Oooo! The next "this will save rally" is almost here!
Posted by Anders Green
Banned Senior Moderator Location: Red Deer, Alberta Join Date: 09/13/2011 Posts: 717 Rally Car: 2002 Subaru WRX STi |
That was a million times better Anders. I think the idea is you being you, we (the collective we, but maybe I shouldn't project onto others and just say "I"  already respect your opinion on the subject. I don't really need your statistics to back up your statement; I take what you say based on face value and the fact that you are a respected individual in the community.
I will also just say (preemptively), that I didn't agree with everything he said, or necessarily the way he would go about things. I don't mind the message though. |
Brian Johnson Mega Moderator Location: Park City, UT Join Date: 12/17/2006 Posts: 166 Rally Car: Co-Driver - Old School Motorsports WRX |
steve czwalga Senior Moderator Location: Pittsburgh, PA Join Date: 09/16/2011 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 376 Rally Car: 95 awd celica |
Brian j Dyer Infallible Moderator Location: southern maine Join Date: 05/01/2009 Age: Midlife Crisis Posts: 381 Rally Car: 04 Rocky Mountain MTB... |
Don Kennedy Mega Moderator Location: Reading, PA Join Date: 10/05/2006 Age: Fossilized Posts: 227 Rally Car: Impreza |
Banned Elite Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Adam:
I'm not sure you can link anything of what Bill said to the success of Big White. I'm also not sure you can link anything of what Bill said to how I approach Rally as an administrator or in my Marketing role. In fact, I think much of what he says is misguided, and seeks to change the nature of what I think is great about the sport. I'm not sure what it is about Big White that is making it a success - If I knew, I would bottle it if I could. Going from 9 to 27 starters in 5 years is pretty good, although 2012 (18) was a lower entry than 2011 (21). If I were to guess, I think the success comes from the quality of the roads - although I think we need to work on a few more and some changes to what we have - and the event's focus on being 'for the competitor' as much as possible. the area makes for short transits and good stage distance. None of that is really addressed in Bill's essays. (Although he points to the Canadian Championship as sustainable and healthy, he seems to miss why that is.) 'TV' is an interesting question, and very much a moving target these days. In many ways having a traditional broadcast show gives the CRC a certain amount of credibility (with host communities, Government agencies, and potential sponsors) but the reality is that traditional broadcast is on its way out and its importance is waning significantly. That said, one of the reasons the CRC has had TV for most of the past 20 years is the clubs value it and the 'powers that be' think the exposure helps grow the sport. It is hard to disagree with that. My first introduction to the sport was certainly catching the CRC shows on TV, followed by seeing a press release come across the sports desk at the Calgary Herald and deciding to cover the event in my time off. (the paper wasn't going to cover it) In a world where just about everything in Canada is 1/10th of what it is in the US, that our rally events are usually 6-7 times that is be an indication that something is being done right north or the border, n'est-ce pas? First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015 
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randy zimmer Senior Moderator Location: Buffalo, NY Join Date: 03/12/2006 Age: Fossilized Posts: 196 Rally Car: rallycross 13B Miata |
Hi guys,
Finally, my avatar is seasonally relevant again! 1st off, Big White may have more to do with increased disposable income. Pretty sure Red Deer looks a lot different than when I drove by there on the way to Edson. Next, I was on the receiving end of Bill Woods' road-map to success back at the old NJMP RallyCross. He went on about transporters and uniforms and all the things dollars buy that would lead to more dollars in the future. While not a bad strategy for making deep pocketed guys feel important, only allowing that type of competitor kills the hope of any person with a bit of talent and a fire to compete from ever believing it'd be possible to participate. The "problems" with Rally are: A) Newbies can enter a rally right along with the big guys - most rally paddocks compare more with an SCCA Regional road race than any Pro race at Daytona.  no way to really charge admission - its gone to a kind of Napster/open source deal where spectators who can, contribute and others slide. Promotors do the work Bill's talking about and if there isn't any money in it for a Humpy Wheeler to take it on, he won't.
I like it that way, sorry Bill. His road-map is a way he thinks Rally could join the big time like the NBA, NFL and other big deals. Where you'd park these people and cater to them isn't really an option. We all know they just get in the way. But say, sure, we've got Network TV and 150,000 people to a rally and enough sponsors to turn away, what then? Public outcry that a car got dented and a co-driver got a concussion? Fill in the valleys and put air bags on the trees? Nope, Rally can never be mainstream and NEEDS to be under the radar that's the only reason it hasn't been banned yet. |
John Vanlandingham Super Moderator Location: Ford Asylum, Sleezattle, WA Join Date: 12/20/2005 Age: Fossilized Posts: 14,152 Rally Car: Saab 96 V4 |
Anders Green Senior Moderator Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: 03/30/2006 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,478 Rally Car: Parked |
Jeff Reamer Infallible Moderator Location: Marlette, Michigan Join Date: 08/14/2010 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 489 Rally Car: Subaru |
Banned Elite Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
If the rest of the rally events saw similar increases, I'd agree. They aren't. Big White set a new record entry for a stand-alone regional event in western Canada and had a larger total entry than two of the national events in Canada. Drilling down just a bit shows more US entries to Big White than most of our regional events. Time of year and the novelty of a true winter event are working in its favour I think. I disagree. The 'draw' and visibility of the sport is one thing that continues to be important to host communities across the country. The support of the host communities plays a huge role not only in getting permissions but often in getting crucial infrastructure and community agency support. First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2013 02:23PM by Morison. |
Banned Elite Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Far more that one guy. A minimum of three and possibly five of the top drivers in the championship would be impacted. (Including one sponsored by a company that brings series sponsorship to the table as well) First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Banned Elite Moderator Location: Calgary, AB Join Date: 03/27/2009 Age: Ancient Posts: 1,798 Rally Car: (ex)86 RX-7(built), (ex)2.5RS (bought) |
Green, (I'd use Anders, but you don't seem to want that level of familiarity) There is no direct funding from the government. The closest thing would be a requirement for a certain percentage of 'Canadian Content' on the schedule. That requirement creates an appetite for produced Canadian programming - but no actual funding. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_content The broadcast is funded through the series sponsorships (and a bit from CARS marketing surpluses this year) and due to confidentiality issues I can't discuss the actual budget. Suffice to say it is well into 6 figures annually. For the last two years we've gone through RFP process for providers, just recently coming to a three year agreement with a production provider. (Before anyone starts down the road of 'how could that six figures be spent better'... we wouldn't have it to spend if we didn't to the broadcast show.) The show is aired on TSN: a top tier cable sports network, TSN2: the second tier cable sister network, RDS: the top tier cable French language sports network, and Motors TV in Europe. First Rally: 2001 Driver (7), Co-Driver (44) Drivers (16) Clerk (10), Official (7), Volunteer (4) Cars Built (1), Engines Built (0) Cages Built (0) Last Updated, January 4, 2015
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Anders Green Senior Moderator Location: Raleigh, NC Join Date: 03/30/2006 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 1,478 Rally Car: Parked |
Relax Keith. Remember, _you_ are the one that chose "Morison" as your moniker here. No need to get worked up when someone uses it. Peace.
Thanks for the answers. 
Anders Grassroots rally. It's what I think about. |
Jeff Reamer Infallible Moderator Location: Marlette, Michigan Join Date: 08/14/2010 Age: Possibly Wise Posts: 489 Rally Car: Subaru |
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