For fans: Your interest in watching NHRA 1/8 mile nitro racing? (7 Viewers)

[Mike]

You read the title correctly. Any good business should discuss " what if" scenarios. What if... in the near future, IHRA payouts and 1/8 mile formula draws enough racers that NHRA has trouble filling fields beyond full timers, and costs make getting sponsorship at the current levels even more tricky for full time teams, making the other guys a more attractive option in the future.

Would NHRA, as an effort to stem the flow and entice more racers, consider going to an 1/8 mile show? Would most fans adapt and get used to it, or would that be NHRA's death knell?

 

[mick]

that is actually a great question. i never thought i'd enjoy anything 1/8, until i started paying attention to the PM's doing it.
a perfect PM to the 1/8 IMO is a thing of beauty. i also believe it works because they are getting huge car counts, so the qualifying alone
is ultra exciting; especially the final qualifying attempt ....... if 14 nhra TF'rs took 4 Q attempts at the 1/8, knowing everyone qualifies? that's a big no.
with the field size we have in the nhra pro classes, the extra length to 1000' or 1320' makes up for any absence of qualifying drama.

 

[aakar]

NHRA still gets a multitude of complaints about 1000ft.
Right now the biggest thing NHRA has over IHRA is 1000ft, the way IHRA is coming on, they need to keep it, and hope to stay as the major league. Time will tell.
I have as much interest in 1/8 mile as I do in 4Wide…

 

[ironpony]

Facts is facts..............
1/8 mile races have much larger fields than 1/4 mile.
right now NHRA has more spectators but how long is that going to last
the average spectator just wants the noise and thunder of nitro
IHRA is going to bring it economically, $40 to get in, free parking, reasonable food, lots of cars to check out
Team uniforms nah, fancy haulers nah down to earth jeans and t shirts of racers
If no racers show up it really doesn't matter how far they run.

 

[Chili]

I will only travel to an 1/8 mile event when there is no other options. I’m not going to pay thousands in travel expenses to watch it when I can spend the same amount to see 1000’.

 

[Butch]

Unless it's an old cow path I don't see any inticment for me to attend an 1/8 mi track.
Why not just end it at 200' because it's basically who cut the light.
Where's Tom Bodet when he's needed.

 

[DanTheFan]

It works where there’s no alternative. What is magical about 1/8 mile other than it’s half the traditional 1/4 mile? Not sure what the driver is to shorten to less than 1000 but if there were a good reason, why not 800 ft? I like 1000 ft and for me, 1320 adds nothing as a spectator. I think another post said the drivers asked for 1/8 mile in the case of IHRA? Strictly cost and parts attrition? Is that fuel drivers as well as others?

 

[65 Goatboy]

I don't see where the two different HRA's are going to compete with each other. It's two totally different business models. Despite all the naysayers I think Ihra is going to do just fine. And so will the Nhra. I think they will probably compliment each other. Just my 2 cents.

 

[stitcherbob]

How do you feel when a top fuel car goes up in smoke either at the hit or 330 ft out? Yeah, that's how I feel about 1/8th anything....

What was fun was when the cars rotated the Earth on the launch and stayed hooked all through the 1/4 with the big top end charge.

 

[PJ]

Not for me. I've seen nitro do 1/8 and left bummed.
One of my favorite races, went to 1/8 several years ago. I still went, didn't like it and haven't returned.

Went to a couple IHRA events this year, was big in the the 1/8 mile classes. Now that everything will be 1/8th not sure I'll bother even with the track being close to me.

 

[yoda]

I could - and have - watch 1/8mile racing all day.

If it was the juniors.
1/2 the car; 1/2 the track.

I have zero interest in watching any other vehicles race to the eighth. I've tried; it does nothing for me.

 

[Rajunz]

San Antonio had IHRA nitro cars run 1/8th mile around 20 years ago. It was not very fun to watch. It seemed like they shut off as soon as they launched. Pro Stock was even weirder. On the other hand Funny Car Chaos seems to work okay if you're sitting at the starting line.

Thread 'TEXAS NATIONALS TO BE CONTESTED ON THE 1/8th MILE'

Mar 24, 2007

<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/KnollGasNitroJam.jpg" alt="KnollGasNitroJam" align="left"borders="0"/>

TEXAS NATIONALS TO BE CONTESTED ON THE 1/8th MILE​

Sets Historic Mark for Nitro Jam Series ​

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 24, 2007) – Due to unforeseen issues pertaining to the track surface at San Antonio Raceway, IHRA officials have announced the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts will be contested as an 1/8-mile event. This marks the first time in IHRA’s modern-era that a Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ event...

• Deby
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Team Press Releases

 

[z28]

San Antonio had IHRA nitro cars run 1/8th mile around 20 years ago. It was not very fun to watch. It seemed like they shut off as soon as they launched. Pro Stock was even weirder. On the other hand Funny Car Chaos seems to work okay if you're sitting at the starting line.

Thread 'TEXAS NATIONALS TO BE CONTESTED ON THE 1/8th MILE'

Mar 24, 2007

<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/KnollGasNitroJam.jpg" alt="KnollGasNitroJam" align="left"borders="0"/>

TEXAS NATIONALS TO BE CONTESTED ON THE 1/8th MILE​

Sets Historic Mark for Nitro Jam Series ​

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 24, 2007) – Due to unforeseen issues pertaining to the track surface at San Antonio Raceway, IHRA officials have announced the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts will be contested as an 1/8-mile event. This marks the first time in IHRA’s modern-era that a Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ event...

• Deby
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Team Press Releases

I remember that. The track got oiled so bad they had to tear out a big section past the 1/4 mile and repave it overnight. They decided to finish the race going 1/8 mile. They had no choice other than cancel or go 1/8.

 

[camaro]

is there any evidence that 1/8th mile racing has ever sustained any kind of attendance numbers? and just as important, i cant recall any 1/8th mile events on broadcast TV, other than the street outlaw stuff and they portray a typical 1/8th drag race as if it last a half a mile. Drag racing already has difficulty coming across on TV, and i can't imagine to many tv viewers interested in a race that's over immediately after the launch

 

[yoda]

is there any evidence that 1/8th mile racing has ever sustained any kind of attendance numbers? and just as important, i cant recall any 1/8th mile events on broadcast TV, other than the street outlaw stuff and they portray a typical 1/8th drag race as if it last a half a mile. Drag racing already has difficulty coming across on TV, and i can't imagine to many tv viewers interested in a race that's over immediately after the launch

Seen some of the eighth racing events on YouTube; what causes me to tune out is when they get to the faster cars, it takes FOREVER to get them set up for a pass, all for the one-two shift and chutes. One, two, three, done- zzzzzz

 

[T.Smith]

I remember that. The track got oiled so bad they had to tear out a big section past the 1/4 mile and repave it overnight. They decided to finish the race going 1/8 mile. They had no choice other than cancel or go 1/8.

We runnered up to Bruce Litton at that race. The track had been repaired before the race and then was damaged on Saturday night. If memory serves me correctly, the final session of top fuel was finished by making single runs in the remaining good lane.

 

[z28]

We runnered up to Bruce Litton at that race. The track had been repaired before the race and then was damaged on Saturday night. If memory serves me correctly, the final session of top fuel was finished by making single runs in the remaining good lane.

I was there the 1st night. Didn't go back for the finals

 

[GumbyWVU]

I don't mind 1/8 for most classes, but I'd prefer 1000 (or 1/4) for nitro. I've seen jet cars on a 1/8 track and it was still cool, but just not the same. Same with alcohol cars.

 

[HoodooVoodooAngus]

Drag racing is like any sport. There ae purists who know whats going on, there are casual observers and there are new fans. As a purist, I will travel 3000 miles to watch a race (I have, more than once) and I've been a diehard fan for over 30 years as well as doing some bracket racing when time and money has allowed. When I went to the Motorplex this year, I was only able to attend Saturday and Sunday but I was there from gates open to concession closing time taking in the sights, sounds and all of it. Long days. However, casual fans may or may not care about the history, the mechanics, the "show" and who the racers are outside of a few big names. New folks definitely don't care for probably the first five races. They are usually just thrilled with the burnouts, the noise and greasy track food. So I can appreciate if a racing season as a fan included a couple NHRA National Events, but if I can introduce someone new and spend 6 hours watching 1/8 mile nitro and seeing some close racing, 250 mph+ speeds and share that experience, I'm all for it. Not to mention at half the price.

As someone originally from Canada, I equate to hockey. I can go see the NHL for $150, I can go see a minor league game for $50. If someone has never the seen the sport, the $50 ticket has much more value. And as a fan who enjoys hockey and only has $1000 to spend on tickets the whole season, I'd rather watch 2-3 NHL games and fill it in with a few minor league games because even though the skill and polish is different, the competition and excitement isn't.

 

[Chili]

Drag racing is like any sport. There ae purists who know whats going on, there are casual observers and there are new fans. As a purist, I will travel 3000 miles to watch a race (I have, more than once) and I've been a diehard fan for over 30 years as well as doing some bracket racing when time and money has allowed. When I went to the Motorplex this year, I was only able to attend Saturday and Sunday but I was there from gates open to concession closing time taking in the sights, sounds and all of it. Long days. However, casual fans may or may not care about the history, the mechanics, the "show" and who the racers are outside of a few big names. New folks definitely don't care for probably the first five races. They are usually just thrilled with the burnouts, the noise and greasy track food. So I can appreciate if a racing season as a fan included a couple NHRA National Events, but if I can introduce someone new and spend 6 hours watching 1/8 mile nitro and seeing some close racing, 250 mph+ speeds and share that experience, I'm all for it. Not to mention at half the price.

As someone originally from Canada, I equate to hockey. I can go see the NHL for $150, I can go see a minor league game for $50. If someone has never the seen the sport, the $50 ticket has much more value. And as a fan who enjoys hockey and only has $1000 to spend on tickets the whole season, I'd rather watch 2-3 NHL games and fill it in with a few minor league games because even though the skill and polish is different, the competition and excitement isn't.

But would you go to the hockey if they only played on half the ice? I can enjoy a high school game in any sport.