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View Full Version : Belskus: Clueless in Gomerville


pchall
08-13-09, 12:25 AM
ibj.com (http://www.ibj.com/html/detail_page_Full.asp?content=43476)


New IMS boss: ‘We do face some challenges’
Sat. August 08 - 2009

IBJ: How would you characterize the current situation at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League?

BELSKUS: I wouldn’t say ‘being in need of an overhaul’ is the right way to describe our situation, but we do face some challenges in terms of this tough economy. Many sports and entertainment organizations face the same challenges we do in terms of discretionary spending. We need to adapt to the situation we find ourselves in.

Its the lousy products, stupid.

IBJ: What do you see as your most immediate challenge for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway?

BELSKUS: Dealing with this tough economy. We’re fortunate we have a lot of dedicated fans that are willing to come to our events and buy our tickets, and we need to continue to develop that situation.

Its the lousy products, stupid.

IBJ: What are your most immediate concerns with the Indy Racing League?

BELSKUS: Similar sorts of issues. The Indy Racing League does not sell tickets, but it does have customers being sponsors event promoters, and all those folks are feeling challenges as well.

Its the lousy product, stupid.

IBJ: Given that you can’t change the economy, what can you do in practical terms?

BELSKUS: Our promotional efforts are important. We need to continue to have an awareness among sports fans. Anything we can do to help people with that ticketbuying decision will help our situation.

Its the lousy product, stupid.

IBJ: What are your thoughts on the Versus TV deal?

BELSKUS: We’re very pleased with it. Versus is a fantastic partner for us and will continue to be a fantastic partner.

How much will Versus expected to be rebated for the non-performance of the IRL in terms of viewership for the 2009 season?

IBJ: Can you characterize where the IMS and IRL are financially?

BELSKUS: We face some challenges. Both are viable businesses, and we’re very fortunate to have the resources to continue to invest in them.

So you're still losing bucketsful of cash and expecting Clabber Girl to pay for it?
Gnam
08-13-09, 01:36 AM
Meet the new :tony: same as the old :tony:.


BELSKUS:
The Indy Racing League does not sell tickets, but it does have customers being sponsors event promoters, and all those folks are feeling challenges as well.
This sentence is driving me crazy. The first part is like a crack of thunder blowing away 15 years of lies and ringing out the truth clearly for all to see and hear. Then the second part plunges back into the "um...ah, Hey is someone stealing my car?" incomprehensible fog that is/was/and forever shall be Indy style leadership.

Sponsors are not customers.
Race teams are not customers.
Event promoters are not customers.

Ticket buyers are your customers.

To be a customer they have to give you money in exchange for something of value. The value of your business is its ability to attract people that will PAY YOU to watch a race. Since the IRL doesn't sell tickets, it is worthless.

How can they not have learned this lesson by now? :shakehead
chop456
08-13-09, 01:47 AM
If Versus isn't being paid to carry the irl, they should be. Running ShamWow infomercials would be a more sound business decision.

As far as the new guy, I'd say it proves that you can be fairly stupid and still be smarter than Tony. :tony:
SurfaceUnits
08-13-09, 04:43 AM
ummmm....uhhh...the tracks are the ones that are the ticket sellers....ummmm....not the league.....h:tony:

the Mid-O reVersus rating is being called 'dismal' by leeg officials and one reportedly said it is just above zero.

one report claims the IRL continues to degrade Indycar
pchall
08-13-09, 07:00 AM
Ticket buyers are your customers.

Belsucks basically admits that only Honda, Altria [Marlboro], and a few other corporate interests are the only real customers for the IRL product. They are buying events by paying naming rights fees (essentially picking up the sanctioning fee for a track) and/or buying large blocks of tickets at a discount and distributing them (removing the burden of promotion from the erstwhile promoters).
Wally
08-13-09, 11:46 AM
WOW, just f**king WOW :shakehead
Sean Malone
08-13-09, 01:01 PM
Is this Tony's frat brother turned IRL leader?
Methanolandbrats
08-13-09, 01:33 PM
Can I get paid a huge sum to turn this around?

1) dust of the 2.5 cosworths, turn the boost up to 900 hp and bolt them to he current *****ox. Why? Because nobody can afford a "new" car in the current situation and at least the current car would then be a fast *****ox.

2)dump most of the s***** little ovals.

3)book as many natural terrain road courses as possible.

4)get rid of push to pass, option tires and any other stupid gimmicks.

5)hire some people who are not idiots to do marketing.

Probably still hopeless, but it would be a start.
Duroc
08-13-09, 05:13 PM
All you can do is point and laugh.

The "thinking" from the other family members: Tony is the problem. Get rid of Tony, problem solved.

They should have whacked the schedule to dates where they are making money or can realistically turn a profit in the short term and turned the screws hard on the team welfare.

Then sell the whole mess.

I guess it is a a good a way as any to go broke fast.

They're going to keep running up the debt load and when finally forced to sell demand 1995 dollars. Leaving no margin for a proven, sane motorsports operator, it'll fall into the hands of a leverage hustler. Two, three seasons of fail and then announce the non-racing redevelopment deal.
pchall
08-13-09, 07:30 PM
Can I get paid a huge sum to turn this around?

1) dust of the 2.5 cosworths, turn the boost up to 900 hp and bolt them to he current *****ox. Why? Because nobody can afford a "new" car in the current situation and at least the current car would then be a fast *****ox.


Just think about Duno in a Dallara with 900 HP. :rolleyes:
Methanolandbrats
08-13-09, 07:32 PM
Just think about Duno in a Dallara with 900 HP. :rolleyes: That's a problem that would solve itself in the first corner :D
stroker
08-14-09, 10:17 AM
That's a problem that would solve itself in the first corner :D


Practice, qualifying or the race?
opinionated ow
08-14-09, 10:32 AM
Practice, qualifying or the race?
All three...there's no shortage of dartlara parts
JLMannin
08-14-09, 03:32 PM
They should have whacked the schedule to dates where they are making money

Hmmmm. That would be Texas and Indy. Not much of a season.
pchall
08-14-09, 04:02 PM
Hmmmm. That would be Texas and Indy. Not much of a season.

That would be two events more than necessary.
oddlycalm
08-15-09, 06:56 PM
How can they not have learned this lesson by now? :shakehead
When you are completely shielded from consequences your entire adult life you never learn to recognize reality. There are no lessons, there is no growth, and they never learn to recognize cause and effect. This guy was TG's lap dog and has been completely insulated from reality since he got out of school 25yrs ago and he's butter soft on the inside and outside.

The IMS will either be owned by the Frances or turned into a mall inside of 5yrs unless they get quality outside management, which is about as likely as me sprouting wings and flying to Tahiti.

oc