Later this week I am going to do something that I never thought, or even imagined that I would do in my life. I never thought that my first trip out of this country to another continent would be to South Africa. And on top of it, its a trip to South Africa for a race.

On Sunday, January 31st, the American Speed Association, where I work full-time as the Director of Public Relations, is putting on the first ever American style stock car race in South Africa. The event will take place at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, Free State, South Africa. The track is located about two hours south of Johannesburg in the middle of the country at an elavation of 4,000 ft.

As we enter into the New Year, we all must remember to keep some things in mind in order to have a successful season. Here are a few thoughts that I have going into 2010.

This is not the time to re-invent the wheel when it comes down to your rules package. The economy is slowly recovering, some will see on the news that its recovering in some aspects but for many of us, it will be a long time before we see it in racing. One tech director told me that he recently got an approval to have his rules set for their track for the next three years. Meaning, that the rules are going to stay the same for the next three years with the only modifications being clarifications or safety changes. I think weekly tracks and series should consider this as well. One promoter told me that his only change to his rules was changing the year from 2009 to 2010.

There are times when some wonder if a race track is behind the times when it comes to marketing and promotions. To be honest, many are right on track or even ahead of the curve.

At the recent Racing Promotors Monthly Workshops in Reno, NV I sat in a workshop that discussed social media which includes using websites like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. Seth Sands of Skagit Speedway, an ASA Member Track, in Burlington, WA moderated the workshop where he provided a lot of information and suggestions for the promoters.

Sands called social media a “word of mouth on steroids” because most of these sites do not charge for you to get your message out to a mass of people.

Kevin in front of someone's carLast week I had the pleasure of hosting the 2009 American Speed Association Member Track National Champion as he had his tryout with Joe Gibbs Racing. Tommy Cloce won the championship after having an outstanding season at Adirondack International Speedway, an ASA Member Track, in New Bremen, NY.

I met up with him at the airport on Monday, November 23rd and took him over to Joe Gibbs Racing Nationwide Operations where he met with Mike Sibley, crew chief for the JGR NASCAR Camping World East Series. There he got fitted in his car that he will be driving in his tryout on Tuesday. After his fitting, Ed Fennell of Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil gave Tommy a detailed tour of the Nationwide shop then took him over for a tour of the JGR Cup shop.

I guess this is the time of the year where everyone writes a column about how they are thankful for many things. So...here is mine.

I am thankful...that many short tracks survived the 2009 season despite the negativity going into the season with the economy and everything else. The short tracks persevered and showed that we can continue going and in some cases thrive. They laid back on the simple fact that short tracks provide affordable family fun each week at reasonable prices.

I am thankful...that many race teams figured out a way to get through the entire season, still have fun and have a positive attitude. Yes, some places had lower car counts but it could have been worse. Drivers and teams were racing in divisions that they could afford to race in so they can still enjoy being part of this sport.