robinjackson
Nitro Member
In case anyone still thinks NHRA is the only organisation losing audience, check the crowd at Texas Indycar:
Texas IndyCar gallery - Racer.com
Texas IndyCar gallery - Racer.com
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Audience in decline?
- Thread starter robinjackson
- Start date
This isn't a decline, that's typical for Indy car races at big NASCAR tracks. The only exception is the Indy 500. When you put 20,000 people in a place that seats 160,000 it is going to look bare. I watched the race on Saturday night and I was impressed with the type of racing the new car brings to the big ovals. They finally have a package that isn't pack racing.
That has to be embarrassing to sponsors!
Indy car and Trucks have always been bad. I have to say at E-Town the Friday at Saturday crowd looked good, I have no idea about Sunday. Although it looked slim on TV by the finals, it did end up raining and PS final really is unfair to judge since it was so much after. I am really interested in Epping's attendance next year. I like to see how much of Upper New England comes out since they now dont have to take a huge trip to PA or NJ. Much like a guy living in Maine
Also be interesting to see the Canadian response to the Epping event. They used to pack Sanair for the National Event there.
- Do the fans in Quebec still have the bug for Professional drag racing in person?
- Are they willing to tolerate the border crossings and the 4-5 drive to be there?
tomcat
Nitro Member
I was at that race Saturday night and it was my first Indy car race. All in all it was a good time. They let you bring a cooler in, so we didn't get killed with $6.00 bottles of water and the stands were in the shade so the sun wasn't a big factor. The midway area was nice, the vendors were good and it was a pretty good experience. It's not drag racing, but it was still fun. I'll go back to another one.
Jim
Nitro Member
I am looking forward to the New Hampshire event and wish we still had the Sanair one. My wife says it was one of the nicest group of people she'd ever encountered at a sporting event (both Ehglish and French speaking BTW).
Not to highjack the thread but, has the Canada border become LESS CORDIAL - recently or since 9/11 or ???
I PERCEIVED the Canadian border people to be brusk to the point of rudeness the last couple times I made the crossing. I mean, really cranky and putting on the intimidator look.
PS: I doubt I qualify as any "target demographic"
Not to highjack the thread but, has the Canada border become LESS CORDIAL - recently or since 9/11 or ???
I PERCEIVED the Canadian border people to be brusk to the point of rudeness the last couple times I made the crossing. I mean, really cranky and putting on the intimidator look.
PS: I doubt I qualify as any "target demographic"
jackass
Nitro Member
Other than the INDY 500.. thats a huge crowd for those guys....always been that way for them...
the Sponsor deal i dont get ..but kind of do... most sponsors take on a car for the whole year mainly because of the 500... even though the 500 doesnt produce the ratings like it use to on tv it is still considered a big deal in ratings and in prestige....
the Sponsor deal i dont get ..but kind of do... most sponsors take on a car for the whole year mainly because of the 500... even though the 500 doesnt produce the ratings like it use to on tv it is still considered a big deal in ratings and in prestige....
I just saw the attendance figures, TMS is saying they sold 69,000 for that race. I don't think that many showed up, but that is strong.
Most came dressed as empty seats.
Joker
Nitro Member
I had some friends that went and they said there was more people than normal there. If you wanna judge attendance, look at the Nascar races. They used to fit 200k into some places, now they are lucky to get 100k at some places.
I dont know many people who are into the indy cars but I will say this. I have been to the Texas Nascar race and the Texas IRL race. In my opinion, the IRL racing blows away Nascar. 225 mph, barely seperated, bouncing off each other. I was blown away to be honest. Nascar is just marketing genious.
I dont know many people who are into the indy cars but I will say this. I have been to the Texas Nascar race and the Texas IRL race. In my opinion, the IRL racing blows away Nascar. 225 mph, barely seperated, bouncing off each other. I was blown away to be honest. Nascar is just marketing genious.
DrRocket
Nitro Member
All types of racing have seen a decline in live attendance. That's why many facilities have removed entire sections of seats and replaced them with advertising. That means at least SOME revenue from real estate where there was non.
IRL racing hase never drawn the crowd you see at Indy.
When it first openend, Kansas Speedway would force you to buy the "season package" of tickets. In other words, if you wanted tickets to the fall NASCAR race, you had to buy tickets to the July IRL race. they wouldn't split them up. If you didn't want to use the IRL tickets, you had to try and sell them (And they aren't worth much.) or just eat the cost. LOTS of people I talked to at the tracked were pi$$ed about it, but Ks Spdwy did it because at first they could get away with it. They were assured the IRL tickets were sold, even though half were never used. (When asked where her husband was, who'd been at the previous day's Craftsman Truck race, one woman said "He didn't want to come today. He doesn't much like Indy cars. He says the drivers are a bunch of sissy boahs!")
No more. The economy forced them to drop that requirement, and you can now buy single race tickets.
I've never understood why more people don't take the truck races in. IMO, they're much more competetive, rough and tumble, and interesting to watch.
A lot of folks who used to go to the track now sit home and watch on TV for most all but the biggest name events, and even those tracks (Indy, Daytona, Taladega) feature quite a bit of open seats on raceday lately.
IRL racing hase never drawn the crowd you see at Indy.
When it first openend, Kansas Speedway would force you to buy the "season package" of tickets. In other words, if you wanted tickets to the fall NASCAR race, you had to buy tickets to the July IRL race. they wouldn't split them up. If you didn't want to use the IRL tickets, you had to try and sell them (And they aren't worth much.) or just eat the cost. LOTS of people I talked to at the tracked were pi$$ed about it, but Ks Spdwy did it because at first they could get away with it. They were assured the IRL tickets were sold, even though half were never used. (When asked where her husband was, who'd been at the previous day's Craftsman Truck race, one woman said "He didn't want to come today. He doesn't much like Indy cars. He says the drivers are a bunch of sissy boahs!")
No more. The economy forced them to drop that requirement, and you can now buy single race tickets.
I've never understood why more people don't take the truck races in. IMO, they're much more competetive, rough and tumble, and interesting to watch.
A lot of folks who used to go to the track now sit home and watch on TV for most all but the biggest name events, and even those tracks (Indy, Daytona, Taladega) feature quite a bit of open seats on raceday lately.
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jackass
Nitro Member
Dont forget they have the Suites and the infield.. people you cant see on tv or in photos ....... so... that number is very possible...
I'm glad to hear that. I watched the race and enjoyed it. I may have to go to one.
Huge
Nitro Member
I, also enjoy the truck races.
Dave
Nitro Member
Also of note, the IRL no longer exists. It's the IZOD IndyCar Series. Once CART/Champcar went bye bye, the IRL took the IndyCar name back. That is a typically strong crowd for the Texas event, however the race is no longer a 225mph game of inches. Dan Wheldon's death in Las Vegas pretty much put an end to that style of racing. (Compare it to Scott Kalitta's death being the end of quarter mile drag racing.) When they came back this year it was with a lot less downforce. Basically forcing the drivers to take care of the tires and put a premium on handling, instead of being stuck to the track inches apart. I wouldn't say it was better or worse racing, just different. Entertaining.
So were the speeds down 10-15 Mph?
I used to love watching WoO, but seeing Kinser/Swindell starting on the front row not having to pass a single car got old quick!
paoldtimer
Nitro Member
and that hasnt changed in 30 years!
