"I feel if they have something to say, they should post it themselves, no excuses."
Okay, Tom and Sum and others -- that's fine, but -- -- how can they post it here on the website? Lots of the "releases" aren't postable using the Forum's software and the permissions allowed regular users. I think (note: think) that's what you mean when you say they should post their stuff.
If you're suggesting they should put it on the internet (in general) for all to see -- well, that's what they're doing, sort of, with their releases. By making them available to websites of general and specific interest (such as lr.com is for land speed racing) to do with as they/I might. The concept of the news release is pretty well grounded with everyone and his flag-waver sending out information that they hope will find an audience. Some send out stuff to every blamed place they can imagine -- for instance, the manifold items on Valerie Thompson. Seldom does a week go by that I don't get one or two of them, apparently funded by money from the various sponsors and others that are providing the $$ for the team (read: BMW motorcycles and others). Then there's the other end of the spectrum -- Ed Shadle's ongoing story of triumph and tragedy in getting the N A Eagle up and running and successful. Guy Caputo's 300++ motorcycle effort is interesting -- but very obviously paying obvious homage to the many brands or manufacturers or vendors of the parts used in the bike. But Guy's doing the work on his own - where the Thompson (and others, too -- I don't mean to single out Ms. Thompson) are benefiting from major corporate sponsorship. Should I include releases about the Bloodhound, because even if they are from a well-funded team - they're fascinating to see and learn from?
Charging for exposure on lr.com might be feasible -- but again, Ed Shadle probably couldn't afford it (no offense, Ed) and Bloodhound wouldn't likely give the time of day to a tiny little audience as this website offers and so would keep their funds for outlets with millions of eyeballs to offer - not a few hundred. I guess I could try charging -- with a variable rate card, probably known only be me and applied with a sense of what I think is right. Nope, you wouldn't be allowed to tell me that I should allow Racer XYZ to get on the site for free 'cause it's your wife's second cousin's boyfriend and you think he's a great guy, and you wouldn't be allowed to tell me that I should charge extra for Team CBA because you know they've got Warren Buffett for a sponsor and therefore they should be able to afford it.
I think I am going to start posting news releases such as we've been discussing. If I can figure a viable way to generate some income for the site from the releases - great. But whether or not I do get some $$ -- I think the information that's available will be of general enough interest that we all can benefit from some of it. After all, Jon and I have run this site for a bunch of years, trying to make it the premier location for information about land speed racing.
Q.E.D.
