Lateral-g Forums - Has anyone watched the new Optima TV series?

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- - Has anyone watched the new Optima TV series? (https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php?t=47164)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finch (Post 565758)

To begin, I do not have Dish or Direct TV so have not been able to watch any of the episodes, and cannot comment on the show.

I have however attended 2 events so far, and will try to squeeze another one in if my off road racing schedule allows :). Jimi and crew do a great job putting on the events, and like most car related activities, the people and good times are what make it memorable.

Mr. Weld has commented on the attendance levels; which if you are one of the attendee's is a good thing for track time, but if you’re the promoter not so good. This is a business, and like most business will not sustain with limited customers. I am not sure if it is a cost thing or just the fact that our small PT world is now flooded with events of all kinds.

I love racing as much as anyone and would hate to see things go back to the days of 4-5 events per year, in total across the board. Optima is trying to expand the market as they know the PT crowd is not large enough to support the sheer number of events out there. We at ASCS share the same issue as Jimi and have changed our model due to it.

In the end the sponsors will ultimately determine if this series will survive. All we can do is attend as many as we can, and show them we appreciate what they are doing for the hobby.

First I agree with you Brian. Second I don't get MAV so I can't comment on it.
I built my car over the course of a year after going to the El Toro ASCS event and wanted to get into the action. Never autocrossed or road raced before. I gutted my car and transformed it into what is is today. I missed Laguna Seca but participated in the Fontana event even though i had not even shaken the car down. I did terribly but like most have said the event was well run and I had a blast. I was on the fence for the Portland event for several reasons. I took advantage of a discount offered by Ridetech (thanks Bret) drove almost 1000 miles one way, got a speeding ticket, slept in my truck and participated with my car even though it still had some issues which ultimately took me out of the action during the second session on the track. Lots of heavy hitters at the event and again i did not finish well but i learned a little bit more about the car, driving and met some great people and got to know others a little better. While I wish I had the ability to travel to some of the other great tracks I look forward to participating in this series when it comes back around to the West Coast.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73CPCAMARO (Post 565976)

Tonight's episode, Texas, was much better. Not because I happen to be in it :lol:
I like the fact they showed a lot more action. It was a bit crazy at the Autocross racing around with Chad and camera crew running around, but they got some never before seen angles. I am glad they trusted me and some others to get that close. Play by play, corner by corner commentary in the middle of the Autocross was awesome! I want more!
They can't always show everyone I guess, but overall, a huge step in the right direction.
I am looking foreword to the rest of the season.

Dangit... It's on my DVR at home in Missouri (I hope) and I'm still stuck in Florida and won't be home until Monday... Sounds like I've got even more motivation to get home now. Can't wait.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73CPCAMARO (Post 565976)

I agree. I was on the edge of my seat watching that. I could feel the competition building. Chad does a great job of announcing a showdown. Give him some free rein to make it happen.

The first half of the show felt like an episode of My Classic Car or LOKAR Car Show. Drop the Car Show format and go with the performance. Do a breakout about the car as it pulls up to the line.

We dont need soo much USCA information. It still feels a bit infomercial like. All of that info could have been given while showing the cars going around the track.

Anyone else notice that MAV-TV is now a sponsor here.
<----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe they have been and I just didn't notice...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valve Lash (Post 566058)

Anyone else notice that MAV-TV is now a sponsor here.

I did. :) We're trying to do our part to promote the channel and this show. This involves both members and sponsors of this site and I think we should do what we can to watch it and provide feedback so they can make the shows even better.

They also have a lot of other cool car and boat racing that I watch. :)

Being one of the biggest critics of the Laguna Seca show, I think it's only fair that I review their 2nd attempt.

It was better. They had a lot more racing coverage and Chads commentary during the auto-x was cool. It was nice to be able to actually hear the cars while they were racing. They do still need some work on their editing (I saw footage from Laguna Seca and Daytona on this episode). Overall, I wasn't to excited to watch the show and if it was anything like the Laguna show, it would have been the last episode I would have watched. I like the idea that someone else posted about showcasing the top 3 players for the overall win, but, I don't know how easy that would be to figure out who they would be.

Needless to say, I will watch the next one with an open mind and hopefully they keep getting better.

I think you may see a bit more promotional activity from the series sponsors [including MAV] going forward. EVERYBODY wants to see this series thrive. Obviously there are more than a few ideas of exactly how to accomplish that. That is why this forum is crucial for providing relevant feedback on the show.

Chetly [and everyone else]...keep those comments coming. Even if they don't act on your ideas, they need to hear them!

Personally...I thought the Texas show was significantly better this week. Now I can proudly tell all my friends and family about the Daytona show next week!

BTW...now that many of you have seen the show...we are filming another one in Michigan next weekend. RideTech even has an extra $100 discount going on. Use "ridetechnation" in the promo code to get your $100 off. No reason you can't be in the TV show too! http://driveusca.com/events/brooklyn-mi-august-22-24/

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73CPCAMARO (Post 565976)

I can't believe they were dumb enough to get close to me :confused59:

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396 (Post 566106)

I can't believe they were dumb enough to get close to me :confused59:

HAHAHAHAHAHA Okay - that's just funny Tim....

Much better show than last week. It is almost like they listened to this thread and made immediate improvements.

I like MAV tv, sprint cars, sprint boats, heck the have motorcycle ice racing this Wednesday. I pay extra to get the channel. They took the place of speed tv.