Losing my business (2 Viewers)

[Mike]

I'm only one fan and speak for nobody else, but one of the reasons I would go to final eliminations at a National event is to see sportsmen as well as the pros.

I am not at all a fan of only seeing semis and finals at a national event. I feel like I got more value for the inflated ticket prices by seeing the quarter finals after the 2nd round of pros, then sportsmen semis after the pro semis.

The NHRA decision makers may be patting themselves on the back for "tightening up the show" but since there is less value for the ticket price now, this will impact if/whether I decide to go on Sunday (Monday for Indy).

I guess one way of saying it is the NHRA leadership has to do what they feel is in the best interest of their organization, and I as one lone fan have to do what I feel is in the best interest of value for my ticket price.

I hope at least for Indy they will include the sportsman quarterfinals on Monday.

 

[none]

Ask the racers what they think. this was done for them.

Alan

 

[HEMI6point1]

How about you stay until the very end instead of leaving early to try and beat traffic?

Wouldn't that be easier than coming on here and complaining?

 

[Professional Fan]

I'm only one fan and speak for nobody else, but one of the reasons I would go to final eliminations at a National event is to see sportsmen as well as the pros.

I am not at all a fan of only seeing semis and finals at a national event. I feel like I got more value for the inflated ticket prices by seeing the quarter finals after the 2nd round of pros, then sportsmen semis after the pro semis.

The NHRA decision makers may be patting themselves on the back for "tightening up the show" but since there is less value for the ticket price now, this will impact if/whether I decide to go on Sunday (Monday for Indy).

I guess one way of saying it is the NHRA leadership has to do what they feel is in the best interest of their organization, and I as one lone fan have to do what I feel is in the best interest of value for my ticket price.

I hope at least for Indy they will include the sportsman quarterfinals on Monday.

Michael, while I understand your point, I have a feeling many would disagree with you for the following:
1. Virtually all the sportsmen racers have real jobs. Doing eliminations allows them to get out Saturday night and get to work on Monday. (I think that is what Alan R was referring to.)
2. If you come on Saturday you would see even more sportsman racing
3. I like the predictability it adds to Sunday in case of rain delays/oildowns, etc- it builds a little cushion in. Otherwise the sportsmen suffer as they get pushed to the side if there are delays to get the pros completed.
4. The stands usually empty out after the fuel cars run on Sunday so the % of people that watch Pro stock and Sportsmen on Sunday is pretty low. (I am always disappointed to see the fans leave before Pro stock as that is my favorite class.

At a number of races this format won't work due to curfews-Pomona being the best example.

 

[StockersRock]

I had too many commitments to keep me from getting to Epping this year, but being a "Sportsman first" fan, Sunday was the last day on my list I would have gone. Though I was looking forward to seeing the pro's on Friday or Saturday and seeing all the LODRS cars as well, from an economic standpoint, I highly enjoy going to a divisional more. Last Saturday, I took my father to the D1 race at Lebanon Valley, for Father's Day, and then we went to the dirt races (we enjoy that as well) next door that night. All four tickets for 14 hours worth of racing cost me $54. That's less than one national event ticket. I'll certainly go to more national events, especially to take my son when he gets a little bit older, but it is a tough balance for the LODRS guys that have to race and don't want to be there all weekend, NHRA, and the fans (albeit a huge minority) that come to see them at a national event. I don't think, however, that any LODRS guy that is still in the show on Sunday, minds being there one bit. All in all, the national event is what it is. Those of us that love, or even prefer, the LODRS cars, have to accept that we are the minority. What I will never justify, financially, are the national events that cost the same price and have no alcohol classes, and still drop an LODRS class, such as Bristol, which had no TAFC, TAD, and no Comp Eliminator. No, thank you.

 

[clwill]

If you are going to a national event to see sportsman racers, Sunday's not your day. You need to be up at 0'dark-thirty on Friday and/or Saturday and get out there to see them run. We'd love to see you there in the stands, because without you, it's mostly family.

If you really want to see sportsman racing, go to your local divisional races. They are full of people who care about sportsman racing, and since the sportsman racers are the stars, you get to see them in the best light. The tickets are dirt-cheap, the seats are great, and the sportsman action is non-stop.

 

[yoda]

If you are going to a national event to see sportsman racers, Sunday's not your day. You need to be up at 0'dark-thirty on Friday and/or Saturday and get out there to see them run. We'd love to see you there in the stands, because without you, it's mostly family.

If you really want to see sportsman racing, go to your local divisional races. They are full of people who care about sportsman racing, and since the sportsman racers are the stars, you get to see them in the best light. The tickets are dirt-cheap, the seats are great, and the sportsman action is non-stop.

And as much as we hate to admit it, it really is the reason why the Pro show should be a Friday night qualifier, a Saturday morning one-shot qualifier, a Saturday night Pro Show and a full day on Sunday of all the Sportsman classes, including Pro Mod and the Alky classes, with no Pro show at all.

Sunday TV can have a well-edited, 2 hour Pro qualifing and elimination program for those that need their racing fix on Sunday, but personally, if the Sportsmen weren't made the ******* step-children in advertising the EVENT WEEKEND, and the fan base we really wish to draw (ie: people interesterd in Drag Racing, not just personalities) were sold on the idea that good competition doesn't just come in 4 second spurts, ticket sales for the weekend would probably only see a minor, if any drop.

If you REALLY want to come out and see Courtney and Britt for a grand total, at best, of 4 minutes for your weekend, only buy Friday and Saturday tickets.

BUT, if you want to see cars go fast, and lots of them, and a variety that is better than any other motorsports option out there, a race weekend with the Sunday ticket with a Sportsman-only schedule is the way to go, IMO

 

[Toejam]

I heard the last final round race was run at 3:50 PM, that is usually when they run Pro Semi's!

 

[StockersRock]

If you are going to a national event to see sportsman racers, Sunday's not your day. You need to be up at 0'dark-thirty on Friday and/or Saturday and get out there to see them run. We'd love to see you there in the stands, because without you, it's mostly family.

If you really want to see sportsman racing, go to your local divisional races. They are full of people who care about sportsman racing, and since the sportsman racers are the stars, you get to see them in the best light. The tickets are dirt-cheap, the seats are great, and the sportsman action is non-stop.

Exactly.

And as much as we hate to admit it, it really is the reason why the Pro show should be a Friday night qualifier, a Saturday morning one-shot qualifier, a Saturday night Pro Show and a full day on Sunday of all the Sportsman classes, including Pro Mod and the Alky classes, with no Pro show at all.

I agree. The operators of the NitroMall and the concession stands, however, would not.

Sunday TV can have a well-edited, 2 hour Pro qualifing and elimination program for those that need their racing fix on Sunday, but personally, if the Sportsmen weren't made the ******* step-children in advertising the EVENT WEEKEND, and the fan base we really wish to draw (ie: people interesterd in Drag Racing, not just personalities) were sold on the idea that good competition doesn't just come in 4 second spurts, ticket sales for the weekend would probably only see a minor, if any drop.

If you REALLY want to come out and see Courtney and Britt for a grand total, at best, of 4 minutes for your weekend, only buy Friday and Saturday tickets.

BUT, if you want to see cars go fast, and lots of them, and a variety that is better than any other motorsports option out there, a race weekend with the Sunday ticket with a Sportsman-only schedule is the way to go, IMO

Agreed on all of this. And I think it's ironic, that come any other day of the week, there's probably plenty of people in the stands who would think that the '69 Camaro they see out on the street is awesome, yet won't give them their attention when they are at a national event. Oh well, I guess...

 

[Pete]

I heard the last final round race was run at 3:50 PM, that is usually when they run Pro Semi's!

That's correct Joe.

There was a uniqueness about this race, other than the "newness"....

....so far, this is the first event since I can remember, that had so few minutes of downtime.

I believe this new format is for the live TV option, but it goes REALLY fast when there isn't any forced downtime.

Pete

 

[Paul]

I heard the last final round race was run at 3:50 PM, that is usually when they run Pro Semi's!

E-Town finals were run around 3:30 this year. It appears the NHRA is trying to get the teams used to the quick turn around times. Hopefully we will see some more live TV coverage like we saw in Houston.

 

[Silly Savage]

E-Town finals were run around 3:30 this year. It appears the NHRA is trying to get the teams used to the quick turn around times. Hopefully we will see some more live TV coverage like we saw in Houston.

Did the fact that it was live really add anything to the show?

 

[Pete]

Did the fact that it was live really add anything to the show?

I thought it helped the show.

 

[mick]

4 pro classes starting at 11am and finishing at 4pm equates to a run
every 5 minutes......that is leaving no time for any downtime,
poor weather or sportsman runs......it is no wonder the bleachers empty
for PS and PSB; food, beer and the pits are far more enticing to fans
than sitting on a hard bleacher thru PS & PSB.(good luck e. enders )
NED must have damn near hot lapped PSB and PS from semis to finals
in order to finish @ 4.

 

[Larry jr.]

Ask the racers what they think. this was done for them.

Alan

Alan, When I consider you are out there every race and see first hand what needs to happen. I'm with you.

Now if you only attend one day of the event, you really aren't much of a fan to begin with are you.

Just by the tickets and go see the show...support you're local drag strip and what ever show is put who knows some day it may all end, then what would some people have to whine about.

If you aren't racing or part of the entity putting on the show, you are a spectator...........spectators buy tickets.......need I say more.

 

[Mike]

Alan, When I consider you are out there every race and see first hand what needs to happen. I'm with you.

Now if you only attend one day of the event, you really aren't much of a fan to begin with are you.

Just by the tickets and go see the show...support you're local drag strip and what ever show is put who knows some day it may all end, then what would some people have to whine about.

If you aren't racing or part of the entity putting on the show, you are a spectator...........spectators buy tickets.......need I say more.

Who made you an arbiter of who is or isn't a fan? By this logic, if someone goes to a Nascar race or Indy 500, and only goes on raceday but not the supporting truck/Nationwide race, or Carb day, etc, they aren't a real fan.

Did it occur to you that maybe people have things called jobs which may not allow them to get to a race on Thursday or Friday? Perhaps someone has a family they would like to take (what a concept- exposing kids to the sport), but financially can only swing one day. Maybe if someone can only go one day, they want to see the action where the winners are decided. There could be other reasons also.

This goes back to my original point - the ticket prices aren't any lower, but now there is less racing for the same cost for what should the climactic day of the event. I like Friday and Saturdays too when possible, but sometimes people can't always make it for the entire weekend.

 

[Treeshaker]

The national event schedule has come to what it is by the racer's desires and the FANS voting. When the nitro cars come to the line, the stands are filled. After the last nitro car runs the stands empty. This is the way they vote and anybody with sight can see the results. The promoters and marketing departments need to appeal to the majority and then they will gain maybe ten to every one they lose. Just my estimate.

The sportsman racers enjoy getting out of there early if they are not going to be in the final rounds. When I started nitro racing, we could leave the pit anytime Sunday when we were through. It was a benefit to us because we had to drive home and be to work at our regular jobs Monday morning so I understand the sportsman racers point of view.

The way I have found best to expose our youth to drag racing is at the local tracks, getting them involved with local teams that are running cars they can easily learn to operate and are affordable for a beginner. If they get the bug, as their knowledge expands they can move up to what ever goals they set.

 

[Toejam]

E-Town finals were run around 3:30 this year. It appears the NHRA is trying to get the teams used to the quick turn around times. Hopefully we will see some more live TV coverage like we saw in Houston.

Maybe I will get more than 2 hrs. to catch a flight on Sundays from now on...lol

 

[clwill]

The sportsman racers enjoy getting out of there early if they are not going to be in the final rounds. When I started nitro racing, we could leave the pit anytime Sunday when we were through. It was a benefit to us because we had to drive home and be to work at our regular jobs Monday morning so I understand the sportsman racers point of view.

And for me, just not being caught up in all the spectator traffic with the race rig is a huge benefit...

 

[Jim]

Now if you only attend one day of the event, you really aren't much of a fan to begin with are you.

Totally disagree with you there. I was only able to attend one day at Epping. I chose Friday. I could not afford to take Thursday off as well as Friday. Saturday I attended the Jimmy Buffett show w my wife. My wife is currently battling cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, so her going to the concert was a big deal. Sunday I chose to spend w my wife and our 4 yo daughter. Sorry if I do not fit you definition of a fan but spending time with my family at this point in time is a little more important the attending more then one day of a national event.

I have gone to countless National events as well as Div events as both a spectator and crew member. For quite a few years I would attend the Orlando Div and the the Gators the next weekend, as well as getting to both Nat'l events at Englishtown and Reading and div events at E-Town and Lebanon Valley (all three days). Occasionally I would add an extra Nat'l event such as Richmond, Bristol or Chicago. I live in Boston so all these track were not excatly close by. But I guess that because I was only able to make one day a NED this year I'm not much of a fan. Whatever!

There are any number of reasons people can not attend every day of a national event and that does not make them any less of a fan. Sometimes it makes them more of a fan because they are doing whatever the can to get out to see as much racing as they can, if even for only a day or just a few hours. People make sacrifices to attend racing weather it be spending time away from family or financially. Just the sacrifices they make makes them a big fan no matter how many or how few days they attend. Under your logic would it also mean that someone who does not own season tickets to a football team, baseball team or whatever sport is less then a fan of some one who does have season tickets? I don't think so.