CPT Racing Experience | Race Day News

March 20/08: The all-new CPT Racing Experience set a new standard for motorsports-themed events last weekend, March 15th & 16th. Hosted at the London Convention Centre, the CPT Racing Experience drew thousands of race fans into downtown London and gave guests of all ages a chance to truly interact and enjoy many aspects of the motorsports lifestyle.

“This has been a great show,” said Bob McDonald, an Oxford Community Police Constable and race enthusiast, at the event. “The people that are racers are here. The people that are interested in racing are here. And this is where they’re going to learn about all aspects of our sport.”

The CPT Racing Experience was the first major trade show-type event hosted by CPT Entertainment Inc., whose goals included superior customer service, professionalism and more creative and unique events to add value for guests and exhibitors alike.

“Thumbs up. I’m really impressed with the professionalism that CPT Entertainment has put on here,” said Matthew MacNab of Thunderdome Racing, an exhibitor at the show. “The environment has been electric in here. The staff has been very helpful, very professional. I highly recommend it to anyone who’s coming in to either do a display or to be a vendor or just to be a visitor or participant or whatever. I highly recommend it.”

Feedback from survey stations just outside the main show hall indicated that guests were pleased with what they saw. Ninety-two percent said they felt the event was good value while eighty-three percent said they would come back next year (thirteen percent were undecided).

“We’re thrilled with the response,” said Kevin Bulmer of CPT Entertainment Inc. “To see that kind of approval rating the first year out is gratifying. It tells us that people are already starting to see the difference, and what it means if it’s a ‘CPT’ event. It means you can expect to see more than just some static displays sitting in a room. It also means you’re going to be treated right.”

With thousands of dollars worth of prizes given away and numerous interactive elements such as autograph sessions, a pit stop/tire change challenge, motorized cooler rides, remote control car racing, seminars, kids workshops and a room full of race vehicles on display (including authentic NASCAR race machines once driven by Dale Earnhardt and Clint Bowyer), there was a lot to do at the event.

“The event is a really neat experience,” said Don Brooks of O’Tools Rent or Buy. “It’s well-named. Several people have mentioned to me that there was a really nice cross section of things to see and do and experience.”

The CPT Racing Experience also succeeded in drawing people into downtown London. Situated directly in the centre of a hot bed of racing activity, London seemed the ideal location for such an undertaking, and survey results proved that to be correct, showing that over seventy-two percent of guests came from outside the city.

“Our race fans are throughout Southern Ontario,” said Bob McDonald. “I really believe that London is the spot (for the event). This is a good spot. It’s been good for us.”

Another goal of the event was to create a family friendly environment.

“It’s been fun here with the kids,” said Ron Sheridan, corporate learning coach for the Pit Crew Challenge and Late Model stock car driver at Delaware Speedway. “It’s a good format. That’s what I like about the racing – any form of racing – is that it is a family deal whether it’s drag racing or stock car racing or you’re racing at Sauble or at Delaware, they really understand the family and getting the kids involved just makes it that much more fun.”

“I think it’s a great event,” said Jim Woodley of Thunder Road Racing Collectibles. “You’ve got the family involved with it.”

While the wrap-up continues, plans for the next CPT Racing Experience are already underway.

“We are entirely grateful to everyone who stepped forward to be a part of the event,” said Bulmer. “Exhibitors, sponsors, suppliers, drivers, entertainers, staff and guests – they should all share in the positive feedback because it couldn’t have happened without them. We know we have a lot of work to do in order to grow it for 2009.”

“I’m looking forward to next year,” Woodley said. “I’m hoping it’s going to get bigger and better and I think you’ll see great things coming down the line.”

“We’ll definitely support it,” said Sheridan. “I think it was a good start for the first time. I’d like to see it get a little bit bigger and get some more types of race cars. I think the fans need to see all the types of race cars we have in the area.”

“This is a show that’s going to appeal to the race fans and it should appeal to the racers themselves,” said Bob McDonald. “And they should be here.”

A video of the event and photos will be posted online soon at www.cptrace.com and www.cptentertainment.com.