RGMMC actively preparing for the start of the CIK-FIA season
The new Promoter of the CIK-FIA European and World Championships from 2018 to 2020 has not been slow to take up its role since the FIA’s decision was announced in late November. Time is indeed of the essence for RGMMC Group before the start of the season at Sarno (ITA) in April 2018. In frequent contact with the CIK-FIA, James Geidel, President of RGMMC Group, took advantage of one of his many visits to the FIA in Geneva to discuss the main lines of future action.
What are your priority objectives?
- High level karting has followed the evolution of the modern world in many ways. Although its interest, both technical and sporting, has never faltered, its success with the public and sponsors is no longer up to the challenge. This is an exciting but expensive sport that deserves a better audience. We will focus part of our effort on communication by using the interactivity of social networks, getting the public back on the tracks, putting contacts with the national and local press back into the spotlight, and especially by ensuring a broad and real TV audience for this spectacular sport. This extensive media coverage is the key element in attracting new partners to the CIK-FIA Competitions. Karting needs new resources, both for its organisation and for the professionals and Drivers who are the main players.
How are you going to achieve your goals?
- It is too early to announce our entire strategy, because we are in the process of preparation. The time limit is very short and we are focusing for the moment on the crucial points. Our collaboration with the services of the CIK-FIA is already very productive and everyone is working hard for the season to start under the best auspices. The organisation of the Competitions is a subject that we control. We have plenty of ideas for developing Karting. The knowledge of my father, Roland Geidel, the founder of RGMMC Group, regarding the sponsorship will be very useful, while I am well placed from the top of my 31 years to breathe the dynamism and sense of innovation necessary for the development of the discipline.
We are very committed to a constant dialogue between the various parties involved. The CIK-FIA, the national federations, the organisers, the Drivers, the professionals and the media are our main points of contact. We will not succeed without gathering all energy around the future of Karting. We will start by promoting a new, more convivial atmosphere in the paddock and provide ASNs as well as existing partners with a VIP reception structure to increase their participation in CIK-FIA events. The live-streaming will be more extensive, from Friday to Sunday, with many topics related to the Race, and we will simultaneously cover subjects in several languages ready to be broadcast on television. Of course, we are working in many other directions, but I cannot say more for the moment. We will know more by the first Competition at Sarno.
Do you have other longer-term projects?
- We obviously have a longer-term vision for Karting Competition. We must first prove ourselves in the field before we can participate more actively in the evolution of this exciting sport. But it is certain that we intend to contribute to the future of Karting alongside the CIK-FIA, the ASNs and the industry. We are aiming for an increase in the number of participants and we have ideas for cost reduction. Our contract as a promoter runs for three years, so the countdown has already started to reach our ambitions.