Financial news is bleak, companies...heck, entire industries...are looking for federal bailout money and the common perception is that businesses are doomed. Rob Reeves and his entire staff at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton have heard tell of the problems. They have just chosen not to participate in the so-called depression.
 
For the third consecutive year Reeves and Castrol Raceway are on pace for record-setting ticket sales for the Rocky Mountain Nationals. They have already surpassed the $100,000 presale mark for tickets after putting their tickets on sale later than ever, Nov. 1. It's real simple, Reeves says. All you have to do is give the fans something for their money and they will keep coming back.

"We put on a great show and the tickets are reasonably priced," he said. "A great show for great value will sell tickets. You look at the IRL race around here, the Rexall event costs four times what our event costs, and I think our show it better. It always has everything to do with value."

Reeves has quite a few factors working in his favor. After rocking Edmonton every year for a half-decade word of mouth works in Castrol Raceway's favor. Word is on the street...you can't miss the Rocky Mountain Nationals. He also has an aggressive promotional staff pushing the event in local media outlets year-round.

"That helps a lot," he said. "You have to push it and keep your facility and event in the public eye 12 months out of the year. We do that and spread our message around. I like to compare our event to NASCAR, looking at our price structure compared to their price structure. Plus, we have something for everyone...bikes, sleds, dragsters, doorslammers, a jet truck...pretty much something for everyone. We have a loaded dance card for the 2009 event and I'm still working on some things. I always want to make sure my next show is better than my last show."

Reeves' "dance card" for the Rocky Mountain Nationals is quite busy. He will have the three professional IHRA classes, has added Alcohol Funny Car, and will have a full field for his ET Bracket race. He also will put on a Top Sportsman/Top Dragster combo race, will host a Nitro Harley class, a sled class, Nostalgia Funny Cars and more.

"My big thing is we can't have less of a show than we have in the past," Reeves said. "We have to keep building the show year after year. We will not have a lesser show here in Edmonton, I guarantee you that. I'm used to doing this and I always want things to be bigger and better. That's just how I am."

Tickets for the Rocky Mountain Nationals at Castrol Raceway are now on sale. To purchase tickets visit www.nitrojam.com or www.castrolraceway.com.