BSA Indy Car Racing

Program Overview

Statement of purpose

With specific attention paid to the key BSA guiding principle of providing every eligible youth an opportunity to be involved in a quality Scouting experience, the BSA Motorsports platform has been designed to be a programmatic resource that serves as a customizable extension to existing council activities. As such, we will strive to build relationships with visionary organizations and sponsors that work to educate, inspire, and invest in the continued development of our youths, particularly in the areas of science and technology.

In doing so, our goal is to provide local councils the opportunity to increase their capacity in the areas of money, manpower, and marketing by facilitating strategically exclusive access to venues, drivers, and teams in the highly visible sport of IndyCar racing (sanctioned by the Indy Racing League).

IndyCar program overview

By utilizing the excitement and high-tech nature of Indy-style racing cars as a platform to promote science, technology, and math to those involved in Scouting, this multiyear program will be foundational to reaching America’s youths in 2010. Through this exposure, our goal is to increase youth interest in the concepts of engineering and math in ways that are fun and relevant to them.

The Boy Scouts of America’s No. 19 IndyCar entry will compete in the 17-race 2010 IZOD IndyCar^® Series schedule. Local Boy Scout members and volunteers will participate in exciting activities at the track and have other unique opportunities at all races. The team will appear at Scouting events, including the 2010 National Scout Jamboree.

The BSA Motorsports experience

This platform has been created to extend the BSA brand nationally in new and exciting ways, and bring direct value to councils by supporting their efforts in:

• Membership growth and retention
• Volunteer recruitment
• Fund-raising
• Marketing

Some of the tactics used to accomplish this are, but not limited to:

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  • Kiosks at the tracks with local troop support manning the booths
  • Having the driver make in-market appearances during racing events
  • Scout day at the tracks
  • Prerace ceremony involvement
  • Donor cultivation through entertainment and exclusive access at the races
  • Popcorn sales at the tracks
  • Merchandising
  • Local PR support by units and councils
  • Volunteer recruitment
  • Alumni reconnection strategies
  • PSAs, announcements, and marketing materials at the tracks
  • Possible inclusion/mention of the BSA through ABC and Versus TV broadcasts

Membership growth and retention

Fund-raising

Marketing

The Scouting experience bottom line

“It was a really great time—one of the best of my life. It was so cool to see what happens behind the scenes of a race, meet the crew, and sit in the car. I felt like a real driver. This was my first race, and it was amazing! I am now a race fan and really appreciate the opportunity to have this experience. It’s something I will remember forever.”

Boy Scout member, Plano, Texas
Texas Motor Speedway, 2009