Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

You know, I went to a mudbog race in the spring, all the trucks were open trailered but there was only about a dozen. There was about 1-1500 people who all paid $25 per carload to go and sit on a grassy hill and watch the trucks go 50ft in the mud, get stuck and then wait 10-15 minutes for the truck to be pulled out. Another truck, 50ft, 15 minutes, repeat...this went on for 4hr's or so and everybody was buying fries/hamburg's etc having a great time. I thought it was a load of crap.
So..what was the difference?

Well, carload of people for X dollars?
Make it more of a carnival atmosphere?
All the action is directly in front of the people (100ft total?)

These same crowds were at the Exibition as well watching the demo derby. Personally I view them as "mouthbreathers" who watch with their mouths hanging open and yell "lookit that!" when there is some kind of destruction of damage.

Society isn't about cars anymore as was mentioned. Add to that the "reality tv" mentality and everybody wants to be entertained from their couch/seat/etc while stuffing crap down their yap. "hey lookit, bubba caught a fish...hey lookit, he built a birdhouse" whatever...dumbasses.

At the track this weekend a couple things I noticed were;
1) Lots of motorhomes/toterhomes/tractor trailers all enclosed trailers.
2) Even street cars are running in the 12's (or 11's, 10's, 9's)
3) Those who are racing are dedicated dragracers and they brought family with them, that's the only spectators.

I think people have X amount of money, some decide to spend it all on dragracing, others buy planes/boats/cottages. Dragracers are dragracing, there are just less people interested in watching automotive things in a world of instant gratification. Those that do want to watch it, are out watching what they want to watch.

So how do we make it more appealing to watch?

Everybody has already said lots of idea's from better promoting to hyping grudge matches and everything else.

1988, had one track to go to and it was stuffed with people/cars/fans. There was beer sponsorship (and they handed out beer sat night)
2014 there is 4 tracks in the same vicinity, all are quarter full and require the group of racers to travel to all four tracks for points. No beer or cig advertising allowed (which was huge money) so everything is a little tighter.

I've got 1 of my 2 kids into it and he will be for life, but he only replaces me. At least the cycle will continue...

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

Good post Dick.

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

You calling me a Dick?

Ohh, Dick Butler, got it...LOL!

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

Ha! No, Dick Butler's post. Yours is also very true.

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

I don't know about hurt the sport but I believe it hurt the spectator count at local races and possibly divisonals.

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

My perspective. I am 35 years old and race 20+ weekends/year.

Money is the killer for participation with young people. Any NHRA class car which is reasonably competitive is $35,000 and has pretty high operating costs. As you know a top tier car is generally $70-80k.

The NHRA divisional format can also be dull for some. I recently competed at an event and there were 7 time runs before eliminations on Sunday. I much prefer to enter big bracket races where we have two time runs and then have 4 days of competition over 4 days.

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

My point exactly. Create a class that discourages TOP CLASS MONEY. No prize money but trophy, plaque whatever. Banish cheaters to run Super gas whatever.
Make the car very basic, slapper bars, posi trac you name it but keep it ONE motor or ONE cubic inch or however its desired to make it heads up on drivers.... Many here started somewhere basic but the current classes, rules, options for factory cars have KILLED the incoming people off.
Lb/cubic inch, name the carb, name the headers, name the trans, name the tire size to limit breakage so posi would work.....get a Magazine to promote it like they did Jr. Stock years ago and stand back it will work.....

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

Bingo.....

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

x2
With I-pods , I-pads , cell phones and computers , unlimited TV and a culture that isn't car- centric ..............todays kids are more interested in the glamor of traditional sports. Of course , these are all a "turnoff" to me but I'm getting old ( er ) :D.
My own son is a perfect example ( he has zero interest in my car )..............the way it was in the sixties / seventies isn't ever coming back.

Re: Part of what hurt drag racing
 

The elimination of Modified Eliminator, no Pros at Points Meets and a drop in local track PRO Match Racing dates to keep people interested didn't help things.

I think on a local level Mod drew people in and then they came to understand Stock and SS. There is nothing like the sound of a wheel standing gear jamming Mod car to get the juices flowing.