IZOD is Spending Millions on the IRL but RHR Has no ride!

[Lemmy-Boy]

As reported by Robin Miller, IZOD is poised to launch one of the largest advertising and promotional campaigns in IRL History.

In a few weeks, "millions of dollars will be spent on national television ads, promo trailers in movie theaters, major magazines and newspapers and in-store promotions at Macy's stores across the country that will also include a special Indy 500 clothing line".

Unfortunately, the face of IZOD in the IRL (RHR) has no ride for the upcoming season. ""I'm told that I don't have to worry, although I don't know what that means yet," said Mike Kelly, the president of marketing for Phillip Van Husen, the parent company of IZOD. "I know the IRL is as concerned as I am and we speak about it daily".

""We want to create as much hoopla as possible. It's our first venture into motorsports and we want it to be a success." But getting the star of IZOD's promotions into a competitive car is front and center right now. Asked if IZOD considered being RHR's sponsor, Kelly replied: "No, our spend is outside the car space because our role as a partner is to leverage the sport into mainstream culture."

Given the downfall of the world economy and the lack of new Major sponsors with the IRL, I hope they don't screw up this opportunity by leaving RHR without a ride. It would be a pity to ruin a viable relationship with a new and very prominent sponsor, especially when most Tier 1 corporations would rather see their logos associated with the NASCAR juggernaut.

Source: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...deless-driver/

[SportscarBruce]

While his results could have been better, RHR earned a ride by displaying a willingness to fight tooth and nail for position. He's an American driver in the mold of 1960's Dan Gurney. What a shame.

[Chamoo]

RHR will be in a car by St. Petersburg. The IRL will not let him waste away, especially with all the marketing they will receive from him in these new ads. They have been working on it for a while now, and while I know it has been taking time, if nothing comes out of it, the IRL will sponsor him. They aren't stupid enough to let their main actor in each of the advertisments sit in a TV booth.

[Dr. Krogshöj]

The IRL is in a delicate situation. I think they will sponsor RHR if he doesn't come up with anything but they don't want to commit too soon because they don't want him to rely on that promised help and give up on finding sponsors.

[Chamoo]

The IRL is in a delicate situation. I think they will sponsor RHR if he doesn't come up with anything but they don't want to commit too soon because they don't want him to rely on that promised help and give up on finding sponsors.

Exactly, I would be willing to bet that in their own offices, they have already committed to funding him, or to help fund him. However, they will wait until the very last moment to do so.

[NickFalzone]

A Vision entry is possible I suppose, considering they're only a 1-car commitment at the moment. BUt I wouldn't count on this definitely happening. TG has a way of doing the minimum amount of work on these things, and I could see a deal on this falling through the cracks and Izod deciding to give it a half-ass effort and then ditch the IRL by next season. We will see.

[call_me_andrew]

I'm starting to get a little confused by all this. Is the series supposed to promote the sponsor, or is the sponsor supposed to promote the series?

[Chamoo]

I'm starting to get a little confused by all this. Is the series supposed to promote the sponsor, or is the sponsor supposed to promote the series?

Actually, both. However, iZod is doing their promotion outside of the car, as a IRL sponsor, not a car sponsor.

At this point and time, the IRL should be doing anything it can to please the few sponsors they have, especially if they will be activating their sponsorship with a multi-million dollar budget across North America.

Plus, throwing some cash towards RHR will only benefit the IRL on race weekends anyways.

[IMSA]

Chamoo have you ever been to an IRL race??

It seems like in most of your blog (and comments) are assumptions on your part stated as fact.

At least know how to spell all the players names correctly.

[EagleEye]

While his results could have been better, RHR earned a ride by displaying a willingness to fight tooth and nail for position. He's an American driver in the mold of 1960's Dan Gurney. What a shame.

Bruce, you are turning out to be one of the smartest people here!

RHR will be in a car by the start of teh season, but it should have been done earlier. At the very least he could have been in a second Vision car at the recent test.

I know times are tough, but to keep him one the sidelines and potentially create an issue with a new sponsor is not too smart.

There are some positives going into the season. This is not one of them.