DETROIT - Taking a page from Internet social networking sites like MySpace, FaceBook and others, Creative Communications Group has launched The Forums at
http://www.almsforums.com - The Forums is billed as a Social Network for fans of the American Le Mans.
Providing an environment that encourages user-driven content, The Forums will give registered users the opportunity to create and manage their own Profile Page, have a personal blog, their own individual photo gallery, add links to their favorite web sites on the community’s Links directory, send private messages, manage their private buddy list and participate in a series of discussion boards.
“The social networking idea is not only timely,” said John Thawley of Creative Communications Group, “it just makes sense. Racing fans are passionate people by definition. While the action on the track may be the story of the day, the fans are what make up the bigger picture. It’s their story that ultimately matters. What they think, what they saw, what they did.. what they like and what they don’t like. It’s about how they interact with the events and all the other moving parts. I felt those ideas were missing from other web sites and forums. Fans should not be told what to think. If you want to hear them cheer, you need to encourage their voice. Honestly, I don’t see any confusion in that.”
“Go to a race,” Thawley continued. “Watch what fans do. Sure, they watch the race and marvel at the cars. But the experience is what they share. That is what they have in common. This network, The Forums, encourages open dialogue and allows fans to share their experiences and to keep that interest going through out the year.”
“I’m not aware of any other racing site that promotes the idea of user driven content,” Thawley acknowledged. “The irony is, my idea was born from an American Le Mans pre-race feature that allows fans to congregate on the starting grid. It is so obvious... the grid is practically a stampede. People want to be involved. My idea is an attempt to try and pull down the barriers around how we define the term “spectator.”
Does this conflict or compete with the American Le Mans Series web site?
“I don’t believe it does,” Thawley replied. “The Series has a terrific site (
http://www.americanlemans.com) with lots of features including news, video, podcasts, driver interviews, shopping and a host of other features. I think it serves their purpose. I see The Forums as a complimentary destination that enhances and advances the ALMS story on the web. After all, It’s more news and and another channel all about them.”
Does Thawley believe he’ll have a MySpace phenomena on his hands?
“No, no, not at all,” he responded. “However, what I do believe is that the MySpace, Linked In and FaceBook model will ultimately face a challenge. The mass reach of the Internet allows for incredible growth... but I think that might hinder social networking. In a social setting, be it virtual or real, there is such a thing as too big or too crowded. I’m betting things will ultimately follow a natural order by either localizing or by being defined by specific or speciality interests. So, I think this natural order should create a lot of potential for new spaces within the social networking model. But... I’m guessing.”
Sports car racing fans can register for The Forums at
http://www.almsforums.com - it’s free.
American Le Mans Fans Find A New Destination On The Web 
