The RPM Promoters Workshops announced today that they will offer their popular networking event for short track promoters in the Midwest next December.  The inaugural RPM@Indy, a new addition to the 41st Annual RPM Promoters Workshops Series, is scheduled for the Brickyard Crossing Golf Club at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Wednesday, December 11, 2013. The promoters gathering, produced by Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters, will offer a one-day agenda sampling presentations and discussions from the proceedings of next winter’s Western and Daytona Speedweek RPM Promoters Workshops and topics exclusive to the Indy gathering. Following the Workshop, promoters will enjoy an evening reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum on the grounds of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a National Historic Landmark, and site of next month’s 97th Indy 500.

“We look forward to offering the RPM experience to a new group of promoters in the home state of our sponsors,” said Stewart Doty, Workshops organizer. “RPM is a forum where promoters can talk and no spin rules. In the promoter’s community they are recognized as gatherings ‘by promoters for promoters,’ an educational and networking environment exclusively for short track owners, promoters, and race officials.”

On behalf of RPM Workshops sponsors, Dennis Sherman, Hoosier Tire said, “We’re excited to be involved in the inaugural RPM@Indy.  Indy in December is becoming the ultimate midwinter motorsports destination.  We are proud to play a part in bringing the RPM Promoters Workshops to Indiana, and the addition of an RPM event for promoters can only enhance Indy in December.”

Additional information on the RPM@Indy Workshop and other 41st Workshops Series agendas and speakers will be announced as it becomes available.

Copyright 2010-2012, Racing Promotion Monthly, a service to promoters sponsored by K&K Insurance Group, Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire Company.

The Speedweek Annual Workshop of the 40th Anniversary RPM Promoters Workshop Series concluded today with promoters upbeat about the 2013 season.  Highlights from the workshop included the revealing of Ron Drager and Scott Schultz, Flat Rock (MI) and Toledo (OH) Speedways, as 37th Auto Racing Promoters of the Year and the keynote remarks of racing executive Chris Blair.  Blair discussed the changing fan preferences of the digital age and the challenging leisure time market and urged promoters to reinvent their race night experience to attract a younger demographic.

Honored as Regional Auto Racing Promoters of the Year were Bruce Rogers, Grandview (PA) Speedway; Harold Crook, Lonesome Pine (VA) Raceway; Kurt Beeksma and the Ashland-Bayfield County Racing Association, ABC (WI) Raceway; Dan Robinson, Lucas Oil (MO) Speedway; and Steve Beitler, Skagit (WA) Speedway.

Racing Promotion Monthly, presented the RPM Workshops Award for Outstanding Annual Short Track Event to the UMP Summer Nationals.  Matt Greci, Senior Manager of Events, for Charlotte Motor Speedway, presented Promoters of the Year Drager and Schultz with honorary membership to the Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Today, the event experience is more important than competition on the track.” said Stewart Doty, Workshop organizer.  Keynoter Blair told promoters they must “…Figure out to get the 12-year-olds to put down the Xbox, or tablet, and ask dad to take them to the races.”

During welcome remarks Monday, February 18, Irish Saunders, manager of contract sales for Hoosier Racing Tire announced that the World’s largest producer of racing tires would extend its support of Racing Promotion Monthly and the Workshops for an additional multi-year term.

The Workshops and Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for auto racing promoters, are produced with the year-round support of K&K Insurance Group; Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire. The 40th Workshops Series was produced with additional sponsorship support from: the Eldorado Hotel Casino, INEX, Chevrolet Performance, Lucas Oil Products, Moffett Productions, Simes Graphic Designs, RACEceiver; NASCAR, Advertising Edge, Sunoco Race Fuels, and Firethorn Marketing.

The 41st Workshops Series will kick off December 5, 2013 at the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Reno, Nevada, and return to Daytona Beach, February 17-19, 2014.

Copyright 2010-2012, Racing Promotion Monthly, a service to promoters sponsored by K&K Insurance Group, Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire Company.

Registration deadlines have passed, but if you’re in Daytona Beach for Speedweek, you can still join colleagues at the 40th Annual RPM Promoters Workshops Monday-Wednesday, February 18-20.  Credentials are granted on site everyday and you’re welcome throughout the Workshop.  Start 2013 off right, with ideas that will help you bolster car counts, sell sponsors, boost attendance and improve competition.  See why we call the Workshops “The networking Place for Short Track Promoters.”  Visit with forty-four exhibiting suppliers offering the products and services promoters need for the new season.  Workshops sessions start each day at 9:30 a.m. at the Plaza Resort and Spa, 600 North Atlantic Avenue.

Copyright 2010-2012, Racing Promotion Monthly, a service to promoters sponsored by K&K Insurance Group, Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire Company.

Issue 42.12, Racing Promotion Monthly, is online. Enter the subscriber password from your printed newsletter and read today.

Copyright 2010-2012, Racing Promotion Monthly, a service to promoters sponsored by K&K Insurance Group, Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire Company.

Readers of Racing Promotion Monthly this year selected three first-time and three repeat nominees as Regional Auto Racing Promoters of the Year.  The nominees’ experience ranges from three years to over 30 years. Among them are promoters of three paved ovals and four dirt ovals.  One is affiliated with NASCAR for weekly racing, two with ASA, one with ARCA, one with WISSOTA, and one operates independently.

The nominees are: Region One, the Eastern Region, Bruce & Teresa Rogers, Grandview (PA) Speedway; Region Two, the Southeastern Region, Harold Crook, Lonesome Pine (VA) Raceway; Region Three, the Central Region, Ron Drager & Scott Schultz, Flat Rock (MI) and Toledo (OH) Speedways; Region Four, the Northern Region, the Ashland-Bayfield County Racing Association and Kurt Beeksma, ABC (WI) Raceway; Region Five, the Great Plains Region, Dan Robinson, Lucas Oil (MO) Speedway; and the Rocky Mountain West Region, Steve Beitler, Skagit (WA) Speedway.  The Rogers received their fourth nomination, their first coming in 1984 and most recent previous nomination in 2008, Beitler received his third nomination in four years, Drager and Schultz their second, following a previous nomination in 2001. Ashland-Bayfield, Robinson, and Crook are first-time nominees.

The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year ballot will soon reach promoters in the latest issue of Racing Promotion Monthly. The Thirty-Seventh Auto Racing Promoter of the Year will be revealed during the Fortieth Annual RPM Speedweek National Workshop at the Plaza Resort & Spa, Daytona Beach, FL, February 18-20, 2013.

The Auto Racing Promoter of the Year is short track racing’s most prestigious award. It is awarded each year after voting by promoters. The award was originated in 1976 by the editors of Racing Promotion Monthly. Voting is conducted in two phases: a preliminary ballot in the newsletter nominates candidates in six regions. The six candidates become Regional Promoters of the Year and then appear on a second ballot for final voting. It is the only national award recognizing promotional excellence selected by peers.  The award is for the 23rd year sponsored by Charlotte Motor Speedway which confers upon the Promoter of the Year perks and privileges at the North Carolina Superspeedway.

Bob Sargent, Track Enterprises, Macon (IL), Paducah (KY) Speedways, received the award last year.  Previous winners are: Hugh Deery, 1976/1984; J.C. Agajanian, 1977; D. Anthony Venditti, 1978; Jack Gunn, 1979; George Eisenhart, 1980; Dick O’Brien, 1981; Howard Tiedt, 1982; Don Martin, 1983; Glenn Donnelly, 1985; Cary Agajanian, 1986; Bud Lunsford, 1987; Bob Daniels, 1988; Howard Commander, 1989; Ray Wilkings, 1990; Paul Kuhl, 1991; Robert Lawton; 1992; Earl Baltes, 1993;  Jody Deery, 1994; Andy Vertrees, 1995; Charles Powell, 1996; C-Ray Hall, 1997; Larry Kemp, 1998; Charles Cathell, 1999; Charles Deery, 2000; Ralph Capitani, 2001; Lanny Edwards, 2002; Bob & Nadine Strauss, 2003; Tom Curley, 2004, Steve York, 2005; John Padjen, 2006; Lynn Phillips, 2007; Joe & Walt Doellefeld, 2008; the Nuckles family, Columbus (OH) Motor Speedway, 2009; and the Queensland family, Deer Creek (MN) Speedway, 2010.

Copyright 2010-2012, Racing Promotion Monthly, a service to promoters sponsored by K&K Insurance Group, Inc. and Hoosier Racing Tire Company.