Team Geico

[BurkartFan]

The "breaks" in the action of a hockey game are 30 seconds long. The halftime show at a basketball game is a predictable thing that happens at a known time, for a known time. The breaks between rounds at a drag race are predictable and are filled with other classes. It's the unplanned oildown time outs that are so painful.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again. Pay Alan, Bob, some great crew chiefs and others to make a series of 20-30 insider videos, a couple minutes a piece, that teach about the sport. How does a clutch work, what are they doing when the look under the hood of a funny car, how to they tune a PS suspension for the track, explain Super class racing, explain the tree and why they went to LEDs (and what the drivers think about them). I could (and have) come up with a list of several dozen of these.

Use the time for good, not evil. Teach people about the sport. Grow the sport. Toss me a t-shirt and clothe me for a day, teach me about the sport and build a fan for a lifetime.

That's a fantastic idea - I'd love to see more of the "how it works" and behind-the-scenes bits during cleanups.

I liked the Traxxas bits added this year. Far more entertaining than the bellowing of Team Geico.

 

[NYNitro86]

Alan does. At the Winters they had some fantastic tech segments on the big screen that Alan narrates.

101 With Alan Reinhart.

Only one I've seen at E-Town is the one about Burst Panels and "Bang The Blower". I've heard the ones about Wheelie Bar adjustments in Pro Stock, Rear Spoiler Adjustments in Funny Car, when a Pro Stock Motorcycle Rider looks over his/her should before staging up and one on Head Gaskets in Pro Stock (or Pro Stock Motorcycle)

 

[NYNitro86]

I guess I'm confused, if everybody feels this way then why do so many stand up and yell when they ask "Who wants a free T-shirt?" they are here simply to fill some of the down time, and that's what they do. And no matter what some of you guys think, most of the fans love having a chance to be on the Jumbotron and win something.

When I started doing these events if we had a 15 minute oil down, we just played recorded commercials, would that be better?

Do you guys go to any other sports? Do you complain that they play the same songs during breaks at a Hockey game? or that it's the same halftime show at the Basketball game?

Alan

You gotta do whatcha gotta do, I just laugh at the times where they show like the ones who are the more "lively" ones and then show like several just sitting around chatting with the person next to them. It's like they want the "Party People" on NHRA MobileVision, they show them, then the cut to those sitting on their hands and then back.

TBH I like the Commercials, Especially at E-Town, you get the thrill show spots which BTW here they are for those who care;

Raceway Park Summer Motorsports Spectacular 2012 30TV.mov - YouTube

Raceway Park US Diesel Truckin Nationals 2012 30TV.mov - YouTube

Plus PC Richard & Son;

Female Spokesperson: "When is it time for a New Appliance?"
Husband: "All This needs is some duct tape and a hanger."
Wife: "When your "Mr. Fix-It," isn't fixing it."

When is it Time for a New Appliance? - YouTube

I'd use the "Duct Tape and Hanger" comment for now on when it's needed

 

[clwill]

Alan does. At the Winters they had some fantastic tech segments on the big screen that Alan narrates.

I was there, and saw one. It was wonderful. But can't there be dozens? Heck, sponsor them by Geico if you must. Anything but more of those poor schlubs trying to be interesting/funny...

I keep thinking from the perspective of growing the sport. You've got a captive audience, sitting there with nothing to do while the safari does their job. Use it. Think beyond "keep them entertained". It's the only quiet time at the track, use it to grow the sport. Set up screens out at the food/beer lines, scatter them through the pro pits, show the live ESPN feed like they do in the Top Eliminator Club, and like they have at most other sport stadiums. And run these videos instead of the Geico clowns.

Every race before the finals Alan climbs the wall and does his very eloquent schtick. Every race he asks how many are there for the first time. Hundreds or thousands of hands go up. Help them to understand and appreciate an immensely technical and complex sport. Make them want to come back for more than just the loud noises, and they'll be hooked for life.

 

[The Swegian]

Im usually at the Beerstand Mark, who are they?

They have beerstands, Joe?

I guess I'm confused, if everybody feels this way then why do so many stand up and yell when they ask "Who wants a free T-shirt?" they are here simply to fill some of the down time, and that's what they do. And no matter what some of you guys think, most of the fans love having a chance to be on the Jumbotron and win something.

When I started doing these events if we had a 15 minute oil down, we just played recorded commercials, would that be better?

Do you guys go to any other sports? Do you complain that they play the same songs during breaks at a Hockey game? or that it's the same halftime show at the Basketball game?

Alan

I guess i'll never understand the fascination with "being on the jumbotron". Big deal. And as for one of the half dozen free shirts they shot into the stands when I was at Topeka, i've seen the shirt. They can keep the advertisement for Geico. I really Chris Williams ideas.

Heck, show the movie "Funny Car Summer" during breaks.

 

[The Swegian]

I was thinking also about the tired "get a couple fans from the stands and have them put their head on the end of a bat, spin around ten times, then race to the finish line" and watch them fall over as they run. Seriously? Who has never seen this done, not necessarily at the races but at a picnic or some other gathering?

 

[vegasnitro]

Alan does. At the Winters they had some fantastic tech segments on the big screen that Alan narrates.

2 Days at Bristol and I saw 1 Alan segment, he told why the wheelie bar was the last adjustment and why it is so critical in Pro Stock. I also agree I wish there were more of them.

Me and Greg Rice had an interesting conversation about Team Geico during on of the oil downs on Saturday ... we came to the conclusion if we were the typical NHRA fan that attended 1 race a year when the tour stopped in our neighborhood, we probably wouldn't notice/mind Team Geico. But those of us that hit multiple events a year, let's just repeat the old adage "familiarity breeds contempt". I understand why they are there, and I just accept it and try not to pay attention.

Actually, ever since my Dad moved back to Kentucky (and took the RV with him) I am peeved anytime there is an oil down. I used to just run to RV and grab a sammich and some beverages and not worry about what was on the screen or who was on the mic trying to get a fan to guess the TV theme song.

Lastly, in the interest of fair reporting, I was once a victim of Team Geico and on the big screen at Vegas 2 a few years ago ... and it was all Paul Flores's fault.

 

[scooter]

Its amazing how alcohol can make fans go crazy for a t-shirt that I doubt will ever be worn again... outside of being worn on laundry day when no other options exist...

I just love how those fans dive over a t-shirt,not giving a care about me,or all of my camera gear.Sometimes you just can't get out of the way because you are In a packed crowd,and all you get Is sorry man.

 

[Toejam]

Its amazing how alcohol can make fans go crazy for a t-shirt that I doubt will ever be worn again... outside of being worn on laundry day when no other options exist...

And a $5 shirt to boot!

 

[none]

Sorry, but the guys that post here are not average fans. I still contend that if I stood out there and asked "Who wants to see a video explaining Top Fuel clutches?" followed by "Who wants a free T-shirt?" nobody would care about the clutches. I made a few 101 videos, and am planning on a few more. They usually get played when relevant, (like after a banged blower) but the "average fan" would rather play a game, be on the screen, or catch a shirt than go to school.

Alan

 

[clwill]

It's not all about what the fans want, sometimes it is about what's good for the sport. I'm sure they'd all like to see a huge fiery crash too...

 

[Toejam]

Sorry, but the guys that post here are not average fans. I still contend that if I stood out there and asked "Who wants to see a video explaining Top Fuel clutches?" followed by "Who wants a free T-shirt?" nobody would care about the clutches. I made a few 101 videos, and am planning on a few more. They usually get played when relevant, (like after a banged blower) but the "average fan" would rather play a game, be on the screen, or catch a shirt than go to school.

Alan

True...the average fan goes to maybe one race per year!

 

[mick]

anyone know if geico pays extra to nhra to entertain fans? or is their animacion
a portion of their involvement with their team sponsorships?
whatever the case they are putting their name in front of the fans and their
investment in this animacion seems rather low, and is easily repeatable.

just like the bird chirping guy on the us open last week, someone should put
on a 'floe' costume and parade in front of those guys....that would be worth
seeing

 

[J]

anyone know if geico pays extra to nhra to entertain fans? or is their animacion
a portion of their involvement with their team sponsorships?
whatever the case they are putting their name in front of the fans and their
investment in this animacion seems rather low, and is easily repeatable.

just like the bird chirping guy on the us open last week, someone should put
on a 'floe' costume and parade in front of those guys....that would be worth
seeing

I try and tune them out,they were worn out last year lol,sounds like a bunch of radio dj's,yuck lol

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

the worst. i hate them. and contrary to what alan says most people in the stands do to. ive only heard bad things from other people when they start up. get rid of them