From: kevinc@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (kevin.j.coulter)
Subject: Re: Motorsports vs. Traditional Sports
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 20:37:09 GMT

In article <1992Oct12.190925.20399@ncube.com> bob@ncube.com (Bob Kehoe) writes:
>I'm soliciting comments/opinions on an article I'm putting
>together for publication.  Basically it addresses the level
>of media coverage (newspapers/tv/radio) motorsports receives
>in comparison to all other sports (traditionally stick and
>ball stuff) in the '90's.  It will also touch on "how do we
>break down the stereotyping of those of us who primarily
>enjoy motorsports by other sports fans?" (or, if that can
>ever take place).

motorsports receives media coverage?

In Chicago, you will not get anything on radio or TV other than the
daytona 500 or indy 500 unless there's is a spectacular accident or o
someone gets killed.

Print media, well, we have 2 papers, the sun times and the chicago
tribune. The SunTimes will print 2 or 3 paragraphs in their "briefly"
column. In the summary section they will give the top 10 or 20 depnding
on space available. They also print season earnings to date, and
occassionally point standings. OF course, the dollars won and points
standings are usually 2 or 3 races out of date, and are occassionally
from the prior season.   The tribune gives a little more press to races
at road america, as they are the official newspaper of the track, and
also partial owner of it from what I've been told.

>My observations tell me that "sports fanatics", in general,
>continue to hold professional motorsports on the same level
>as professional wrestling.  This group includes many sports
>journalists and commentators.

Most sports journalists and commentators know nothing about auto racing.
The few in Chicago that have have been run out of town by the station
management. 

>Does 'geographics' play a part?  Does the southeast US experience
>the same problems that we do here in the Pacific Northwest?  Is
>the problem due to the fact that just about everyone has had the
>opportunity to participate in most sports other than car racing?

IN chicago, if its not da bears, or da bulls, its da banned.
I personally am rooting against the bears, this way the more games they
lose, the quicker I stop hearing about them. My goal is to see less
bears football than I did last year (not counting newscasts): Last year,
I watched 2:00 on the game clock, the year before a full quarter. This
year, the goal is 0:00.

>Is it the danger factor? ("You could get Killed doing that")?

don't think so. you could get killed playing almost any sport. Auto
racing just raises those odds.

>On the other hand, most everyone drives/owns a motor vehicle.
>Shouldn't that in itself cause a passing interest in racing?

I'd think so.

>Any sports psychologists out there??

I'm not, and I don't play one on TV.



I will add my $0.05 (inflation). 

I have found that once I get someone to an auto race a time or 2, they
get hooked. Its getting them there thats the problem. A lot of it is due
to the media. Basically, didn't know it was there.   I think its just
the stick and ball types don't go to our sport because they don't have
the time. Thus they don't understand it. Thus they don't want to report
what they don't understand, and they don't know whats important. Like
except for a couple paragraph job, I didn't hear anything about nigel
coming here or michael going to f1. 

I've done letter writing campaigns to the local media. Its done no good.
(reminds me, its time for another round. ain't done one in a couple of
years). But I ain't giving up. And I urge that all r.a.s. readers do the
same. Write your favorite tv/radio/newspaper guys. tell em about racing.
And also tell em your leaving unless they start covering it accurately.
if they start getting enough letters, they'll listen.


			Kevin
Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport