My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists

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 !

MR DERBY CITY · 04-10-2019, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x-tech man

it really sucks !

x 4 !!!!

rognelson777 · 04-10-2019, 02:49 PM

I would be interested in how the money is divided in NHRA and tracks

Does the track get any TV money for the event. How much of the Gate does NHRA get. If my memory serves me correctly, Topeka raceway had to guarantee NHRA $1.5 million in revenue when the bankruptcy papers were filed.

If track does not get any TV money, then that is why Bruton wants 4 wide, It brings in the fans.

Nascar is scrambling right now with their TV deals running out.

So some numbers I found about Nascar from Jan 1 to May 2018... ISC which owns daytona and other tracks earned $117 million in broadcast revenue through May, while all of its tickets sold combined to $56.2 million.

Rick Kolber · 04-10-2019, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

It really sucks !

X5!

Ed Wright · 04-10-2019, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-TECH MAN

It really sucks !

I can not imagine wanting to enter it.

Rich Biebel · 04-10-2019, 05:01 PM

York Dragway ran 4 wide match races in the 1960’s
Just another gimmick to try and draw a crowd.

They really didn’t need to back then as the crowds always showed up for any big name match race and exhibition show.

You never knew what you might see and didn’t want to miss it whatever it was.

Today’s comparison is definitely not NHRA’s program.

Not even close.....

I did watch some of the NASCAR Bristol race and the defenders of how great NASCAR is doing will make excuses like it was the weather or one said the place holds 160 thousand people and NASCAR didn’t lose any money. The night race at Bristol was a sellout for years and is why they added so many seats. Last week there was the continuation of their slide from popularity.

By comparison NHRA appears to be doing better with filling seats, a lot better !

SSDiv6 · 04-10-2019, 05:56 PM

Good article on the lack of fans at the Bristol race.
It looks like the prices of hotels are off the charts.
Clint Boyer picked up the phone and even the rundown hotels were $300.00 + per night.

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/heres-w...ny-empty-seats

04-10-2019, 12:04 PM	#2
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 616 Likes: 17 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	#3
bigshow2966 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chicago Posts: 654 Likes: 676 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, 02:49 PM	#6
rognelson777 Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 376 Likes: 20 Liked 135 Times in 74 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists I would be interested in how the money is divided in NHRA and tracks Does the track get any TV money for the event. How much of the Gate does NHRA get. If my memory serves me correctly, Topeka raceway had to guarantee NHRA $1.5 million in revenue when the bankruptcy papers were filed. If track does not get any TV money, then that is why Bruton wants 4 wide, It brings in the fans. Nascar is scrambling right now with their TV deals running out. So some numbers I found about Nascar from Jan 1 to May 2018... ISC which owns daytona and other tracks earned $117 million in broadcast revenue through May, while all of its tickets sold combined to $56.2 million.

04-10-2019, 05:01 PM	#9
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,315 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists York Dragway ran 4 wide match races in the 1960’s Just another gimmick to try and draw a crowd. They really didn’t need to back then as the crowds always showed up for any big name match race and exhibition show. You never knew what you might see and didn’t want to miss it whatever it was. Today’s comparison is definitely not NHRA’s program. Not even close..... I did watch some of the NASCAR Bristol race and the defenders of how great NASCAR is doing will make excuses like it was the weather or one said the place holds 160 thousand people and NASCAR didn’t lose any money. The night race at Bristol was a sellout for years and is why they added so many seats. Last week there was the continuation of their slide from popularity. By comparison NHRA appears to be doing better with filling seats, a lot better ! __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R Last edited by Rich Biebel; 04-10-2019 at 05:10 PM.

04-10-2019, 05:56 PM	#10
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 3,045 Likes: 712 Liked 1,599 Times in 583 Posts	Re: My $.02 on Four-Wide & Hobbyists Good article on the lack of fans at the Bristol race. It looks like the prices of hotels are off the charts. Clint Boyer picked up the phone and even the rundown hotels were $300.00 + per night. https://www.foxnews.com/auto/heres-w...ny-empty-seats

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