Putting media to work
There is a need to increase media interest in Tennessee Rally USA. To say the least, there were fears that there would be more people than could sit at the pre-event press conference. Local media needs to be encouraged and educated. Don’t let newbies onto the stage unless they have been through something similar to ARA’s excellent, tried and tested stageside media prep process.
fundamentally, if The world’s second-largest motorsports series after Formula 1 is coming to Chattanooga, yet it was shocking to see so little local promotion — another area where the event is out of sync with the series the WRC promoters push America on at every turn, in every conversation, in every news cycle.
It all depends on your priorities
Wood: “World Rally is entertainment. Without the entertainment element, World Rally wouldn’t exist.”
The thinking is insightful. I understand his perspective, and the party aspect of Chattanooga works well – it’s exactly what you need to blend in with the city’s Friday night music festivals. Unfortunately, there was some confusion when the crew started their engines in the middle of the concert and tried to leave the ceremony starting area. After 30 minutes, the crew was silently ushered out.
But there are much more important priorities than this. Focusing on entertainment would be foolish at this point. And Stuart, don’t be fooled when you get to Finland. Jyväskylä is great for entertainment, but it’s backed by a top-notch stage and, more importantly, an organised infrastructure that can make good use of those roads.
