CBS Sports Spectacular

[Toejam]

Man if the economy has hurt Car drag racing, it has Killed Dragboat racing! Just 4 Top Fuelers and 4 Alcohol boats? I used to go to the World finals in Phoenix 4-5 years ago and they had 10 Top Fuel boats, and 15 alcohol boats, and almost as many Alcohol flats! Times have changed...

 

[Johnny Mopar]

In the show introduction they referred to the participants as being a "record number".

 

[Toejam]

In the show introduction they referred to the participants as being a "record number".

Can't speak for the Sportsman Boat counts, Stock, Modified, Top eliminator and Pro eliminator may have had good counts. But the World Finals When IHBA ran it was the U. S. Natls. For Drag Boat racing! Getting over 200 boats several times!

 

[none]

John,

Don't think we said record number, but it was the largest field we have had this year. That was refering to the total boat count.

Alan

 

[NYNitro86]

and I end up missing it

 

[Mooseman]

Alan,

I watched the event and enjoyed your work, as always. I must say that the slow pace of racing (in the telecast) became boring. Plus, without familiar brands (Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, etc.) it all eventually looked pretty similar. I don't see that sport drawing larger viewership on television...

You would be suprised, there will be the crossover fans who like both asphalt and water drag racing, but you are missing out a large number of fans who are there for the boats. The recreational boating crowd is quite big.

Brand familiarity doesn't work with boat racing you have to like boats and racing as there is less of the "show" stuff you get with land drags.

Not drag boats but they used to have this locally where I live Hydroplanes -2008 Downtown Flying Lap - YouTube