Empty Stands
 

I didn’t attend the NHRA event in Dallas last weekend but noticed they ran the sportsman classes down to a final round on Saturday night, bringing both finalists back on Sunday afternoon.

https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/empty-stands/

Re: Empty Stands
 

Hey John...NOT in anyway wanting to get away from primary subject matter of your fine article...BUT...for sure we aren't doing this for the $$$...it's a choice we knowingly make...so as long as my son (s)...want to continue this lop-sided participation...guess we'll keep at it...!!!...just a few weeks ago @ NHRA Division 2 Open (Mooresville)...son Greg lost in semi-final of Stock Eliminator...payout is/was ALL of $100 !!!...entry fee car/driver of $160...so the "reward" getting down to final 4...at best...wtf !!!...this INDEED a subject for another time/place...after 7+ decades on the planet...participating in a bunch of varied eliminators regularly over 60 years now...yikes my brother...the "warm & fuzzy" gets less all the time...imagine that :D

Re: Empty Stands
 

Just to add on, they did contingency for the semi-finalists and finalists on Saturday night at Dallas. This was actually a good decision, as the paperwork was done for the finalists prior, so the hurry up portion of contingency and pictures was limited to just pictures. They should definitely continue that theme.

Re: Empty Stands
 

I went out there Saturday as a spectator. It cost me $71 to get a pit side ticket. Add in the cost of food and drinks, I probably spent $100. The stands weren't full on the pit side even when the nitro monkeys were running. I'm going to have to go back to showing up on Thursdays and watching Stock and SS qualifying. I only went on Saturday because a friend could only go on the weekend since he doesn't have any vacation days accrued.

Re: Empty Stands
 

From the spectator camera side of things, I take two lenses for Friday and Saturday at the Northwest Nationals and either one or no camera for Sunday. Friday is my favorite day because I can shoot the Sportsman qualifying heads up launches without the "Pro" photo guys in the way. My seats for Friday are at the line and move down one or two sections each day for Saturday and Sunday. Most of what I want to see runs Friday and Saturday so I may skip Sunday altogether this year. These guys are actually responsible for me giving up on the stands and building a race car.

Re: Empty Stands
 

Also while doing contingency after semis,they verified that you actually had every product you claimed,only stuff not checked was the obvious like camshaft,oil,etc....Victor

Re: Empty Stands
 

Great move by NHRA on restricting photographers. Have not made it to a national event yet this year, but that was a complaint I always had since they put guardwalls next to the track and let Photogs stand next to guardwall.

Yes I miss the days of no guardwalls and photogs 30 ft or more from racing surface. You could actually see the cars while standing next to the fence.

Sorry it hurts your Photos/stories but I will enjoy the racing much more now.

Re: Empty Stands
 

I'd rather run semi and final on Sunday in front of the big crowd and mixed in with the pros. With the cost of spectating, many fans come on Sunday only, and for them only to see one pair of sportsman cars go down the track doesn't do much to help us.

Re: Empty Stands
 

They did that at Maple Grove also.

Re: Empty Stands
 

Last year they made everyone I took purchase a pit pass plus their general admission ticket to get to the other side of the track and I had to purchase a seat for the 6 month old who sat on his mothers lap. Was great to see some old friends, not sure who thinks this is a good way to attract new fans.