The heart of our sport centers on the drivers who put on the shows from your favorite weekly track to the “crown jewel” events. Often they are put on a pedestal for just doing their jobs and there times when fans forget they are regular people like the rest of us. But sometimes, a few of them forget that too. When discussing the state of our sport and improvements or thoughts all of us can consider to help improve dirt late model racing, no group is immune from that. In fact, the drivers are a vital part of the equation. So the disclaimer and preface is the same but now it’s onwards to the drivers.
I asked many what they thought made a good racer. The main traits mentioned were talent or natural ability, the desire to win, fearlessness and confidence. A few mentioned being personable. While I agree with all of the above, those are traits that make a good driver. A driver is the man (or woman) on the track buckled up and ready to race. But it takes much more to be a good racer let alone a great racer.
Work on the track and many racer’s personality with the helmet on is completely different than who they are off of the track. You cannot argue with talent. But there are many talented men and women driving racecars, why are few mentioned as some of the best racers? Because this is a business just like any other and as crazy as it seems, the actual performance on the track is only one piece of the pie. Winning definitely makes everyone’s job easier but contrary to racer mentality, winning isn’t everything all of the time.
What makes a good racer (note not saying driver) is talent, hard work, a strong business mind, a self-assured attitude, charismatic personality and having great people around you.
Talent: We already mentioned and there is little to add because it is undeniable and can help overcome some shortcomings in other areas.
Hard Work: I think hard work outranks desire because I can’t think of one person who invests so much time and money into their program just because they want to and then are not prepared to work hard to get the most out of it.
Based on experience, I have seen that many of the hardest working racers are rarely the ones you will recognize. Often they are those who work a full-time job, do most if not all of the mechanical work and maintenance on their own and race locally. Many are feeding a dream of just doing well and hopefully breaking through to other ranks so they have an opportunity to then race for a living. I have seen it time and time again though that some of those who worked so hard to reach the top rest on their laurels when they get there and forget that it’s the hard work that helped them reach that point.
Strong Business Sense: I hate to say this but it’s a bit rare. You have to remember in order to keep racing, you have to have money in the bank. Most racers love to race on other people's money and that's great but sometimes it gets clouded as just a hand out. And the worst part of racing on someone else's dime, is what are you going go to do when they stop writing the checks?
It is important to generate the most income with the least amount of costs. Many will start to do well and their costs skyrocket but the amount of income is limited and after four years you see them wane. It’s kind of sad. We budget very strictly as a team and each race is evaluated. Most racers would race every day if they had the means. Sometimes though you may have to skip some events, not because of lack of desire, but it just doesn’t fit as a smart business move. We evaluate each event not only on the winnings but total purse/start money, rules and variances (tires, spec motors, spoilers, formats), mileage (a major factor with diesel as high as it is), anticipated car count and gate price.
Self-Assured Attitude: You have to believe that you have the skills, resources and equipment to win each time you hit the track or you have already beaten yourself. If you know you are limited on motor then why try to tackle it? Maybe scaling back to only 70% of your planned shows and using the money you would save otherwise to reinvest in your program would be more rewarding and at least that way those times you do put the helmet on, you know you are a factor.
Charisma: Charisma helps not only get fans and sponsors but helps keep them. It balances the self-assured attitude so you don’t just come off as cocky. Some people are just very personable and make you want to see root for them and see them win.
Bill Frye is one that comes to mind. He’s down to earth, doesn’t put on airs, is polite to everyone and will talk to a stranger like he’s known you for years. He has probably won more fans with just being Bill Frye than having 4 MARS titles or other big accolades. Another is Dale McDowell – just one hell of a nice guy. If someone knows how to just interact and deal with people, there is an attraction where you want to support them and see them do well because they are like a friend.
Friends support friends. Friends work in media. Friends buy merchandise. Friends are essential to a successful racing team!
Great People: Having the right crew, sponsors and other people behind the scenes help make a great racer. Many of these people invest in a driver’s future and enjoy watching them rise to the top. However, don’t forget those who helped you travel that road and take in and appreciate their support and insight.
The important thing is just to keep everything in check – costs, priorities, safety and recognizing those who help make it all possible. I hear many sponsors say, “I’m just a check writer” or “they only call when they need something” when talking about racers. If you can prove that not to be true, stay focused and grounded and enjoy what you are doing, you’ve already won. Best of luck to everyone for a safe and successful 2007 season!
Brian Birkhofer - Rick Schwallie PhotoKeys for Drivers
• Recognize sponsors, product supporters, etc. as business dealings and work to preserve those relationships by communicating regularly (not just when you need something!), let them know their contributions are a benefit and offer your help in other ways if it’s ever needed
• Remember where you came from. Many forget how hard they worked to get to the top and don’t stop to realize how many others are scrapping to have their place
• Spend time interacting with your fans. I know everyone has off moments when they are busy, stressed, etc. but just taking time for a chat or friendly hello, signing autographs and even a simple "thank you" if someone is buying merchandise can go a long way. Just think of what the hassles would be like if no one ever lined up or showed up to support you?
• Set budgets and record every expense. Evaluate each event in terms of costs and benefits to help make wise moves. It is important to know where your money goes so at the end of the season you have a clearer view of areas that could really benefit from sponsorships. Few actually keep books to know exactly what it costs them to race let alone the costs/benefits of following a full tour vs. an independent schedule
• Do not run at tracks known for bad checks or cutting purses – you only condone it
• Band together with other drivers if you feel the track is routinely impassable or other situations (pay, format, etc) seem unjust. Many will have at least one defector in the group that greed take hold of but working collaboratively can really benefit everyone as improvements are forced
• Make friends in the media – be approachable, social and pass along important and relevant information to them to help draw free publicity to your team
• Don’t try to copy someone else’s style. Image is everything but rather than being understated, it’s worse when people try to copy another person’s “look” or personality when it does not fit. You have to be self-assured and know whom you are to make anything work.
• Keep costs in check. Your expenses will increase if you expand to a traveling schedule but it is important not to lose sight of where you are on the food chain and spiral out of control. It’s a common tragedy – great racers who then struggle just to race to pay bills and get stressed because it’s just a money game. It’s a necessary evil but, again, I can’t stress budgeting and really pinching pennies.
• Be aware of the costs of bring the whole posse with you. Racing is expensive on all levels. Bringing 4 or 5 friends/family members to each race just to hand out is a few hundred dollars and often is a wash for start money or winnings in some divisions. It’s always nice to have close people around but we look at the track as our workplace and sometimes have a few people along but it’s not a routine occurrence many can afford.
• Whenever possible, reinvest in your team. Take winnings and reinvest as much as possible into upgrading or maintaining equipment. For those who race as a living, it’s a great idea to start taking a small portion of the net profits to save for the off-season. And do not forget about insurance!!! It’s expensive but this sport is too dangerous not to think about it. The same is true for proper safety equipment and that includes HANS devices that I feel should be mandated. If anyone is looking for a HANS, I have a vendor and code to help for a discount so feel free to contact me.
The Bloomquist Model
I can assure you that the guys like Bloomquist are as good of businessmen as racers if not better. I will argue with anyone that Scott is undoubtedly the most savvy. You do not have to be a fan or like him to give respect where it is due.
He has managed to keep sponsors for years, which is very rare.
He has created and reinvented an image that’s almost of iconic status. He uses that image just to market himself, sell merchandise and create hype. Definitely a master of self-promotion he uses others opinions to turn them right back on them by feeding it.
Additionally he has one of the best racing legacies in recent history and is continuing to win. Capitalizing on that he has also started to sell his own brand of chassis. Just because you have a Bloomquist car will you win? No. But the power of the mind! He has worked hard to establish himself as one of the best and if others are willing to buy into his hard work, more power to him.
He also is a great businessman because he has accumulated wealth. I don’t mean money. Many racers have won a lot of money over the years but he has this chassis business set as part of a retirement program, a reputation where he can easily do seminars or other future endeavors, he has numerous product consultancies set up with vendors and manufacturers, he owns his own shop space, truck and trailer, equipment and that’s something that many of the travelers cannot claim. He planned for the future and it will get him everywhere!
And lastly, he races like it’s a business. He scaled back in 2006 to primarily focus his time and resources on large specials. He spent less time and money on the road, less laps on motors and wear & tear on parts to win a substantial sum. Like I said, you do not have to be a Bloomquist fan to agree with this – it’s just giving the man credit for the way he did it and hopefully trying to learn a bit from his model. Like a promoter, it’s all about the bottom line!
Up Next:
Saving the Sport: Sponsors
The Gravy Train Stops Here
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