Question About the Business of Racing
08-07-2008, 02:25 PM
#47
Three Wheelin'
"Checkbook and helmet in hand"
One of my best friends, some know of whom I am speaking, has been running in GAC ST. These races are no more competitive than a top spec miata weekend... but the exposure is there and the egos get even bigger. With those kind of dollars in play, there are plenty of people that will take them from you. IMHO, the 12 and 13 hour SCCA enduros are a better 'bang for your buck' than GAC. The next real step to me would be Rolex and the 24 hour in a GT car... but get ready to pay. I've heard around $50k for a seat with no pro drivers.
Peter, good luck with the 24 hour effort. Hope to be there myself in next 8 years.
One of my best friends, some know of whom I am speaking, has been running in GAC ST. These races are no more competitive than a top spec miata weekend... but the exposure is there and the egos get even bigger. With those kind of dollars in play, there are plenty of people that will take them from you. IMHO, the 12 and 13 hour SCCA enduros are a better 'bang for your buck' than GAC. The next real step to me would be Rolex and the 24 hour in a GT car... but get ready to pay. I've heard around $50k for a seat with no pro drivers.
Peter, good luck with the 24 hour effort. Hope to be there myself in next 8 years.
08-07-2008, 03:17 PM
#48
Drifting
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"... half off another car..."
or
"...half of another car..." ??
Big difference! If they're starting to offer discounts, maybe .... Nah.
08-07-2008, 04:44 PM
#49
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How well are the engineers and managers getting payed for these race teams? With the high expenses to fund a race team these days, I would almost imagine they run heavily with volunteers? That seems a little drastic of a measure though...
08-07-2008, 11:44 PM
#50
Rennlist Member
Randy Pobst, Shane Lewis, Bill Auberlin, and more of the best sports car and prototype drivers in the USA run Koni ST, I dont think you will ever see any of them in a Miata. Of course if you mean COMPETITIVE then nothing can beat a field of 30 spec cars that cost less than a cup car muffler and rear bumper.
08-07-2008, 11:45 PM
#51
Rennlist Member
Randy Pobst, Shane Lewis, Bill Auberlin, and more of the best sports car and prototype drivers in the USA run Koni ST, I dont think you will ever see any of them in a Miata. Of course if you mean COMPETITIVE then nothing can beat a field of 30 spec cars that cost less than a cup car muffler and rear bumper.
08-08-2008, 10:50 AM
#52
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Randy Pobst, Shane Lewis, Bill Auberlin, and more of the best sports car and prototype drivers in the USA run Koni ST, I dont think you will ever see any of them in a Miata. Of course if you mean COMPETITIVE then nothing can beat a field of 30 spec cars that cost less than a cup car muffler and rear bumper.
Mazda seems to elevate people from the Miatas to "higher" series'.
08-08-2008, 12:29 PM
#53
Rennlist Member
FYI, if you buy one seat, whoever you buy it with may give steep discounts for other races, so if you take the plunge once, you may get some long term benefits.
-Drew
08-08-2008, 12:31 PM
#54
Rennlist Member
Randy Pobst, Shane Lewis, Bill Auberlin, and more of the best sports car and prototype drivers in the USA run Koni ST, I dont think you will ever see any of them in a Miata. Of course if you mean COMPETITIVE then nothing can beat a field of 30 spec cars that cost less than a cup car muffler and rear bumper.
-Drew
08-08-2008, 01:30 PM
#55
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Nope not at all, but deductive reasoning would suggest that. The team was founded in 2003 by Seth Neiman....So that leaves us with the two major sponsors, Shoretel and ESilicion, a quick search on google returns the fact Seth Neiman (a super rich venture capitalist) is on the board of directors of both and also is a large share holder/founding member of each. Now that would lead me to believe either he is funding the team completely and he figures he might as well get some sponsorship opportunities out it, or he can pull strings at the company (or is just plain incharge) and is having them fund his hobby....
I love coincidences. Seriously though I doubt Nieman would risk his reputation by having Shoretel fund a hobby - it's prob all from his personal fortune.
08-08-2008, 02:18 PM
#56
Three Wheelin'
Randy Pobst, Shane Lewis, Bill Auberlin, and more of the best sports car and prototype drivers in the USA run Koni ST, I dont think you will ever see any of them in a Miata. Of course if you mean COMPETITIVE then nothing can beat a field of 30 spec cars that cost less than a cup car muffler and rear bumper.
08-08-2008, 02:40 PM
#58
Rennlist Member
Were it not improper for me to do so, I could name a race team that you have heard of where the money came from a public company (marketing/advertising expense) and a driver was a relative of the CEO. It happens, questionable (or worse) than that is.
08-08-2008, 06:20 PM
#59
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Call Kevin @ 707.935.3999 x110
08-08-2008, 11:29 PM
#60
Burning Brakes
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Chris;
You wouldn't happen to be thinking about "Bananas" or "Joes," would you?
I think someone is spending some time away for that capper.
You wouldn't happen to be thinking about "Bananas" or "Joes," would you?
I think someone is spending some time away for that capper.