Divisional spectator attendance?

[AJ Laferty]

Traditionally, drag racing has been all about fans watching the starting line action. With bracket, .90 index, and even class racing, the race is at the finish. Of course, it is still won and lost at the starting line but with a handicapped start how can a spectator tell except to look at a reaction time on the display? If the spectators were at the finish line and saw what .002 margin of victory looks like, it may be more exciting to them. (especially the slow stockers I like to watch)

How many tracks have stands at the finish line? Maybe just a frequent announcement by the track to encourage fans to move to the finish line area and they would see the close racing. Watching burnouts and wheelstands can get old as a spectator. Yeah, part of the show, but I think that is more for the TF/FC/PS teams.

There MAY be some insurance issues here, I don't know.

Just a different way to look at the issue. If drag racers want fans to pay for bigger purses, it has to be entertaining to the fans.

The only place I think it is worse is autocrossing, another form of class racing. NOBODY comes out to watch that, let alone pay to watch. .002 MOV in autox is completely undetectable and if the driver is really good and smooth, the car is boring to watch. Of course in autox, there is no pursuit of a purse, just pay your money, make your runs and see who wins at the end.

So, consider this. If the track didn't have to pay a purse, how much would your entry fee be? half, a third? Does that even matter compared to the other costs?

How many people are actually MAKING MONEY racing (not making money off racing)? I HAVE made money racing at a few events, but the total cost is nowhere close to breaking even. I race for the fun and the camaraderie. I guess I'm not a "serious" racer.