What they're saying in the pits about 1320 v 1000

[T.Smith]

You don't see the same speeds at the IHRA races. I think one of the ingredients to slowing the fuel cars is to use less glue on the track. Minimize the track prep and make the tuners and drivers deal with less grip. There'd be more "pedalfests", lower et's, and slower top end speeds. Tuners would have no choice but to back the cars down. I also think a minimum burnout line and no touching the car after the burnout should be mandatory. Do your burnout, back up, stage the car and go.

I'd like to know what your plan is for the rest of the cars on the property, especially since pro stock and pro mod can't make it down the track without crashing if the prep isn't what they want.

What is your plan for the sportsman racers? They depend on that track prep also.

 

[T.Smith]

Lagana went 330 at Martin in August.

More the reason not to go back to 1320 under the current rules. We have some late shut off runs where the speeds were +332mph.

 

[yoda]

I haven't followed it lately, but isn't the IHRA still using 1320ft? Who supplies their tires?

Goodyear on the TF cars, Hoosiers and MT as well as Goodyear on everything else.

1320 for the most part- there are a lot of 1/8th races, but the NitroJam series is all quarter mile. Lagana's 330 was big news, especially since for the most part a lot of the long cars at an IHRA event are there in almost an exhibition car status.

Track prep is truly the difference. Maybe it's a different compound or the amount that gets laid down, but I have walked out at half track in Vegas on a test day and had to remember to tread lightly. It's not as sticky for an IHRA track- probably because there is a majority of sportsman cars running that don't need flypaper conditions all the way down.

 

[T.Smith]

This is a good point too Shannon. We can argue about 1000 v 1320 until we are blue in the face (and we usually do), and while it surely has something to do with declining attendance, the economy has not recovered from 2008, yet the prices of goods and services continue to climb. And when you get somewhere you are a captive audience, like a NHRA race, football game or concert ... The prices are userous. A lot of people were getting sick of being nickel and dimed, and have found excuses (like 1000ft) to not spend their money and are no longer attending. It is no longer a small consideration for a family of 4 to go to a movie and get popcorn, let alone go to a NFL game or drag race. Like I have been saying, fix the economics of the sport and the money will follow.

The next weekend after the US Nationals I took my family of 5 to Great America. We buy season tickets tickets for the kids because we can afford to and they go quite often, so we get our moneys worth, but for one person to go there for one day it is $64.99...what is a one day ticket for the US Nationals???...$65??? It's all a matter of where we the consumer chooses to spend our entertainment dollars.

...and yes the economics of the sport needs fixing.

 

[Toejam]

So Pomona and E-Town hit the chopping block? I don't think so....

E-town may not have a choice, be interesting to see if that track survives the next 5-7 years!

 

[Raconteur]

There is absolutely no reason that a track like Pomona or E-town couldn't be run at 1,000 feet and ones like Vegas, Sonoma, Dallas, Phoenix, etc. be run at 1,320. NASCAR has been doing it for years with road courses and oddball track lengths. There is already a set of records for 1,320 feet ~ 1,000 feet & 660 feet

No matter what is said here on Mater, there truly is a large contingent of former fans and racers who say that interest in NHRA Big Show drag racing diminished with the knee jerk reaction and change to 1,000 feet.

Believe it or don't.

 

[J]

I tried to get a friend of mine to go,never been to a drag race,he didnt want to go b/c he said 1000 ft??? He said whats the point. The extra 320 ft would be nice to have back. Hoping goodyear can make it happen?? You ask a drag racer and most will say yea 1/4 mile, You ask the owner of the team he'll say 1000ft,prob b/c its cheaper.

 

[Mooseman]

They still race 1/4 mile with top fuel in Australia using the same goodyears as in the states. You want to talk about limited markets for tire companies then land speed record racing is at the top of that list the streamliner tires are actually rated faster and the market is less then drag racing.

I do agree on attendance costs. The prices to attend a race are absurd based on what you guys are saying. Might be ok if just one person but a killer for a family.

 

[Race Fan]

Here's a clever idea...Lets make tickets more affordable for the average person attending a 3 day event.....

To goto Pomona cost $138.00 for general admission for one person Thurs- Sun.

$138.00 x 4 people $552.00 + Food

I don't see how a family of 4 can goto an event. Its hard to justify paying that amount in today's economy..JMO

Shannon

+parking

 

[vegasnitro]

The next weekend after the US Nationals I took my family of 5 to Great America. We buy season tickets tickets for the kids because we can afford to and they go quite often, so we get our moneys worth, but for one person to go there for one day it is $64.99...what is a one day ticket for the US Nationals???...$65??? It's all a matter of where we the consumer chooses to spend our entertainment dollars.

...and yes the economics of the sport needs fixing.

The cost of the ticket is generally not the issue, though everyone would like cheaper tickets I am sure. The issue (for me at least) is the ancillary costs, which usually exceed the price of admission. $20 parking, $8 hot dogs, $6 cokes, $9 beers, $30 T-Shirts and $25 hats, don't underestimate $4 gas, traffic jams getting in or out and terrible facilities for the wife or kids. As such, the consumer now has to be more choosy about where they spend their entertainment dollar. For many families, gone are the days of going to Great America and Route 66 or a Bears game. What is NHRAs marketing plan to "win" that families entertainment dollar? How do you make it sustainable so they keep coming back? These are the questions they NEED to be asking.

 

[legendman]

The discussion about going back to 1320 for T/F & F/C is pretty much meaningless. No matter if all the spectators, racers and the suits in Glendora decided to go back to 1320 it isn't going to happen without a 'MAJOR' change in the speed of the cars. Goodyear is in the position to veto going back to 1320 unless there is a guarantee that the speed do not go up. Today they have what they call a 350mph tire and they want at least a 10mph safety factor for the tire with means they do not want it run at over 340mph. The chances of Goodyear making a new pro tire that has a faster rating I think is slim and none. Additionally, I do not see them developing a faster tire due to the liability issues and the costs of developing a new tire that has very very limited sales in a very small marketplace. Goodyear is probably in the strongest position of negating 1320 racing than anyone else. If Goodyear were to stop manf these tires NHRA is S.O.L. with having the T/F & F/C classes. Firestone used to make tires for these classes as did M&H. They both stopped due to the liability and the high development costs and selling them at a $$ loss. It wasn't economical. Goodyear is the only player in town and if they say no 1320' and it's going to stay 1000' or they will pull out of making the tires it would be 1000' no matter what anyone else including NHRA might want.

This guy ... Marketing Manager for Goodyear said the tire could handle 1320 foot racing back in 2009, it's possible with the increase in mph and power that is no longer the case.

Inside Look - Goodyear Drag Tires - YouTube

But until Goodyear publicly states the tire can't handle it, in my opinion Goodyear is not the reason there won't be any change back to the 1/4 mile

 

[mick]

just paid $224 for two tickets to a 1/4/14 mn wild vs. wash. capitals (ovechkin) hockey
game @ excel energy center in st. paul.....think only one tier of pricing below this and it's up high on end.
place is almost sold out for this game....3 hours of entertainment.

quality public golf course 18 holes w/cart: $60-$150 per round for 4-5 hours + tips + beverage + lost bet

nhra's problem is maybe slightly an economy issue....the economy corrected in '08 and we're probably not
getting much better than rite now....folks have money to spend on sports entertainment and IMO it's
the middle class and above that are spending....which is what NHRA's fan base has always been.
if they are leaving I agree it's an issue of perceived lowered entertainment value and they are spending in
other places.
that's not a badge to annually increase prices; the product is only worth so much, and any chance to cap
or lower a price will be recognized by fans.

 

[Paul]

E-town may not have a choice, be interesting to see if that track survives the next 5-7 years!

If the rumors were ever true, E-Town would have been shut down 20 years ago.

 

[megadeth]

Here's a clever idea...Lets make tickets more affordable for the average person attending a 3 day event.....

To goto Pomona cost $138.00 for general admission for one person Thurs- Sun.

$138.00 x 4 people $552.00 + Food

I don't see how a family of 4 can goto an event. Its hard to justify paying that amount in today's economy..JMO

Shannon

Don't forget parking usually $20 bucks more!

 

[megadeth]

Here's a clever idea...Lets make tickets more affordable for the average person attending a 3 day event.....

To goto Pomona cost $138.00 for general admission for one person Thurs- Sun.

$138.00 x 4 people $552.00 + Food

I don't see how a family of 4 can goto an event. Its hard to justify paying that amount in today's economy..JMO

Shannon

Don't forget the cost of ticket to sit in the stands!
Like I said nickel and diming your fans will only push them away!

I love nostalgia racing but don't like the way the cars are starting to morph into the current bodies.

 

[I was NITRO BREATH]

Lets see If lower tickt prices will bring in lots more fans. Next year let nhra lower prices considerably and parking. If we see much higher atendance then we know its the economy and not 1000'. If nothing changes then 1320 and other ideas must be considered. Seems like a good experiment. Teams dont spend extra money, safety remains the same, and speeds stay up where they are now. Worth a try. Question is how to significantly lower ticket prices. Cut them down to $40.00 for adults and 20 for kids under say 15 yrs old. How will track owners react?? And is this possible

 

[PJ]

I think people get too focused on the problem only being in one area.

Why do you like racing? Chances are you will list more than one reason.

Why are the numbers done? Chances are it is also more than one reason.

Economics, value, 1000', countdown, overly PC personalities would be some of the culprits.

Lowering ticket prices would be a nice move and would likely result in a bump. The goal needs to be long-term moves that lead to long-term growth. This means changes to a few areas.

Of course when you start changing all kinds of things at once, it is difficult to tell what is truly working so there is a balancing act to it.

 

[vegasnitro]

Good point PJ, everything is a spoke on the same wheel. It ALL matters.

Good TV package - good product on the track - good fan experience at events - perceived value at events - teams ability to attract and keep sponsors - teams ability to maximize revenue at events - good ROI for event, series and team sponsors - good venues for events - positive marketing.

It is all inter-connected.

 

[vegasnitro]

What parity is Jim Head talking about? The only Funny Car to win this year not from DSR or JFR is Cruz Pedregon 3 times. The only Top Fuel cars to win this year not from Al-Anabi or DSR are Bob Vandergriff once and Doug Kalitta once and Morgan Lucas twice. When you combine both nitro classes, the big 3 of Al-Anabi, DSR and JFR have won 39 out 46 events, for a whopping 85%. That is not parity, that is everyone else hoping they can make the semis or be in the other lane in the final.

Qualifying is tighter, but it doesn't translate on race day.

Including today, that makes it 41 out of 48.

Parity? Jim Head is smarter than me, but I don't see it.

 

[Von Halen]

The discussion about going back to 1320 for T/F & F/C is pretty much meaningless. No matter if all the spectators, racers and the suits in Glendora decided to go back to 1320 it isn't going to happen without a 'MAJOR' change in the speed of the cars. Goodyear is in the position to veto going back to 1320 unless there is a guarantee that the speed do not go up. Today they have what they call a 350mph tire and they want at least a 10mph safety factor for the tire with means they do not want it run at over 340mph. The chances of Goodyear making a new pro tire that has a faster rating I think is slim and none. Additionally, I do not see them developing a faster tire due to the liability issues and the costs of developing a new tire that has very very limited sales in a very small marketplace. Goodyear is probably in the strongest position of negating 1320 racing than anyone else. If Goodyear were to stop manf these tires NHRA is S.O.L. with having the T/F & F/C classes. Firestone used to make tires for these classes as did M&H. They both stopped due to the liability and the high development costs and selling them at a $$ loss. It wasn't economical. Goodyear is the only player in town and if they say no 1320' and it's going to stay 1000' or they will pull out of making the tires it would be 1000' no matter what anyone else including NHRA might want.

Not at all what the guys at the Goodyear Innovation Center in Akron tell me.