Howdy to all..let me introduce myself . I’m Randy and I do video work posting on YouTube under “Alaskaerjs”. First of all I would like to say that finding I was actually halfway down the pop-ups in finding my birth year during registration was just a little depressing. Never had that before. Oh well. This is in response to:
"I don't think the problem is in the pits, It's in the stands.
Earl and Karen make most of the track monies from the spectators and sales of track stuff.
That is why i say, Put those cars on open trailers and make it a rolling car show all the way to the track. You could have your enclosed trailer at the track, but bring your car out on an open trailer (if possible) so people see we have Drag Cars in Alaska.
I'm surprised by how many people don't know about the track.
We have to find a way to get those stands full as much as possible. The price is fair and the place is fantastic we just have to spread the word and get people out there. So show them the way."
I read some of the thoughts from Track Stimulus 2009-2010. As a forum newbie and from an outside point of view, they are all cool ideas. I would say continued focus needs to be on advertising because if no one knows the track exists they still won't come no matter how many cool things are offered inside.
Aside from the July 3rd -5th packed house last year I couldn’t help but notice the stands were fairly empty for the few events I could attend afterwards (rotational Slope work). I missed the other big meets so don’t know the outcome. However, considering the lack of fans, I decided to take the video I captured and attempted to make "Pump Up" vids. Things I like to see and that would get my attention if I watched for the first time…burnouts, wheelies, etc. (I think I succeeded on some). So consider this as one way to get the word out with the new electronic internet age....
You tube is a powerful and free promotional advertisement tool for getting peoples attention.
Bill Creech's Goat ( and I really like that goat) is one of the more successful vids I posted because he found it and he has such a huge network of people he shared it with. It went viral and steadily continues to get hits approaching close to 2,000 at this time. But even the ones that only have 100 hits are a success to me because that means it has captured somebody’s attention. If only one out of that 100 showed up to the track you will have gained.
Since posting ARP vids, I have actually had quite a few private messages asking where the track was located or where they can get video. So I sent them the links to the track website or to Aurora Digital Arts. I can only hope they follow up.
Before I started posting on You Tube I searched and found there was only a couple vids representing the ARP track. However, In one year alone, the vids have grown and the quality has improved as seen by Dan Roche starting to post as well as others. Now you have a pretty good selection of video links to use and scatter to friends tossing in one for the ARP website and/or a track schedule using email or Facebook or Myspace, etc ... hopefully they will pass it on to others making it viral advertising through everyone’s networking at no cost. I have shown some of the videos to people I work with on the Slope and know many will be attending at least one meet this year just from watching. These are people that have never attended before as well as others that haven't been to a track in over 20 yrs (like me until last year). Most said they had no idea Alaska had this caliber of vehicles.
Alaskaracewaypark.com needs to put up a Video Page on their website and make those same links to YouTube so visitors can see and hear what they will be paying for. Why not...its free advertisement! I was looking at the Northstar Speedway website this morning and they didn’t have one picture or link to pictures. I know what the cars look like but what if you don’t…as a spectator would you spend the money to drive out not knowing.
It's a very tight economy so you have to sell the product. Any vids I post from now on will have the website in the credit section...my way of trying to promote because I’d like to see the stands fill up. Drag Racing is American Heritage and I am so glad my Dad took us as kids…unfortunately I got busy with other things for about 20 years but I’m back enjoying it again with a camcorder.
One last note after my ranting and entirely too much coffee…you may be surprised who finds stuff on YouTube
www.eguiders.com/video/alaska-muscle-car-burnouts Hey...It’s all fun and headed in the right direction.