It's official, Castrol out at JFR after 2014 (2 Viewers)

[Muddy]

Interesting thought that came to my mind, Courtney Force poses virtually nude in the ESPN Magazine and within 2 months 2 of their biggest sponsors leave them. I always said actions spoke louder than words. This could be a complete coincidence, but it is interesting timing.

Decisions made at that level about marketing don't normally occur overnight. Generally speaking no one wants ot have compete ownership of a decision affecting marketing (unless of course its a home run). This has more than likely been in the works for several months if not a year. I suspect this was first discussed sometime last year when they were working on budgets and marketing programs. Force has probably been aware of this for sometime. I really doubt Courtney's photos had any bearing on the decision made by Ford or BP.

 

[Silly Savage]

I want to know the other side of what is not made public. I doubt all these companies leave because, "they want to pursue different strategies." "Loyalty" meaning maybe they wanted to stay, but the sport makes them leave because it's not that the sport is not growing or even maintaining, it's shrinking.

The economy is shrinking and with that ALL forms of entertainment shrink. People will look for the lowest common denominator to spend their money on. Attention spans are shorter and it takes a lot of "BANG" to get the intial attention now; let alone keep it. Drag racing is a sensory sport. You need to see it, smell it and feel it to really get the full affect. That is not the case with baseball, football, hockey or basketball. NASCAR has side by side racing for 2 hours and at any second a wreck can happen at any point on the track. Drag racing keeps you on the edge of your seat with about 3 seconds at a time with about 5-10 minutes between those 3 seconds if there are no delays. Drag racing doesn't have the "faces" and personalities of other sports either. You see other sports professionals in commercials ALL OVER the place. How many drag racers have had commercials? The Forces and Ron Capps....
In other professional racing you have guys that EARN their spot in the drivers seat. In drag racing, you buy your seat either buy being the owner (or related) or your bring cash in with you.

Drag Racing at the professional level is a rich man's hobby...

 

[HEMI6point1]

When Ford pulls out, I hope John Force goes for a body that is totally unique instead of the usual Chevy-Toyota-Dodge bodies.

Know what would be awesome? Cadillac CTS-V coupe bodies, complete with Escalades for tow vehicles.

 

[Silly Savage]

When Ford pulls out, I hope John Force goes for a body that is totally unique instead of the usual Chevy-Toyota-Dodge bodies.

Know what would be awesome? Cadillac CTS-V coupe bodies, complete with Escalades for tow vehicles.

You actually hit on a good point here. With MFGs pulling out, makes you wonder if the NHRA would loosen up the body rules for make, model and age. The Toyota bodies were a Alan Johnson thing if my memory serves and Tasca is making bodies in conjunction with the boat people. Would love to see someone build some other makes and models. A NEW Camaro F/C body would be cool with NEW Challenger and Charger bodies. Maybe even some new corvettes????

 

[HEMI6point1]

I think the Corvette body's "explosive" history is the reason why you don't see them out there anymore.

 

[mick]

......A NEW Camaro F/C body would be cool with NEW Challenger and Charger bodies. Maybe even some new corvettes???.......

why not - am hopeful GM's participation in indy is only the tip of the iceberg

 

[Silly Savage]

I think the Corvette body's "explosive" history is the reason why you don't see them out there anymore.

The short rear deck was a bigger issue. Of course now a days they would stretch it and have about 1000sqft of spolier on it....

 

[timebombkal]

BP had to pay a lot of money for the big oil spill. That simple.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

Interesting thought that came to my mind, Courtney Force poses virtually nude in the ESPN Magazine and within 2 months 2 of their biggest sponsors leave them. I always said actions spoke louder than words. This could be a complete coincidence, but it is interesting timing.

Interesting thought indeed.

 

[The Little Lizard]

DON MEREDITH - Turn out the lights... the party's over - YouTube4.flv - YouTube

 

[vegasnitro]

BP had to pay a lot of money for the big oil spill. That simple.

Nahhhh ... They still have $100 billion in cash reserves. Besides, if they were really hurting for money, we would be paying $4 per gallon for gas ... Oh wait.

The sponsorship has run it's course (become stale as mentioned earlier), or the cost has reached it's saturation point where it becomes impossible to expect a positive ROI so you walk away.

 

[cantdrive55]

I've been sitting here taking this all in, and the thought occurs to me, would this be the perfect situation for John Force to retire? Now before everyone loses their minds, and calls me every name in the book, I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong with Force's driving. Perhaps the situation before him is in a way a symbolic opportunity. John's always talking about the "next generation" and the future of the sport. Maybe now is the time to go out on a farewell tour in '14, John and Castrol "The Last Dance". Then hang it up with the end of the Castrol deal, and bring in new sponsors for '15 and beyond to keep the family name going.

flame away, I'm going to bed...I'm sure I'll wake up to some interesting responses.

 

[my friends call me Zappy]

I've been sitting here taking this all in, and the thought occurs to me, would this be the perfect situation for John Force to retire? Now before everyone loses their minds, and calls me every name in the book, I'm not suggesting there's anything wrong with Force's driving. Perhaps the situation before him is in a way a symbolic opportunity. John's always talking about the "next generation" and the future of the sport. Maybe now is the time to go out on a farewell tour in '14, John and Castrol "The Last Dance". Then hang it up with the end of the Castrol deal, and bring in new sponsors for '15 and beyond to keep the family name going.

flame away, I'm going to bed...I'm sure I'll wake up to some interesting responses.

Not a bad idea. I mean ya gotta go sometime... I like the farewell tour for a year but, forget the big show, think of the $$ he could make barnstorming the country. A fan thank-you tour.

 

[George.]

BP had to pay a lot of money for the big oil spill. That simple.

That's a funny one..
Forces budget is a pimple on their arses. They feel it's not no longer fresh, and they are right. The JFR/Castrol thing is as stale as old bread.

Nascar will be fresh to Castrol, and the Sprint Cup Series.
It'll be better for Castrol, and it will be better for JFR.
JFR is the premier NHRA product, and it's time for a new look for them as well.
John will land the best sponsor available, and the cars will look fresh again.
It's not a great thing for the NHRA, but I think the Force product will be better for it.

 

[Mark]

Not a bad idea. I mean ya gotta go sometime... I like the farewell tour for a year but, forget the big show, think of the $$ he could make barnstorming the country. A fan thank-you tour.

Kinda like Mariano Rivera's current farewell tour...go out with a bang, and LOTS of good publicity for your product.

 

[Nunz]

Adversity presents opportunity, and while losing Ford AND Castrol at the same time has got to be a kick in the teeth to JFR, I agree with George in that it would be exciting to see Force land new partners, with new looks for his hot rods. Still, like we've been discussing, the NHRA has GOT to step up and re-think the product they're offering. Wouldn't it be nice if selling new sponsors was even a little easier?

 

[SundayNiagara]

Still, like we've been discussing, the NHRA has GOT to step up and re-think the product they're offering. Wouldn't it be nice if selling new sponsors was even a little easier?

And here, is GROUND ZERO!

 

[Toejam]

A major house cleaning in Glendora is in order here. If John Force, "the best mouth in all of motorsports AND the public face of drag racing" loses major sponsors, who is to blame? N-H-R-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Further, Castrol/JFR was asked by NHRA to delay the announcement until the season ended and they declined, saying, "the sooner, the better.

So the fact that JF is 65 years old doesn't mean anything? That being said, I'm sure John can find funding but for How many cars?

 

[Jim]

Castrol has been a gigantic supporter of motorsports worldwide.

Have they pulled other programs?

PS: Not trying to start a fight: I don't know if they've soured on Drag Racing or all forms of racing (or, are they investing in NASCAR)?

 

[Toejam]

A major house cleaning in Glendora is in order here. If John Force, "the best mouth in all of motorsports AND the public face of drag racing" loses major sponsors, who is to blame? N-H-R-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Further, Castrol/JFR was asked by NHRA to delay the announcement until the season ended and they declined, saying, "the sooner, the better.

I'm curious how a sponsor leaving after 29 years is deemed a failure by NHRA?