Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional.

Jimi B · 05-19-2010, 10:48 PM

So what did people think about that event? Obviously along with the outrageous crownd there were things that were a bit of an inconvenience... Especially since I didn't make it with my car, and got the total spectator treatment and parked across the street. And long lines for everything etc.. However, I truly feel lucky to witness such a special event. I have not felt that way at a drag race in years, whether driving, crewing, or spectating. Norwalk always puts on a good show. They always have above average spectators. Obviously free enterance is what drew the 45,000 spectators that day. I believe it was the largest 1 day spectator count ever for the track, and I would imagine there never has been a larger divisional race?

Does anybody else believe that making divisional races free to spectators, to draw in advertisers/sponsors is the way to go? Most divisionals are ghost towns as far as spectators go. Look at ADRL.

I think it is something that needs to be looked at for sure. I'm on my blackberry right now so I can't copy/past the exact quote from Bader, but he said something about like this "Lucas Oil Events are a pretty bitchin show if you package it right. If I didn't have a National Event it would be are biggest event."

Ed Fernandez · 05-19-2010, 11:23 PM

Are you saying spectator entry was free for the whole event?

John Kelley · 05-20-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fernandez

Are you saying spectator entry was free for the whole event?

Only on Saturday,Summit gave away loads of tickets for Saturday.
Sunday was back to almost normal......

05-20-2010, 12:37 AM

I was surprized the crowd was so tame...Definatley rural folk not city trash but ugly just the same..lots of overweight out of shape kids..Just my perspective.

greg fulk · 05-20-2010, 01:01 AM

Like I've said before ...let them in for free (or real cheap) & they'll come! they will then buy your pop,beer,ice cream,popcorn,& burgers! To me it's a no brainer! way to go Mr. Bader!

koch3031 · 05-20-2010, 02:51 AM

i was there on sunday with a free ticket, there was at least 10 thousand people there

Mack Reeves · 05-20-2010, 05:20 AM

Comptitionplus.com has a story on how they filled the place up... How they gave away the tickets and all... Good reading and a different mindset of the track operators for sure!!!!

The Hawk · 05-20-2010, 05:52 AM

Bandimere does the same thing for their LODRS Event. They run a promotion through the event sponsor(a fast oil change franchise)for free tickets on Sunday. It looks very similar to a Nat`l Event crown for at least a round or two.

Mike Fuller · 05-20-2010, 06:18 AM

Here's the link to the article.
http://www.competitionplus.com/index...sportsman-race

tpoh815 · 05-20-2010, 06:21 AM

I am not surprised due to the fact it was "Baderized" now can you come back to IHRA??

05-19-2010, 10:48 PM	#1
Jimi B Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 226 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. So what did people think about that event? Obviously along with the outrageous crownd there were things that were a bit of an inconvenience... Especially since I didn't make it with my car, and got the total spectator treatment and parked across the street. And long lines for everything etc.. However, I truly feel lucky to witness such a special event. I have not felt that way at a drag race in years, whether driving, crewing, or spectating. Norwalk always puts on a good show. They always have above average spectators. Obviously free enterance is what drew the 45,000 spectators that day. I believe it was the largest 1 day spectator count ever for the track, and I would imagine there never has been a larger divisional race? Does anybody else believe that making divisional races free to spectators, to draw in advertisers/sponsors is the way to go? Most divisionals are ghost towns as far as spectators go. Look at ADRL. I think it is something that needs to be looked at for sure. I'm on my blackberry right now so I can't copy/past the exact quote from Bader, but he said something about like this "Lucas Oil Events are a pretty bitchin show if you package it right. If I didn't have a National Event it would be are biggest event." __________________ Jimmy Bowling BF/S 3808 www.facebook.com/jimib1980

05-19-2010, 11:23 PM	#2
Ed Fernandez Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NOO JOISEY nexta NOO YAWK Posts: 5,879 Likes: 38 Liked 100 Times in 45 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. Are you saying spectator entry was free for the whole event? __________________ Former NHRA #1945 Former IHRA #1945 T/SA

05-20-2010, 12:37 AM	#4
Jason Fuller Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. I was surprized the crowd was so tame...Definatley rural folk not city trash but ugly just the same..lots of overweight out of shape kids..Just my perspective.

05-20-2010, 01:01 AM	#5
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. Like I've said before ...let them in for free (or real cheap) & they'll come! they will then buy your pop,beer,ice cream,popcorn,& burgers! To me it's a no brainer! way to go Mr. Bader! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"

05-20-2010, 02:51 AM	#6
koch3031 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 12 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. i was there on sunday with a free ticket, there was at least 10 thousand people there

05-20-2010, 05:20 AM	#7
Mack Reeves Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Elkin, NC Posts: 671 Likes: 165 Liked 44 Times in 13 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. Comptitionplus.com has a story on how they filled the place up... How they gave away the tickets and all... Good reading and a different mindset of the track operators for sure!!!! __________________ Mack Reeves 2377 STOCK & SUPER STOCK

05-20-2010, 05:52 AM	#8
The Hawk VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Littleton,Colorado Posts: 1,194 Likes: 0 Liked 249 Times in 109 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. Bandimere does the same thing for their LODRS Event. They run a promotion through the event sponsor(a fast oil change franchise)for free tickets on Sunday. It looks very similar to a Nat`l Event crown for at least a round or two. __________________ Lane Weber It`s Not What You Drive That Wins....It`s How You Drive It

05-20-2010, 06:18 AM	#9
Mike Fuller Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 929 Likes: 508 Liked 174 Times in 69 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. Here's the link to the article. http://www.competitionplus.com/index...sportsman-race __________________ Mike Fuller 396 STK

05-20-2010, 06:21 AM	#10
tpoh815 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: West Seneca Posts: 533 Likes: 56 Liked 28 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Norwalk event a wake up call? 45,000 spectator day @ divisional. I am not surprised due to the fact it was "Baderized" now can you come back to IHRA?? __________________ EX 5-Doorstocker