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Dallas Raceway Shut Down
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rocketman
Nitro Member
According to DRO part of the problem stemmed from an unpaid paving project and a lawsuit to collect on that debt.
However, The back gate policy that some drag racing series and tracks have of making all the money off the racer and not spread it out to include the spectators by not running promotions or booking in featured events is sure to catch up with the sport in these very hard times, but that was not the case here.
When TRACK OPERATORS AND THE NHRA are content with not promoting the divisional events as something the public should turn out for why should the public be expected to turn out for other events?
Part of the responsibility of a promoter is to get people into the stands. When tracks are content with empty grandstands not only is there lost revenue but individual racers have a harder time attracting sponsors so you also get fewer cars. It's never a healthy situation.
However, The back gate policy that some drag racing series and tracks have of making all the money off the racer and not spread it out to include the spectators by not running promotions or booking in featured events is sure to catch up with the sport in these very hard times, but that was not the case here.
When TRACK OPERATORS AND THE NHRA are content with not promoting the divisional events as something the public should turn out for why should the public be expected to turn out for other events?
Part of the responsibility of a promoter is to get people into the stands. When tracks are content with empty grandstands not only is there lost revenue but individual racers have a harder time attracting sponsors so you also get fewer cars. It's never a healthy situation.
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Nick Name
Nitro Member
Let's face it. Divisionals are not really spectator events.
Crew Chief Pro
Nitro Member
They aren't? Ask Norwalk about the 45,000 people that showed up for one...
Point is every track owner should be forced to spend 2 weeks at Norwalk so they can see how you run a race track. This would eliminate 80% of the problems we see right now.
Raconteur
Nitro Member
DALLAS RACEWAY INC AND SURETEC INSURANCE COMPANY v. PAVECON LTD
True, but Dallas Raceway is or was an IHRA sanctioned track
SundayNiagara
Nitro Member
They were at one time, what happened?
Bob K.
Nitro Member
I think the reason divisional races have lost spectators is the hundreds of "super classes". Throttle stop cars! Who wants to watch a car jump off the line and then idle for a hundred feet or more and then take off? Especially since most tracks have seating only to half track. Promotion is another aspect, no more booked in shows, NHRA's test ban hasn't helped that either actually penalizing teams with less funding, giving them no opportunity to make extra money. And divisionals don't get any publicity compared to years past.
Just my opinion from one who started racing over 50 years ago and still do. I am not saying "Super class" racers are not good, they are some of the best drivers out there!!!. But I think spectators would rather see Super Pro and Pro ET bracket races than throttle stop cars.
Just my opinion from one who started racing over 50 years ago and still do. I am not saying "Super class" racers are not good, they are some of the best drivers out there!!!. But I think spectators would rather see Super Pro and Pro ET bracket races than throttle stop cars.
Some will agree that the .90 classes aren't appealing, but I think thats because most "fans" don't know whats involved. The mathematical formulas, knowing your car and how much it reacts to every 1' of DA, temp, vapor pressure, tire pressure and the list goes on and on and on...
I have seen some pretty experienced announcers explain in depth at what is done to run in the .90 range with different types of combinations and some fans respond, some don't.
I really believe that is most sceptics of .90 racing hung out with and paid attention to what goes on behind the scenes, it would be an appreciated art.
Most divisional tracks promote a Saturday Night race with the Alcohol Cars as the stars and maybe jets and fireworks.
The divisionals I have been too that do this the right way, fill the stands.
Eppings points race last July had more spectators for the Saturday Night of Fire (Alky elims, jets, wheelstander and fireworks) than any IHRA race in the last 5-6 years.
It can be done. The promoter just has to know what they're doing.
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Bill
Nitro Member
NHRA, in its infinite wisdom, killed Modified Eliminator, diluted Super Stock with the overrun, stopped having Nitro Funnies, Pro Stock and TF cars at Divisionals, and ushered in hordes active throttle stop cars. The families of racers sit in the stands and generally understand .90 racing, but the great unwashed wonder why John Force isn't there. They don't come back.
I think that combination of things brought about the death of Divisional races as spectator events.
An almost total lack of advertising doesn't help.
Bill, in Conway, AR
Don there are tracks that promote Div. Races well, and the crowds reflect that! The Problem is NHRA charges SOO much to hold those races, they have little left over for advertising! Denver had an awesome Promotion one year where they gave Buy one get one free tickets at all Parts stores! They had over 10,000 show up both Sat/ Sun!
SundayNiagara
Nitro Member
Post of the day!
BaldyLochs
Nitro Member
How long has this track been around?? I didn't even know it was there. When I lived there in the 90's, all I knew about was of course Billy Meyer's place and Texas Raceway in Kennedale. Still, it sucks to hear.... 
rocketman
Nitro Member
That's what we're talking about!
mike
Nitro Member
How long has this track been around?? I didn't even know it was there. When I lived there in the 90's, all I knew about was of course Billy Meyer's place and Texas Raceway in Kennedale. Still, it sucks to hear....
Only for a few years. There was a lot of hype when it was built saying it was going to be 'state of the art' - personally from the photos I looked at, and what friends told me, the place wasn't that great. I believe it hosted only 1, maybe 2 IHRA events.
It only had one IHRA "National" event !
One BIG problem was that the entrance gate was on the freeway exit ramp ! Causing big traffic backup on the freeway and the TEXAS STATE TROOPERS on hand to write MANY tickets......it wasn't pretty.
