Recently Matt Hendershott and the ISTV crew paid a visit to the legendary Chandler BMX track. Matt wanted to try out his skills on the track and what better place to do it than the home of the ABA.
Matt and crew were also there to promote a new affiliate track program that will be great for the growth of the sport.
Basically, what this program involves is a way for the tracks to promote BMX coverage through ISTV as well as raise funds for their own track in the process. For every member a track signs up the track will receive fully half of that person's first month's membership fee and a dollar from that person's fees with renewal from that point on. It's a great way for the tracks to raise some money to help with promotions and operations as well as a great way to get the word out about ISTV. Together we can grow the sport to match the legitimacy it now has, being an official Olympic sport.
The package that is being sent out to, and is available for, tracks is quite extensive and includes banners, promotional videos, etc. If your track would like to receive one of these packages and has not been contacted by ISTV, please contact Jack Peterson at jackp@istv.com . Jack will be more than happy to fully explain the program and get your information to send a package out to.
I'd like to personally point out something I realized recently about the membership fees on ISTV. A good friend of mine pointed out to me that the average local entry fee for a single point race is approximately $10-$14. And, for the equivalent of that one day's fee (an ISTV membership is only $12.99) you get a full months worth of BMX racing coverage from every major ABA and NBL national. The coverage includes video of all mains (captured and edited by professional videographers, editors and production staff), interviews with the winners by Matt and Cathy, photos, daily shows with talent like Cathy Rankin - an Emmy nominated actress -, race stat's, and there are many more shows and events in the works. Now, I'm obviously an employee and am biased but again, this analogy was mentioned to me by somebody completely out of the ISTV organization.
Anyway, Matt did get his chance to check out what it's like to get on a BMX bike and hit the track. Was Matt immediately ripping up the first straight and throwing huge X-Ups over the doubles? Well, no - not exactly. But, Matt did not go down once and even got a little air for me over the table. Unfortunately, it was late and I didn't get the shot due to lack of light. Anyway, Matt had a great time and got some extremely interesting information about BMX and the ABA from Shannon Gillette (who, by the way, was ripping it up and looks STRONG for the annual BS Stops race in Rockford this coming season). Matt also got some great insights on running one of the nation's premiere tracks from track operator Rinny Dyar. Rinny, along with his wife Julie and a great group of volunteers and parents keep the track in great condition and running smoothly.
The kids all love Matt and got a chance to talk with him quite a bit. The group of groms were asking for Matt's card at the end of the night and Matt obliged not realizing, I think, that his personal phone number is on there. I can't wait until Matt gets some calls from some Munchkins early on a Saturday morning asking him to "come out and ride". The kids are all great though out at the track. I talked to a few of them and they're all stoked to have the opportunity to enjoy the great Chandler facility.
Well, we had a great time at Chandler and make sure to look for the video interviews Matt conducted with Rinny, Shannon and all the others at Chandler. I'm sure they will be extremely interesting and give some great information about the sport and what it takes to run a great track like Chandler.
See you soon at a local track by you -
Jack