Dean Gallup: The Man Behind Lima, OH

 Dean Gallup, the promoter of the upcoming Lima GNC race, shares some insight into what it takes to promote a great race.

Behind every great racing event, you will find a great promoter.

Since its debut in 1984, Lima’s pea gravel half-mile has earned a reputation for being one of the “Greats” on the Grand National Championship circuit. Many factors contribute to this track’s success… the well-maintained, wide cornered, multiline racing surface…the “hublike” location of the city, itself (easily accessible from many larger cities, like Columbus, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Toledo, Dayton, etc.)…the unmatchable flavor of the track’s signature barbecued chicken…and, of course, there’s Dean Gallup.

Dean has been helping promote races at Lima since 1968, when the Class C races of the Lima Motorcycle Club first came to the Allen County Fairground’s half-mile horse track. In 1984, he joined Paul Schlegel in promoting the first Lima Grand National race.

Many times, promoter’s lose money during the first few years, at a new venue. Paul and Dean were more fortunate.

“We were successful, the very first year.” Dean told us. “We made a profit, the first year. We decided to work hard to make the event grow…to make it even better.”

Five years later, Paul retired and David McCarthy stepped in to Paul’s shoes as Dean’s partner. A few years ago, David also retired. Dean has continued the mission, as the sole promoter.

But he’s hardly flying solo.

“Our staff includes…probably 160 people.” Dean said. “ Not including auto parkers and gate workers.”

Dean enlists the help of many local groups and organizations.

“A local church group helps with parking and ticket sales. The CMA returns, each year, to help park cars and work the gates. Two 4-H groups assist in working the gates, and help clean everything up, after the race. A local school’s athletes and band members help with providing the food (except for the pizza), and a local bike club sells beverages. Triangle Motorcycle Club helps sell programs, and provides us with corner workers.”

Proceeds made by each group goes TO the organization, itself.

Dean believes, firmly, in supporting the community. The community, in turn, returns the gesture.

“The Chamber of Commerce is wonderful,” Dean said. “Just the nicest crowd you could hope for. Very helpful, very supportive.”

And, with good reason. The Lima GNC race is now the largest single-day event in Lima. Motels are filled within 30 miles, any direction, of the town. Restaurants, gas stations, and other local businesses thrive during the last weekend of June…the weekend the bikes come to Lima.

We had to ask…what is Dean’s secret to success?

There must not be any secrets, because Dean was more than willing to discuss his strategies and ideas with us.

“We start selling tickets on July 6, for the following year’s event,” he said. “People who bought tickets for this year’s race can ‘reup’ their seats if they inform us by October. This way, fans can have the same seats, year after year.”

With a smile in his voice, Dean adds, “Some have had the same seats since 1984.”

Preselling tickets helps promotional costs, Dean explains.

And, of course, the word-of-mouth advertising of the happy fans is one of the greatest tools a promoter could hope for. Who WOULDN’T be happy, seeing bikes, four abreast, tearing through the wide turns in that loose pea gravel that has made Lima famous?

Surprisingly, despite rumors to the contrary, Dean says that the event has never been sold out.

“There is seating on both the front and back straights,” he explains. “And always plenty of standing room.”

Where does he see things going, from here?

“The new youngsters are getting even better.” Dean replies. “Some grew UP on pea gravel tracks. The ‘old guard’ has kind of been turned around…the new riders are taking over. They know how to get the set-up right, to just have it a little better.”

But Dean’s still faithful to the riders who form the roots of The Sport. He shared happy memories of watching Morehead take his wins, at Lima, and reminisced about a particularly memorable battle between Dominic Beaulac and Geo Roeder.

The Roeder family are another link in the chain of tradition, at Lima. The Memorial Race for George Roeder brings a purse of $5000-$6000 to the riders.

“The antique and vintage bike displays are always a success, so we’ve increased the number on display for this year. We have an authentic, World War II Army tank, which will be brought in for the event. It’s really something to see! Lima Ford will be hosting an auto and truck display.”

While it sounds like they are already bringing a full plate of entertainment to the smorgasbord, Dean has plenty of other surprises up his sleeve.

He gives a lot of credit to the many sponsors who are supporting the event: C & G Distributor’s, who are supplying the track with the “Official Beer of Lima” (Budweiser)…7-Up, the track’s soft drink sponsor…as well as Lima HD, Cycle Sports Center, Harley Davidson Insurance, Memphis Shades…the list keeps growing.

One partnership Dean would like to see more of, within The Sport as a whole, is between promoters and electronic media.

“You need to WORK with them,” he emphasized. “ Local radio (Lima’s station? 93.1 The FAN). Electronic and print media…we need more coverage, of each type. You need to work with them, invite them. And don’t forget your Chamber of Commerce. They can be a great partner, too.”

Great advice, to be sure… but Dean has plenty of other advice for would-be promoters.

“Do a lot of homework. Talk to every promoter you can…you get a lot of good information, from inside. Expect to lose money, the first few years. Finances are risky, with the economy the way it is, right now. You have to be very careful. This is a tough business! As the economy approves, flat track will come back. Things are already getting better, at some tracks.”

One more piece of advice concerns the thing Dean says is his biggest concern, as a promoter.

“Mother Nature…RAIN. Most people check on the National Weather sites, or the Weather Channel, and make decisions based on what they see there.” Dean’s advice? “Contact the track’s LOCAL radar weather sites. They are FAR more accurate. Or, call the track, itself. Many times, those national channels show storms, and the sun shines all day. The only way to be sure the information is accurate is to go locally, to get it.”

For those who plan to attend the Lima GNC race, the last Saturday in June, Dean recommends the Allen County Airport’s local WeatherNet.

“Or, just call us,” he adds.

He even offers three numbers to choose from:

(419)991-1491, (419)236-1983, and (419)228-7141.

Rain or shine, we will be there…thanks again, Dean, for your time and consideration, but also for all you do for The Sport.