Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

That was a Great post Bret.
I try to explain handicap racing to my co-workers & all they do is scratch there heads.
They say "what in the world are you talking about". I tell them you have to come to the
track and see for yourself.
Even watching the Top Fuel & Funny Cars on T.V. i tell people that's never been to a drag racing event, you can't appreciate the sport watching it on T.V. I tell them to go and see it in person.
And i would say somebody that's never been wants to see something fast & a possibilty of it blowing up. Or they would probably like a handicap start between a U/SA & a AA/SA.
I've been following drag racing for some 40 plus years, both watching & racing.
My first time to a drag race was at Englishtown, when the pit side was on 1 side of the track. I think all they ran were class eliminations, but there were hundreds of cars & they used to ride back right in front of the stands, which at age 12, i thought that was cool.
At that time you couldn't get in the pits unless you were 18. So i sat by myself while my brothers were on the pit side. I had a Great time that day.
I've been a drag racing addict since then, and after a 30 year off lay off, i'm back racing in Stock Elim.

I would love to see more $10,000 races like Brian & Lee are putting on in May in the future. Thanks Guys for organizing this race.
Mainly because "We Are The Show".
Even if it's a $5,000 race, it sure beats a Divisional race that's 3 days with lots of down time.
Sorry for the long post, i got carried away.

Pistol Pete Dutko
1374
I/SA

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

At the risk of adding more fuel to the fire...........

This is 2011. Motorsports is BIG BUSINESS. And in business the bottom line is pushing product, and has been for a good long time. The pursuit of money drives everything! For the corporations who make television possible, the more people who watch their advertisements the better. The average drag racing "fan" likes the smoke and fire, so that is what's presented on TV. That's the economic impact of the business! Who would have thought that people would watch "bass fishing"? Or Poker?? Someone figured out a way to make a buck so there you go!

Drag Racing may have started as a hobby for most of us. Some of us have been able to be quite successful at it, but for most of us, the only return on our investment is just the enjoyment of doing something we love. If the most important part of your hobby is the money you make from it, then maybe it isn't a HOBBY anymore! And not that making it your job is a bad thing, but if that's the case, then it might be time to go Top Fuel or FC racing, where the REAL money is ;).

Just my opinion, flawed or not! I'll still be out there, because that's where I want to be, good or bad!

Lew

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I personally want to thank Brett for offering his inside expertise on this subject---Most if not all of us are not aware of how the subjects/production company/networks work and his explanation of what it takes to make it all come about is very helpful to my understanding of what it takes to get a TV program aired----I too have watched Brett over the years and have always admired his knowledge about racing and his on camera delivery---I heard that Forrest is doing his own TV programming /production/ whatever you call it, I merely was using him as an example probably because he is one of the most noticeable people right now in not only drag racing but other forms of racing. Thanks Brett for all you have done and keep up the great job you have been doing/done I appreciate what you have done and I'm thinkinking that you put a lot of your "heart" into the show not only as well as it is your "job" too---FED 387

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Bret: I'm Glad,.. NO..., Thankful that I was (we were) part of those days, and yes, those were the Days!!! How can you not smile! JB .... P.S. my wife wants a rabbit.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Bret,

As you can tell by the smiley face I was trying to make a joke. I'm sure you're still as good as you ever were. I know I'm as good once as I ever was. :)

You probably don't remember this, but you interviewed me at midnight for the TV show after I won my first, and only, Iron Man in Shreveport back in 1998. This was two weeks after I won my first national event Wally at Memphis.

The Shreveport event was rained out the week before and I didn't plan on going to the make-up race since it was being held the same weekend as the Dallas national event. It had been raining in Dallas also and it was one of those deals where the sportsman would come in on Thursday make their runs and leave later that night so they could park the Pro's on the asphalt.

We only got two time runs and I screwed up in qualifing and had a heads-up race first round, which of course I lost. So I had plenty of time to go back to the Shreveport race. I did win a heads-up race in the second round there though.

As my car owner Jim Meador likes to say, things happen for a reason. I'm glad I had the opportunity to win an Iron Man. It's one of the only things I've won that Jody probably never will. :)


-Toby

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Thanks for the clarification Bret; I stand corrected. I was hoping that someone with hands-on experience in the TV production of drag racing events would post, and I appreciate you stepping up with some good and accurate information.

If I understand you correctly, then the lawn mower racers/demo derbies/snowmobile racers pay up to $60,000 (less the revenue from the commercial time) to have their event produced and televised? I must say I'm shocked that some of these organizations can afford that much money.

As far as Inside Drag Racing goes, unfortunately here in Canada we do not get that show (I say this through gritted teeth). We also do not get the full ESPN race coverage; instead for each event we only get a single condensed show on TSN of about 2-2.5 hours' duration, usually aired only once and at the most inconvenient time possible. From what you've said, I assume that it costs NHRA for it to be aired here too, and it's edited down because that's all the airtime they're willing to pay for in Canada.

Were the Diamond P shows financed the same way, or was that "another era" in Motorsports TV?

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I would think that the amount paid to air the show would be determined by what day and time it would be aired at.Say Sat night 8PM EST as opposed to Thurs morning 1PM EST.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

IMHO, the average American is smart enough to understand handicapped starts. What's so hard to understand about a head start? Kids even know what a head start is.

What the average American CAN'T understand though is breakouts. If two people are RACING, how is it possible that one person goes too quick and is disqualified? I thought this was a race!

The main eliminations of Super Stock will never be popular to the masses. If ALL of the eliminations were run like class eliminations (or Comp with no CIC, or like the old Modified Eliminator used to be run), then I think you could have a made-for-TV product.

Now don't jump all over me...I'm not condoning changing Stock or S/S to be like the old Modified Eliminator. I'm just saying that it would be more interesting for the casual fan to watch. Comp could be fun to watch, but with the huge disparity in performance (due to the lack of cars) and everybody so concerned about getting a CIC violation, it has made Comp about as interesting to watch as grass growing. Too many competitors red-lighting, and too many competitors letting off after the 1/8th mile clock (and many times both in the same race).

The .90 categories COULD be interesting to put on TV, but not with electronics. All this stumbling crap coming off the starting line makes the .90 classes ALMOST as boring to watch as the alcohol classes (particularly S/C where you have 120 identically prepared rear-engine dragsters running). I can watch this type of racing because I know what's going on, but it's never going to get somebody to stand up out of their seat, or get the average American to set their DVR to tape it.

The IHRA sportsman programs were the last good ones on TV, but they've been off the air now close to 15 years. Those were replaced with showing only the final rounds to what they show today, which in most cases is nothing. IHRA's TV program is horrible now, but it's a reflection of their horrible Pro program, IMHO. NHRA's TV program has been horrible for at least the last 10 years. I've gotten to the point where I don't even care if I catch them or not (that's a pretty sad statement considering that drag racing is #1 in my family!)

If you can catch IDR, their shows are decent when they're not 30 minute long commercials (which they typically do in the off-season around SEMA and PRI), but they typically only have one camera filming so you're not going to get the type of production that you get from an NHRA race. But, at least you get to see something else run other than T/F and AA/FC (when it actually tapes...I've noticed that recently the guide on my DVR has said IDR, but it ends up being Two Guys Garage!)

And Brett - Please do me a favor and tell the blonde haired guy on IDR (his name escapes me at the moment) that when he cuts himself shaving to TAKE THE BAND-AID OFF BEFORE GOING ON CAMERA! It looks terrible, and just draws your attention to that area more (I've caught him doing this on multiple occasions).

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

You guys DO know that there is another way to communicate these days. Other forms of class racing racing have figured it out. How long is it going to take you guys to figure it out.

Example:
Here is a promotion of a race the last weekend this month at SGMP.

http://www.dragraceplace.com/
Then click on the No Sleep Till Geogia vidio

There were over 400 cars at this race last year. Roland was overwhelmed by the car count. It would not suprise me if the count went up this year.

You want to be on TV? Show up, Duck will have a live stream, for a few bucks your friends can watch you back home. Maybe just buy a CD of the event. Time you figured out how to get past the gate keepers.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Thanks for the great explanation!

So who gets the money for the commercials?
The production company? Since it owns the air time?

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

More answers:

While I knew IDR was not aired in Canada, I'll admit I had no idea the NHRA shows were condensed up there, Jeff. That sucks!

Well…yes and no. All weekend time slots are considered “prime time” so it costs the same, (the highest rate possible), no matter when a show airs between 11:59 PM Friday until 5:59 AM Monday. During weekdays, most networks have three different tiers of time slots, (morning, afternoon, and overnight), with prime time from 6:00 PM to midnight. However, the sole determining factor of airtime for sale is whatever time slot the network has not already filled. With major cable networks like ESPN or SPEED, timeslots only become available after shows for which the networks really do pay, (i.e., NASCAR, NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, PGA and most all college sports). The time is sold on a flat rate basis no matter what the time of day. If you want it, you pay the rate. If you don't, it's of no concern to the network because folks are lined up to pay for the slot at the going rate.

Most folks don't consider the NHRA's partnership with ESPN much of a "deal" but the main benefit to NHRA was the ability to gain better airtimes for their shows. In other words, NHRA's agreement is more than a straight purchase of time. They pay a fairly standard rate but get access to prime time slots when they're available. However, the NHRA shows are still secondary programming to the network's main financial concerns. If an event for which ESPN is paying runs longer than its predicted duration, everything else gets bumped. This often creates a chain reaction among the "bought" shows which can disrupt NHRA's scheduled airings even though the show which "went long" aired hours earlier.

When folks complain of a cheerleading show pre-empting NHRA coverage, it's almost always because a stick/ball game "went long" and the entire evening schedule was bumped. It wasn't the cheerleading competition getting preference or special consideration.

If you look closely, you'll note almost all of these events, (not the shows but the events), have at least one major sponsor to whom rights were sold in promise of major television coverage. That's how they cover the majority of expense.

To avoid getting long-winded in my previous response, (HA!), I did not detail production cost choices. Using Inside Drag Racing as an example, coverage can be purchased for a little as $15,000 for a one-camera "shoot" with a commentator. However, you'll only get about twelve minutes of coverage in a twenty-three minute show, too. Coverage, (and cost), can be increased with more cameras and more airtime within the show. I'll point out shows like On the Edge offer fewer production choices and, therefore, tend to hang around those $2,000-per minute figures I mentioned earlier. The NHRA's Full Throttle coverage actually costs more than $2,000 per minute to produce and air but they also get a few (small) breaks due to their partnership with ESPN.

Technically, every episode of Inside Drag Racing is a “thirty-minute commercial” because every show has been purchased by somebody…in its entirety. The same goes for On The Edge and dozens of other shows. The broadcasts from PRI/SEMA are a bit different; manufacturers are sold the time to showcase their products on a minute-by-minute basis. The cost to the manufacturer is much cheaper than the price of an actual commercial and, since the feature is within the confines of the show, it gains more attention.

I’ll address both questions concerning commercial revenue. Virtually all networks retain a percentage of commercial time for their own sale. It varies depending on the size of the network but, in rough numbers, they keep one quarter of the spots for their own sale.

That was a weird deal; Masters Entertainment Group took over the Two Guys Garage, (now Motorhead Garage), and FOX wanted to experiment with time slots so the normal season schedule of IDR was interrupted for a few weeks. Unfortunately, FOX failed to note this change in their posted schedule and all DVRs picked it up as an episode of IDR.

Not only was it a different era, it was a different century. One needs to remember the NHRA didn't begin airing on ESPN until the late 1990s. Prior to that, ESPN carried IHRA exclusively and many of the NHRA shows were sydicated. The Nashville Network shows were first produced by Opryland Productions and later by Diamond P motorsports. When CBS purchased TNN in 1996, the NHRA began courting ESPN for exclusive coverage. At the same time, a critical political error was made by the IHRA which caused ESPN to drop them like a rock. I should mention I was already out of the IHRA coverage by that time.

In the early 1980s, cable networks, (including ESPN), were begging for shows simply to fill the daily schedule. The major networks had a lock on stick/ball coverage deals so the cable gang was willing to put nearly anything on the air. Through the ‘80s and most of the ‘90s, the cable networks would offer to air the show at no (cash) charge but would retain all but a few of the commercial slots for their own sale. In rare instances, (including the early IHRA shows beginning in ‘83), the network offered production support as well. In other words, they came to race and covered it with their own equipment and personnel.

As cable ratings grew and access to the cable system became widespread, that business model changed drastically. When the last of the original cable executives left the industry, the “new deal” became a simple sale of airtime to all but the sports for which the networks paid broadcast rights. By the way, airtime is for sale on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX, too…at prices you simply wouldn’t believe.

When discussing NHRA races on TNN, it's important to remember we're talking about shows which aired a quarter-century ago. It's ancient history. As Travis noted, the world has changed and those who refuse to accept that fact get left behind.

A100 made a huge point, by the way. Coverage by “live stream” has become huge and the ADRL, (for whom I’m a contractor), has experienced incredible success with its InterNet shows. Commercial time is sold for the feeds and, for all intents and purposes, the “stream” has become a television show which does not need to rely on a hosting television network. Unfortunately, most viewers do not yet view InterNet content on their living room television but, when they do, the entire world of televised events will change.

Toby, I remember well your trip to Shreveport; we were flattered to have you in attendance that weekend and it was no surprise when you won.

As for Jim Bailey…luckily, we were able to make him a global television personality while he was still good-looking.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Thanks Mr. Dirt. That was great, informative reading right from the source.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Guys, I guess my point got lost in all the discussion about TV coverage. My point was that NHRA has made a conscious effort to promote only top fuel and funny car over the last 25 years. The only person the average guy on the street knows is John Force. Even drag racing fans generally only know a few of the pros. How come these fans don't know Ben Wenzel who won Indy in 1967 and is still racing the same car. How come they don't know Charlie Westcott who has taken the old super stock hemi cars to a whole new level or David Rampy who has more wins in competition eliminator than any one. How come they don't know Dan Fletcher, or Peter Biondo, or Edmund Richardson three of the best sportsman racers ever. It's because NHRA has taken the path of least resistance and decided it's too hard or too much trouble to educate the fans about sportsman racing.

They have done what put the most money in their own pockets while doing harm to the sportsman side of drag racing. When's the last time you saw a stock or super stock car in one of the magazines. Car Craft used to have an All Star team of sportsman drivers and tuners. They should be sending out press releases to the hometown papers, tv stations and radio stations of winners of all their races including points races.

Why do they show the top fuelers and funny cars tearing down their engines between rounds instead of showing sportsman racing? Why do they have those idiotic interviews
with the pros instead of showing sportsman racing. They have failed miserably to do things to benefit sportsman racing. Brett I apologize for not giving you credit for what you have done in the past.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Greg,you hit the nail on the head in second paragraph. It's all about the money. The ruling elite in the front office are only interested in packaging "product" to sell most profitably as NHRA is a business. The noise,phoney drama and big speed numbers seem to be what sells their product. As example a few years ago a co-worker went to a Nat event at E-town, Monday morning when I asked him about SS , as had a friend there,response was "what's that" and a looooong orgasmic diatribe on header flames,smokey burnouts and"I got John Force's autograph". This by the way was from a 40 year old alegedly intelligent adult .

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Bret, your still my hero, this guy announced many races both my parents won and was the announcer when i won my first national event at Marion, Ohio in 1988
"He's the best of the Best"

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Greg, I swear this isn't a slam but every example you cited HAS been included in NHRA's TV coverage of both Full Throttle and LODRS events. I name both series because all the aforementioned racers have been included in both telecasts and that information was inserted courtesy of Lewis Bloom or Todd Veney.

Actually, my first instinct was to answer your questions with the question of, "How come you don't know who won the 1982 NASCAR Modified Championship?". It's no different with drag racing. Only the hardcore fans care and only the hardest-core fans retain the information.

By the way, you've already given me all the credit I deserve by not bashing me to a pulp.

WHAT magazines? Jim Adolph finally gave up on the Car Craft All Stars program in 2002 when nobody would sponsor it.

However, I'll take exception to your claim of a lack of press releases. The NHRA does an absolutely amazing job of sending a complete and massively detailed press release from each day of each LODRS event from each division. These releases go to thousands of print, radio and television outlets. The biggest question is why aren't those outlets using those releases? The answer would be the same I offered in an earlier reply: "Drag racing just isn't that big of a deal".

I will admit I was dismayed when the first 2011 LODRS release came today, (from Bradenton), and the opening line stated, "A local to the track, Ed Richardson, Bradenton, Fla., took the win in Super Comp...". The reason this was mentioned first is because the releases are geared to the local news outlets to feature area talent victories. However, the new writer could, (at the very least), have mentioned a few of Ed's other "small victories"!

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

BRET; (lmao) hence the rabbit !!! Jim.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Brett,you seem to think NHRA is doing a good job of promoting sportsman racing. When Ricky Decker won the SS championship in 2008 some of his friends had to inform the local media. When they found out there were some nice stories done about Ricky. I don't see how you can defend what they have done over the past years as promoting sportsman racing. There is no tv coverage on espn 2 of sportsman racing at National events that I have seen.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I can understand Brett not saying(bad mouthing) much about NHRA ya dont wanna bite the hand that feeds ya!!! The only Sportsman stuff that Ive seen --not alcohol cars either- for the most part has fallen thru the cracks--every so often ya might see a little blurb on a sportsman but for every 50 telecasts 49 1/2 will be about J FORCE/ A FORCE/C FORCE and how many other kids he has and a smattering of the other Pros--personally I would rather watch poker/cheerleading than FORCE!!!!! We will see how well he runs now that Coil is gone might be OK but I definately believe that Coil is the brains behind that car running as well as it does--FED387

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Thanks again Bret, for giving us a further insight the complicated world of television! I know that I understand it much better now after your postings.

I agree that Internet shows are the coming thing; and at a price advantage that makes it accessible for many of the less-funded sports. Already you see it in heavy use by some of the more media-savvy tracks and teams, and I'm sure that will only grow in the near future.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Thanks for taking the time to respond and explain how TV works. Some people just can't seem to accept that what we do ain't really that big a deal. I appreciate your time and effort.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I would say that Mr Wright has got it right.In the scheme of things we are just a pimple on a mosquito's balls
FED,Mike Neff is the man now.Watch that old man go now.Oh I forgot,you won't be watching.:>)

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Ed, you are right, what we do in the grand scheme of things is not really that big of a deal, but since when does THAT have anything to do with getting good coverage??? The intensity, sophistication and technical advances in the S/SS, sportsman cars, and the strategy and dedication of the committed racers are worthy of decent coverage. Gamblers and bowlers get a much better break on television... no one is putting the right viewer package in place for this group.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Well, I think Bret explained why pretty well. Not enough people are all that interested. They understand the faster car getting there first. Don't have to learn a lot about it to know which car won and why. Think some of us may be a little too impressed with what we do? Bowling and poker evidently interest more people than us. I know a lot more people that bowl and/ or play poker than drag race.

I would enjoy great S/SS/Comp coverage, but I understand why we don't see it.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I'm glad I offered some understanding to some of you. For the rest of you, I learned long ago to never argue with ghosts. Thus ends my participation in this thread.

FED, I do not work for, nor do I have any connection with, the National Hot Rod Association. Sorry to ruin your fun. LOL!

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Bret--I think you misunderstood me I never said you worked for the NHRA--- Aren't you maybe assigned an announcing job or you are involved with the production of the show--Who decides what will be shown on the individual show??? Could you on your own say we're gonna do only Sportsman today or is the subject matter chosen for you??? Who actually makes the decision as to who/what is going to be the subject matter for an episode??? The production company--the shows producer or director--the NHRA???? Somebody/someone makes the decision who is it???? That is what alot of this discussion is about.

I understand somewhat how TV shows work my Son in Law is involved with Fox/Showtime/ABC and has done about 25 years as an A camera operator also has done quite a bit working with Spielberg and Dreamworks as well as other studios doing feature length films and many many commercials for Bud/Buick/Ford/Chevy just to name a few as well as other major companies too...

So I guess the question everbody is really asking is WHO makes the decision???

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

NHRA makes the decisions on what is shown on their coverage on National events and they have chosen to leave sportsmen out entirely.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Ed, I would buy that premise, if people were not watching the Pro coverage of NHRA... I think the same audience would appreciate Sportsman racing just as well, IF it were presented to them properly... my point on the bowling and gambling is that the TV coverage has expanded greatly in both in the last 2-3 years as a result of someone revamping the presentation of those activities (I have a problem calling either a SPORT, even though I am an active USBC bowler myself).

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Marvin,it still comes down to numbers,as in participants and fan understanding.Most
people have bowled at one time or another and most people have gambled at one time or another.Not many of the + or - 300 million people in this country have raced or see
a whole lot of racing,least of all drag racing,to care to educate themselves about what we do.
Bar stool races,lawn mower races and the like are a novelty that they might watch for a good laugh.In the end Ed W is right about the situation.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Greg--that is what I'm getting at NHRA calls the shots here--Next question is who at NHRA makes the decision on what to show???? Somebody or a group of people does---who is it give us a name??? Then we can maybe talk to that person and see if why they do not promote anything other than Force aka Funny Car and a few other Pros---Probably wont do any good but at least maybe viewers could vent some frustration--FED387

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Switch NHRA pros for NASCAR.Who gets all the coverage on their broadcasts.Usually the same cast of characters.If they had an equivalent of John Force,that's what you would see time after time after time after time.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

The bottom line here is ...the days of sportsman coverage on cable TV are long gone. The only thing we may have a future in is expanded live streaming coverage like the ADRL uses. Then again, the Pro Mods,Top Sportsman or other sub 7 second classes may get all the bandwidth:(

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I se a lot of good stuff on You-Tube toooo.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

OK talked to my Son in law who has 25+ years experience as an A Camera operator for both TV and feature length films---He related to me that as far as a live TV production and determining what comes up on your TV screen this is how it works

The Chain of Command goes something like this with the people from ESPN

The Director of Photography is in direct charge of the Camera men/crews

However he can be /is sometimes over ruled by the Director/Executive Director

Who sometimes is over ruled by the Producer/Executive Producer

Who can be /is sometimes overruled by the Client(NHRA) as to what is going to be shown on TV

At NO time does a Camerman ever on his own make a decision as to what he is shooting--he is controlled by the director of photography --he can suggest something

The Dir of Photography tells the camera ops to shoot it tight or wide range or give me a low profile shot or whatever or shoot only Red/Blue/Green cars today

This is accordance to the Directors wishes(or the Producers or the clients wishes)

Then you have the Executive producer overseeing the Executive Director/Director of photography too getting his wishes involved as to what ends up on the TV

Then usually in the TV production trailer at the races in addition to the Producer/Director/Photography people a REP from the Client( NHRA ) is probably there too saying we need more John Force or less Woodrow Josey or whover on the TV

The fact that NHRA is paying ESPN they can generally dictate what ends up on TV regardless of what ever is shot by the multiple camera crews on raceday even if the Director or Producer is Woodrows Bro-in-law or whatever-(Im only using Woodrow as an example cuz many recognize his name)

Now when it comes to announcers/annoucing there is control over these people too.
The announcer may be given a general guideline/script of what is to be covered during raceday or they can be on there own. But somebody ( Director/Producer/Client ) has instilled in them that we are going to talk about the Pros or whatever---Very little leeway is generally given as to the subject matter discussed on the air

So the next time you watch an NHRA race look on the credits and get the names of the producers/directors cuz that who is deciding what will appear on the TV !!!!! Unless of course NHRA is telling ESPN exactly what they want to appear on TV!!!! Which more than likely is what is happening--If so Jerry Archambeault is the NHRA VP of Communications and Jim Trace is the Director of Broadcasting & Video Communications---these are the people to complain too as well as ESPN

FED 387

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Your point is well taken... what do we do to connect the average Joe to the sport??? Sounds like a "try your hand at a drag race" simulator in the Malls of America would be a good idea.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Marvin,I don't think there's really anyting we can do to lure new fans to S/SS.We'll have enough trouble luring new racers.
In this world there's just too much competition for the public's money and time.Ed Wright got it right in one sentence."What we do just isn't that important in the scheme of things.
That and the fact (here it comes again) the organization isn't doing much to keep up the
enthusiasm for the current racers.I hope I'm wrong.

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

The one thought is live streaming Stock and Super Stock . Don't watch the pro stuff anymore tired of the same stuff, but if enough live streaming is shown at each drag strip then just maybe the network tv will take notice maybe ???lol

I like live streaming and think it would be another profit center for the track owners as they can sell spots around the live streaming like what is being done at some tracks now (cool)

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

I found this video from Australia
http://www.youtube.com/user/ANDRADra.../0/IWI-B5ANMW4
Looks like they have sportsman as part of the coverage

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Hey! Didja ever notice that, in thirty-two years of existence, ESPN has NEVER posted credits for the directors or producers?

Didn't think so.

If you wanted to know the "chain of command" in the ESPN production truck during NHRA events, I would've been happy to supply you with the facts. However, I have this strange feeling you'd rather stick to your own assumptions. I still get a kick out of the fact you think NHRA is telling ESPN what to air! LMAO!

Some of you guys kill me!

Re: Why cant Sportsman Racing be like this on TV these days?
 

Brett--is Shawn Murphy(Senior Coordinating Producer-event coverage) still the guy in charge of ESPN 2 coverage of NHRA drag racing???