Episode 22 | Promoting the Big House (ft. Marty Fiolka)

Amanda and Megan sit down with a true titan of the off-road industry, Marty Fiolka. Marty is the author of 1,000 Miles to Glory, producer of the iconic documentary Dust to Glory, and the Promoter and Marketing Director for Crandon International Off-Road Raceway—the legendary "Big House." But this isn't just a behind-the-scenes look at the biggest festival in short-course off-road racing; it is a masterclass in shifting your mindset from static "stickers and stats" to high-impact, experiential brand activation. Whether you're trying to figure out how a world-class track secures massive partnerships with brands like Red Bull, RAM, and Polaris, or how you can make your team a legitimate promotional asset in the pits, this episode is the blueprint you need to professionalize your program.WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODE:THE CRANDON LEGACY: Marty shares his passion for preserving off-road history and how his career has been dedicated to putting a high-end, professional spotlight on the sport.SETTING THE TABLE: Marty explains his core promoter philosophy—how Crandon builds the ultimate stage with 60,000 fans and live TV, but why it's up to the racers to bring their own value to that table.ACTIVATION OVER EXPOSURE: A behind-the-scenes look at Crandon's biggest, most creative activations—like the RAM RHO passenger jumps and Method’s drone show—and what partners are actually buying when they fund a "vibe" instead of just a lap time.THE IMSA CROSS-PROMOTION: Why Crandon took a Pro 2 truck to a high-end sports car race at Road America, and what grassroots racers can learn about hunting for fans outside their usual sandbox.PRODUCT IS MONEY: Marty’s warning about the "free product" trap and why racers must treat product sponsorship with the same business respect as cash.THE GOLDEN RULE OF PARTNERSHIPS: Why successful negotiations never start with a menu of "packages," and why you must always ask a brand "What can we do for you?" first.ADVICE FOR GRASSROOTS RACERS: Marty's final advice to the next generation on keeping their goals in check, maintaining integrity, and never stopping learning.RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:CRANDON EVENT PAGE: Get ready for the biggest weekend in short-course racing and check out the schedule for the Big House.RACER ON DEMAND COMMUNITY: Join us at racerondemand.us to turn these high-level track strategies into off-track funding for your program.Are you ready to stop selling stickers and start selling the vibe? Tag us on social media with the biggest takeaway you had from the promoter’s perspective!