NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

But all this brings up another point I’ve spoken about over the years. I’ve long said it’s my belief the NHRA should ask themselves, “Are we in the entertainment or sanctioning body business?”

https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/...is-weeks-blog/

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Ya know, one of the things that I wish NHRA the race promoter would consider would be the elimination of at least half of the National Events. Make them special again! Give the Racers a rain date! AND a weekend off! With so many every year, they've become just another race. I'm pretty sure that NHRA the entertainment co. wouldn't/couldn't even consider this but they probably should.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Interesting read John, I always enjoy your work. We are the side show and always have been but every traveling carny needs the bearded lady, right? I've been reading a lot of the comments from the populous that are en route to Norwalk this weekend and many are glad we are not coming, conversely, there are many that will not be attending because we won't be there. I guess the Yin and Yang will continue to exist, independent opposing forces.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I haven't seen anything to suggest it yet, but anyone think they will open up the quotas to allow more racers as there will be no pros? Would think they would rather have 400-500 cars on property.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Very good article John. The show needs to be changed, but will probably be changed not to our liking.

I agree with Billy that there needs to be less National events. Some need to stay no matter what. Indy, Pomona, Gainsville, Vegas, Norwalk and a few others . My idea is for, starting in February, a National event each month through November. There would need to be a couple others thrown in there to make sure each geographical area is covered.

Maybe, even have more Sports Nationals, just for the Sportsman racers.

This is just my $.02 and probably not worth that, but just thinking.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

boycott indy

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I believe BB3 considers himself to be in the entertainment business. That's not to say he doesn't take care of and value the racers.

I believe I would have appreciated the '99 Keystones being postponed a week early and ran later, even without the Pros, rather than sitting in that flood and mess in the back of the pits for the best part of a week.. Just sayin'.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I'd pretty well bet that Bader will add some " special bracket " program. The 2005 rain out and reschedule comes to mind.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Do you think they will have to pay the insurance surcharge?

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I can’t imagine why we would want less national events.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Good article, John!


The discussion now seems to be that somehow, because of a problem with the physical layout at Norwalk, a decision was made to reduce the footprint for the upcoming race, and a timely decision at that. Your description of previous "horror shows" and the memory of some racers being "assisted" from their parking spots by chain and backhoe, seems to confirm that this was a smart move. I guess you could argue that with the situation he was given Mr. Bader made the only call he could, or that he had an ulterior motive - I choose to believe the former. I'm also very sure that he will do what ever he has to do to re-schedule the Sportsman racers in a fair and timely manner.



I personally feel that the NHRA has, for better or worse, become an entertainment company, while trying (with various degrees of success) to continue to be a "sanctioning body". Why? Because there's more money in the "show"! They've learned the first rule of salesmanship - "You Don't Sell the Steak, You Sell the Sizzle!" Corporate America, at least the part that gets involved with the NHRA, sees that magic 18-to-34 y.o.male demographic and dollar signs dance in eyes. That's why the show is so important - MONEY! It's whoever is gonna fill those bleacher seats that's going to get the priorities. It's a business. And coincidentally it's also the reason why you can't get a Pepsi-Cola sponsorship! Obviously there needs some structure and rules and safety regulations, and every sport has to have that, but the product is the "SHOW" and has been for a while!



And that "whirring" sound you hear? It's Wally spinning in his grave.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I remember that Dave Danish told me long time ago that the difference between NHRA and the Sportsman is that NHRA is a Business and makes a decision like a business and to most of the racers it is a hobby now we know I guess lol at me I think this just might be true on how we approach racing

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

What's the new Schedule for Norwalk ?

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

doglover44,


The schedule for the upcoming weekend is:
http://www.nhra.net/2019/images/NHRA...e%20NO1_19.pdf


The Sportsman classes hasn't been rescheduled yet to my knowledge.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I did however notice on Norwalk's 2019 schedule it states that
Sept. 13-15 TBD (Fri-Sun)

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

That's the autocross series.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Thought the Autocross series was Sun the 8th?

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Look at the trend to the 4 wide tracks.
IMHO that is not for more cars, but to get the package (Pro) done in time to get the show packaged for TV.
Look at Nascar. Mega stands they built are empty. Yet they are formatting the race for TV and making money. Nascar has gone wild with the in car shots, too..
They don't need or want more sportsman racers at a race.
There are way too many TV channels and there is money to be made putting anything out there... can you say Curling??
TV is where the money is and they know it.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

I believe if they got rid of the sportsman they would loose their not for profit status. NHRA was founded as a sanctioning body to represent the members and provide a safe racing venue. The bulk of the membership today is still Sportsman racers more than ever. The pros make up a very small segment of the membership today.
NHRA has shown that they are not very good with their television coverage. The pro classes take a long time to get through the rounds and this in itself does not go well with live TV. NHRA racing will never be live except for possibly the final rounds. Even NASCAR is not on regular TV all of the time now. They are on pay per view channels and this is one of the reasons that their numbers are down.
Personally I don't think this is some sort of test to see if NHRA is better off with out sportsman racing. Its just and issue that the tracks do not have enough improved pit area to park the sportsman rigs.

Re: NORWALK CANCELED - My $.02
 

Then I guess that we all need our own TV show?