Rally Cross is the next big thing in motor sports, that's if you didn't already know. "Why?" you might ask. There are numerous reasons why this sport is going to grow tremendously in the next 5 years. I want to break down my favorite parts about the sport, in the hope I can relay to you my thoughts behind the title of this blog.
Constant excitement is something I crave. That's what Rally Cross provides; Endless excitement for a stadium audience or viewers at home. This constant excitement is created by the format of the event: four cars in a constricted course with a mandatory jump (known as the joker lap). Plus the event traditionally includes two surfaces the vehicles drive on, normally asphalt and dirt (additional surfaces, like gravel and ice, can be included). Basically you are making a driver experience every possible road condition less than a mile. It's the Mixed Martial art of the motor sports world! That means you are dealing with a different class of driver, a driver who understands more about the handling of the car than any other type of driver in the world. This is what makes the event the most attended and watched event at X Games. That brings me to my next reason of why I love the sport.
The sport is definitely in a growth phase, but it already has enormous popularity. The days of retired action sports stars dominating the event at X Games are well on their way to an end. Fans are interested in the sport and are looking to get to know the drivers. I know this because at this past X Games; I worked in conjunction with Mishi Moto to set up an autograph signing for it's team of privateer drivers in the festival village. In a 45 minute period, three athletes signed over 2,000 posters for fans. All of these athletes are top notch, but the highest finish at X Games by an athlete appearing was only 5th. Regardless the fans were still interested in associating themselves with the drivers. That is another reason why I love the sport, all the spectators are interested in getting to know even the least well known of the competitors. I believe the reason for this is simple, everyone knows what it's like to drive a car, and everyone has thought about jumping a car, cutting off other drivers and getting to there destination fast. It also helps that they are racing cars that look very similar to the one's people take home of the dealer lots.
These reason is why I love Rally Cross. The interest and ability of fans to relate to the sport set it apart from all other forms of competition. This is why marketers should take notice of Rally Cross, the "Next Big Thing!"