Changing Perceptions & Community Engagement a Key To Future of Grassroots Racing as USMA Looks T
The USMA has engaged elected officials across the nation at racing events and state capitol legislative rallies. New relationships have been established between tracks, racing series, industry related businesses and their elected leaders. As a result, measurable changes are taking place and perceptions of motorsports are shifting to a more positive view.
The USMA has supported recently opened new facilities, county tourism departments are supporting tracks and events for the first time, and other progress is resulting from the connections between government and our grassroots racing industry.
From motocross to dirt tracks to drag strips and more, 2017 was highlighted by engagement of elected officials at several race tracks and racing events. USMA visited racetracks in South Carolina, California, West Virginia, Arizona, North Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
A Pennsylvania Motorsports Summit was held in June 2017 with over fifty representatives from the motorsports industry in attendance. The day began with very rare access to the House Floor where representatives of Maple Grove Raceway, Williams Grove Speedway, High Point Raceway, Pitt-Race and Mike Hepp Racing were recognized. A legislative reception and personal meetings with more than thirty legislators were included during the Summit.
Representative David M. Maloney (Chairman of the PA Motorsports Caucus) submitted a resolution approved by the PA House unanimously to declare June 10th thru June 17th Motorsports Week across the Commonwealth.
Rep. David Maloney Presented a Racing Jersey from CEO Carrie Coombs Russell
The need to support grassroots racing was never more evident in 2017. The USMA actively worked with several tracks as many face economic, tax, sound, environmental and other challenges.
USMA worked with Summit Motorsports Park regarding a potentially devastating light pole issue. The USMA supported Summit Motorsports Park with navigating the sometimes complex world of government, along with general consulting and guidance through a process resulting in a positive mitigation.
"There is no question in my mind our favorable outcome with ODOT was a direct result of USMA's involvement. Their support was invaluable!" stated Bill Bader, Jr., Summit Motorsports Park President.
On a national level the USMA continues to provide grassroots support for the RPM Act. Currently, the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee has passed the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act with a vote of 33 to 20 with bipartisan support. The bill (H.R. 350) is now eligible for consideration on the floor of the House of Representatives.
We continue to promote support of the Act at motorsports events across the country, meetings with legislators, and support letters from our industry.
2018 LOOKING FORWARD...
SAVE GRASSROOTS RACING CAMPAIGN
The Saving Grassroots Campaign was recently unveiled in the Safety-Kleen booth at the 2017 PRI Show in Indianapolis. The campaign aims to mobilize every individual impacted by grassroots racing, including all racers, participants, tracks, sanctioning bodies, businesses, and fans in a unified effort to provide advocacy support and overcome any opposition to racing across the country.
The USMA is developing exciting new partnerships with media, race tracks, businesses and other industry related groups. Organizations such as Polaris, Safety-Kleen, Optima Batteries, SPEED SPORT, Lucas Oil and more have already joined the campaign.
"Grassroots Racing is where OPTIMA has placed our product's technology, resources and focus," said Cam Douglass director of marketing at OPTIMA Batteries, Johnson Controls. "We support the effort of this campaign to unify all forms of racing. Greater organization and a clear message that highlights the many benefits of our industry is something long overdue in grassroots motorsports."
We ask you to support the campaign by going to www.SaveRacing.com We also encourage you to spread the word through your social media, websites and events.
The campaign will travel to several racing events and political rallies in 2018. Currently, the USMA has over 115,000 registered members. Judging by the response already received we are confident the registered member database will likely more than double in 2018.
In addition to the campaign, more Grassroots Racing Summits are planned potentially in California, Texas, Ohio, and Florida. The USMA will be hosting legislators at additional racing events as we continue to establish relationships with elected leaders and their racing communities.
Research continues as well. The USMA uncovered powerful data about grassroots racing this year. While this is a massive project and taking longer than expected it remains an important mission of the USMA. This valuable research will help support local racing and the organizations relying on grassroots racing buyers.
Our Corporate Partners, Members, Board of Directors, Leadership Council, Staff and Volunteers are excited about 2018 and the continued success we will achieve for Grassroots Racing.
Interested in Supporting the USMA, or more importantly Supporting Grassroots Racing? There are ways for levels of businesses and individuals to participate.
Reach out the USMA at:
844-643-2777 or email info@unitedstatesmotorsports.com