Our Participation in Spec Focus....

[Draxas]

Ted,

Would we be allowed to participate in Spec Focus with a Redline Track Events backed/financed effort? This would not be a personally owned car. Rather, a car owned and financed by our company.

There are obvious conflicts.... so I wanted to put that on the table right away.

However, I did not see anything mentioned in the rules about logos other than the Spec Focus required logos/stickers..... Because if we are going to run a car, you can assume we will make it VERY evident exactly who's car it is.

[Ted7rns]

Nik,

I personally don't have a problem with it at all. I'll ask the heads of NASA and see what they say.

Would it be the normal Redline Decal you have on your cars??? If so, can you send me a photo of what it would look like??

tseverns@drivenasa.com

[Penguini66]

Reminds me of the first NASA Hyperfest event I was at. They made everybody (even in HPDE) cover up any non-NASA stickers (especially SCCA) with tape. Some of the cars looked pretty silly.

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by Penguini66

Reminds me of the first NASA Hyperfest event I was at. They made everybody (even in HPDE) cover up any non-NASA stickers (especially SCCA) with tape. Some of the cars looked pretty silly.

That's a little different. SCCA does the same with cars that have NASA stickers. Those are also non-sponsor stickers.

But, this would be a sponsorship, so it could be different. This is something I personally can't answer... I would leave that up to the National Directors.

[BUR_ZX3]

I can't see exclusion, provided that you carry the requisite sponsorship stickers (focaljet, nasa, ford racing or whatever).

If I wanted an outside company to sponsor, and they wanted their logo all over the car, so long as it didn't interfere with the rules, that'd be OK right?

IF I do get to running a car, I think its safe to say I'd be flying a big ass FocusSport logo on my car... If that'd be prohibited, I'm certain I'd not run at all.

[slidemaster]

SCCA and NASA are direct competitors. I can see the conflict. Redline is a opentrack (primarally) group. Although the success they are getting is allowing for lots of other opportunities. NASA would be smart to get them involved. Redline is the fastest growing motorsports group here in Socal.

NASA is great, but they are a large organization. The plus and minus are what you would expect. (Politics)

[Ted7rns]

I don't think NASA would care if there's a FocusSport decal on a SF Todd, as a matter of fact they would like to see it. I understand that Redline doesn't have a Racing Series, so it wouldn't be in direct competition with NASA racing which is what Nik wants to run in

I want to make sure it would be okay first. The same way that Nik wanted to make sure it was okay. Now I don’t want to turn this into a war or anything, lets just see what happens first. I have put in the good word for Nik, I have met Nik a couple time and get along with him great. So rest assure I put my effort into it. My job is to get SF cars on the track and I would love to see Nik on the track…hopefully in my rearview mirror…LOL J/K.

Right now lets just see what happens.

[Ted7rns]

Nik,

I have the okay from NASA for you to have a Redline car in the Spec Series. I'll PM you the info about it.

I look forward into to seeing your car at the track. If there's any questions at all... Just let me know.

[focaljet-1]

Sounds good. I'm glad NASA is open to this sort of collaboration. I think it will only serve to increase the visibility of the Focus as a legitimate, economical and fun car track car. Which will help everyone involved.

[BUR_ZX3]

Sorry... I'm not thinking.

I was thinking "why would there be a conflict with Draxas?" not even realizing the "Red Line Track Events" aspect.

Duh OK my bad.... carry on.

(I was thinking that I heard in some of those Lucas Oil dirt track series and stuff, the guys are prohibited from sponsorships from like Amsoil, Royal Purple, etc... )

OK this is good! Game on!

[Knestis]

There's actually a funny precedent for this situation, set when NASA actually sponsored Spec Miata racers at a high profile SCCA event on the west coast, as I recall. SCCA's rules require that other sanctioning body's stickies be covered or removed but they don't have any recourse against sponsorship.

K

[Draxas]

Hopefully we can put together a car for the 2007 season. The stickers on the car wouldnt be primarily for advertising/marketing to the attendees at NASA events.. but rather, when we take pics and vids of the car, to post on our site, that our site visitors will see that the Focus in the pic is our Focus.

We're also not going to come to the event with hundreds of fliers and begin promoting Redline Track Events open track days and try to steal customers. That's just lame and unethical. However, if someone does come over and start talking to us and asking questions, I hope that I would have the liberty to converse with them.

Ted,

Sorry I didnt have a chance to speak with you at Rim.. we were WAY busy!!!! Which is a good thing! :-)

Nikolas

[Ted7rns]

No Problem Nik..... It look like your were busy.