Another poor attendance event

[glofria]

With the exception of the March Meet and the CHRR, crowds at the Heritage events are almost nonexistance.
Clarifying the line above. I don't know how well other Reunions and Nostalgia events are attended in other parts of the country.

Look for some changes with the Heritage Series coming down the line.

In my opinion, the nostalgia scene is better off without NHRA involved.

 

[The Little Lizard]

With the exception of the March Meet and the CHRR, crowds at the Heritage events are almost nonexistance.

Look for some changes with the Heritage Series coming down the line.

In my opinion, the nostalgia scene is better off without NHRA involved.

Yep!

 

[BF]

Don't you all think the economy might have something to do with it?

No doubt that is part of the problem. People like me are another part of the problem. Other than my wife, nobody who used to attend the races with us will even consider going. The first question I'm asked is, "are they still running 1000'?" I say, "yes". They say "nah". What happened to all those "new" fans that were supposed to be sucked in by the countdown? With the points races in the fuel cars being what they were, I'd say it failed on that point miserably.

 

[Silly Savage]

I had two full weekend passes (Thursday through Sunday) and I live 25 minutes away....the only time I spent at the track was the amount of time it took me to go and pick up the tickets at will call. I have been around racing my entire life and unless I am involved at the track, I won't bother to go anymore.

 

[rocketman]

They put up $20 General Admission tickets for the World Finals. It happened, still they didn't sell them.

I know that the economy is hurting a lot of people. My wife and I both still have great jobs, yet we never have extra money for entertainment like we used too. The general cost of living is getting outrageous. Fuel, Electricity, Food and Property Taxes all keep climbing, wages don't.

Bingo thats the problem there isn't any discretionary income any more. It all goes to utilities.

 

[rocketman]

The day Paul says a 68.00 ticket is to much... it's too much.

 

[.]

No doubt that is part of the problem. People like me are another part of the problem. Other than my wife, nobody who used to attend the races with us will even consider going. The first question I'm asked is, "are they still running 1000'?" I say, "yes". They say "nah".

On Friday night, I went to the night of Champions at the museum. It was full of people. Bob Muravez asked the audience to "...raise your hand if you want 1320' back."
Me and like 3 other people raised our hands.

Then he asked to "raise your hand if you are happy with 1000'."
Just about everybody in that room raised their hand.

I was really surprised and somewhat dismayed.

The day Paul says a 68.00 ticket is to much... it's too much.

LOL LOL


As far as advertising, I think I heard ads on 96.7 FM KCAL, the hard rock radio station.

 

[Marchboom]

For the first time in 42 yrs, I have stopped my NHRA membership. With the internet and TV coverage, it's just not worth it.

 

[funnycarguy]

I have not posted on here for a long time. I am a serious participant on a very competitive Nostalgia funny car. I just attended the "sold out" event in Las Vegas. 27 top fuel cars and just a very enjoyable race to watch. I have a marketing background but you just have to listen to spectators (customers) to see what they like and dislike. So Vegas...it was sold out and it was the weekend before 140,000 people attended the SEMA show. I talked to folks from all over north america. The numbers result would say the race was AAA+ because it sold out, finished on time and fans were very excited (especially if you were near the NAPA group).

I didn't attend the Pomona but you say attendance was down. We all aren't fortunate enough to have money to spare. I love this sport but NHRA needs to research their value proposition. I think that research needs to be broken down into two categories of customers. Those in the know about the sport and those that aren't. Those that aren't need to be listened too. I think we make such a big deal about certain things at the races that mean nothing to the new customer. If they don't understand what is going on it is boring and they take their entertainment $ elsewhere. eg. Pre race ceremonies.....way too long. sorry but thats what I think.

Super classes.....I heard a lady say what is wrong with those cars.....I thought these were race cars. ( slowdown and speed way up). People do like the final rounds of super stock etc because they are wheels up and racing. They can relate to those but not the other.....

Nitro racing is very exciting.......but we need to make sure customers have a great time. I watched a certain VP park his butt in front of those customers blocking probably 200 fans for half the pro session. I know I was standing there and near folks that had never been to a race before. Is that in the customers best interest?

Young people......are we attracting them. Just look at the stands and the demographic. We are very much a gray haired set from many perspectives. How do we fix that......?

As much as some may disagree.....the small number of owners affects the culture of the races. It is expensive....I get that, but how we market race drivers and personalities could be jazzed up in my opinion. Not a diverse enough feel to the personalities. Why is it there is no young folks on the board of directors either.

I also think we need to look at other sports and auto racing. How are we doing compared to them. Its not cheap to go to a many sporting events and I have been to nascar races too....again not cheap but market share is the indicator.

I would love to sit in on a board meeting and listen to this being discussed......how to sell out everywhere NHRA goes.

Might start with a customer exit interview or take home / mail in questionnaire.

 

[Dragracer]

Ticket prices are way to high, everyone knows that.

NHRA needs to look back at the way they charged for tickets in the 60's and 70's. You buy a reserved or general admission ticket, it doesn't include a pit pass. If you want to go in the pits you pay more ($10-15).
Move the racer apparel trailers out of the pits into the general admission manufacturer midway area like they do at NASCAR races.

RESULT: More attendance because the general ticket price would be lower. The admission charge for entering the pits would pay for part of the insurance NHRA has to pay because people go into the pits, and being not everyone goes into the pits they would become safer.
Their would be more apparel sales as they are right there at the stands where everyone has to go to get to their seats. The increase in apparel sales helps NHRA as they get a cut of those profits.

NHRA needs to look outside the box. I doubt they would do something like I outlined because it would be too easy and it also wasn't their idea.
They just arn't smart enough, or don't care, or both.

 

[mw6789]

We have the same problem here at Rt. 66. You can't bring water bottles inside (although water is free at the fountains). It's just too darn expensive and I'm a drag racing enthusiast through and through. We never attend the Sunday eliminations because it's more than I'm willing to pay. I've never attended a NASCAR race or IndyCar at the circle track next door for the same reason.

But it's the same at the county fair where your kid can dump $20 in three rides and a lemonade. I could say the same about the recent SEMA show where a Nathan's hot dog sets you back $5 and a bottle of water for the same price you can buy a case at your local grocery store. And what about the College football game with a $75 entry fee? Give me a break!

One of my old Managers and I used to talk economics all the time about 10 years ago. We came to the conclusion salaries for blue collar workers reached a tipping point in the USA due to global economics. Blue collar workers are the engine that drives the US economy and they've been hit very hard with stagnant salaries if they have a job at all. They have to scale back so the market will need to adjust with them or those chasing their discretionary dollars won't make it. Opinions?

You are dead on. Funny to me I can go into Sams Club and have a large drink I can fill up as often as I want and a Nathans hot dog for less than $2. I would suspect they are making a profit at that. I am a season ticket holder for Univ of Ark football and refuse to buy more than about one $4 bottled Coke when I attend. Somebody on here has a line that the empty seat buys no hot dog. Seems reasonable enough to me that I would rather sell 10K hot dogs and make a buck each than to sell 2K and make $3 each. Our economy is in the dumper and ALL entertainment venues are going to suffer because of it. And the answer is NOT to keep raising prices and further fleecing participants. You can only stomp so much blood out of the turnip.

 

[Muddy]

I would suggest the NHRA and the pro competitors are experiencing something called a death spiral in business 101. Decreasing attendance, increasing costs, lower television audiences, less participants and ageing fans. In just a very few years NHRA as we know it will no longer exist. Drag racing will not go away just the version we know.

Don't have a clear idea what will replace it but I would guess more local races like we used to have and less national events. No big budget pros but local racers with less cubic dollars running match races etc. Probably lots of tuner type cars etc.

 

[Toejam]

I would suggest the NHRA and the pro competitors are experiencing something called a death spiral in business 101. Decreasing attendance, increasing costs, lower television audiences, less participants and ageing fans. In just a very few years NHRA as we know it will no longer exist. Drag racing will not go away just the version we know.

Don't have a clear idea what will replace it but I would guess more local races like we used to have and less national events. No big budget pros but local racers with less cubic dollars running match races etc. Probably lots of tuner type cars etc.

John, that post has been said for the last 10 years at one time or another! "This sport can no longer survive these Sky high costs"! And every year when 2 or more Pro Drivers pull out or lose sponsorship, all Hell is gonna break lose, and Drag racing is done! Same thing every year, yet the cars manage to show up!

 

[Muddy]

Didn't say it would suddenly end but it is in a "death spiral". One day we will wake up and it won't be on TV or they will cut the number of races to 20. Then a year or three later it will be 16 races and 8 qualifing spots. Over the next few years it will be driven to change because of the economics of the sport and the lack of interest by the general public. JMO, I'm sure you have yours.

 

[Toejam]

Didn't say it would suddenly end but it is in a "death spiral". One day we will wake up and it won't be on TV or they will cut the number of races to 20. Then a year or three later it will be 16 races and 8 qualifing spots. Over the next few years it will be driven to change because of the economics of the sport and the lack of interest by the general public. JMO, I'm sure you have yours.

Well I think contracting would improve this sport IMO! I think 23-24 races is insane! 18-20 races would be perfect!

 

[HEMI6point1]

The high ticket prices don't seem to affect Gainseville.... by Saturday the place is standing room only!

 

[Toejam]

The high ticket prices don't seem to affect Gainseville.... by Saturday the place is standing room only!

Sam, the only thing that effects Gainesville is the Weather! That place is insane!

 

[DragFan2]

Sam, the only thing that effects Gainesville is the Weather! That place is insane!

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.

 

[Eracer]

The key to this to become marketing partners with the sponsors involved. When we see the name or logo on the car we think that business. After all isn't it about advertising value.

 

[James]

Sam, the only thing that effects Gainesville is the Weather! That place is insane!

I've been EVERY year since 1990. Not one year since then has attendence faltered. Standing room only 10+ deep at the fence.