To Blog or Not

[Derek GRV]

Hi guys & gals,
I have been a reader of PH for a while now and finally decided I should join in, I am not normally a forum user, but this is drag racing and that is different!

Firstly thanks to the people for their suportive comments on here regarding us going Top Fuel. We are all very excited!

Any way back to the question above: To Blog or not ? I have been advised by a couple of people to start a blog on our racing site, firstly I am a bit worried that people will think I am being a little up myself, if you know what I mean, and secondly would people really be interested in my/our exploits anyway ?

On the other hand perhaps people might like to know what a rookie TF racer goes through ?

As some of you may have read I used to do a longer reviews on ED but soon realised from my own reading of other reports, that ED was a news item and I should try and keep things shorter and sweeter and try and keep to points of interest or put some amusement in the story too ! A blog would allow me to give a fuller more personal story for those that may be interested.

Any way let me know what you think ? I am sure you will

Regards
Derek Flynn Gold RV Racing

Edited by Derek GRV on Friday 29th February 20:08

[redvictor]

blog...folks are interested in what we do as racers..... and it brings traffic,which means people see your sponsors.Need i go on?..
good luck on that first launch....

[Miss Corrado]

Hi Derek and welcome

Yes what a waffler... Tog would tell me it was my turn next to code your endless drone as he was going on strike. Tog - you don't have time for that crap eh?

Of course that is all said in jest! Congratu-ma-lations on going Top Fuel, it has been a while but i know Super Pro misses you still. I say go for the blog. I like the idea of learning what it's like for you, seeing as it's your rookie year. If you could compare a super pro rail to a Top Meth rail...and now towards its big brother it would be interesting. I wonder what the kick up the rear end will be like when you hit the loud pedal?

Good luck for 2008 Derek and team.

Kirstie

[Barry B]

BLOG ! BLOG ! BLOG !

[BB-Q]

Definitely blog, for the reasons given above and for the ordinary man in the street like me, who can only imagine what goes on and has to go on to be able to compete in the premier class.
Good luck to you!

[Tet]

I say go for it. You have little to lose, and potentially a fair amount to gain. I don't think anyone will think you're "up yourself" just from the fact that you have a blog. That'll come from what you write on the blog :-) Seriously, though, I'd give it a go. At worst, it doesn't work out, and you give it up...

[leecb05]

Hi Derek as everybody else has said i would blog i know i would read id..
thank's for the fone call and ill ring you over the weekend and have the item you offerd me
good luck
Lee

[Furyous]

As a specatator it gives an inside view without having to bother racers during race weekend.

I always read Lexs' updates the minute I spot one on ED.

Do it.

And congrats on sorting a fuel deal.

[Derek GRV]

WOW, thanks for all your comments, I guess blog it is then !
To continue the thread a little further what do you think people want to hear about ?? thanks Kirstie for the sugestions I will try to include those items in the prologue ! and I miss Super Pro too, although I am in the Super Pro Pits every chance I get, so many friends so little time to see them all, especially now ther is so many ! I thought I might still keep putting a time on top of my wing just to keep my hand in !!

regards

Derek

[Slinky]

A blog is a great idea Derek, but, remember one thing, it's only good if it's regularly updated, regular updates keep readers coming back..

It's a commitment, but one worth making..

Good luck with TF chap..

slinky

[MotorPsycho]

I think a good idea for the blog would be to give an insight to the world of a top fuel team away from the race track, to see the extensive work that goes on behind the scenes.

The fans can see the work at the track, but away from it most have no idea the hours that are put in.

[Nitroalkyholic]

Derek,
Its a great idea as long as you keep it regulary updated, which is the only problem I can find with a lot of racers websites.
Blogs are good for giving spectators and others an insite to what may or may not have happened during a run, and what and why this happened, which helps fill in the gaps they dont see at the track, and to understand what the goal or problem was.

Good luck to you and the team in 08

Darren

[Miss Corrado]

Derek, i think that would be a grand idea to stick an L plate or a time on the wing! <-- if you do, be sure to add small quirks to the blog.

For the blog i've thought of some other things.

How about letting another crew member add their two pence worth (From clutch guy to tea maker perhaps? Eveyone makes a team) and let us know how the weekend went for themselves and what duties they got up to? Did they find something frustrating when sorting the engine for the next round? How did they feel when they saw you get down the track and achieve your PB/win a race. Of course this could be added another week after you have given your thoughts.

Something that was successful for Lex was to open the email and let people ask you questions. You post the answers as your blog.

I suppose we know most racers understand the small print of running an operation but maybe some insight for just the general public. Say refuelling - how many gallons, packing a parachute - you could include pictures in the blog. I agree with the others on this thread... it has to be updated every so often to keep up the readership.

Phew. Well thats my brain ticked over for the weekend.

Take care Derek and good luck!

[Time Machine]

I say blog and write all the things you would find interesting if you were an outsider - think back to the times before you got in the driving seat. Humorous anecdotes, interesting technical problems, viewpoints on an issue - these can all be interesting and if you don't write about what interests you then it is harder to write well.

Of course it goes without saying to watch out for politics, and the comments about regular updates are very valid too.

[Derek GRV]

Well all you all said I should, so I did

Make sure you have made your self a cuppa 1st

http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/de...

and as Kirstie said what a waffler !!

Cheers

Derek

[Slinky]

Derek GRV said:

Well all you all said I should, so I did

Make sure you have made your self a cuppa 1st

http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/blogs/de...

and as Kirstie said what a waffler !!

Cheers

Derek

A great read Derek... Here's to many more interesting insights into the Top Fuel world..

slinky

[Eurodragster.com]

Time Machine said:

Of course it goes without saying to watch out for politics

Derek has a hirsute and vertically- and anorexically-challenged firewall

[Time Machine]

Eurodragster.com said:

Derek has a hirsute and vertically- and anorexically-challenged firewall

I'm now wondering where the ethernet cable plugs in. It does explain how the race reports get online so quickly mind...

[Jon C]

Eurodragster.com said:

Derek has a hirsute and vertically- and anorexically-challenged firewall

Eurodragster.com website said:

Eurodragster.com's exclusive racer Blogs are guaranteed written by the racer or team member, not by a PR person, and are not edited for content so you can be assured that what you are reading is direct from the racer or team member concerned and is in their own words.

I dunno, dont people ever read Eurodragster?



(sorry tog, couldn't resist it)

[hotrodjay]

Great read, must drink fast though as i got through two brews this morn. All the best at easter trying to tame the animal Jay