Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

With the talk of the crowd increase this year I noticed the pictures on this site of SS showing 2 or 3 people in the stands whenever the pictures were taken. I just wondered if AH brought out the fans?
Thanks Dick Butler

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Dick ~ My opinion for what it's worth (and I wasn't there this year so can't attest to the crowd). In the past, we had so many people tell us they were at Indy for one reason only, to see the Hemi Shootout. They would stay through Friday then leave. This year I got so many e-mails from fans that I lost count, wanting to know (1) if there was a shootout and (2) when. There was no advance advertising done by Mopar or NHRA that I could find, except for an article in the Sportsman Indy preview issue of National Dragster. The only mention of the Shootout on the NHRA site was to announce the winner. I think the die-hard Super Stock and/or Hemi fans are there. NHRA and Mopar could appeal to many more fans if they did some marketing of the program. My two cents!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

If you ran SS/AH class on RACE DAY i'm sure people in the stands would like it better than pro stock or something else..just as good racing but a little more spectacular...just some sour grapes there mr butler?

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

If you want to see fans watching SS/AH, come on down to the Cajun Sportsnats. There is not an empty seat in the house and people are five-deep along the fence line.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Thanks Julie. I hope people didnt misunderstand the question. I was hoping someone who was there would reinforce my thinking that LOTS of people came to see the Heads up SS racing. I agree that Advertising, timing and the racing itself would REALLY be the best show. Thanks again.
I think AH should be on Sunday or at least Friday night Qualifying show program. Under the lights ,What a show.... with ads.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Thanks

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

I was there for every round,and the stands seemed to be pretty full to me.I'm not talking capacity,but 1/2 to 2/3.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

The photos you are seeing are from Wednesday's qualifying runs, or Thursday's early runs, between rain showers. If you see photos from the actual Hemi Challenge on Friday, you will see a BUNCH more people in the stands! I could not believe how crowded Friday has become at the Nats, and there are Mopar hats and T-shirts ALL OVER!

I think the crowd would be about the same for the Pros that run later, but there is no doubt that the Hemi Shootout brings the crowd out earlier in the day on Friday.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Here is a photo I took during the first round of the Hemi Challenge. Quite a few folks in the stands, and the Super Stock pits were on the OTHER side!

http://www.meyerfamilyracing.us/07US...s/100_2340.JPG

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

just my .02 cents but if the show "Pinks" want's to show some REAL "all-out" they need to come and film one of if not all of these AH shootouts! anyone know how to get ahold of them? we have another shootout @ the Northern Sports Nationals coming up!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Thanks to MFR. That shows exactly what I meant. The bigger a class, the more heads up runs the more publicity( it sure could be better) the spectators will return to watch SS Class Style racing.
Thanks again. Dick Butler

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Not to butcher up a thread but DRC did not do the usual Sportsman class coverage that I am used to seeing. Only a couple of photos and I did not see a class win list. Don Jackson

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

>> if the show "Pinks" want's to show some REAL "all-out" they need to come and film one of if not all of these AH shootouts! anyone know how to get ahold of them?

rich@launchhour.tv

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

I think the show "pinks" is a terrible show. Have you really watched it? White trash factory! I mean even the episode of clay millican trying to blow up a top sportman car only succeeded to make one full run in a half hour show. What a bunch of crap. I wish they would cancel this junk. But its too late.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

For the show Pinks you can send to RICH@LAUNCHHOUR.TV. I have in regards to class runoffs and the Hemi shoot out. Jason your right the show sucks. So here is a chance to make it better and to have exposure. The all out shows has $18000 up for grabs, which is alot more then the Hemi show pays out. Where can you get that kind of money and free TV time. Rich has the show and we have the material to make it a great show. Don't like the current shows then make a suggestion to them.
Jeff

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

I was there Thursday, Friday, and Monday, and tried to catch all the SS/AH sessions I could........tough when they use them for "filler" with no real schedule to run on, if you were 30 feet away from your seats, they were done before you could get back, and it REALLY didn't help to end up with a pair of singles for the semi-final.....at least that is what I think happened.
I couldn't get back in time to see what happened.
Maybe I missed more than I thought. :confused:

Fact is, anyone under 40 years old that is a "casual fan" would have NO CLUE what the big deal is about SS/AH......

Real racers and race fans are in the stands for the Stock, Super/Stock, and Comp Eliminator runs, all the seat fillers are there to see the fire, death, and destruction advertised on TeeVee for the Fuel classes.
The Nationals are no better than a NAPCAR race.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

the hemi shootout was well observed, weather was great etc...

with that said more advertising would be a big plus... pat does a great job in belle rose and he has it on saturday...

and at least last 2-3 rounds could be run between q sessions friday night to enhance the exposure

jack mccarthy

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Good idea, but honest question here, is it easy to "hot lap" those cars like they are bracket cars?

Friday night session at Indy lasted all of 1 1/2 hours.......maybe 2 hours?

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Isn't it amazing that they don't promote something that's right under their nose? I'm not just talking about the Hemi shootout. Even if there was no racing going on, you've got over 300 of the most pristine musclecars from yesteryear and today. If you only advertised a CAR SHOW, you'd pack the place... and oh, BTW, you get to see them race, too...

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Just imagine what would happen IF "Pinks" were to film the Hemi Shootout DURING the U. S. Nationals--- and PAY out $18,000. Do you think that NHRA would get their panties in a bunch if it had more viewers than the Pro's and the regular program?

Can you say throw down the challenge!!

BTW, while I did not go this year I would like to see it. My reason is for the awesome horsepower and torque that is displayed, all at one time. It must be a sight to behold.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

The Pink Hemi Shootout would be a much better show then what NHRA and ESPN put on for sure. Pinks wouldn't even need NHRA or the US Nationals to do this. Date and place and the money. Picture all the cars parked staggered on the starting line. Each driver gives there name type of car and engine builder with best ET to date. 2 qualifying runs and all rounds shown. Definitly more interesting then Force and Bazemore talking about whatever.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

As I said in another post on this subject, PINKS > LOVE IT OR HATE IT <, it's the most watched show on Speed Channel. You racer's want exposure and NHRA won't give it to you? Then approach Rich on Pinks. Think out of the box for once. Who care's what you think of Pinks? Their "garbage" get's air time how many times a week? At least half-a-dozen. How many of you (or your dad's) hated to listen to Muhamed Ali shoot his mouth off before a fight but you couldn't break away from the tube when it was broadcast? In drag racing, what about Muldowney & Garlits? I can't even remember the name of the male / female tennis player in the 70's that brought tennis to the masses (the feminist and the whatever he was). But they all brought their sport to the forefront with controversey. You see it all the time on this very forum. The controversial subjects get all the hits. You don't think you could create some good old fashioned controversey with the SS/AH teams? I've spoken to at least one owner / driver that was such an arrogant SOB my friend and I couldn't stand listening to him brag about himself anymore (and that would NOT be from the Julie Jordan camp!). And when we we were looking for an exit strategy, he told us "you may leave now!" We still laugh our *** off on that one! I've seen enough banter between east coast- west coast on this forum. There's material here and I think there's an audience waiting for it to happen. And it would outperform PINKS by a huge margin.
Julie, you live close to Hollywood. You've got the script, take it!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Jeff, Good thoughts. Exposure is what is needed. Pinks just might become more legal racer oriented and REALLY gain exposure for S and SS racers...Sort of WWF with Cudas.....You know what happens next. NHRA begins to recognize the cash value and change occurs....
Dick Butler

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Precisely why I suggested "The Shootout". Beat them in their home court, at their own show. This could force their hand, or we may have two sources of S and SS cars to watch on TV.

They have the show, they just don't market it as has been said in previous posts.

Next you could have a Camaro Shootout, or a Mustang Shootout, the possibilities are endless.

Now, this is thinking outside the box!!! Or is it just common sense?

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Michael Ogburn spent a lot of time two years ago rounding up a sponsor for a series of Hemi Shootouts to be run at various national events throughout the country. It would've involved a lot of money for the participants. The sponsor would do it if ESPN would cover it, ESPN would do it if NHRA sanctioned it. Ogburn spoke to Graham Light on numerous occasions and, as you can see, the program never came about. For whatever reason, NHRA doesn't seem too interested in promoting a series like this. Perhaps it's a conflict with the company that provides them vehicles, they don't perceive it good to promote "old" cars, I'm not sure.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Julie, I find that amazing ! It seems like that would have created interest in NHRA drag racing .
But I guess Graham thinks different than us !
I won't go into what I really think of Graham........

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

cyclone FE,
If you notice we have been trying to get ALL brands involved in TOP/SS and TOP/STK in Div 3. We have raised money with winners up to $2500 and even paid qualifiers who run first round. There has been a steady gradual increase in cars. Several New Thunderbolts coming soon. Several Corvettes run. Two or three Hemi Belvedere competitors. Four or five Cuda/Darts.( Dont forget the AMC)
With 40 Cuda /Darts out there we hoped for a quicker expansion and with the added BRAND competition hoped it could appeal to everyone not just Hemi Cuda/Dart people.
Unfortunately the very Brand competitiveness we need to play on to appeal to the crowd seems to keep the AH cars from joining the "SHOW" process we are working on to get NHRA more tempted to offer it. Thanks to those AH who have participated. Geoff Turk, Charlie Westcott, Jim Pancake and Bucky Hess.
Dick Butler

We will continue to support Heads up SS and S class style racing.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Yes beat nhra to the punch. They have been taking too much of our money for way too long lets give this a try. We are the real racers. Dammit!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

WWE has nothing on the HEMI crowd in the way of hype. We have all read the threads posted by Ogburn, CW and the like on this forum, Marie's and MOPARTS. The cars are almost secondary!
But I agree, it would be an incredible series for Pinks. I would also love to see a show with D1 Top Stock!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Dont forget about the 67 Fairlane....lol, we lost some weight and hoping to lose more!!!!



Stephen Johnson #2162
Horace Johnson #2167
SS/D 427 Ford Fairlane NHRA-IHRA
National Record Holder

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

The potential for a good show on TV is there for SS/AH, Top Stock, Top / SS and even some of the stick-shift series around the country, to name just a few. I brought up Pinks as a drag racing example. Try watching some of those Iron Chef and similar shows on the Food Network? If they can make cooking competition exciting, drag racing should be a no-brainer!

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Has everyone emailed Pinks about having a Hemi shootout or s/ss event? The more they hear about it the better the chances.
Jeff

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Oh yeah, Pinks was held at Vegas this past weekend and a high 10 second Camaro from CA won. I understand it as everyone said all in and he won the $18,000 and other prizes which made the total around $26,000. Not bad for 2 days and small entry fee.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Yes I have. I will let you know. Thanks Dick Butler

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

wow! that takes a lot of effort! not! a High ten second camaro? come on! I say lets enter dan fletcher into the race with a 7 second car. He knows best how to throttle it down the track and barely beat his opponent. I watch him as much as possible. I know how he works.

Re: Spectators watch SS/AH?
 

Jason ,
I guess your not getting the whole point. The races they are putting on are not very appealing. That you have stated before. So have you sent in a word to them about changing there concept and having a interesting show? A amount of $26,000 for a little entry fee will beat any National and or Divisional you have raced at. I thought maybe this would be a cheap yet a great way to make great money and have exposure for any and all s/ss cars. We as a whole could make this happen with hundreds of emails regarding this type of event. I've said enough, just beating a dead horse I guess.
Jeff
PS
If Dan had throttled it down as you stated he would be thrown out. Wide open is the name of the game here.