My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

"I’m really not a fan of Four-Wide racing and it appeared to my simple mind that it was very confusing while watching it on TV as to who “won” or “lost.”

https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/...yists-4-10-19/

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

I understand that the producers of the broadcast are trying to explain the sport to potiential new fans. This is dragracing not reality show t.v., and last sundays' broadcast was worse than the previous one. Show the racing, not the filler interviews that end with the next pair of cars half way down the track.Bring back Chris Economaki and the Wide World of Sports. Anybody remember the World Finals when a lot of Super Stockers were being aged out of the eliminator and really flew. That was great t.v.. John Kissel K242

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

John yes, you are "spot on" about confusing!!! I, too, watched Sunday's show and as much as I understand drag racing after 50+ years of spectating, I am dumbfounded by who won, who finished second and so forth. It has to be even more confusing to the casual fan.
Yes, I am quite certain of the "wow" factor for a fan to watch a 4-wide run or two, but to enjoy (or should I say suffer through) a 3 hour show? I don't think so.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

If NHRA has any doubts about how their Nitro Circus ends they only need to look at the grandstand pics from the NASCAR show at Bristol.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

Four wide was invented as a freak show in the 1960's.

Miami-Hollywood had what they called the Georgia track, it was two paved lanes where they ran four jet cars in addition to the regular track.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

Four-wide was run in PA and Ohio in the 1960's as a way to get the program completed as a lot of tracks did not have lighting then, and the car counts were much, much larger then as opposed to now. My Grandfather ran four wide in Stock at Quaker City in 1964 and 1965.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

It's a gimmick to attract that all important, elusive "casual fan" to the track. It is certainly an experience in person, at least for the first few runs. After that, it's just trying to keep score. It doesn't transfer to TV very well. What's the next gimmick? Maybe 2 funny cars and 2 top fuel cars. Handicap the dragsters and run 'em.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

It's Bruton Smith's gimmick. His track, his rules.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

It really sucks !

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

And who can read the numbers clearly on that bright green highlight. They end up being taken down before I can figure out what the winner ran.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

x 4 !!!!

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

I would be interested in how the money is divided in NHRA and tracks

Does the track get any TV money for the event. How much of the Gate does NHRA get. If my memory serves me correctly, Topeka raceway had to guarantee NHRA $1.5 million in revenue when the bankruptcy papers were filed.

If track does not get any TV money, then that is why Bruton wants 4 wide, It brings in the fans.

Nascar is scrambling right now with their TV deals running out.

So some numbers I found about Nascar from Jan 1 to May 2018... ISC which owns daytona and other tracks earned $117 million in broadcast revenue through May, while all of its tickets sold combined to $56.2 million.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

X5!

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

I can not imagine wanting to enter it.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

York Dragway ran 4 wide match races in the 1960’s
Just another gimmick to try and draw a crowd.

They really didn’t need to back then as the crowds always showed up for any big name match race and exhibition show.

You never knew what you might see and didn’t want to miss it whatever it was.

Today’s comparison is definitely not NHRA’s program.

Not even close.....

I did watch some of the NASCAR Bristol race and the defenders of how great NASCAR is doing will make excuses like it was the weather or one said the place holds 160 thousand people and NASCAR didn’t lose any money. The night race at Bristol was a sellout for years and is why they added so many seats. Last week there was the continuation of their slide from popularity.

By comparison NHRA appears to be doing better with filling seats, a lot better !

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

Good article on the lack of fans at the Bristol race.
It looks like the prices of hotels are off the charts.
Clint Boyer picked up the phone and even the rundown hotels were $300.00 + per night.

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/heres-w...ny-empty-seats

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

Nothing new unfortunately, and did NASCAR lower ticket prices to help the fans, or make their Motorhome viewing areas more affordable? Also, Bristol is only 2 hours from Knoxville which has plenty of occupancy normally so sounds like excuses to me for casual fans moving their entertainment dollars elsewhere.

Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists
 

What I couldn't figure out is why have a first and second place car. The winning car just beat 3 cars. Send the losers packing and we have time to televise the Stockers and Super Stockers.