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| May 15, 2007 |
| Industry News: SSC Racing - Champ Car |
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 | Fans get an education on Rotax in the booth
(Photo: SSC Racing) |
The weekend of April 6th-8th saw a new beginning for the top level of open-wheel racing in North America as the Champ Car World Series debuted their new generation of Champ Car chassis at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Over the course of the weekend thousands of fans streamed through the Champ Car display to check out the new machine. Also under the same tent, and getting much of the attention, were three new CRG-Rotax karts on display from SSC Racing. Since the Champ Car Rotax Kart Challenge is the first official rung of the Champ Car ladder system, the association is a natural tie-in. But for SSC Racing, the reasons are deeper than this.
"We want to bring karting to the public," said Rotax Program Director Joe Ramos Jr., "And there's no better way to do that than to come out here where the motorsports enthusiasts are." The logic behind this marketing effort is very simple, get your product in front of potential buyers. But, on a larger scale, what SSC Racing is doing is what all divisions of karting should be striving for, bringing in new blood. It's no secret the Rotax and TaG sectors of karting have grown tremendously over the past 6 years. That's the good news. The not-so-good news is that many of those that are racing in these classes have just moved over from other classes. Cross-migration may help Rotax grow initially, but in the long run, the only way to ensure growth is to attract new racers.
To address this issue of migration and to ensure further growth, SSC Racing is making a huge effort to reach out to motorsports enthusiasts and turn spectators into racers. The message is simple; would you rather sit home and watch races on TV or, spend your weekends at the track in wheel-to-wheel competition? It's not a stretch to understand that the overwhelming answer to that question is, "I want to race!" As one would expect, most racing fans already know about karting. But, many feel they don't have the time or the mechanical skill to maintain a kart. That's where the Rotax dealers in attendance come into play.
At the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Rotax display was staffed with Acceleration Karting's Curtis Cooksey and Brooke Parker and Precision Works Racing's Jerry and Chris Freckleton, as well as members from SSC. In their capable hands was the task of getting the Rotax message out. And they did that with excellence and enthusiasm. Many potential customers were seen leaving the display saying to their friends, "Hey, I CAN do that."
 | Curtis Cooksey from Acceleration networking with a fan and potential customer
(Photo: SSC Racing) |
Obviously the display is designed to educate the racing fans about the Rotax Kart Challenge and to elevate sales. But, its not just about SSC Racing. "Part of my job is to ensure the growth of Rotax overall in the United States and it isn't all about SSC Racing, but, more about SSC's dealers. These displays are mostly used to support and grow our dealer networks," says Joe Ramos Jr. He added that it's important to give the dealers more value than just selling karts and parts. Rather, it's equally important that their dealers are supported by an importer that will go beyond the norm to help bring them customers. As such, the displays at Champ Car events will be an on-going series of events. After Las Vegas, displays were conducted at Long Beach and Houston, Texas, with more scheduled throughout the summer months.
Acceleration Karting's Curtis Cooksey felt the event was a great success. "It was a great weekend, I don't know how many people I talked to, but it was a lot. There was always someone to talk to, most of them asking similar questions, 'How much does it cost?', 'How fast does it go?' That sort of stuff." He said. Then, Curtis added, "then there are the older guys that relate stories of racing 30 years ago with the old Mac and West Bend engines. They're amazed with the technology of the Rotax and how far karting has come. When I explain to them the ease of maintenance and simplicity of a kart like the DD2, they get very interested in coming back to the sport."
Overall, would Curtis say the weekend was successful? "Absolutely! My first day back in the office I was already getting calls from people I'd spoken with through the weekend. Now it's my job to follow up." That's something Curtis obviously does very well since Acceleration Karting has been the top-selling SSC dealer for the past two years running. That success earned Curtis and Brooke a trip to Italy last year to visit the CRG factory and, for being last year's top dealer, another trip back to Europe coming up soon.
Also manning the booth were Chris and Jerry Freckleton from Precision Works Racing in Lake Elsinore, CA. Precision Works Racing is a new name to the karting scene over the past couple years, but Jerry and Chris have been in, out and around karting for a long time. Jerry is a former kart shop owner himself and knows what it takes to be successful. "This Rotax program is top-notch. What we're able to accomplish out here this weekend is absolutely fantastic." When asked why he came back to the sport after being away for a while he said, "Well, to be honest, Chris had to talk me into it. But, I'm glad he did. After taking some time away I have a different outlook on things and now I'm having more fun that I ever did before."
 | Jerry Freckleton from Precision Works helping a fan input contact info into the Rotax-NKN kiosk
(Photo: SSC Racing) |
When asked why Precision Works chose to become a Rotax dealer, without hesitation Jerry answered, "The end of the rainbow. It's the only program where there's something at the end of the rainbow." He then added, "Think about it, where else can you take a young guy with the desire to race, groom him to be successful and take him all the way to a world championship? I explain that concept to people here at the Champ Car race and they like it too. Who knows? Maybe one of the people I talked to here today could be the first U. S. Rotax World Champion."
With the experience and enthusiasm these dealers have for the sport of karting, it's no wonder their shops have become so successful. And with events like the Rotax display at the Champ Car events, not only will Rotax dealers benefit, but, all of karting will grow. This is just another step in SSC Racing's plan to elevate karting to the next level the right way, by increasing the level of professionalism at the top without forgetting the needs of the weekend racer. If you plan on attending a Champ Car race in the Western U.S. this year, be sure to stop by the Champ Car Rotax display and see what's new. |
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