Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 690662)

it's no surprise, 1/4 mile bracket racing is dead and has been for years.

Originally Posted by Barry Polley (Post 690770)

Think about the NHRA show done in half the time??? Not going to fly any time soon.

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven (Post 690772)

What has been the attraction for bracket racers and track owners to push 1/8 mile racing? I know just about all bracket racing has gone this way. Money, Time, profit margin?

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven (Post 690772)

What has been the attraction for bracket racers and track owners to push 1/8 mile racing? I know just about all bracket racing has gone this way. Money,Time, profit margin?

Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 690845)

NHRA Professional classes which is an entertainment venue is not going to go 1/8th mile in this decade or the next IF it still exists in the next but the divisional sportsman classes which is what this thread is about will without question because the track owners, many of which are breaking even at best, some of which are losing $ will demand it to lower their operational costs, otherwise they will no longer host a divisional. That day is on the horizon! Either that or the NHRA will have to lower their fee the a track pays to host a divisional and we know the NHRA ain't doing that.

That said, you can't turn a blind eye nor put your head in the sand to the fact that the core of NHRA sportsman classes is largely 60 and older currently and they are already getting out due to they are no longer competitive, available disposal income, age, health, death and some as well will quit because they are tired and want to do other things in the twilight of their life. This demographic is largely stuck in their ways and won't embrace change, evident by all the complaint threads here but the the generations behind them have and will IF they want to continue to race!

Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 690662)

it's no surprise, 1/4 mile bracket racing is dead and has been for years.

Originally Posted by mike natoli (Post 690840)

300 mph in 660' do you have the balls???

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven (Post 690772)

What has been the attraction for bracket racers and track owners to push 1/8 mile racing? I know just about all bracket racing has gone this way. Money,Time, profit margin?

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692103)

Bobby, just what is it (in the 21ST century) that will determine the "greatness" of a Divisional? Car count? Spectator count? Bottom line?

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692103)

As a Sportsmen Racer, I feel that a well attended Divisional Race is a far greater event than a Natl. Event. It's about US not the dog-and-pony-show. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692103)

I am still very much behind the idea of Class Eliminations at well attended Divisionals. Again, it's about us.

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692103)

To the issue of spectator count? I posted on another thread that of the Track Owners that I personally know, I can't imagine that any of them DON'T have buddys who run PM, Drag radial, fastest street car stuff and couldn't be called upon for a "favor".

Originally Posted by J.R. Haddad (Post 692109)

Bobby, of the 2 tracks you mentioned, I'm not sure a lack of business
caused their closing. I think that most tracks were built out of town, or
on the edge of town, in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. Our towns and cities
grew, and all all of sudden, the old abandoned farm land that was purchased for drag strip use, has gone from 1000.00 an acre, to
$250,000.00 an acre, or more. Now if the owner has slaved away at
the track for 20, 30, 40 years or more, and someone offers them
10, 20, 30 million, or a lot more, and they can sit on the beach with
their kids, grandkids, wives, mistresses, etc, it is pretty enticing.
I think our best help, hopefully the help of your Feb. 6 Guest, is to compile
an owners manual for Medium Size Tracks Hosting An LODRS Race.
We could cover such things as do they make it a regional? What are the
cost differences, and who is attending? Is it Tony Stewart? A track could have a heyday with that. Do they know how to market their product on the internet? I don't, but you and Alicia and others you know do. Can they work out "Trade" deals with the local radio station? Free ticket give aways,
a DJ RACE Saturday night, etc. There are many good ideas out there, and any business
that wants part of the available entertainment dollar, must almost be expert Marketers. How many track owners are, vs. how many are riding a lawnmower cutting the grass when we pull in? We cut the grass at our business because we don't know what else to do to improve our business. As I said, let's put together an instruction manual and call it Make Your LODRS Event Profitable!!
We have a serious amount of Brainpower on this forum, let's ask for everyone's help, and we'll get 6 or 7 good people and make it happen. I'm in.

Thanks,

J.R.

Originally Posted by Barry Polley (Post 692110)

Like the folks who move next to an airport and complain??

Originally Posted by 1matcoman (Post 692113)

Totally different scenario - they knew the airport was there. What Bobby was referring to has happened to dozens of drag strips around the country caused by urban sprawl.

Originally Posted by 1matcoman (Post 692113)

Totally different scenario - they knew the airport was there. What Bobby was referring to has happened to dozens of drag strips around the country caused by urban sprawl.

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692125)

Sorry Bobby but you're delusional.

Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 688593)

tracks don't want to host divisionals because it's a money losing proposition and there are no spectators because we no longer have a car culture in this country, what we do makes no sense and is boring to watch to all except racers

Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 688713)

Let's be clear and all agree, nothing will change that benefits the racer, payout certainly won't increase, the contingency program won't get better, track conditions will still vary from track to track as will the rollout and the NHRA will still struggle to finish the event on Sunday many times. THIS is all the racers that are paying the entry fee at the gate care about, not spectators in the stands, not the concessions stand, not a barbecue and not live music.

Originally Posted by 1320racer (Post 688717)

Not only will Divisionals not be great again but tracks will continue to close, meaning there will be less divisionals and more travel.

Originally Posted by joe huestis (Post 692129)

I recently drove by a track that I would test at back in the day. This track has been hit or miss as far as operating sporatically the past 8 years or so. Is a great location right off the interstate and I now see land clearing for development right across the street from the track's gate. It's a goner...

Originally Posted by Billy Nees (Post 692136)

Is Dragracing a "Sport" like Baseball/Football or is it a "Hobby"? If it's a "sport" then it should be self-supporting, everyone should be making money. If it's a "hobby" then it is being done for the personal satisfaction of the participants (therefore, "it's about us") and no-one should be complaining about making or losing money.
IMHO, here in the 21ST century Drag Racing is no longer a "Sport". To the Pros, it's a "Show", to the Sportsmen, it's a "Hobby". I can't see any way in which the NHRA increases the purses and contingencies to a point where there is going to be enough money to be made to offset the overall expenses. Those days are long gone. If Divisionals are in any way going to be "great again" then it's going to be in the individual minds of the Racers.

Originally Posted by GUMP (Post 688985)

The fans understand HEADS-UP RACING!!

Originally Posted by Bobby Fazio (Post 689032)

There seems to be a real disconnect between tracks and NHRA when it comes to these divisionals. I don't think NHRA is inclined to promote the event and may be content getting their cut and operating certain aspects of the race. Their business model might be working just fine on their end. All tracks have slightly different deals with NHRA and it is up to their negotiation skills. Some may have a bad deal in place, or maybe an old deal. It is probably safe to say that the more they take in at a divisional, the more they shell over to NHRA and they may not feel it is even worth gambling on promotions/entertainment and would rather play it safe so as not to lose any money if it flops.