Death to Motorsports: Recession & it's Impact on Motorsports
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It’s beginning to feel a lot like…a recession.
Yes, sure it’s Christmas, a time for giving and spreading holiday cheer. But unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last half a year, you’ll know that the economy is gone to hell in a hand basket and everyone is holding onto their finances like a fat kid holding onto his delicious molten chocolate cake.
I’m sure you’ve heard in recent news all the business jargon only an Ivy League business school keener could comprehend. Global recession, interest rate cuts, housing market slump, Bear market, economic bust, oh no my house is being repossessed due to financial troubles…
It’s sad really, and I sympathize for all those affected adversely in these situations. But I never could have guessed that the recession would have hit and eventually affect even the most unlikely aspects of our lives.
As a carguy (on Beyond) and a car guy at heart, it pains me to see the recession finally begin to sink its teeth slowly into my own hobbies and my passions in life. One of these passions? Motorsports. I know we live in Southern Alberta and not exactly motor city of the world. Nor are we driving distance from Tsukba Circuit or Nurburgring, but we sure got Racecity Speedway (kinda) Kananaskis Rallys and well that’s it really.
On the chopping block, automotive manufacturers pulling out of their long term commitments with their respective Motorsports programs. It's been a sad week for Motorsports, it's not only about the timing though. It's the whole principle for pulling out. First all their development and new technologies are born, bred and refined on the track. For a manufacturer to pull out is depriving themselves the chance to do so. (In terms of what the global media perceives anyways, they may still find innovations through their own testing) Motorsports is also a way to spread brand recognition and is plain and simple a form of advertising. Subaru has been well known for it's involvement in WRC and that in itself has helped shaped its corporate image as a car company. So now there's no affiliation with Prodrive, WRC or even rally, I mean well, Subaru has to do something to set themselves apart.
Same with Audi. For decades Audi and the Le Mans Series have gone hand in hand. When you think Le Mans or ALMS, which manufacturer comes to mind really? (In my mind besides MAZDA spanking the Euros once upon a time *evil laughter)
And yeah Honda pulling out of F1 is a shame, same with Suzuki from WRC, but with them it's not like they were really well known for their connections to those affiliations. Subaru ties with WRC were huge, as were Audi with Le Mans.
I know it's not cheap and with economic conditions 40 degrees below crap. I understand why manufacturers have to cut unnecessary spending.
I am just such a huge fan of Motorsports & that's why I feel really strongly on this topic. It doesn't take a Subaru fan to be saddened by this.
So who’s really left in the WRC now a day?
Citroen, Ford? Ford’s continued presence in the WRC, does that even matter?
Is anyone feeling a strong urge to drop by a Ford dealership and go buy a FOCUS today because you just saw the “BP” sponsored (company pride I know lol) greenish one on the WRC the other night on the tele? Does anyone feel a strong urge to put a brand new Focus in your garage as a Christmas present? Do you even want a North American produced Focus? LMAO. Anyways people, focus… The point I’m trying to make. Subaru has such strong ties with WRC, Audi a strong and lasting relationship with Le Mans. It’s a shame to see these long term relationships ended because of global recession. Death to Motorsports may be in many ways a bit harsh, but it sure helps drive the idea home.
All I want for Christmas is to see the World Rally Blue Subby jump crests and powersliding in the dirt.
With the snow falling outside, my half decorated Christmas tree still in the process of being put up, and visions of sugar plum fairies stomping the TSX and NASDAQ forecasts down to ice cold levels.
It’s beginning to feel a lot like...Christmas…
:facepalm:
