Its obvious you can't argue the point...
Nitromater
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What's the future of Drag Racing with this generation?
- Thread starter JC
- Start date
Its obvious you can't argue the point...
Its every bit about the economy, NASCAR is the perfect example of that! Look at their crowds from 2006-07 to now.
yoda
Nitro Member
Ehhh... they had so many rules changes and series shakeups during that period that most real NASCAR fans finally said screw it- it is too easy to watch on tv and turn it off when its crap. Thats what highlight reels are for...
Drag racing doesn't fall too far from that tree...
Well I would much rather watch NASCAR on TV than live, Drag racing is nothing on Television. Need to be there!
DrRocket
Nitro Member
Jesse, yeah, they had that policy in place for a while before the economic downturn, and I remember it really ticked quite a few people off. They've since dropped that policy and started offering single day tickets several years ago.
Joe WTF do u do for a living, u seem 2 think u hav all the correct answers
to all questions am I missing ur greatness,, thinkin u mite b some great engineer
or professor !! LOL
Well, I guess we all know that you're not an English professor, LOL! That is so painful to read!!
Huge
Nitro Member
I agree Joe... I like watching nascar on tv much better then sitting in a seat at the track. But, I would rather watch drag racing at the track instead of on tv.
SundayNiagara
Nitro Member
I'd rather not watch NASCAR AT ALL!
Huge
Nitro Member
,
I use to feel that way also...but, now it is my number one thing to watch on tv. I always enjoy the hauler parade at Fontana. Myself, and one of my teammates have attended the parade and the race for the past 3 years. But, that is only because i get free tickets every year...i still like it better on tv.
clwill
Nitro Member
Interesting, isn't it? I prefer NASCAR on TV as well. It's because their broadcast gives you a view you can never see at the track: the overtaking, the bumping and shoving, the whole track view. And they have good stats and information segments that really help your understanding. For those reasons, I'd gladly give the intense feeling of the experience that you only get once at a NASCAR race -- the start. The rest of the time, it sort of falls into a loud hummm... and makes the TV experience the better bet.
Wish I could say the same for NHRA. First, there's the sonic experience, that just can't be replicated at home. But also, the TV broadcast just doesn't bring the same level of elements that you can't see at the track. Outside of the slo-mo at the finish line, there's really nothing you get on TV that you don't get at the track. And the stats/figures/info segments have nowhere near the production values they have on the NASCAR broadcasts. Funny, isn't it -- for a sport that is almost entirely numbers, the TV show should be a perfect way to highlight that. Yet all we get is ET/RT and the occasional points grid.
Wish I could say the same for NHRA. First, there's the sonic experience, that just can't be replicated at home. But also, the TV broadcast just doesn't bring the same level of elements that you can't see at the track. Outside of the slo-mo at the finish line, there's really nothing you get on TV that you don't get at the track. And the stats/figures/info segments have nowhere near the production values they have on the NASCAR broadcasts. Funny, isn't it -- for a sport that is almost entirely numbers, the TV show should be a perfect way to highlight that. Yet all we get is ET/RT and the occasional points grid.
Joe WTF do u do for a living, u seem 2 think u hav all the correct answers
to all questions am I missing ur greatness,, thinkin u mite b some great engineer
or professor !! LOL
No Guy I'm just a working stiff who works 2 jobs about 55-60 hrs. A week so I can continue to follow this sport that is supposedly dying! And as a fan I see things a lot differently then most drivers do, I see what other fans say and react to firsthand. It's pretty obvious most racers find the fans a nuisance more than anything, so your comment isn't suprising to me in the least!
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Terry
Nitro Member
Joe, what you say about a fan's perception of racing versus a driver's has a huge amount of truth to it. I am beginning my third year of my "temporary" retirement from racing due to the economic downturn and other issues caused by it. (Hopefully it truly is a temporary retirement and I can get back to racing in the next couple of years.) Anyway, the last two years I have attended races at Topeka, Bandimere, and Brainerd, as well as several Division races as a spectator rather than a racer. It really is an eye opener...especially the food and drink prices...the ticket prices didn't seem too bad as I am used to paying entry fees. As a racer, when you're not involved running the car, you tend to hang out with other racers and when time allows you to do some watching, again we usually do it with a group of racers.
Now, sitting among the spectators, I hear a completely different perspective on what is good, bad, exciting, and boring.....truly an interesting counterpoint to attending as a driver.
Not sure I totally agree with your statement about most racers viewing fans as a nuisance, but I do have to say I do feel a different vibe from the participants when I visit the pits not wearing my fire suit pants and my restricted area credentials. You have some really good observations, Joe, and I tend to listen to and respect your opinions as you are the ideal candidate to be listened to to improve spectator attendance as you probably attend as many races in one season as a less devoted fan makes it to in a lifetime. We should always seek out experience when trying to solve a problem, and your experience as a long time fan and attendee should be listened to and evaluated.
Now, sitting among the spectators, I hear a completely different perspective on what is good, bad, exciting, and boring.....truly an interesting counterpoint to attending as a driver.
Not sure I totally agree with your statement about most racers viewing fans as a nuisance, but I do have to say I do feel a different vibe from the participants when I visit the pits not wearing my fire suit pants and my restricted area credentials. You have some really good observations, Joe, and I tend to listen to and respect your opinions as you are the ideal candidate to be listened to to improve spectator attendance as you probably attend as many races in one season as a less devoted fan makes it to in a lifetime. We should always seek out experience when trying to solve a problem, and your experience as a long time fan and attendee should be listened to and evaluated.
cephus
Nitro Member
Joe, I am a fan as well as a racer I always use to go to the stands after I wuld run to watch fuel cars, and loved it but it just aint got the appeal to me anymore especially after hearing some of the inside stories about the so called professional drivers when I was racing alky, some of them are the biggest hypocrites so I see it from both sides but I am still saving to race again one day if it becomes appealing again or a new series for
fuel cars that is more affordable
fuel cars that is more affordable
So what's drag racing to do? Here's some ideas:
Or, we could just start another whining thread on the Mater...
- The JR Drag Racing league was excellent. How many pro racers today started in JRs? A lot. Now they are hiring a person in Glendora with the explicit job of making it better. Great!
- The latest youth effort from NHRA is good too. Let's hope they follow up with something more than just words.
- Make entry to a national event on Friday free for kids 15 and under when accompanied by an adult -- subtly encouraging kids to play "hooky with the hot rods", a little bit "outlaw" and fun with Mom and Dad.
- Invest a LOT more time and energy into teaching people about drag racing at the races. NHRA (has just taken my advice
and) is making a new set of Drag Racing 101 videos to show at the races.
- Make a formal program for the pro teams to host kids groups (like Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops) in the pits/hospitality on Saturday with special "intro to the drags" classroom sessions in their hospitality -- have NHRA give the kids free admission , and adults 1/2 price admission, if part of one of these groups.
- Spend a lot more time, and hire some actual teenagers, to make the NHRA social media efforts real and effective. Not adults trying to be "cool" but kids talking to kids.
- Make a concerted effort (with an official NHRA ambassador?) to woo back the front-wheel drive racer crowd into whatever categories they fit into
- Ramp up (with more than just ads) the "race on the track, not on the street" effort. Become an official sponsor of the "Street Outlaws" TV show with ads that say "don't try this at home, there's a way to do this legally".
- Get into mainstream kids media in a good way. Flood Nickelodeon, Teen Kids News, Disney, etc., etc. with pre-packaged stories of kids racing, of kids working with their parents on the car, of kids who travel with the pros, of kids using math/science to understand drag racing... The last meaningful one was "Right On Track" (Erica Enders) over a decade ago.
- Actively promote everyone in Hot Rodding to get into their local memorial day parade, their 4th of July festivities, that kind of thing so kids see more Hot Rods in the world. Heck, build a float for the Rose Parade
Big Daddy
Nitro Member
A couple observations
Had a co worker co to a National event and left with nothing but a bad taste in his mouth. Why, because to a first time fan coming to an event paying a sizable amount for family of four. Then went to a VIP area and wanted to join for the for the particular BBQ they had. Well of course you can not just get in, and he was told he couldn't even pay and buy the food he wanted
And Then while trying to go watch the races found. out they were not allowed in the bleacher area without more money and special tickets.
The entry ticket didnt include seats to watch, this is unbelievable to a first time event spectator. And his argument was when he goes to any other event seats are not separate etc
Well as much as I tried to smooth his anger he will never attend again, even though he enjoyed the racing. Not sure on the fix, but new spectators are confused and frustrated by things like this, and coming to an even should be made simple and understandable
The other observation is the loss of dedicated fans. The driver and sponsor turnover rate is too much for fans to make a connection.
The old days you had Budweiser,Hawaiian Punch,Miller,Coors,Jolly Rancher, Revell, etc with drivers like Berstein,Prudhomme,Bruce Larson,Scelzi, Dixon,CoryMac, etc
You knew who was in what car and "YOUR DRIVER" was your driver for your life.
NASCAR has this same disconnect now. You could miss races or season and come back and you always knew Richard Petty was in STP,Earnhadt was Good wrench, Gordon was Dupont,Stewart was Home Depot, Jr was Budweiser
If you turn on a race you have all of these "kids"that you have never heard of in and out and fans don't have time to get to know them before they are gone or get over their driver getting cut like Cory Mac while 2nd in points
They NEED longtime sponsors, they NEED longtime drivers! Give the fans time to make a connection and stick with a driver/sponsor
I realize there is a natural turnover of drivers and sponsors both, but they dont last 1-3 yrs in many cases
Just my two cents
Had a co worker co to a National event and left with nothing but a bad taste in his mouth. Why, because to a first time fan coming to an event paying a sizable amount for family of four. Then went to a VIP area and wanted to join for the for the particular BBQ they had. Well of course you can not just get in, and he was told he couldn't even pay and buy the food he wanted
And Then while trying to go watch the races found. out they were not allowed in the bleacher area without more money and special tickets.
The entry ticket didnt include seats to watch, this is unbelievable to a first time event spectator. And his argument was when he goes to any other event seats are not separate etc
Well as much as I tried to smooth his anger he will never attend again, even though he enjoyed the racing. Not sure on the fix, but new spectators are confused and frustrated by things like this, and coming to an even should be made simple and understandable
The other observation is the loss of dedicated fans. The driver and sponsor turnover rate is too much for fans to make a connection.
The old days you had Budweiser,Hawaiian Punch,Miller,Coors,Jolly Rancher, Revell, etc with drivers like Berstein,Prudhomme,Bruce Larson,Scelzi, Dixon,CoryMac, etc
You knew who was in what car and "YOUR DRIVER" was your driver for your life.
NASCAR has this same disconnect now. You could miss races or season and come back and you always knew Richard Petty was in STP,Earnhadt was Good wrench, Gordon was Dupont,Stewart was Home Depot, Jr was Budweiser
If you turn on a race you have all of these "kids"that you have never heard of in and out and fans don't have time to get to know them before they are gone or get over their driver getting cut like Cory Mac while 2nd in points
They NEED longtime sponsors, they NEED longtime drivers! Give the fans time to make a connection and stick with a driver/sponsor
I realize there is a natural turnover of drivers and sponsors both, but they dont last 1-3 yrs in many cases
Just my two cents
Jimbo
Nitro Member
What's going on right now is really simple.
Peoples interests are changing to other things and has someone already commented today many young people are into cars but they are the four cylinder turbo charged cars or even motorcycles.
Look at some of your larger car shows around the country and the only way they can keep the car up is by allowing newer later model style cars.
I friend of mine who asked his three sons if they would like to go to a drag race and they said they would rather go see a Monster Truck Show instead and it just shows you what some of these young people are thinking about.
What happens over the next five to ten years for all motor sports is a big question mark.
I am sure the drag racing will continue in some form or another just maybe not as we have known it for the past 40 years.
The problem I see is that many of the racing companies and sanctioning bodies might really shrink in size or even go out of business.
One other comment I would like to make is that many racing forums on the internet are seeing fewer people then they did just a few years ago either logging in or posting comments.
Guy's the times are changing and I hate to see this happening but it is and you cannot make believe you don't see sponsors looking for other ways to spend their advertising dollars.
There are no simple answers for how to fix the problems right now.
Just my opinion. Jim Hill
Peoples interests are changing to other things and has someone already commented today many young people are into cars but they are the four cylinder turbo charged cars or even motorcycles.
Look at some of your larger car shows around the country and the only way they can keep the car up is by allowing newer later model style cars.
I friend of mine who asked his three sons if they would like to go to a drag race and they said they would rather go see a Monster Truck Show instead and it just shows you what some of these young people are thinking about.
What happens over the next five to ten years for all motor sports is a big question mark.
I am sure the drag racing will continue in some form or another just maybe not as we have known it for the past 40 years.
The problem I see is that many of the racing companies and sanctioning bodies might really shrink in size or even go out of business.
One other comment I would like to make is that many racing forums on the internet are seeing fewer people then they did just a few years ago either logging in or posting comments.
Guy's the times are changing and I hate to see this happening but it is and you cannot make believe you don't see sponsors looking for other ways to spend their advertising dollars.
There are no simple answers for how to fix the problems right now.
Just my opinion. Jim Hill
robslob
Nitro Member
There will always be racin' and in-line racing will be the favorite of amateurs. Maybe not a quarter mile, but in a straight line from a standing start to where ever the contestants decide. It may be on the street instead of a sancationed track (again). It may be between electric scooters, rocket pack equiped humans, 4 cylinder turbo automobiles of some sort, whatever. It is just human nature to try and prove that one is better than the rest. We will be dead and gone but the living will race on...
how crazy everyone isI stopped going at 1,000 ft.
I was becoming bored with the sport long before that.
Here is why.
I find todays drivers to be everything that's wrong with drag racing. Nepotism just blocks out the guys who actually deserve to race. and who might relate to the fans again.
I find the "Super" classes almost as painful to watch, and would rather get smoke inhalation from one of the greasy burger stands on the midway than stay in the stands watching that crap.
I miss Tony Christian and Whit Bazemore. Those guys were real, and didn't care about buckling their collar before an interview. I can relate and respect that.
I miss Kenny's southern professionalism. I miss Amato's all out assualt on proper English grammar. I miss the Aura of Big. I miss Ercie's tight red pants as she proudly backed Eddie up to the starting line. I can't stand DSR or JFR. Not because I don't respect Don or John, but they killed the pro classes by being hogs. Four car blocking teams? Really guys?
Take a bite of the loaf, and pass it on so the next guy can eat.. That's good business that lasts. Now, nobody eats....
I miss Shirley kicking ass and taking names.
I miss Reher & Morrison vs. Glidden, and then Butch Leal walks away with the cash.
As an old motorhead, if I'm bored to death, just what is left to draw the video game generation?
The personal, relatable element which was the core of drag racing is long gone.
OK Joe, post some nasty comment directed towards me, while you look up in the tarp covered stands on race day wondering just how crazy I am because in your eyes, there standing room full...
I was becoming bored with the sport long before that.
Here is why.
I find todays drivers to be everything that's wrong with drag racing. Nepotism just blocks out the guys who actually deserve to race. and who might relate to the fans again.
I find the "Super" classes almost as painful to watch, and would rather get smoke inhalation from one of the greasy burger stands on the midway than stay in the stands watching that crap.
I miss Tony Christian and Whit Bazemore. Those guys were real, and didn't care about buckling their collar before an interview. I can relate and respect that.
I miss Kenny's southern professionalism. I miss Amato's all out assualt on proper English grammar. I miss the Aura of Big. I miss Ercie's tight red pants as she proudly backed Eddie up to the starting line. I can't stand DSR or JFR. Not because I don't respect Don or John, but they killed the pro classes by being hogs. Four car blocking teams? Really guys?
Take a bite of the loaf, and pass it on so the next guy can eat.. That's good business that lasts. Now, nobody eats....
I miss Shirley kicking ass and taking names.
I miss Reher & Morrison vs. Glidden, and then Butch Leal walks away with the cash.
As an old motorhead, if I'm bored to death, just what is left to draw the video game generation?
The personal, relatable element which was the core of drag racing is long gone.
OK Joe, post some nasty comment directed towards me, while you look up in the tarp covered stands on race day wondering just how crazy I am because in your eyes, there standing room full...
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