We control our own destiny
 

RJ, I am calling you out you big chicken.

RJ and I had a long discussion about the weakening of the fan base for the sportsman racers over the years. My experience is more from growing up around drag racing and only a participant for the last 4 years. RJ's is from the beginning of the reciprocating engine.

It is just my opinion, but I think what has killed the interest from our fan base is the sanitization of our racing. Translation: Enclosed trailers. Not that we are about to go back to open trailers, but when is the last time you were pulling up for fuel and someone went on and on about how cool that big white trailer looks?

The sanitization has removed the casual fan from being able to relate to what we do. They no longer see that car on the trailer and day dream about what it would be like to drive it, be pushed back in the seat, and have the thrill of people cheering their victories. We all have done that at one point in our lives or we wouldn't be doing this, but we are a shrinking minority.

I do all I can to transmit this disease to the fans that come by my pits by putting them in the car to get the feel of the seat and take their camera to take pictures. This seems to have a positive impact, but I don't think it goes far enough. These people are already at the tracks. New blood would be even better.

RJ and I had discussed coordinating a Sportsman Car Show at a local mall the day before the qualifying. This could be done a couple times a year. It would require the racers that participate (in the show) to come in a day early, but I think it would be enjoyable for all involved. Many people would form their own opinions as to what cars they like and which ones "look" the fastest. The only way to find out is to see it at the track.

It would be nice if our new division director could help coordinate this with a local mall, the track, and minimal presence by the NHRA at the event. What say you?

Re: We control our own destiny
 

If you want to bring in new blood.

Allow the foreign makes to compete.

Already have Japanese and European Bikes Racing

Toyota just sponsored a major race.

D

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Some old geezer rock bands are still tumbling around the country but for the most part the 60's are dead and gone and so too the huge public fascination with muscle cars. The pros put the fans in the stands and while we may pay our way in cash and tax credits, our deal is done. We'll continue to pay our dues and doggedly attend races to meet our friends and race our cars but the hay day has come and gone. Let's enjoy what's left for as long as we can. And to tell you the truth I'm thankful for what the racers have accomplished in the face of an indifferent organization and the high cost of racing. Long live the Stocker!

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Foreign cars have been allowed in MX and SS/E&FS for years, I don't see anyone beating down the doors to run them. We are in the works on a SS/DX honda, it should be out next year.

Jim Caughlin
SS/ES 6019

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Ricers can race now. They don't. NHRA had a race series for them a few years ago, nobody came. Different group of people.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Look at the bracket classes. They have lower turn outs than class cars per quota(Bristol). I think the bracket guys are even catching on. Not worth going to a race for 3/4 day for a chance to win a few thousand dollars. They can go to a high dollar bracket race and have a chance to win 3/4 races for quadruple the money per day. Why is it the bracket races get the turn out they do but not the circuit races. I think I know it is the ego of the competitor to maybe be seen at the circus.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

The sportsman racers put on a great show. The racers don't need to do anything different. The real issue is with the sanctioning body and event promoters. No matter what type of great show is out there it has to be promoted. That is the job of the event promoter not the racer. I have lots of people ask about my rig when traveling. I usually open up the trailer and show them the car and tell them where the race is. I also ask them to look me up if they do come to the race. Both NHRA and IHRA need to do a better job of television and Internet broadcast of the sportsman catagories
The pro classes are in bigger jeopardy than the sportsman. What do you think is going to happen when Force and Shoemacher loose their major funding. They are barely filling their fields. Prostock is struggling to get and keep sponsors too.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Agree 100% , They proved it when Pinks started you could not find a empty seat in the stands..... Now Why !!! Promotion, Drama, Excitement, TV , Whatever it worked If we have to turn S/SS into a Reality show to get peoples attention because that's all that people watch anymore!!!! Who Cares........Let's do it !!!! lol I will yell at people and call them names and make them cry if that's what it take's lol . Call it REAL WORLD of Sportsman Racing. And until people figure out its scripted who cares....At least we will get people to watch and maybe want to build a car and join the fun. :)

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Kyle, don't be so hard on old man RJ.
Yes, we all recognize he was by Henry Ford's side when he built the first Ford, take it easy on him.

All kidding aside, I believe that one of the reasons for having an enclosed trailer is to:

1. Protect the investment.
2. Due to rule changes and competitiveness, more engines and drivetrains are being built on the ragged edge necessitating more spares and tools to be carried. Difficult to do in an open trailer.

I agree, there is a coolness factor on pulling your car in an open trailer, especially when other people pass you and give you a thumbs up, you stop to put gas in the rig, or stop to grab a bite at a restaurant.

Gosh, you are making many of us feel old! :)

Re: We control our own destiny
 

En Route to the No-Box Nationals on Friday....
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...54222571_n.jpg


Dick Butler and I have had some preliminary discussion about the possibility of doing a show at his huge Grandpa's Garage business and cross-promote with the Northern Class Nationals next spring.

I've participated in several pre-race shows before: a few at Norwalk ("Thunder in the Streets"), and one they did at Milan one year.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I agree with everthing said ..But Dan PLEASE STOP!! you just like beating you own drum.. Imports had there own deal ..See how that went NO SUPPORT ..IHRA IS DEAD..Pure STOCK hahahah..DEAD
Getting old sucks but times are changing..And about the payouts they SUCK but its the game we play and I LOVE IT..

Re: We control our own destiny
 

[QUOTE=Michael Beard;386692]En Route to the No-Box Nationals on Friday....
https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...54222571_n.jpg

I have to say that it is really cool to see a nice stocker or super stocker on an open trailer. It provides the "wow factor" for many people. I know it used to draw me to the drag races.

And, while they are certainly great to have for many reasons, an enclosed trailer does little to promote the sport. Seeing a race car on an open trailer just looks bad *****. It's something to think about, if only to go to the local track for test and tune.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Kyle, I guess I never thought of it that way but you are right. I remember the day ogling over the cars as thet went by on the trailers (or flat towing for those that remember that). Also they used to tech for the gators at the local mall and that always drew a crowd as people knew the cars would be there it was a huge ever changing car show.Also gone are the days when you had to leave the track and take your cars to the hotel for the night, I don't know what the fix is but I do recognize the need for something to help the sport.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Its always cool to see somebody drive up next to you and point at the hot rod. But with that being said, it sure would be nice to have an enclosed trailer to protect the investment. Its always a scary situation when the bad weather rolls through at the track and you cant hide the ride.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

With all the down time at National Events I always thought it would be cool to have a show and shine on Saturday in a designated area to drum up interest. Even group the cars by brand for fun.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I threw this out there a couple of years ago, try to work a deal between track and "in-town" show promotion....you show the race car and rig, have hero cards and free or discounted tickets, and the track reserves a great pit spot in exchange.

Some racers arrive 2-3 days early to assure a great spot anyway.

"in-Town" could be car dealership, Wal-Mart, Shopping Center, local pub & brew, or.... as traffic builder and race promo. Building relationships all around

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Its hard to drum up any interest in our cars because there isn't any. Today's kids could care less unless they happen to just like racing period. 99.5% of them don't grow up the way we did, you know around a family member working on the car on Saturday afternoon, tinkering on it or polishing it up. Nobody does anything like that, heck most people don't even change their own oil, shoot I don't even do that. If we could turn ourself into a video game we might would be on to something.
I agree with the open trailer deal, I can still remember traveling to the track when I was little and seeing people's interest as we would pass by. Yeah that was pretty cool but we know not many would even go back to that if they thought it would help.
The mall sounds like a pretty cool idea also but I think all you will see is a bunch of soccer moms.....well that is a good idea, where do I sign up.
Not trying to bust any bubbles but just my opinions. I do believe in one thing though that might attract some new racers. Well they are not new but some that are already racing. Don't choot me, but take that class car bracket racing occasionally and you might spark some interest from a bracket racer. I still remember the first time I saw a stock/superstock car and just knew that's what I wanted one day. I was around 8 years old and Kinston Dragstrip was having a combo race, there must've been 50 cars there and I was hooked that day.
Maybe, just maybe you could be the one to hook another kid or one that's not so young. I can appreciate your passion Kyle and RJ but I don't believe we can put any new people in the stands but we might can put some in a seat. It took me a little over 30 years but I should be sitting in my new stocker in a couple months. Next time you got some extra time go to a combo race or just go bracket racing at a local track, it may just peak some interest, it sure won't if people don't see it because its sitting in the trailer parked behind a house. Sorry for rambling a little bit but I didn't go to the Beard School of Writing.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Hey Jim:

Then open it up for Stock and see what happens.
Why stop a process that some person with a desire can compete?
Foreign makes are not the panacea, just another batch of cars that can come race.

It is about promotion and Stockers and Super Stockers owners are feeling left out of the big picture.
Especially since Class Racing is the foundation and feeder that created the Professional Classes.

Sounds like you need to drink more coffee :eek:

D

Re: We control our own destiny
 

not quite in town. but if anyone would want to show off there car in concord nh before the divisional in epping. at the concord nh boys and girls club i am pretty sure i could get something together..

Re: We control our own destiny
 

In 2009, we started an organization called "West Coast Mopar Gang"…..This was a "not for profit" organization designed entirely on the concept of "Pay for Performance" for our Mopar racers.

As contingencies declined, it was our desire to have Mopar racers at a financial advantage by paying our members for: Win or Runner Ups at National, Division, or National Opens. Additionally, we paid our members for setting National Records. We gave out framed pictures to our winners, and they went into our "Hall of Fame".

Each member paid a minimal entry fee, one time only. The idea was to use the initial entry fees to fund the "pay for performance" until we could get sponsors and supporters on board. Then all of the "pay for performance" would be funded from sponsors.

Each member agreed that we could use their picture or likeness for advertising and to promote WCMG.

Additionally, we established a web site with pictures, performance tips, our "Hall of Fame" and advertising space. (since closed).

We presented our advertising/sponsorship opportunity to National Companies. Fifteen of them. We got agreements from our members to "show" our cars, prior to National Events, and sign autographs and hand out pictures. We promised to bring National Event winning cars and National Record Holders. This appeared to be an awesome idea for a Dodge dealership, or a Car Parts grand opening.

From the sponsors/advertising partners, we requested financial support and discounts/complimentary products.

We had a good plan and a "bullet proof" power point presentation……..We were prepared to deal with any objections.

The end result was that we had extreme interest from several large companies (with million dollar advertising budgets), but each indicated that budgets were set, they couldn’t promote Mopar and leave out the other brands, or they already support NHRA and can not justify spending any more.

The end result was that we paid out to our racers every cent that we took in…..via "Pay for Performance" and we folded the organization.

In hind sight……….I can think of nothing that we could have done better that would have gotten the desired results. However, I still think the concept is solid and could work………

It is extremely difficult to convince advertising partners that racing 40-50 year old cars will bring business for them.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I invested in a California Car Cover last year. Got the 'gust protectors' and security cable, and everything was intact even after the severe storms that came through last week.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Somewhere along the line there was a generation gap for the class racers........May have started along the time cell phones ,computers and wieee- wieee games got started....I hope that my son's son will stay as interested in drag racing as he is now....Some of us are still trying to live in the past (including me ).....I can remember going to the mall and look at a few cars that were racing in our area that weekend.....Also there was a lot more promotion for sportsman cars than there is now.................I would personally like to see more advertisements on tv with superstockers and stockers dragging the back bumper...
The first thing that caught my attention on the Fast and Furious movie ad was that Charger popping the wheelie , Bullet movie smoking the tires and that 4-speed hitting gears........... told you i was old school.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

We'd need more classes, and about 40 pages added to the guide and the blueprint section that too many already cannot or will not read.

We do not need foreign cars, we do not need pure stock.

We do need to be promoted. We need to be sold as a big part of the show. Until that happens, it doesn't matter how many cars and classes are added.

And, as said before, classes were added for foreign cars. Nobody came, nobody cared. There is no need to do that again.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I hate metric tools...

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Alan is exactly right.

And, I hate metric tools too. LOL

Re: We control our own destiny
 

That is all a LSx seems to be. We have to carry our old motocross tool box just to work on it.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

The problem I see today is the way we race, how exciting is it to watch a car launch then stop then nail it again or run to the 1000' and run 100mph at the finish line BOREING & STUPID! Turn them SUCKERS LOOSE and RACE stock and super stock used to be a performance based class where you run what it would run and if you were fast enough you might get a national record that really ment something.The record section in the dragster looks like drag review.Put the sprit of competition back into racing make your performance mean something again. No more 1000' racing.Screw the AHFS.Stupid is as stupid does.
That's all I got to say about that.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

There you go.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

My favorite movie.....that's all I have to say about that...

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I was told by my Father that in Stock or Super Stock you must take advantage of everything you can from the front bumper to the rear bumper. Everything must work FOR you not AGAINST you, and you need to know all the rules and use them to your advantage. That is what I think the spirit of the racing is, but most folks just say "I can put this power adder on and run the same as you". They don't understand racing and tomorrow something new and shiney will attract their attention.

I do agree about the open trailers, used to watch them roll through town and knew by the direction they were going as to where there might be some races. I just feel there is too much liability out there to have something lost or stolen or damaged.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I will say one more thing, there were plenty of enclosed trailers at the Hot Rod Reunion this past weekend and the stands were full. I was there at the Sportsnationals and could set anywhere I wanted. Now go figure that.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Jeff, I'm not sure if you raced back in 1975, ,But NHRA has been there..done that..
If they had continued along that path ,there would be NO Stock and Super Stock eliminators today with NHRA.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Good points brought up in this thread.

I was too young to remember the late 60's and early 70's class racing.
I got hooked on drag racing in 1976 and stated getting National Dragster in 1977.

I was in awe looking at the pics of the Stockers and all the Super Stockers with the big fat tires. (especially when I saw them on open trailers)
However....that was at a time when those cars were the only game in town.

Fast forward to now.
Young guys can make silly horsepower so easy now with turbos and superchargers. (even easier with nitrous)

The heads up 8.5, and 10.5 races are proof .
The young gearheads flock to watch those 8 second 1,200 plus horsepower beasts. (on Drag Radials)

It's hard to top that.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

PM sent.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

And at the rate it's going now it wont be around much longer, I suggest if you want to ET race go do it at a local track. That's what I would do.But that's not what class racing is all about.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

I think that anybody that goes to see a drag race expects to see just that,not a peddle fest at a 1000'. And yes these heads up cars are awsome.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Over the years an enclosed trailer has pretty much become a requirement due to theft and vandalism at the track or on route. At the same time its also a place to stay out of inclement weather when at the track, I remember many times huddled in the truck with heater roaring to keep warm at the track. Also when was the last time any of us brought our race cars to the local carshow / show and shine on a off weekend. Most likely not many. I know i am guilty of this, used too bring mine out on every oppertunity I had. Running or not. I aways had people young and old come over and ask questions about the car and about dragracing.


Bruce Cameron

Re: We control our own destiny
 

If I say this again I think my nuts are going to fall off.WE'RE NOT A CAR CULTURE SOCIETY anymore.Younger generation could care less.I read an article stating they're all consumed by their electronics and video games.A study also said car ownership by under 25 years old's is at an all time low.
As far as spectators here in the NYC area there's the fiercest competition for peoples
entertainment dollar.And *iss on the foreign cars and pure stockers,they couldn't draw a family of flies.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

There you go!! Accidentally go too fast, and while climbing out of the car back at the trailer and your phone starts going off, telling you how dumb you are and telling you how to slow it down. I would think "Oops! Bet he didn't 't mean to do that!" Not start calling to tell them how dumb they are for not playing 1000' games. This has become worse than et brackets. At least nobody complains about how fast you dial your bracket car.

And, no. I'm not moving up a class at Indy without pulling the weight.

Re: We control our own destiny
 

Kyle,

We used to have what was called the Expo in downtown Dallas before the fall nationals. Pro's, Sportsman, and even local bracket/junior racers were invited. It was pretty much a big festival downtown where fans could spend the day with drivers and it brought in alot of business for the downtown stores that normally wouldn't get many people in the middle of the week(I want to say it was on Wednesday before the national). I raced juniors at the time and they blocked off a street section for us to make hits down it for the fans. From what I remember it was a huge success(not to mention I got to miss school) but the fans loved it.