Calif. newspaper article
 

Anyone see this?

http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/ar...tml?page=1&c=y

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

This journalist is a total Idiot and has no clue . For lack of words he's a clueless A s s hole

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

As pissed off as I wanna be...Hes not that far off. They dont market as well, they do show to much CRAP between rounds, and there arnt as many fans. Where he is wrong is that he doesnt realize hes no different than any other ignorant NASCAR fan that cant under stand the work and budget it takes to get the cars to perform the way they do. What personal agenda does he have aginst NHRA, How does it hurt him? As I read it it felt like someone was kicking me in the pills, but then I began to realize, hes bitchin about some of the same stuff we do!

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

So whats the problem? Basically everything he said is true. I have been to untold #'s of races as a Sportsman Competitor, and I think the NHRA PRO SHOW is pure BOREDOM too. I only watch ProStock on occassion because Jason Line is a friend. The only point he doesn't see (and NHRA doesn't want him to) is that the SPORTSMAN action (fill - as he aludes) could actually be an exciting part of the show IF NHRA would project it as such instead of hiding it as they tend to do. Otherwise, I guess I'm an idiot too, and I HATE NASCAR.

Jerry

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

I thought the letter was DEAD ON! I have been saying this for a long time. Our sport is great if you are a participant, not a spectator. I used to be. As a sportsman racer, for myself, I love to watch ALL sportsman classes, but I am bored out of my mind to watch the pros. The average spectator is complete opposite. I hope NHRA brass read that letter.
I especially loved the Wide World of Sports dig! LOL!

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

By the way... I too, Hate NASCAR.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

That would be Nastycar ....

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I loved the way he nailed the NHRA for being NASCAR wanna be's with there 'count down to the championship'. I think we have a great sport, but it's kind of like sex. It's better if your a participant.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

A NHRA National Event is confusing for a first timer !!! So many Classes that are all different !!
Headsup & handicapped & throttle stopped classes !! Then they bring in the CIRCUS Pro Mods and Import CRAP. It's hard to take it all in and understand on the first trip !!
I agree mostly with what the guy said.........

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

I sent a message that explained the lighter side of the sport. The people, the beautiful race cars, and the fact that we have nearly 1000 cars at a national event. I also explained he needed to walk the sportsman pits and see the rest of the story.

Don't get mad at him, it is his opinion. Try to explain to him why you race.

You can't fix stupid, but you can try to change his opinion.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

As obsessed as most of us are with our ridiculous sport, the sad truth is that the average person feels like this.

So this article really isn't that far off.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Another sensationalist journalist....Nice name....Dr.Jeremy Torstveit wrote in Dragster a few years back that nitromethane IS NOT a carcinogen.I bet he put alot of research into that! Notice the green refference,...the new buzz word,funny he didn't finish up blaming Bush for all else wrong with NHRA. Hey,..evidently he dosen't like drag racing,so go watch mud bogging,...or tractor pulling, ..opps,... no time between golf rounds at the club. Have a nice off season ...Bart

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Bart,
The good Dr. is very wrong about nitromethane not being a carcinogen. Why do you think the pros wear face masks in the pits; as a fashion statement? And get off your damn political BS. We're tired of hearing it!

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

"The term carcinogen refers to any substance, radionuclide or radiation which is an agent directly involved in the promotion of cancer or in the facilitation of its propagation."

Just because something smells bad and makes your eyes water doesn't mean it is a carcinogen. Your statement holds no logic. Until you can find a study that states otherwise, I am more inclined to believe Dr. Torstveit.

The journalist is well versed in hyperbole and "weasel words" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...d_weasel_words) ... even if he is correct that NHRA's presence in mainstream media is not on the same level as NASCAR's. That being said, they are two different animals, and do not need to be compared.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

another friggin' idiot! pencil pushing pansie !!!!

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Dear Dinosaurs,

Nitromethane Study,

Carcinogenicity,
Nitromethane is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. When administered by inhalation, nitromethane significantly increased the combined incidences of benign and malignant tumors at three tissue sites in mice and at a different tissue site in rats. In mice, nitromethane caused harderian gland and lung tumors in both sexes and liver tumors in females. In rats, nitromethane caused mammary-gland tumors in female rats but did not cause any increased tumors in Long-Evans rats(exposed to lower levels). The International Agency for Research on Cancer also has concluded that there was suffcient evidence for the carcinogenicity of nitromethane in experimental animals.

Well of course this is just a scientific study, you know the kind that has helped advance our understanding of diseases and aging. Now lace that Nitro with some potent tire smoke and then you have a really fun ****tail.

I remember falling in love with the stuff back in the early 60's when I watched the Crazy Greek fire up his dragster for the first time. Too bad it's like everything in life that we enjoy, ie., it's bad as hell for you!
And of course it does smell funny and burn your eyes like Mike said.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

The National Institutes of Health says it is could be reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen, but not sure it is a carcinogen due to its high oxygen content. The testing is inconclusive. Also remember that Nitromethane is not used as a 100% mixture or blend. By the way, that also make radio controlled airplane modelers bad guys when they run their Nitro mix in their model engines.

http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/...RG2RevSumm.pdf

My solution is to just drink beer to cancel out the effect:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/0..._fights_cancer/

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Rubbish Mike. What's been everyone's favorite subject to rant about on this forum for the last two years? NHRA and fans. That's what the article is about. Let's be real shall we. NHRA gets it's money from the racers, whereas NASCAR gets theirs mainly from the fans. This explains all their TV coverage, commercials, sponsorships, etc. Fans eat that up and will pay for more.

Shoot, many NASCAR racers are even household names. For example, I asked my Mom & Dad, who are very mild race fans, if they knew any NHRA racers. They couldn't answer, so I threw out the name John Force, hoping to jog a memory. All I got was, "Didn't he advertise for Castrol?" Hey, at least they knew that. Yet, both were able to name Gordon, Johnson, Kahne, Stewart, Jarrett, and even Ken Schrader of all people! Unbelievable......

To drive the point even further, I recently purchased a "Super Six" asphalt sprint car for next year. I could never get a sponsor for my stocker (who wants to sponsor a LeBaron anyways?), yet I have people asking me if I'd like to have them sponsor my sprint car. Incredible! Well, they know that lots of fans go to their local circle track, especially on Grand Nationals night, and will patronize businesses they see advertised on cars.

NHRA doesn't cater to the fans anymore, and they're not worried. If they want a pay raise, they can simply create classes to attract more racers. More racers equals more money. So the guy who wrote the article hit the nail right on the head. However, will lack of fans be the demise of NHRA? No. If there's hundreds of cars lined up at the local drag strip's front gate prior to opening, then what are we scared of?

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

I guess my saying "they do not need to be compared" was another way of saying, "Don't bother comparing them, because they're never going to be comparable." They each have positives and negatives.

Bruce - thanks for the added info. That at least sits a lot better than "Why do you think the pros wear face masks in the pits?" Otherwise, you'd have people banning the peeling of onions in the kitchen! ;)

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

I think the comment Oclk Dlux wrote about his parents only recognizing John Force's name when they associated it with Castrol. If you look at the most recognizable names in Nascar, they have been associated with the same brand for longer periods of time. Look at the frenzy that was created with Dale Jr when it was announced he wasn't going to have Budweiser as a sponsor. It led to a live telecast to announce his new sponsors!

I think that Force is clearly the most recognizable name in drag racing. The show driving Force has probably alerted more folks from non-racing arenas to know his name as well just because of the "drama" show on TV. People that tune in to see someone "Flip that house" are now introduced to a family that drag races.

I truly believe the best way we as sportsman can promote our sport is to be as friendly as possible when fans come walking through the pits. They need to know that we are regular people that work regular jobs, work on our stuff over the winter and between races. They need something to associate us with.

I think if they know that Joe ABC is a union electrician, or that Sally ABC is CPA, etc. They need to know that we have been racing the same cars for 20 years, or that the motor has 400 runs on it, or that you used to drive it to high school, etc. Naming the cars like was done in previous years can help out as well.
Take a name like "Steel CIty Wedge". You can immediately associate that with someone from Pittsburgh if the car was racing at Bristol or other tracks a far distance from their home. I was at Hagerstown last weekend and it was the first time I have heard an annuncer call my car " The Mountain State Mustang". I only run there a couple times per year, but that could be the difference between someone in the stands saying "Hey, I remember that car from last year" and "I think I remember seeing that white Mustang here before"

It also helps if the announcer is more familiar with sportsman racing and can tell the crowds about the drivers as well as the cars. Whether we are running a crate motor car, comp eliminator, or a hot rod or super gas, the crowd needs to know more about the person sitting in the drivers seat. In certain markets, such as North Carolina area for IHRA and the Northeast Division for NHRA, the announcers and the fans get to see the competitors more frequently, and thus are more familiar with the drivers.

In other markets though, such as instances, maybe in the western region of the country, in which competitors travel 8-12 hours to get to a race, names and cars won't be as familiar. I think both sanctioning bodies should put more efforts in telling the fans about the drivers. NASCAR promotes the drivers and their sponsors. They don't promote the cars. Fans can assoicate with that. Gear-heads are more interested in the cars that race, but I think casual fans are generally more interested in the drivers and the story that goes with them.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

The best dollar and time investment for a fan ... a spectator... is a night at a WOO sprint car race.

Nothing..... be it NASCAR, NHRA, Indy cars or whatever, can compare to what you get with this beautiful, up-close, in-your-face display of power.

If you could ever put nitromethane on dirt, it is a WOO car. If you've never attended one, before you die, try it. You'll wonder why NHRA or NASCAR ever impressed you at all.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Amen! If WoO can't compete with NASCAR, how can anyone? I think their biggest limitation is that the venues are so small. Need to Bristol-lize those tracks! More seats to be able to put butts in the seats is where the money's at, and everything else flows from there.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Been to nascar races and the drags. I have to say that in my opinion the circle track crowd is a bunch of drunk idiots that have nothing in common with fellow drivers. Honestly, what the hell are you going to take home with you from a race at Pocono. A slanted eye and a hangover. You can't see anything and even a so called pit pass puts you behind some huge fence to get within 30 feet of a car. I happen to like both forms of racing but i can't tell you how many times i learned something from an NHRA event. Everyone i talk to is knowledgable about race cars and totally approachable. One more thing about the NHRA, Plenty of guts and NO glory and it's fine by me.

David

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

The guy who wrote that article is a case in point regarding the very reason that NHRA drag racing will never approach the popularity of NASCAR.

In order to enjoy drag racing, you need to know something about cars... In order to enjoy NASCAR racing, you only need to know who's driving, because the cookie-cutter cars are so much alike that it doesn't really matter which driver is in which car, and with the advent of the spec "Car of Tomorrow," it's about to get worse.

You can't really enjoy handicapped racing unless you have at least SOME understanding of breakouts and the REASON one car leaves first. Let alone, why two otherwise identical cars leave the line at separate times, just because one is an automatic. The sheer number of classes and humongous variety of cars (Stocker Pinto wagon vs. A/SA Hemi Barracuda), and types of cars (4-cylinder turbo Altered vs sbc/FED (nostalgia car) in Comp, running for the same pot is not easy to rationally explain to a novice fan.

The fact is, (and I'm not insulting anybody here; just a fact) a low-grade moron can figure out the winner in a NASCAR race; you have to KNOW something to appreciate the multitude of significant aspects in a drag race, and determine why the second car to get there WON..

REAL drag fans are, I believe, way more knowledgeable about their chosen sport thn any of the circle track types, just because it's necessary to have a certain amount of information in your head to fully appreciate the nuances of a wheelstanding Super Stocker than some dumbed-down roundy-round car that is EXACTLY like the 15 others traveling the circle, with him.

I'm not talking about the quality of the race mechanics; I know that the NASCAR techs get an amazing amount of power out of very little, make it last for 500 miles at 8+ grand, and make it get acceptable gas mileage, all the while.... This is about the fans; not the mechanics.

The circle track main race has ONE WINNER, traditionally...

NHRA racing has a lot of winners... Very confusing for the fans.

I'm not at all sure that trying to make drag racing "big business" was ever a very good idea, anyway.
Maybe SCCA had the right idea all along... I know that drag racing back in the '50s was a lot more fun than it is, now...

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

I went to Painesville Speedway in Ohio once - a small paved oval. Their Street Stock type class had a breakout. If you ran a lap time 'x' amount faster in the Main as you ran in qualifying, you were DQ'd. The announcer explained the rules, how it happened, and all the fans were fine with it, as far as I could tell. You've got casual fans that don't know and don't care, that just go to hang out, you've got novice fans who are interested and willing to learn, and you've got hardcore fans. You just see those types of fans in varying amounts at different events. Some people find golf riveting. To each their own. The key is to know your market.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

A recent experience at Piedmont would be reason enough for the Glendora gals, err boys, take notice and get a clue. While watching the combo race I stuck around for the Big Dog shootout. My bleacher buddie had to point out to me the two "announcers" on either side of the track commenting (razzing) back and forth about the cars and each other. This created an atmosphere I have never seen at a nat'l event, or actually at any motorsports event. While no one here would hang around for "Top fool", or any of the "pro" stuff they cram down the publics throats on ESPN, IF they WANTED to create some excitement between runs and capitalize on the DRIVER fan following (THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SELL, LIKE NECKCAR), they should try the announcer on the sideline. first he would have to have a pulse and personality, God forbid he show some emotion and try to get the "fans" involved in whats happening on the line before the green.

How about some pit cam shots while they are actually "working" on the cars to add filler between rounds, not the boring same old interviews, but a helmet mounted cam showing the guy actually pulling a piston, or how the thing finally comes together under the gun. And mic some of these guys, it can't be any worse than the football "micked up" nonsense.

There are plenty of clues they could take form other forms of sport that have to fill the space between the action. They should take some of the $$$$$ and hire a production specialist form a major network for an entire rework of the TV format. People watch Pro wrestling for a reason, it was marketed to them and it is a slick package they have sold to their demographic. I could go on for hours (snowboarding, X games, Golf, whatever) there is obviously no thought going into what is presented on TV or it would measure up. Sorry but I care about racing and how it is NOT sold to the masses.

These are just my opinions (even if I did work in TV production) and don't amount to a hill of beans anyway.

Thanks Herb JR. for a really cool Big Dog race, it was entertaining. I'll be back.

Re: Calif. newspaper article
 

Old wine skin. Better to have a complete overhaul, format and all.

Buy you're right, at least he does have a personality and knowledge of the entire sport.