MOTORSPORTS FUNDAMENTALS MS 201 SPRING 2007

Instructor: Dr. Tracy Rishel Textbook: The NASCAR Way, Robert G. Hagstrom (1998) Web Reading: http://www.scenedaily.com/

Course Description and Objectives

The motorsports industry is a prominent industry in the state of North Carolina. It is also an industry that is growing in popularity and in its need for business professionals. This class is designed to give you an overview of the industry, with a particular emphasis on the NASCAR series.

Motorsports fundamentals will take a look at the various business aspects of motorsports such as management, marketing, finance, economics, supply chain, logistics, operations, and human relations; and include insight into how the desire for success (winning) requires the integration of business decisions with engineering, technology, and rules and regulations, among other internal and outside influences. The impact of industry changes on the business side of motorsports and the resulting trade-offs will also be explored. To put motorsports into perspective, a brief history of NASCAR and the future of the sport are included. These topics will be presented in the context of teams, venues, support organizations and sanctioning bodies.

By the end of the semester, you should have a good understanding of the stakeholders that make up the industry, including an overview of the various motorsports series; you should be able to identify careers available to you within teams, venues, support organizations and sanctioning bodies; you will be exposed to the organizational, operational, marketing, and legal aspects of teams and venues associated with motorsports; you will have familiarity with the history and future of NASCAR as well as the basic rules and regulations for competing in NASCAR; and you should, by this time, develop an appreciation for the challenges, complexities, opportunities and excitement of motorsports.

Content will be presented by utilizing a variety of methods, including the book entitled The NASCAR Way by Robert G. Hagstrom, journal and newspaper articles, the Internet for a weekly review of current events, lectures by industry experts and field trips. Research assignments, observational write-ups, class participation and exams will be used to evaluate your progress throughout the semester.

Course Requirements and Student Responsibilities

1. You are expected to attend class. 2. You are responsible for all material covered in class and any assignments or schedule changes made in class. 3. Come to class prepared to discuss the material and turn in assignments. 4. You should plan to arrive to class on time . Punctuality is a key characteristic of professionalism within the business environment. In addition, timeliness exemplifies courtesy and respect for the numerous guest speakers that will be presenting in this class. Naturally, the same courtesy and respect applies to any faculty members associated with the class. 5. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This includes tardiness, excessive talking, reading newspapers, ringing cell phones, and eating and drinking in class. Cell phones MUST BE TURNED OFF prior to class. If your cell phone rings or vibrates during class, you will be asked to leave.

Assignments

Throughout the semester assignments will be used to broaden your knowledge and reinforce your understanding of the motorsports industry. These assignments will be based on the topics listed below, current events, and concepts introduced by guest speakers. They may consist of research projects, journaling, and interview and observational write-ups; and will be assigned in class according to our progress. Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period. Work should be neat and organized and multiple pages should be stapled together.

Exams

There will be two closed-book exams, one during the semester and one during the finals period, consisting of short answer questions, essays, and problems if applicable. You are responsible for the concepts contained in all assigned readings as well as presentations made by guest speakers. These exams are not comprehensive.

There are no make-up exams allowed except when permission has been obtained from me prior to the exam for an excused University -related absence. Requests for a make-up exam must be accompanied by documentation.

Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students suspected of cheating, plagiarizing, copying from another student’s paper during an exam or any other act of academic dishonesty will be awarded an F for the course.

Grading

Exam 1 35% Final Exam 35% Assignments 20% Participation 10%

Each of you will receive the grade that you have earned - there is no extra credit.

Grade assignment ranges:

A 90-100 B 80-89 C 70-79 D 60-69 F 59 and below

Course Schedule

DATE CHAPTER TOPIC SPEAKERS T 1/9 Introduction to Motorsports Industry Tracy Rishel (Belmont Abbey College) Th 1/11 Introduction to Motorsports Industry Humpy Wheeler (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) T 1/16 1 Introduction to Motorsports Industry Patti Wheeler (Wheeler TV) Th 1/18 Motorsports Series Roger Slack (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) T 1/23 Motorsports Series Steve Earwood (Rockingham Dragway) Th 1/25 Motorsports Series Mark McArdle (Evernham Motorsports) T 1/30 2 Mo torsport Careers Tom Cotter (Cotter Enterprises, Inc.) Th 2/1 NASCAR History School Cancelled (snow) T 2/6 NASCAR History Humpy Wheeler (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) Th 2/8 3 NASCAR History Tracy Rishel (Belmont Abbey College) T 2/13 Current NASCAR market handouts Th 2/15 MIDTERM EXAM Trip Wheeler (Velocity Sports & T 2/20 Current NASCAR market Entertainment) Th 2/22 Current NASCAR market John Bickford (Jeff Gordon, Inc.) T 2/27 4 NASCAR Competition Tracy Rishel (Belmont Abbey College) Th 3/1 Race Teams (organization) Bill Patterson (RCR) 3/3-3/11 SPRING BREAK T 3/13 5 Race Teams (organization) No Class Th 3/15 Race Teams (operations) Jeff Chandler () T 3/20 Race Teams (operations) Tracy Rishel (Belmont Abbey College) Th 3/22 Race Teams (marketing) Joyce Caron-Mercier (Roush Racing) T 3/27 6 Race Teams (marketing) Patti Wheeler (Wheeler TV) Th 3/29 Tracks (organization) Terry Hanson (Hanson Enterprises) T 4/3 Tracks (operations) Lauri Wilks (Lowe’s Motor Speedway)

Th 4/5 EASTER HOLIDAY Jennifer Burnham (Official NASCAR T 4/10 7 Tracks (operations) Members Club) Th 4/12 Tracks (marketing) No Class T 4/17 Tracks (marketing) (PPI Motorsports) Th 4/19 8 Legal Jerry Gappens (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) T 4/24 Legal Chris Kouri (Lowe’s Motor Speedway) Th 4/26 Future of Sport Tracy Rishel (Belmont Abbey College) 4/30-5/7 FINAL EXAMS

This is a tentative schedule. I will make a reasonable effort to adhere to this schedule, but I am sure that during the course of the semester some changes will be necessary.

March 21 Tour 600 Racing and Lowe’s Motor Speedway April 19 Tour Joe Gibbs Racing April 24 Reception and Tour Sam Bass Galleries