Video discussing red flags for NHRA (11 Viewers)

[GumbyWVU]

I guess we'll never really know about how much attendance has declined (or on what days) since official numbers never have and likely never will be released. Too bad.

 

[Mike]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned how little the manufacturer's midway has to offer nowadays.

I got a free bag of Mission chips though. They were tasty.

 

[mike]

I got a free bag of Mission chips though. They were tasty.

Forty years ago you needed a wheelbarrow to go through the midway -nhra chased by greed all the mfgs.-- away also still paying racer same payouts. But The board still get their raises every year

 

[glofria]

The NHRA Board of Directors and top management have to change. You have
six of drag racing's greatest promoters and entreprenuers held at arm's length.
Don Garlits, Don Prudhomme, Connie Kalitta, Kenny Bernstein, Terry Vance and John Force need to be involved in
NHRA's management, either as Board of Directors or upper management. These guys
were problem solvers and happily thought outside the box. They know how to build successful
organizations. Also, poor performance was never tolerated. Sadly, no NHRA "member" is allowed
a say in management decisions or who will lead their organization.
Bill Bader would make a wonderful, feet on the ground, chief executive.

Most of these names are over 80 years-old if not all of them. Don't think they'd be interested in getting involved. Those of them who do stay active are most likely are happy with what they have on their plate now and can easily step away from it if they so choose.

I watched the video last night and there were some valid points being made; he mentioned that NHRA is a non-profit. It is not. It is a not-for-profit org. The difference is that NHRA has memberships like the Knights of Columbus does.

The spiral has been happening for years now, and like a lot of ventures, has been accelerated by the COVID years. Time to step out of the box and try something new. Otherwise, this is what they teach in business school: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icarus_paradox

 

[Litefoot]

I agree with what you say about the age gap. I do think there are things NHRA could do to get their product into the eyes of the younger crowd. NPK did it. I don’t know what they did but their crowd was much younger than NHRA.

The downtime is a big issue too. During eliminations, the crowd empties during pro stock. The 8-15 minutes of track prep runs the non hardcore fans away. We can’t avoid the prep needed after an incident but if they could shorten up the time between classes that would certainly help.

If I was in charge of NHRA, I would have more night racing where possible. In the past few years, we see a decrease in crowds during eliminations. Friday seems to get good crowds especially when there is a night session. I would have two sessions on Friday with one of them being a night session. On Saturday I would either cut it to one session and first round or have two qualifying sessions during the day but run nitro first round on Saturday night. On Sunday there would only be three rounds of nitro and it could conceivably be a four hour show. A spectator could see second round at 11am, semi’s at 1 and finals at 2:45. Bring the family out and it’s completed in 4 hours. I also see no reason that they couldn’t have a warm weather race run qualifying Thursday and Friday with finals Saturday evening. A tight 4 hour nitro show would work for live TV.

While this isn’t a fix for every race since weather, curfew and lighting wouldn’t always make it possible. I just don’t understand why NHRA has the Sunday day eliminations for every race. I know “PRO” wouldn’t necessarily agree with my ideas, they need to do something to get more eyeballs on the sport.

Interesting thoughts

 

[Litefoot]

Forty years ago you needed a wheelbarrow to go through the midway -nhra chased by greed all the mfgs.-- away also still paying racer same payouts. But The board still get their raises every year

And Bentleys

 

[none]

I agree with what you say about the age gap. I do think there are things NHRA could do to get their product into the eyes of the younger crowd. NPK did it. I don’t know what they did but their crowd was much younger than NHRA.

The downtime is a big issue too. During eliminations, the crowd empties during pro stock. The 8-15 minutes of track prep runs the non hardcore fans away. We can’t avoid the prep needed after an incident but if they could shorten up the time between classes that would certainly help.

If I was in charge of NHRA, I would have more night racing where possible. In the past few years, we see a decrease in crowds during eliminations. Friday seems to get good crowds especially when there is a night session. I would have two sessions on Friday with one of them being a night session. On Saturday I would either cut it to one session and first round or have two qualifying sessions during the day but run nitro first round on Saturday night. On Sunday there would only be three rounds of nitro and it could conceivably be a four hour show. A spectator could see second round at 11am, semi’s at 1 and finals at 2:45. Bring the family out and it’s completed in 4 hours. I also see no reason that they couldn’t have a warm weather race run qualifying Thursday and Friday with finals Saturday evening. A tight 4 hour nitro show would work for live TV.

While this isn’t a fix for every race since weather, curfew and lighting wouldn’t always make it possible. I just don’t understand why NHRA has the Sunday day eliminations for every race. I know “PRO” wouldn’t necessarily agree with my ideas, they need to do something to get more eyeballs on the sport.

Chris,

Not arguing, just discussing. The 1st round Saturday conversation has been had for many years. Here's the issue. Let's say Antron Brown is your guy. You either bought tickets or you are a MATCO dealer and you're coming out with your kid to root for Antron, and hopefully get a picture and autograph. Antron lost 1st round Saturday and won't be racing Sunday. Are youy still coming? He might not even be there at the track.

Many of the Pro drivers are not great spectators, and once they get beat, don't stay all day. You would be surprised how many times over the years a Pro racer would text me: "Who won?" because they left after getting beat.

I do agree that there's too much down time, and think there's a solution to that. But I'm not the guy who decides those things. Thought for a minute I might be, turns out No!

Alan

 

[none]

And Bentleys

Which NHRA executive has one of those?

Alan

 

[mick]

speaking of mfg'rs midway, i'm always amazed every year at BIR milwaukee tools has a huge display with stuff for sale,
that almost all fans can't help but walking right by it, yet i'm not aware of an involvement in the sport? who allows this?
does lucas oil allow it? i mean, are there tool mfg'rs other than cornwell tools that had displays of products for sale at indy?

 

[J]

Chris,

Not arguing, just discussing. The 1st round Saturday conversation has been had for many years. Here's the issue. Let's say Antron Brown is your guy. You either bought tickets or you are a MATCO dealer and you're coming out with your kid to root for Antron, and hopefully get a picture and autograph. Antron lost 1st round Saturday and won't be racing Sunday. Are youy still coming? He might not even be there at the track.

Many of the Pro drivers are not great spectators, and once they get beat, don't stay all day. You would be surprised how many times over the years a Pro racer would text me: "Who won?" because they left after getting beat.

I do agree that there's too much down time, and think there's a solution to that. But I'm not the guy who decides those things. Thought for a minute I might be, turns out No!

Alan

Id still like to know what the real story was on comptons departure....

 

[camaro]

Chris,

Not arguing, just discussing. The 1st round Saturday conversation has been had for many years. Here's the issue. Let's say Antron Brown is your guy. You either bought tickets or you are a MATCO dealer and you're coming out with your kid to root for Antron, and hopefully get a picture and autograph. Antron lost 1st round Saturday and won't be racing Sunday. Are youy still coming? He might not even be there at the track.

Many of the Pro drivers are not great spectators, and once they get beat, don't stay all day. You would be surprised how many times over the years a Pro racer would text me: "Who won?" because they left after getting beat.

I do agree that there's too much down time, and think there's a solution to that. But I'm not the guy who decides those things. Thought for a minute I might be, turns out No!

Alan

When are you gonna launch a Podcast? you have a vast amount of knowledge and know just about everyone in the sport, who i'm sure would patronize you as guest. At this point, there are more podcast, these days than people who listen to them, but i figure they are very inexpensive to start and most of all, i think, now that u are not married to any organization, u have the ability to unbiased reporting and opinions? just wondering!