Another poor attendance event

[mw6789]

Gainesville in March is the Winternationals for the East Coast. It draws fans from as far away as the Northeast (and Albuquerque) all the way down to South Florida. By the time March rolls around, drag racing fans have been starved for their nitro fix for at least 3-6 mos. And, March is usually far enough away from Christmas that our finances have recovered...in most cases.

There is something magical about the first events in the weather friendly south. I would imagine most in the great white north are happy to get to a warmer climate, and I am sure that explains the big attendance. I do agree with an earlier poster---there are WAY too many "nationals". If there were fewer events, it might make them a little more special.

 

[rocketman]

I think they rely on the hard core fans to fill the place regardless of the price. The problem is there are not enough of us to fill pomona. Like some one said there are a lot of grey hairs in the stands. They need to bring in a new fan base to fill the stands but it won't happen at almost 70.00 a ticket. They can compare the price to other major sporting events all they want, but you know, you can usually get nosebleed seats at stick and ball games for well under 50 bucks.

 

[HEMI6point1]

I think they rely on the hard core fans to fill the place regardless of the price. The problem is there are not enough of us to fill pomona. Like some one said there are a lot of grey hairs in the stands. They need to bring in a new fan base to fill the stands but it won't happen at almost 70.00 a ticket. They can compare the price to other major sporting events all they want, but you know, you can usually get nosebleed seats at stick and ball games for well under 50 bucks.

In all reality, when I talk to a lot of younger guys these days it's all about drifting (which IMO is ones of the dumbest things I've ever seen) in their riced-out civics. NHRA tried to get young people in by putting on those "sport compact" shows - I saw a few of those on TV, and the stands looked empty most of the time, and half of those people were probably there for the bikini contests. Most of those guys probably moved on to the drifting movement.

 

[Mooseman]

In all reality, when I talk to a lot of younger guys these days it's all about drifting (which IMO is ones of the dumbest things I've ever seen) in their riced-out civics. NHRA tried to get young people in by putting on those "sport compact" shows - I saw a few of those on TV, and the stands looked empty most of the time, and half of those people were probably there for the bikini contests. Most of those guys probably moved on to the drifting movement.

This post has some really great points, I am only 23 and love drag racing but I don't know alot of others my age that like drag racing as much as I do that aren't allready involved or allready going to the drags.

Infact you probably have a point on the bikini contest. I was reading a v8 mag once and a young guy came upto me and said he hated that mag just because it didn't have half naked girls in it. Yet it was a great mag.

 

[Marchboom]

In all reality, when I talk to a lot of younger guys these days it's all about drifting (which IMO is ones of the dumbest things I've ever seen) in their riced-out civics. NHRA tried to get young people in by putting on those "sport compact" shows - I saw a few of those on TV, and the stands looked empty most of the time, and half of those people were probably there for the bikini contests. Most of those guys probably moved on to the drifting movement.

I agree. The majority of the young people today are into the rice burners because that's what their friends have. IMO (Note: IN MY OPINION), the ricers are just not the same type racers as the real (for lack of a better term) drag racers. Hell, they don't even know which end of the car to put the slicks on! As much as NHRA wanted to make the sport compact classes part of our racing program several years ago, it just didn't come together. They are a different breed (again, just MY opinion).

Drifting? Oh yeah, now that makes sense.

Bikini contests? I remember them at the drags during the 60's and 70's. Just not PC to have them now, I guess.

 

[HEMI6point1]

Now before anybody thinks I'm hating on Import guys, I asked a few if they would ever attend an NHRA event or specialty event (Like the Citrus Nationals). All but 1 or 2 said, "Why would I go there's nothing there for me."

 

[Rajunz]

I agree. The majority of the young people today are into the rice burners because that's what their friends have. They are into them because it is what they can afford. When we were young, we modified the cars that we could afford at the time. IMO (Note: IN MY OPINION), the ricers are just not the same type racers as the real (for lack of a better term) drag racers. That is so far from the truth, go look up Titan Motorsports, as an example. The real issue is that NHRA really has no classes for them to compete in. Hell, they don't even know which end of the car to put the slicks on! That's failed humor, they get as much traction out of their combinations as possible, just like the "real racers" do. As much as NHRA wanted to make the sport compact classes part of our racing program several years ago, it just didn't come together. They are a different breed (again, just MY opinion). They tried the Import Series, but that was just segregating them from the rest of Drag Racing, and there are just not enough racers out there to support their own separate series.

Drifting? Oh yeah, now that makes sense.

Bikini contests? I remember them at the drags during the 60's and 70's. Just not PC to have them now, I guess.

I understand that these are your opinions............

NHRA really needs to make more classes available for these cars to enable them to compete at Divisional and National Events. The ADRL allows them. These are cars that young people can relate to.

 

[Marchboom]

I understand that these are your opinions............

NHRA really needs to make more classes available for these cars to enable them to compete at Divisional and National Events. The ADRL allows them. These are cars that young people can relate to.

You're pretty darn critical about my opinions. How many times do I have to say that these are MY OPINIONS? I'm not asking for your approval and I'm not here to debate anyone. I stated what I think...period!

Again, IN MY OPINION, ricers just don't gel with current drag racing. Past practice has proven that...IN MY OPINION!

 

[glofria]

Perhaps some of the younger folks don't want to get involved with NHRA because of all the BS that comes with it.

Again, maybe this is a Southern California thing but there is legal drag racing going on here that has nothing to do with NHRA. Willow Springs run this program once a month, and from what I understand they have a large turn out. All safety rules are the same for street cars it is for the race cars.
GRUDGE RACING | Willow Springs Raceway

Other places have (at least in the past) had these kinds of programs. Perris Speedway comes to mind.

 

[Marchboom]

Perhaps some of the younger folks don't want to get involved with NHRA because of all the BS that comes with it.

Again, maybe this is a Southern California thing but there is legal drag racing going on here that has nothing to do with NHRA. Willow Springs run this program once a month, and from what I understand they have a large turn out. All safety rules are the same for street cars it is for the race cars.
GRUDGE RACING | Willow Springs Raceway

Other places have (at least in the past) had these kinds of programs. Perris Speedway comes to mind.

Too bad it is so far away from the large cities. Back in the day of Lions, Irwindale and Orange County race tracks. You were no more than about 45 minutes away from a track. With the crowded freeways and cost of gas to get to the track, track location becomes an issue.

 

[SoCal Racer]

There is something magical about the first events in the weather friendly south. I would imagine most in the great white north are happy to get to a warmer climate, and I am sure that explains the big attendance. I do agree with an earlier poster---there are WAY too many "nationals". If there were fewer events, it might make them a little more special.

There was a poll on DRO a couple months back with "want more races" or "want same or less races" as the choices. Same or less got 54%. When I first got into this sport you could count the national events on your fingers, and each one was significant. Seems kind of watered down having so many now, but I understand why with trying to make the sport accessible in as many markets as possible.

 

[Mooseman]

What I think is unfortunate is how now this applies to all sports or major events not just drag racing, but there was once a time even in my short 23 years on this planet that people went to an event to see the event now it seems you need a million other thing happening just to get people to come to the event.

 

[glofria]

Too bad it is so far away from the large cities. Back in the day of Lions, Irwindale and Orange County race tracks. You were no more than about 45 minutes away from a track. With the crowded freeways and cost of gas to get to the track, track location becomes an issue.

Nothing is the same here in So. Cal as it was 30 + years ago, and nothing will ever be the same.

But, Irwindale does have a drag strip and it does quite well. TOYOTA Drag Strip at Irwindale - Official Site It is what is keeping that facility operating because the circle track is not getting the gate. My understanding is that their Thursday Night Street Legal Races sell out early and often.

Granted, I haven't been there myself because we run a "hot car," but the people that I have spoken to are happy and satisfied with it. It's by far not ideal, but it keeps the kids off the street and racing in a safe environment.

 

[Marchboom]

Nothing is the same here in So. Cal as it was 30 + years ago, and nothing will ever be the same.

But, Irwindale does have a drag strip and it does quite well. TOYOTA Drag Strip at Irwindale - Official Site It is what is keeping that facility operating because the circle track is not getting the gate. My understanding is that their Thursday Night Street Legal Races sell out early and often.

Granted, I haven't been there myself because we run a "hot car," but the people that I have spoken to are happy and satisfied with it. It's by far not ideal, but it keeps the kids off the street and racing in a safe environment.

It's just too bad that Irwindale is only an 1/8 mile track. But if the people there are happy with it, so be it.

I hated to see the REAL Irwindale go away in the mid 70's but at least they put Miller Brewing Company in it's place.