Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

INTERVIEW WITH AGG E 0> .... cu ... '" a.. - '" 0> '" .... co .... By Carol Sims "Tanner sounded cute wi til lIIat soutllem drawl.- Photos by Joe Lopez -Let's see_that was about '35 or '36.· J.e. Agajanian is known to race fans and competitors the country over as a promoter of racing events and other related activities. He and his big hat are a familiar sight at the Ascot flattrack and TT races which he directs. but I feel that if I had any more racing than tbat - about 40 races a year at Ascot alone - we'd be overtaxing the good people who enjoy going to races and couldn't afford more. I feel tbe public would rather see flattrack than TT's, so I decided on one TT a month and weekly flattrack, APril to November. Toward the end the crowd starts to drop-the season migbt even be too long. But Schooler (track owner Harry Scbooler) wants the rent. It's understandable - he's got a hig But how did he get started? And what are his plans for the future? Read on: CYCLE EWS: Wbat's an average Friday night tlattrack payoff at Ascot? J.C. AGAJANJAN: Motorcycle pur S e s average $2400 at Ascot tbrough the year. CN: How many racing events will you be promoting this year? AGGIE: Ei gh ty- fi ve las t year - probably about the same amount this year. CN: What all does this include? AGGIE: Motorcycles, midgets, championship cars. Also includes closed circuit TV of the Indy races, and flights to Indy and back. CN: How did you happen to get started as a promoter in the first place? AGGIE: Well, that's a kind of a long story, but maybe I can make it short. It started when I hought my first race car and joined the Association and we'd go to different race tracks. After the races were over, when we went to collect our purse - no promoter. Tbis was almost a steady diet. Tbe Association felt that maybe if I would promote the races things would be better. I told them I didn't know bow. Tbey said "We've got a thousand dollars, wby don't you use that - learn to promote. - SO I went to the newspaper offices, and I talked to Ray Lavely. He'd done a little pUblicity work and belonged to tbe Association. I put him to work. CN: What Association was this? AGGIE: Western Racing Association. I was the president. CN: Where did you promote yOur first race? AGGIE: SOuthern Ascot Speedway. It was at Tweedy and Atlantic. (Los Angeles) CN: When was this? AGGIE: About 1935 or '36. CN: Just what does promotion consist of for a big race like the 8-Mile National nr sacramento? AGGIE: You have to first of all get a sanction from the sanctioning body, tben you have to get your advertising and publicity crews to work, then you bave to get the entries, make sure you know who's going to race for yOu, and wbat types of bikes. And then track preparation. CN: Lots of people seem to think you own Ascot Park. AGGIE: I don't own the race track. CN: What do you think makes for loyalty of the crowd at motorcycle races? AGGIE: The officials and riders put on a abow that the puhlic enjoys seeing. There are big purses and we have riders from all over the U.S. If a rider's good enough - in the top five - be can make a living at it. If be wants to get a job. he's that much furtber ahead. We have a snappy sbow. It starts and finisbes on time. I like to have it over by 10:30 so people don't have to pay overtime for IBbysitters. We also have a fine security system. They make sure that if you bring yOur wife' and kids to tbe races, some drunk isn't going to be slopping beer over you. Or using profane language. Because of the clean operation we do get a little extra crowd - better purse, better gate receiPts. r CN: How about Hells Angels types? AGGIE: They can't even buy a ticket. CN: Why are tbe flattrack races weekly and the TT's once a month? AGGIE: People would go to more TT's. BlIck In til. ".ODd old "',s· of $250 pur In 1931, J.e. AlaJanlln was IlreallJ prolNJUnl raee•• Her. (I"OW) h.lwlrd. a eau and a 110 b1~ear drI_ Spld. W.bb (....t to tlOph, IIrl) IlIr wi.. ln. a 100-lapp. at SoatII_ Ascot _ • •., In Soutll Gate. T1Ie kid I.anlnl o...r In tile IlIroar-dw_ld lOW III elo•• to btl ,.•• old. investment there. But I would shut it off in October. Even the cameraman is tired by then. Now there's even more racingthere's another track. I don't know how they're doing ••• but somebody's going to have to give up. CN: How do you feel about racing yea~ round? AGGIE: I think there should be at least a couple, three months off. to re-do the racing equipment. Time to paint • er. or build a new motorcycle that might have an advantage. A guy should have a chance to relax. CN: What do you think of the Ascot TV program as far as drawing new fans to the races? AGGIE: Tremendous. I think the TV coverage really helps. And shows like "Wide World of Sports- help ALL racing throughout the U.S. Like the Sacramento 20miler. It's a big successful event now, but in the beginning it didn't pay ofL I lost money. This year I'm making it 25 miles, which means more prize money. CN: Understand you've taken over management of the paved mile track in Phoenix. Any possibility of motorcycle racing there? AGGIE: Just car racing for a while, but we're not too far offfrom having a moto~ cycle road race there. CN: Are there any dirt mile tracks available in California other than sacramento? AGGIE: No other miles are available. I'd like to have a 20-Mile race too, but where would I run it? I tried the Pboenix mile and lost $10,000 on one race. We just didn't have anyone there. It was July and so hot. CN: What are your plans for Indianapolis this year? AGGIE: I've got two cars entered - the Rev 500 Specials. They're supercharged Offys. But tbe drivers aren't signed to contractR yet. CN: About your hats ••• do you have them made to order? AGGIE: Yes, they are specially made. The label says -Made expressly for J .C. Agajacian.- They are BeaverIOO's, made in Garland. Texas. I have a standing (CoaL1Dued 00 page 20) I • • I.e • • • • n1.'JI_ o • • • • •................ __ ._ nor 0 I ..dose dIed<. _ Plu.. _ . Cyde _ lerl PIUAIliIl .. 1 - 0 . . _,.Iia:IM dus - 0 SUI. ........... C,...._1Ir _ , . rilllnl dass _. 0 e . __ Pi......... tyde._ .-_ , . . rillir .bU, ••• 0 ... Ie: CYCU.ns, lex Calif. AM'ess _ nIslJl_ I iii' -. "Intenlatlonal raelnl I. eomlnl around." PUI 0 .... {.. __ • • • • • • • • • _.. • CltJ-------_ ZIIIIClIIIIiIW _-_ ZI, State _ _ ~ .

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