Pro stock Bike

[Butch]

Where is the dang like button ???? LOL

I have to agree.

 

[JF]

I never said they shouldn't be there. I just said I personally wouln't walk across the street to see/watch PSM. I'm sure alot of you have expressed the same response to my class Super Comp. It's just my opinion.

As for the t-shirt cannons - FIRE THOSE GUYS....! Bring back wheelstanders, jet cars, Motor Cycle jumpers, Rocket Go karts , Streakers ANY THING BUT T-SHIRT BS

 

[mike]

I never said they shouldn't be there. I just said I personally wouln't walk across the street to see/watch PSM. I'm sure alot of you have expressed the same response to my class Super Comp. It's just my opinion.

As for the t-shirt cannons - FIRE THOSE GUYS....! Bring back wheelstanders, jet cars, Motor Cycle jumpers, Rocket Go karts , Streakers ANY THING BUT T-SHIRT BS

now THIS deserves a "like" button

 

[jeff]

Great time slot filler was krazy Keith kardell on his harley.

 

[none]

As for the t-shirt cannons - FIRE THOSE GUYS....! Bring back wheelstanders, jet cars, Motor Cycle jumpers, Rocket Go karts , Streakers ANY THING BUT T-SHIRT BS

Just curious, how are you going to run these guys while they're scraping the track or cleaning up an oil-down?

The T-shirt guys NEVER hold up the racing, but when there is downtime (scheduled or unscheduled) they fill in the gaps.

Alan

 

[clwill]

The T-shirt guys NEVER hold up the racing, but when there is downtime (scheduled or unscheduled) they fill in the gaps.

This is as creative as NHRA gets? Shooting T-Shirts? Drag races at the drag races? Really?

How about spending some energy on promoting the sport? Teaching all those newbies (that you welcome at every race, Alan) how the sport works? How about introducing who the Safety Safari is and what each of them actually does? How about teaching people about all the 100 classes they see going down the track? How about encouraging people to get involved in the sport themselves? How about teaching them how qualifying works (who gets what lane, how they are paired, the whole 12 thing on Friday, etc.)?

I can go on and give you 20 more. NHRA should create 20-30 two-three minute videos that teach people details about the sport. Show THOSE instead. Use the downtime to increase the fan base, not drive them away.

There are 1,000 confusing things to a newcomer (and even many old-timers I know), but the best NHRA can come up with is two bozos and a t-shirt cannon?

 

[mike]

maybe it's just my old, somewhat less than sharp brain...but there seems to be a whole lot more time these days with nothing going down the track (except those tire tractor things)than I remember when I was going on a a regular basis...

I understand cleaning up after oil downs and the like, but it just seems weird that there is never time for wheelstanders or other exhibition stuff anymore...but what do I know, I'm just a fan (although a lot less of a fan than I used to be I guess)

 

[Nick Name]

Just curious, how are you going to run these guys while they're scraping the track or cleaning up an oil-down?

The T-shirt guys NEVER hold up the racing, but when there is downtime (scheduled or unscheduled) they fill in the gaps.

Alan

The motorcycle stunt guys don't need the whole track.

 

[Professional Fan]

This is as creative as NHRA gets? Shooting T-Shirts? Drag races at the drag races? Really?

How about spending some energy on promoting the sport? Teaching all those newbies (that you welcome at every race, Alan) how the sport works? How about introducing who the Safety Safari is and what each of them actually does? How about teaching people about all the 100 classes they see going down the track? How about encouraging people to get involved in the sport themselves? How about teaching them how qualifying works (who gets what lane, how they are paired, the whole 12 thing on Friday, etc.)?

I can go on and give you 20 more. NHRA should create 20-30 two-three minute videos that teach people details about the sport. Show THOSE instead. Use the downtime to increase the fan base, not drive them away.

There are 1,000 confusing things to a newcomer (and even many old-timers I know), but the best NHRA can come up with is two bozos and a t-shirt cannon?

I like this idea. I find the t shirt guys obnoxious. I go to 8-10 races a year so it really gets old quickly!

 

[mike]

maybe it's just my old, somewhat less than sharp brain...but there seems to be a whole lot more time these days with nothing going down the track (except those tire tractor things)than I remember when I was going on a a regular basis...

I understand cleaning up after oil downs and the like, but it just seems weird that there is never time for wheelstanders or other exhibition stuff anymore...but what do I know, I'm just a fan (although a lot less of a fan than I used to be I guess)

Well, having jet cars for example, whilst it would excite the casual fan, they do leave a lot of crap on the track, so that would add to more downtime cleaning up. I would never run straight after a jet car has gone down the track.

 

[mike]

This is as creative as NHRA gets? Shooting T-Shirts? Drag races at the drag races? Really?

How about spending some energy on promoting the sport? Teaching all those newbies (that you welcome at every race, Alan) how the sport works? How about introducing who the Safety Safari is and what each of them actually does? How about teaching people about all the 100 classes they see going down the track? How about encouraging people to get involved in the sport themselves? How about teaching them how qualifying works (who gets what lane, how they are paired, the whole 12 thing on Friday, etc.)?

I can go on and give you 20 more. NHRA should create 20-30 two-three minute videos that teach people details about the sport. Show THOSE instead. Use the downtime to increase the fan base, not drive them away.

There are 1,000 confusing things to a newcomer (and even many old-timers I know), but the best NHRA can come up with is two bozos and a t-shirt cannon?

What he said.

 

[JF]

Just curious, how are you going to run these guys while they're scraping the track or cleaning up an oil-down?

The T-shirt guys NEVER hold up the racing, but when there is downtime (scheduled or unscheduled) they fill in the gaps.

Alan

First I agree they don't hold up racing. Second, There has to be something better that also doesn't hold up racing. Parade of Cars on return road? Videos? Interviews with Fans (Not Canned or pre-planed)? A New Miss Hurst.? Time for Linda to hand over the title! Videos of Historical races. OR Just Better material for the T-shirt guys,Its just so laim.

Last: For a guy that claims to not be the NHRA Spokesperson. That sure reeks of a standard approved NHRA response to a post.
Why is it that you never take the side of the fan against NHRA?
Don't say it's because thats where your bread is buttered, because a lot of people disagree with their employers and still keep there jobs.

 

[FC138fan]

A New Miss Hurst.? Time for Linda to hand over the title! Videos of Historical races.

Last: For a guy that claims to not be the NHRA Spokesperson.

First point, great idea! Chicks in bikinis.. ALWAYS a good idea. Idle some nostalgia cars down the return road Id like to see too.. but I don't know about all the logistics involved either.

Don't want to sound like a butt kisser or speak for Alan but never a good idea to document anything negative about your employer. I wouldn't try to annoy away one of the few people who can represent the NHRA either on here. If I had something bad to say I would keep it to myself.

 

[mick]

can remember fans coming out of bleachers for stupid competitions:
1) spin around a baseball bat, then run(stumble) to some finish line
2) tricycle races (little kid tricycles)
this was funny stuff and fun to watch
(powerade era)

bob frey in stands with remote mic asking incredibly simple trivia questions
was fun too. (winston era)

replace the geico guys with geico girls - each girl represents a powersports
product that geico insures......motorcycle girl / boat girl / jetski girl /
snowmobile girl / atv girl......seems like a perfect fit for a motorsports crowd.

 

[none]

Chris,

We do explain the qualifying. Bob does that each session. On Friday he explains the top 12 rule, and the run order. Then on Saturday he explains that 12 have a run on the board and the rest are starting from scratch. He does that everytime.

We explain each class as it comes up. Whether it's the this is why they slow off the line then take off, or this is why these cars don't have hood scoops.

We are also building a video library of little tech things and explanations for some of the things that an average fan might not understand. I'm not saying that we're perfect by any means, but I don't think we're as bad as you seem to think.

And the t-shirt guys aren't there for the racers, they are there for the fans. When they get out the cannon and say "Who want's a t-shirt?" The fans all stand up and scream. Fans like to participate. And that's what those guys do, they get the fans involved.

And if I have a disagreement with my employer, I will take it up with them directly. I have done that many times. But, I'm certainly not going to call them out on a message board.

Alan

 

[none]

Mike,

They still do those games, they use the trikes at almost every race, the bat deal can only be done at certain tracks, for instance you couldn't do it at Z-Max, because there is no grass and we don't want somebody stumbling and going down on concrete.

Alan

 

[theraceman]

Classic Angelle thread.

Starts with something nice, then some dope mentions crying, then an argument about wins and Wallys, and then veers off to some of the dumbest arguments ever about NHRA not doing a good job entertaining people while they are cleaning the track.

Most of the suggestions are so stupid, I can’t believe Alan even spent a second answering them. Go to more than 3 national Events and then come back and explain how these suggestions would actually work from track to track.

Angelle was great for Pro Stock Bike. She did it, she owned it for awhile, and she made a positive impact. More than most can claim.

 

[clwill]

We do explain the qualifying. Bob does that each session. On Friday he explains the top 12 rule, and the run order. Then on Saturday he explains that 12 have a run on the board and the rest are starting from scratch. He does that everytime.

We explain each class as it comes up. Whether it's the this is why they slow off the line then take off, or this is why these cars don't have hood scoops.

We are also building a video library of little tech things and explanations for some of the things that an average fan might not understand. I'm not saying that we're perfect by any means, but I don't think we're as bad as you seem to think.

Alan, the descriptions are often a quick word or sentence, and are often drowned out by the cars. 75% of what Bob (or you say) is never heard. But the videos are, because they run during downtime or before the cars run. And a professionally produced video would be able to say and show things you guys just can't (or don't want to say) every time.

Here's my starter list of videos you can/should create:

• How the Full Throttle championship works, how points are awarded at each event, who gets how many, how the Countdown reset works, and so on. And how you can find/follow the points on NHRA.com.
• How racing is done (based on qualifying), lane choice is decided (it's not the same in every class), run order is decided, and so on. You guys whip over this, but a clear video with graphics would help a lot of newbies.
• How qualifying works, how is run order decided, lane choice, pairings, etc in qualifying. How do the qualifying points work? What about the bonus qualifying points? Why were those added? And yes the Friday 12 thing.
• What some of the things are that get you DQ'ed (red light, over the center line), explain "first or worst", why red lights don't matter in qualifying (but center line does), etc.
• How qualifying works in the pro vs. sportsman vs. other classes (1 vs. 16 as opposed to 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 9). And why there is no qualifying in some classes, but ladder only built after round 1.
• Tell us about the christmas tree, the history, the new LED bulbs, the new staging bulbs, the change from .400 to .370, full vs. pro tree, and so on.
• Show how timing works, RT vs. ET vs. MPH. A quick video that shows the track and all the various traps, and timing places would help a lot.
• Go into more technical detail about timing. Show how the beams work, why they work even in bright sunlight, why they are at one height at the start, another at the end of the track, how the computer system works.
• Talk about weight, how cars are weighed, why some classes are, some aren't. Show cars being weighed and when they are weighed. There was a huge argument on one board about how you weigh a dragster on a scale that's too short. Show them.
• Talk about tech, show cars being teched, talk about what they are being checked for, what cars can get rejected for, when some classes get torn down, etc.
• Tell us about the Safety Safari, what do all the people do, from the tractors to the guys with brooms to the EMTs. Introduce them all.
• What does the starter really do? What does the switch he clicks really do? What does he shut some people down for? Introduce us to him.
• Tell us in detail about track prep. Why do they scrap it, what is that spray, what does dragging the tires do? Tell us about when they first get to a track for a national event, and build from there. What are they doing in detail during a cleanup, what is the kitty litter, and so on. Why does it take so long?
• Introduce us to sponsors, and sponsorship. How do teams get them, what do sponsors pay and get? Talk about contingency sponsors and explain the 2000 stickers on every car.
• What are the differences between the fuel cars, in detail. Talk about specs, wheelbase, weight, height, ground clearance, and so on.
• What is the difference between and alky and a fuel car? Why do the alky cars run transmissions and the fuel cars don't? Why running an alky car is so complicated.
• Why are there two different TAD configurations? What are they? Why do some people run one vs. the other? How are the two combinations effected by the weather? Why aren't there two TAFC configurations?
• Help people to understand the pro stock classes, how they are like stock cars/bikes (e.g. in body) and how they are different. What are the limits, and things they can/can't do.
• Explain Complicated Eliminator. Please...
• Explain the Super categories, throttle stops, and how they work. How to watch them (at the them of the track). Explain why they are the most popular classes in the sport for racers.
• Explain the millions of class designations (AA/CD or whatever) and what they all mean. How are cars of different capabilities raced in various ways (brackets vs. index) and so on.
• How can you get involved. That most of the 400+ cars are the track are owned by regular work-a-day folks and here's how to get started.
• Talk about the many drag racing schools around the country and how they are a great way to get started in the sport. Start growing the sport, and this is a great way to do it.

There's over 20 and I can come up with 20 more in just a few minutes. But this would be a great place to start. And would easily replace the Geigo clowns...

 

[clwill]

Here are some more:

• Why do they do a burnout? Why do some do longer some do shorter? How do they do a burnout in a fuel car (with the throttle limiter)? Why do the PSB's sometimes go around the water box? Why do some classes burnout past the starting line and some don't?
• How do they tune a fuel car? What are the things they can control like clutch, fuel, timing, etc.? How do they adjust for various track/weather conditions?
• What are they doing when they lift a body on a FC? What are they checking?
• How do you tune a PS car for the weather/track? What can you adjust in the suspension and so on? How do they get all that HP out of just gas and a 500ci engine? Why is this the tightest of the pro classes?
• Same for a PSB? How do they make that power? How do they compensate for the various track conditions?
• Tell us more about warmups. Why do some fuel teams blip the throttle and some no longer do? What are they looking for during a warmup?
• Tell people in detail what NHRA is doing about safety, why they went to 1000ft, what they are doing (if anything) to go back to 1320, talk about the nets, and so on.
• Give us a picture of the life of a team on the road. What is the travel like, the setup/tear down, where do they live/eat/etc when on the road? When do they ever get to go home? How late do they work on a weekend night?
• Tell us about the difference in the various teams. Sure there's JFR with it's 20+ person team, but walk down a few classes. What does a TAFC team look like? A Comp car team? A super stock car? Introduce some of those folks.
• Tell us about the staff of the NHRA. What do all those people in Glendora do? Where does all the membership/entry money go? Introduce us to many of them. Put faces with names.

There's 10 more, want me to keep going?

 

[You!]

Where's Jerrod?