Would you watch....... Options

[Ron Fox]

.....if there were a "local" racing show geared towards local tracks in Pennsylvania? That's the question I pose to gauge what interest there may be. And, to aid in my efforts in pitching such an endeavor.

Years ago I did some local racing reports for the television station I worked for; WTAJ in Altoona, PA. I'd like to believe it was a success. I got some great feedback. But, as is usually the case, management and the sports department decided covering local racing wasn't necessary. After that, I did a gig on radio for a couple of years which included a live Sunday morning show with results, taped interviews and in-studio guests. The radio station changed formats and the reports and show were eliminated. Fast forward about 13 years. I'm now working for a new station in State College, PA; WHVL. The good thing about it is that we don't have a major broadcast affiliation. (MY Network - home of WWE Smackdown - airs 8-10PM, Monday through Friday) So, that give us the flexibility to do more programming of local interest. (Remember when TV stations used to care about the community?) Last fall, we aired tape-delayed high school football games. Now, I'm making the pitch to do a "local" racing show. I use the term "local" loosely because I hope to cover a vast region. Right now I'm just investigating to see where to focus coverage. At this point, that's not the issue.

The show I'm pitching would include: video highlights, results, profiles and information.

HIGHLIGHTS: Because this will pretty much be a one-man show, obviously I'll probably only be able to shoot video at one track each Friday and Saturday. (I've seen special events on Thursday and Sundays as well) At times, I may be able to make the trek to another track that same night like Bedford and Dog Hollow (1 hour) or Hummingbird to Marion Center (45 minutes). All would depend on how the shows are running time wise. There may be other combos I haven't discovered yet. So, video highlights will be limited. One of my contacts may get someone to shoot video for the track he works at. And, my boss, a former car owner, said he may head to Port Royal from time to time since it's close to where he lives. IF there are any other tracks willing to provide video, we'll certainly look into it. Quality is the key. We want this to look as professional as possible. Rainouts, which we know PA is known for, will complicated matters. That's when the show would be filled with more feature-type stories.

RESULTS: This is where things may get tricky. A lot of people may be curious as to results at tracks in which they don't normally attend. Or, may not have gone that particular week. The key is to not bore people to death with one graphic after another. Breaking up the results throughout the show is the best solution.

PROFILES: This would include drivers, car owners, track operators, track personnel or others (distributors/sponsors) involved in the industry. The key to this is to be unbiased and spread the wealth. I don't care what someone does as long as there's a story of interest. I don't care if someone has won 100 Late Model or Sprint features of if they've never won a 4-cylinder pure stock race. Successful people are a natural storyline. Yet, even those who haven't enjoyed such successes may have a compelling story to tell. Maybe it's some physical disability. Or, overcoming some other setback. BUT..... there needs to be an angle. ANYONE who drives a car...works on a car...owns a car...runs a race track...organizes a series...supports local racing...is important to me. It's just finding the right stories to work on. I'm hoping through contacts in the community and forums such as this that I'll be able to sort out which directions to go and who to contact.

INFO: This would encompass many things. Maybe some info about a particular track you've heard of but didn't know anything about. Comparisons between different types of cars geared towards the more casual fan...like what's the different between a dirt Super Late Model, a Limited Late Model and say a Crate Late Model. Or, differences between dirt Street Stocks and asphalt Street Stocks. Those are just examples. Also, in the category would be upcoming special events whether they're mentioned with just a graphic or I conduct an interview.

These are just examples of what I'd like to do. Once I get back in the game, if you will, I'm sure I'll come up with other ideas. That's the way if worked for me before. I'd like to air this half hour show on Monday nights at 10PM. Probably the beginning of May to the end of August. That would work for our regular schedule. But, that hasn't been discussed yet. I'm still just putting together a short presentation to show here and for possible use in attracting sponsors.

So, you may be sitting there thinking that's a cool idea. I'd watch, but don't get that TV station where I live. Well.........here's the good news. IF all goes well, it doesn't matter whether you can get us on cable or over the air. If you have a PC...and I assume you do if you're reading this...then, you'll be fine. I can't go into specifics at this time. But, it's a good possibility.

This has been a dream of mine for 15 years. It fell on deaf ears before. I have a great deal of hope now. I know it will be a lot of work, but my goal has always been to do something that promotes local racing and gives it the coverage it deserves.

SO..... would you watch?


Ron Fox
WHVL-TV

racing@whvl.com

This post has been edited by Ron Fox: Feb 8 2010, 04:56 PM

[94.3-RADRACER]

IF I COULD GET IT,YES.....

[yenko1]

Heck YA !!

[Ron Fox]

IF I COULD GET IT,YES.....

Well, that's what we're working on for those who can't get us on cable or over the air. I could tell you more, but then I'd have to kill you. Thanks for the reply though. Stay tuned.

This post has been edited by Ron Fox: Feb 8 2010, 04:58 PM

[drt18]

i would watch

[race ace]

this is a good idea and yes we would watch it . I had an idea a lot of years back where you could buy a video from a person (have someone taping at every track) and air them over the winter there are plenty of tracks across the state and some are just too far to visit , but would be fun to watch what other tracks are doing . i think it might help racers pick up sponsers if you could tell them their name might be on television .lots of people are watching the madhouse show on the history channel and some of them never attend the races.good luck with your idea.

[Guest_Mike0743_*]

i would definetly watch it. i really would like to see a show like this in western pa that covered more than just stock cars. it covered dirt, asphalt, drag racing, karting, and road racing. each week highlight a different type of racing and try to cover the other forms by 3 minute highlights. also show various products to help fund the show. i would talk to the guys at rappin on racin because they had a show here on fsn pittsburgh a couple years back.

[racingchick81]

I'd most definitely watch. I think you may have something here.

[warrior97]

Wouldn't miss it, bring it on

[Ron Fox]

this is a good idea and yes we would watch it . I had an idea a lot of years back where you could buy a video from a person (have someone taping at every track) and air them over the winter there are plenty of tracks across the state and some are just too far to visit , but would be fun to watch what other tracks are doing . i think it might help racers pick up sponsers if you could tell them their name might be on television .lots of people are watching the madhouse show on the history channel and some of them never attend the races.good luck with your idea.

Funny you should mention "Madhouse". That was just brought up in a PM to myself. But, as I wrote in my PM, we're a small operation with limited personnel and resources at this time. That's why this show will be pretty much anything I alone can do. The idea of taping all of the racing from one track involves a lot of resources; people, money and equipment. We did it for the local high school football games. And, as you mentioned about racing, we actually did re-air the games during Christmas and New Years. Watching some races during the winter from different tracks would be great. And, if it aids in any way to helping promote local racing and those involved with it, then that's icing on the cake.

It's not out of the question. But, for right now it's not possible. My nights at the tracks will entail getting interviews and b-roll (video) before the features. Then, during the features I will be shooting the features. However, I may shoot one or two, then head to the pits to get winner's reactions. So, during that time I may miss a feature before I can head back over to the stands or wherever I'm shooting from. IF this show gets a great response, airing tape-delayed races (with track's approval) is a possibility. There are logistics involved like.....do you use the track announcer's audio, which can be problematic? Or, do post-race editing and dub in lap-by-lap voiceovers? I've seen that done before and it works well. In this scenario, a crew could go and do a race. I could be at another track shooting highlights. Then, use some of the full race's highlights in my show and still have enough to fill a full race night show. Lots to think about, but right now I'm going forward as if I'm the only one involved. Believe me, I'll pass along your idea.

Thanks....and ANY ideas or comments are welcomed.

This post has been edited by Ron Fox: Feb 8 2010, 05:56 PM

[Ron Fox]

i would definetly watch it. i really would like to see a show like this in western pa that covered more than just stock cars. it covered dirt, asphalt, drag racing, karting, and road racing. each week highlight a different type of racing and try to cover the other forms by 3 minute highlights. also show various products to help fund the show. i would talk to the guys at rappin on racin because they had a show here on fsn pittsburgh a couple years back.

Right now, I'd say the focus would be on stock car racing. But, I'm not opposed to coverage of any other types of motorsports. I'm already planning on doing a story on karting since many drivers start out that way. Back when I was reporting before, I did a story on a local truck pulling team. Wasn't something I can say I'm into that much. But, given their accomplishments, I felt it was a good story. And, something a little different from what I was doing at the time. Can't say I know a lot about local drag racing. I used to watch a lot of the NHRA. Same goes for road racing. I used to watch some IMSA racing years ago. Chris Gleason from the Johnstown area was a pretty successful road racer. Not sure he's still racing, but that just gave me another possible story idea. Is there any type of local road racing besides the events the SCCA does in different regions? Don't think we'll have to manpower to branch out that far, but if there are tracks or individuals interested in providing video, then we'd take a look at it.

Keep 'em coming. Everything will be considered. Just a matter of what can realistically be done at this time. Never know what can be done down the road.

This post has been edited by Ron Fox: Feb 8 2010, 10:04 PM

[IMPERIALTIRE11]

I would watch.

[lrnvlFan1w]

YES

[Guest_Mike0743_*]

Right now, I'd saw the focus would be on stock car racing. But, I'm not opposed to coverage of any other types of motorsports. I'm already planning on doing a story on karting since many drivers start out that way. Back when I was reporting before, I did a story on a local truck pulling team. Wasn't something I can say I'm into that much. But, given their accomplishments, I felt it was a good story. And, something a little different from what I was doing at the time. Can't say I know a lot about local drag racing. I used to watch a lot of the NHRA. Same goes for road racing. I used to watch some IMSA racing years ago. Chris Gleason from the Johnstown area was a pretty successful road racer. Not sure he's still racing, but that just gave me another possible story idea. Is there any type of local road racing besides the events the SCCA does in different regions? Don't think we'll have to manpower to branch out that far, but if there are tracks or individuals interested in providing video, then we'd take a look at it.

Keep 'em coming. Everything will be considered. Just a matter of what can realistically be done at this time. Never know what can be done down the road.

i race karts up at beaverun and its a road course. they have a world class karting and full size vehicle course. that is really the only road course facility in the area.

[dirtracer81]

i would watch it

[Ron Fox]

i race karts up at beaverun and its a road course. they have a world class karting and full size vehicle course. that is really the only road course facility in the area.

I remember a guy I used to work with went over there. He's into the SCCA stuff. He had a 260Z. Would make a great story. Thanks, Mike.

[Anthony]

I'd watch!

[smokin66]

bout 6 years ago sharon speedway would broadcast its racing on friday night. There were drivers interviews as well as all divisions of racing. I watched that all the time.

[Guest_Mike0743_*]

I remember a guy I used to work with went over there. He's into the SCCA stuff. He had a 260Z. Would make a great story. Thanks, Mike.

if you need more info on our schedule up there send me a pm and i could get you more info on our opening day and stuff like that.

[Skull]

Great idea, and yes I'd definitely watch. We need to support our local racers as much as possible.

None of the network affiliates in the Pittsburgh area cover local auto racing at all. TV is still the best promotional tool there is to attract new fans. I wish you the best of luck.