So Cal Event Promoters Read Me - So Cal Event Series

[FloridaRacing]

If I had time, I would be down for doing this.

It seems like for the most part the local organizations like to stick to a specific venue and hold their own drift series. The problem is, people can learn one track REALLY well and makes winning competitions at that track hard for people that aren't running there non stop.

What is needed is a SO CAL DRIFT SERIES

This could be done really easy. The events are ran in conjunction with the people that are use to running that the various venues and costs/profits are split. Meaning, "Just Drift and So Cal Drift Series Present Round 2 at Balcony" etc. Have 3 judges like normal with prize money and trophies. I'm certain you could get a lot of sponsors on board to help grow the benefits, after all, its the amateurs that buy the most parts. Everything could be ran in 1 long day. This would put a drift series that has a maximum drive time from end to end of 200-300 miles. No professional drivers (other than demos) and have a few qualifiers at the local tracks.

Schedule could go like this:

Round 1 - Balcony
Round 2 - Adams Kart Track
Round 3 - NOS Center
Round 4 - Perris Fairgrounds
Round 5 - Horsethief
Round 6 - Adams 2nd track
Round 7 - El Toro, streets of willow?
Round 8 - Irwindale finals? Short track setup for slower speed

Concluding the 8 round series there would be an optional 3 race team drift for bragging rights. This would put a series of drifting in so cal virtually all year long. Random qualifiers can be held at various locations throughout the year for people that feel like they have graduated in skill level.

Have one event a month for an 8 month points race with the finals somewhere good, maybe even irwindale setup on a slower course (front stretch thru infield).

If anyone actually does this, I would like to be involved, I have a bunch of good ideas to grow on.

Thoughts?

[Brian]

Cool.

i like it a lot

[FloridaRacing]

Brian - jump on AIM

Bacardi N Cola, Do it.

[YoungGun]

Sounds like fun.

[Teddy]

There is already a Socal-Drift Series, just so you know.

This would be neat, but what I want to see Stateside is an MSC styled competition. Team tandem competition and all. That would bring in quite a crowd to spectate as well, and it would definitely be a competition reflecting on driver skill.

[Brian]

What we need is a series where nobody is fighting over rights to "control" it.

If it's made to showcase fun and cool driving, it will be great.
If it's a way for the event staff to try and make money, fuck it.

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by S13Teddy

There is already a Socal-Drift Series, just so you know.

This would be neat, but what I want to see Stateside is an MSC styled competition. Team tandem competition and all. That would bring in quite a crowd to spectate as well, and it would definitely be a competition reflecting on driver skill.

Yea, but thats a 4 race series which all of them (or atleast the 1st 2 are) being held at willow?

I'm talking about a full length schedule of 7-8 races at no repeating locations

also semi regulated by having some qualifiers. just to weed out beginners but still open minded.

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by Brian

What we need is a series where nobody is fighting over rights to "control" it.

If it's made to showcase fun and cool driving, it will be great.
If it's a way for the event staff to try and make money, fuck it.

Exactly. I can understand that "time is money" and people should take home some in the pocket, but most needs to be put back IN to the series to help it grow.

[FloridaRacing]

info added

[Brian]

Yes.


What needs to be done...

make the entry fees close to what it ACTUALLY costs to use the track. Let's TRY not to be GREEDY.

make sure there are PRIZES for winners. It's very fun to try out an event with the possibility of winning something.

[drift2010]

Originally Posted by FloridaRacing

If I had time, I would be down for doing this.

It seems like for the most part the local organizations like to stick to a specific venue and hold their own drift series. The problem is, people can learn one track REALLY well and makes winning competitions at that track hard for people that aren't running there non stop.

What is needed is a SO CAL DRIFT SERIES

This could be done really easy. The events are ran in conjunction with the people that are use to running that the various venues and costs/profits are split. Meaning, "Just Drift and So Cal Drift Series Present Round 2 at Balcony" etc. Have 3 judges like normal with prize money and trophies. I'm certain you could get a lot of sponsors on board to help grow the benefits, after all, its the amateurs that buy the most parts. Everything could be ran in 1 long day. This would put a drift series that has a maximum drive time from end to end of 200-300 miles. No professional drivers (other than demos) and have a few qualifiers at the local tracks.

Schedule could go like this:

Round 1 - Balcony
Round 2 - Adams Kart Track
Round 3 - NOS Center
Round 4 - Perris Fairgrounds
Round 5 - Horsethief
Round 6 - Adams 2nd track
Round 7 - El Toro, streets of willow?
Round 8 - Irwindale finals? Short track setup for slower speed

Concluding the 8 round series there would be an optional 3 race team drift for bragging rights. This would put a series of drifting in so cal virtually all year long. Random qualifiers can be held at various locations throughout the year for people that feel like they have graduated in skill level.

Have one event a month for an 8 month points race with the finals somewhere good, maybe even irwindale setup on a slower course (front stretch thru infield).

If anyone actually does this, I would like to be involved, I have a bunch of good ideas to grow on.

Thoughts?

what is adams 2nd track?

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by Brian

Yes.


What needs to be done...

make the entry fees close to what it ACTUALLY costs to use the track. Let's TRY not to be GREEDY.

make sure there are PRIZES for winners. It's very fun to try out an event with the possibility of winning something.

well, make it a little more so you can put money back into the series, like big tents for competitors to chill in, drinks, free tire changer for competitors, PRIZE MONEY etc etc.

Considering how popular a few of these spots are getting, I really don't think it would be hard to get sponsors via parts and money to promote the series from local shops and manufactures alike. It could be a BIG hit if done right.

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by drift2010

what is adams 2nd track?

I have never seen it but friends told me there's a back course thats more technical that only advanced drivers can drive on?

[Brian]

good thinking.

i like your ideas

[SUPERSTAR]

Yeah the idea is good and a plan is already in the works. Gary at Socal-Drift started to do this and only with 4 series as a try out for next year.

2 are held at willow and other two will be different tracks, and also held by different event hosts.

Prize moneys and sponsors are in the works for next year already also.

ALL for fun of the sport and not to make money for personal profit.

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by DTC SUPERSTAR

Yeah the idea is good and a plan is already in the works. Gary at Socal-Drift started to do this and only with 4 series as a try out for next year.

2 are held at willow and other two will be different tracks, and also held by different event hosts.

Prize moneys and sponsors are in the works for next year already also.

ALL for fun of the sport and not to make money for personal profit.

I think thats a great idea for sure, no discrediting that, but we need someone just to kick this in the balls and get it rolling hard off the bat.

like D1GP USA, all new series this year, and ya its got some issues, but it was hit hard right off the batt, had qualifiers, and had a good initial turn out. If you dont come out with guns blazin', sometimes its hard for people to take you serious the next year.

[Brian]

It's going to have to be heavily promoted.

Put it on ALL the drift sites around here.

Get Speedhunters in on it.
get Drifting.com in on it.


Get the INFO OUT THERE.

Make sure there is good media.

Do driver profiles or team profiles.

make it FUN for EVERYONE

[FloridaRacing]

Ive been talking to Alex at drifting.com, I don't think support via sites are an issue.

hell id shoot it, i could talk to all the local photog buddies (driftfotos, wrecked mag, E Drift) on covering it. I could probably organize video coverage of the event through my work, we have all the available equipment

[SUPERSTAR]

I hear ya, but you also have to realize that you need capital to do this. If you don't get enough drivers, you will lose your ass off.

There is a lot of work that goes into putting on those events and if the support is there, it will get done.

But yeah, I know what you are saying.

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by DTC SUPERSTAR

I hear ya, but you also have to realize that you need capital to do this. If you don't get enough drivers, you will lose your ass off.

There is a lot of work that goes into putting on those events and if the support is there, it will get done.

But yeah, I know what you are saying.

Right.

That's why you start with qualifiers at normal events to gauge interest while working with local shops and manufactures.

I would be REALLY surprised if you couldnt fill a 32 car field...

[SUPERSTAR]

Originally Posted by FloridaRacing

I would be REALLY surprised if you couldnt fill a 32 car field...

There is lots of people that Drift and do not care to compete and also there are a lot of events every month now. That puts guys out of cash before the next round, if they do other events.

So I guess this would be for the dedicated ones who really want to compete the whole series.(like the Pros) Lots of tires.....$$$$.

Money seems to be an issue for me at least to stay consistent at events, but if is made really FUN, I will use candles at home to cut down expenses.

[FloridaRacing]

Here would be the action plan

1) Talk to current event series promoters to develop partnerships with at the various tracks
2) Talk to so cal shops and manufactures that have expressed interest in current local events to gauge response
3) Promote via sites (easy, with the aforementioned series partners) for qualifiers
4) Develop a 35-60 car field of licensed drivers while organizing event dates.
5) solid event dates, lock in interested sponsors


ya ya, all sounds that easy right? I know its not, but just thinking out loud

[FloridaRacing]

Originally Posted by DTC SUPERSTAR

There is lots of people that Drift and do not care to compete and also there are a lot of events every month now. That puts guys out of cash before the next round, if they do other events.

So I guess this would be for the dedicated ones who really want to compete the whole series.(like the Pros) Lots of tires.....$$$$.

Money seems to be an issue for me at least to stay consistent at events, but if is made really FUN, I will use candles at home to cut down expenses.

Exactly, and we all have that mentality. People can be track heros but a lot also want to be local heros. Push the right angle and you can get people. Larger media exposure + video + more fans at the races.

That would be another step too, get a tire manufacture to offer wholesale prices to drivers at events. Bring a big truck. Give away tires to podium finishes. 3 pairs for winner, 2 for 2nd and 1 pair for 3rd.

Sales + promotion + helping racers out = lifetime supporter of your product

[Teddy]

Originally Posted by FloridaRacing

Yea, but thats a 4 race series which all of them (or atleast the 1st 2 are) being held at willow?

I was just referring to the name, not the concept.


This would work excellent, but as said it will need a lot of good planning, scheduling, professionalism, and marketing. One of the main flaws in drift events is staying on schedule.

Sorry, I was totally thinking out loud there too. But I guess that's what you need if you wanna start this off.

[FloridaRacing]

Hell yea, keep it coming.

[WoolyS14DET]

I def agree with you all and I have talked to Gary @ SoCal Drift about conjoining and doing a series that would expand from Balcony to HTM to NOS Center and I don't see why we couldn't get Adams and Inland Drift (Perris) on board to make this work. I know for us "Team Thurs Knights" have been throwing around Ideas of doing a series with SoCal Drift so we call all grow and get to the next level !!! Get at me and we can make this work !!!

[FloridaRacing]

Hell yea!

BTW Wooly, you get my PM with the links? Didnt hear back.

[Brian]

Another thing with money,

I always notice that the competitions cost more than a regular drift day.

Isn't a typical drifting day around $100?

I think comps are usually like $140 or so...give or take 15 bucks.


That pushes me out of wanting to do comps.

[FloridaRacing]

$100 for drift practice for fun

$140 for the opportunity to win, say, $1000 and tires/parts + extra media exposure + more fans + more fun. Would you then risk giving up "Baja Fresh Fridays" for a few weeks to make it?

[EMSKILLS]

Originally Posted by FloridaRacing

$100 for drift practice for fun

$140 for the opportunity to win, say, $1000 and tires/parts + extra media exposure + more fans + more fun. Would you then risk giving up "Baja Fresh Fridays" for a few weeks to make it?

its like a underground d1 for us trying to come up, and i like the idea of irwindale i really want to driver there so bad, im all there if this goes threw hopefully its on sundays very good idea but will this be like just this one year or will it keep going and have new drivers everytime?