What's the future of Drag Racing with this generation?

[none]

Jay,
Could you tell us what is considered a "huge crowd of young people at a motorsport event"
I find it amazing that a business owner that most of his income comes from drag racing does nothing but bad mouth the sport and many of the people in it.

 

[clwill]

But if you read through this entire thread, you will see that no one really wants a solution.

You want a cracker and some cheese with that whine?

I presented a whole slew of ideas toward a solution on page 1 of this thread.

And a whole additional model (that echoes much of what you said) over on this thread: http://www.nitromater.com/threads/what-is-your-idea-of-a-strong-nhra.35026/page-3#post-325890

 

[Nick Name]

You want a cracker and some cheese with that whine?

I presented a whole slew of ideas toward a solution on page 1 of this thread.

And a whole additional model (that echoes much of what you said) over on this thread: http://www.nitromater.com/threads/what-is-your-idea-of-a-strong-nhra.35026/page-3#post-325890

Everyone seems concerned with their own personal adgenda, not how to get this generation involved.

 

[clwill]

Everyone seems concerned with their own personal adgenda, not how to get this generation involved.

Please reread my post on page one of this thread. Here. A bunch of ideas on how to do just that.

 

[Nick Name]

Jay,
Could you tell us what is considered a "huge crowd of young people at a motorsport event"
I find it amazing that a business owner that most of his income comes from drag racing does nothing but bad mouth the sport and many of the people in it.

Paul; The part of drag racing we are involved in is as big worldwide as it has ever been. It is being fueled by young people. Read the title of this thread, that is what it is about.

Most everyone that has posted is trying to get them involved in some stepping stone to NHRA big show style drag racing. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

 

[cephus]

damn Joe nobody Is blaming the rich but the facts are there, I am damn sure still pissed about the 5 companies that filed chapter 11 on me in 08-09 and got me for over $700 K and now i dont have the extra $250k to field a competitive alky dragster and go play once a month, so screw the rich corporations that have a legal way to steal from the rest of us working class,the rich aren't the only ones that spend money on the sport the sportsman classes aint got the big corporate backin the suits have, it takes a lot of money to play in comp eliminator, pro mod, alky class, top sportsman, top dragster, WTF,,u always seem to find a way 2 rain on my post
u r just like a old woman with bad pms !! LOL

 

[Speed1288]

sure I will get hacked on this but people aint got the fun money, toy money they once had, the middle class is steady getting $%#ked and their wages aren't increasing with the rise of everything around them, the rich are getting richer and the working middle class is working their ass off to get by, the NHRA show aint worth shelling out the funds to see it anymore, its simple NHRA corporate is closed minded on new ideas from the fans that pay their life style cause their life is set and
wonderful as it is so why change it

I don't disagree. You do have some good points about the shrinking middle class and the nhra

 

[yoda]

...

Most everyone that has posted is trying to get them involved in some stepping stone to NHRA big show style drag racing. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

Yeah- so far it's been one giant failure.

Sincerely yours,
Shawn Langdon
Erica Enders

 

[Jimbo]

OK I am going to tell you what I think is happening right now to not only drag racing but also do other forms of racing such as NASCAR.

The interests of younger people in general is changing to other forms of racing such as drifting and yes that threaded word imports.
Guys as a life long drag racing and someone who's business is involved with products for drag racing I really believe that people simply have other interests right now.

I do believe that drag racing on the local level will continue but has for the National Level I am just not sure what the future holds.

Just my opinion. Jim Hill

 

[yoda]

Does anyone here think that maybe- just MAYBE- IHRA may be on the path to getting it right? A Pro "show" with the kind of cars that the fans like, in a format that is still giving the fans a performance. And a focus on the core group of racers around the country that are its bread and butter?
Maybe they are a battling an old image problem, but their long-term vision is actually the right path for the sport as a whole?

 

[Jimbo]

Does anyone here think that maybe- just MAYBE- IHRA may be on the path to getting it right? A Pro "show" with the kind of cars that the fans like, in a format that is still giving the fans a performance. And a focus on the core group of racers around the country that are its bread and butter?
Maybe they are a battling an old image problem, but their long-term vision is actually the right path for the sport as a whole?

Just my opinion but I think they are going in the right direction.


Because of being in my 60's I tend to like things the way they have always been for years but for drag racing to continue into the future changes will be inevitable.

Crazy thing is many other sports are seeing the same things happening that are taking place with drag racing and peoples interest just appear to be changing with the times we live in.

Maybe some day the only classes the NHRA will run at National Events will simply be the Pro Classes.
I have always followed the alcohol cars and when I look at this years schedule with no alcohol cars at E-Town, Bristol, Atlanta, Epping and other events it's clear times are changing.
Jim Hill

 

[Nick Name]

Does anyone here think that maybe- just MAYBE- IHRA may be on the path to getting it right? A Pro "show" with the kind of cars that the fans like, in a format that is still giving the fans a performance. And a focus on the core group of racers around the country that are its bread and butter?
Maybe they are a battling an old image problem, but their long-term vision is actually the right path for the sport as a whole?

Absolutely. However, with the race track sanctioning thing, they can not bring that show to the bigger venues.

Also, as this would no doubt put more people in the stands, it doesn't address the question of how to get these young people out on the track.

 

[Nick Name]

Yeah- so far it's been one giant failure.

Sincerely yours,
Shawn Langdon
Erica Enders

Martin. We are not talking about two kids with money behind them. We are talking about a whole generation.

 

[Toejam]

damn Joe nobody Is blaming the rich but the facts are there, I am damn sure still pissed about the 5 companies that filed chapter 11 on me in 08-09 and got me for over $700 K and now i dont have the extra $250k to field a competitive alky dragster and go play once a month, so screw the rich corporations that have a legal way to steal from the rest of us working class,the rich aren't the only ones that spend money on the sport the sportsman classes aint got the big corporate backin the suits have, it takes a lot of money to play in comp eliminator, pro mod, alky class, top sportsman, top dragster, WTF,,u always seem to find a way 2 rain on my post
u r just like a old woman with bad pms !! LOL

You attack the Rich then say you didn't attack the Rich, which is it? Now anybody who gets Multi-million dollar bailouts, is that their fault or the Policians that we're electing? There are an awful lot of Weathy racers in this sport who Sell everything and do something else. You think Drag racing is in the shitter now?

 

[yoda]

Martin. We are not talking about two kids with money behind them. We are talking about a whole generation.

These are but two examples of the youth that want to be in this sport doing well. You and I both know that auto racing is not a poor man's sport- never has been, never will be. Maybe today's mainstream youth just don't see the sport as worth the investment. And can you blame them? The kings of our sport- the cars that receive ALL the attention- compete for 3 seconds- where is the fun in that? Especially when, for pennies on the dollar, youth can race MX or drift events for the day, and still be in the race until the day is done. Not like us and our "one-and-done" possibility. Hell, I see jr teams all the time have the parent's investment become a giant loss because the kid just can't get out of the first round every race, and everyone just loses heart. Even pee-wee football kids on the bench stay suited up until the last whistle blows; in our sport, 50% of all qualifiers are DONE after the day just gets started. What I'm saying is, this stuff isn't for everyone- maybe we should stop trying to make it for everyone, and make it better for those that sink heart and soul (and hard earned bucks) into it and love it like we do.

 

[SundayNiagara]

You attack the Rich then say you didn't attack the Rich, which is it? Now anybody who gets Multi-million dollar bailouts, is that their fault or the Policians that we're electing? There are an awful lot of Weathy racers in this sport who Sell everything and do something else. You think Drag racing is in the shitter now?

Get a life!

 

[mw6789]

I have taken 6 first timers to the track, 4 of them really enjoyed themselves. But SOO many people think NHRA's prices are just too high, hear that all the time!

Joe, I think too many people discount what the economy has to do with the problem. I agree it is not the only problem, but it definitely is a major problem. I know in my business, I have seen disposable income drop dramatically in the last 5 or 6 years. And if you want to compete in the big NHRA show in ANY class it is expensive. I certainly dont claim to have the answer of how you overcome that.

 

[Jimbo]

Mike Walker the answer do your question of how to you overcome the disposable income drop is you can't.
My business is seeing the exact same thing only this year is much worst then last year.

Just my opinion. Jim Hill

 

[mw6789]

Mike Walker the answer do your question of how to you overcome the disposable income drop is you can't.
My business is seeing the exact same thing only this year is much worst then last year.

Just my opinion. Jim Hill

I agree. I could show you my books with the steady decline since 2008. And a couple of years ago the decline got sharper. Just completed the worst 3 months I can ever remember. I know the gosh awful weather the country has experienced has not helped. Sometimes I am glad I am old and dont have to work as hard as I used to. When I started out, if I had it, it had a payment book attached to it. If I had that problem now, I would have to surrender.

 

[cephus]

Here u go again Joe, I never attacked the rich u said I did, I made a point the middle class don't have the toy money any more cause their wages hasn't increased only the Rich is seeing an increase u must b from CO and smoking the new legal weed !
the world as we know is ruled by the rich/money and they put the crooks in DC not me