Divisional spectator attendance?

Kevin Panzino · 07-19-2014, 09:20 PM

After returning from a 12 year hiatus from racing one thing stands out as very different. Almost no spectators in the stands. Literally a few dozen. Wow. I've been reading about how bad it is but didn't really hit me till I saw it. How are we going to get spectators in the stands? The top dragster/top sportsman classes didn't bring em. The nitro Harley's didn't bring em.

One place stands out... Norwalk. Whatever Bader is doing is working that's for sure. I'm concerned how much longer our sportsman venue is going to survive with essentially zero spectator revenue.

Are racer and crew entries alone enough to cover the costs for nhra divisionals??

Ed Wright · 07-19-2014, 09:22 PM

Nobody wants to watch bracket racing. That is all top sportsman and top dragster are doing also.

jwsamuel · 07-19-2014, 09:26 PM

Big crowd here at New England for the divisional race. Probably around 5,000 in the stands and there were no free tickets. They are staying in the stands for Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. Also have jets, nostalgia funny cars and wheelstanders, plus fireworks.

Jim

Ed Wright · 07-19-2014, 09:28 PM

Lots of bored people in New England? LOL

BILL TAYLOR · 07-19-2014, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwsamuel

Big crowd here at New England for the divisional race. Probably around 5,000 in the stands and there were no free tickets. They are staying in the stands for Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. Also have jets, nostalgia funny cars and wheelstanders, plus fireworks.

Jim

WOW, 5,000 in the stands? Gotta be a worlds record for a Divisional. Hope it's accurate, most encouraging thing I've heard lately for Sportsman Racing!

Kevin Panzino · 07-19-2014, 09:37 PM

Jim that's good to hear. I'm sittin in the stands at Columbus right now and it's a ghost town. Maple grove had some folks, not too bad. Leb valley and Columbus are sad.

Not to mention Columbus looks a bit, shall we say.. long of tooth. Looks like they are cutting back on the facility maintenance budget that's for sure.

Jack Matyas · 07-19-2014, 11:12 PM

Tonight at New England Lucas Oil Series ...............

Adger Smith · 07-19-2014, 11:55 PM

Anyone who makes money by putting people in the stands will tell you you can't do a head count by looking at the stands from the front. Walk around back and look through the stands. That will show you all the daylight spaces vs body spaces.

bigshow2966 · 07-20-2014, 12:40 AM

What gets me is the majority of the people who whine on internet boards about the high cost of national events (as spectators) and dealing with the nitro circus will not go across the street to see a divisional race. To me a divisional is the best bang for the buck anywhere.

Rose Racing · 07-20-2014, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshow2966

What gets me is the majority of the people who whine on internet boards about the high cost of national events (as spectators) and dealing with the nitro circus will not go across the street to see a divisional race. To me a divisional is the best bang for the buck anywhere.

I agree

07-19-2014, 09:20 PM	#1
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 576 Likes: 298 Liked 748 Times in 137 Posts	Divisional spectator attendance? After returning from a 12 year hiatus from racing one thing stands out as very different. Almost no spectators in the stands. Literally a few dozen. Wow. I've been reading about how bad it is but didn't really hit me till I saw it. How are we going to get spectators in the stands? The top dragster/top sportsman classes didn't bring em. The nitro Harley's didn't bring em. One place stands out... Norwalk. Whatever Bader is doing is working that's for sure. I'm concerned how much longer our sportsman venue is going to survive with essentially zero spectator revenue. Are racer and crew entries alone enough to cover the costs for nhra divisionals??

07-19-2014, 09:22 PM	#2
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Nobody wants to watch bracket racing. That is all top sportsman and top dragster are doing also. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

07-19-2014, 09:26 PM	#3
jwsamuel Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Upper Holland, PA Posts: 423 Likes: 27 Liked 216 Times in 88 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Big crowd here at New England for the divisional race. Probably around 5,000 in the stands and there were no free tickets. They are staying in the stands for Top Dragster and Top Sportsman. Also have jets, nostalgia funny cars and wheelstanders, plus fireworks. Jim

07-19-2014, 09:28 PM	#4
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Lots of bored people in New England? LOL __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

07-19-2014, 09:37 PM	#6
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 576 Likes: 298 Liked 748 Times in 137 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Jim that's good to hear. I'm sittin in the stands at Columbus right now and it's a ghost town. Maple grove had some folks, not too bad. Leb valley and Columbus are sad. Not to mention Columbus looks a bit, shall we say.. long of tooth. Looks like they are cutting back on the facility maintenance budget that's for sure.

07-19-2014, 11:12 PM	#7
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,932 Likes: 408 Liked 2,052 Times in 400 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Tonight at New England Lucas Oil Series ............... Attached Thumbnails __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

07-19-2014, 11:55 PM	#8
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? Anyone who makes money by putting people in the stands will tell you you can't do a head count by looking at the stands from the front. Walk around back and look through the stands. That will show you all the daylight spaces vs body spaces. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

07-20-2014, 12:40 AM	#9
bigshow2966 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 654 Likes: 675 Liked 180 Times in 55 Posts	Re: Divisional spectator attendance? What gets me is the majority of the people who whine on internet boards about the high cost of national events (as spectators) and dealing with the nitro circus will not go across the street to see a divisional race. To me a divisional is the best bang for the buck anywhere.