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| Cannonball 2012 Sculpture, featuring a race between two riders and their trusty steeds! |
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Reward for finishing the Journey!
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Carson Classic "Webisode # 1"
Happy Tuesday, race fans! This morning we began our "webisode" series on the Carson Classic Motors YouTube page. Our first video documents a 1937 BSA WM-20 straight from the history books. This machine served in the British Army during World War II and has an incredible 950 miles on the odometer- pretty amazing for something that's 75 years old. Show your support and check out this video, as well as the rest of our channel. Don't forget to share with friends and family as well! (Oh, and by the way, we did manage to make a mistake...the credits should read "Starring" instead of "Staring." Another typo that slipped by...)
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Monday, January 16, 2012
Other Cannonball Blogs
As always, I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude for the support of my viewers. You all are helping make the dream a reality! In addition to my blog, check out the blogs of fellow Cannonballers as they prepare their machines and train for the cross country journey. These blogs are very interesting and give an insight into what makes these old machines tick and keeps them on the road. Many of the riders will be competing aboard various Harley, Indian, and Henderson models. There will also be several others competing on vintage BMWs, as well as several Brit machines. Be sure to show your support to my fellow riders!
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors
Trip to Las Vegas and other updates
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| Cannonball 2012 represented at National Motorcycle Museum Booth |
Greetings to all! It's been a while since the last post, and with rainy weather arriving on Monday afternoon here in East Texas, I figure it's a good time to update the rider's blog....
In my last post, I mentioned that we were getting ready to head to Las Vegas for the 21st Annual Mid America Antique Motorcycle Auction and Gene Romero's West Coast Flat Track Series. Well, it was quite the time out there (though you can't really have a bad time in Sin City....) and we returned back to the lone star state yesterday afternoon. As always, there was an incredible selection of vintage iron at the Southpoint Hotel and Casino and even some select pieces from the Steve McQueen estate. Once again Ron Christenson and Mid America did an excellent job keeping the auction moving right along, and there were many deals to be had.
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| Another great year at the auctions! |
With Vegas out of the way, I'm back to CB preparations! Since my last post on sponsorships, the CCM racing team has several new sponsors who have put forth a substantial amount of money towards supporting our team and journey. Every little bit helps, and each of these sponsors have given quite a sizable donation. More specifics about the companies will come soon, as I'd like to a special acknowledgement of our supporters.
What else is new? Well, I (finally) officially became a member of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America over the weekend. Over the past few years my father has been a member, but after reading just how few youth members there are in the quarterly magazine, as well as my goals for the antique motorcycle world, it was time for me to become a legitimate member. I love the atmosphere that the AMCA presents, and I really enjoy attending national and regional events. Plus, becoming a member also makes me an "official" member of the Confederate Chapter of the AMCA in Memphis, TN. Until now, the extended family in Tennessee has allowed me to be a part of their club without actually being in the national group. Now that I'm legitimate, I'm really looking forward to seeing how I can get involved in the AMCA Youth Program and attract other young folks to the group.
Also, Shawn and I have decided to begin a "webisode" series to be uploaded to the Carson Classic Motors YouTube channel. Our goal is to put up a new video every week that features a different bike from the collection. History of the brand, unique features of the bike, specifications, and how we acquired the machine. For those interested, keep your eyes peeled. It looks like this week will be our first shoot.
One final note before closing this post out...I'm amazed at the audience that this blog is reaching. For a normal guy from a small Texas town, the attention and contacts that are coming from the blog and video is hard to fathom. An interesting feature about this blog set up is the tracking tools that are open to me (not exactly "big brother" stuff here, just to dispel any thoughts). I can actually see what continents and countries my audience is viewing the blog from, and up to now I've got viewers from Russia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Australia, Germany, France, Malaysia, The Netherlands, the USA, and even Antartica! Wow, that's really impressive. Once again, I can't express how much I appreciate the support from everyone.
Cheers,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Publicity, Sponsorships, and Updates
Four days into 2012, and I'm already starting to feel the faintest tingling of stress. So much to do, and so little time! Oh well, life isn't complete without a bit of stress. Besides, I know that everything will most definitely work out. So many friends, neighbors, and loved ones have come forward to offer their support. It really is amazing how many people have been excited by the Cannonball. Trust me, when our collection and restoration of antique machines started I never would have believed that an event like this would become a reality.
So in my last big post "Thoughts and Musings," I mentioned that we are beginning to push for local and national sponsorships for the CCM team. It's pretty interesting how much can go on in just a few short days, because as of today we have been offered another sponsorship. I've also been at work on the brochure and creating the list of possible sponsors. The idea behind the brochures and meetings is to give the feeling of a "first class presentation." Someone once said "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."
Anyway, with that exciting news, I digress into upcoming events. Next week my dad and I will be attending the series of motorcycle auctions in Las Vegas, Nevada. It looks like Mid America Auctions, Auctions America, and Bonhams and Butterfields will all be vying for the attention of buyers in Sin City. We've been going for several years now and regardless of whether or not we find something that tickles our fancy, it always proves to be a wonderful time. Hopefully we will see some old friends out there and get the chance to catch up. I'm also hoping to be able to promote the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball at these auctions, and get the attention of many people at once.
I would really like to help get the word out about the Cannonball- simply because it's just such a neat event. We usually wind up being invited out to participate in a few motorcycle shows throughout the year, and it kind of amazed me that so few people had heard of the first Cannonball. The 1911 Triumph I originally planned on entering usually draws a crowd of people at these shows, and everyone is always very interested in learning about the CB run. It seems that over the past few years everyone's interest has been in antique and vintage automobiles rather than two-wheeled machines. So I figure, why not publicize the hell out of 50-60 crazy people like myself who want to run their antiques across a continent? Obviously any publicity should be "first class" as well, so I suppose in addition to coming up with a brochure, some sort of press release or summary of the event should be necessary. Hopefully I can get something together over the next few days to coincide with the brochure.
This afternoon, I also received word back from Guinness World Records. After examining the proposal, the organization has decided that the attempt is ineligible because it is too broad. Which, probably makes sense. But as I said in the first post, publicity or not, we press on. For me, the opportunity to make or break a record, or attract media attention is simply a bonus. The Cannonball is happening regardless, and I am so unbelievably excited that it becomes hard to focus on other things. In just a few short months, my team and I get to have a one-of-a-kind experience. I know for a fact that we will walk away from the event with memories and friendships of a lifetime- which, in the scheme of things, is really all one can ask for. Certainly there are people out there who will not understand our passion for it, nor my over-excitement, but I chalk that up to a small amount of interest in the area of antique motoring. And that, my friends, is what we are attempting to change.
More on the publicity and sponsorship drive soon.. I plan on posting a copy of the brochure once it is finally finished- though it is in my humble hopes that I'm not boring anyone. This is the first venture into blogging for me, and I really would love to know what my viewers and followers would like to see. Am I posting too much or too little of one thing? Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated, just as sharing this blog to your friends would be wonderful. On that note, that's probably enough for this time. Can't have you all falling asleep at the computer. Once again if anyone would like to find out more information about sponsorships, or has contacts within the media, please feel free to shoot us an email at carsonclassicmotors@yahoo.com.
Warm regards,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
So in my last big post "Thoughts and Musings," I mentioned that we are beginning to push for local and national sponsorships for the CCM team. It's pretty interesting how much can go on in just a few short days, because as of today we have been offered another sponsorship. I've also been at work on the brochure and creating the list of possible sponsors. The idea behind the brochures and meetings is to give the feeling of a "first class presentation." Someone once said "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right."
Anyway, with that exciting news, I digress into upcoming events. Next week my dad and I will be attending the series of motorcycle auctions in Las Vegas, Nevada. It looks like Mid America Auctions, Auctions America, and Bonhams and Butterfields will all be vying for the attention of buyers in Sin City. We've been going for several years now and regardless of whether or not we find something that tickles our fancy, it always proves to be a wonderful time. Hopefully we will see some old friends out there and get the chance to catch up. I'm also hoping to be able to promote the 2012 Motorcycle Cannonball at these auctions, and get the attention of many people at once.
I would really like to help get the word out about the Cannonball- simply because it's just such a neat event. We usually wind up being invited out to participate in a few motorcycle shows throughout the year, and it kind of amazed me that so few people had heard of the first Cannonball. The 1911 Triumph I originally planned on entering usually draws a crowd of people at these shows, and everyone is always very interested in learning about the CB run. It seems that over the past few years everyone's interest has been in antique and vintage automobiles rather than two-wheeled machines. So I figure, why not publicize the hell out of 50-60 crazy people like myself who want to run their antiques across a continent? Obviously any publicity should be "first class" as well, so I suppose in addition to coming up with a brochure, some sort of press release or summary of the event should be necessary. Hopefully I can get something together over the next few days to coincide with the brochure.
This afternoon, I also received word back from Guinness World Records. After examining the proposal, the organization has decided that the attempt is ineligible because it is too broad. Which, probably makes sense. But as I said in the first post, publicity or not, we press on. For me, the opportunity to make or break a record, or attract media attention is simply a bonus. The Cannonball is happening regardless, and I am so unbelievably excited that it becomes hard to focus on other things. In just a few short months, my team and I get to have a one-of-a-kind experience. I know for a fact that we will walk away from the event with memories and friendships of a lifetime- which, in the scheme of things, is really all one can ask for. Certainly there are people out there who will not understand our passion for it, nor my over-excitement, but I chalk that up to a small amount of interest in the area of antique motoring. And that, my friends, is what we are attempting to change.
More on the publicity and sponsorship drive soon.. I plan on posting a copy of the brochure once it is finally finished- though it is in my humble hopes that I'm not boring anyone. This is the first venture into blogging for me, and I really would love to know what my viewers and followers would like to see. Am I posting too much or too little of one thing? Comments and feedback are greatly appreciated, just as sharing this blog to your friends would be wonderful. On that note, that's probably enough for this time. Can't have you all falling asleep at the computer. Once again if anyone would like to find out more information about sponsorships, or has contacts within the media, please feel free to shoot us an email at carsonclassicmotors@yahoo.com.
Warm regards,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Video Links
Here's the promotional video that I've recently mentioned. This video was shot in our shop on the request of Lonnie Isam, and is meant to be an introduction into who I am and why I'm entered into a race of insanity. We're definitely not a professional film/editing crew, but for a couple guys sitting around fiddling with a camera and Windows Movie Maker-- I'm quite happy with the result. Our promotional video is filed under our "Cannonball 2012" playlist. Check out the Carson Classic Motors Channel on YouTube to see some of the other bikes in the collection and see some of the other bikes in the collection and watch some of the footage from October 2011's "Race of the Century" in Alabama. Viewers can also watch the rider profile of fellow Cannonballer Mike Wild (#25) from the Roaring Rudges race team. These chaps will be sharing our rolling workshop as a home base for repairs.
One last comment- If you would be so kind as to share this video (and Mike Wild's video) to your friends and family it would be much appreciated. The more views we can get, the better!
Cheers,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer #3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Thoughts and Musings
(I meant to post this over the weekend, but a trip to North Carolina postponed my online adventures.. So without further adieu, here's "Thoughts and Musings")
Hello to all, and warm wishes for the New Year. It seemed like 2011 had only just begun- are these years going faster and faster, or is it just me? Anyway, may Lady Luck find her way to your door and bring you a joyous and prosperous year. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful, and more importantly- safe, Christmas and New Year holiday. It's been a few weeks since my last post, but with the holiday season arriving in full force it was worth "un-wiring" myself from the grid to spend quality time with friends and loved ones.
Anyway, January 2012 has arrived.....meaning in just a short 9 months, the Cannonball Run will be upon us. Time to get cracking on some preparations. You've gotta pay to play, right? So over the next 120 days, my team and I will be hitting the sponsorship effort at full force. As previously mentioned, our friends Ken Ashton and Phil Haywood of Vintage and Veteran, LLP from Burton-Upon-Trent, England have graciously offered us a team sponsorship. Recently, my team and I have been making a list of several corporations who we think might be interested in a sponsorship.
In order to make things easier for the sponsorship drive, this week's task is to set up and print out an official brochure/handout. I hope to provide a "package deal" of some sort when we present the opportunity to potential sponsors- a professional brochure that lays out the details and history of the race, pulling up the Cannonball page and this blog, as well as showing the promotional video we filmed a few weeks ago. Hopefully this tactic will "legitimize" the opportunity in the eyes of these potential sponsors.
Another idea that I've started to think about is the charity aspect. Like I said in the beginning- I'm just a normal guy, trying to keep the interest in antique motorcycling alive within younger and older generations. Regardless of the publicity that this event or my team receives, I am entering into the journey of a lifetime. My original goal was to participate- because, let's face it, this is certainly a cool event. But now with the media attention that is being attracted to the event and my effort to compete, what if I somehow tied a charity into it? There are so many wonderful charities out there- disabled and wounded veterans, cancer research, children with illnesses, etc. If it would be possible to include some sort of effort like that, I would definitely be open to it. More on that later, as I research.
Happy New Year,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
Hello to all, and warm wishes for the New Year. It seemed like 2011 had only just begun- are these years going faster and faster, or is it just me? Anyway, may Lady Luck find her way to your door and bring you a joyous and prosperous year. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful, and more importantly- safe, Christmas and New Year holiday. It's been a few weeks since my last post, but with the holiday season arriving in full force it was worth "un-wiring" myself from the grid to spend quality time with friends and loved ones.
Anyway, January 2012 has arrived.....meaning in just a short 9 months, the Cannonball Run will be upon us. Time to get cracking on some preparations. You've gotta pay to play, right? So over the next 120 days, my team and I will be hitting the sponsorship effort at full force. As previously mentioned, our friends Ken Ashton and Phil Haywood of Vintage and Veteran, LLP from Burton-Upon-Trent, England have graciously offered us a team sponsorship. Recently, my team and I have been making a list of several corporations who we think might be interested in a sponsorship.
In order to make things easier for the sponsorship drive, this week's task is to set up and print out an official brochure/handout. I hope to provide a "package deal" of some sort when we present the opportunity to potential sponsors- a professional brochure that lays out the details and history of the race, pulling up the Cannonball page and this blog, as well as showing the promotional video we filmed a few weeks ago. Hopefully this tactic will "legitimize" the opportunity in the eyes of these potential sponsors.
Another idea that I've started to think about is the charity aspect. Like I said in the beginning- I'm just a normal guy, trying to keep the interest in antique motorcycling alive within younger and older generations. Regardless of the publicity that this event or my team receives, I am entering into the journey of a lifetime. My original goal was to participate- because, let's face it, this is certainly a cool event. But now with the media attention that is being attracted to the event and my effort to compete, what if I somehow tied a charity into it? There are so many wonderful charities out there- disabled and wounded veterans, cancer research, children with illnesses, etc. If it would be possible to include some sort of effort like that, I would definitely be open to it. More on that later, as I research.
Happy New Year,
Buck Carson
Confirmed Cannonballer # 3
Carson Classic Motors Race Team
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