST:
• If you enjoyed this article please “like,” and share it as widely as possible. Comments are welcome.
Subscribers have articles posted to their inbox as soon as they are up on the site.
We now have six very appreciated sponsors supporting this site. Please patronize them as they support your sport and help nvracingnews continue. And let them know you heard about them through this site.
• Our newest sponsor is State Farm agent Kelby Schoorl, who was a racer in his younger days. He has some supplemental insurance that racers might be interested in checking out.
There is medical that covers visits to the ER, ambulance rides and if a person has to stay in a hospital. In addition trailers as well as tools and tools in shops can be covered with additional policies.
If Kelby isn’t available the other guys at his office will be very happy to explain what they can offer both to racers and those enjoying motorized recreation.
Office hours are from 9 until 5: 30 Monday through Friday, appointments are needed on Saturday. The phone number is 775-827-2255 or at his website, www.kelby@insuringreno.com.
• One of our sponsors is General Transmission and Power Train Specialists owned by former motorcycle racer Pete Attashian. The shop is located at 890 Gentry Way.
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.
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.
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