The boastful automotive industry’s advertising slogan used to be: Race on Sunday and sell on Monday.
I don’t remember if statistics pointed toward a steady flow of buyers to showrooms but at least it caught the fancy of the Madison Avenue agencies that produced those grand television commercials, newspaper and magazine propaganda.
Like a passing review of automobile history, the NASCAR racing fields were full of hot-running Hudsons, Oldsmobiles, Chryslers, Matadors, Plymouths, Buicks and Pontiacs. They all had their moments in the victory circle to give their companies reason to brag.
But those marquee names have disappeared from the NASCAR garages. The battles remain among Fords, Chevys and Dodges. Oh yes, there will be a new entry this year from Toyota.
This particular reflection of the past was stimulated by a recent National Speed Sport News (NSSN) column, which posed the question of whether Ford might be ready to withdraw from racing.
NSSN’s Greg Zyla’s asked Ford representatives whether it was wise to continue financing a race program since the company was offering nearly 30,000 factory employees buyouts because of slumping company sales.
Company officials denied Ford was backing down in 2007. However, one might question the wisdom of spending money in racing when domestic sales have dropped perceptibly.
With the impending sales strength of Japanese automobiles, it would indicate full attention of the American builders should focus on the non-racing consumer. Still, the younger generation is apparently more interested in trucks.
Kevin Kennedy, Ford’s racing technology public affairs manager, said the company’s involvement in racing is just fine. He said that since Dan Davis came aboard nine years ago as director of Ford Racing, he has done extensive research as to who the fan is, what his or her buying habits are and what type of car the consumer is interested in buying.
Fifty-six percent of those surveyed expressed an interest in racing, according to Kennedy. Purchase consideration was 72 percent higher for Ford products among race fans than non-fans.
Still, Ford is facing multimillion-dollar losses and hopes its worker reduction will turn things around.
Kennedy claims the company is more efficient (in spending) than anyone else in the racing business.
The big Daytona 500 opened the new Nextel Cup season Feb. 17 with a 36-race season to follow.
Former El Cajon resident Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart won titles in Chevrolets the last two years, while Ford posted championships with Kurt Busch and Matt Kenseth in 2003 and 2004. During the last 10 years, Chevy has five titles, Ford three and Pontiac two.
After a year’s hiatus, diesel power will return to the VW lineup. Powering the SUV concept is a 50-state-compliant 2.0 liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine.
The “clean” diesel will be optional on the 2008 Jetta and Rabbit. It will produce 140 horsepower and an impressive 240-pound feet of torque.
What’ll they think of next?
Available in April, the next collectible phenomenon for insatiable NASCAR fans will “roll” onto the racing scene. Giant beverage coolers made from used racing tires will be manufactued this month, according to Robert McConkey, president of The RaceCooler Company.
Each insulated cooler centered in the tire is designed to hold 78 long-neck bottles or 144 cans, together with 40 pounds of ice ” a tailgater’s paradise.
Then NASCAR will be gracing California Speedway Feb. 23-25 with another heart-pumping addition, a fashionable woman’s shoe..
From the signature tire-tread rubber sole to embossed racing flags, Genius Fashion Inc. has created a fashion footwear line for the spirited and outgoing female race fan.
” Watch for Johnny McDonald’s Auto Biography column each month in the Village News.
