Baltimore GP retooling

[SurfaceUnits]

The Baltimore Grand Prix has a new marketing team.

GKV was hired over the summer to handle marketing and advertising, while Maroon PR oversaw public relations.

Both firms are no longer working on the Grand Prix account.

“We had great partners in kind of the first few laps that we ran and now we’re in a new phase,” said Pete Collier, chief operating officer for the Baltimore Grand Prix. “We just shifted gears.”

John Maroon said. “Not every client and firm is a perfect fit and that was the case with us. I wish them nothing but the best.”

GKV CEO Roger Gray was unavailable for comment Monday.

Organizers of the Labor Day weekend street race have tapped Baltimore\'s Leffler Agency to handle marketing and advertising for the event, as well as local public relations maven Edie Brown to handle the event’s publicity.

[Don Quixote]

So I guess ticket sales are brisk. :gomer:

[SurfaceUnits]

they are using GP2 cars in their print ads, and they are displaying what are described as \"Indy-style Formula 1 cars\" at various publicity functions

[Winston Wolfe]

one big item missing here is a title sponsor....
They obviously need cash to get this thing going, and it likely will be a "one and done", leaving the city & taxpayers with a huge bill to pay, and the bad taste of Dallara in their collective mouth....:shakehead

[chop456]

Their PR was done by a Maroon. :gomer:

Retooling, indeed.

[Trevor Longman]

I really want to see this succeed. Not just because its also an ALMS race, but because its close by to me and the track layout actually looks pretty good! The sight lines, at least as seen through Google street view, are very good and the location right on the harbor has potential. I haven't been to a street race since Toronto 2002 unless you count Cleveland, and I'm excited to go to another one and want to see it do well. Of course, with the ticket prices as high as they are, I can't see that happening... :\ $160 for a weekend grandstand ticket that doesn't even include paddock access? That's a bit much especially when you consider that a 4 day weekend ticket to Sebring in a few weeks is half the price for much more racing. I mean that's in the same price range as a GA ticket to the F1 race in Montreal! It's hard to ask that much from people who have probably never seen your product before. Of course, once they have experienced all the eggcitement the crapwagons have to offer, its still a big ask for them to pay all that money to relive it all again the next year.

http://BaltimoreGrandPrix.com/tickets/

[SurfaceUnits]

hahaha,,,where is Nelson when you need him

Rumors of cash shortages, missed payments, and layoffs in Baltimore Grand Prix persist. Just rumors tonight, but...

mower good news for Baltimorons
Bad news for Baltimore. Economic impact of St. Pete Grand Prix questionable. http://gourl.gr/glw

[Andrew Longman]

Economic impact of St. Pete Grand Prix questionable. http://gourl.gr/glw
Nathan and his mother came out for the race from Tampa about 8:30 a.m. More than the main IndyCar race, he wanted to catch the drifting cars Sunday morning.

"That's like my main thing," he said.:saywhat::rolleyes:

[pchall]

"Defeder" will explain all rhisse.

[Don Quixote]

"Defeder" will explain all rhisse. Unlike the rest of us, he is privy to the real numbers. :tony:

[SurfaceUnits]

Unlike the rest of us, he is privy to the real numbers. :tony:

the moderator of the official irl forum called him out on his latest lie. It's terrible when your fellow kool-aid server won't back you up

[SurfaceUnits]

The embarrassing and unfortunate financial failure of the Baltimore Grand Prix was caused by a pervasive culture of secrecy and privilege within City Hall and at Baltimore Racing Development.

Had more facts been available to the press and the public, it would have been abundantly clear that the race was in jeopardy even in its earliest planning phases. The failure to secure a lead sponsor was, in retrospect, a body-blow that should have led to the race's cancellation or postponement.

Instead, a small group of insiders within BRD and City Hall reassured the race's political sponsors that everything was in hand. And within city government, I was told, people with dissenting opinions about the race were eventually no longer invited to meetings.

Propagandists and politicians use an over-reliance on secrecy to shape popular opinion and suppress dissent. But the success or failure of the Grand Prix was not a matter of opinion; it was a matter of financial facts. And the facts show that as a business proposition, it was a dismal failure — ultimately indebted for more than $12 million and having snubbed multiple creditors, including the city, state, and multiple small businesses.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-grand-prix-20120103,0,4169092.story


Man, I wished someone could have seen this coming and warned them

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-racing-letter-20111114,0,615162.story?obref=obinsite

[nissan gtp]

The embarrassing and unfortunate financial failure of the Baltimore Grand Prix was caused by a pervasive culture of secrecy and privilege within City Hall and at Baltimore Racing Development.

Had more facts been available to the press and the public, it would have been abundantly clear that the race was in jeopardy even in its earliest planning phases. The failure to secure a lead sponsor was, in retrospect, a body-blow that should have led to the race's cancellation or postponement.

Instead, a small group of insiders within BRD and City Hall reassured the race's political sponsors that everything was in hand. And within city government, I was told, people with dissenting opinions about the race were eventually no longer invited to meetings.

Propagandists and politicians use an over-reliance on secrecy to shape popular opinion and suppress dissent. But the success or failure of the Grand Prix was not a matter of opinion; it was a matter of financial facts. And the facts show that as a business proposition, it was a dismal failure — ultimately indebted for more than $12 million and having snubbed multiple creditors, including the city, state, and multiple small businesses.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-grand-prix-20120103,0,4169092.story


Man, I wished someone could have seen this coming and warned them

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-racing-letter-20111114,0,615162.story?obref=obinsite

haha politicians on the wrong end of "over-promise, under-deliver". How ya like that ???

[Rex Karz]

A new PR team solves all problems.

[Ziggy]

The embarrassing and unfortunate financial failure of the Baltimore Grand Prix was caused by a pervasive culture of secrecy and privilege within City Hall and at Baltimore Racing Development.

Had more facts been available to the press and the public, it would have been abundantly clear that the race was in jeopardy even in its earliest planning phases. The failure to secure a lead sponsor was, in retrospect, a body-blow that should have led to the race's cancellation or postponement.

Instead, a small group of insiders within BRD and City Hall reassured the race's political sponsors that everything was in hand. And within city government, I was told, people with dissenting opinions about the race were eventually no longer invited to meetings.

Propagandists and politicians use an over-reliance on secrecy to shape popular opinion and suppress dissent. But the success or failure of the Grand Prix was not a matter of opinion; it was a matter of financial facts. And the facts show that as a business proposition, it was a dismal failure — ultimately indebted for more than $12 million and having snubbed multiple creditors, including the city, state, and multiple small businesses.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-grand-prix-20120103,0,4169092.story


Man, I wished someone could have seen this coming and warned them

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-racing-letter-20111114,0,615162.story?obref=obinsite

THIS IS STANDARD PROCEEDURE IN POLITICS

[MoCartt]

Retooling.

That's a good descriptive word for anything to do with Izod Indycar.

:laugh:

[Indy]

Retooling.

That's a good descriptive word for anything to do with Izod Indycar.

:laugh:

Well, they are the biggest dicks in the universe.

[SurfaceUnits]

City Hall should view the running of this event in Baltimore as a privilege given to those who decide to set it up, instead of treating our fine city’s resources and her streets as a crackhead prostitute on The Block treats her body.

[Rex Karz]

Retooling.

That's a good descriptive word for anything to do with Izod Indycar.

:laugh:

If using Gomerese, the correct spelling is "retewling."

[Kahauna Dreamer]

Needs more Omar...

[Elmo T]

Needs more Omar...

:thumbup:

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ily68n.jpg

[Winston Wolfe]

The embarrassing and unfortunate financial failure of the Baltimore Grand Prix was caused by a pervasive culture of secrecy and privilege within City Hall and at Baltimore Racing Development.

*snip*

Man, I wished someone could have seen this coming and warned them

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-racing-letter-20111114,0,615162.story?obref=obinsite

Yup, check out post #4.... I did.... but I didnt get the change to warn them.

wonder how they are ever going to get that taste of dallara out of their mouth...:p

[TravelGal]

All I get from this is that some tool hired a Maroon and now it's getting retooled and marooned. What else is new is the land of the I'm Really Lackluster league?

[SurfaceUnits]

Council president urges mayor to end Grand Prix
Young says city should focus on youth, rec centers

By Julie Scharper and Luke Broadwater, The Baltimore Sun

8:24 p.m. EST, January 11, 2012
City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young is urging Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to abandon the troubled Baltimore Grand Prix and focus on "core issues that impact the quality of life for all Baltimoreans."

In an op-ed article submitted to The Baltimore Sun, Young said the city should direct its limited resources to programs that benefit young people and senior citizens, such as public recreation centers and pools, both of which were cut under Rawlings-Blake's budget for the current fiscal year.

[SteveH]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-grand-prix-20120111,0,4169091.story

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-ci-young-opposes-grand-prix-20120111,0,855246.story

[SurfaceUnits]

it apeears someone is facing reality up front : Grand Prix contender says it will create nonprofit to run race

[Mary]

they are using GP2 cars in their print ads, and they are displaying what are described as \"Indy-style Formula 1 cars\" at various publicity functions

"Indy-style Formula 1 cars" huh? WTF!

Of course, the IRL folks could call their new concoction a "race car-style indy formula" and really make it clear.

Mary

[Mary]

it apeears someone is facing reality up front : Grand Prix contender says it will create nonprofit to run race

I spent over eight years working in a nonprofit social service agency. We used to say, "not for profit....and it shows."

Mary

[SurfaceUnits]

Damn, B'more sounds like a fun place; we should hold a smack-vention there

Get to work on it travelgal :laugh:


http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2012/01/09/for-economic-returns-and-jobs-tv-zooms-past-the-grand-prix/

[High Sided]

5 more years is the latest story....
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-grand-prix-selection-20120210,0,7934555.story

[Chief]

BRD is $12M in debt...the city is missing $1.5M in the tax coffers.

Yup, so the city sez let's go another 5 years. :laugh:

[Elmo T]

BRD is $12M in debt...the city is missing $1.5M in the tax coffers.

Yup, so the city sez let's go another 5 years. :laugh:


Stringer Bell would not approve of this business plan. :thumdown:

I'd rather his New Day Co-Op be put in charge - be it the city OR the IRL. :laugh:

Not Safe for Work or young ears Potty Mouth talk here:

hGo5bxWy21g

[TKGAngel]

Mikey (http://www.racer.com/andretti-promotions-arm-to-take-over-baltimore-gp/article/240624/) (and associates)[/URL] to now promote Baltimore Grand Prix.

First Toronto, then Milwaukee, now Baltimore. What's next, 16th & Georgetown?

[SurfaceUnits]

Mikey (http://www.racer.com/andretti-promotions-arm-to-take-over-baltimore-gp/article/240624/) (and associates)[/URL] to now promote Baltimore Grand Prix.

First Toronto, then Milwaukee, now Baltimore. What's next, 16th & Georgetown?

track rentals R US,,,as long as it is costing the gomertards owners millions and they keep it vibrant

[Napoleon]

First Toronto, then Milwaukee, now Baltimore.

Does anyone think that maybe they are acting as a front for IndyCar who may be anonymously promoting their own races?

[Andrew Longman]

First Toronto, then Milwaukee, now Baltimore. What's next, 16th & Georgetown?Doesn't Mikey do St Pete too?

[Elmo T]

As part of Race On's proposal, Andretti Sports Marketing will provide a "turn-key" solution to run the Grand Prix of Baltimore, including sponsorships, public relations, marketing, hospitality, ticket sales, track build, grandstand layout, and logistics

Good 'cause those things needed fixing, but the product is A1... :rolleyes: