Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Ed

You are right, I just saying use this a model to promote S/SS

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

After we left Reynolds Sat. we stopped in at SGMP for the Radial tire race. Reynolds had a huge spectator turn out for a divisional race probably 100 - 150 spectators. Those who have been to SGMP know the pit side will hold close to a 1000 we could not get a seat there so we went over to the other side (concrete) and had to squeeze in because there was no room anywhere. Sportsman racing is alive and well!!!! You have to run 4.20 - 4.50 is all - on M/T 275 drag radial :)

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey
Do you promote drag racing, and if so how? Do you feel that it's someone elses job, and all you have to do is race? Would you like to see the sportsman classes thrive with ten deep at the frence? How about more payout for all the long hours spent on your race operation? Do you feel any obligation and/or responsibility to introduce/promote/sell your product to the general public? Have you noticed the pros in NASCAR and NHRA using plain white trailers? I have'nt, I guess it's because they feel the need to promote and generate interest. They actively court the fan and that sells shirts, hats, toys and oh yea...tickets! I know they have funding in place for these programs, and we struggle just to get there with our entry. But I feel we all could do a better job of promoting the sport that we love. With the low car counts, talk of folks quiting, enhancments, etc etc, what are you doing to keep it alive. I know, you race and you promote on your car. But you promote to folks that are already there at the track....they already bought a ticket! We need to attract new fans and that means everyone working towards that common goal. I'm not saying form a picket line with support sportsman signs, but you could get involved in some community functions ie. local car shows, grand openings, school and church functions, etc. And you guys that arrive a day or two early for an event could roll the cars out at a local shopping center or busniess. You can't sell interest when you hide your product in a plain white box, and then you pull it out forty miles outside of town. What do you do to promote the sport you love?
I posted this on 2/17/11

Another idea to bring new folks into our sport, is to allow racers to bring guest with them at no charge. Bring a few kids from the neighborhood in your tow vehicle and they get in free. They'll spend 15-20$ while they're there, and that's more than an empty seat will spend. The folks involved in the sport (racers & promoters) need to fill the seats.

When you see the bleachers empty, think about it like this: that empty seat brings in 0$ and 0 fans and 0 exposure. Let them in free, fill the stands, sell t-shirts $$$, sell hot dogs and sodas $$$, create a fan base $$$$$$, maximize exposure to more fan potential $$$$$$$$, Do you get it? Wed-Thurs at NHRA Nationals free admission to fill all of those empty seats I saw at INDY. Let them see the pro teams, and they'll pay to watch them actually run on friday....FILL THE SEATS! Guess what, now that the stands are full, you promote the hell out of the sport and each fan will go home and tell ten more. That's how you build a fan base..........that's how you make $$$$.

Racers that arrive early just to sit in line to get a good parking spot, should have a deal with the track. Sign up to promote it goes like this, example: you arrive on Monday, report to the tower to sign in (say your the tenth rig to arrive that wants to take part). you recieve the 10th prime parking spot once parking is started on Wed/Thurs. You are then directed where to set up and display the car locally in town. This way you still get the same spot that you got there early for, plus you promote yourself and the NHRA/IHRA....the sport you don't want to die!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Wade....your last paragraph is spot on IF you can get NHRA/IHRA and the track management to do this. Most old retired farts or "Proffesional Sportsman Racers" are getting to a race about a week before the gates even open. Make your time count for getting there early for the good of the sport !

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Terry, When I was a kid, my dad told me something that I have used through out my life. I have had great success in racing, fabrication, and my career as a Firefighter. The phrase is
"YOU ONLY GET OUT OF SOMETHING, WHAT YOU PUT INTO SOMETHING" and boy was he right......IT'S ALL ABOUT THE EFFORT! DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO HAPPEN....MAKE IT HAPPEN YOURSELF!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I liked the one idea a member here posted about letting a fan sit in the pass. seat during the warm up.

I will never forget the impact that had on me as a young man when I got to sit in a fast (and loud) car. It made me even more hooked !

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

OK Wade, you realized there was a problem in February, what have you done?

This is the problem, there are alot of good ideas here and this thread will slowly die and none be implemented. If you look at the new thread on the current state of the NHRA, something needs to be done.

On Sunday in the water box is when I realized there is a BIG problem. My season is now officially over, but I will do something for next year. And I will refer to this thread for notes. Thanks to ALL who had ideas and posted.

And Almack, that is what officially hooked me, except it was a stab on the return road, I was 11 or 12 years old. Still remember my head being pinned back and trying to watch the tach, while he shifted. Hook, line and sinker! Thanks Don Eckel!!

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Great post. Unfortunately I think most tracks are happy with the captive audience (crew people, spouses, girl or boy friends, etc.). They get their $15 entry and don't need to promote the racing. This is a problem not just NHRA or IHRA sportsman racing but bracket racing in general.

Bracket racing isn't that hard to understand. We understand it don't we? Racers put a number on the window what the car will run (dial in) and if they run their dial in and lose their reaction time to green was worse than the other racer.( simple version ) People need to know the rules like any sport to understand it.

Jeff

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I know I am going to get killed for this but how would be feel about a street legal class? I don't mean the mustang street legal with all the nitrous. Tracks have the friday night street races so what about a street legal class run on the division level and national opens. Not much tech just has to be insured and with inspection and tag. If ran bracket style than anybody can race then you add a new batch of people at the track and possible have the chance of adding new juice into classracing too.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

We can't draw fans with shoe polish on the windows. Never has never will. With so many on this forum alone scared to death of a heads up race that they would not go if they were sure of heads up races, we are doomed. We either get rid of shoe polish and bring the fans back and probably lower car counts or leave the writing on the windows and continue down this same path.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I don't know how many races you attend as a spectator,but this is clearly NOT the answer.

In my observation,after Top Fuel and Funny Car,the overwhelming majority of the "fans" head for a hot dog when Pro Stock comes up.The few that stay,definitely leave when they run Alcohol Funny Car and Alcohol Dragster.

And I am not just saying this because I am one of the Stock Eliminator racers who would not go if I was guaranteed a heads up race at every race.

The number one way to promote Sportsman racing is with TV.

I think Stock and Super Stock could make a real good "reality show" if properly edited.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Getting rid of shoe polish would kill S/SS all together. Except for maybe 20-30 racers with money and/or soft combos.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

We probably have the only form of racing of any kind that first to the finish line doesn't win. Thats just flat wrong and thats why the fans don't like it. Its bogus and not really racing. The soft combos would be rectified in a hurry if they ran them out so that argument is bogus to.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

What do you think of the pooling of class singles on the Index at a Nationals? Sure lets the quicker car win.....But..... /

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Heads up raing will help as far as spectators understanding the racing. And heads up in Stock is sure a lot cheaper than heads up in many of the outlaw classes.

Stock/Superstock, the .90 classes and bracket racing are too hard for the casual oberserver to understand or get interested in. Cultivating a spectator market and more heads up runs or probably even something along Comp's CIC would help. Most people could understand a 4cyl car can't beat a 427 early Camaro in a heads up race but they sure don't see the logic in running too fast and breaking out. I think a lot of spectators might even get a kick out of watching the chase and seeing the slower car win or the faster car chase it down but then to lose because they ran too fast? WTF is most of them are thinking. I'm not sure if there is any other racing on the planet where you can be legal and still lose being the first across the finish line. JMT

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Personally, I like pooling the single class cars......But...... No Racer in his right mind is going to go out and go fast enough to hurt himself for just a damned Wally.
The Racers should have some significant incentive waving in front of them if they are expected to go fast enough to take a HP hit. What is it worth to set a Natl. Record? Zip. Number 1 qualifier at a Natl. Event ? Nada. I was recently #1 at a points meet, triggered the first (it takes two) -1.00 towards a HP review and never even got my name mentioned.
Wave the right carrot and we'll go fast. And a Wally ain't it.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I agree but what if the points awarded for setting a record or winning class or #1 qualifier were comparable to winning the eliminator? Would that be reason enough to turn em loose? Maybe someone that wasn't an excellent bracket racer and more into the performance end of it could win the championship. I know there are some that would fit that bill.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Billy is right here, as usual..

I always thought the payout structure was quite lop-sided.
The flat out , heads- up portion , which should be the big draw for spectators, is the part where the payouts have dwindled to practically nothing, where the ET racing (notice I didn't use the B word?) part is what the majority get to see,... if they want to. Most don't.

On the brakes , 1000' runs ,etc. , just aren't that exciting to the uninitiated.
Spread the eliminator money down into the class finals, and you'll see racers willing to take an AHFS hit to get it.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Personally I enjoy shoe polish racing more than anything else. Sure a heads up is great within the eliminator but don't want to go see heads up everything. Wasn't nopi all heads up? The problem is that glendora went all in with top fuel and funny car and basically let the rest hang out to dry. Even a half hour show at local tracks across the country will get people to understand that more than top fuel and funny car happens at the greatest car show. I think a street class will help just a matter of making it easy on tech and cheap enough to run in.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Increasing the amount of points isn't going to do it either. Not enough Racers have the time or money to chase all over the country with the hope of winning a championship. And speaking of the championship (world or div.), there's not enough money or other incentives there either.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Mark old buddy, as it stands there isn't enough eliminator money right now to spread!

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I'll take your word for it, Billy Boy. I wouldn't know.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Im just a bracket racer who wants to run Stock, and when .90 classes started, they were cool, now i wont sit in the stands to watch them. It was alot more exciting when they left hard(wheels in the air) and raced to the finish...makes more sense... what happened to a back halved camaro or duster runnin 9.90/10.90 classes? Now they are big cube/hp chassis cars that dont even need tires to get off the line. I was at INDY watchin Stock/Super Stock on wednesday this year, and it was funny how many people got up and left when .90 classes pulled up to the burnout box... hate to beat up on those guys, but, NHRA and those .90 racers ought to rethink their deal, and I know itll never happen, but maybe if S/SS ran classes closer together(Not A/S against V/SA) until they had to, that would help the spectator's prospective. And NO EFI and Carbs in the same class...come on NHRA!

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Don't blame the .90 classes for the low spectator count at most any race that has no Fuel cars.....

Spectators watch Nitro cars....and thats all they watch for the most part.

Only people with some knowledge and interets watch any of the other classes.

Throttle stop timers are the single item responsible for the stop and go nature of todays .90 racing. Dedenbaer developed them and later on they were incorporated into delay boxes.

Big more powerfull engines soon were able to be "stopped" down to run any index and the big speed is an advantage and is used very well by lots of racers to win......If you want to do well in the .90 classes you do what others have done to win.......same as in Stock or SS....Buy more stuff and spend more money......I am not talking about running on the fringes or in classes that have very few cars. If you want to run with the big dogs in the higher classes your walletts going to get a lot lighter.....

Blame NHRA for allowing the timers/boxes and big engines.....Not the people that use them....

And even if all the gadgets were removed and the clock turned back to the '80's when the Super classes were fairly new there would still be no spectators when sportsman cars ran....

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

X2 on that!

Lets deal with one problem at a time! The bottom line is drawing spectators for Stock/ Super Stock, not to bad mouth the super classes…

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

not blaming the .90 classes, just sayin that its part of the problem... people(even most racers dont understand why they do it)...I suppose if one guy does it, then, they all think they gotta do it. But, to me, thats kinda like if one guy jumps off a cliff, then we all gotta jump off a cliff. I dont agree. Good reaction time and runnin your # will win just as many races as a guy blastin by you at 170mph, tryin to run 9.90. I was at an IHRA race a few years ago, and a guy in a beat up 67 Chevelle post was kickin everybody's a$$es in the 10.90(7.00 he was runnin 1/8mile), and he wasnt runnin anything but his right foot on the pedal...he made it to the finals, i think he may have won, but not sure. Either way, it can be done. What would probably help the situation is if the factories got involved on a different level, like they used to in the '60s. Like Pontiac had the "Beat the Tiger" contest... someone (a non racer) would get the chance to line up against the "TIger" and try to outrun him. I think they did it 3-4 times over the weekend. You could go to local dealer , put your name in the hat, and hopefully get chosen. It would possibly help the dealers, but also, help the crowds... some. Just do it within the classes, not during Top Fuel. And make it somewhat more affordable for families to come out... concessions are flippin rediculous at these events. Cheeseburger and coke(atleast 10.00). Not too many people want to pay for 3-4 people to eat twice a day at that price. They get you comin and goin. And does a tshirt need to cost 30.00? Im in a band that has toured with Toby Keith (70 shows) and opened for many other acts, and i think that is highway robbery. NHRA and the price gougers have done it to the racer, not the racer doin it. THe racer keeps spendin money to make it to these shows(National Events), and the other side keeps makin it harder for people to come out and enjoy it. I would rather sell more shirts at 15.00, than to sell none at all...(this is just part of the problem) just my 2cents

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Funny how when you bring up promoting, AHFS comes up.

What about a 64 car QUALIFIED field? And you have to dial within a tenth or so of your qualified et. Suddenly sandbagging and incentive to go somewhat fast.

Makes qualifying exciting and puts performance back into the class...

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Brent, I understand completly with what you're saying. Just not relevant here to me. I see this as promoting STOCK and SUPER STOCK racing.

My first racing job that payed was crewing on a Super Gas car when the class first came out. I loved Super Gas! In my opinion, the class has gone down a road that is not good for the spectators to watch. That is my opinion only and I will not own a super class car based on that opinion. I'm sure its a fun class to race in, but not for me. Different discussion for a different board...

If we could ever get a seperate organization running for Stock and SS, I see T/S and T/D as the classes to run with it. Also NSS as there are some organizations out there that know how to put the show on. And that is what it's about for the spectator. An entertaining show…

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

[ Announcer ] :
Ok folks that's it for the pro session.
You can go on down to the pits and get autographs ,pictures and a t-shirt.
After that you can go by the concession stand for a bite and maybe a cold beverage....

By the time all this is done by the spectators it is almost time for another pro session.

Am i right or wrong???????

You can capture a (a lot) spectator's interest if you just try,but then there would be no sales while at the track.....When i spectate i usually watch the pro stock and sportsmans ,,,,then i go lolly-gag around.........
THINK ABOUT IT !!!!! ;) ,,, ;(

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Danny, I'm thiking a 1/4 mile past that...

Everyone has talked about a branch to a sportsman series. Something where there is no fuel ar alky, just sportsman racing to keep the racers happy and provide entertainment for the fans, for a REASONABLE admission $!

If you could race for a reasonable fee and just as good if not better payout as NHRA event, would you go? Why not? (I don't have the answer as I DIDN"T support it in 2011)

There is such a series here in the notheast and may as well be in other divisions as well. I can tell you I will race both NHRA and local series in 2012 and am gearing my whole operation for such as we speak...

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

You will never save bracket racing . Its dead and its starting to show with low car counts at NHRA divisional which have had the strongest support from racers . NHRA does not need bracket/ dail in racing to surived . Local tracks cant turn a profit with bracket racing either and they have gone to more heads up and imports.

Fans just dont understand why the guy who gets to the finish line first loses the race . With Ford and Mopar building these new cars they want to see more heads up racing . If you want to save the sport support heads up racing . Thats what the fans , manufactures of aftermarket parts and the young racers want .

Next year I plan on racing a lot of the Fun Ford Weekends.

Just ask your self why do the racer watch the Hemi shootout .


Bo kenney

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

If you could get a stocker to do this every other run, then maybe the fans would stay put:D
http://northeastdragreview.files.wor...pg?w=500&h=227

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Exactly. You nailed it. I've always raced heads up/.400 pro tree (last 11 years) until last year and I still can't get used to this sandbagging, wanting to go slow, waiting 1.5 seconds for the tree to drop, penalized for going fast, shoe polish type racing. I mean I enjoy it, but I can definitely see why it isn't popular for fans.

It's amazing how empty the stands are when I'm bracket racing and how full they are when I'm racing heads up. I don't think there is any fixing that? Maybe index racing?

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Sounds interesting....

Sort of , kind of reminds me of the popular class Open Comp.
In O.C., racers qualify (by the best reaction times) and then a tenth of a sec. is deducted from that time and that is their dial in for the entire race.

So, would that give class racers a 2/10ths of a second window to dial in during eliminations ?

I like the idea...

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I was looking forward to watching the Hemi Shootout at the Sportsnationals in Columbus.Probably a lot of other people were too.HEADS UP RACING!

The result?

(6) cars showed up,and out of the 6 cars,it was pretty obvious who was going to win,so how is that exciting?

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Too many AH races or just not typical turn out? Dutch had HOW many 17?

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Whats really amazing is how you boast about being a COMBO HITTER, How much Horsepower have you got the 5,7 engine with illegal pistons. I have no respect for you the way you and Lynch have destroyed this combo....

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

I did not watch all of the rounds but the show I saw was not too good at the Dutch....

Hardly any decent side by side races......looked more like an import race.....One breaks or fouls and the other shuts off or makes a junk run.....

A lot of cars but about as exciting as watching paint dry....LOL

So Much for your Heads-Up racing....

You'd be way better off watching the Super classes.....at least they go down the track every run and the rounds are close....

And for Bo.....Bracket racing is alive and well....and without it tracks would suffer......Yes car counts are down but they will bounce back if the economy would turn around. Unfortunately that does not look like it's happening anytime soon...

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

[QUOTE=Rich Biebel;

Hardly any decent side by side races......looked more like an import race.....One breaks or fouls and the other shuts off or makes a junk run.....

A lot of cars but about as exciting as watching paint dry....LOL

So Much for your Heads-Up racing....



[/QUOTE]

WOW......That sounds like Top Fuel and Fuel Ha Ha cars to me.....LOL.

Re: How do we promote sportsman type racing?
 

Lets get back to Terry's original question on "how to promote sportsman racing". I think that everyone has forgotten who really pays the freight in drag racing, it's the little guy, buying with his hard earn money parts from Summit, Jegs, Keystone and all the other manufacturers of racing and cosmetic parts, not the pros for sure. Now the question is what are you ready to do to help. Get in touch with your Division Director and see if you can help him promote his Div. events. Everything from distributing advertising pamphlets to showing your racing operation at High School to malls, you name it. These are hard times and if you want our sport to survive to you have to do something. CR