Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

There's almost nobody in the stands at divisional races. I imagine there's little to no marketing to promote attendance, such as radio or TV ads.

An idea would be to give two spectator tickets to each paid participant under the condition that they are not to be used to cover crew members.

The purpose of the program is to get spectators in the stands (i.e., not to get friends and family in for free who are going to lounge around the motorhome all weekend).

If the participant doesn't respect the conditions, then they no longer receive tickets.

Getting people in the stands could increase interest for long term growth. It would also increase concession sales and maybe help vendors.

Any other ideas?

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Fuel Altereds

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

go to the local parts stores and give them tickets to hand out.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

The .90 stuff is very hard to watch.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

A/FX Match Races?

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

No Problem Raceway had lots of tickets floating around and the place was packed! Well done by Nelson and group.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

I used to race at Rocky Mountain Raceway in Utah, and they used to pack the place on Friday and Saturday nights for Street, Pro and Super Pro.

They used to book Wheel Standers, Jet cars and local Alcohol cars for runs between eliminations. The stands would be full for the exhibition cars and would stay full for the bracket cars.

It's good marketing and everyone benefits.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

That's a very polite way to say "impossible to watch."

Most .90 racers say that the race is on the finish line not the starting line, which is probably true.

It would be nice to have competent announcers who explained that point and encourage spectators to go to the finish line if they want to see what the class is all about.

Stands at the finish line and PA speakers would be good for all classes.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

I couldn't agree more. It'd be good to also have racers invest in getting spectators into the stands. You could almost call it "giving back."

The WFO program for Comp should be adopted in every division. It's awesome to see.

Something similar could be done for stock and super stock. An exhibition would be nice. Choose a class with the highest car count, and do some heads up runs.

There are lots of ways to reinvigorate class racing. Some tracks do a great job, like No Problem, while others don't seem to care.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

They long ago removed the stands near the finish line at Joliet. How many tracks currently have stands at the finish line?
Since you brought the topic up, do the televised Division races have a finish line camera? For the fans in the stands I've talked with, Stock and Super Stock are won at the finish line as well.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

when i loved in new mexico, we went to the shop classes at the high schools and gave them free tickets. the track made more money from the food and drink sales than they ever did selling attendance tickets.


this just the standard bracket race. many of the students stated racing

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Virginia Motorsports park let all spectators in free one year at the divisional, the place was packed, I’m sure they got some interested enough to return, and they all spent their money at the concession stands I believe it was a win-win

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

And even harder to explain to a typical spectator ! I ran Super Street for a few years, over 30 years ago, before the big MPH, "launch and die" throttle stop timers, and full tube chassis cars with a bunch of ballast became mainstream. Back then, a 10.0 car was fast, and often, the ET was maintained with a bolt on the carb linkage, to prevent full throttle. Now many of the 10.90 cars can run low 8s, "off the stop. I have quite a few friends that run the .90 classes, and I can appreciate how competitive it is, and how they can always "hit the number", but yeah, it certainly is strange for the spectators to follow. When I lived on the West Coast, Mission Raceway always had really god spectator turnouts, but they would run radio and TV ads, local auto parts stores had discount tickets and posters to promote the race, and they would bring in something of interest to spectators, whether it was a couple of wheelstanders, jet cars, Nitro Harleys, or Funny Cars. For several years, they had Hemi Shootouts, that would bring 8-10 SS/AH cars, from all over North America, the "race to the 9s" in Stock was fantastic, they had a Warren Johnson/Richie Stevens Pro Stock match race once, and the place was packed.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Promote promote promote. Used to be radio and print media or TV ads. Now it's more social media and pop up ads. But if our own websites like NHRA..com and all the others do not promote their own races on their own website then it puts all the onus on the track operator.
You can promote Imports vs Muscle vs EV the trick is making up a nemesis. Drag racing is a great platform for it as the Snake vsMongoose wars

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

They should give tickets way for free at Division races. We need to get new blood in the stands. The tracks can make some money on food/T shirts.

It's hard to get local sponsors to support the race track and racers if we have ZERO spectators....

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Ask the Bader's , they know how it is done.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

The only Divisional on the west coast that I can think of that had a decent spectator turnout is Mission. Oh wait, we're not running a Divsional there anymore...

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Can't get the crowds if they don't know about it

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

From a fan's perspective, I would prefer to attend a divisional race than a national event, or any of the dog and pony show events. My dad, 83, and myself, 59, have been attending these events since the early 70's. We have seen a precipitous decline in attendance at all drag racing events that we attend, which are mostly the "points" meets as my dad calls them. We love the variety of cars represented in S/SS and they still connect to my early days being exposed to the sport. I have been to NHRA events from CA to NC. Raise your hand if these dragstrips ring a bell, Green Valley, Dallas International, Baylands/Fremont, Speedworld, Willow Run, just to name a few that are no longer around.

Unfortunately, we are a dying breed. We have gone to Thunder Valley and sat in the stands alone. Double divisional at Topeka, maybe 50 fans. I really don't understand it. Very underappreciated. I figure it the drivers can spend 4-5 days towing, hundreds if not thousands on fees/fuel/etc, and an ungodly amount on tow vehicles and race cars, then I can fill the tank up in my car and drive a few hours and be happy.

Sure, fans can be educated more but judging by some of the comments from "fans" regarding the NHRA divisional in Tulsa where I live, they are a long way from understanding the throttle stop, class indexes, and starting line and finish line packages.

I think you cannot ignore the no prep/call out/cash in the air/insult your opponent type of racing. It fills up the stands and the also the starting line (how do you get insurance for that?).

As someone pointed out, circus shows tend to bring the fans out. I am not against it; it seems to be the reality. That may have to be sprinkled into each show and promoted heavily. I have never been to Norwalk, but I would be the phone with that owner asking for his secret as to how you can butts in the seats.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

I won the wheelstand contest at Baders Cavalcade of Stars a couple times. Still have the 200 Dollar check stubs around here somewhere. He drew names of 10 spectators and if you were a winner you were placed at a picnic table right behind the startling line. They had large hand held scorecards to rate their votes.They held these cards up after every car left the starting line. Of course he was doing his "Bader Central" on the mic as this was all happening.I remember Ricky Decker walking past me as I was taking all the weight out of the nose and raising my wheelie bars saying "Wanger, your gonna win that thing aint ya" LOL. He had Jet Trucks, Fuel Harley Davidsons (those guys are nuts! ) and free tickets. He advertised as far east as Philadelphia on the radio, flyers,and I think TV. The ads were pretty frequent. He later told folks he lost money on the deal, but was adamant he was going to somehow, someway fill that place at a Points meet.
He actually had to close the gates as he was at capacity


Heres the pics....
http://classracer.com/classforum/att...1&d=1681758625

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Give away tickets to racers
Great idea but ain’t happening
Free and Nhra are like oil and water
They don’t mixl
Also crew passes are no longer discounted
Pay $20a day Like spectators
Zero favorites. That’s how you make $$$
Everyone pays

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Keith Mayers is right. The 2016 VMP Lucas Oil Race was free to race fans except for a parking fee. We had a great spectator turn out. The Alcohol cars were fast, no down time from them, the usual hard launching wheel standing stock / super stock cars put on their usual great show. Big lines at the "Hot Rod Grill' food stand went on all day long. It worked for them. As an announcer it is much more fun to have a nice crowd out there. A very fun and successful event.

Mike Bassin, track announcer, Mason Dixon Dragway

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

So is bracket racing stock and superstock. I only watch when they have heads up class runoffs.

Also like watching 8.50 heads up no electronics.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

For the last couple of years, New England Dragway has combined its "Night of Fire" with its LODRS Divisional. Jet cars, wheelstanders, and some radio advertising along with the divisional cars has resulted in great crowds and an almost national event atmosphere.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

I think the main reason there are no spectators at divisional races is the track owners/promoters have gotten lazy. There is really no promotion of the events. Raise entry fees and crew fees but don’t try to get a spectator in the gate.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

I don't think 100% of the blame should be dropped at the doorstep of the tracks and promoters. The racers ourselves are as much to blame for lack of asses in the seats as the track owners. Why do I think that? Remember when we were kids and saw a racecar on a trailer going down the road or at a stoplight or sitting in an auto parts store parking lot? Remember your life goal at that very moment was to look at it as closely as possible? How excited you would get checking out the slicks, the rims, the body lines the open headers popping out from under the car? Damn good times and memories right? What have today's kids (and kids over the last 25-30 years for that matter) got to get excited about.....seeing a big white enclosed trailer being pulled by a motorhome. It could be the greatest racecar in the world or it could be hauling a few four wheelers and whatnot for a family vacation. It could even be full of garage sale bull**** heading for the next flea market. I know, many racers don't want their cars rained on or fear someone messing with their stuff or whatever, but we are as much to blame as anyone else. How about volunteering to take your racecar to the local highschool autoshop to talk to the future of our sport...um, I mean talk to the kids about every little thing about the car? The shopping mall in Flatrock Michigan use to have a racecar show inside the mall every year where the cars would be on display in the corridors and it was fun watching the little ones just drool over them.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Honestly they could give the tickets away and make the money on concessions and make a killing.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

You are dead wrong on this one. Its not up to the racers to try to promote the races. That is the job of track owner to promote the show. The ship has sailed on the open trailer thing. Most of us have motorhomes, toter homes of LQ trailers and stay at the track during the events. We all have enclosed trailers and would not go back to the old days of a flat trailer. Some of the local bracket racers might use open trailers. I keep all of my racing equipment in the trailer all of the time and that is separate from my tools in the shop.
The track owners/promoters have gotten lazy and it seems like it is easier to rise the entry fee and the crew fee than it is to try to get some spectator interest in what is happening at the racetrack. You would think these track operators would be all over the social media advertising their shows. That cost nothing except some time to make the posts.
The NHRA is a pretty good show. Lots of different types of classes and cars plus its a full days entertainment for one ticket.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Yeah, big spectator draw to watch Stock and SS cars slam on their brakes at the 1000' mark trying to jockey for position.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

This is great!
If, and only IF, the track / promoter / local racers and whoever else spends some serious time getting these posters displayed all over the area. Sticking one up in the window of a couple of parts stores will not get it done.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

It used to be that a spectator ticket didn't get you in the pits. Is that still the case?

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Those were fun Jeff. As you wrote, racers were loosening the fronts ends and changing the cars to participate in it. The place was packed. Kinda surprised he lost money on the deal. Thought he made up for it with concessions and ice cream sales.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Couple ideas. Some already mentioned.
Give tickets away at tech schools. High school and college.
Give tickets away at parts stores.
Tell spectators
Sit by starting line for stock and super stock
Sit mid track for alky, comp, top drag and sport
Sit at finish line for .90

And lastly $10 car loads admitted. Got to pay the clean up crew….


Ps. Add some top stock racing for saturday abc, def, ghi etc……

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

A great idea is to do like the Baders and do free tickets in the area... I would think they will sell plenty of food and drinks to people that would not have been there had it not been free.. I know a local track is charging 20-25 spectator fee at weekly bracket races.. lol That is not a good idea.. bleachers are empty.. I would do $5-10 and actually maybe get a few people in the seats..

Sadly times are different now that 30 yrs ago.. When I was a kid watching my dad race.. there were lots of people in the stands and standing at the fence at weekly bracket races.. now no one even watches other than people that are crew with the cars on the track

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

While at dinner in Las Vegas, a couple eating next to us asked how much it costs to spectate at the divisional race. We looked around the division and race track websites and other than crew passes for $100, there is virtually no ticket information available for the public. Pretty sad way of trying to attract more spectators.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

So this was an e-mail I sent at the end of 2011 to the DD (Yes, 12 years ago so some of the names mentioned have retired), I have a degree in Marketing. I was told all great ideas, they would discuss them at the Meetings in January but, never heard anything after that from anyone so I just let it go. It does seem like some of the idea are coming back, The "Free Spectators at the Open", the "Night of Chaos" at MG in May for $40 car loads. I also have seen Jimmy at Cecil has a sign and sponsoring a little league team and was in my local diner last night (I'm 35 min from Atco) and the Place Mat had a spot for their "Thrill Show" in June at Atco.

I hope you are doing well! The reason for my e-mail is a recent discussion I had with some racers at the Dutch and it has spilled over into some of the chat boards on-line. A few racers came to me regarding this issue since I help out Lucky with MASGA and I’m also the President of the Super Comp Series. The discussion that was brought up was about how can we promote sportsman racing better and get more fans to a Lucas Oil Series Races. I know at a few tracks this year they did a special promotion for fans such as Carloads for $25.00 at Maple Grove, Atco had a special “Buy 1, Get 1 ½ off” on Saturday and so forth. The real only good turn-out seemed to be at Epping where you had 10,000 people show up for the race on Saturday Night. Not saying the other promotions were a flop for the track owners but, I don’t think it was the turnout they were looking for. I know from a fan and racer aspect the promotions seemed to be announced on a Monday or Tuesday before the event and many fans were already committed to other things on the weekend. I know I handed out about 15 of the coupons at my office for the Atco Race but, most of the people already had something going on that weekend.

As a promoter myself I know how it’s hard to get people to come to a race when the economy is in the toilet and people are more worried about putting a meal on the table rather then spending the day at the track but, you give them a deal in advance they may just come check it out. What I was wondering is if we could put something together for 2012 as in a Division 1 marketing program. I know Gary from PC Richard & the Alessi’s normally have their rigs at the track a few days in advance of a Lucas Oil Event and if we could set something up like NASCAR does at a local Wal-Mart, PC Richards, Etc with the cars out for people to see and look at I think people might get interested in coming to see them. I know I’ve looked over Gary’s Mustang a few times and I think people would see that car and be like “This car, which looks like my street cars…run’s what??” Maybe offer up discounted tickets at these events to people with a “See these cars and many more at Atco Raceway August 5th to 7th”. Or maybe do something similar to what NHRA did this year with the 60th anniversary “walk the track program” get someone like Manzo or Kosky to walk Atco with their memories of running at the track. Last but, not least maybe go around and visit automotive technical schools or automotive dealerships in the areas with cars and discounted tickets.

I’d be willing to help out in anyway that I can with this program to get more people at the track. I’m young and have had drag racing in my blood for most of my life but, unfortunately I don’t see much new blood in the series due to cost and not understanding the classes. Like why does a Super Gas car leave the line then fall on its face and take back off? Maybe have a few racers at the local dealerships explain how the classes work and what a throttle stop does and why when Stock or Super Stock come up it was 10.50 on the scoreboard but, he runs 9.40…I don’t get it?

Anyways this is just something I thought could be addressed and maybe we could do something for the 2012 season with this. If not I totally understand as everyone is under the crunch of the economy as I’m not looking to make money off of this but, rather to introduce Drag Racing to the youth of America and show them that normal everyday cars can be turned into a racing machine with just a few tweeks and turns.. Thanks for your time and hope to hear from you soon. Have a great off-season!

Rob Keister
1198 S/G

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Lot of people watch it on u tube, nhra tv
In Florida, I asked why I never saw my fellow racer ip by the starting line , and he said it easier to watch on TV in the motor home. WOW, I never thought about that.

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Everyone has some good points. There don't seem to be many promoters in drag racing in general. Years ago when drag racing got going the need to promote was not as important as it is today. It was a different time in our history when cars and Hot Rods were a big deal especially with us younger crowd. We were a performance car Country back then. Today it's a whole new ball game. The younger crowd would rather sit inside and play games all day. Mike said it shouldn't be up to the racers to do and I agree but if we don't get involved, we have just as much to lose as the tracks do maybe even more. I don't know how some of the tracks remain profitable with the low turnouts for events. We can't afford as racers to lose to many more tracks.

Things that I have seen in the last few years that brought more cars in and also helped get more spectators.

Double up the races when you can. There is no doubt this increases car counts. Not all may like this but the numbers don't lie!!!

In the Northeast Lebanon Valley Dragway has consistently had more spectators than any other track. They do this with FIRE WORKS and Jet cars. They put on a show for the fans more than just watching us. And they advertise it on the radio.
Track owners have an Association and the Owners need to reach out to other tracks that are having success bringing in crowds. We are the greatest Traveling Car Show maybe someone will capitalize on that.
Tracks Need to Promote
The old saying of Build it and they will come is not going to work

WHEN TRACKS CLOSE WE ALL LOSE
It would be great to see NHRA start a New department that's in charge of promoting the sport from National's to the Divisional's and down to the local levels. They must have one but it looks like it could use a lot of help Get people involved that have been around and understand what could be done to help keep our sport healthy. Not just college grads that don't really understand what we do and how to help the tracks get more fans in the seats BP

Re: Divisional Spectator Attendance
 

Best way to get new people to come out to the races.
1. Go to your local high school and offer free entry to all the seniors and juniors who have a drivers license. Could be for an event or a T & T.

2. Make it a challenge between students and faculty.

As a side note, it is always in the best interest of everyone involved to have a good concession stand. Nothing worse than going to an event for the first time and get crappy food.