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All correspondence to info@freeracer.co.za

THE relaunch of freeracer.co.za in effect marks its fourth complete makeover to keep in step with a niche market that differs significantly now from conditions that prevailed at the time of its conception!

freeracer, founded by award-winning journalist Charl Pretorius, erupted into cyberspace on 1 November, 2007 aimed exclusively at South African thoroughbred racing and breeding. Within six months its popularity – some would argue its notoriety  –  produced near 10,000 unique visitors who clicked collectively 750,000 times per month.

freeracer, the brand, distinguished itself as a lively attraction to web surfers, not least for the promise of an unusually exciting online experience so suggestive in its title.

‘freeracer’ had a natural ring to it, a timeless quality not necessarily unique to the Sport Of Kings – and the reputation of  being bold, brave and daring, if not distinctly silly and quarrelsome at times.

As luck would have it, and for a variety of reasons other than its high volume of visitors, freeracer enjoyed healthy rankings at Google and other search-engines. With this in mind, and approaching a million hits per month, Charl decided to develop the site for the interest of a broad-based readership and phased in a new look including a Daily News section, Leisure and Entertainment and Sport as back-ups to racing.

freeracer took a big leap in prominence when we scooped the services of acclaimed columnist David Bullard just a few weeks after his controversial dismissal from the Sunday Times early in 2008. We ventured as enthusiastically into politics as we did into racing and in September 2008 peaked at 1.2-million hits and 18.000 uniques.

Bullard wrote 25 of his typical gems for freeracer in Out To Lunch, exclusive and hard-hitting. Soon freeracer, with its bawdy blend of off-the-wall commentary, daring editorials and photos and unmatched racing info including the innovative Freeracer Radio and superb columns by the likes of Robert Bloomberg and Paul Lafferty, established itself as the leader on the block.

freeracer soared into the top 7,000 bracket on alexa.com, the internet’s yardstick for global website rankings, where literally millions of domains elbow for position. This was an extraordinary achievement for a URL that had barely celebrated its first birthday.

At this juncture the site caught the eye of the Moneyweb Group, SA’s leading online financial and economic platform, grown over many years to giant status by financial media heavyweight Alec Hogg, Charl’s erstwhile boss at the popular 1990s journal Racing Digest.

There is always a strong case to be made for joining forces with a powerful partner and Alec, keen to expand the parameters of his own firmly entrenched trademark, suggested we return the central focus of  freeracer to horseracing and change its name to racingweb.co.za to fit in with Moneyweb’s bouquet of mini-sites. Racingweb eventually came to life in April 2009.

In October 2010, the tide turned. Moneyweb unexpectedly informed Charl that they would be terminating the partnership.  Racingweb was discontinued in January 2011 after only 18 months online.  One positive outcome was that Charl was given outright ownership of the racingweb domain, a product with enough credibility to be revived at a future point in time, perhaps in a different format.

Charl comments:  “I have had to complete a full circle in returning to my original ‘baby’,  freeracer.co.za, a comeback I couldn’t foresee as recently as eight months ago. It’s great to be starting up the engines again!

“I’ve decided to lend more focus to the betting community, whose members will always be a vital part of racing’s fabric.  The new freeracer.co.za is designed to offer more guidance to serious punters and racing fanatics forever on the lookout for lucrative betting opportunities. I’d like to make more quality information available to punters so that they can turn more profits, more often.”I also intend to get more involved in thoroughbred bloodstock selection via Freeracer Bloodstock, which has already made its mark with a host of successful acquisitions on behalf of clients.”

“As before, I endeavour to publish  articles that inform and entertain and to bring you the latest and most useful news bits from the local and international racing and breeding industries.

“I’ve often mentioned to friends and readers how  a website with vibrancy and purpose, like freeracer, can assume a life and character of its own over time, almost like a human entity. It tags you along, points you in the right direction, shows you what to do, delights you at times but also disappoints on occasion. I’m happily on board for whatever our new ride delivers.”

And so, friends and foes, we welcome you to the newest version of freeracer.co.za, brought to you on the top class WordPress platform integrated with the 2011 “Telegraph” theme template. Navigate your way around the home page and send us your comments or letters to info@freeracer.co.za.

freeracer won’t be reviving its “Live Talk Forum” for the time being, but there are various opportunities to contribute.  Please post your comments on articles that grab your interest in the space provided below them. Views expressed will not be censored or removed without good reason – this will only happen when libellous remarks are submitted. If you wish, you can go head-to-head with the tipping gurus in “Form Expert”, or share some your own form secrets with fellow-readers.

Sarah Whitelaw and Louis Goosen return to freeracer as columnists in this launch phase; others may follow in due course.  The new article archive is in the process of being updated with some of the most popular items from the old freeracer and racingweb databases.

Charl’s SMS Tipping Services show a consistently good winning strike rate on best bets, value bets and exotic permutations and he looks forward to welcoming back former clients to the extended freeracer tipping services which will soon resume.

We welcomes advertisers. Remember: Online advertising is NOT a waste of money or an ineffective vehicle for the promoting of your business. Get this: Your presence online is essential for long-term success and prosperity.  Online marketing and advertising is the Power. It is the Now and the Future!

The world has changed into a virtual economic fireball that lurches through time and space at frightening speed and demands your constant attention and active participation!  Take the step required today by adding an online advertising budget, however small, to the funds you’ve allocated to marketing campaigns in print over the next few months.  If nothing else, you will certainly be of great assistance to those who are slaving away to keep websites afloat and updated to your benefit,  to pay the bills that enable them to provide that info.

You will broaden your horizons and help us to help you by strengthening the culture of online advertising. The vast promotional reach of the latest technological innovations will astound you.

Enjoy the new freeracer.co.za and remember to post your comments and send your mails!

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Mail: info@freeracer.co.za

ALSO SEE: Welcome Back Freeracers!

 CHARL PRETORIUS PROFILE, SPORTING POST, FEBRUARY 2011