How do we promote sportsman type racing?

[Dick Butler]

I miss driving and miss the technology but recognize the deck is stacked against true sportsman racing.
#1 Profit is the motive of the organizations for their longevity.
#2 Sportsman racing of S and SS has become TOO advanced in a sense due to rule changes without concern for costs.
#3 It may be " luck" or sentiment which keeps these classes now. Our aged racers are decreasing.
#4 There is no power in the S and SS racing group to be used to change rules, change classes or even push actual "thoughts" to those who run the business at NHRA.
#5 Personal selfishness for advantages are hard to give up for the good of the overal group or eliminators.
Summary: A separate week end, A separate Association( ClassNationals style) IS THE ANSWER. Have the whole package of Announcer, Advertising, Car shows in town, TRUE factoring, or revert to MODIFIED classes instead of BOGUS HP classes.
Accentuate HEADS UP RACING portion of event with REWARDS for winning all out.

CLASSNATIONALS did work and can again...in more than one location. And with the advertising, Cruisin style advertising, and possibly bigger spectator Market could succeed.

[cicero819]

This year I've attented two divisional as a spectator,and if we are to separate pro's from sportsman racers I can already tell you who would be suffering the most. They have to allow more cars in the program and for class racers to stop taken themselves for the show, allow some bracket racing champions and local track racer at a chance to run at their races such as a Super Chevy or Ford,Dodge Chrysler Day, you need promotion. When was the last time you called your Divisional director and asked him if he needed help from you, such as showing and promoting your race team at the local mall. Great post Terry. Claude

[MEXJOE]

This is good positive input!
We as racers need to not only sit down and type this stuff on here.
We NEED to act on our ideas.

Car shows are a good idea to let people know what we have to offer.

I found that having a large wheels up action photo of my car
got the minds of the people racing and wanting to come out an see
if this car will "REALLY" pop a wheelie!

Some remarks were...
(Daddy can we go see this car race?)
(Can I sit in your car and get a picture taken?)
(Wow! Cool! that car pops wheelies!)

I think some good close up action video would really help!

I also gave a ride to a potential sponsor ( just around the pits.)
But! It got him going, he loved it!

Glen DeMenge

[Blown68]

Promote is the "KEY" word.
Have you guys seen what happened last weekend @
SGMP: Radial Revolution, "No Mercy" - Oct. 14-16th

This was done by a promoter from Fl.
Make up a set of rules and have a Race!

Just my thoughts

Rob Striegel

[ALMACK]

Originally Posted by Blown68

Promote is the "KEY" word.
Have you guys seen what happened last weekend @
SGMP: Radial Revolution, "No Mercy" - Oct. 14-16th

This was done by a promoter from Fl.
Make up a set of rules and have a Race!

Just my thoughts

Rob Striegel

I watched that race on the net.

Not only does the promoter "get it" , but the announcers were really getting into the action as well.....heck, it had me pumped up !

I was super impressed with how well the track personnel worked to speed up eliminations and provide a hookin' track.

BTW: the younger gearheads love that style of racing. It is so easy now to make silly amounts of power.
What does it take to attract younger gearheads to class racing ?

[Jim Woods]

Terry and Alex, count me in if ever needed

[Mike Pearson]

Personally i think we as racers put on a great show right now. If you like cars, trucks trailers or anything mechanical than you would like the drag races. one of the main problems we have right now is the track owners are not promoting their product. It is easier for them to sit back and do nothing to advertise the major events at their facility. What has happened lately is the track operators want to raise the gate fees for the racers so they pay their own way. The promoters need to get the main stream media in the local area of the races to do some radio and TV advertisement. Such as local interest stories of the racers that will be attending the events. Show some footage of previous events on the local news sports section. I dont know when the last time I saw anything on the local TV sports section other than the "Ball sports"and maybe a little NASCAR. Last weekend when indy car racer Dan Weldon was killed it made the head lines in the paper. something is wrong when it takes someone getting killed to get racing into the headlines. First you have to inform the spectators when the event is happening then you have to get the spectator interested in what is happening at the event. 3rd you have to give them good value for the dollar spent. Reasonable gate fees, food and drinks. Then you have to have a really good announcer that knows the racers and the program and is able to entertain the spectators and teach them what is happening on the track.
Drag racing is the most friendly form of racing for the spectator. They can walk through the pits and see the cars up close and talk to the drivers and crew. A day at the drags is a full day of entertainment.

[Dwight Southerland]

One angle to promote is that St/SS racing is that it is an active history lesson of American/Detroit hp development. That would take savvy promoter(s), announcers and racers. '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s and current all had exceptional offerings and our racing shows what that is. It also is a venue where each time period can be appreciated and compared. Or you could divide up different eras and/or different manufacturers. There is lots of material to work with. The key is knowledge, action and excitement. The comment that was made above from the fan about still not understanding the Stock/SS racing is a telling point - if you don't know the rules to a football game, it will be hard to appreciate the action. KISS.

It can be done.

[Nathan Stinson]

Originally Posted by ALMACK

I watched that race on the net.

Not only does the promoter "get it" , but the announcers were really getting into the action as well.....heck, it had me pumped up !

I was super impressed with how well the track personnel worked to speed up eliminations and provide a hookin' track.

BTW: the younger gearheads love that style of racing. It is so easy now to make silly amounts of power.
What does it take to attract younger gearheads to class racing ?

Yep Al Tucci and Chris were entertaining on the mic for sure. The SGMP track guys worked their butts off all weekend and kept the surface tight. You are right that people like the power but I think the thing that most enjoy is the fact that it is all heads up balls out racing all the time, casual fans get that. No dailing in, no bitching about what the other guy runs under the index or wether the car has a blower or carb on it, its grab a lane and race if you get beat find a way to make your stuff faster and do better next time. That is real heads up racing its that simple.

[Ed Fernandez]

Just some food for thought.S/SS has been around how long?
How long have these heads up options been around?
How long do you think it will be till they get stale?
Remember the Nopi srries?
How abouut the recent index classes at national events?
Top Stock/Jr Stock?
See a pattern?