National Dragster goes to 24 issues a year

[jimbo]

Where did one find the news about ND going to 24 issues? Not one word on The Electronic site or HNRA .com that I could find.

 

[Baron]

Some good points gave been made about the changing face of print media. I've said many times that Phil Burgess has done a great job adapting ND to the times. I don't read ND or any print mags for news or results. But ND has evolved into what I consider an excellent read. Photo coverage of national and divisional events, interviews, nostalgia, Hot Shots classic photos, etc. make it enjoyable IMO. Obviously they continue to feel the pinch, so while going to 24 issues stinks. I'll still support it in hopes that it sticks around.

Well said, Nunzio! Phil Burgess has done a great job with it. I read it thoroughly and enjoy getting my copies in the mailbox. When it goes all digital, we will have lost something of value as I see it.
Ed

 

[NYNitro86]

Believe it or not, but people still like reading the columns in National Dragster.

Especially Alan's

 

[rocketman]

I think I'll actually like it more and read it more often if it comes out twice a month rather than once a week. I'm so busy I can't keep up with it when it arrives in the mailbox every week and the pro coverage is very predictable.

 

[SundayNiagara]

Mark, why so negative? I don't believe it's worthless, because, once again, it's not about the news anymore. For what it works out to per issue if you're a member, I think it's a very inexpensive, enjoyable read. Of course, that's my opinion. As was mentioned in another post, it's also a great place for sportsman racers to get ink that may never get elsewhere. Yeah, I miss the feeling of racing to the mailbox to see who won an event 2 weeks earlier. But is anything the same as it was 10, 20, or 50 years ago?

You must enjoy reading advertizing!

 

[Dave]

Speaking of National Dragster. Does anyone have issues or complete years from 1996 back that they don't want anymore?

 

[mw6789]

Does this mean they're cutting the price in half?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Now thats a good one.

 

[Fast16Racer]

I think I'll actually like it more and read it more often if it comes out twice a month rather than once a week. I'm so busy I can't keep up with it when it arrives in the mailbox every week and the pro coverage is very predictable.

X2

I mainly read it to keep track of Sportsman racing and to see what new gadgets are advertised in Join's Race Shop.

 

[robinjackson]

Speaking of National Dragster. Does anyone have issues or complete years from 1996 back that they don't want anymore?

I have complete years back to 1980, but they're here in England.

 

[camaro]

they put out an electronic copy of an ND issue a couple months ago and it was not bad at all. i would definitely consider signing back up if they did that for all issues. The Price would have to be reasonable as much of the information in the paper is available for free, however it does contain some items and features that are not available anywhere else and that might be worth a few bucks for a subscription.

 

[Dave]

I have complete years back to 1980, but they're here in England.

I can only imagine what that would cost to ship overseas!

 

[robinjackson]

Exactly.

Pity, though. If I have to downsize, I'd rather they went to a good home than to the tip, sorry, recycling depot.

 

[JF]

Ok, I was wrong. Its 25 issues not 24

This taken from Drag Racing Online
::rag Racing Online::: Agent 1320 - 01/14/13

National Dragster changes to bi-weekly publication

The realities of print magazine publication finally may have caught up with the National Hot Rod Association as news came last week that National Dragster would change to printing every other week beginning with the first issue of 2013 dated Jan. 25. There will be 25 issues this season instead of the 48 printed in years past.

As a side note, the Agent was looking through the January 2013 issue of the Performance Racing Industry magazine. One of the questions in their 25th annual racing business survey was “What is the most effective advertising medium for your business?” Only 8% answered print publications. A sign of the (new) times. [01/14/13]

 

[JF]

National Dragster - The Official Publication of NHRA


Say good bye to Sportsman coverage

 

[mike]

National Dragster - The Official Publication of NHRA


Say good bye to Sportsman coverage

"National DRAGSTER will be printed biweekly in 25 issues including the annual Fan Guide. The publication will become a feature-based magazine with bigger photos, better presentation, extensive NHRA sportsman coverage, and more tech and racing how-to articles you've been asking for"

 

[clwill]

Someone really needs to talk to the NHRA about the weight of their websites.

The new ND site loads 2.1 megabytes of data in over 50 requests, just on the front page. NHRA.com loads 2.3 megs of data in a whopping 229 requests.

This is just insane. Have these people ever tried to view these sites on anything other than a 30mb/sec cable line? Like on a phone or tablet? They are glacial.

 

[DG]

Here is the latest update from NHRA on National Dragster.

Here is the URL for the new web site:
National Dragster - The Official Publication of NHRA


David Gerard



From: NHRA Communications Dept [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, January 17, 2013 1:01 PM
To: Anthony Vestal
Subject: NHRA NEWS: NHRA LAUNCHES NATIONALDRAGSTER.NET; ANNOUNCES NEW FORMAT AND DELIVERY METHOD FOR NATIONAL DRAGSTER MAGAZINE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: NHRA Communications, (626) 914-4761
NHRA Media Center Online: NHRA Media

NHRA LAUNCHES NATIONALDRAGSTER.NET; ANNOUNCES NEW FORMAT AND DELIVERY METHOD FOR NATIONAL DRAGSTER MAGAZINE

GLENDORA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2013) -- Today NHRA announced that its 54-year-old print publication, National DRAGSTER, has changed frequency from weekly to biweekly and that it will be supplemented by a robust new companion website for NHRA members only, NationalDRAGSTER.net.

“We are excited to usher in a new era for National DRAGSTER,” said NHRA Vice President-Publications Adriane Ridder. “The new comprehensive format and delivery method is designed to bring all the news our fans want and the in-depth and feature stories they’ve come to expect from the staff of National DRAGSTER, in a timely fashion, and in a format of their choosing.”

National DRAGSTER will be printed biweekly in 25 issues including the annual Fan Guide. The publication will become a feature-based magazine with bigger photos, attractive presentation, extensive sportsman coverage, and more technical and racing ‘how-to’ articles NHRA members have requested. In addition, NHRA members will receive both the print and digital edition of National DRAGSTER. The digital edition was introduced in 2012.

National DRAGSTER will be joined by a companion member-only website, NationalDRAGSTER.net. NationalDRAGSTER.net will offer exclusive and far-reaching NHRA information for which National DRAGSTER is famous. NationalDRAGSTER.net will offer in-depth, live coverage from the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, bonus content from the print edition, sportsman coverage, and daily breaking news and behind-the-scenes reporting above and beyond what is currently available on NHRA.com.

“We believe that an attractive biweekly magazine and a companion website with daily NHRA drag racing news as it happens will deliver the value NHRA members expect from National DRAGSTER,” said Ridder.

The first issue of 2013, dated Jan. 25, marks the beginning of National DRAGSTER’s new schedule. The last issue of the year will be dated Dec. 13.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. NHRA presents 24 national events featuring the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series, NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League for youth ages 8 to 17. In addition, NHRA owns and operates five racing facilities: Atlanta Dragway in Georgia; Auto-Plus Raceway at Gainesville in Florida; National Trail Raceway in Ohio; Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis; and Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. For more information, log on to NHRA.com, or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

-30-

 

[JF]

"National DRAGSTER will be printed biweekly in 25 issues including the annual Fan Guide. The publication will become a feature-based magazine with bigger photos, better presentation, extensive NHRA sportsman coverage, and more tech and racing how-to articles you've been asking for"

Do you really believe that?

I mean NHRA has treated the Sportsman, like a redhead step child for years. Just about every sportsman racer hates them but still runs them because they are ? Well frankly I don't know why they still run NHRA. Its not because they are welcomed.

 

[mike]

Do you really believe that?

I mean NHRA has treated the Sportsman, like a redhead step child for years. Just about every sportsman racer hates them but still runs them because they are ? Well frankly I don't know why they still run NHRA. Its not because they are welcomed.

I was just quoting what I read. I'd also like to keep a positive frame of mind, that they'll still continue the sportsman coverage like they have previously in ND. Having spent time around a number of alcohol racers, I know how they feel towards the NHRA, and yes their views towards the NHRA are not exactly happy ones.

 

[Justin@NRE]

Do you really believe that?

I mean NHRA has treated the Sportsman, like a redhead step child for years. Just about every sportsman racer hates them but still runs them because they are ? Well frankly I don't know why they still run NHRA. Its not because they are welcomed.

Because A) There is no other game in town B) most wouldn't feel very safe racing anywhere else.

And you talking about being treated like red-headed step children. Lets put 500 different people from all walks of life together, 3 get to make a decision and see if it makes everyone happy.

NHRA has to walk a line, especially at Nationals where the fans are guaranteed at least 1 Pro session or they get their money back. If you've got a 3 hour window and you know you have to run 40 pair of Pros, well there's almost 2 hours including track prep/conversion. Only have another hour to work with, someone is going to get cut.

Bottom line is everybody is a customer of NHRA, but racers are like customer employees. Fans and sponsors advertising to those fans are what make money for everyone and keep the races alive. Without fans and sponsors, we don't have places to race.

Everyone outside of Pros is just filler and to keep rubber on the track at a national event. I know for a fact Sportsman racers are appreciated, as we are the majority of NHRA. Some of us don't help our own cause, especially in Top Alcohol (oil downs), which aggravates the situation even further, or other classes not being in the lanes on time ready to go. Bottom line is most sportsman racers don't feel welcome because they get a session cut, or have to stay and race on Monday so the Pros can finish Sunday for the TV show. Which sucks, because most all Sportsman racers have regular jobs outside of racing, a majority of Pros don't.

I've been on the short end of the stick several times, including a DNQ at a divisional because of problems in Q1 and they set the field because of weather. Or knowing you can make a better lap and they cut a session and you're stuck qualified in the bottom half. It's all part of racing. It creates an "Us vs. Them" mentality, like we have in all aspects of life. We don't feel welcome because we don't understand the big picture of what NHRA is trying to accomplish. Pros can feel the same way sometimes too. We feel less important because we get cut so someone else can run, or have to start running a day before a pro goes down the track. Not saying NHRA always makes the best decisions, but they typically do the best they can at the time. Don't believe me? Try keeping 500 racers happy and 10,000 paying fans satisfied all at the same time. I wouldn't want to do it.