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Post by Charlie on Oct 23, 2006 19:24:26 GMT
Charlie, Is there anything non-members of the SMRC can do to help Swing the vote for TV coverage(How about sending an e-mail to the SMRC ?). I was my intention to race an XR2 in 2006 but for one reason or another I couldnt.I plan to race in 2007 but there is still some question marks.With TV coverage in the pipeline i am more focused to get out there. Anyone can email the committee with their views, its just the forum you require membership for. Click www.smrc-uk.com/contacts.php for contact info. As you intend racing next year why not email the SMRC and ask to be included on the mailing list or even ask for a membership dated for next year so that you can make your feelings known and what you would like to see happening. And of course, you can post here, as in the past the SMRC officials have been known to browse this forum. I'd like to see some posts from them here too.  |
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Post by awsponsor on Oct 23, 2006 20:47:52 GMT
Charlie.... Is it actually SMRC's decision or is it a matter of needing their blessing?
Dick
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Post by Charlie on Oct 24, 2006 5:43:11 GMT
Charlie.... Is it actually SMRC's decision or is it a matter of needing their blessing? Interesting point that. I'm afraid I can't answer that as I don't know the commercial tie up and contract between the SMRC, the membership, and Knockhill. For instance, who owns the film rights? Note that at away meetings there was a clause in the terms and conditions about the use of in car video and its use for commercial purposes etc. Will Knockhill expect a percentage for allowing shooting? Could we as members just hire a production company on our own initiative? I think it will all become a lot clearer once we see the questionnaire and proposals. |
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Post by awsponsor on Oct 24, 2006 13:47:15 GMT
I rang AMG TV productions - they did the Minis - this morning just to see if they had heard anything. They hadn't.
I met their head honcho at Croft and had a long chat about video etc.. Nice bloke. He explained to me how it all happens. For example - I thought you had to pay get it on TV.... Not the case now it seems... The TV companies transmit it for nothing ..
Yes there's no reason why the XR2s couldn't do their own thing but if the Minis and/or Leg Ends or others were thinking of the same idea then there is a commercial advantage cos AMG charge on an event basis not a race basis... So if the XR2s, Minis and Leg Ends all decided they wanted to do this then you'd effectively cut the cost by one third per event..... Well not quite cos it depends on away races and whether each team is always going to be at the same place at the same time. But you get the gist.
On the other hand he'd heard a story at some point earlier that Knockhill itself was thinking of setting this up so there would be a "Knockhill Event" show including presumably highlights from all races. This would make sense I think although it may reduce the density of the coverage of each race if you see what I mean.
It will undoubtedly all become as clear as mud one day ;D
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Post by commentary on Oct 24, 2006 21:39:29 GMT
Interesting stuff all this TV business. It would be a great boost to the SMRC events without question.
Couple of comments - first of all I think the reason we don't get the crowds of the seventies and eighties at SMRC events is because the choice of entertainment available on a Sunday has changed out of all recognition since then (Sunday shopping Sunday football, Playstation, Sky TV etc etc). But the racing package hasn't changed to compete with that. All of us enthusiasts haven't noticed but it does make it harder to get attention from the ordinary "man or woman in the street".
Secondly I don't think the lack of publicity is entirely Knockhill's fault. Ray Smith generates a huge number of press releases and Ray is in constant contact with everyone that counts in the Scottish media. But the world has changed and I think that unless it's on TV, people won't rate it as worth watching. So back to where I came in, TV will be a huge boost for us all.
And yes Mike - I'd love to do the commentary - thanks for the kind remarks.
And Charlie, rather than Baywatch, what about Charlie's Angels?
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Post by Racemania on Oct 24, 2006 21:49:30 GMT
For example - I thought you had to pay get it on TV.... Not the case now it seems... The TV companies transmit it for nothing .. Yes there's no reason why the XR2s couldn't do their own thing but if the Minis and/or Leg Ends or others were thinking of the same idea then there is a commercial advantage cos AMG charge on an event basis not a race basis... So if the XR2s, Minis and Leg Ends all decided they wanted to do this then you'd effectively cut the cost by one third per event..... Well not quite cos it depends on away races and whether each team is always going to be at the same place at the same time. But you get the gist. On the other hand he'd heard a story at some point earlier that Knockhill itself was thinking of setting this up so there would be a "Knockhill Event" show including presumably highlights from all races. This would make sense I think although it may reduce the density of the coverage of each race if you see what I mean. I have a little knowledge of this TV thing and I must caution everyone from getting higher expectations than is possible. Point 1, Motors TV are the only ones who will put out anything they receive free. Sky Sports will put it out provided it matches up to their minimum quality of a professionally presented programme. STV and BBC will only use something if they have about a year previously decided they want to go down that route and they have the regional slots to use it. Points 2, Theoretically possible but will even Motors TV use 3 x30 mins of Scottish Minis, XR2's and Legends each month? Point 3 Sounds like another Autosport quote where the correct name should be SMRC not Knockhill. I have been told the proposal coming out to members will be for them to pay about £400 to get all the SMRC racing at Knockhill recorded and then put out on Motors TV once a month. The 30 min Programme titled "The Best of Scottish Motor Racing" will be made up of clips of the best action from all of the classes although presumably if there isn't much action or excitement they won't get featured at all. And Charlie before you say anything there's no truth in the rumour that Maggie Miller has got Dulux fast drying paint to sponsor Formula Phoenix's share! Ali |
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Post by awsponsor on Oct 24, 2006 22:03:44 GMT
Ali. The AMG chap specifically told me that Motors TV and Channel 5 who both carried the Minis did not charge anything. I've never seen it on Channel 5 but then again it was apparently transmitted at something like 5 in the morning and that's well past my bedtime... He didn't mention Men & Motors but I'll ask him... That said the last time I looked at that channel all the drivers had their clothes off and appeared to have their own built in airbags  Are we talking about the same one? |
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Post by Racemania on Oct 24, 2006 22:19:35 GMT
Rob you forgot the big reason.. Ingliston was close to Edinburgh on the main road to Glasgow and carried signs for when the next Motor Race was.
For the majority of people in the big catchment areas Knockhill is ....... where?
AWSponsor sorry just my age I mean Motors TV its just that Men & Motors came before the revamp and why do they keep changing the satellite channel numbers. Changes changes
Ali
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Post by ultra on Oct 25, 2006 22:18:50 GMT
Anyone can email the committee with their views, its just the forum you require membership for. Click www.smrc-uk.com/contacts.php for contact info. As you intend racing next year why not email the SMRC and ask to be included on the mailing list or even ask for a membership dated for next year so that you can make your feelings known and what you would like to see happening. And of course, you can post here, as in the past the SMRC officials have been known to browse this forum. I'd like to see some posts from them here too. Thanks Charlie I emailed the SMRC and they said if I wait untill November and join i will be sent a questionnaire and the membership will last untill the 31/12/07. |
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Post by grahambrunton66 on Oct 29, 2006 18:00:09 GMT
Ali,poor show slagging other classes.Might be some paint left over from when you pedalled the Radical round!
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Post by Racemania on Oct 29, 2006 20:06:17 GMT
Lighten up Graham. If you need the joke explained it was in response to Charlie's quote about "the Hysterics" not being in favour of paying for TV coverage. Sorry if you took offence at the joke.  I take it as a back handed complement you think I'm fast enough in Legends. ;D ;D I agree with you about my Radical race it was boring for me in a safe 4th out of 9 finishers. Personally though I was pleased in my first qualifying for 37 years to be only 4/100 sec slower than Roddy Paterson. Ali |
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Post by awsponsor on Nov 29, 2006 9:32:06 GMT
Is there any more news about this?
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Post by Hgracer on Dec 10, 2006 21:56:00 GMT
Has anyone heard anything about this or about the new race format for next season?
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Post by andrew on Dec 10, 2006 22:02:00 GMT
if i remember rightly at the SMRC dinner it was announced meetings were going to take the form of the SMRC's proposal which was 2 races at every meeting. There was no confirmation of tv but they said the form return showed at the moment the majority were in favour of tv.
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Post by gallonsperminute on Dec 25, 2006 15:01:12 GMT
Watched this thread with interest It seems most folk think going on telly is a good idea and I agree if it comes across well. Sadly small grids, (most races) outdated cars, (XR2) and the odd procession will do SMRC no good at all. Having been sponsor led all my racing career both as driver and team owner, finding people to support you will still be difficult. Better suggestion would be trying to find more venues so that more people are attracted and, with more access available, can get a better return on their racing investment. Taking a Scottish sponsor/driver (with no interest in going south) to Knockhill year after year is no use. Although the hill do a great job it is obvious that we need more places to race and with the circuit at saturation point (ever tried booking a test) is it not time that Knockhill looked to expand. It would also generate more interest from people fed up driving the same lines year after year.
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