Super Late Model Series vs East Coast International Pro Stock Tour
Please note that this article is as of Race #9 for the ECIPST, and Race #5 for the SLMS, respectively. Additional note: comments are open. I pre-approve to filter out possible spam, blatantly hateful comments, etc. But otherwise, it is uncensored and welcome of any opinions, just keep it to commenting on my article itself (IE: give suggestions, criticisms, etc. or my article writing), or the subject of my article (give your opinions on the tours, etc.). You can comment as a guest, and use Anonymous as your name, if you’d like. Tour representatives are welcome to chime in with better info, or their own opinions, etc. Keep it respectful, that’s it.
September 9th, 2023:
SLMS vs ECIPST:
Super Late Model Series - https://www.slms.ca/
East Coast International Pro Stock Tour - https://www.maritimeprostocktour.com/
Introduction:
The Maritime Region is fortunate enough to have two potent Pro/Super Late Model Touring Series’ within their confines. The Pro Stock Tour (ECIPST) was founded in 2001, as the successor to the MASCAR Tour. It has an unchallenged, storied history within this niche, both in the current generation of racing, and extending previous, as well. The Super Late Model Series (SLMS) is very early into it’s venture - it hasn’t quite finished it’s first season.
Disclaimer & Context:
This will be my first entirely subjective opinion piece from my perspective. Let me first establish that this is reflective merely of my personal opinion, and is not an objective analysis; that said, this is as unbiased as possible. This piece is not personal at all, it is not about any individuals. It is strictly about the entities (SLMS & ECIPST) as a product, for consumers.
That out of the way, I have been attending ECIPST events longer than the #8 of Kent Vincent has run them; in other words, since Day 1 to present. It's a way of bonding with my father, it's a strong personal hobby, and a cherished part of my life. Recently, it has even led me to this, as well as meeting some great people within the Racing World. I am forever grateful for what the ECIPST has meant to me, and will continue to support them indefinitely, no questions asked. Also, for transparency, I have not yet personally attended an SLMS race, though it is a priority for me, but I feel is important to mention; that isn't a criticism of SLMS, that is as a means of accurately framing my perspective.
Identity:
Both tours have their own identity and brand. SLMS is less than 12 calendar months old, from the time of public announcement. I think I will simplify their identity to: Non-Predatory Disruptor. A point which I will expand upon throughout, is that I believe the SLMS is executing on some of the short-comings of the ECIPST, but doing so gracefully. The ECIPST's identity, for anyone already reading this far in, likely speaks for itself. I will call it the Legacy Entity at this point, it is the rock, the foundation, and up until this year, there wasn't anything else that could even be thought of when it came to a Pro/Super late model touring series in the region.
Marquee Races:
The ECIPST has two Marquee races: the Summer Clash 250, and the IWK 250. One facet of these races is memorability. I think that it is easier for a Marquee race to be remembered, compared to a 'standard' points race, if the quality of racing were to be equal in both. The SLMS on the other hand has 'standard' extended-length races of 150 laps for all features, but nothing beyond that, and, though not surprising considering it is in it's first season, there are no marquee races that especially stand out on the schedule.
Quality of Competition:
Both series are doing well here. The Maritimes have an impressive array of talent, both top-end wise, and depth wise. The first thing that comes to mind for me as far as one-off appearances from local drivers, you have the #67 Dylan Blenkhorn who ran one race this year between the two tours, and he ran the Scotia Speedworld Summer Clash 250 for ECIPST. Then you have full-timers in ECIPST like #99 Craig Slaunwhite & #54 Jarrett Butcher who have only been running ECIPST. On the other hand, you have guys like #16 Dylan Gosbee who's exclusively run for SLMS, and stand-outs like #83 Cory Hall, #2 Ashton Tucker, and #1 Ryan Messer who have primarily run SLMS races.
Car Counts:
There is no question that the SLMS has the clear edge this year in terms of field size. Counting only cars to start the feature, the mean average car count for an SLMS races this year, has been 24 cars per race, with all races falling close to this number. The biggest field saw 26 cars start at Speedway 660, and the smallest field saw 22 cars start on 2 different occasions, once at Oyster Bed Speedway, and once at Petty International Raceway.
The ECIPST has seen a mean average car count of 18: 6 less cars per race. This includes, for example a 13 car race at Riverside, but it also includes 3 races that exceeded 20 cars. The 150 lap race at Speedway 660 saw 21 cars, the Summer Clash 250 saw 23 cars, and the IWK 250 saw 26 cars, which matches the biggest SLMS showing. I will refrain from drawing comparisons to ECIPST car counts through it's history, for a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 impacts. I will just focus on current season vs current season for this.
Question Marks for SLMS Car Counts:
I will pose this question towards the SLMS, which only time and results can answer: They are the new face on the block. For reference, this year, 2023, has seen significantly higher fields of cars in the average SLMS race, versus the average ECIPST race. What I question is, is it the novel aspect that is drawing these fields? The fact that it is the newest thing, is that creating an unrealistically high initial impact/excitement?
Two other considerations are that SLMS has a less ambitiuous schedule - by that, I just mean, they have a 6 race schedule, and don't run in Nova Scotia. ECIPST on the other hand has an 11 race schedule this year, and runs in the same regions as SLMS, as well as Nova Scotia. This isn't a bad thing on the part of SLMS, and it is their inaugural season, but at the same time, it is worth noting that ECIPST is 'biting off' a bigger challenge, in some aspects.
Politics, Finances, Management, etc.:
While these things are all very important, I am not going to be giving any opinions on any of these things. I don't have the needed inside knowledge, and there is far too much bias risk involved, risk of making things seem personal, and also I just generally don't think as a fan that it is what I need to concern myself with. However it is done, whoever it is done by, I am concerned with the on-track execution, and the off-track stuff that I can see and interact with.
Needless to say, it is not lost on me that budgets, for example, surely factor into some of these elements I am discussing throughout this article, and I am sure both Series’ face some overlapping, as well as unique challenges. Likewise, I imagine both Series’ have some overlapping, and unique elements that help them in terms of opportunities.
Internet Presence:
http://www.maritimeprostocktour.com/ ECIPST Official website
https://twitter.com/ProStockTour ECIPST Twitter Page
https://www.facebook.com/ProStockTour/ ECIPST FaceBook Page
https://www.instagram.com/prostocktour/ ECIPST Instagram Page
http://www.snapchat.com/add/prostockour ECIPST SnapChat
I want to quickly note that I like what they've done recently with the Legacy Award presentation. I do think if they are going to provide useful information on some of their social media platforms, but not have it reflected on their website, though, that there should be something clearly stated on their website, for example, directing viewers to their social media platforms for more real-time format updates, etc.
https://www.slms.ca/ SLMS Official Website
https://www.facebook.com/slmseries/ SLMS FaceBook Page
https://www.instagram.com/slmseries/ SLMS Instagram Page
This is an area where both Series' could use improvement. When I first saw the SLMS website however, I was impressed, and found it refreshing. I understand that these are not digital entertainment companies or something, and burning rubber and nuts and bolts are more important than key strokes, but the benefits of leveraging digital mediums is palpable; it can and does enhance some user engagement and interest. Moreover, it doesn’t have to be the prettiest, but it should contain the most up to date information about important things such as weather delays.
The website, and the real time updates/information release aspects of ECIPST have always been some of it's weaknesses. Don't get me wrong, they have always provided these important features, and they have value, but from the outside looking in, it is a weak aspect of ECIPST.
SLMS feels more immersive/engaging, and visually appealing, as far as their digital footprint goes. There are things that could be better, so I would say it could use some polishing, and maybe some thorough, periodic digging through the website to ensure everyone is as intended. The same applies to ECIPST in terms of periodically checking to make sure buttons direct you to what they are supposed to, etc.
Community Outreach:
To my knowledge, this has not yet been an element associated with SLMS, outside of the racing community. What the ECIPST has, for example, with the IWK 250 is excellent. Such as: Photographs at the IWK, and radio interviews with Late Model Star driver/Hot NASCAR prospect Carson Hocevar this year. There is quite a bit of charity work within our local communities that is associated with the ECIPST, which is fantastic.
Media:
https://www.youtube.com/@SLMSeries
SLMS has a YouTube presence, with Race Previews, Race Reviews, and more. I think this is a great idea, and a step in the right direction. Granted, coverage on Race Time Radio, or watching the races on timscorner.tv can provide some of this, I like that SLMS has their own dedicated channel in one place, that is free to access, and quick to find what you're looking for specifically, when it comes to that. I will touch more on the online viewing of races in a moment.
Overall, I think this is an area of weakness for the ECIPST, and an area that is being more effectively used by SLMS. I think both could do even better, but I think SLMS is off to a better start.
I think it would be great to see more media engagement from both sides, as far as race promotion goes. I also think there should be a media day, or more regular content invloving things like interviews with drivers. I would love it if, going to a race, I could watch an interview with a few of the drivers beforehand, to get an idea of their mindset, maybe a bit of personality, etc. I also think that for newer fans, this can be an effective way to increase their sense of investment in a race, or particular racer, and increase the chances of creating a new fan all together. This type of racing is consistently one of the largest crowd-drawing sporting events in the region: the extra-curriculars are warranted.
Fan Experience - Live and on Video:
I will start with on Video. ECIPST races, both live and replays, are broadcast on timscorner.tv for a subscription fee (replays), and an additional fee for live (or separate, if you just get the single race). SLMS uploads their race replays for free on their YouTube channel. I give ECIPST the advantage here. I will say that the video quality and ability to view and see the race well with SLMS is solid, I am happy with it. I also recognize that it is recorded footage, where as Timscorner broadcasts live. Of course there is a fee associated with it, but the overall quality, as well as inclusion of separate-audio channel commentary are superior.
As far as Live experience at the track goes, I have unfortunately not been to an SLMS event yet, so I can't fairly give comment. I will however re-visit this, and provide an update after I have attended an SLMS race in person.
As far as ECIPST events, I've been going for my whole life for a reason, and look forward to the next time I go, for a reason. One of the only criticisms I can really think of, although it could be impacted by factors unknown to me (contractual, revenue-related, fans showing up just on time for the scheduled feature start time, or other), would be efficiency of running an event when there are variables that could be adapted for.
Example: There was an IWK 250 where the weather was threatening for rain, instead of continuing on with the same length of intermissions and driver-fan meeting on track proceedings, etc. I feel that it would have been a good idea to expedite these processes, and begin the feature earlier than initially planned. If this were done, it is also important that proper messaging would be provided on the internet.
I would also like some small additions, like, for example, the program that you get at the track for each race. I think it would be a nice touch to have a different program for each race, you could keep most of it the same, but introduce some interviews with drivers, or race recaps, etc. into them.
Collaboration Opportunity:
Ultimately, I think there is room for both series, and I am very happy for this. And I think collectively it can be a great thing in the region. Perhaps someday there could be some co-sanctioned events that are points races for both series’, or if this proves too challenging for incompatibility reasons, perhaps even someday a merger could take place between the two entities.
Conclusion:
I referred to SLMS as a Graceful Disruptor, and ECIPST as a Legacy Entity. What I mean is: SLMS seems to be capitalizing on some of the weaknesses of ECIPST, but they are doing so with grace, as far as I can tell. There was 1 overlapping date where both Series' ran on the same day, but that was a result of a weather delayed rescheduling. I do not get the impression that SLMS presents predatory competition.
Sometimes, with raising tides, all boats are lifted. I think some of the things SLMS is trying, and that are working, could perhaps show the ECIPST some things that they could adapt, with their own take and spin on, of course. I think ECIPST needs to embrace more proactive, open-minded innovation. I think the SLMS need to prove their value with continued consistency, and foster, maintain, and effectively manage their early growth and interest.
ECIPST is drawing great crowds to their shows, but they cannot afford to be complacent, or to take things for granted. They need to be proactive with innovation and longevity. Nor should they allow opportunities to slip away without proper consideration. They've done very well, but they've also had a long time to build, and they have areas they could improve. SLMS needs to nail their execution consistently, they've set a high bar, and high expectations, and they have a lot of hard work ahead of them to polish their product, maintain their early success, and continue to build moving forward.
I will finish this by saying that I am very excited about, and for, SLMS, and I am a loyal, happy attendee of ECIPST. So far I have only been to Petty, Riverside, and Scotia Speedworld in person, but I intend to attend at 660 & Oyster Bed, as well. I hope to see SLMS continue what they are doing, with some refinement and growth in the future, and I hope to see ECIPST address some long-standing short-comings, and also continue growth within the scope of what is realistically attainable, regionally.
