My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists

John DiBartolomeo · 04-10-2019, 08:06 AM

"I’m really not a fan of Four-Wide racing and it appeared to my simple mind that it was very confusing while watching it on TV as to who “won” or “lost.”

https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/...yists-4-10-19/

John Kissel · 04-10-2019, 08:26 AM

I understand that the producers of the broadcast are trying to explain the sport to potiential new fans. This is dragracing not reality show t.v., and last sundays' broadcast was worse than the previous one. Show the racing, not the filler interviews that end with the next pair of cars half way down the track.Bring back Chris Economaki and the Wide World of Sports. Anybody remember the World Finals when a lot of Super Stockers were being aged out of the eliminator and really flew. That was great t.v.. John Kissel K242

1matcoman · 04-10-2019, 09:27 AM

John yes, you are "spot on" about confusing!!! I, too, watched Sunday's show and as much as I understand drag racing after 50+ years of spectating, I am dumbfounded by who won, who finished second and so forth. It has to be even more confusing to the casual fan.
Yes, I am quite certain of the "wow" factor for a fan to watch a 4-wide run or two, but to enjoy (or should I say suffer through) a 3 hour show? I don't think so.

jmcarter · 04-10-2019, 09:38 AM

If NHRA has any doubts about how their Nitro Circus ends they only need to look at the grandstand pics from the NASCAR show at Bristol.

Fireofficer5 · 04-10-2019, 09:47 AM

Four wide was invented as a freak show in the 1960's.

Miami-Hollywood had what they called the Georgia track, it was two paved lanes where they ran four jet cars in addition to the regular track.

Steve Stasko · 04-10-2019, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fireofficer5

Four wide was invented as a freak show in the 1960's.

Miami-Hollywood had what they called the Georgia track, it was two paved lanes where they ran four jet cars in addition to the regular track.

Four-wide was run in PA and Ohio in the 1960's as a way to get the program completed as a lot of tracks did not have lighting then, and the car counts were much, much larger then as opposed to now. My Grandfather ran four wide in Stock at Quaker City in 1964 and 1965.

CMcAllister · 04-10-2019, 12:04 PM

It's a gimmick to attract that all important, elusive "casual fan" to the track. It is certainly an experience in person, at least for the first few runs. After that, it's just trying to keep score. It doesn't transfer to TV very well. What's the next gimmick? Maybe 2 funny cars and 2 top fuel cars. Handicap the dragsters and run 'em.

bigshow2966 · 04-10-2019, 12:38 PM

It's Bruton Smith's gimmick. His track, his rules.

X-TECH MAN · 04-10-2019, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshow2966

It's Bruton Smith's gimmick. His track, his rules.

It really sucks !

Mike Gray · 04-10-2019, 01:19 PM

And who can read the numbers clearly on that bright green highlight. They end up being taken down before I can figure out what the winner ran.

04-10-2019, 08:06 AM	#1
John DiBartolomeo Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Beaver Springs, PA Posts: 494 Likes: 1 Liked 1,282 Times in 159 Posts	My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists "I’m really not a fan of Four-Wide racing and it appeared to my simple mind that it was very confusing while watching it on TV as to who “won” or “lost.” https://dragracingedge.com/the-blog/...yists-4-10-19/ Attached Thumbnails __________________ John DiBartolomeo DRC Race Products DragRacingActionOnline.com

04-10-2019, 08:26 AM	#2
John Kissel Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Colt's Neck, n.j. Posts: 349 Likes: 766 Liked 230 Times in 94 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists I understand that the producers of the broadcast are trying to explain the sport to potiential new fans. This is dragracing not reality show t.v., and last sundays' broadcast was worse than the previous one. Show the racing, not the filler interviews that end with the next pair of cars half way down the track.Bring back Chris Economaki and the Wide World of Sports. Anybody remember the World Finals when a lot of Super Stockers were being aged out of the eliminator and really flew. That was great t.v.. John Kissel K242

04-10-2019, 09:27 AM	#3
1matcoman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 341 Likes: 834 Liked 352 Times in 135 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists John yes, you are "spot on" about confusing!!! I, too, watched Sunday's show and as much as I understand drag racing after 50+ years of spectating, I am dumbfounded by who won, who finished second and so forth. It has to be even more confusing to the casual fan. Yes, I am quite certain of the "wow" factor for a fan to watch a 4-wide run or two, but to enjoy (or should I say suffer through) a 3 hour show? I don't think so.

04-10-2019, 09:38 AM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,296 Likes: 2,383 Liked 3,181 Times in 972 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists If NHRA has any doubts about how their Nitro Circus ends they only need to look at the grandstand pics from the NASCAR show at Bristol. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

04-10-2019, 09:47 AM	#5
Fireofficer5 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 89 Likes: 36 Liked 33 Times in 20 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists Four wide was invented as a freak show in the 1960's. Miami-Hollywood had what they called the Georgia track, it was two paved lanes where they ran four jet cars in addition to the regular track.

04-10-2019, 12:04 PM	#7
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 614 Likes: 16 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists It's a gimmick to attract that all important, elusive "casual fan" to the track. It is certainly an experience in person, at least for the first few runs. After that, it's just trying to keep score. It doesn't transfer to TV very well. What's the next gimmick? Maybe 2 funny cars and 2 top fuel cars. Handicap the dragsters and run 'em.

04-10-2019, 12:38 PM	#8
bigshow2966 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 654 Likes: 675 Liked 180 Times in 55 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists It's Bruton Smith's gimmick. His track, his rules.

04-10-2019, 01:19 PM	#10
Mike Gray Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 617 Likes: 311 Liked 687 Times in 198 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists And who can read the numbers clearly on that bright green highlight. They end up being taken down before I can figure out what the winner ran.