Latest / BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show / Screen to Speed No.49: NHRA Champion: Megan Meyer

Transcript

Screen to Speed No.49: NHRA Champion: Megan Meyer · BREAK/FIX the Motorsports & Vehicle Enthusiast Variety Show

• 0:00
  Welcome to Screen to Speed, powered by Init eSports.
• 0:04
  In this podcast, we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals
• 0:07
  making waves in sim racing and bridging the virtual with the real.
• 0:11
  From the thrill of digital circuits to the roar of real life racetracks, we explore
• 0:16
  the passion, dedication, and innovation that drives the world of motor sports.
• 0:20
  We'll hear from athletes, creators, and pioneers sharing their stories,
• 0:24
  insights, and the powerful ways sim racing is connecting communities and
• 0:28
  creating pathways into motor sports.
• 0:31
  So buckle up Screen to speed starts now.
• 0:49
  Hi everyone.
• 0:49
  Welcome to Init Talks.
• 0:51
  Uh, happy to see everybody here.
• 0:53
  We got, uh, wonderful Megan Mayer, uh, tonight with us.
• 0:57
  Uh, she's a two time in each our.
• 1:01
  A world champion.
• 1:02
  Uh, welcome, Megan.
• 1:03
  Thank you so much for taking your time and being with us today.
• 1:07
  Yeah.
• 1:08
  Thank you for having me on.
• 1:10
  I'm excited to be here.
• 1:11
  Yeah.
• 1:12
  So let's start, you literally just, uh, grow up, uh, as a drag racer,
• 1:17
  you know, from your childhood.
• 1:18
  So, uh, tell me about your earliest memories and how you actually get and
• 1:24
  all this, uh, things started for you.
• 1:27
  Yeah, so I was born into it, uh, since day one.
• 1:31
  My dad was racing, um, and he got started when he was a kid
• 1:37
  with, uh, his oldest brother.
• 1:39
  So, um, and I have a little sister, so we're second generation drag racers.
• 1:44
  And, um, yeah, like I just instantly loved it, you know, grew up at the
• 1:49
  racetrack, watching my dad drive.
• 1:51
  Um, my sister and I would help him work on the cars whenever he needed help.
• 1:55
  Uh, you know, the race shop was just our garage, so, you know, we'd spend
• 2:00
  nights and weekends out there working.
• 2:02
  Um, and then when I was 10 years old, we got a junior dragster,
• 2:07
  which is what the kids can race.
• 2:09
  And um, my sister got one as well.
• 2:13
  And yeah, we just loved it.
• 2:14
  It was so much fun.
• 2:15
  Even now, all the experience that I have, I still think that racing as a kid was the
• 2:21
  most fun that I've ever had with racing.
• 2:25
  Um, and just, you know, learning as you go, of course, you know, there's
• 2:28
  a lot of bad times and you don't win every single race unfortunately.
• 2:33
  Um, but yeah, it's still so much fun.
• 2:35
  Um, and then from there, I just worked my way up through the ranks as I got older.
• 2:38
  And then in 2016.
• 2:40
  Teen was when I, uh, decided we went pro with it.
• 2:46
  Um, and just with my dad's team and my dad's car, and so he stepped out.
• 2:50
  He's no longer driving.
• 2:52
  I got to.
• 2:54
  Step in and drive the car.
• 2:56
  And I did it, uh, full-time for five years and that's when
• 3:01
  we won the two championships.
• 3:03
  And, um, we've, we had a really successful career with it.
• 3:07
  Um, and so now I just race part-time.
• 3:10
  I just go for fun.
• 3:11
  I don't do any competition anymore.
• 3:13
  Mm-hmm.
• 3:14
  Um, but yeah, just still try to, still try to have that
• 3:17
  competitive side with it when I can.
• 3:21
  Uh, definitely when you're in childhood, you got really bright, uh, memories.
• 3:26
  Yeah.
• 3:26
  And, uh, bright experience, uh, can agree with you in this.
• 3:30
  Uh, can you tell me more, uh, about the, the first race, which you did,
• 3:35
  and, uh, what emotions you get and, uh, what actually, uh, the most exciting
• 3:40
  thing, uh, for you in drag racing?
• 3:44
  Yeah, I do remember like my very first race that I did, um.
• 3:49
  And I, I remember it because I got second place at my first race, and then I won the
• 3:57
  second race, which they were back to back.
• 4:00
  Um, but that's only because there was like very little cars that actually showed up.
• 4:04
  So I didn't have like many cars to beat.
• 4:07
  Um, but yeah, so instantly, you know, I've just hooked because
• 4:10
  I, I started off so well with it.
• 4:12
  Um, and yeah, I feel like we had, you know, did pretty good with it.
• 4:16
  Um, I also remember, I. With the car that I raced professionally, which
• 4:22
  is called Top Alcohol Dragster.
• 4:24
  I do remember the first race that I did with that.
• 4:27
  Um, it was actually 2015, so I know I said 2016.
• 4:31
  Um, but the year before we were, for actually a few years, we were
• 4:35
  going through the whole licensing process and what it takes, um, 'cause
• 4:40
  you have to be able to go a certain speed on the track before NHRA will.
• 4:45
  Let you come race.
• 4:48
  So we were just taking our time with that because at that time I was in college
• 4:52
  and um, you know, my dad and I agreed that I wouldn't race until I was done
• 4:56
  with school and got that outta the way.
• 4:58
  And so we took our time with it.
• 5:00
  Um, but actually the summer before I graduated, 'cause I, I graduated in
• 5:05
  December, um, the summer before, he let me do two races and they're just
• 5:12
  the ones that were closest to home.
• 5:14
  But it was cool because my dad also, those were his like, last two races
• 5:19
  and I didn't know that at the time.
• 5:21
  Mm-hmm.
• 5:21
  Um, I thought my dad would keep driving, um, but I didn't know he was
• 5:25
  gonna completely step away from it.
• 5:27
  But it was just cool because I got to race.
• 5:30
  Um, with my dad, we didn't actually get to race against each other.
• 5:33
  Mm-hmm.
• 5:34
  Um, 'cause we do a ladder system and, um, so we weren't in the same brackets,
• 5:39
  but if we both would've made it to the final round, we would've met.
• 5:43
  Um, but I fell out early.
• 5:46
  He did make it to the finals, but, um mm-hmm.
• 5:48
  I didn't make it that far, but yeah.
• 5:50
  So it's cool, like to be able to, that's the only time I've ever got to three.
• 5:55
  With like, alongside my dad.
• 5:59
  Um, so yeah, it's just cool to have that memory even though, you know, we
• 6:02
  didn't win the race or anything like that, but, but yeah, it's just, you
• 6:06
  know, I love doing it with my family.
• 6:08
  I haven't raced with another team.
• 6:10
  I've been fortunate enough for, um, we have built up a good business with the
• 6:15
  race team, so we are able to sustain it.
• 6:18
  Um, and I know that's not always the case and it, it's very hard.
• 6:22
  Um, and that's where having good sponsors.
• 6:24
  Come in, really help students.
• 6:29
  Um, but we also have amazing work on the curve that us good cars
• 6:34
  to go and compete and race with.
• 6:37
  Uh, it's just, it's, it's a lot of fun.
• 6:39
  Uh, there's a lot of downtime 'cause of drag racing.
• 6:42
  It's super fast for short of time.
• 6:47
  It's just everybody's just tinkering.
• 6:49
  Trying to find that, you know, one little thing we can do just to make
• 6:53
  the cars go faster the next time.
• 6:55
  Because with drag racing, it's all about speed and you wanna be
• 6:57
  the first to the finish line, and everybody's trying to just find that
• 7:00
  that perfect tune up and the perfect parts to be able to make it go faster.
• 7:05
  That's really cool that you had opportunity to race,
• 7:08
  uh, with your dad together.
• 7:09
  I think it's a, you know, really warm, uh, moment for you.
• 7:13
  I remember that race, uh, with my dad in Kar when I started.
• 7:17
  I was, uh, like in the, uh, junior class he was in, do.
• 7:21
  Class and, uh, we've been on track together.
• 7:24
  That was really fun, uh, for us.
• 7:26
  I know that you weren't just a driver, so you, uh, worked as
• 7:31
  mehan and a photographer also.
• 7:33
  So can you tell me more about this and, uh, how this actually influenced
• 7:36
  into your, uh, racing career?
• 7:40
  Yeah, yeah.
• 7:42
  So growing up when my dad raced, um, 'cause back then it was just a part-time
• 7:48
  thing, more of a hobby for him.
• 7:50
  Um, it wasn't.
• 7:51
  Actually a business, but we did have a couple partners and, um,
• 7:56
  so I had to learn marketing.
• 7:57
  I had to learn how to take his pictures and videos and how to write
• 8:02
  up press releases and send our results to our partners and friends and
• 8:07
  family that wanna keep up to date.
• 8:09
  And this was before we had social media.
• 8:12
  Uh, we had a website.
• 8:15
  But that was it.
• 8:16
  And so I had to see the website after every race.
• 8:19
  And then, um, yeah, and then also we have to work on the cars too.
• 8:23
  And so my sister really, uh, grew to like part of it.
• 8:27
  So she went on to be, she's a mechanical engineer.
• 8:30
  And, uh, anytime she comes to the racetrack, she wants to work on the car.
• 8:35
  She doesn't want to do anything else.
• 8:37
  Whereas I took the side of the marketing role, the business side of it.
• 8:41
  Mm-hmm.
• 8:41
  The admin side.
• 8:42
  And so, yeah, so like we compliment each other really well, but we
• 8:45
  definitely don't cross over and we can't do the other referrals job.
• 8:50
  Um, but yeah, so yeah, so that's just where I, I fell in love with.
• 8:54
  The marketing, branding, um, social media.
• 8:58
  'cause then that, you know, came later on.
• 9:01
  Uh, yeah, I love all that side of it.
• 9:03
  And, uh, graphic design, doing our shirts and, and videos
• 9:07
  and all that type of stuff.
• 9:07
  I find that fun.
• 9:10
  That's really cool.
• 9:11
  So you actually help your, your sister.
• 9:13
  It's, it's really nice, uh, the, the whole family in this, uh, racing.
• 9:17
  It's really cool.
• 9:18
  Um, yeah.
• 9:19
  Can you tell me more about, uh, how you fell in love with, uh, graphic
• 9:23
  design and, uh, what are you doing, uh, right now in, uh, in this.
• 9:31
  Yeah.
• 9:32
  So, um, I really didn't know anything about graphic design or
• 9:36
  really anything about marketing.
• 9:37
  It was just like kind of what I learned working with my dad and just what I
• 9:41
  heard from what other people were doing.
• 9:43
  And, uh, so it really wasn't till I got to college, I was able to, my first graphic
• 9:49
  arts class, um, 'cause they didn't have that in the high school that I went to.
• 9:53
  'cause we went to a really small school.
• 9:56
  And so yeah, I went to college knowing nothing about it, but I knew that
• 10:00
  I wanted to learn graphic design 'cause I knew it is something that
• 10:04
  can help out with the race team.
• 10:06
  That was my whole purpose.
• 10:10
  Um, yeah, it actually, it led to, um, uh, this, that I have now.
• 10:17
  I just did this stuff for our own team.
• 10:20
  Um, but then a couple of friends would be like, Hey, can you make us a card or Can
• 10:24
  you make us a t-shirt design, or, mm-hmm.
• 10:27
  Can you help me with social media?
• 10:29
  And so then I just was doing freelance work on the side,
• 10:31
  and I did that for, I. Oh gosh.
• 10:34
  Um, I think like five, six years.
• 10:36
  And then after that, um, you know, after working with a bunch of clients
• 10:40
  and, and it was just growing year after year and working with a couple
• 10:43
  other local businesses, um, too.
• 10:46
  Um, then 2019, uh, was when I decided to get into more of the educational mm-hmm.
• 10:54
  Part of it and do more.
• 10:56
  Coaching and consulting.
• 10:58
  So that's my main focus now.
• 11:00
  Um, I've started up the Motor Sports Marketing Tips Agency and so we do both.
• 11:05
  Um, we focus on the graphic design, the marketing needs.
• 11:10
  Anything that I.
• 11:12
  A driver or a race team needs, um, to help promote their brand or build their brand.
• 11:18
  Um, I wanna offer all those services, but then also if they need help with
• 11:23
  social media management or, um, help with their content, or if they need help
• 11:29
  and advice with how to get sponsors, um, we also offer that site as well.
• 11:34
  So my dream one day is to have, um, a company where it can
• 11:38
  just be a one stop shop where.
• 11:41
  Any type of racer can come and we can help 'em with anything that they need.
• 11:47
  Mm-hmm.
• 11:48
  It's a really nice goal, I think, um, because, uh, definitely the social medias
• 11:52
  is so, are so important, uh, nowadays and, uh, for drivers to find their
• 11:57
  sponsors to go in, uh, racing career.
• 12:01
  Uh, let's jump back a little bit to, how was it for you to be.
• 12:06
  Uh, the rookie of the year and, uh, win, uh, two championships.
• 12:13
  Yeah.
• 12:14
  Oh, that was so much fun.
• 12:16
  Um, my rookie year, I won one race, um, which is awesome.
• 12:20
  But, you know, we went to a lot of other races and, and we
• 12:24
  actually had a really bad year.
• 12:26
  Um, I, we blew up five motors, which we haven't done that.
• 12:30
  And a really long time before that or after that, thankfully.
• 12:33
  Um, but yeah, we just, we went through a lot of parts that
• 12:36
  year, had a lot of damage.
• 12:38
  Um, but.
• 12:40
  You know, it's just so cool because I was nominated to be the rookie driver of
• 12:44
  the year, and um, so, you know, it's just really honored to get an award like that.
• 12:49
  Um, even though we didn't win that many races, um, but still we
• 12:54
  had, we had a lot of fun doing it.
• 12:56
  Um, and then.
• 12:57
  And then like, fast forward a few years winning the championship.
• 13:02
  Um, it's just, it's cool to look back and see how much you've grown and
• 13:06
  changed over the years, even though we're always just like, go, go, go.
• 13:11
  And, you know, we're doing the same thing every single weekend, but you,
• 13:16
  you know, you learn, you get faster at some things, you get more efficient
• 13:20
  and, um, and then, yeah, like just as a driver, like just learning, um.
• 13:26
  I know, I like, think of it like just, you know, just like putting walls up and
• 13:33
  not trying to let emotions get to you.
• 13:36
  Um, not trying to let another competitor try to mess me up,
• 13:40
  like just get in the zone.
• 13:41
  Mm-hmm.
• 13:42
  And do my job.
• 13:44
  And do the exact same thing every single time because when the driver's consistent,
• 13:50
  the tuner and the crew can make changes on the car and the motor mm-hmm.
• 13:55
  And the tuneup to work around the driver.
• 13:59
  Um, and it's like one thing now that we really try to focus on, um, 'cause now
• 14:03
  with my dad's team, we have a lot of new drivers that come in and we coach 'em.
• 14:08
  And we train 'em.
• 14:09
  And, uh, usually they stay with us for a few years and then
• 14:12
  they move on to other classes.
• 14:14
  Um, yeah.
• 14:15
  So we just try to make, like, teach them, Hey, you just
• 14:18
  need to be deadly consistent.
• 14:20
  Mm-hmm.
• 14:20
  Every single time.
• 14:21
  So that way it's everybody else's job easier.
• 14:25
  Mm-hmm.
• 14:26
  So actually just, uh, like in road racing or in oval, like everywhere.
• 14:31
  Uh, can you tell me more because I'm curious, uh, about drag racing.
• 14:34
  Uh.
• 14:36
  The, the reaction I think is also really important.
• 14:39
  Yeah.
• 14:39
  And you have to do this, uh, consistently.
• 14:41
  Uh, so how the, the training actually looks for the driver
• 14:45
  who's coming to the drag racing.
• 14:48
  Yeah.
• 14:48
  So it's, I. It's funny because it's very little training, um, with drag racing,
• 14:56
  really, it's just all about seat time.
• 14:58
  Um, and, and it's all about your mental strength mm-hmm.
• 15:03
  As well.
• 15:03
  Um, because like I was saying, like you, like you, you can't let outside sources
• 15:07
  affect you once you're inside the car.
• 15:12
  And so yeah.
• 15:12
  With drag racing, the driver's most important job is to have a really good
• 15:17
  reaction time and, and cut a light when.
• 15:19
  It goes from yellow to green and um, you just got to train yourself
• 15:26
  to stare at the light bulb and see like, when it starts to fade out.
• 15:30
  'cause that's when you wanna step on the gas.
• 15:32
  Mm-hmm.
• 15:32
  And, um, yeah, it's, it's really hard to train for that though.
• 15:36
  So I will use, uh, blaze pods, which are these pods that light up.
• 15:42
  And then there's an app on your phone that you can set like different
• 15:45
  sequences so you don't know, which.
• 15:46
  Gonna light up.
• 15:47
  So you gotta tap the one that does.
• 15:49
  Um, I like to use those.
• 15:52
  But, um, and, you know, it helps sharpen your skill, but there's
• 15:56
  nothing that compares to actually being in a car while it's running.
• 16:00
  Mm-hmm.
• 16:00
  Having, you know, the vibrations, your heart is racing, um, you
• 16:05
  know, you might be stressed out, you got adrenaline pumping.
• 16:08
  Um.
• 16:10
  And, you know, you're worried about beating someone else.
• 16:12
  Like, there's just nothing that compares to when you're in that zone.
• 16:16
  Um, so we really, like in drag racing, there's really not much
• 16:20
  practicing or training that you can do.
• 16:23
  Um, you know, you just need to be overall fit and healthy.
• 16:26
  Um, but other than that, honestly, it's just about getting
• 16:29
  as much seat time as you can.
• 16:32
  So just, uh, to get used to the speed and, uh, vibrations and everything
• 16:37
  and be actually focus on only on the car and only on lights, uh, to,
• 16:42
  to do everything in time, right?
• 16:45
  Mm-hmm.
• 16:45
  Yeah.
• 16:46
  Yeah.
• 16:47
  And with drag racing, you only got one shot.
• 16:49
  Mm-hmm.
• 16:50
  So if you mess up, then you lose, um, there's not another lap that
• 16:56
  you can do, you can't restart three.
• 16:58
  So yeah, you've just gotta.
• 17:00
  A hundred percent every single time you get into the car.
• 17:03
  'cause you only get one shot.
• 17:04
  Mm-hmm.
• 17:06
  Uh, so talking about, uh, this one shot, so you're breaking in, longstanding
• 17:10
  and then Shere, uh, track record.
• 17:12
  So tell me more about this.
• 17:14
  How'd that feel?
• 17:15
  And, uh, what did you do in this day?
• 17:20
  Yeah.
• 17:21
  Yeah.
• 17:21
  So that was, um, during one of the biggest races of the year.
• 17:25
  It's like our Super Bowl race that we go to.
• 17:28
  Uh, but then also it was during COVID and so, mm-hmm.
• 17:33
  You know, it's kind of.
• 17:34
  Like we were in the later half of the season.
• 17:38
  Um, but still, you know, everybody's gotta wear masks.
• 17:40
  We gotta all stand apart.
• 17:42
  There's not very many fans there.
• 17:44
  Um, and so, you know, it's just different being at the track when it's like that.
• 17:49
  Uh, but yeah, we just, we ended up having like the absolute perfect conditions with.
• 17:55
  Weather with the track, with how the car was set up.
• 18:01
  Um, and thankfully Driver did her job and didn't mess up.
• 18:04
  Um, yeah, it was during eliminations and I had no idea.
• 18:08
  Um, like I know obviously we try to set the car up to be as fast as
• 18:13
  possible, but that was, uh, very like.
• 18:17
  A lot more speed than what we normally do.
• 18:20
  And so I, you know, I, I just didn't see it coming.
• 18:23
  Uh, and honestly, I didn't know exactly how fast we went until
• 18:28
  I was able to get off the track.
• 18:34
  And then what we do is we have time slips that are printed.
• 18:38
  And so the guys, whenever the crew guys come from the starting line to
• 18:42
  where we're at, at the very end of the track, they pick up that time slip.
• 18:46
  And bring it to the driver at the end.
• 18:47
  So I have to just sit there and wait.
• 18:48
  I don't know what my time was like.
• 18:51
  I know I won because I can see the wind light.
• 18:54
  Um, but I don't know how fast I went or anything of the details of the race.
• 18:59
  And also it was.
• 19:02
  Very laid out.
• 19:03
  So a lot of the track staff had already left and gone home.
• 19:07
  Um, there wasn't any like TV crew there like, 'cause there was already, I believe
• 19:12
  there was like, like a rainstorm that came in so everything got pushed back
• 19:16
  and so a lot of people left and so, yeah.
• 19:19
  So there wasn't very many people at the track.
• 19:21
  And then we just like set the world record and then there's
• 19:24
  like nobody there to see it.
• 19:26
  So thankfully, you know, there was like a little bit of, you know, people recording
• 19:31
  on their phones and stuff like that.
• 19:33
  Uh, but yeah, it's just like, I didn't believe it because the car
• 19:37
  fell fast, but it, it didn't feel like it was like a crazy amount faster.
• 19:43
  Mm-hmm.
• 19:43
  Um, I just knew it was longer to run.
• 19:45
  So once they told me.
• 19:47
  The record is 5 0 9 and um, and yeah, we're just like, what?
• 19:51
  Like no idea.
• 19:53
  So yeah, we had, we had a good celebration that night, but couldn't
• 19:57
  stay up too late because we still had to keep racing the next day.
• 20:01
  Mm-hmm.
• 20:02
  That's nice, but which we did end up winning, so, which was awesome.
• 20:08
  Oh, it's, it's, it's really cool that, uh, everybody like, okay, we're going home.
• 20:12
  And you set the world record at the time and, uh, yeah, that's, uh, yeah,
• 20:20
  all.
• 20:21
  I think after this.
• 20:22
  Uh, so you won two, uh, championships and you decided to stay step away from racing
• 20:28
  and, uh, focus on marriage and motherhood.
• 20:31
  Um, how was it to make this, uh, decision for you?
• 20:35
  Was it hard to, to like, uh, stop racing and, uh, do different thing for you?
• 20:42
  Mm-hmm.
• 20:43
  Yeah, it honestly was not a hard decision, which I know, kind.
• 20:50
  Um, but I was just getting burnt out on all the traveling, um, you know,
• 20:55
  media sponsor stuff, all this stuff.
• 20:57
  It just takes a toll on you when you're doing it just nonstop.
• 21:00
  And this was five years in with my.
• 21:03
  Professional career, but total it was like, um, I think it was like 15, maybe
• 21:09
  more years that I had been racing nonstop.
• 21:13
  And so I was ready for a break.
• 21:14
  Um, and then, yeah, like trying to have a serious relationship at home
• 21:18
  when you're gone all the time is really hard trying to date long distance.
• 21:22
  And so, um, I, you know.
• 21:26
  For the sake of our relationship that I needed to be home, I
• 21:30
  needed to step away from racing.
• 21:32
  And at the time I was just, you know, I was ready to take a break.
• 21:35
  And, um, so yeah, so it wasn't a hard decision for me and,
• 21:39
  um, I don't regret it at all.
• 21:41
  We've got, I. An amazing family and, um, but yeah, so we're just
• 21:45
  slowly trying to get back into it.
• 21:47
  But like I said, I'm not doing anything super competitive.
• 21:51
  Mm-hmm.
• 21:51
  Um, just the like really fun races that we go to.
• 21:55
  Um, the guys let me hop back in the car when I can.
• 22:00
  Yeah.
• 22:01
  You know, it's really nice that you, uh, decided to change your focus and
• 22:04
  you actually take it easy, uh, because for some people, you know, to stop
• 22:10
  racing and do something different, like jump into motherhood or like.
• 22:15
  Some other stuff as well.
• 22:17
  Uh, it can be really hard decision, uh, because, uh, this is what
• 22:21
  you're doing the whole life Yes.
• 22:22
  From childhoods and, uh, it's really nice that you decided
• 22:27
  that, okay, like I, I can do this.
• 22:29
  And, uh, then you just jump into marketing and, uh, and doing it right now.
• 22:35
  Um, so can you tell me, uh, yeah, as we're talking about the marketing, uh,
• 22:40
  what the biggest mistakes which you see, uh, drivers doing to not reach
• 22:45
  their sponsors and teams as well.
• 22:47
  So what they actually can make, uh, better, uh, to bring, uh, those important
• 22:54
  sponsors into their, uh, careers.
• 22:59
  Mm-hmm.
• 22:59
  Yeah.
• 23:00
  Well, there's, there's a lot.
• 23:01
  Um, but really it's all about your strategy.
• 23:04
  And so, um, most racers think that they can offer, you know, hey, most
• 23:10
  companies just want the exposure and the advertisement, and that's
• 23:14
  really not the case anymore.
• 23:16
  Um.
• 23:17
  Advertising is really cheap right now, and so if a company wants an
• 23:21
  advertisement, well they could go and get it themselves somewhere.
• 23:25
  Mm-hmm.
• 23:25
  Whether that's on, you know, social media or.
• 23:29
  Traditional or TV or streaming or anything like that, there's a lot of
• 23:34
  different avenues and it's pretty cheap.
• 23:36
  So, um, you know, back in the day that was the case, but that's
• 23:40
  really not the case right now.
• 23:41
  And so adver, the advertising part of it, um, has really decreased in value.
• 23:47
  But what's more important is the relationships that you build.
• 23:51
  Mm-hmm.
• 23:51
  Um, networking, being able to actually be an extension of a
• 23:56
  company's marketing departments and not just advertise for them.
• 24:00
  So trying to sell their products, going to events that they don't
• 24:04
  normally go to, try to sample.
• 24:07
  Products, um, anything like that.
• 24:10
  And, um, the biggest challenge that I see with racers is that they're, you
• 24:17
  know, they're struggling with that, but then also they're not reaching
• 24:20
  out to the right companies either.
• 24:21
  Mm-hmm.
• 24:22
  Um, sometimes it's, Hey, you see this company sponsor another
• 24:28
  racer, and you think, oh, well.
• 24:31
  They've got money to sponsor them.
• 24:32
  They should have money to sponsor me.
• 24:35
  Um, but you don't know exactly why they sponsored that racer, you might think.
• 24:40
  Mm-hmm.
• 24:41
  Oh, you know, they just wanted the advertising.
• 24:42
  Or maybe it's just a friend or something like that, but some, something
• 24:47
  deeper and there might actually be a business deal going on there as well.
• 24:51
  So.
• 24:53
  There's not a, a company's got gonna be the perfect fit for
• 24:56
  every racer that's out there.
• 24:58
  So you need to find the ones that are the perfect fit for you.
• 25:00
  And, um, actually I'm gonna be hosting a free event where I'm gonna teach
• 25:06
  racers about this, and so I haven't, I. Told anyone about this yet, so
• 25:10
  you're one of the first ones to know.
• 25:12
  Um, but yeah, it's, it's, it's a prospecting challenge that I'm
• 25:16
  gonna host and I'll work with you.
• 25:17
  It's five long event, um, just virtually.
• 25:21
  And so we'll meet every day just for a couple minutes and I'll help.
• 25:25
  Work with the racers and, um, show them exactly, hey, these, these are the steps
• 25:31
  that you should follow to find those right companies first, because it's a lot easier
• 25:37
  when you find maybe 10, 20, 30 companies that would, would be a really good fit.
• 25:43
  Mm-hmm.
• 25:44
  Versus trying to reach out to a hundred different companies that
• 25:47
  they're never gonna get back to you.
• 25:49
  Right.
• 25:49
  Mm-hmm.
• 25:54
  Challenge, it's totally free to do.
• 25:56
  It's just gonna be on Zoom and then we have a Facebook group with it as well.
• 26:01
  But if anyone wants more information, um, they can just go to motorsports
• 26:05
  marketing tips.com/challenge and all the information is there and they can
• 26:10
  register for free there if they want to.
• 26:14
  It's nice.
• 26:14
  Uh, so guys, don't forget to join this and, uh.
• 26:18
  Gain some new experience, uh, new skills, uh, for your, uh, career.
• 26:24
  Um, yeah, I think that, uh, you know, reaching big companies with big names,
• 26:29
  it can be really hard sometimes.
• 26:31
  And, uh, as you said, yeah, you, you can reach like 20, 30, uh,
• 26:36
  companies and it will be like.
• 26:38
  Better and, uh, more effective, uh, by the end of the day.
• 26:42
  And, um, I think I agree with you.
• 26:45
  And also we can see in nascar, for example, we can see that on cars,
• 26:49
  uh, a lot of, uh, little sponsors.
• 26:51
  Yeah.
• 26:51
  And, uh, I think it's, uh, really working well.
• 26:55
  Um.
• 26:57
  Speaking about, uh, being the female, uh, drag racer, uh, in this industry.
• 27:03
  So how do you feel?
• 27:04
  Do you feel any pressure, anything like this on you to
• 27:09
  being the women, uh, in this one?
• 27:15
  So there's really not that much in drag racing.
• 27:19
  And I think that's because it's just become more normal mm-hmm.
• 27:23
  To have female drivers against the males.
• 27:26
  And it's just been happening for a lot longer than it has in other motor sports.
• 27:30
  So, um, I feel like drag racing does have kind of that advantage over other sports,
• 27:35
  but you know, we lack in some other areas.
• 27:38
  Um, but yeah, it's just, I've.
• 27:40
  I've been able to watch so many amazing women race mm-hmm.
• 27:45
  Before me and stuff.
• 27:46
  And um, yeah.
• 27:47
  I just see it growing more and more each day and it's really cool to
• 27:51
  especially see little girls that are getting into it and it's like, oh yeah.
• 27:54
  Like I was, I was a little girl, you know, just getting into
• 27:57
  racing one day and so, yeah.
• 28:00
  So we always try to encourage 'em.
• 28:02
  Um.
• 28:03
  But what's awesome is the males that we race against, there's not too much,
• 28:09
  um, you know, prejudice against us.
• 28:12
  Like they do kind of treat us like they're allies or like we're equal
• 28:16
  competitors because we know it's more about the car that you're driving
• 28:20
  versus the driver that's in the car.
• 28:23
  Mm-hmm.
• 28:23
  Um, and so, yeah, so like.
• 28:25
  Performance is all about the car.
• 28:28
  Um, you know, the driver of course has to do their job and get a good
• 28:31
  reaction time, but other than that, like the car's doing all the work.
• 28:35
  So, um, so yeah, so I feel like there's not too much, um, you know,
• 28:39
  we're not treated very differently.
• 28:42
  Um, whereas like I, I know in other motorsports that's not the case.
• 28:46
  Mm-hmm.
• 28:46
  And so, yeah, I feel like.
• 28:48
  With drag racing, uh, we're just kind of have had that, um, for a longer time
• 28:54
  to be able to get to where we are now.
• 28:57
  I think there's a goal for like road racing and for ovals and, uh, the
• 29:01
  rest, uh, racing categories to reach this level to, um, have girls like
• 29:07
  on the same level as, uh, as boys.
• 29:10
  And, uh, here's no difference, like, uh.
• 29:13
  That we can be equal in this.
• 29:15
  And that's really cool that it's happening already in drag racing.
• 29:19
  Um, so probably we gotta hope for other racing categories as well.
• 29:25
  Um, yeah.
• 29:27
  So what advice, uh, would you give to, uh, anyone who's entering the
• 29:32
  drag racing from your side to Yeah.
• 29:37
  Um, good question.
• 29:39
  Um.
• 29:41
  I would say for someone that's new, um, you know, don't, don't
• 29:47
  be afraid to ask questions.
• 29:48
  Um, really everyone at the track is usually really
• 29:51
  friendly and can help you out.
• 29:54
  Um, whether you need parts or equipment, you know, anything like that.
• 29:59
  I feel like, um, you know, we're all pretty open and, and
• 30:03
  willing to help new people.
• 30:05
  Um.
• 30:07
  But also I would say like.
• 30:10
  Yeah, I mean, just like, you know, you find your group and um, you stick
• 30:15
  together and help each other out.
• 30:16
  And, uh, it's, you know, it's funner when you're racing with friends and you've
• 30:20
  got your group, your community there at the racetrack versus when you're alone.
• 30:25
  'cause um, I have tried to step out into other motor sports
• 30:28
  and I have felt alone and.
• 30:31
  Lost and didn't know what I was doing and it didn't stick with it.
• 30:34
  So, um, so yeah, so just being able to like find that group that
• 30:38
  you, um, really connect with can be super helpful, um, for when you're
• 30:43
  starting out and for longevity.
• 30:47
  That's really nice.
• 30:48
  Um, and, uh, can you tell me about your plans for this year and upcoming
• 30:53
  years and also where our viewers can find you online and, uh, also
• 30:59
  jump into your courses and, uh, like communicate with you in social medias?
• 31:07
  Yeah.
• 31:08
  Yeah.
• 31:08
  Well I have done one race this year, which was, um, two weeks ago.
• 31:12
  And then I will be doing, um, two more races later on this summer.
• 31:17
  Um, so I'm very excited for that.
• 31:19
  And then, um, my little sister is going to come and compete with me, which she
• 31:24
  has had a few years off 'cause she's also.
• 31:28
  Pursued marriage and motherhood uhhuh.
• 31:30
  And so this will be her first time coming back in a few years.
• 31:34
  So excited to have her back.
• 31:36
  But also, um, she, it's funny, like she's my favorite person to race against
• 31:42
  because we do a lot of mind games and like, you know, we're always trying to
• 31:46
  mess each other up as much as we can.
• 31:48
  And so it makes it like fun and competitive.
• 31:51
  Mm-hmm.
• 31:52
  Even though.
• 31:53
  And then it's like, you know, someone loses at the end of the day and
• 31:57
  then it's like they're all pissy and you know, then you gotta deal with.
• 32:00
  That.
• 32:01
  But um, but yeah, so it's, it's fun.
• 32:03
  Um, yeah, so we'll be doing that this summer and then, uh, yeah, anyone can
• 32:09
  find me on Instagram and Facebook at Megan Meyer Racing, and then you can go
• 32:13
  to, um, Motorsports Marketing Tips is also on Instagram and Facebook, and I
• 32:17
  like to, I try to do as much as I can there, just giving out free advice.
• 32:22
  Whether it's about social media or marketing or sponsorships.
• 32:26
  So you can check out the videos and posts that I have there.
• 32:30
  And then on my website I have a blog.
• 32:32
  Um, we also have templates and courses there.
• 32:36
  Um, so yeah, so just depending on where you need help with, um, you
• 32:40
  know, hopefully we have something that could help out the racers.
• 32:43
  Hmm.
• 32:44
  Awesome.
• 32:44
  Amazing.
• 32:45
  Uh, thank you so much Megan, for being with us.
• 32:47
  Uh, you're absolutely amazing.
• 32:49
  I wish you good luck in your, uh, marketing way and, uh, to help other
• 32:54
  drivers to grow in the drag racing.
• 32:57
  Uh, thank you so much.
• 32:59
  Yeah, thank you so much for having me.
• 33:01
  It's been great.
• 33:02
  Really appreciate it.
• 33:04
  Yeah, guys, thank you so much watching.
• 33:05
  Uh, we'll see you next time.
• 33:07
  Thank you.
• 33:08
  Bye-bye.
• 33:19
  Innate eSports focuses on SIM racing events in digital tournaments.
• 33:23
  They bring eSports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands
• 33:27
  while maximizing audience reach across multiple sports industries and platforms.
• 33:32
  eSports is a woman-led company where diversity, equity, inclusion, and
• 33:37
  accessibility is in their DNA and their platform aims to combat bullying
• 33:41
  and cheating to help make the eSports world as safe and fair as possible.
• 33:45
  To learn more, be sure to log onto www.initesports.gg or follow them
• 33:51
  on social media at init eSports.
• 33:53
  Join their discord, check out their YouTube channel, or follow
• 33:56
  their live content via switch.
• 33:58
  This episode has been brought to you by Grand Touring Motorsports as part
• 34:02
  of our Motoring Podcast network.
• 34:03
  For more episodes like this, tune in each week for more exciting and educational
• 34:07
  content from organizations like The Exotic Car Marketplace, the Motoring
• 34:11
  Historian, break Fixx, and many others.
• 34:14
  If you'd like to support Grand Touring Motor Sports and the Motoring
• 34:16
  Podcast Network, sign up for one of our many sponsorship tiers at
• 34:20
  www.patreon.com/gt Motorsports.
• 34:25
  Please note that the content, opinions and materials presented and
• 34:27
  expressed in this episode are those of its creator, and this episode has
• 34:31
  been published with their consent.
• 34:33
  If you have any inquiries about this program, please contact the creators
• 34:36
  of this episode via email or social media as mentioned in the episode.