Fan Promotions

[JB3]

Surprised nobody else has brought this up yet. NHRA trying an out of box approach to growing the fan base.

http://www.nhra.com/story/2015/1/27/baptism-by-nitro/

Pretty cool idea, we'll see how it works.

 

[PJ]

Good idea.
I still say lowering the ticket is the best way to get someone to try it. I have several people I've convinced to try it, until they see that $50 or $60 ticket. Plus parking, food, travel. I have got some to a $20 IHRA race and they liked it.

 

[Mike]

PJ, lots of tracks the ticket prices arent controled by NHRA.

 

[flash]

I have baptized a few in my time. Always fun to see their reaction to a pair of nitro cars launching.

 

[Powell8]

Great idea, I too like watching newbies react. Had to laugh at the picture NHRA used as the promo on the web page, someone needs to tell the rookie to sit down. He is blocking everyone's view.

 

[PJ]

PJ, lots of tracks the ticket prices arent controled by NHRA.

Not sure about that. But if we go with that premise, then at least they indirectly control it due to the fees/cost they need to recoup from the track in order to hold the event.
Looks at souvenir stands, the prices are high because they have to pay a couple of grand just to park there. So the NHRA may not control that the t-shirt sells for $30 but by having such a high price on that trailer sitting there, forces the vendor to add that cost into the shirt.

 

[Linda Sapienza]

I agree with PJ, the ticket prices are to high. We used to attend 4 to 5 races a yr. Last yr. we went to 1. We attend IHRA where prices are $ 20.00.

 

[Terry]

Lower ticket prices would always help, but I really like the idea of bannering the physical, visceral experience of seeing the fuel cars run. It's an experience not to be forgotten. The starting line experience is unique to drag racing over all other motorsports, and if it gets pushed, someone may get curious and try out an event....and THEN they will be hooked. I seem to be some radical changes in thinking by our beloved sanctioning body this year...more sportsman ink in Dragster, work to return the US Nats to their former glory, a GOOD PR campaign for a change that may actually get some newbies to the races (especially if we help)....hmmm, gotta say two thumbs up to NHRA for the changes. Gotta be willing to say nice job when they do well, as well as pointing out their shortcomings. I'm really pleased with what I'm seeing this year.

 

[Reese]

I always said that if NHRA wanted to keep new fans supporting drag racing, pick maybe 20 newbies out of the crowd and let them race rental cars down the track. Show them that they can go to the local track and do the same thing with their family wagon on street night. The problem with taking newbies to a national event for their first drag racing experience is that all they know is fuel cars. Take them to local track and it's not loud or fast enough because they think fuel cars race at every track. But if you show them that they too can race, then you might have a fan that will support local tracks and not a once a year national event.

 

[Terry]

Excellent post, Armand. And a heck of a good idea on how to boost local attendance and participation

 

[NYNitro86]

Not sure about that. But if we go with that premise, then at least they indirectly control it due to the fees/cost they need to recoup from the track in order to hold the event.
Looks at souvenir stands, the prices are high because they have to pay a couple of grand just to park there. So the NHRA may not control that the t-shirt sells for $30 but by having such a high price on that trailer sitting there, forces the vendor to add that cost into the shirt.

I don't know If I can speak for other tracks but I can say Raceway Park during the nationals, sometimes Dave Napp will pop on and say "T-Shirt sale in the Souvenir stores $20 T-Shirts!" or "If you want to upgrade your seating to be closer to the starting line on the Goodyear Side, you can do that for $5"

 

[mick]

i wonder if someone had video of a newbie reacting to a throttle wack; not only should it win, but wonder if
it would be disallowed as false advertising (this is how cool it used to be!)