3rd IHRA race moved to Ohio (5 Viewers)

[Billy]

IHRA RELOCATES MONTGOMERY EVENT TO HEBRON, OHIO; MAY 7–9 RACE TO BE BRANDED AS IHRA SPRING NATIONALS | Competition Plus

On April 17, the IHRA announced that the association, in coordination with management at Montgomery (Ala.) International Dragway, made the decision to

competitionplus.com

 

[ironpony]

WOOHOOO we get two nitro events again this year.

 

[luxexpress]

Understand the reasons but too bad for real fans in Alabama who were probably looking forward to having an event at their track.

 

[Paul]

Understand the reasons but too bad for real fans in Alabama who were probably looking forward to having an event at their track.

Was this going to be the race where the fans showed up?

 

[mgty3whlr]

Was this going to be the race where the fans showed up?

Have you looked at the stands at the PDRA today?? LOL

 

[XPilot]

We were looking forward to going but will spend the money in Valdosta instead.

Screw em.

 

[ironpony]

The "big"shows are not what pays the bills it is the little guy racing every weekend.

 

[Chili]

Have you looked at the stands at the PDRA today?? LOL

Not much less than last weekend. So it is the track itself or the races being 1/8 mile?

 

[mgty3whlr]

Not much less than last weekend. So it is the track itself or the races being 1/8 mile?

good question

 

[ironpony]

Not much less than last weekend. So it is the track itself or the races being 1/8 mile?

good question

IMO it is just that there are not enough people interested in drag racing anymore to fill all these events every weekend. Even die hard fans are only going to go to a few events a year. There are many entertainment venues trying to get consumers money and money is tight so people have to pick and choice where to spend it.

 

[Chili]

IMO it is just that there are not enough people interested in drag racing anymore to fill all these events every weekend. Even die hard fans are only going to go to a few events a year. There are many entertainment venues trying to get consumers money and money is tight so people have to pick and choice where to spend it.

I don’t disagree with you at all. NHRA national events are still well attended even though they are down 30-40 percent at some venues from their heyday. That is also why Virginia, and the low attended Vegas and Charlotte races are now off the schedule. IHRA needs to do something to increase crowds otherwise it isn’t sustainable. it has been great for the racers, with the great payouts and two day events but that does nothing for the spectators.

The majority of the diehard NHRA fans aren’t interested in 2 day, 1/8 mile, 8 car fields. I would attend if there was an event close but the cost of travel is just as much for an IHRA event but I will see a lot less action on track. I can save one day on hotel and one day on car rental. NHRA crowds are because of the spectators that travel long distances.

So what can IHRA do to increase crowds? Now if the triple crown races have great crowds, then it’s the distance they run. Maybe it’s because of the NHRA regulars that race those events. We will at least have an idea after the first one. Being on Memorial Day weekend could be good or bad. I think it’s great especially with a two day event. It doesn’t get swallowed up with the Indy 500 on Sunday. Plus it’s at a venue that had great NHRA crowds in the past.

I believe IHRA has a lot to offer to the local fans. I think a condensed show would be more successful. On Saturday they could run first round of Nitro at 5pm, semifinals at 6:30 and finals at 8. Not any longer than a family would spend at a MLB or NFL game. Harder for the racers to turnaround their cars but something that should be possible. The 5-6 first round to finals is too long for most. That is why NHRA has half full stands come final rounds.

 

[Butch]

I'm seeing that the Bristol NASCAR race didn't do well with filling the seats. Maybe it's the cost of fuel or there is more to the story.

 

[Paul]

I'm seeing that the Bristol NASCAR race didn't do well with filling the seats. Maybe it's the cost of fuel or there is more to the story.

I went to the fall Bristol race in 2024 and it was like watching paint dry, Kyle Larson led nearly every lap. My highlight that night was driving across the drag strip.

 

[Mike]

How is attendance at motprsports like sand drags or boat drags?