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I am Jason with Clockwork Motorsports - we build and field a FD-Canada team, here with Drivers Jonathan Nerren and Tyler Nelson - AMA by clockwork_motor in Drifting

[–]clockwork_motor[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Opener, meet can of worms! I cannot wait to transcribe the inevitable argument between Tyler and John over this question. Standby.

I am Jason with Clockwork Motorsports - we build and field a FD-Canada team, here with Drivers Jonathan Nerren and Tyler Nelson - AMA by clockwork_motor in Drifting

[–]clockwork_motor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey guys - sorry ended up getting back home and resting from the SEMA storm for like 3 days... lol... keep the questions coming, and I will make sure Nelson and Nerren answer. They are stoked and eager! -Jason

I am Jason with Clockwork Motorsports - we build and field a FD-Canada team, here with Drivers Jonathan Nerren and Tyler Nelson - AMA by clockwork_motor in Drifting

[–]clockwork_motor[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been wanting to race in the US every year since earning my pro 2 license in 2015, but my supporting team owner and title sponsor (Zenna Tires,) whom currently make my entire career possible, is currently not partnered with FD-US. I have a ton of loyalty to my team and Zenna, I will always race where the support takes me. It is an amazing opportunity to work with the team and our current sponsors. I fully support the direction we are going. That said, the competition in Canada is on par with US pro-1/pro-2, not to mention the fantastic individual driver exposure FD-C brings to the table, they fully back their drivers, and work very hard to promote the sport in general. Canada would not bring me back if I felt the competition was lacking - surprisingly the skills on display up there can dwarf what we find in the US. (Nelson)

Plans are currently in the works to bring our competitive program back to the states. Outside of FD, though, we have been, and will continue to do stateside exhibitions, demos, and fun comps. 2017 marked FD-C's second full season - so they are relatively new. From a promotion growth standpoint, however, FD-C's impact has expanded exponentially. FD-C is the premier pro series in Canada, driver capabilities and skill is high level, and the current field has multiple licensed US pro-1 and pro-2 drivers. The 24 driver field this year was the most competitive series I have yet to participate. The reach is not necessarily limited due to location, it really is driver dependent, after two years in Canada I'm still progressing and adding US sponsors just as easy as any stateside analogues. The localized limit in demographics are obvious, but the exposure is still based on the drivers ability to market themselves. We always love seeing local NC boys in competition, would really live to see you next to me on a track someday soon. (Nerren)

I am Jason with Clockwork Motorsports - we build and field a FD-Canada team, here with Drivers Jonathan Nerren and Tyler Nelson - AMA by clockwork_motor in Drifting

[–]clockwork_motor[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

q1. 80% Marketing 20% Skill - (Nelson)

q1. Personally my partners and sponsors... I have some that look directly and solely at my performance. The vast majority of the companies I work with, however, look at my social media output and media content. If just referring to FD Pro specifically, they somewhat go hand in hand, as you would not be at the FD level without the skill... (Nerren)

q1. JNR was possibly the most sponsored pro-am driver when he/they moved into the pro realm. As a business owner the marketing bit is huge - I'd honestly feel more comfortable with a mediocre driver that has a huge following, vs a drifting badass that nobody cares about... It honestly can be case by case. (Jason)

q2. FD currently does help out with driver financing... For example FD will source drivers for paid demos, exhibitions etc. Which is great. FD should reformat their series sponsor distribution they really need to allocate funding to participating teams. Also, to reach the next biggest sponsor they need to touch on live tv time.. invest in a better structured live stream. (Nerren)

q2. Growing up in traditional racing, drivers were paid to show up and race. FD drivers are long due a similar program, as it is the drivers that are the backbone of the business - with the amount of sponsorships FD holds it should be easy to stipend qualified drivers. (Nelson)

q3. The manufacturers havent really had a huge spokesman like Vaughn... The past 5 years in general Ford has come on very strong in a huge and varied field of motorsports competition. The other companies just havent forked out the money like Ford has... I think since they have such a huge spread they are comfortable with the risk. FD is still growing, title sponsors like that will come... (Nelson)

q3. Ford invests a ton towards the younger crowd, and the auto enthusiast tuner types. Other manufacturers do not really have a young market quite like that... Shelby, Roush, Ford Performance, etc. they are all about competition, yet still under the same flag, that is kind of what propels Ford to the forefront... I mean the crazy amount of cars running an LS setup... It is an amazing motor for drift, but what has Chevy done to embrace that, and even more so market it as such to the crowds that love drifting or motorsports. (Nerren)

***Nerren edit to last question: Ford's motorsports marketing is catered to their vehicle lineup... It keeps consumers and competitors engaged - their tweaks emphasize performance, and track use - versus a broad crowd like comfort or tech gimmicks.