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SSGT Mustang · 11-22-2015, 11:19 AM

Why don't we wait to see how this plays out before jumping to conclusions. From what I have read, they haven't even finalized the coverage plan.

I'm pretty sure that some people wouldn't be satisfied even if NHRA covered every round of stock and superstock eliminations. There's always something to complain about, especially when it comes to NHRA.

So many people gripe about the fees, yet don't seem to take into account that TV time costs a ton of money. There needs to be a return on investment, otherwise what's the point. It would be very difficult for the casual TV viewer to understand why we use handicap starts, race on an index, lose in a breakout, etc. Can you imagine the response when a TV commentators explains why a class car gets to the finish line first, only to lose the race? Can you image them explaining Comp Eliminator, or why the Super classes use throttle stops?

The truth of the matter is that regardless of how much we love class racing, most viewers want to see heads-up racing. You needn't look further than the stands, and see what happens when the pros finish and sportsman racing starts. You can't force people to like something that they are not interested in seeing.

For me, I would be happy to see all rounds of the Hemi Shootout, Factory Stock Shootout, Alcohol cars and Pro Mod compete during the Pro coverage. I don't think that NHRA can financially justify more than that, if they can even justify that. If you are going to give coverage to Stock and Superstock, you're going to have to give coverage of Comp and the Super classes. If you do that, the air time become financially unjustifiable and viewership is likely to suffer.

From my point of view, NHRA has already started to make moves in the right direction. They are talking to racers, listening to them and making positive changes. That did not seem to be the case when Compton was around. We should keep offering recommendations to make the racing, schedule and treatment better. There are a lot more important things to fix first than TV coverage.

Just my .02.

11-22-2015, 11:19 AM	#9
SSGT Mustang Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jersey Posts: 359 Likes: 35 Liked 204 Times in 54 Posts	Re: NHRA and Fox Why don't we wait to see how this plays out before jumping to conclusions. From what I have read, they haven't even finalized the coverage plan. I'm pretty sure that some people wouldn't be satisfied even if NHRA covered every round of stock and superstock eliminations. There's always something to complain about, especially when it comes to NHRA. So many people gripe about the fees, yet don't seem to take into account that TV time costs a ton of money. There needs to be a return on investment, otherwise what's the point. It would be very difficult for the casual TV viewer to understand why we use handicap starts, race on an index, lose in a breakout, etc. Can you imagine the response when a TV commentators explains why a class car gets to the finish line first, only to lose the race? Can you image them explaining Comp Eliminator, or why the Super classes use throttle stops? The truth of the matter is that regardless of how much we love class racing, most viewers want to see heads-up racing. You needn't look further than the stands, and see what happens when the pros finish and sportsman racing starts. You can't force people to like something that they are not interested in seeing. For me, I would be happy to see all rounds of the Hemi Shootout, Factory Stock Shootout, Alcohol cars and Pro Mod compete during the Pro coverage. I don't think that NHRA can financially justify more than that, if they can even justify that. If you are going to give coverage to Stock and Superstock, you're going to have to give coverage of Comp and the Super classes. If you do that, the air time become financially unjustifiable and viewership is likely to suffer. From my point of view, NHRA has already started to make moves in the right direction. They are talking to racers, listening to them and making positive changes. That did not seem to be the case when Compton was around. We should keep offering recommendations to make the racing, schedule and treatment better. There are a lot more important things to fix first than TV coverage. Just my .02.