Why were the stands half filled at The Winter Nationals? (1 Viewer)

[Ugly one]

Professional dog & pony show, I only go anymore because I have customers to see.
There is nothing at a natioal event that's even interesting anymore, there to clean & sterile.
Crew members from one team can't even say good morning to a crew member from another team because that may be misconstrued as a transfer of proprietary and confidential information.
NHRA & Corporate America have dictated and over regulated the BIG SHOW into extinction, but the racers have allowed it.
It's not how much it costs, it's are you as a spectator receiving your ROI at the event.
Can't wait for the MM

 

[Project Paladin]

"L.A. is obviously a big town with lots of options and stuff to do...I lived there when the Raiders were in town and guess what...they aren't there anymore, no one cared and still don't care if an NFL team is in town because people have a ton of options to spend there money and time at in L.A.
2 cents added.... "

Growing up in the SFV in the 80's there were guys with Top Fuel, Nitro Funny Cars, and TA/D and TAFC's all around. It always seemed your friend's Dad, or the guy down the street, or someone you Dad worked with had a car or worked on one. So there was built in interest when the Winters and Finals came around. You'd go to see them take on the big names from around the country. Now it seems like a handful of guys that all live on the same street in Indy come out here to race twice a year.

 

[James]

"NHRA & Corporate America have dictated and over regulated the BIG SHOW into extinction, but the racers have allowed it."

I think the racers are just as culpable. Don't like night qualifying because conditions are different then raceday. Don't want to back to 1/4 mile because rule changes will throw tune ups off. Not fair top 16 spots can be sewed up on session with best conditions. NHRA did not mandate short burnouts, weak suck clutch seating, pushing cars into prestage beam. Nope racers are just as culpable and just like other series in the past if the sanctioning body doesn't take control and make some major changes we will see a decade of slow decline in attendance and viewership. At least there will be more room for the rest of us ...... until the circus closes.

 

[paoldtimer]

I guess I'm the rare wife then, as I would go to the drag races long before ever considering Monster Jams. That's not to say there's anything wrong with them, they're just not my cup of tea. I do think all grandstands should be smoke-free though.

 

[Ugly one]

I guess I'm the rare wife then, as I would go to the drag races long before ever considering Monster Jams. That's not to say there's anything wrong with them, they're just not my cup of tea. I do think all grandstands should be smoke-free though.

Aren't all grandstands at sporting events in Ca suppose to be smoke free?

 

[Mooseman]

Some very good posts here. Nhra should read them. The post on the wife is right on the money. I lost interest in the warm ups when the yellow additives and the haze around the pits started happening. I'm thinking if everyone is wearing gas masks now this can't be good. I think we need to clean up our act before the EPA does it for us. Mike's post is also right on.

Experiancing a few top fuel warmups myself I have found the pit awnings to be the main problem here. I have experianced a nitro warmup out in the open air and it was no problem, yet the same warmup under an awning and all the fumes get sent straight back down and it collects under the awning.

The awning turns the pit into a big gas chamber during a warmup.

 

[nitrorookie]

Okay, I am going to offer my one cent. (inflation yea know) I grew up on racing, all forms. I, also, have a family now. I had 5 kids, now I am down to 2. Kids getting older on their own. It does come down some to the cost of a family to go to the races. I watch my dollar for entertainment all the time. Someone said movies, I wait till it is on DVD. We do alot of local racing it is cheaper. I can see more racing when I factor in the cost of a ticket. I feel any major sporting event should do a buy an adult ticket get one kid ticket and not stop the age at 12. I feel it should go to 15 or 16 and you have to prove it. If you want the sport to grow you have to get the kids interested in it early. They (kids) have way to many options for their time now. The kids also are big in the right now from all the computer games and so on.

Oh and by the way, getting kids involved does work. My oldest son builds sprint car motors. I am taking my youngest today to see dirt late models and it is a major racing group for alot less than a NHRA event.

I know I will be crucified since I am the new guy, only been here a year now.

 

[rollingthunder]

Ticket prices. I don't care what other sports are charging. I don't go to those sports or concerts anymore. Ticket price plays into it as
well as other parts of the travel. I am 2 hrs from Norwalk ohio. I used to go out for almost anything that the Baders had going on out there.
Anymore I am lucky to make there 1 time a year.

 

[Larry jr.]

I spent 2013 with Dave Mandella doing cackle shows with the Muldowney top fuel car, we did 12 events a few of them were two and three day shows, none of these show are small venues one of the three day shows is the Ink & Iron Festival at the Queen Mary .

You would not believe how many people don't know the NHRA still race at Pomona and pretty much nobody has any idea nostalgia drag racing even exists.

Now these are car shows with people who build and own REAL hot rods and classic cars.
It's great to hear the storys of how they used to attend OCIR or Lions, but then they ask, are there still races going on, do they still have the Winternationals?

Truly Most people don't have an interest anymore, and the young people just don't relate to fuel/alki cars or the stock class cars. Young car people are either into the reborn rod and custom tatoo subculture or the tuner turbochager and superchaged latemodel cars,


As far as the claim that car culture is dead, well the is pure BS, it is booming, there are more hot rod and tuner shops in america than ever, you cand restore anything wil good quality NEW parts, and the sale of some cars is unreal, We just sold three cars at Barrett Jackson bringing in 289K One was the Yellow 58 Vette I built over the fall of 2013 that brought 135K.

Tell Me why again.

 

[Toejam]

Guess Im the only one who actually enjoyed himself last weekend!

 

[glofria]

I from time to time meet a teenager or early 20 kid driving a 60's - 70's car like today when a young gentleman (no tattoos) came by the shop with a rattle can black primer 66' Ford Galaxy. They love the cars for their simplicity and the fact that it's no like any of their friend drive.

The notion that kids don't care anymore, I'm not buying. However, that kid today can't make the connection to a multimillion dollar racing operation especially when one of the biggest story to be reported out of the Winternationals is John Force Racing needs more sponsorship money.

I don't go anymore because I don't see the value in being watching someone else race. Would much rather wait to run our own car or one we're associated with.

 

[Huge]

Guess Im the only one who actually enjoyed himself last weekend!

Nope, I had some newbies come out and they loved it and can't wait for Vegas and the World Finals.

 

[Paul]

Check out the stands in Daytona right now, it's a ghost town. Nascar has similar issues.

 

[Larry jr.]

Gino, I go to Pomona only to see my friends who race and do the cacklecar show with the Mandellas', Now this year we are having two cackle cars, and a few other suprises.

See you on the 22nd, we will be at Stith's show at the big church in Whittier with about 400 of our closest friends sending up yellow cloud smoke signals with a dozen or so top fuel cars and AA/FA's .

Come join us if you can.

 

[vegasnitro]

Nope, I had some newbies come out and they loved it and can't wait for Vegas and the World Finals.

I also had a great time. I would hate for anyone to think I don't like NHRA ... Hell, I LOVE it. I just think there are some things that can be done better (as with anything in life) and express opinions, but I don't want people to think I am angry at NHRA or losing sleep over various issues. I am very excited for Phoenix next weekend, can't wait to go.

 

[MHayes]

I also had a great time. I would hate for anyone to think I don't like NHRA ... Hell, I LOVE it. I just think there are some things that can be done better (as with anything in life) and express opinions, but I don't want people to think I am angry at NHRA or losing sleep over various issues. I am very excited for Phoenix next weekend, can't wait to go.

Absolutely Chris....couldn't agree more! My first race this year is the Gators, then Atlanta and finally Indy! I look forward to each and every race, whether I'm there in person or watching on ESPN! Yes, there are things that can be done better, but every chance I can get, I'm either attending or watching!! And you can bet your ass that I try to bring new people each year to the races......actually, I have two newbies going with me to Gainesville, and I have no doubt that they are going to love the experience!!

 

[Chuck]

Well I know who has filled the stands at SGMP! Donald and he host as a promoter 2 events a year. I bet IF NHRA let him put his show on somehow during a event it would be a major money maker. There would only be one problem, No one would go back to the pits. Donald's events are twice a year and he fills the entire pits as well as the stands. Here is a video one the last events. The cars are running on 275 radials and look at the 1/8 mile ET and speeds.

Chuck
PAE

 

[Toejam]

Nope, I had some newbies come out and they loved it and can't wait for Vegas and the World Finals.

Eugene, I went by Sat. after qualifying but you were working on something with other crew, didn't want to bother!

 

[Toejam]

Well I know who has filled the stands at SGMP! Donald and he host as a promoter 2 events a year. I bet IF NHRA let him put his show on somehow during a event it would be a major money maker. There would only be one problem, No one would go back to the pits. Donald's events are twice a year and he fills the entire pits as well as the stands. Here is a video one the last events. The cars are running on 275 radials and look at the 1/8 mile ET and speeds.

Chuck
PAE

Chuck, how many does that track hold 5-6,000? Big difference!

 

[yoda]

For those of you that want "the show", may I suggest looking at IHRA and their NitroJam series.

Now, that being said, those races don't do anywhere near the attendance numbers of a Monster Truck event or a Supercross arena show, and on their BEST days, they may get close to some of the stops on the tour, but not as good as G'ville, E-Town or Vegas.