E-Town- Friday Night

[rckymtn3]

The typical Sports Center viewer probably could care less and wouldn't understand the magnitude of those record runs. Plus, the ESPN anchors likely don't understand it either.

As a Mater, does it matter that the news didn't pick it up? Most drag racing fans knew what had happened. You can't force something to become mainstream. In todays modern technology world, our sport is easy to find and follow if you are interested. People (fans) will ultimately decide how mainstream it becomes, not NHRA or ESPN. They will capitalize on it. Look at all the things the youth of today have turned into instant mainstream sports in a very short time. X Games (ESPN) and MMA (FOX) are 2 that quickly come to mind. There was huge participant and spectator demand. Outside of Maters, show me the overwhelming demand for drag racing.

Sad, but very true. The next generation of fans hinge on it's accessibility, and then the passion. There's always the "cool" effect...college kids gang together and go do something to be cool, sometimes it's the drags...out of that group, maybe one will return. The kids can emulate their heroes in many sports for nearly no money (no money compared to drag racing, or any racing). Skateboard, all-in, maybe 700-1000....Surfing, maybe twice that, stick and ball, perhaps the same when you take in the costs of fuel for practices etc.
That's what it costs to go to a 4day NHRA event...once, as a fan...big hurdle to leap, and I imagine drag racing will always get about the same percentage of rabid passionate fan base as they always have (percentage-wise)....usually from a parent passing along their love of it to a son or daughter.....everyone else is a tougher sell.

 

[dupe]

Hey Wayne, those kinds of conditions are what CC's live for right?

you bet. Joe!!

 

[yoda]

The typical Sports Center viewer probably could care less and wouldn't understand the magnitude of those record runs. Plus, the ESPN anchors likely don't understand it either.

As a Mater, does it matter that the news didn't pick it up? Most drag racing fans knew what had happened. You can't force something to become mainstream. In todays modern technology world, our sport is easy to find and follow if you are interested. People (fans) will ultimately decide how mainstream it becomes, not NHRA or ESPN. They will capitalize on it. Look at all the things the youth of today have turned into instant mainstream sports in a very short time. X Games (ESPN) and MMA (FOX) are 2 that quickly come to mind. There was huge participant and spectator demand. Outside of Maters, show me the overwhelming demand for drag racing.

It COULD be like any other sport, with the assistance of our well-paid, exclusive sports media organ, and what would it take- a three minute (or even two) section of the 47 minute hour? Why are we only interesting to those that "wouldn't understand" when there is death and carnage involved? If that is the case, then whenever the unthinkable happens, we should also put a news blackout on the "uninterested", as to not give them any fodder to help bring up their "morbid" rating.

The point is, the performance was as newsworthy as some team that couldn't hit the ball for nine innings... Why no one at the media department on our end can't figure out how to sell that befuddles me.

By the way- EVERYTHING is forced into the mainstream. I work with enough musical artists to know the behind-the-scenes machine has radio and TV buying the bullsh!t by the bucketfull a year before its being forced down your throat on a daily basis... The idea that it all comes about organically is naive, at best.

 

[Wayne]

Watching the show right now! I know you're all gonna say that the Fri night crowd is always light but it looks really light to me! Lots of empty seats!!!

 

[Paul]

Watching the show right now! I know you're all gonna say that the Fri night crowd is always light but it looks really light to me! Lots of empty seats!!!

Wayne- the stands were much fuller during the 1st round on Friday. I think the rain approaching and the cold temps made people leave early. Like a dumba$$, I was only wearing shorts and a polo shirt and I was freezing by the time the session ended. I could only imagine how bad I would have felt if it rained and I was wet and freezing (glad it stayed away until I got to the truck).

 

[Wayne]

Thanks Paul. I'd forgotten about the rain! Enjoy tomorrow!

 

[Billy]

I was there to witness, and I have to say it was the single, greatest Nitro session I have ever witnessed in person. It was one of those things that happens when I got back to the hotel I said to my parents "That is why I am a fan of the sport - for moments like those when you feel the sky is the limit."

It was unbelievable!

Yes, it was cold and damp there, but there were people exiting the stands after the Funny Car session - I was shocked! Ain't no way I was leaving those stands until that last pair of Top Fuelers went down and I was NOT disappointed!

 

[NYNitro86]

It was "game on" the second Wilk said "There you go fellas go ahead go after it there it is right there."

That track had a lot of hook the second the clouds covered the track right before Comp (although I feared rain big time and saw like quick spaced out big drips hit my tripod). I'm surprised Pro Stock & Pro Mod did not take more advantage of that.

 

[aafunnycar]

I was there and all I can say is "Holy Sh!t!!!" That was by far the most exciting racing Ive seen there since Doug Kalitta won in 2003, Michael Brotherton running the first 4.6 there, KJ running the first sub 7-sec run, and Force outspeeding the Top Fuelers for the national speed record, 323.89. This is why I'm proud to call E-Town my home track.

 

[Huge]

Like bodes sponsor Stupid Fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wayne, it was nice to see you in Baytown. We miss you out here dude. Friday night in Englishtown was a tuners dream conditions.

 

[NYNitro86]

Wayne, it was nice to see you in Baytown. We miss you out here dude. Friday night in Englishtown was a tuners dream conditions.

Great to see you again Eugene, Missed Alice out there this weekend.

Also great to Meet Paul Weiss as well.