Is it time to fix Super Class Racing?

[Wade Mahaffey]

Claude, It's like watching a baseball player bunt the ball, fans don't want to see that. They want to see it go over the fence. Yes, bunting is a strategic move to advance the runners, but hit it over the fence and they'll be on their feet cheering. That's what they're paying for!

John Holmes would'nt have ever made it in porn, if he would have had a T-stop on his johnson!!!

Wade Mahaffey

[cicero819]

Wade I'm sure any rookie Fireman you thought, understood everything you explained to him in those term. Quite funny but true. Claude

[SG316V]

This is just my observation of the fans; the casual fan is just there to watch the nitro cars anyway, and to get as close to those guys as possible when they are not on the track. They dont care about Pro Stock, Pro Mod, or the bikes so why would they want to watch any "slow" sportsman classes regardless of the format when they have just seen: cars going 300 mph, header flames 4 ft in the air, stuff blowing up left and right, and having it feel like an earthquake every pair of cars. Then they can follow them back to the pits and be 10 feet away while they service the car...

I realize not everyone is like this and there are people who go to watch the sportsman cars, I am one of them when I am not racing.

I think the "90" classes are fine the way they are and don't need "fixed". I am pretty sure that every D3 race I have been at for the last 3 years has had the largest car count in either S/C or S/G... Could be a different story in other areas? I think a more balanced entry fee vs payout would be great especially when you can routinely go to a local track, pay 1/3 the entry fee, win $1000-$1200, and not have to be there for 3 days.

Ok, I'll shut up now... just offering my $.02

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

It's like watching a baseball player bunt the ball, fans don't want to see that. They want to see it go over the fence. Yes, bunting is a strategic move to advance the runners, but hit it over the fence and they'll be on their feet cheering. That's what they're paying for!

Anyone who knows baseball well knows that a bunt is often a key part of a good game, and will cheer a good bunt or squeeze play as much as a home run. Just as in drag racing, the racers and dedicated fans realize that some of the toughest racing in the sport is in the Super classes.

And, FWIW, I don't care what the size of anyone's Johnson is.

[Wade Mahaffey]

Chris, I feel your passion for the way it is. I did the S/G thing for five seasons, and loved all of it. Did not care if anyone was watching or not. It was me against my opponent, and no one else was there. I also raced on Sundays at the Nationals when the place was full. I did like racing in front of the big crowd, more than no crowd. It was the same as taking out a hitter or former world champion. Just more exiting or more favorable I guess you would say. Now don't get me wrong, I would have gone to the race even if there were no spectators at all. But I think the National Event racer (most) think it is the big show, and it takes them to another level of enjoyment. I loved it, and would like to see many others get a chance to enjoy it as well. That's why I am always in favor of lowering the cost, so more could afford to come into the sport/class. You stated that S/C was begining to dwindle in your area, and folks were moving into T/D to go fast. That should serve as your wake up to the fact that folks are not happy in S/C. Car count down + fan count down = trouble around the corner!

Brad has a very good point about the folks that come to see the big dogs, affecting Super Class fans. But remember, that is only at National Events. I would like to see the Super Class racers enjoy the top dog status at smaller and/or local events. But you must have a fan base! You must have an entertianment product to sell them! They're your classes, it's up to you to save them!

Wade Mahaffey

[Chris Williams]

Originally Posted by Wade Mahaffey

Chris, I feel your passion for the way it is.

Wade, it seems that you aren't reading the whole thread. I fully acknowledge and am concerned about dwindling participation, and I've made several suggestions on ways to improve the Super classes, including one proposal to abandon them all together in favor of a ladder of bracket classes.