Bonneville on TV

[Bret Kepner]

Under normal circumstances, I would refrain from criticizing any effort to promote our sport. Yet, in this instance, I have a few thoughts to share with the viewers and the production company. Please bear in mind I've never met Dan (Caesar), know nothing of his production team and spoke to no representative of his group during any of his trips to the salt. Therefore, this diatribe is not meant as a personal affront. However, entering my twenty-seventh year as a television motorsports broadcast journalist with just over eighteen hundred shows under my belt, I might qualify as one with a bit of background in the subject.

In the vast majority of examples, inaccuracies and unwarranted drama stem from a lack of knowledge of the subject by those creating the production. Although the fault rests solely with the writer of the script and the research team, (usually not the poor voice-over artist who always get the blame), seldom does a crew know so much about a subject that they must simplify the delivery of that information to keep from alienating the audience. Those of us on this board know, in advance, all but a handful of Bonneville presentations will have errors, (some subtle, many glaring), in statistics and general information concerning the sport. Therefore, when the Blowfish is stated as the world's fastest production-bodied automobile, we all chuckle as we remember Lindsley & Leggitt's 333 mph pass in a nearly bone-stock-bodied Firebird which never made it to the fourth mile under power.

Although the information is available, the problem is usually the TV crew didn't know which questions to ask. While the team's research efforts may be admirable, the bottom line is the only group which could call these errors into question is us...and we're a minute segment of the eventual audience. The overt dramatization of any given competitor attempting a record lends itself to completely overlook any contradictions to the implied story even though, using the Blowfish as an example, accuracy could be maintained simply by adding the words "in its class" after the statement, "the fastest production-bodied car". After all, their 280 mph fifth mile was the fastest one-way pass ever for a Blown Fuel Comp Coupe using between 306 and 373 cubic inches. (Yeah, I know; the "D" and "E" records are faster than "C"...but you get the point.)

The reversed images, while thoroughly confusing, (if not ridiculous), to us, are simply the product of an editor attempting to break the stagnation of repetitive angles. Again, the odds the editor knew the difference, (or was even on the salt), are slim. Although there is an unwritten rule in sports television which states that, when covering unidirectional events, the direction must never be compromised, the Discovery production was anything but sports coverage. In this case, artistic license reigns. That's also how Jason McVicar's crash can be used to "illustrate", (as Scott Guthrie graciously put it), Leslie Porterfield's crash without credit.

I won't nitpick the inconsistencies because, as stated, we've learned to accept the shortfalls for the greater good of promotion. I was deeply disappointed in the total lack of reference to the SCTA but I'll leave that complaint to the SCTA Board itself. Regarding one statement by Dan, however...

nobody gets into non-fiction production for money

...I'll refrain from a response beginning with "Are you kidding me?" and simply state that, if you lost money on your production, you're in the wrong business.



There is one massive injustice of which I'll make a personal grievance. Although I was stunned that only Bruce Gilinsky (Jonny Hotnuts) mentioned it, I was horrified at the use of footage showing Cliff Gullett in competition without a single mention of his death during SpeedWeek '08. Had the shots of Cliff Gullett not been used, the lack of reference could easily have been attributed to respect. However, the use of those shots proved, beyond a doubt, that the production company simply didn't know, (inconceivable since we know the production team was in attendance), or simply didn't care enough to simply run five seconds of black screen with a memorium in graphics at the conclusion of the show.

To use the callous tease, "Has the salt claimed another racer?" while showing Gail Phillips' crash yet ignore a renowned competitor who broke a fifty-year-old record during the event and eventually paid for it with his life is not only unconscionable but, quite frankly, unforgivable.

[Stainless1]

Bret, one correction, Cliff's accident was at the Bub, not speedweek.  The producers may not have known of that accident to run a moment of silence. 

[mkilger]

If we want to see more bonneville on TV dont piss them off , take it easy on them they are not showing us  how dirty a job is or how something is made. I just hope they will come back . Thanks!

[Ro Yale]

  :-DGREAT job!! I watched it a couple of times and found it very intertaining. Thanks Dan and the whole crew.
Thanks, Ro Yale

[Jonny Hotnuts]

bvillercr

If you have ever met George Poteet or Wayne Jesel or any of these guys you will quickly feel like they are one of us common racers out there. In fact, I had the spare Blowfish transmission in my car at the end of the week and I don't even know these guys.

I have never met George Poteet and I'm sure you are correct in your statement, but when I went hunting for a welder to use those Blowfish guys weren't very friendly to me.  They were packing up and disappointed I guess, but just not all that friendly.  

Troy, you ever need a welder look for the trailer with the flaming nut (this goes for anyone). I bring a nice MIG with gas setup.  
I also will have a plasma cutter, compressor and generator to run them.

As far as Poteet goes.....
Never met the guy but I am someone who makes a real effort to talk to anyone that wants to talk....even if I am busy....but even I can recall times I have had to cut conversations short due to circumstances.

I wasnt there and you may be correct that they were not cool to you but they also just may of been having a bad day.

~JH

[saltwheels262]

dw,
 none of the show on tues. gave thoughts that the special meet was included in it.
 i was under the impression that the special meet in sept. was fimed for tv also.
 sorry for the way i worded it.

franey

[bvillercr]

bvillercr

If you have ever met George Poteet or Wayne Jesel or any of these guys you will quickly feel like they are one of us common racers out there. In fact, I had the spare Blowfish transmission in my car at the end of the week and I don't even know these guys.

I have never met George Poteet and I'm sure you are correct in your statement, but when I went hunting for a welder to use those Blowfish guys weren't very friendly to me.  They were packing up and disappointed I guess, but just not all that friendly.  

Troy, you ever need a welder look for the trailer with the flaming nut (this goes for anyone). I bring a nice MIG with gas setup.  
I also will have a plasma cutter, compressor and generator to run them.

As far as Poteet goes.....
Never met the guy but I am someone who makes a real effort to talk to anyone that wants to talk....even if I am busy....but even I can recall times I have had to cut conversations short due to circumstances.

I wasnt there and you may be correct that they were not cool to you but they also just may of been having a bad day.

~JH

It could very well be those exact circumstances, that is why I included that they may of had a bad day.  No worries on my side, just won't go see them for any help next time.   

[Tzoom]

nobody gets into non-fiction production for money

...I'll refrain from a response beginning with "Are you kidding me?" and simply state that, if you lost money on your production, you're in the wrong business

.

I don't think caesar meant that he did if for free.  I'm sure he was paid for his efforts, just not to the scale those in the 'fiction' side of the industry are paid.

As far as Kepner goes, well I'll just keep my mouth shut.

[dwarner]

I for one agree with Bret. I thought the show insensitive at best.

Louise has asked for our input, positive and negative. She is listed as an associate producer. I would think she could have rescued this POS. I have sent her my thoughts this morning.

If they want to do it again, I say no thanks,
DW

[McRat]

bvillercr

If you have ever met George Poteet or Wayne Jesel or any of these guys you will quickly feel like they are one of us common racers out there. In fact, I had the spare Blowfish transmission in my car at the end of the week and I don't even know these guys.

I have never met George Poteet and I'm sure you are correct in your statement, but when I went hunting for a welder to use those Blowfish guys weren't very friendly to me.  They were packing up and disappointed I guess, but just not all that friendly.  

Troy, you ever need a welder look for the trailer with the flaming nut (this goes for anyone). I bring a nice MIG with gas setup.  
I also will have a plasma cutter, compressor and generator to run them.

As far as Poteet goes.....
Never met the guy but I am someone who makes a real effort to talk to anyone that wants to talk....even if I am busy....but even I can recall times I have had to cut conversations short due to circumstances.

I wasnt there and you may be correct that they were not cool to you but they also just may of been having a bad day.

~JH

It could very well be those exact circumstances, that is why I included that they may of had a bad day.  No worries on my side, just won't go see them for any help next time.   

It's hard to judge someone based on their manner on raceday, even if they are having a good day.  At our diesel events, some folk get a first impression I'm ignoring them, but that's because I'm often doing several things at once, and trying to come up with a solution for something in the back of my head at the same time.  So far with LSR racing, I've had help from my friends so I can be more talkative to folk who come up. 

[Billy @ AHG]

If they want to do it again, I say no thanks,
DW
[/quote]

[Billy @ AHG]

oops ! I wanted to add,,  "Dan, You da man" then hit the wrong button.

[McRat]

I imagine I'm not the only one here who dealt with magazine coverage and TV coverage of events from a participant perspective.

Some of the stuff they show or do will outrage you.  For me, I found getting upset doesn't have the desired effect.  I just grit my teeth now, and smile next time I see them.  

Many sponsorship programs for racers will specifically ask for examples of media coverage, so if you are looking for sponsors, anything is better than nothing.

[Buickguy3]

Remember, Even Monica Lewinsky wouldn't be famous for what she did if it weren't for the Media. DG

[Tzoom]

I thought the program was good.  But I am basing my opinion as someone who has never been there.  I will be making my first trip to Bonneville for the BUB Trials the end of August and this show has heightened my anticipation.  Producers have to add a little sensationalism to sell their product sometimes but those who have been to Bonneville and those who have participated there should be able to see through the crap.  They for sure overdid the crashes but they had to show that this sport is more than driving fast in a straight line and that there are risks involved.  I would like to see more shows covering the events at Bonneville and I think any respectful, constructive feedback you can forward to them pointing out what you feel were their errors and what you thought they did correctly would encourage them to put out a better product next time.  Blasting them with disrespectful vitriol will scare them off and we will never be able to see good, representative coverage of any of the events.  My $.02