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ga_pike
4/20/2014 7:14pm
4/20/2014 7:14pm
Edited Date/Time
4/21/2014 8:44pm
We've got Red Bull KTM, Monster Kawasaki, Geico Honda, Rockstar KTM... you could throw in JGR Yamaha as well. As the sport continues to grow, I think it would be nice to see more outside industry teams form like what you see in Indy Car and the like.
How about Target Honda? Gatorade Kawasaki? Coke Honda? Subway Suzuki (I know they had some sponsorship previously)? Pepsi Racing Husky?
I think this is the next step in continued growth for our sport. It's possible that the energy drink companies become regulated like alcohol and tobacco so who knows when that checkbook dries up. Any other thoughts about growing outside industry sponsorships?
How about Target Honda? Gatorade Kawasaki? Coke Honda? Subway Suzuki (I know they had some sponsorship previously)? Pepsi Racing Husky?
I think this is the next step in continued growth for our sport. It's possible that the energy drink companies become regulated like alcohol and tobacco so who knows when that checkbook dries up. Any other thoughts about growing outside industry sponsorships?
If this happens to be partly the case, how do we become more like NASCAR? JGR could develop on their own without factory support but other teams don't have that background right now. I guess Mitch Peyton might be able to pull it off as well... he already did it with the Peak Honda team. But in the end, the factorys are going to have to relax the rules with color schemes in order for the sort to grow in this manner or else sponsors will be locked into a specific bike and minimal movement for alternate products (pepsi, mt dew, dr pepper, 7up). And let's not forget that Pepsi owns Taco Bell and KFC... even greater demographic specific marketing opportunity as long as they fit with an OEM willing to work with them on branding and color.
The Shop
It'd be great if the gear companies moved their logos away from the main spaces to help the teams too. So many times you see a rider getting interview and you'd think the main sponsor is fox, instead of Red Bull or Shift instead of Sycuan...
Also, if it is the cola companies, they have yet another avenue they could market.
Secondly... Bike sales are in the shitter... The sport isn't even growing, it is in decline... Why would an outside sponsor want to be a part of motorcycling when it is dying?
Motocross overall is growing. I have been working in a dealership where our dirt bike sales have in fact, INCREASED. Maybe it's location... being in North Texas where we have 28 tracks within two hours of the dealership.... but nonetheless, there are more parents buying bikes for their kids. The main problem is the nurturing of the sport. Moms and young kids are often not the number one people signing up to spend a day at the track. Places like Cycle Ranch MX in Floresville, Texas has caught on to this... and has totally innovated what it means to be at the track. A/C viewing towers for moms with babies, more girls classes to keep moms and daughters are the track, better classes and training for young riders to keep them coming to the races... etc. They are also bringing other events such as MMA, mud runs, concerts, etc to get even more people AT the track... therefore increasing interest in "hey what's that track for." Keeping entire families at the track will also help the target market.... allowing it to grow... therefore increasing interest for outside sponsors.
Bringing in outside sponsors is vital for our sport and the future of our sport. The catch is.... are they really getting a return on their investment?
Of course, someone will be along soon to post up a pic of one with super cheesy graphics as that seems to be what most of them have.....
Pit Row
If they could do something that looked good, and was ok with the 4 stroke heat, it'd be a good idea from a marketing point of view. They don't need to go too low either, the boot area wouldn't be worth it at all...
And of course a banner rippling majestically from the rider's back, while not being long enough to catch in the rear wheel.
Does anyone know how Dungey and Target happened? Put Dungey in a suit, send him off to Gatorade. I bet he'd make us proud.
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