What do YOU do to promote racing?

[Headpole Dave]

Personally I try and bring people that have never been to the races and create the "snowball effect." I'll try to rent out the dining room for a night of good food and live racing. I've volunteered with helping condition the amateur tracks and even pinch hit announcing at the local fairs. I've tried to help promote with limited success... What are ways you guys have helped racing, and what are some good suggestions to further help out?

[LVGaryD]

I started a forum. 

[Headpole Dave]

I started a forum. 

[LVGaryD]

Actually I also take help care of the track every year in Wooster, Ohio, driving the tractor and/or water truck. I am always hawking the sport when I'm dealing to people in the casino.

I also quietly buy and sell horses and try to get new owners involved. To me betting on harness racing is much, much smarter than betting on roulette or a slot machine.

[Lockjaw]

Every year we host a Kentucky Derby party.  After the draw, I contact everybody about the names of the horses in the Derby and their post post positions.  I warn all the invitees that they have until 6 pm Friday before the Derby to register their bets with me.  I run out to the track Friday night and purchase everybody's tickets.  Fronting the money is not a problem, because our  guests are friends, family, and neighbors who are not experienced bettors.  When everybody shows up on Saturday, I pass out their tickets and collect the money.  Apart from everything else we do that day, everybody will be holding a ticket as we watch the running of the race.  It never fails to generate excitement and friendly competition.  Based on an interest shown at our Derby party, dinner in the clubhouse at our local harness track becomes a new destination for many of our friends.  Now the downside:  Spending the evening explaining harness racing to a group of newbies is not my favorite thing to do.  Occasionally, I will enlist the help of track personnel if the group is large enough. 

[beans and weenies]

That is awesome lockjaw.     We could all do that on a smaller scale.  that would be a great way to get others involved.   I've got my thinking cap on.  Look out I may short out something.   

[Just Saying]

Very impressive, Lockjaw. Congrats!

My stable is about 5 minutes from a Big Ten University, and my Bride & I host field labs for College students. (Mostly pre-vet and animal science)  We do about a 2hour tutorial on how we breed, train, race, shoe harness horses. Then we hitch a retired pacer that we've had since he was a baby, and give the kids a lap around the track on the jog cart one at a time. Nuke doesn't mind stopping and standing every lap as they get off & on. I only go about a 4 minute shot, but they always say that it seems so fast! They leave talking like Magpies about how much fun they had. And almost every one of them thank us before they leave. My Bride always makes a big pot of coffee, and picks up donuts & milk for them before we start.

We don't get paid for it, but it is really rewarding nonetheless. We always figure that if it makes even one fan it's worth it.

[newandimproved]

  JS 
And I bet most of them (especially the men) want to come back to see your lovely bride. 

[JuiceJunkies]

I try to discuss real time harness racing issues and current events around many tracks.

I talk about racing with my co workers and friends and do my best to spread the valuable experience of being a fan with everyone.

[Just Saying]

JS 
And I bet most of them (especially the men) want to come back to see your lovely bride. 

Oh... there were men there? I only noticed the pretty college girls.

[JuiceJunkies]

Oh... there were men there? I only noticed the pretty college girls.

you sly fella.

[careless hal]

I try and have jack and coke a couple times a week.

[The Giss]

Putting people in the starting gate or on  jog cart are the two best ways to make fans for life. Even with our Trottingbreds at HHYF (smaller breed that Standardbreds) people walk away just raving.

BTW- If anyone will be at the Pinehurst matinee Sunday, stop by and say hello. I will be there at  the HHYF tent, educating (hopefully) the next generation of fans.

[LVGaryD]

Great ideas, Mr. Gisser. 

[Just Saying]

I have also put together celebrity races where regular drivers are paired with local media persons in 2 seat carts for a 1/2 mile dash. The media people are just astonished when it's over, and jabbering til they're out of breath.(Then the rant about how exciting it was on the TV & Radio shows) If you reinvite them again the next year they talk about it alot prior to the event.(free advertising)

I had lots of great help from: Erv Miller(colors,helmets,horses,driver) Rick Shrock(horses,driver) Balmoral Pk(2 seat carts,trophy blanket,USTA Pres for trophy award)

It was all freely donated just for the asking...they all wanted to help the sport too, and were glad to be asked. I couldn't have done it without those folks. Huge thanks to them.

Our regular starter is great about letting me line up people for ride-alongs, and they always love it.